11 days self-guided supported cycling tour from Tallinn to Vilnius (Code SG7)

The Baltic coast and National Parks of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania explored on very scenic routes, including the three capital cities – Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius – with their old towns designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Featuring the National Park Lahemaa, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast, Otepää Lakeland – the so-called “Estonian Switzerland” and the beautiful Gauja River valleys. The tour includes cycling on the Curonian Spit which was previously closed to visitors; nowadays it is often called the Lithuanian Sahara. Travel from Tallinn, Estonia, in the north, through Latvia and on to Lithuania in the south, enjoy a great variety of towns, villages and landscapes, and get an excellent feel for the different characters of these distinctive countries.The tour begins in Tallinn where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Next day your rental bicycles will be ready for your first ride in Lahemaa. This trip is a half-guided tour ie during the whole trip, except Jurmala and the Curonian Spit, our driver with a minibus and bike trailer is with you and you can take part in city tours (Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius) lead by professional guides. Our driver will transport your luggage every day to the next hotel. If you have a breakdown, then our driver will take care of everything for you. If you have any problems – contact the driver or our office.

This trip takes 11 days to complete; if this is too long for you, you can also check our 9-day cycling itinerary in the Baltics from Tallinn to Klaipeda (SG7x).

ITINERARY

Day 1 Wednesday: Arrive to Tallinn, Estonia

Arrive in Tallinn. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included) where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Check-in at the hotel. 6:00 pm (18:00) you can join in a guided tour of Tallinn.
Overnight in Tallinn: Hotel HESTIA ILMARINE**** or similar.

Day 2 Thursday: Tallinn - National Park Lahemaa, Estonia (cycling ~51 km/32 miles, by minibus ~100 km)

Meet your minibus driver. After a short transfer you’ll begin your first bicycle trip through National Park Lahemaa which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast. The National park is a nature lover’s paradise. There are dense woods, marshes, lakes and waterfalls to discover. If you prefer wildlife to landscape, you can see moose, wild boars and over 220 bird species. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Sagadi: Hotel SAGADI***

Day 3 Friday: Along the Russian border & Lake Peipsi to TARTU, Estonia (cycling ~50 km/31 miles, by minibus ~160 km)

Morning transfer by bus to Mustvee where you’ll begin a pleasant bicycle trip along Peipsi Lake shore to Varnja. Peipsi is 4th largest lake in Europe, divided in two by the Russian border. En route, you’ll pass many fishing villages. You reach your hotel after a bus transfer to Tartu, a famous, historic university town (the university was founded in 1632). Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Tartu: Hotel DORPAT*** or similar.

Day 4 Saturday: OTEPÄÄ (“Estonian Switzerland”) & SIGULDA, Latvia (cycling ~28 km/18 miles, by minibus ~235 km)

After a short bus transfer to Otepää, a beautiful place with many lakes, start your cycling through the so-called “Estonian Switzerland” and begin to appreciate your surroundings. Finish your cycling for the day in Sangaste which is famous for its 19th century romantic castle built in the style of Windsor Palace. Transfer into Latvia where your destination is Sigulda, in the Gauja River Valley, which is the most popular resort in Latvia. En route stop in Cesis where you can visit the medieval old town. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Sigulda: Hotel SIGULDA*** or similar.

Day 5 Sunday: GAUJA National Park & RIGA, Latvia (cycling ~17 km/11 miles, by minibus ~50 km)

Cycling through Gauja National Park, en route enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valleys with the Gutmana Cave and ruins of 13thC Crusaders Castle in Sigulda and Turaida Castle. Afternoon transfer to Riga, the Latvian capital, where a guided tour of the charming Old Town awaits. After check-in at the hotel exploring the medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings.
Overnight in Riga: Hotel HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar.

Day 6 Monday: RIGA & JURMALA Seaside resort, Latvia (cycling ~35 km/22 miles, by train ~25 km)

Today is free to explore Riga on your own and take a cycle ride on a bicycle path to Jurmala, a renowned Latvian seaside resort well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. We recommend that you take the opportunity to bath in the sea and try cycling along the beach – it’s well worth it! In the evening take a local train back to Riga (30 min; not included).
Overnight in Riga: Hotel HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar.

Day 7 Tuesday: Hill of Crosses & Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route (cycling ~42 km/29 miles or 32 km/20 miles, by minibus ~290 km)

Transfer by minibus to Lithuanian Seaside. En-route stop at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. Begin your cycle ride to Klaipėda on a beautiful bicycle path, which lies along the Baltic Coast in the Seaside Regional Park. En route pass Palanga, the well-known Lithuanian seaside resort. Enjoy a break here; perhaps visit the renowned Botanical Park, Amber Museum and the 470m pier heading out into the Baltic Sea. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Klaipeda: Hotel OLD MILL*** or similar.

Day 8 Wednesday: CURONIAN SPIT & the Hill of Witches, Lithuania (cycling ~57 km/36 miles)

After breakfast you cross the lagoon by ferry (not included) and start cycling on an asphalt bike path which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Nida, the most beautiful resort in Lithuania famous for impressive sand dunes, the Amber Gallery, etc. En route you can visit the Hill of Witches which houses almost a hundred whimsical wooden sculptures about Lithuanian legends scattered along a forest path. Or, if you prefer, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, explore the “Dead” sand dunes on foot, swim in the Baltic Sea or, simply relax, & take in the sun on golden beaches. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Nida: Hotel NERIJA*** or similar.

Day 9 Thursday: Crossing the Curonian Lagoon by ship – KAUNAS, Lithuania(cycling ~31 km/19 miles, by minibus ~210 km, by boat ~14 km)

Take a morning boat across the Curonian Lagoon to the mainland, en-route enjoy a beautiful view of the Curonian Spit sand dunes. Cycling to Ventė Horn where you may visit a bird observatory and the 19thC lighthouse which was used for more than 100 years. Afternoon ride along the Curonian Lagoon through the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park followed by a minibus transfer to Kaunas. Check-in and optional dinner at the hotel.
Overnight in Kaunas: Hotel KAUNAS**** or similar.

Day 10 Friday: TRAKAI Insular Castle and the ancient city of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania (cycling ~33 km/21 miles, by minibus ~97 km)

After breakfast you are transferred by minibus to the Lake District where begin cycling through picturesque countryside on gentle hills. Arrive in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here you may visit the famous 14thC Gothic island castle erected on a small island in Lake Galvė. Finish the tour with a short transfer to Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. The Old Town is stunning with many, varied & beautiful Baroque and Classical buildings. This evening, a guided tour of the city awaits you. Check-in at the hotel.
Overnight in Vilnius: Hotel COMFORT HOTEL LT*** or similar.

Day 11 Saturday: Tour ends in Vilnius, Lithuania

Individual departure after breakfast. You can extend your stay in Lithuania; please ask for details.