Welcome to
Varna
Private Birdwatching and Cultural Heritage Tour from Varna
- Duration8 hours
- Max Travelers7 people
- Free CancellationUp to 24 hrs
- CategoryAgent Low Quality Product, Archaeology Tours
Overview
This is a one day guided tour that takes you to the west of Varna to explore a region with exceptional natural beauty, and which is also very rich in archaeological and historical monuments.The tour starts and ends in Varna, visiting the towns of Shumen and Provadia. The sites we visit include the Madara archaeological reserve- a UNESCO world heritage site, the Shumen Plateau Nature Park with Shumen fortressand the The Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument and the Ovech Fortress in Provadia. All of these sites are situated in picturesque surroundings, with exceptionally rich birdlife.
Bird species that may be seen on this tour, depending on the season: Egyptian Vulture, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Black Stork, White Stork, Middle Spotted Woodpecker, European Roller, European Bee-eater, Black-headed Bunting, Sombre Tit.
Gallery
What's included
use of binoculars (on request)
Air-conditioned vehicle
What's Not included
Food and drinks
Lunch
Entrance fees
Itinerary
We will pick you up from your accommodation / hotel in Varna at 9 AM. In about an hour drive we will reach our first destination, the Madara Archaeological Reserve, featuring a rock relief sculpture from the dawn of the Bulgarian state back in the 8th century. Because of its uniqueness the Madara Rider relief is included in the list of the UNESCO world cultural heritage sites.
Having spent about an hour at Madara, we will continue our trip to the town of Shumen. There weu2019ll visit the Shumen fortress located on a high plateau 2 km from the town and dated as far back as the Troyan war (about 13 c BC). Shumen Fortress (the Old Town) is the most significant historical and archaeological site on the territory of the nature park. It is a sophisticated complex of residential, religious, and fortification buildings. Today Shumen Fortress is a well-researched, preserved, and partially restored historical and archaeological reserve. The plateau itself was declared a nature park in 1980 with the aim of preserving its valuable flora and fauna species, its tableland landscape and its tourist spots and places for rest.
While in the area, we also visit The Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument, which is located 6 km away from Shumen, at 450 m above mean sea level. It stands on a hill on the territory of Shumen Plateau Nature Park.nThe idea to build the monument was conceived in 1977 during the preparations for the celebration of the 1300th anniversary since the establishment of the Bulgarian state (681). The monument consists of two groups of concrete blocks separated from one another by small spaces. The biggest outdoor mosaic-triptych in Europe can be seen here. A granite lion weighing 1000 tons is placed on the top of the memorial.nnWe may have, of course, a walk in the old part of the town, where weu2019ll have our lunch.
On our back way to Varna, we will visit the Ovech fortress u2013 another picturesque site with a stone stronghold located east of the town of Provadia. The area abounds in unique natural formations such as attractive surface and underground karst caves. There are also ponors, sinkholes, picturesque valley formations shaped as small canyons and inaccessible rock rims, etc.
Good to know
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.