Day 1: Arrival in Bratislava (Vienna, Krakow, Kosice airport), High Tatras

Transfer to High Tatras National Park. Evening bear observation from special hides.

Overnight in the High Tatras

Day 2: Skalnate pleso (lift)

Lift to Skalnate pleso (1751 m, astronomical and meteorological observatory) for breathtaking landscape views overlooking Tatras peaks. Evening: Bear observation.

Target Birds: Golden Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Hazel Grouse, Corncrake, Boreal Owl, Pygmy Owl, Black Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Alpine Accentor, Water Pipit, Common Firecrest, White-throated Dipper, Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, Common Rosefinch

Overnight in the High Tatras

Day 3: Levoca (UNESCO), transfer to East Slovakia

Transfer to East Slovakia. A short stop in historical center of UNESCO listed town of Levoca on the way.  Arrival to Vihorlat Mountains. Bird observation with excellent local guide Dr. Stefan Danko.

Target birds: Woodpecker observation: White Backed and Syrian plus Ural Owl, Saker Falcon and Imperial Eagle.

Overnight in Zemplinska Sirava area

Day 4: Vihorlat Mountains, the bird paradise

The bird paradise lying in the corner between the Hungary and the Ukraine will offer us exciting day with about 100 bird species. The Vihorlat Mountains and surrounding - we will see a protected nest of Eastern Imperial Eagle there. You will learn about the project “The Nest Protection of Imperial Eagles in Slovakia”. There is a very good chance to see other raptors Short-toed Snake Eagle, and Saker Falcon. Except raptors we will enjoy Ural Owl and Eurasian Eagle Owl, White Backed Woodpecker as well.

Target birds: Black Stork, White-tailed Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Red-footed Falcon, Corncrake, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Ural Owl, Scops Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Barred Warbler, Common Grashopper Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, European Serin, Hawfinch

Overnight in Zemplinska Sirava area

Day 5: Senne Ponds & Larorica Marches - the Ramsar Sites, Tokai wine tasting

Senne Ponds & Latorica Marches, a Ramsar Site, one of the most important birding sites in Slovakia. We will make an enjoyable break for testing of excellent local TOKAI wines. Evening we arrive to the Volovske vrchy Mountains for Eurasian Woodcock, Pygmy and Boreal Owl observation.

Target birds: Red-necked Grebe, Pygmy Cormorant, Purple Heron, Eurasian Bittern, Little Bittern, Squacco Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, Little Egret, Black Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Ferruginous Duck, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Montagu’s Harrier, Saker Falcon, Little Crake, Common Crane, migrating waders, White-winged Tern, Whiskered Tern, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Eurasian Hoopoe, Syrian Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Bearded Reedling, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Tawny Pipit, Barred Warbler, Common Grashopper Warbler, River Warbler, Icterine Warbler, Eurasian Penduline Tit, Lesser Grey Shrike, European Serin, Hawfinch.

Overnight in Medzev

Day 6: Slovak Karst, Volovské vrchy Mountains

The Slovak Karst, a plateau formed by limestone and dolomites, is famous for its hundreds of caves and rich alpine and thermophilic flora. Volovske vrchy Mountains, the part of The Slovenske Rudohorie Mountains, are mainly beech forests, an ideal habitat of many Carpathian mountain birds.Evening: catching and ringing of the bats near the hotel (by our excellent local guide Stefan Matis).

Target birds: Black Stork, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Short-toed Snake Eagle, Hazel Grouse,  Eurasian Woodcock, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Boreal Owl, Pygmy Owl, Little Owl, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Syrian Woodpecker, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Three-toed Woodpecker, Eurasian Wryneck, Crested Lark, Woodlark, Common  Firecrest, Barred Warbler, Red-breasted Flycatcher, Collared Flycatcher, Crested Tit, Spotted Nutcracker, European Serin, Hawfinch, Rock Bunting.

Overnight in Medzev

Day 7: Departure

Transfer to Bratislava (Vienna, Krakow, Kosice airport)for a departure flight.