Russia & Lithuania
Birds of the Amber Coast

The diverse beaches of the Baltic's Amber Coast are wild-romantic and unspoilt. The narrow land bridge of the Curonian Spit between the Baltic Sea and the Courland Lagoon is dominated by enormous shifting sand dunes and dark alluvial forests. It is one of the most impressive and unusual natural landscapes in Europe. Due to its geographical position the Spit is a guiding line for many migrating bird species. Every spring and autumn 10 to 20 million migrating birds pass over or rest here. Our tour takes us to the Neman Delta with its numerous birds and the forests of the Elchniederung (a moor region on the border between Russia and Lithuania) where wolves can occasionally be seen. In the towns and remote villages with their bright colourful wooden cottages we will gain an insight into the current living situation in Lithuania and the areas around Kaliningrad.

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Dates

1. Sat., 27. Sep. 2008 - Mon., 06. Oct. 2008
2. Fri., 22. May. 2009 - Sun., 31. May. 2009
3. Fri., 25. Sep. 2009 - Sun., 04. Oct. 2009

Price includes

• Flights
• Airport Taxes and fuel surcharge
• Airport transfers
• All transport during trip
• Half board
• Accommodation in en-suite double/single room
• Birding guide
• Entry fees
• Breach of warranty certificate

Number of participants

8 – 12 persons

Level of difficulty

Very easy tour, short and easy walks, no climbing

Note

As a visa is required for this tour please register early.

Alterations

The programme is subject to change.

Day 1

Kaliningrad

Arrival in Kaliningrad. Sightseeing tour in the afternoon: cathedral ruins, Kant’s grave, Amber Museum and the Luisenkirche (St. Louise church). Overnight stay in Kaliningrad.

Day 2

Rauschen, Palmnicken

In the morning we will make our way to Svetlogorsk, the ‛Pearl of the Baltic's Amber Coast’, with colourfully painted old wooden mansions, water tower, and the ‛water carrier’ in the Lärchenpark. Continue on to Jantarny, the only place in the world where amber is extracted in surface mining. Visit the orthodox church (nowadays) and take a look at the enormous amber mines. Hotel in Svetlogorsk.

Day 3

Zelenogradsk, Curonian Spit, Rybatschi

Drive through Baltic Sambia to Zelenogradsk, formerly a glamorous seaside resort, where the Curonian Spit begins. Our first stop is the Lesnoje Museum where natural history, rare plants and animals and the lifestyle of earlier inhabitants are portrayed. After observing a colony of Grey Herons and taking a short break at the shore of the Courland Lagoon we will continue on the former post road through a sandy forest area with pines and birches to the ‛Fringilla’ ornithological station. Walking tour over dunes and through alluvial forest where a large population of elks are at home. Visit Rybatschi village and the exhibition building of the former ornithological station. Border crossing, hotel in Nida.

Day 4

Nida

Sightseeing tour in the beautiful holiday resort Nida, with picturesque wooden cottages, Thomas Mann’s House built in typical Spit-style with thatched roof and decorated soffits, and the historical cemetery. Beautiful view from a mountain: Courland Lagoon, High Dune, Valley of Silence, the Spit forest, Baltic Sea and Nida.

Day 5

Preila, Juodkrantė

Through extensive pinewoods to Avikalnis Hill near Juodkrantė. Beautiful view of the Spit forest and the Baltic Sea (Common Raven). After a short walk over the dunes observation of a colony of Great Cormorants. Path to the Hill of Witches (Raganos Kalnas) through a pinewood, flanked by bizarre woodcarvings. Hotel in Nida.

Day 6

Klaipėda, Palanga

After breakfast we will make our way to Klaipėda. Sightseeing tour with visit to the Ännchen von Tharau-fountain and a walk through the restored historic Old Town. Continue to Palanga. In the midst of the beautifully located palace gardens you can find probably the world’s largest Amber Museum: 10 000 exhibits show amber inclusions with insects more than 50 million years old. Hotel in Klaipėda.

Day 7

Heydekrug-Tilsit

Visit to the ornithological station Windenburg. Neman Delta is a paradise for water birds, rare species are Black Stork and White-tailed Eagle. Beavers can also be found here. After some birding near Rusne we will continue via Šilutė to the border town of Sovetsk where only a few pre-war buildings are preserved. Sightseeing tour with visit to the Grenzlandtheatre, Hohen Strasse and the Franck’schen Villa. Hotel in Tilsit.

Day 8

Labiau

South-east of the Courland Lagoon are natural humid forests with a very small population of wolves and elks. S hort walking-tours through moors, marsh areas and forests. Back to Kaliningrad via Polessk (Caste of the Teutonic Order). Hotel in Kaliningrad.

Day 9

Return flight