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An expert led tour of the Lake Kerkini area mainly looking at birdlife but also butterflies and dragonflies. A wonderful area for wildlife with delightful villages and a great local hotel by the lakeside. The two guides were excellent at pointing out features and identifying birds and wildlife.
A.D. West Sussex
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Go Slow in Northern Greece
Tour Code: GRC13A relaxed-paced, 8-day birdwatching holiday to Lake Kerkini, one of the finest wetlands in Greece.
8 days
from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,745
£1,745
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Contained by the natural barriers of the Kerkini Mountains to the north and the Mavrovouni Mountains to the south, Lake Kerkini lies close to the Bulgarian border in northern Greece, and is renowned as one of the finest wetland sites in Europe. The lake and its surrounding regions are the focus of this tour, which begins with a direct 3-hour flight from London to Thessaloniki and a 2-hour drive to a lakeside hotel; our base for the next seven nights. Although most famous for its breeding populations of endangered Dalmatian Pelicans and Pygmy Cormorants, the huge heronry in the centre of Lake Kerkini at this time of year provides sanctuary for a wealth of other waterbirds, including numerous egrets, Spoonbills, Night, Purple and Squacco Herons. As we explore the surrounding countryside we will be captivated by the sights and sounds of spring as Bee-eaters swoop down acrobatically in pursuit of insects and Golden Orioles utter their fluty calls from stands of trees. Red-backed, Woodchat and delicate Masked Shrikes wreak havoc among the local insect population, whilst Black-headed, Cirl and Corn Buntings sing from roadside bushes. A wide variety of warblers, including Subalpine, Olivaceous and Olive-tree — the latter something of a speciality of northern Greece — should also be in song, although their more covert nature may make them somewhat harder to observe. As we explore further afield we should also find Lesser Spotted, Short-toed and Booted Eagles soaring overhead, Black Storks, Penduline Tits and Great Reed Warblers around the lakeshore and Western Rock Nuthatches, Rock Thrushes and both Ortolan and Rock Buntings on the nearby mountain slopes.
- Relaxing boat trips to view nesting water birds
- Daily passage of migrant birds
- Breeding Dalmatian Pelicans
- Exciting breeding species such as Olive Tree Warbler and Masked Shrike
- Comfortable lakeside single-centre base
- Delicious local cuisine and warm hospitality
- Guided by an expert Naturetrek naturalist
Grading
A conventional natural history tour including gentle walks.NULL
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Thessalonika; drive Lake Kerkini
Day 2/7
Exploration of Lake Kerkini and surrounding areas
Day 8
Drive Thessalonika and fly UK
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
We stay in a comfortable hotel with views of Lake Kerkini, each room with private facilities.
- Food:
All meals are included in the price.
Reviews
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Relaxed, well-led and thoroughly enjoyable trip. Boat trips atmospheric and superb.
R.R. Antrim -
Some wonderful birdlife and excellent boat trip. Liked hotel location and view of lake.
J.R. Northumberland
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Tue 6th May – Tue 13th May
5
£1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,745
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£295
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Relaxed Wildlife Holidays
Our programme of Go Slow wildlife holidays allows guests to enjoy the natural world at a more leisurely pace than on one of our conventional wildlife holidays. There will be more time to relax, more time to potter, excursions will be optional and we hope you will return, not only having enjoyed a fascinating mix of birds, plants and other wildlife, but also feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Our Go Slow tours range from week-long holidays that offer warm spring sunshine and gentle natural history excursions in Portugal, the Camargue and Mallorca, to tours which take on a more cultural air each afternoon, such as Go Slow … in Istria in Autumn and Go Slow … in Southern Spain. Our Go Slow holidays in the Swiss Alps and Cyprus both combine the best of the region’s botany and birdlife, or, if you would like to travel a little further afield, why not join us for a leisurely-paced exploration of India’s Tiger Country, Kenya’s Masai Mara, or South Africa’s Western Cape?
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Go Slow holiday?
On each Go Slow holiday we aim to offer as many of the following as possible:
- A single-centre holiday
- Direct flights with sociable timings
- Comfortable hotel of high quality (with swimming pool if possible), serving meals of a high standard
- Leisurely paced walks on gentle terrain
- Expert leaders, as ever, with more time for interpretation & explanation
- A maximum of 6 hours in the field each day (9.30am-3.30pm with picnic lunch or two 3-hour excursions)
- Morning and afternoon toilet/comfort stops
- Minimal long drives
- Back in time for afternoon tea
- All excursions optional
- All-inclusive cost (except bar drinks & laundry)
- Time to relax, read, paint, potter, swim or enjoy anything else that you might wish to do!
Our specialist recommends...
"If you’re looking for wonderful wildlife and great hospitality at a slower, more relaxing pace, our Go Slow portfolio could be just right. Why not consider Go Slow … in Extremadura, based at Viña las Torres in the heart of the Extremadura countryside, to enjoy some of Europe’s top birdwatching? Or, for something more exotic, have a look at Go Slow … in Trinidad, which is based at the incomparable Asa Wright Centre.”
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
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!
