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 ~322 km / 200 miles, by coach ~1325 km/823 miles, by boat/ferry 12 km/8 miles or 62 km/39miles)
Day 1 (Mon): VILNIUS
Arrival in Vilnius and individual transfer to your hotel (not included). Welcome meeting with the tour guide at 19:30. Overnight stay in Vilnius.
Day 2 (Tue): Vilnius - Trakai Water Castle - Kaunas | cycle tour approx. 25 km, bus approx. 115 km
After breakfast, you will go on a sightseeing tour in the old town of Vilnius, followed by a bus transfer to the starting point of the cycle tour outside the city. Between lakes, through picturesque countryside and over rolling hills, the route leads to Trakai, the former capital of the Lithuanian Grand Duchy, where you can visit the 14th century island castle, which was built on a small island in Lake Galvė. Afternoon transfer by coach to the hotel in Kaunas. Dinner on request at the hotel. Overnight stay in Kaunas.
Day 3 (Wed): Along the Nemunas River: Kaunas - Klaipeda | cycle tour approx. 40 km, coach approx. 230 km.
Cycle through Kaunas and continue on the picturesque cycle path along the Nemunas River. On the way you stop in Zapyškis, which is known for its unusual little Gothic church from the 14th century. You end today's tour with a bus ride to the Baltic Sea coast and enjoy a picnic on the way there (included). Arrival in Klaipėda (city of Memel), the only harbour city in Lithuania. Accommodation and dinner on request at the hotel. Overnight stay in Klaipeda.
Day 4 (Thu): Curonian Spit National Park | cycle tour approx. 58 km, boat/bus approx. 50 km
The longest stretch to Nida awaits you today. Follow the coastal cycle path through the Curonian Spit, known for its amber and beautiful sandy beaches. On the way you will enjoy a wonderful view of the Curonian Spit and the sand dunes that separate the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Visit Nida, one of the most beautiful seaside resorts in Lithuania. Transfer by coach or boat back to Klaipėda, dinner (included) and overnight stay at the hotel in Klaipeda.
Day 5 (Fri): Klaipeda - Palanga - Hill of Crosses - Riga | cycle tour approx. 32 km, coach approx. 290 km.
In the morning transfer by minibus to Nida, one of the most beautiful holiday resorts in Lithuania. After a sightseeing tour of Nida, start your cycle tour towards Klaipėda. Follow the coastal cycle path through the Curonian Spit, known for its amber and beautiful sandy beaches. Along the way, you will enjoy a wonderful view of the Curonian Spit and the sand dunes that separate the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. End the day tour with a short ferry ride to Klaipėda Old Town. Dinner at the hotel (included).
Day 6 (Sat): Riga - a free day in the capital of Latvia
Breakfast is followed by a guided tour of the medieval Hanseatic city of Riga, which is famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. The afternoon is free for your own explorations. Alternatively, you can cycle to Jūrmala and back. Jūrmala is the largest holiday resort in the Baltic States and is known for its endless white beaches, healing mud and mineral water (40-50 km). However, you can cycle one way and return by train (tickets are not included in the price).
Day 7 (Sun): Gauja National Park - Sigulda | cycle tour approx. 45 km, by bus approx. 50 km
In the morning transfer to Saulkrasti. After visiting the bicycle museum, you start the cycle tour to Sigulda, the popular holiday resort in Latvia, in the valley of the Gauja River. Cycle through the Gauja National Park. Enjoy the views of the Gauja river valley with the Gutmann Cave and Turaida Castle on the way. On the way, visit the oldest church in Latvia in Krimulda (built in 1205). Arrival in Sigulda, accommodation and dinner on request at the hotel.
Day 8 (Mon): Sigulda - Saaremaa | cycle tour approx. 38 km, bus approx. 330 km, boat approx. 6 km
In the morning, transfer to the largest and still very unspoilt Estonian island of Saaremaa. The flat island with little traffic offers the perfect rural environment for cycling. You cycle along the east coast to the village of Angla, which is famous for its windmills. Transfer to Mandjala or Kuressaare and overnight stay for 2 nights in a hotel on the coast. Dinner at the hotel included. Overnight stay in Mandjala or Kuressaare.
Day 9 (Tue): Saarema Island | cycle tour approx. 56 km, by bus approx. 50 km
Enjoy the wild beauty of the island of Saaremaa - Sorve Peninsula, famous for its lighthouse, during the day tour. End the day with a visit to the capital of Saaremaa: Kuressaare with its medieval Baltic bishop's castle from the 13th century. Free time to explore the town and the bishop's castle. Dinner on request at the hotel or in the local restaurant.
Day 10 (Wed): aaremaa - Tallinn | cycle tour approx. 28 km, bus approx. 210 km, boat approx. 6 km.
Morning trip to the Kaali meteorite crater. This special natural monument is also on the world's list of giant craters. In the afternoon, transfer by coach to Tallinn. After checking into the hotel, a guided tour of Tallinn's Old Town is on the programme. Farewell dinner in a restaurant (included). Overnight stay in Tallinn.
Day 11 (Thu): Tallinn
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.
Please note: All cycling distances stated above are approximate only.
