9 days self-guided cycling tour with luggage transport from Vilnius to Klaipėda (Code SG2)

Cycling from Vilnius through changing countryside & towns, this route takes cyclists through a little-known, fascinating corner of Europe. The tour begins in the capital, Vilnius, known as the 'Jerusalem' of the North because of its Jewish culture. The cycle route first leads to Trakai & its 14thC island castle before heading towards Kaunas, a former Lithuanian capital. Follow the Nemunas River from Kaunas to the coast, cross the unique Curonian lagoon by boat to the beautiful resort, Nida, where you stay 2 nights. It`s the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing seaside break or explore on foot, by bicycle or canoe its unique surroundings; its geology, birdlife, the influence of the Lagoon etc. Finally cycle along the spit to explore its treasures before taking a ferry back across the lagoon to the historic coastal town of Klaipeda (known as Memel for many years) which boasts a rich, turbulent history from 13thC. Nowadays, it's a bustling, modern town with a wide range of cafes & restaurants & many annual festivals, e.g. jazz, folklore.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Sunday: Arrive in VILNIUS

Arrival in Vilnius. Individual transfer to your hotel (not included).
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius; HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT*** or similar

Day 2 Monday: VILNIUS - TRAKAI, ~52 km/33 mi.

Collect rental cycles at your hotel (if pre-ordered). Then you may join a 2-hour guided bike tour of Vilnius Highlights: Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems (14 km/9mi.). In the afternoon cycling to Trakai, a former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, where you may visit the 14thC island castle on a small island in Lake Galvė. Arrive in Trakai, hotel check-in.
OVERNIGHT: Trakai; GUESTHOUSE: VIVA TRAKAI RESORT www.vivatrakai.lt or similar

Day 3 Tuesday: TRAKAI - ELEKTRĖNAI - KAUNAS, ~45 km/28 mi. or 60 km/38 mi., by bus ~1 hrs

Optional return morning bike trip around Lake Galvė to see beautiful Užutrakis estate and picturesque views of Trakai Insular Castle (15 km/10 miles). Cycling on a picturesque, rolling road through the land of lakes and hills. Finish cycling in Elektrėnai where the most powerful thermal power station in Lithuania is located. Take a public bus equipped with bicycle racks or private minibus transfer (included) for an hour ride to Kaunas, the second largest city and former Lithuanian capital from 1919-1939. Arrive in Kaunas, hotel check-in.
OVERNIGHT: Kaunas; HOTEL: VICTORIA KAUNAS****

Day 4 Wednesday: KAUNAS  - ZAPYŠKIS - PANEMUNĖ Castle, ~76 km/48 mi.

Morning free to explore the Old Town of Kaunas, then cycling along the Nemunas River to Mikytai, where you'll take a ferry across the river to Vilkija. Continue cycling along the river to impressive Panemunė Castle (16th-17thC). En route cross the Dubysa River, pass Veliuona mound hill, the grave of the Grand Duke Gediminas and Raudonė Castle. Arrive in Panemunė Castle, guesthouse check-in.
OVERNIGHT: Pilis I; Guesthouse: PANEMUNĖ CASTLE GUESTHOUSE or similar

Day 5 Thursday: PANEMUNĖ Castle - JURBARKAS - ŠILUTĖ , ~37 km/23 mi., by bus ~1 hour 40 min

Continue cycling along the Nemunas River to Jurbarkas. From Jurbarkas cycle towards Smalininkai, for a long time a border town between Lithuania and the germanised Klaipeda Region, nowadays a border town with Russian enclave of Kaliningrad. From there take a public bus equipped with bicycles racks or private minibus transfer to Šilutė (included). Arrive in Šilutė, check-in at hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Šilutė; HOTEL: GILIJA***

Day 6 Friday: ŠILUTĖ -VENTĖ -NIDA, ~33 km/21 mi. + boat to Nida

Morning cycle to Ventė Horn to visit the 19thC lighthouse and the Ornithological Station that retell their stories and have a panoramic view of the landscape including a glimpse of the Curonian Spit shining sand dunes washed by the Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other. This region is known as a land of storks and the White Stork truly deserves its place as Lithuanian's national bird. Cross the Curonian Lagoon by boat to Nida. Arrive in Nida, hotel check-in.
OVERNIGHT: Nida; HOTEL: NERIJA*** or similar

Day 7 Saturday: NIDA - leisure time by the Baltic Sea, ~ 10 km/6 mi.

Free day to explore Nida which is a former old fishermen`s village on the Curonian Spit washed by Baltic Sea on one side and the Curonian Lagoon on the other. Today Nida is the largest settlement in Neringa region and one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Cycle or walk along impressive sand dunes, visit the most popular places of interest - the Fisherman's House, the summer house of the famous German writer Thomas Mann and Amber Gallery.
OVERNIGHT: Nida; HOTEL: NERIJA*** or similar

Day 8 Sunday: Along sand dunes of the Curonian Spit NIDA - JUODKRANTĖ - KLAIPĖDA, ~ 58 km/36 mi.

Follow an asphalt bike path of the Seaside Cycle Route which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Klaipėda. En route you may stop to explore on foot the "Dead" sand dunes, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, visit the Hill of Witches, which has a hundred fanciful and folksy wooden sculptures of Lithuanian legends scattered along a forest path, or just relax, swim in the Baltic Sea and take the sun on golden beaches. Finally, take a local ferry from Smiltynė to the Old Town of Klaipėda (not included) and cycle to the hotel. Check-in at hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Klaipėda; HOTEL: OLD MILL*** or similar

Day 9 Monday: Depart KLAIPĖDA

Enjoy a final stroll through this fascinating town before we transfer you to Palanga airport or international ferry terminal or bus/train station for your departure (offered as optional extras). You may also stay extra nights (offered as optional extras) and enjoy Klaipėda longer.