MULTI-DAY / ESTONIA / WILDLIFE IN ESTONIA
| TALLINN / MATSALU NATIONAL PARK / SALEVERE HIKING ROUTE / BEAVER WATCHING TOUR / HIIUMAA ISLAND / RINGED SEAL WATCHING / KARDLA CITY / ORJAKU NATURE TRAIL / PÄRNU / ELISTVERE ANIMAL PARK / PEIPSI LAKE |
PRICE (one person)
THE PRICE INCLUDES
•Twin room and breakfast in hotel
•Travel by transport along a route
•Services of a English speaking guide – driver
•Admission tickets (every day from the list)
•Excursion accompaniment
•Organization of the itinerary
ADDITIONAL COSTS
•Visa in Europe
•Airline tickets
•Meals & Tips
•Personal expenses
•Medical insurance
•All charges what are not included in the program
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
•Travel Agency reserves the right to change the order of the excursions, keeping their number
Description
DAY 1 - BEAVER WATCHING TOUR
Transfer to Matsalu (125km). Matsalu is Estonia’s best-known national park. Matsalu National Park comprises the shallow Matsalu Bay, nearly 50 islands and islets and the Väinameri Sea that surrounds them. There are a number of semi-natural floodplains and coastal meadows, which need constant mowing and grazing to be preserved. Matsalu National Park is one of Europe’s most important stopover sites for waterfowl on their flight from the Arctic to Western Europe. It is a true paradise for bird watchers.
Here we will have hiking route Salevere (2h) - the 1.5 km trail runs along the ridge rising a dozen metres above the surrounding ground level. The ridge is covered with alvar forest rich in different species, the cliff towers above a nemoral forest, which is quite a rare forest type in Estonia. The trail starts on an alvar with juniper bushes, in the middle part offers you a detour to the ridge of a prehistoric defence structure, and at the end a chance to drink refreshing natural spring water.
In the evening we will have Beaver watching boat tours (2-3h) in Matsalu NP in Kasari river delta. Matsalu NP reed beds and river banks are ideal habitat for beavers. High beaver lodges are next to the river shore. We drive pass several beaver litter territory. In the evening beavers come to feed on the river banks and are easy to see. In additional to the beavers we might see different birds- common cranes, kingfisher, marsh harrier, nightjar and also the bats who are hunting insects over water. Sometimes mink might cross the river or we spot wild boars and elks.
Overnight in Matsalu.
DAY 2 - RINGED SEAL WATCHING
Early morning, after the breakfast we have transfer to Hiiumaa (1,5hr) - an island in the Baltic Sea, rich by versatile, beautiful and intact nature and nice people. Thanks to the surrounding sea, the climate on Hiiumaa is a bit different from the one on the continent. There are more sunny days and less rainy days. For Hiiumaa small islets around the island are like colourful pearls around the neck of a beautiful woman. Some of these more than 200 islands and islets have no flora or fauna for they have only recently emerged from the sea. Some of them are afforested.
To reach Hiiumaa Island we will have ferry (0,45min).
Here we will have Ringed Seal Watching (2-3hr). Estonia hosts the southernmost ringed seal population in the world. They have huge haul-out areas, making them easy to watch. In Spring and Autumn they rest near small islets and lay lazily on the coastal rocks. We offer Ringed Seal watching tours around Hiiumaa islets by boat.
After we will have transfer to Kärdla - is the only town in Hiiumaa, located in the north-eastern coast of the island. Known for it’s cosy islander atmosphere, Kärdla is a lovely destination for laid back travellers.
After lunch we will have Orjaku Nature Trail - You can start your walk along Orjaku nature trail in Kassari from the beacon situated 500 m from the “eye” of Orjaku or from the lighthouse on the hill of Orjaku. In both cases you can expect a 1, 5 km trail through junipers from where you can get a view of the bay of Käina – one of the most species cotaining bird preserves in Estonia.
Overnight in Kärdla.
DAY 3 - ELISTVERE ANIMAL PARK
Early morning, after breakfast we will have transfer to Elistvere Animal Park (4h).
On the way to Elistvere we will take a rest in Pärnu (1h) - has been the official summer capital of Estonia for many years! In fact, this resort city has been synonymous with sun, sea and beach.
We will have walk in Elistvere Animal Park (3hr) - the animal park which opened in 1997 is located in the territory of the former Elistvere manor park. Native wild animals – foxes, roe deer, a bear, lynxes, elks, wild boars, buffalos – are settled in the conditions similar to those they experience in the nature. Those interested may also visit the small rodents’ centre. Nature study trails introduce various plant species with the help of information signs. A boardwalk will take visitors to the viewing platform by Lake Elistvere where one can admire the lake’s rich bird kingdom.
From Elisvere move forward to Peipsi lake (1h) - straddling the Estonian-Russian border, Lake Peipsi (Chudskoe Ozero in Russian) is the fifth-largest lake in Europe. This area had popular resorts during Soviet times but many of them have been left to crumble.
Here we will try to find and taste famous Peipsi lake smoked fish.
After we will have transfer to Tallinn.
Overnight in Tallinn.
DAY 4 - DEPARTURE
Arrangements end after breakfast with transfer to the airport.
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