The Land of Golden Eagles

characteristics: National Park Malá Fatra is a very diverse and miscellaneous mountain range. Many various vegetation types are spread on such a small area in mosaics along the altitudinal gradient and according to geological bedrock, orientation and relief. The species diversity and the uniqueness of the regional flora is a result of specific evolution of vegetation during the postglacial era, as well as during the last centuries, conditioned by Walachian colonisation. These facts, together with the specific position within high mountain ranges of the Central Carpathians (Krivánska Malá Fatra Mts is the most north-western mountain range and hence the first wind-breaking barrier to strong north-western winds), miscellaneous geological bedrock and landscape heterogeneity contribute to an exceptional variability of natural ecosystems in the area.

highlights of this area: beautiful preserved spruce forests, mountain meadows

other highlights: orchid meadows (Orchis maculata, Gladioulus imbricatus), wooden church in Leštiny, waterfall in Lúčky, unique rescue center for wild animals in Malá Fatra Mts., traditional sheep cheese products

protected areas visited: IBA, SPA and National Park Malá Fatra, IBA (and SPA) Chočské vrchy

target species: Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Tengmalm´s Owl (Aegolius funereus), White-backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos), Red-breasted Flycatcher (Ficedula parva)

other species: birds: Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), Hazel Grouse (Tetrastes bonasia), Corncrake (Crex crex), Ural Owl (Strix uralensis), Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium passerinum), Eagle Owl (Bubo bubo), Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), Three-toed Woodpecker (Picoides tridactylus), Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta), Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio), Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis), Wood Warbler (Phylloscopus sibilatrix), Hawfinch (Coccothraustes coccothraustes), Icterine Warbler (Hippolais icterina), Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), Barred Warbler (Sylvia nisoria); mammals: Brown Bear, Grey Wolf, Eurasian Lynx

Trip length: 5 days

Terrain difficulty: hilly area, but generally easy short walking, moderate hiking in higher altitudes during two days of the trip

Accommodation: *** small guest house in a nice locality surrounded by forests and pastures – possibility to walk around

Day 1: departure from Bratislava (it s possible to get a paid lift from Vienna airport or Krakow,) arrival in the afternoon; birds of grassy habitats (Corncrake, Quail, eagles, Stonechat, Whinchat, Garden Warbler, Greater Whitethroat, Blackcap, Tree Sparrow, Icterine Warbler); after the dinner: forest species of owls (Tawny Owl, Ural Owl, Tengmalm´s Owl, Pygmy Owl)

Day 2: moderate walking whole-day trip: species of mixed forests (woodpeckers, flycatchers, Wood Warbler, White-backed Woodpecker, Hazel Grouse); species of coniferous forests (Mistle Thrush, Ring Ouzel, Black Grouse), alpine habitats (Corncrake, Water Pipit, Black Grouse, Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Barred Warbler); orchid meadow (Spotted Orchid, Gladiolus)

Day 3: morning: transfer to the top of Kubínska hoľa peak, alpine habitats, moderate walking through the primeval spruce forest from Vasiľova hoľa to Párač (Water Pipit, Black Grouse, Hazel Grouse, Ring Ouzel, Hawfinch, Tengmalm´s Owl, Pygmy Owl, Tawny Owl, Three-toed Woodpecker, Capercaillie + bear, wolf, lynx); after dinner: an evening walk (Corncrake, Quail, Long-eared Owl)

Day 4: morning: transfer to Leštiny, guided visit of historical wooden church, transfer to Lúčky, visit of local waterfall, birds of open spaces (Corncrake, Red-backed Shrike, Barred Warbler, falcons, eagles, Wryneck); afternoon: birds of water reservoirs Bešeňová and Liptovská Mara (cormorants, swans, ducks, gulls, terns, White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, waders)

Day 5: morning: rescue center in Zázrivá village and its surroundings (Golden Eagle, Peregrine Falcon, Corncrake, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike); departure back to Bratislava

Starting and final point: Bratislava. Possibility to get an extra paid transfer from airport Vienna or Krakow.

Recommended term: May – June

Prices for guiding in English for 1 person:

625,-€ / 4 – 5 participants

455,-€ / 6 – 10 participants

375,-€ / 11 and more participants

Price includes: transport, accommodation (4 nights), full board (4x breakfast, 5x lunch, 4x dinner), full guiding service, local guide, binoculars and bird identification guide rental, corporation insolvency insurance

Price does NOT include: individual travel insurance