Tulcea – Mila 23 – Tulcea

Private Birdwatching Tour in the Danube Delta at Mile 23

A slow journey into the wild heart of the Danube Delta

Discover the Danube Delta in a private and personalised way, with a boat and guide dedicated exclusively to your group.

This private, full-day birdwatching tour takes you deep into the Danube Delta, through wild channels, lakes, reed beds, floating vegetation, and traditional fishing villages, with a special stop in Mila 23, one of the most beautiful Lipovan villages in the delta.

The programme is suitable for birdwatching enthusiasts, nature lovers, photographers, families or tourists seeking an authentic and relaxed experience in one of Europe's most important wild wetland areas.

We're starting our private birdwatching adventure

We're meeting in Tulcea Port – „Ivan Patzaichin” Waterfront, at 7:45 AM.

After a brief introduction to the programme, we board the private boat and begin our excursion into the Danube Delta. This is not a quick transfer, but a slow, relaxed tour designed for us to enjoy the birds, landscapes, tranquility and natural rhythm of the Delta.

The route is flexible and will be chosen according to the season, water levels, weather conditions and bird activity, in order to have the best possible experience on the day.

A slow journey through the Danube Delta

As we leave Tulcea behind, the city gradually disappears, and the wild landscape of the Danube Delta begins to open up before us.

We will travel along narrow channels, quiet lakes, reed beds, willow woods, and open waters, where the birds are often very active.

Depending on the season, we can observe:

• Common pelicans;
• Great white pelicans.;
• Little cormorants;
• gray herons, red herons, night herons and yellow herons;
• Great egrets and little egrets;
• Gypsies and shovellers.;
• blue fishermen;
• terns, black terns and white-cheeked terns;
• reeds.;
• codalbi;
• corcor, ducks, lapwings and many other specific wetland species.

This tour is ideal for those who want to discover the Danube Delta at a relaxed pace, with time for birdwatching, photography, and quiet observation of nature.

We are exploring wild canals and lakes

During the tour, we will explore some of the most beautiful areas between Tulcea and Mila 23.

The exact route may vary depending on the day's conditions, but we usually go through a combination of large channels, narrow channels through reeds, hidden lakes, and open areas, which are excellent for birdwatching.

Each season brings something different. In spring and early summer, birds nest, feed their young, and are very active. In late summer and autumn, we can observe migrating birds, young individuals from the nesting season, and large flocks of pelicans, cormorants, herons, and other water species.

The pace of the tour is slow and flexible, so we can stop when we find interesting activity or good opportunities for photography.

Stop in the village of Mila 23

After approximately 3 hours by boat, we arrive in Mila 23, one of the most beautiful and authentic villages in the Danube Delta.

Mila 23 is a traditional Lipovan fishing village, surrounded by water, reed beds, and wild landscapes. Life here is still closely tied to fishing, boats, local traditions, and the natural rhythm of the Delta.

Here we can take a short break, we can have a coffee, we can take a little walk around the village and we can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of an isolated settlement in the heart of the Danube Delta.

Optional traditional lunch in Mila 23

During your stop in Mila 23, you have the option of having a traditional lunch at a local household or at a village guesthouse.

The food is usually based on freshwater fish and local recipes, prepared simply and authentically by the village hosts.

Traditional lunch: Approximately EUR 20 per person
Payment is made in cash, directly at the local guesthouse or accommodation.

Please note that meals are typically served in a local set menu format and cannot always be personalised or ordered à la carte. If you wish to have lunch in Mila 23, please inform your guide in the morning before departure.

Afternoon birdwatching and return to Tulcea

Following the break in Mila 23, we will continue exploring the area's canals and lakes, depending on the weather, water levels, and bird activity.

The journey back to Tulcea is part of the experience. Even if we travel partially along the same route, the Delta always looks different on the return. The light changes, the birds move to different feeding areas, and each channel can bring a new surprise.

We usually arrive back in Tulcea in the afternoon, thus concluding the day's birdwatching experience in the Danube Delta.

Why choose this private tour?

This private birdwatching tour at Mila 23 is ideal if you want to discover the Danube Delta at your own pace, without the pressure of a large group or a rigid tour schedule.

You will get:

• private boat, exclusively for your group;
• Local guide with extensive experience and excellent knowledge of the Danube Delta.;
• flexible route, chosen according to the weather, season, water level and bird activity;
• time for birdwatching, photography, relaxation and visiting the village;
• a slow and beautiful experience through some of the most spectacular areas of the Delta;
• a stop in Mila 23, one of the most well-known and beautiful traditional villages in the Danube Delta.

Whether you are passionate about birds, interested in photography, or simply looking for a peaceful day in nature, this tour offers an authentic and beautiful experience in the Danube Delta.

Tour details

Meeting placeTulcea Port – „Ivan Patzaichin” Quay”
Time of meeting: 7:45
DurationApproximately 7–8 hours
Travel tipPrivate birdwatching tour
Group size1–10 people
Main destinationMila village 23
RouteFlexible, depending on the weather, water level, season and bird activity

Prices

Private tour price

1–5 people: 450 EUR / boat
6–10 people: 500 EUR / boat

The price is per boat, not per person.

What is included in the price

The price includes:

• local guide;
• private boat exclusively for your group;
• fuel for the entire boat trip;
• access fees to the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve;
• Route planning based on weather, season, water level and bird activity.;
• A one-day guided birdwatching experience in the Danube Delta.;
• stop in the village of Mila 23;
• Assistance with organising the optional traditional lunch in Mila 23.

What is not included in the price

The price does not include:

• matter;
• drinks;
• Traditional lunch in Mila 23;
• personal expenses;
• travel insurance;
• any type of insurance, including medical, travel, or personal belongings.

Additional costs

Traditional lunch in the village of Mila 23
Approximately 20 EUR per person, paid in cash directly to the local household or guesthouse.

Lunch is usually based on freshwater fish and local recipes. Meals are generally served as a fixed local menu and cannot always be personalised.

Important information

The traditional lunch in Mila 23 is optional and payable locally, in cash, directly to the local service provider.

If you wish to have lunch in Mila 23, please inform the guide in the morning, before departure.

Children, regardless of age, are counted as one person when establishing the total number of people on board.

The itinerary may be adjusted according to weather conditions, water levels, season, and bird activity to provide you with the best possible experience on the day of the tour.

Booking

Your booking is confirmed with a advance of 50%.

Cancellation Policy

With more than 90 days before the tour’s departure, the trip can be rescheduled, and the amount paid will be converted into a voucher valid for 2 years.

With less than 90 days until the tour, the deposit is non-refundable.