TOUR INFORMATION
Tour distances: cycling ~355 km/~222 mi., by coach ~1335 km/834 mi., by boat/ferry ~12 km/8 mi. or 62 km/39 mi.
Cycling grade: We rate this trip Easygoing to Moderate . Daily biking routes mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths range from 30 to 58 km (19-36 miles each day). The terrain is varied and rolling with a few gradual hills on some riding days (a few steep ups and downs in the Gauja River valley) and dead flat most of the tour. For slow riders we recommend hiring e-bikes to keep pace with the group. The tour covers all three Baltic States and therefore it includes a few long bus transfers between the most interesting cycling destinations and the capital cities. Our walking sightseeing tours in the capital old towns are along cobbled streets.
Arrival / Departure: Arrive in Vilnius or Kaunas (100 km from Vilnius) and depart from Tallinn. For more information about flights, see websites:
VILNIUS airport
KAUNAS airport
TALLINN airport
11 days guided small group cycling tour of the Baltics from Vilnius to Tallinn (Code G1)
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 the largest and most beautiful Estonian island of Saaremaa. 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
Day 1 Monday: Arrive in Vilnius (Lithuania)
Welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius; HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT*** or similar
Day 2 Tuesday: Trakai Island Castle & Kaunas (Lithuania)
After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town followed by a bus transfer outside the city. Start your first cycle ride through picturesque countryside with many lakes and gentle hills. En route stop in 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. Afternoon transfer by bus to Kaunas. Arrive in Kaunas, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~33 km/21 miles, minibus ~100 km).
OVERNIGHT: Kaunas; HOTEL: VICTORIA KAUNAS**** or similar
Day 3 Wednesday: Along the Nemunas River to Klaipėda (Lithuania)
Kaunas by bike followed by a ride on picturesque cycle trail along the Nemunas River. En route stop in Zapyškis famous for its unusual small 14thC gothic church. Finish the ride with a bus transfer to the Baltic coast and picnic lunch in the middle way (included). Arrive in Klaipeda, a modern town at the Baltic Sea, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~35 km/22 miles, minibus ~220 km)
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda; HOTEL: OLD MILL *** or similar
Day 4 Thursday: The Curonian Spit National Park (Lithuania)
Today we go for the longest ride to Nida. Follow the Seaside Cycle Route along the Curonian Spit famous for its amber and fine sand beaches. En-route enjoy beautiful views of the Curonian Spit which separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. Sightseeing around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Transfer by bus or boat back to Klaipėda, dinner at the hotel (included). (Cycle ~58 km/36 miles, minibus or boat ~50 km).
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda; HOTEL: OLD MILL *** or similar
Day 5 Friday: Klaipeda to Palanga by bike then drive to Riga (Lithuania - Latvia)
Early morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former soviet military training area. Arrive in Palanga, the biggest Lithuanian seaside resort for a tour which includes a visit to 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, the capital of 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). (Cycle ~32 km/20 miles, minibus ~290 km).
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar
Day 6 Saturday: Riga & Jurmala Beach (Latvia)
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. (Cycle ~30 km/19 miles, minibus ~20 km).
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar
Day 7 Sunday: Gauja National Park & Bicycle Museum (Latvia)
Morning transfer to to Saulkrasti. After visiting the Latvian bicycle museum start your bike ride to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia, in the Gauja River Valley. Cycling through Gauja National Park to Saulkrasti, en route enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave and Turaida Castle. En route visit Krimulda Curch (1205) which is the oldest in Latvia. Arrive in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~45 km/28 miles, minibus ~50 km). OVERNIGHT: Sigulda; HOTEL: SIGULDA*** or similar
Day 8 Monday: Sigulda - Saaremaa (Latvia - Estonia)
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 willage of Angla where the iconic windmills are located. Transfer to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa island, check into hotel for 2 stays in the Old Town. Dinner at the hotel (included). (Cycle ~38 km/24 miles, minibus ~330 km, ferry ~6 km)
OVERNIGHT: Kuressaare; HOTEL: JOHAN SPA**** or similar
Day 9 Tuesday: Saaremaa Island
Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island's wild beauty - Sorve Peninsula, with a finish at the Sorve lighthouse. Historically, the peninsula had considerable military significance, dominating the Irbe Strait and the Baltic Sea route to Riga. Transfer back to the hotel. Optional dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Kuressaare (Cycle ~56 km/34 miles, minibus ~50 km)
OVERNIGHT: Kuressaare; HOTEL: JOHAN SPA**** or similar
Day 10 Wednesday: Saaremaa Island & Tallinn
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 local restaurant (included). (Cycle ~28 km/18 miles, by minibus ~210 km, by ferry 6 km)
OVERNIGHT: Tallinn; HOTEL: HESTIA ILMARINE**** or similar
Day 11 Thursday: Tour ends in Tallinn
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.
2023 TOUR DATES*
(guaranteed departures marked with **)
SEASON I:
G1-01. 29.05 - 08.06.2023 (en) **
G1-13. 21.08 - 31.08.2023 (de)
G1-14. 28.08 - 07.09.2023 (en) **
G1-15. 04.09 - 14.09.2023 (en) **
SEASON II:
G1-02. 05.06 - 15.06.2023 (de) ** - fully booked!
G1-03. 12.06 - 22.06.2023 (en) **
G1-05. 26.06 - 06.07.2023 (de) **
G1-06. 03.07 - 13.07.2023 (en/de) **
G1-07. 10.07 - 20.07.2023 (de)
G1-09. 24.07 - 03.08.2023 (en) ** - 5 places left!
G1-10. 31.07 - 10.08.2023 (de) **
G1-11. 07.08 - 17.08.2023 (en) **
G1-12. 14.08 - 24.08.2023 (en/de) **
de - German speaker tour guide, en - English speaker tour guide,
en/de - mixed English/German speaking group with billingual tour guide (smaller group) or two guides,
*departure any date (May-September) possible on request with min. 12 people per group (valid the same rates), but also possible for smaller groups with higher rates
TOUR PRICE per person
SEASON I (starting the tour May 1 - June 4 & August 21 - September 30)
Double/Twin room - 1499 EUR
Single room - 1889 EUR
SEASON II (starting the tour June 5 - August 20)
Double/Twin room - 1545 EUR
Single room - 1925 EUR
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
ACCOMMODATION
- 3-4* hotels
- Rooms with shower/WC or bath/WC
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
NOTES