TOUR INFORMATION
Tour distances: cycling ~331 km/207 mi., minibus/bus ~1175 km/734 mi., by boat ~12 km/7 mi.
Cycling grade: We rate this trip as Moderate one. Daily biking routes mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths with a few stretches on more busy roads like Day 3 (Ragana-Sigulda). Cyclin routes range from 20 to 57 km (13-36 miles) each day with a possibility for faster riders to cycle more kilometres on some days like Day 2 (exploring Jurmala Resort), Day 5 (detour in Saaremaa Island), Day 7 (more detours on a circular route in Lahemaa national park) and Day 8 (extra distance towards Tartu). The terrain is varied and rolling with a few gradual hills on some riding days (a few steep ups and downs in Otepää region and the Gauja River valley and dead flat most of the tour. The tour covers two Baltic States – Latvia& Estonia, and therefore it includes a few long minibus transfers between the most interesting cycling destinations and the capital cities. Our walking sightseeing tours in the old towns of the capital cities, Riga and Tallinn, are along cobbled streets.
Arrival / Departure: RIGA Airport
10 days self-guided supported circular cycling tour from Riga (Code SG14)
The Baltic coast and National Parks of Estonia and Latvia explored on very scenic routes, including the two capital cities – Riga and Tallinn – with their old towns designated by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. Featuring the beautiful Gauja River valleys and the largest and most beautiful Estonian island of Saaremaa; the National Park Lahemaa, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast, Otepää Lakeland – the so-called “Estonian Switzerland”. Travel on a circular route starting from Riga in Latvia and following the Coast of the Baltic Sea and Peipsi Lake a major part of the tour in Estonia; 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 Riga where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Next day your rental bicycles will be ready for your first ride to Jurmala Resort. This trip is a half-guided tour ie during the whole trip, except Jurmala, our driver with a minibus and bike trailer is with you and you can take part in city tours (Riga & Tallinn) 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 10 days to complete; if this is too long for you, you can also check our 7-day or 8-day cycling itinerary of Latvia and Estonia: from Riga to Tallinn (code SG14x).
ITINERARY
Day 1 (Latvia): Arrive in Riga
Arrive in Riga. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included) where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Check-in at the hotel
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar
Day 2 (Latvia): RIGA & JURMALA Seaside resort
Breakfast followed by a meeting at the hotel with our representative and bicycle collection. Then you may take part in 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 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 – its well worth it! In the evening take a local train back to Riga (30 min; not included). (Cycle ~30 km/19 mi, by train ~25 km)
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar
Day 3 (Latvia): Riga & GAUJA National Park
Transfer to Saulkrasti, where you may visit 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 Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave, Turaida Castle and the oldest Latvian Church, Krimulda, built in 1205. Arrive in Sigulda, check-in and optional dinner at the hotel. (Cycle ~40 km/25 mi, by minibus ~50 km)
OVERNIGHT: Sigulda; HOTEL: SIGULDA*** or similar
Day 4 (Latvia-Estonia): Sigulda - Saaremaa
Morning transfer to the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa. 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 Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa, check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays in the old town. (Cycle ~38 km/24 mi, by minibus ~330 km, ferry ~6 km/4 mi)
Overnight in Kuressaare: Hotel JOHAN SPA**** or similar.
Day 5 (Estonia): Saaremaa island
Enjoy a day ride across Saaremaa Island’s wild beauty – Sorve Peninsula famous for its lighthouse. Finish the day in Kuressaare, a home to one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from 13thC. Optional dinner at the hotel or local restaurant. (Cycle ~56 km/35 mi, by minibus ~50 km).
Overnight in Kuressaare: Hotel JOHAN SPA**** or similar.
Day 6 (Estonia): From Saaremaa island to Tallinn
Take a 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. Transfer by bus to Tallinn. In the afternoon arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Tallinn Old Town. (Cycle ~28 km/18 mi, by minibus ~210 km, by ferry ~6 km).
OVERNIGHT: Tallinn; HOTEL: HESTIA ILMARINE**** or similar
Day 7 (Estonia): Tallinn- National Park Lahemaa
After a short minibus transfer go for a circular bicycle ride 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. (Cycle ~51 km/32 mi., by minibus ~90 km)
OVERNIGHT: Sagadi; HOTEL: SAGADI*** or similar
Day 8 (Estonia): Lake Peipsi – along the Russian border – Tartu
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. (Cycle ~50 km/31 mi., by minibus ~160 km)
OVERNIGHT: Tartu; HOTEL: DORPAT*** or similar
Day 9 (Estonia - Latvia): Cycling through the “Estonian Switzerland" in OTEPÄÄ
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 of 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 Riga. En route stop in Cesis where you can visit the medieval old town. Check-in at the hotel. (Cycle ~28 km/18 mi., by minibus ~285 km)
OVERNIGHT: Riga; HOTEL: HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar
Day 10 (Latvia): Tour ends in Riga
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.
2024 TOUR DATES*
(Guaranteed departures are marked with **)
SEASON I:
SG14-01. 31.05 - 09.06.2024 (en)
SG14-02. 07.06 - 16.06.2024 (de)
SG14-13. 23.08 - 01.09.2024 (de)
SG14-14. 30.08 - 08.09.2024 (en)
SEASON II:
SG14-03. 14.06 - 23.06.2024 (en)
SG14-04. 21.06 - 30.06.2024 (en)
SG14-05. 28.06 - 07.07.2024 (de)
SG14-06. 05.07 - 14.07.2024 (en)
SG14-07. 12.07 - 21.07.2024 (en)
SG14-09. 26.07 - 04.08.2024 (en)
SG14-11. 09.08 - 18.08.2024 (en)
SG14-12. 16.08 - 25.08.2024 (en)
Language of city guide/-s: EN – English speaker, DE – German speaker
*departure any date (May-September) possible on request with min. 6 people per group
TOUR PRICE per person
SEASON I:
Double/Twin room - 1255 EUR
Single room - 1655 EUR
SEASON II:
Double/Twin room - 1295 EUR
Single room - 1725 EUR
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
ACCOMMODATION
- 3-4* hotels, rooms with shower/WC or bath/WC
THE TOUR DOESN’T INCLUDE:
OPTIONAL EXTRAS
NOTES