May 6 - 13  Sun - Sun
Group Size: 7
Starting Point: Minsk
Based: Buda Clupinsky 4 nights (shared facilities), 
Dobroplesy 3 nights (en suite facilities)                                                                               
Walking: Easy to Moderate

Description: Situated near the Ukraine border, 280 km. south of the capital Minsk, Pripiatsky National Park ranks among Europe's top wildlife destinations. Annual spring flooding of the great Pripiat River is the main essence of the region, promoting characteristic land/waterscapes, extensive raised bogs and unique wetland oak forests. 
  
The sheer volume of birdlife on and around the river is quite staggering, including numerous Terek Sandpipers (highest breeding population in Europe) and the greatest concentrations of displaying Ruffs to be seen anywhere (up to 150,000 pass through). A Great Snipe lek is located at the edge of the floodplain.
 
All species of European forest grouse, marsh terns, woodpeckers and harriers occur, plus Eagle and Pygmy Owls, Cranes, Collared and Red-breasted Flycatchers, Bluethroats, Thrush Nightingales and the exquisite Azure Tit.

A significant list of mammals includes Eastern Hedgehog, European Beaver, Wild Boar, Elk, European Bison, Raccoon Dog, European Mink, Wolf and Lynx.

Among the diversity of other wildlife we encounter a great many amphibians (unforgettable evening chorus), Raft Spiders, butterflies including Swallowtail and Camberwell Beauty, while Eastern Pasque Flower, Yellow Anemone, Bulbous Corydalis, Spring Pea, Bog Rosemary, Labrador Tea, Leatherleaf, Lungwort, Toothwort, May Lily and Bog Arum are among wildflowers.

On the wildlife scene every branch of interest is well catered for.  But the Belarus experience features so much more than wildlife.  Rural villages will leave us with unforgettable memories. We are welcomed by local peasant folk who delight at our presence, and witness a way of life unimaginable in the west.

Itinerary:
Day 1  Sunday:  Early afternoon flight from London Gatwick to Minsk, then travel by minibus (4 hours) to  Pripiatsky.    

Days 2 – 4  Monday - Wednesday:  Explore the southern aspect of the Pripiat from Chlupinsky Buda: wetlands and broadleaf forests.

Days 5 – 7  Thursday – Saturday:  River-boat transfer to Doroshevichy in the north to explore the Pripiat floodplain and pine forest habitat.   

Day 8  Sunday:  Return to Minsk for the midday flight to London.

Cost:  £1050...includes: Accommodation; all meals;  ground travel within Belarus; tips.

Excludes:  Air travel;  visa fee;  tips;  bar items etc.. 

Deposit:  £150                                                  

No Single Room Supplement

Flight cost from London Gatwick to Minsk:   circa £220.

See 'About Us' for statement about flights.