Lesbos in Autumn

Tour Code: GRC09

An 8-day birdwatching holiday to the beautiful island of Lesbos to enjoy some late summer sunshine, fine birds and charming Greek tavernas.

8 days from
£1,995 (Inc flights)

Land only price from
£1,595

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Highlights

Summary

Lesbos is the third largest of the Greek islands and lies in the Aegean Sea just a few kilometres from the coast of Turkey. Unlike many of its congeners, the economy of the island is not dependent upon tourism and the traditional industries of Olive Oil production and fishing are major sources of revenue. The quality of the Olive Oil from Lesbos is considered to be amongst the best in the world and groves of Olive trees are one of the most conspicuous features of the island’s landscape. Despite the proximity of Turkey, the island is quintessentially Greek in character and in rural districts many villages follow a way of life that has hardly changed for centuries. Most of the limited holiday developments are in the north of the island but even here there are none of the excesses that have blighted other Greek islands. A rugged mountainous interior is dotted with scrubby bushes and at higher elevations there are pine forests filling the air with scent. The coastline is also a delight with long stretches of both shingle and sandy beaches, secluded coves and a shimmering blue sea. All these natural attributes would be reason enough to spend a holiday on Lesbos but for birdwatchers the island has gained a reputation for being one of the very best places in Europe to experience the exciting phenomenon of migration principally in spring, but increasingly so in autumn, when it is possible to see an impressive range of species, including the chance of rare vagrants if suitable conditions prevail. Regardless of the vagaries of migration, the island's resident and summer visitors are also of great interest, with attention particularly focused on the resident Krüper's Nuthatch which is difficult to find elsewhere in Europe.

Autumn Raptor Migration Hotspot
Variety of resident birds including Kruper's Nuthatch
Saltpans supporting flocks of Greater Flamingoes
Autumnal flowers including species of Cyclamen and Colchicum
Butterflies and dragonflies
Single hotel base in the traditional village of Skala Kallonis
Guided by expert ornithologists

Grading

Gentle birding walks.

Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1

Fly Mytilini; transfer Skala Kallonis

Day 2/7

Daily birdwatching excursions from Skala Kallonis

Day 8

Fly London

Download Full Itinerary

What's Included

What's Included?

Flights
Accommodation: A pleasant family-run tourist hotel at Skala Kallonis, all rooms with private facilities.
Food: All included in the price.

Reviews

This was my first Naturetrek holiday. My wife and I fancied a pre-winter break with walking, scenery and species interest in a new location. We got it! Reg Thorpe was all go from the crack of dawn until just before sunset - once or twice the sun was setting as we returned to base. His organisation, competence and knowledge of subject were first class. Two things are essential in such a trip; enthusiasm (about the subject - birds) and knowledge of the subject. Reg never missed a moment of the day. His very keen eye coupled with his experience of Lesbos gave us 100% of what we had come to see. I saw a number of species for the first time.
A.M. Cornwall
Chris and Reg are both very skilled birders, and very affable and caring. Also, both are good drivers; important in this mountainous terrain! A very happy trip, with good leaders and fun companions. The birding was very interesting too! The weather was good and the birds were forthcoming under the knowing eyes of our experienced leaders. A good variety of habitats were explored. Lesbos is a beautiful island and we had a chance to see all of it. The local people are very friendly and a surprising number of them speak English. They seemed genuinely pleased to see us.
D.O. London
Combination of excellent leaders (extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic), good group, pleasant hotel with very welcoming staff, good birding (but also focus on other aspects in which many are interested - butterflies, other insects, vegetation/plants etc.) and good weather.
V.Y. London

Good flights and good company. Good food and variety of food. Leaders were helpful and knowledgeable. Weather and scenery good. Flights were surprisingly good with attentive cabin staff, above average food and sizeable leg room.
C.S. Cumbria

Chris and Reg were very patient and helped at every stage. Knowledge and previous experience is a great asset. They went to great lengths to explain all about the birds, hoping to make us experts.
E.A. Merseyside

The organisational skills of Chris Murphy, our tour leader, were superb. His enthusiasm was impressive. Reg Thorpe was equally knowledgeable and very helpful.
O.A. Merseyside

Loved Chris and Reg. Two completely different characters, but nothing was ever too much trouble.
C.R. Kent

Chris knew the island well and we visited some beautiful areas. Chris and Mike were brilliant spotters and both engaged the whole group with ease. We were extremely well looked after - it was yet another superb Naturetrek tour.
S.B. Hampshire

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Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost

Wed 17th Sep – Wed 24th Sep 1 £1,995

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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.

£1,595

Single Room Supplement:

Single Room Supplement.

£195

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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

  
 
All Birdwatching Tours
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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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!