Itinerary
Guided cycling in the Baltics: Lithuania – Latvia – Estonia
11 days / 10 nights | from Vilnius to Tallinn | guided
Explore the Baltic coast and the National Parks of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia on very scenic routes. The tour includes the three capital cities – Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn – with their Old towns designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO; and the previously-closed Curonian Spit and beautiful Estonian island of Hiiumaa. Travel from Lithuania in the south, through Latvia and on to Estonia in the north; experience a wide variety of towns, villages and countryside for an excellent introduction to the very distinct characters of these quite different countries.
Itinerary (cycling ~360 km / 228 miles, by coach ~1345 km/834 miles, by boat/ferry 12 km/8 miles or 62 km/39miles)
Day 1 (Mon): VILNIUS
Arrive in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included). Check-in at the hotel. 7:30 p.m. (19:30) welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide. Overnight: Vilnius
Day 2 (Tue): VILNIUS-TRAKAI Insular Castle-KAUNAS (Cycling 33 km / 21 miles , by coach 100 km / 67 miles )
After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town. Afternoon trip to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where you may visit the 14thC island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė. In the afternoon start your first cycle ride through picturesque countryside on gentle hills, then transfer by coach to Kaunas. Arrive in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Kaunas
Day 3 (Wed): KAUNAS-VENTĖ Horn-KLAIPEDA (Cycling 35 km / 22 miles , by coach 220 km / 136 miles)
Morning transfer along the Nemunas River to the coast. En route passing 16th-17thC castles of Raudonė and Panemunė. In the afternoon cycling to Ventė Horn famous for its bird observatory and the 19thC lighthouse which was used for more than 100 years. Transfer by coach to Klaipeda. Overnight: Klaipeda.
Day 4 (Thu): CURONIAN SPIT NATIONAL PARK (Cycling 58 km / 36 miles, by bus or boat 50 km / 31 miles)
Transfer by coach or boat to Nida. En-route enjoying the beautiful view of the Curonian Spit which separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Sightseeing around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. In the afternoon cycling back to Klaipėda on the Seaside Cycle Route along the Curonian Spit famous for its amber and fine sand beaches. Arrive in Klaipėda, dinner at the hotel or city restaurant (included). Overnight: Klaipėda
Day 5 (Fri): KLAIPĖDA-PALANGA Resort-Hill of Crosses-RIGA (Cycling 32 km / 20 miles, by coach 290 km / 180 miles)
Early morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military training area. Arrive in Palanga, the biggest Lithuanian seaside resort and well known for the Botanical Garden and the Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, with over 25000 pieces of amber and 15000 insects on display. Afternoon transfer to Riga (Latvia). En-route stop at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. Continue to Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Arrive in Riga, check-in and dinner at the hotel (included). Overnight: Riga.
Day 6 (Sat): RIGA & JURMALA Seaside Resort (Cycling 30 km / 19 miles, by coach 20 km / 13 miles )
After breakfast a guided tour of Riga Old Town, a medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. In the afternoon free time in Riga or cycling to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. Transfer back by coach to the hotel in Riga. Overnight: Riga
Day 7 (Sun): GAUJA National Park & Bicycle Museum (Cycling 45 km / 28 miles, by bus 50 km / 31 miles )
Morning transfer to Saulkrasti. After visiting the Latvian bicycle museum start your bike ride to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia. Cycling through Gauja National Park, en route enjoy spectacular views of the Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave. En route visit Turaida Castle and the oldest Latvian Church in Krimulda (1205). Arrive in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Sigulda
Day 8 (Mon): (Latvia-Estonia): SIGULDA-SAAREMAA (Cycling 38 km / 24 miles, by coach 330 km / 205 miles, by bus 330 km / 205 miles, by ferry 6 km / 4 miles)
Morning transfer to the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa which has preserved all that is best about old Estonia. With little traffic and flat roads Saaremaa provides the perfect rural setting for cycling. Travel on picturesque roads along the Baltic Sea Coast to the village of Angla where the iconic windmills are located. Transfer to Mandjala or Kuressaare, check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays at the seaside. Dinner at the hotel (included). Overnight: Mandjala or Kuressaare (Saaremaa)
Day 9 (Tue): (Estonia): SAAREMAA ISLAND (Cycling 56 km / 34 miles , by coach 50 km / 31 miles)
Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island’s wild beauty – Sorve Peninsula famous for its lighthouse. Finish the day with a visit to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa, a home to one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from 13thC. Free time to explore the town and the Bishop’s castle. Optional dinner at the hotel or city restaurant. Overnight: Mandjala or Kuressaare (Saaremaa)
Day 10 (Wed): (Estonia): SAAREMAA & TALLINN (Cycling 28 km /17 miles , by coach 210 km / 130 miles, by ferry 6 km / 4 miles)
Morning ride to the Kaali meteorite crater which is listed on the world's giant craters list and it is the rarest nature wonder in Estonia. In the afternoon transfer by coach to Tallinn. Arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town. Farewell dinner in a restaurant (included). Overnight: Tallinn
Day 11 (Thu): TALLINN
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.