Danube Delta & Vultures Photo Tour 8d/7n SHARED 2025/2026
Wings over water. Shadows over cliffs.
From the labyrinthine beauty of the Danube Delta to the raw cliffs of the Balkan Mountains, this is a photo tour that soars. Wetlands and vultures, silence and flight, one epic adventure for the lens and the soul.
This 8-day / 7-night wildlife photography tour blends two of Eastern Europe’s wildest landscapes into one seamless experience: the vibrant wetlands of the Danube Delta and the dramatic cliffs of the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria.
Begin with 5d/4n in the heart of the Danube Delta, with 3 full days of boat-based photography. Navigating through narrow channels and wide lakes, you’ll track iconic species like pelicans, herons, ibises, terns and more, always adjusting to light, movement and mood. Our custom-designed photo boat offers low-angle shooting, stability and expert local guidance to get you as close as ethically possible to the action.
From there, we head south to the Bulgarian side of the Balkan Mountains, where you’ll spend 3 nights and dedicate 2 full days to photographing vultures from professionally managed hides. Griffon and Cinereous Vultures dominate the skies here and the hides offer clean, natural backgrounds, dynamic action and unforgettable close encounters with some of Europe’s most impressive raptors.
The tour starts and ends in Bucharest, with all transfers, comfortable accommodation and expert guidance included. This is a small-group tour with a maximum of 4 participants, ensuring personal attention, flexibility and the best possible experience in the field, whether you’re chasing golden light in the Delta or waiting in silent awe for vultures to descend from the cliffs.
The price of this tour is:
1.890 euro/pers
The price is per person (accommodation in double room), per tour and it is in euro (EUR).
300 euro/pers/program single supplement
*To ensure comfort and privacy, we do not offer shared accommodation to guests booking separately. Solo travelers are kindly asked to book a single room, which require a single supplement.
Data for this program in 2025:
Period | Places | Price |
|---|---|---|
11 Sep - 18 Sep | Fully booked | |
9 Oct - 16 Oct | 1890 | |
Data for this program in 2026:
Period | Places | Price |
|---|---|---|
20 Apr - 27 Apr | 1890 |
Click on available number of place in the table and fill up the form. Our agents will process the request and answer to you (usually in less then 24h). Please check also the SPAM folder for our email.
Bookings
Bookings are based on a 30% deposit of the price of the program.
Included in this price:
- Accommodation at 3* level, en-suite bathroom, for 7 nights
- Half board (dinner on the first day, breakfast and dinner for days 2-7, breakfast on day 8)
- 3 days Boat Photo Tours + 2 days Vultures Hide Photo Tour.
- ENGLISH guidance – specialized photographer guide
- All the transfers for this tour, from Tulcea to Tulcea
- Fees for visiting the Danube Delta
Optionally:
- Lunch meal – the price is 15-25 euro/pers (payment directly in cash, RON or EUR, on the spot)
The price does not include:
- Beverages, other than water
- Lunch meal
- Insurance of any kind (travel, goods, etc.)
Children policy:
- Minimum age to participate is 18
Cancellation policy:
- More then 90 days before the program you can postpone the trip (you will receive a voucher available 2 years).
- Less then 90 days before the trip, the deposit is non refundable.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Pick-up from Bucharest | Transfer to Tulcea | Transfer to Mila23 | Accommodation
Pick-up hour from Bucharest is at 10:00. The pick-up points are to the Airport or in Center (Universitate).
You’ll have 2 hours free time in Tulcea, for lunch and the boat departure will be at 16:00. You will go to Mila23 and check in at the guesthouse. The transfer takes 2-2,5 hours. During the transfer, we have enough time to talk about our route, Danube Delta peculiarities, nature photography, rules and behavior in a natural reserve and the program for the next two days.
In the evening, the host will wait for you with a traditional dinner based on fish (if you have any food restrictions, please let us know when you make the booking).
Days 2-3-4 – Morning Photo Session | Breakfast | Rest/Free time | Evening Photo Session
Your trip into the Danube Delta will begin early in the morning, before sunrise, to catch its magic light and birds that begin to feed. The morning tour takes about 5-6 hours and you will have the breakfast to go or on return to the accommodation. After the morning session, you will return to the guesthouse to have some rest. With 4 hours before sunset, you will start for the evening session. You will travel to different places in Danube Delta, the routes being decided on a day to day basis, depending on weather conditions, water level and our guides experience. After taking your last shots in the dusk, you will come back to the accommodation. Don’t forget to download your photos and recharge your batteries!
Will be looking for the stars of these places: Pelicans, both the White and the rare Dalmatians. Of course, we will be looking for any kind of bird, starting with the common Little and Great Egrets, Gray, Purple, Yellow, or Night Heron, the agile Kingfisher, the majestic White-tailed Eagle and noisy Coots. Will also look for surf birds or birds that look for food in muddy stretches: Godwits, Spoonbills, Ibises, Ruffs, Stilts and others.
Lunch is optional (you can order it to the guesthouse). Dinner is at the guesthouse.
Day 5 – Breakfast | Transfer to Tulcea | Transfer to Bulgaria
After a relaxed breakfast (8:30 a.m.), this time without sunrise session, you will return to Tulcea, but now, in the morning, you will have the best light for this route. This is a good chance to have good pictures from the fantastic Danube Delta. Around 10:30 you will be back to Tulcea.
We’ll pick you up from Port Aval, at the returning from the Danube Delta Tour and transfer you to Bulgaria, Balkan Mountains.
It’s a 6h drive.
Dinner at the accommodation.
Days 6 and 7 – Vultures and Jackals Hide sessions
Every morning, the guide will take you to the hide, before sunrise. Breakfast is to go. The photo sessions takes until sunrise.
Dinner to the accommodation.
Day 8 – Breakfast | Transfer to Bucharest.
After breakfast, the guide will drive you back to Bucharest, Romania, where the program ends.
Conservation Focus to the Danube Delta
Nature comes first in everything we do. Our tours are designed to minimize impact and protect the delicate ecosystem of the Danube Delta, ensuring that its rich biodiversity thrives for generations to come.
🚤 Eco-Friendly Boating: We use lower-power engines than typically required for our boats. This reduces water disturbance, minimizes fuel consumption and lowers emissions, keeping the Delta’s waters cleaner and healthier.
🐟 Slow-Speed Exploration: Our approach is gentle and respectful. By moving at a slow, steady pace, we:
- Protect aquatic vegetation, essential for fish breeding and water filtration.
- Prevent erosion and disturbance to bird nests along the shoreline.
- Reduce stress on migratory and resident bird species, allowing for natural behavior and better wildlife observation.
🌍 Sustainable Nature Experiences: We believe in responsible tourism that prioritizes conservation over speed. Every tour is an opportunity to admire, respect and learn about this unique biosphere without leaving a harmful footprint.
By choosing our tours, you actively support a more sustainable way of exploring the Danube Delta. Let’s protect nature together, one slow, mindful journey at a time.
Conservation Concern Balkan Mountains
This tour is more than just photography – it’s also about conservation. We’ve partnered with FWFF (Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna), the organization managing the Green Balkan Vulture Conservation Project in the area. A part of tour tour fee directly supports their efforts to protect and restore vulture populations in the region.
If you want to make an even bigger impact, you can donate directly to the Green Balkan Vulture Conservation Project managed by FWFF. Your contribution helps fund vulture rehabilitation, rewilding efforts and anti-poaching initiatives in the Balkans.
👉 Donate here: FWFF.ORG
Every donation, big or small, helps ensure a future for these incredible birds! ❤️
To ensure a comfortable and successful nature experience, we recommend bringing the following items:
- Camera Gear: DSLR or mirrorless camera with telephoto and wide-angle lenses, extra batteries, memory cards, and a sturdy tripod.
- Clothing: Layered clothing suitable for early morning and late evening chills, waterproof jacket, hat, and gloves for cooler temperatures.
- Footwear: Comfortable.
- Accessories: Binoculars for spotting distant wildlife, insect repellent, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
- Other Essentials: A small backpack for daily excursions and any personal medication you may need.
Contact
Email: office@ilgotours.com
Phone: (Voice, SMS, WatsApp):
+40 740 357 073
* For bookings or requests, we always prefer to communicate by email. Thank you!
