Private Tour
From Thessaloniki: Private Day Trip to Kerkini Lake
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
This is a day trip to Lake Kerkini, one of the 10 most valuable wetland habitats in Greece with about 300 species of birds and rare animals. Among the many species, admire the beautiful flamingos and the magnificent buffalos. All these are combined with the wonderful view of Mount Beles and the majestic valley of Serres.
You depart to Kerkini Lake by bus at 8:00 AM. You reach the Dam of Kerkini Lake (Lithotopos area) and enjoy bird watching through the lake. The area for horse riding is situated next to the dam and you can enjoy a horse ride as long as the weather permits it.
Next, you have a hot cup of coffee and afterwards you make a stop at the farm, just some kilometers away, wihere the impressive buffalos will walk near to you. Later on, you move a bit further to Vironia village and enjoy your lunch in a traditional Greek tavern. You depart to Thessaloniki at about 2:00 PM taking the perimeter road of the west side of the lake.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Our trip attendant-archaeologist shall wear clothing with the Ammon Express marking so that he/she will be recognisable easily
You should be at the departure point 10΄ before the time indicated in the schedule. The bus cannot remain at designated stops, except for boarding
Wear comfortable shoes to walk around the sights
In summer season bear in mind to have sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat
Please be consistent with the exact appointment times specified by the Ammon Express escort, so that the excursion will remain unforgettable to all participants
Have a nice trip and an unforgettable experience!
Don’t forget to share pictures and comments from your experience!
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Round trip bus transportation to the Lake of Kerkini and Vironia village
Bus transportation insurance
English-speaking tour escort
Air-conditioned vehicle
Cost of lunch and coffee
Cost of optional horse riding (€15 per person)
1-hour boat ride (€10 per person)
Tips
What To Expect
Kerkini Lake
The distance is 98km and lasts approximately 1½ hour. We reach the dam of the picturesque Kerkini Lake in the area of Lithotopos. Each season of the year the lake hosts different species of birds, therefore every visit hides a different surprise for the traveler. The beautiful flamingos though, can be found there all year round and their characteristic pink plumage colors the blue surface of the lake giving enchanting views combined with the verdant surrounding landscape. The horse riding area is located next to the dam where we can enjoy a ride and feel part of this wonderful natural scenery (optional and upon notification). Later on, we have a coffee break and then continue our trip to the east part of the lake, visiting a traditional farm with impressive buffalos that walk next to us; observing their movements in their natural environment and learning their unique history.
Options
Summer Season
Summer Season
From Thessaloniki: Day Trip to Kerkini Lake
Winter Season
Winter Season
Reviews
27 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very good tour. We seen a lot of birds, free horses ruining round and a pleasant monetary...
Benz001,
Jun 22, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00This was a Very good tour. We seen a lot of birds, free horses ruining round and a pleasant monetary... Recommend it to anyone.
Best for Birders visiting Thessaloniki
KR S,
May 1, 2024
- Review from Viator
4.00If you are a birdwatcher, this is a 5 star tour! If you are not, it is a 4 star… 1.5 hour drive through the countryside to see a beautiful lake, by boat, The guide is a safe, friendly, driver & the van is clean. The highlight of the tour was the birds we saw, which was worth the 8 hour investment, to me. I would recommend this tour to all my birdwatching friends. By chance, most of us were birders, with binoculars, and we thoroughly enjoyed our time together spotting birds, the boat trip, and the taverna lunch.
Great experience - Highly Recommended
betteskid,
Apr 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We took this trip while staying in Thessaloniki and really enjoyed it. The scenery at Kerkini Lake was beautiful and we were amazed at all the birds we saw. Our guide was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. We like the smaller group (there were 7 of us) and the fact that the guide stopped at many places to be sure we saw as many birds as we could. We opted for the additional boat ride and it was one of the highlights of the trip. This was a great day.
Kerkini bird watching
Bernard S,
Mar 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything was fine from the start. This strip took us to the wet lands where we've seen horses and cows running freely around the lale. The main highlight in my opinion is the boat lake trip where we encountered many bird species including the white pelican,The price for the boat is a reasonable 10 euro. After we went to see a buffalo farm followed by an exquisite lunch also reasonably priced. Nico our guide was fantastic in his explanation and had a very pleasant approach to the group. I highly recommend it to everyone in love with nature.
Great day seeing lots of different animals and bird life
Marios E,
Mar 31, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide Nico was very good with lots of information along the journey, fantastic day all round ,, lots to see with wild horses, cows, buffalo and the bird life was great
Excellent day trip to come in contact with nature
Elias P,
Feb 8, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00I booked this trip but turned out I was the only one so it was like having my own private tour. The 2 people accompanying me from the company, Yiannis and Katerina were both amazing company who made the trip feel more like a day trip out with friends rather than going on a mass tourist tour. The only downfalll was that as I was by myself and there were not enough people to fill in the minimum number of people required to do the boat trip on Kerkini lake. However, this was countered by going on an excursion around the area. We did get to see quite a few birds in the area like flamingoes, pelicans, cormorants and herons. In addition we got to visit a water buffalo farm and got to try some in a local restaurant. Highly recommend this trip and thank you for making it very interesting and fun. Can't wait to use their services again.
Tourist Trap!
Roam774285,
Oct 8, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00When you read about this tour it seems to be like a fantastic nature experience. That is not true! You sit mostly in a car och go out for a few minutes to se the flamingos about 100 meters away! The guide says that if we stay for a long time the birds comes closer, but there is no time to stay (wich had been a nature experience) more than a couple of minutes and like "check, I should be happy, I saw flamingos"... For the boattrip you had to pay 10 euros extra and that was definitly not worth it. It was not fun at all when the driver of the boat drives towards a pelikan and scares it so it has to fly away!!! Two persons in the group wanted to do the horseridning. The guide phoned about it and got to know that the horse owners was not at home. This should be booked before the tour starts...!? About the buffalos the company writes that you can see "impressive buffalos that walk next to us; observing their movements in their natural environment". We stopped at a farm where the poor animals was standing in their own faeces! Is that what you call for "natural environment" in Greece!? DONT GO ON THIS TOUR if you are looking for a nature experience. That is only waist of money and time! :(
Stunning Kerkini Lake
Jas B,
Sep 28, 2023
- Review from Viator
4.00This day trip was fantastic to get to see Kerkini Lake and the ecosystem it supports; birds, buffalo, goats etc. Yiannis was a great tour guide, super friendly and chatty. The only thing I would say is that there is not an opportunity to walk anywhere and it looks as though there are some good trails around, it is also quite a short trip so there would be time to add a walk in.
An oasis of peace not just for birdwatchers!
piasU3486VZ,
Sep 17, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kerkini is a natural paradise, a fantastic scenario where animals - especially birds and water buffaloes - fields, reeds, trees, men create a unique atmosphere that gives peace and releases energy. A relaxing day away from the noise of the city. Highly recommended.
A lovely day in a unique location
Q5062NXlydiak,
Sep 16, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our tour to Lake Kerkini was wonderful. The drive was easy and comfortable in our small bus. We lucked out with beautiful weather and were able to take the boat on the lake to approach flocks of flamingos and pelicans, as well as observe cormorants, herons and egrets, gulls and terns, and even a grebe. It was also a treat to see some of the farm animals in the area - cows, buffalo, and goats. Our guide Giannis was friendly, enthusiastic, and knowledgable, and I enjoyed learning about the region from him. Note for birders considering this tour: this was not really a birding trip, and others in the group will probably not be birders. We stopped in several locations along the lake to observe the wildlife, but never for too long in any one place. No pausing for an hour to identify every peep on the shoreline! This is not a criticism of the tour, but just an observation in case it helps set expectations for anyone. I highly recommend this tour for anyone wishing to get out of the city to see some birds and wildlife in a gorgeous setting.
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Operated by Ammon Express