Penguin Travel DMC / +359 2 400 10 50

The Brown Bear viewing is not just a touch to real nature but a lifetime experience! We offer you an exciting tour dedicated to observing wild Brown Bears in their hunting territories, without fences, without human interference and what is most important - in the heart of the most virgin area of the Rodopi Mountains. Viewing Brown Bears is rather thrilling experience as there is no guarantee in nature what will happen and if being on the Bears track would be successful. However for this tour we use local rangers that are fully aware of the behaviour of the Brown Bears and the wildlife in their territory in general. We give 90% guarantee of observing wild Brown Bear if you come during the best period for that: April-May (after the winter hibernation) and September - the beginning of October (before the winter hibernation).

During summer the chance is smaller as food sources are abundant and bears are difficult to be attracted to certain areas appropriate for viewing from a short distance. And last but not least this tour gives 100% guarantee of watching the Balkans subspecies of the Chamois - the Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) as well as another hidden animal - the Capercaillie. Tracking displaying males of Capercaillie in April requires very early morning walks in the snow and keeping absolute silence by their displaying grounds. En-route we may see also Hazel Grouse, Wild Boar etc. Although we have encountered packs of wolves with our previous groups they still remain a matter of great luck.

Itinerary:

Day 1. Sofia - Rhodopi Mountains
Transfer from Sofia to our guest house  in the Rhodopi Mountains (about 2,5 hrs drive). -/-D

Days 2-3. Attempts for brown-bear observation
We use hides that are specially arranged for watching Brown Bears, which can accommodate up to 3 people (normally 2). This is where we spend few hours after sunset and before sunrise or a whole night waiting for the bear to appear, keeping silence all the time. If lucky we may enjoy a mother with cubs or solitary males and other nocturnal wildlife too. The bears are usually seen from 30-50 meters. However a close-up view is not excluded and this is really something that remains for life. As the search of Brown Bear is done best at dusk or at dawn, daytime could be spent on many other activities depending on your wish (some of them subject to extra payment. B/-/D

Day 4. Rhodopi mountains - Sofia
Transfer back to Sofia. End of tour. B/-/-

Good to know: The best time for bear viewing is around full Moon (+/- 3 days).

Necessary equipment: Although night vision optics is available in the lodge it will be best if you manage to spot the animals using just the natural light (even through normal bins). Bringing binoculars is also recommended as some of the animals are seen from a long distance. Noiseless clothing is essential (no plastic jackets or pants). Please do consider the low temperatures at night while standing at one place in the hides for a long time and be prepared with warm clothes.