Caspian Spring Tour (12 days)

Season: April – June

Target species: Caucasian Snowcock, Caucasian Black Grouse, See-see Partridge, Black Francolin, all four vultures, Shikra, White-tailed Lapwing, Terek Sandpiper, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Great Spotted Woodpecker (ssp. poelzami), Bimaculated Lark, Western and Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Wallcreeper, Rose-coloured Starling, Güldenstadt’s Redstart, Rufous-tailed Bushchat, White-throated Robin, Blue and Red-tailed Rock Thrush, Finsch’s, Pied and Persian Wheatear, Alpine and Raddes’ Accentor, Semi-collared and Red-breasted Flycatcher, Ménétries’ Warbler, Mountain Chiffchaff, Green Warbler, Upcher’s Warbler, Pale Rock Sparrow, Red-fronted Serin, Caucasian Twite, Great Rosefinch, Crimson-winged, Trumpeter, Desert and Mongolian Finch, Grey-necked Bunting.

Locations: Greater Caucasus, Gobustan, Shirvan National Park, Qizilagach National Park, Talysh Mountains, Baku, Lesser Caucasus, Nakhchivan

Group size: 4 – 12 persons

Tour guide: pending

Price: pending

The profit will support the Besh Barmag Bird Migration Count.

Dates and prices have not yet been fixed and will be calculated on request. The itinerary is subject to change.

Itinerary

Day 1:

You will arrive at Baku Airport in the morning. We will pick you up and immediately set off for our first birding adventure! (If arriving on the day before and having the first night in Baku is more convenient, please let us know.)

We’ll travel north through an awakening Baku to the Greater Caucasus, covering several hours by bus with interesting stops along the way. The landscape transitions from semi-desert to much more humid conditions in the mountains. We’ll pause at the vibrant ‘Candy Cane Mountains,’ home to typical rock species like the Eastern Rock Nuthatch and Finch’s Wheatear. We’ll then proceed to the renowned Besh Barmag migration bottleneck, where we’ll be on the lookout for raptors and other late migrants.

As the evening approaches, we’ll arrive at the mountain forests of the Greater Caucasus, where we will spend the night at Nazli Bulaq hotel, filled with anticipation for the highlight of tomorrow: Shahdag National Park.

Day 2:

At dawn, we gather ourselves into classic Soviet model four-wheel drive vehicles and embark on our journey through a breathtaking mountain landscape. Along the road, we spot species like the Rock Bunting, Water Pipit, Ring Ouzel, and Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush. Progressing beyond the tree line, we approach the legendary village of Khinaliq, situated at 2,100 meters above sea level. This village remained isolated from the outside world until quite recently. From Xinaliq, we hike the final elevation to the flank of Gizilgaya mountain, in search of the Caucasian Snowcock, Bearded Vulture, Alpine Accentor, Güldenstädt’s Redstart, Wallcreeper, Great Rosefinch, and other alpine treasures. Our stay in Xinaliq extends until evening and spend the night again in Nazli Bulaq hotel.

Day 3:

We set out early once again to explore another section of Shahdag National Park. In the morning, we arrive at the mountain village of Laza, which provides an excellent vantage point for observing the Caucasian Black Grouse as they display on the slopes above the village. Here, on the lush northern side of the Gizilgaya massif, the low birch shrubs are also home to species like the Caucasian Chiffchaff and Green Warbler. In the meadows, the Red-fronted Serin and Caucasian Twite are commonly seen, and we also have the opportunity to spot the Great Rosefinch. The scenery is truly spectacular, with snow-capped peaks reaching up to 4,000 meters surrounding us.

On our return journey to our accommodation in Nazli Bulaq, we make several stops in the Caucasian forest, aiming to spot the Red-breasted Flycatcher, Semi-collared Flycatcher, and Green Warbler.

Day 4:

In the morning, we seize the opportunity to finalize our species list at this birding location. Our target is the valley of the Guidalchay River, which carves through the Caucasus, and we’re delving into the adjacent high mountain ecosystems. Later in the afternoon, we head south to Salyan, where we will spend the night at the Kur Hotel.

Overnight stay at Kur Hotel, Salyan.

Day 5:

In the morning, we journey to the nation’s main pride in nature conservation – Shirvan National Park. Within this expanse, we’ll encounter an untouched steppe landscape, wormwood scrub, and a floodplain lake surrounded by reed beds. Among the representative fauna and during our initial encounter with the country’s avian population, we can anticipate sightings of the Black Francolin, Little Owl, Roller, Lesser Kestrel, Menetries, and Eastern Olivaceous Warbler. At the flamingo lake, equipped with a “bird tower” and a reed hide, we eagerly anticipate the presence of the Pygmy Cormorant, various heron species, Purple Swamphen, Red-crested Pochard, and Ferruginous Duck. A true gem within the park is the thriving population of Goitered Gazelles.

During the afternoon, we proceed to the nearby Gobustan petroglyphs site, renowned for its archaeological and cultural significance. Given the frequent visitors to this location, most bird species that favor rocky habitats are accustomed to human presence and easily observable. Expect to marvel at the Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Rock Bunting, Rock Sparrow, Chukar, Pied Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, and Red-billed Chough.

We will spend another night at Kur hotel, Salyan.

Pumpjacks and Goitered Gazelles in Shirvan National Park

Day 6:

The journey continues across farmland and over the canals of the Kura-Araz lowland. After making several stops along the way, we arrive at Masalli in the southernmost part of the country. Here, we will enjoy lunch at the Shikra site, offering the best opportunities to observe these exclusive birds. Continuing for a few more kilometers, we arrive at the expansive coastal lagoon, Qizilagach. This habitat hosts a diverse array of wetland species, including numerous marsh terns and all types of herons. Along the sandy beaches and lagoons of the Caspian Sea, we’ll find resting waders, which might include flocks of Terek and Broad-billed Sandpipers and breeding Collared Pratincoles and White-tailed Lapwings. Colonies of Blue-checked Bee-eaters are a colourful delight along the road.

For the night, we’ll be accommodated at the Tebessüm complex, nestled within the lush and subtropical Talysh Mountains, near the border with Iran.

Overnight stay at Tebessüm.

Day 7:

In the morning, we take a stroll around the complex, immersing ourselves in the untouched ambiance of the deciduous forest. Here, we’ll have the chance to observe typical European forest birds and catch glimpses of the endemic subspecies of the Greater Spotted Woodpecker (poelzami). Throughout the day, our quest leads us to search for the elusive Caspian Tit, a species that breeds in the vicinity of Lerik and breeding sites were re-discovered in recent years. If our efforts do not yield success, we’ll have another opportunity the next day.

Overnight stay at Tebessüm.

Day 8:

We will make another attempt to spot the Caspian Tit around Lerik (when not seen the day before). In the afternoon we will venture into the arid mountain semi-desert of Zuvand upland. Our objective here is to locate the Bimaculated Lark, Pale Rock Sparrow, White-throated Robin, Crimson-winged Finch, and other species. Our stay in Zuvand will extend until the evening.

Overnight stay at Tebessüm.

Day 9:

In the morning, we commence our drive back to Baku, making occasional stops along the route. During the afternoon, we’ll have the opportunity for sightseeing in this incredible capital, exploring its historic city center. We spend the night at a hotel in Baku.

Day 10:

We take the morning flight to Nakhchivan and start birding upon arrival. We stay three nights and explore the province with the main town as a base.

Day 11-12:

Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, often referred to as NAR, constitutes a distinct region within Azerbaijan, sharing borders with Turkey, Iran, and Armenia. The landscape bears semblance to a semi-desert environment, predominantly barren, while the birdlife mirrors that of the Anatolian plateau in eastern Turkey. However, the higher peaks are lush with alpine meadows.

Our pursuit in this region encompasses the Persian Wheatear, Mongolian, Desert, and Trumpeter Finch, Grey-necked Bunting, Eastern Rock Nuthatch, Upcher’s Warbler, White-throated Robin, See-see Partridge, Bimaculated Lark, Pale Rock Sparrow, and the enigmatic Radde’s Accentor.

Typical semi-desert landscape in Nakhchivan

Day 13:

Early morning we fly from Nakhchivan to Istanbul and further to our home destinations.

Travel route:

Including:

all accommodations
all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
all entry fees according to the program
unlimited tea and water
single entry e-visa and registration
tips to the hotel bellboys
transportation service with a comfortable bus
airport transfers
4 WD Lada Niva service in Greater Caucasus (2-3 days) and Talysh Mountains (2 days)

Excluding: