9 days self-guided supported bike tour Lithuania - Poland: from Vilnius to Warsaw (Code SG16)

Explore on your own (self-guided) a borderland of Lithuania and Poland which is the land of gentle hills, sandy plains, vast primeval forests, crystal clear lakes and deep river valleys. The tour starts in the Lithuanian capital city Vilnius and finishes in the Polish capital city Warsaw, both cities famous for their Old towns designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The tour program also includes Druskininkai Spa Resort and Dzūkija National Park in Lithuania, cycling around Suwalki Lakeland with Wigry and Biebrza National Parks in Poland. Experience a wide variety of towns, villages and countryside for an excellent introduction to the very distinct characters of these two different countries which had a common history known as the Polish – Lithuanian Commonwealth in 16-18thC!

The tour begins in Vilnius where you get your tour maps with detailed program and route description. Next day your rental bikes will be ready for your first ride in Trakai. This trip is a half-guided tour ie during the whole trip our driver with a minibus and bike trailer is with you and you can take part in city tours (Vilnius & Warsaw) 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.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Friday (Lithuania): Arrive in Vilnius

Arrive in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included) and check-in at the hotel for 2 overnight stays. 19:30 (7:30 pm) welcome meeting with Baltic Bike representative.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius; HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT *** or similar

Day 2 Saturday (Lithuania): VILNIUS & TRAKAI (cycling ~49 km/31 miles, by minibus ~32 km)

After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town. In the afternoon transfer to Užutrakis where start your first cycle ride on gentle hills around Galvė lake back to Vilnius. En route you may visit Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, famous for the 14thC island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius; HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT *** or similar

Day 3 Sunday (Lithuania): Along the Nemunas River to DRUSKININKAI Resort (cycling 48 km/30 miles, by minibus ~100 km)

Transfer by minibus to Merkinė. Cycle ride to Druskininkai which is one of the best climatic and wellness springs resorts in Europe. Today's cycle route goes via Liškiava famous for its 17-18thC Dominican monastery ensemble on the Nemunas River bank. Arrive in Druskininkai, check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays. Afternoon free in the resort or going for a circular ride in the woods. Optional dinner at the hotel (not-included).
OVERNIGHT: Druskininkai; HOTEL: REGINA*** or similar

Day 4 Monday (Lithuania): DZŪKIJA NATIONAL PARK by bike (cycling ~65 km/41 miles, by minibus ~45 km)

Morning transfer to Dzūkija National Park, the largest park in Lithuania overgrown with pine forests (90% of the territory) and one of 13 wild PAN parks in Europe. Here begins your cycle route through the woods and ethnographical villages. Afternoon trip to Grūtas Park, which has a unique distinction of being the place where all unwanted statues of Lenin were taken after Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union.
OVERNIGHT: Druskininkai; HOTEL: REGINA*** or similar

Day 5 Tuesday (Lithuania-Poland): SUWALKI LAKELAND & TOWN (cycling ~48 km/30 miles, by coach ~95 km)

Morning bus transfer to Poland. After crossing the border start your cycling on rolling hills with picturesque views to beautiful lakes and Polish countryside. Wigry National park is your destination. En route visit Suwałki, the largest town and the capital of the historical Suwałki region. Check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays. Optional dinner at the hotel (not-included).
OVERNIGHT: Gawrych Ruda; HOTEL: Nad Wigrami*** or similar

Day 6 Wednesday (Poland): WIGRY NATIONAL PARK (cycling ~47 km/29 miles)

Circular bike tour on marked trails around Wigry Lake which is the largest with 15 islands, one of the deepest (73 m) and most beautiful lakes in Podlasie region. En route you may explore a former monastery, built by the death-obsessed Camaldolese monks in 17thC. The whole complex, complete with a church and 17 hermitages, is spectacularly located on a peninsula in the lake.
OVERNIGHT: Gawrych Ruda; HOTEL: Nad Wigrami*** or similar

Day 7 Thursday (Poland): AUGUSTOW & BIEBRZA NATIONAL PARK (cycling ~57 km/36 miles, by coach ~28 km)

Short transfer to Augustow, a small but appealing town, the gateway to the Suwałki region at the Netta River. Today your cycle rode goes along the GreenVelo route to Biebrza National Park which protects vast and relatively untouched fenlands with a unique variety of plants, rare wetland birds and mammals such as Elk and Beaver. Arrive in Goniadz, check-in at the hotel. Optional dinner at the hotel (not-included).
OVERNIGHT: Goniadz; HOTEL: BARTLOWZINA*** or similar

Day 8 Friday (Poland) GONIADZ – WARSAW (cycling ~39 km/24 miles, by coach ~180 km)

Morning is dedicated for the final cycling ride along the Royal Route (Polish: Trakt Królewski) through Biebrza National Park and then transfer by minibus to Warsaw, capital of Poland. Check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Warsaw Old Town. Optional dinner in local restaurant (not-included).
OVERNIGHT: Warsaw; HOTEL: METROPOL*** or similar

Day 9 Saturday (Poland): Warsaw

Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.