The Reptiles & Amphibians of the Greek Thrace

Tour Code: GRC24

An 8-day holiday in search of the reptiles, amphibians and other wildlife of the Greek Thrace.

We hope to run this tour in the future, but have not yet finalised dates and prices. To be added to a waiting list and be informed when details are confirmed, please click on the register interest button, or phone 01962 733051.
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

The Greek Thrace is one of Europe’s ‘must-visit’ destinations for naturalists with a plethora of eastern European species to be discovered in wonderful habitats. We begin this 8-day holiday with a flight to the historic Greek city of Thessaloniki, before transferring for a 3-night stay in Didymoteicho, a town on the eastern edge of the Greek Thrace, a stone’s throw from the border of Turkey. The itinerary continues south with a 2-night visit to Alexandroupoli and 2-night stay at Kerkini. The Thrace offers a rich tapestry of fauna, flora, stunning landscapes, intriguing geology, and a deep historical heritage. A range of over 48 reptile and amphibian species can be found here, from Balkan and central European taxa to several specialities which only enter Greece here!

Guided by one of Greece’s most experienced field herpetologists, we will enjoy the quest to discover Europe’s largest viper, the magnificent 100cm+ Ottoman Viper (Montivipera xanthina). As with any serpentine endeavour, an encounter with this superb animal will leave a feeling of privilege, having had the opportunity to study, enjoy, and photograph an impressive species so few others have.

In sun-soaked landscapes we will search for the area’s other specialities: Snake-eyed Lacertid (Ophisops elegans), Meadow Lizard (Darevskia praticola), Spur-thighed Tortoise (Testudo graeca), Caspian Whip Snake (Dolichophis caspius), Buresch's Crested Newt (Triturus ivanbureschi), Eastern Balkan Green Lizard (Lacerta diplochondrodes dobrogica), Bulgarian Bent-toed Gecko (Mediodactylus danilewskii) and numerous others.

The Greek Thrace welcomes visitors to delve into its ancient heritage and uncover the layers of civilizations that have shaped the region. The friendly locals, delicious cuisine, special species and overall rich Mediterranean biodiversity combine to make this a superb holiday for any keen naturalist.

This tour can be enjoyed on a back-to-back basis with our Reptiles & Amphibians of Greece's Pindus Mountains holiday and is part of our portfolio of herpetology holidays.

  • Over 30 species of reptile and 18 species of amphibian possible!
  • Search for the magnificent Ottoman Viper in its limited European range
  • Other eastern European specialities include Snake-eyed Lacertid, Meadow Lizard, Starred Agama, Blotched Snake and Fire-bellied Toad
  • Superb Mediterranean wildlife
  • Led by a Greek herpetologist naturalist

Grading

On a typical day on our herpetology tours we’ll begin searching in the field after breakfast, when the sun has warmed the substrates and landscapes, often getting into the vehicles at 9am and, after stopping for approximately one hour for lunch (which is often a continental-style picnic eaten in situ), we’ll continue into early-evening when we will stop for a rest and dinner. Most evenings it will be possible to do excursions in search of nocturnal species, which will on average be for three hours after dinner. With an equal percentage of the target reptile and amphibian species likely to be nocturnal, these night searches are an important part of the tour but are optional, with some participants preferring to rest on some of the days. On average, 5-8 miles are walked per day.

We’ll focus our time in the field on building an enviable list of reptile and amphibian species seen. Whilst searching, there is no doubt we’ll come across a huge variety of amazing fauna and flora, which we’ll also take time to enjoy, but reptiles and amphibians will strongly remain our focus. Sensitively checking under stones, logs and other refugia is an effective way of finding many species. Some of the target reptile or amphibian species may require longer field hours to locate and therefore this tour is suitable, and most enjoyable, for naturalists who, aside from wishing to see the region’s rarely-seen reptiles and amphibians, relish being in the field searching for and identifying the vast array of birds, butterflies, invertebrates, orchids and other wildlife which can be found sharing the wonderful habitats that we’ll explore on the tour.

In summary, Naturetrek herpetology holidays are suitable, and offer tremendous value, for those who spend most of their holiday time in wildlife habitats and for whom seeing some of the world’s superb reptiles and amphibians is the focus of their time away.

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Thessaloniki, transfer Didymoteicho
Day 2/3
Didymoteicho Region
Day 4/5
Alexandroupoli
Day 6/7
Kerkini
Day 8
Depart Thessaloniki
What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable en suite accommodation throughout

  • Food:

    All meals are included in the cost of this holiday, except for any meals required during travel, and starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with breakfast on Day 8.

Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!