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. To make certain that you are well looked after, we only employ people, who have good local knowledge and speak either English, or German.

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

Individual arrival in Tallinn. Guided city tour.
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 bus transfer you shall begin your first bicycle trip through National Park Lahemaa, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast.
Overnight in Sagadi: Hotel SAGADI Hotel***

Day 3 Friday: Along Lake Peipsi to Tartu, Estonia (cycling ~50 km/31 mi., by minibus ~160 km)

Morning transfer by bus to Mustvee. There you start a pleasant bicycle trip along Peipsi Lake shore to Varnja. You reach your hotel after bus transfer to Tartu, a famous university town.
Overnight in Tartu: Hotel DORPAT*** or similar.

Day 4 Saturday: Through the „Estonian Switzerland“ to Sigulda, Latvia (cycling ~28 km/18 mi., by minibus ~235 km)

After bus transfer to Otepää, a lovely place with many lakes, start your cycling through the so-called „Estonian Switzerland“ and admire the environment. Transfer to the hotel in Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia.
Overnight in Sigulda: Hotel SIGULDA*** or similar.

Day 5 Sunday: Gauja National Park – Riga, Latvia (~17 km/11 mi., by minibus ~50 km)

Cycling through Gauja National Park to Ragana, en route enjoy spectacular views of the Gauja River valley with Gutmana Cave, medieval castles in Sigulda & Turaida, the oldest church in Latvia (1205). Afternoon transfer to Riga, the Latvian capital, where a guided tour of the charming Old Town awaits.
Overnight in Riga: Hotel HESTIA JUGEND**** or similar.

Day 6 Monday: Riga & Jurmala Seaside resort, Latvia (~35 km/22 mi., 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. 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, Lithuania (cycling ~42 km/29 mi. 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 stop in Palanga, the renowned Lithuanian sea resort (Botanical Park & Amber Museum).
Overnight in Klaipeda: Hotel OLD MILL CONFERENCE*** or similar.

Day 8 Wednesday: Curonian Spit National Park, Lithuania (~57 km/36 mi.)

After breakfast you cross the lagoon by ferry 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, 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. 
Overnight in Nida: Hotel NERIJA*** or similar.

Day 9 Thursday: Crossing the Curonian Lagoon, Lithuania (~31 km/19 mi., 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 sand dunes. Cycle to Ventė Cape to explore bird observatory and the 19thC lighthouse. Afternoon ride along the Curonian Lagoon through the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park followed by a minibus Transfer to Kaunas.
Overnight in Kaunas: Hotel KAUNAS**** or similar.

Day 10 Friday: Trakai island castle & capital Vilnius, Lithuania (~25 km/16 mi., by minibus ~97 km)

After breakfast drive by bus to the Lake District where start cycling through picturesque countryside on gentle hills. Arrive in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Finish the tour with a transfer to Vilnius where a guided tour of the Old Town awaits you.
Overnight in Vilnius: Hotel COMFORT HOTEL LT*** or similar.

Day 11 Saturday: Tour ends in Vilnius, Lithuania

Individual departure after breakfast.