Bike & Boat tour in 2025?Cabins are Filling up Fast!Find trips
Duration
8 days
Activities
  • guided cycle
Accommodation
  • barge
Meals
  • 6 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Price

$1990USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: MAB

Trip highlights


  • Discovering the vibrant cities of Amsterdam and Maastricht by bike and on foot
  • Cycling through the countryside past locks, windmills and cheese farms
  • Visiting historical towns such as Vianen, Ravenstein and Grave
  • Discovering the magical flat and green landscapes formed by the many rivers
  • Enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow passengers aboard a comfortable barge

Follow the great rivers of the Netherlands on a scenic bike and boat trip encapsulating the essence of this historically rich and vibrant country. The journey begins in either Amsterdam or Maastricht, the Netherland's southernmost city. Pedalling between castles and villages, the route meanders along the Vecht, Lower Rhine, Waal, Linge and Meuse rivers, crossing borders regularly with neighbouring Belgium and nearby Germany. You can eat ‘Kuchen’ (cake) in a German ‘Konditorei’ in the morning and have a delicious afternoon beer in a street café in a Belgium village. Whilst Amsterdam needs little introduction, less known Maastricht is the capital of the province of Limburg, famous for its lively center and warm hospitality. At night you are based on a floating hotel, with an attentive crew on board. Taking a day off cycling is not a problem, or choosing a longer or shorter cycle route each day allows maximum flexibility.

Trip Grading

introductory

More info about grading system

Arrive Amsterdam and make your own way to the barge. Embarkation and check-in, where the crew will welcome you on board, is between 1 to 2pm. At around 2pm the boat will leave Amsterdam and sail to Weesp, a small city on the banks of the river Vecht. Weesp has an historical centre with many canals and buildings dating from the 17th & 18th century along with beautiful windmills. Here the bicycles will be distributed and you can enjoy a short bicycle ride. After dinner you will have time to stroll through this charming city.

Meals:  D

After breakfast, we start our cycle ride along the beautiful meandering river Vecht, with impressive mansions on its banks. Along the way we will visit a Dutch cheese farm, where cheese is still produced according to traditional methods. We will then meet the barge in the city of Utrecht and from there sail the Amsterdam-Rhine canal to Vianen, a small fortified town on the river Lek.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Vianen we cycle through a typical Dutch landscape to Leerdam, a little town on the banks of the river Linge. Leerdam is famous for its glasswork. We then continue by bike along the Linge to Gorinchem, a charming town on the river Waal. After a short visit, we re-join the barge and cruise to Heusden.

Meals:  B,L,D

During breakfast we cruise from Heusden to Oss or Lith, villages on the Maas river. We then cycle to the medieval cities of Ravenstein and Grave. In Ravenstein you can visit the Tanners' Cottages and in Grave you'll see cannons dating from the time of Napoleon. Grave played an important role in "Operation Market Garden" during WWII because it was situated near an important bridge, now called the John S. Thompson Bridge. Following the Maas river we will meet the barge in Cuijk, where we spend the night. Here, the neo-gothic St Martins Church houses a well kept Baroque organ (built 1639-1650), one of the oldest in the Netherlands. After dinner we will visit museum Ceuclum in Cuijk and you can climb the tower for a magnificent view of the Maas valley.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will cycle along the Maas valley to Afferden and Heijen, through the unique Maasheggen landscape. With its thorny hedges, that first came into use to keep cattle in and scare off Roman occupants, it’s the oldest cultural landscape in the Netherlands. The route continues through the National Park Maasduinen, a long stretch of river dunes deposited by wind and the Rhine river. In the town of Well we'll discover Well castle with its heavy round brick tower dating from the 14th century. Today's destination is Arcen. Time permitting, you can visit the famous castle gardens, known for their extensive and diverse flowers and other vegetation. Another option is the beer garden of the local brewery, Hertog Jan.

Meals:  B,L,D

Our bike route follows the Meuse river, and we cross back and forth by ferry or bridge to follow the most interesting paths. The first stop is Venlo, with many historical monuments and a lively inner city. At lunchtime we arrive in Kessel, one of the oldest villages along the Meuse. Cross over to the other bank and continue the bike ride to the beautiful village of Beesel, where the grain mill ‘Grauwe Beer’ stands proudly along the river. Today’s ride ends in the city of Roermond, where the Roer and Meuse rivers converge. Roermond has a rich cultural heritage. Since 1559, it has served as the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Roermond, and its skyline is dominated by the towers of St Christopher's Cathedral and Roermond Minster. It is also the birthplace of Pierre Cuypers, perhaps the most important Dutch architect of the 19th century, being the architect of the Rijksmuseum and Central Station in Amsterdam and designer of more than 100 churches. Dinner tonight is not included, you are free to dine at a restaurant of your choice (recommendations are available on board).

Meals:  B,L

Today, the cycling tour continues through charming villages and the beautiful landscape the province of Limburg. First stop is Thorn, the ‘White Village’ on the Dutch/Belgian border known for its cobblestone streets and white painted houses. The only non-white building is the 14th century church. From Thorn we cycle across the border to the Belgian city of Maaseik, which is famous for the painters Hubert and Jan van Eyck. On the market square you will see typical Renaissance-style houses with their impressive facades. Take the opportunity to enjoy a nice Belgian “pint” on this beautiful square. The boat will be waiting in Born, from where we cruise to Maastricht. Maastricht, the capital of Limburg province, is a beautifully preserved city with Roman roots. There's lots to see including the Basilica of St Servatius, the Bonnefanten fine art museum and the Kazematten (Casemates), encompassing an 18th-century fortress & its surrounding cave network. There's also the marl caves near the Fortress of Saint Peter, or spend time in the heart of the city in the beautiful Vrijthof square.

Meals:  B,L,D

The trip concludes after breakfast, disembark by 9:30am.

Meals:  B


Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.


Inclusions

  • 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 dinners (does not include drinks) - Continental breakfasts are served and will usually consist of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. At breakfast you will prepare your packed lunch for the day which will be sandwiches, fruit & juice. If you choose not to cycle on a particular day, the crew will serve lunch on board. Dinner will consist of three courses inclusive of either a pasta, vegetarian or meat dish.
  • 7 nights accommodation aboard a Standard category barge with ensuite facilities on a twin share basis. The trip price is based on a standard twin cabin below deck. We do not match clients together so if you are travelling solo you will need to book a single cabin (limited and on a request basis - this is single use of a twin cabin).
  • Rental bike with handbrake or backpedal brake, helmet and pannier (electric bike available on request - supplement applies), water bottle
  • Information pack including route notes & maps (one set per cabin), GPS tracks available (smartphone required)
  • Welcome drink and briefing on the first evening
  • Experienced multilingual guide for fully guided cycle tours and daily briefings
  • Some short walking tours
  • Linen and change of towels as required
  • Daily cabin cleaning
  • Tea and coffee on board
  • Fees for ferries
  • Entrance to museum Ceuclum in Cuijk
  • Wifi (may be slower than you are used to)
  • Emergency hotline

  • Travel to Amsterdam and from Maastricht
  • Meals not listed as included including 1 dinner in Roermond (direction Amsterdam to Maastricht) or Heusden (direction Maastricht to Amsterdam), drinks
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Entrance fees not listed as included
  • Transfers not listed as included
  • Tips - while tipping is not obligatory, it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job. As a guide we would recommend EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew).
  • Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian). A supplement is payable for example lactose or gluten free diets - EUR70pp (subject to change) paid locally on board.
  • Optional canal tour of Amsterdam - tickets can be purchased on board
  • Bike insurance. Optional bike insurance is available (Limitation of Liability for damage), fee applies, must be prepaid - ask our team
  • Parking of own bike on board (EUR14 for regular bike and EUR28 for E-bike) - limited space, must be requested in advance
  • Items of a personal nature

Cabins


Bike information


Grading

introductory  

INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1 The cycling is introductory (1) grade with daily cycling distances from 6-53km (1-33mi). As with all of our cycling programs, wind and poor weather could make the trip grade change. Should you not wish to cycle there are walking options available. The accent is on keeping a relaxed pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos, visit a museum or enjoy the market places in many of the interesting towns visited. It is considered suitable for children, as long as they have road sense, are familiar with the workings of a bike (gear change etc) and are comfortable cycling alongside moving vehicles at times. Electric bikes are available for a supplement and when used will ensure the cycling is comfortable for less physical cyclists - however it is still essential that you are comfortable cycling on roads and in light traffic in variable weather conditions. *For safety reasons, we highly recommend that cycle helmets are worn during cycle sections.


Departure dates


Notes

H
High Season
DN1
High season is from 10 May to 13 September. Supplement applies to high season departures.
Note:
Departures are on board the barge Gandalf (O), Sarah (S) or Flora (K)
Note:
Trip starts in Amsterdam. For departures from Maastricht to Amsterdam see trip code UMR.

Want to organise a private group?

Fundraising events, sporting groups, family treats; learn how you can organise a Private Group from just 6 travellers.

Priceper person from

$1990USD

Options & Supplements*
  • Triple cabin discount (pp) - Sarah or Flora (S or K), only suitable for a childUSD$-68
  • Triple cabin discount (pp) - Gandalf (O)USD$-41
  • Optional Bike insurance (limitation of liability-damage) - standard bikeUSD$20
  • Optional Bike insurance (limitation of liability-damage) - e-bikeUSD$40
  • E-bike SupplementUSD$210
  • Single Supplement (single use twin cabin) - max 1 per depUSD$800
*Prices listed are per person

Trip reviews


Why travel with us

Making Europe Affordable

We offer different levels of accommodation and comfort so that even the most budget conscious can treat themselves to active holidays on Europe's most celebrated tracks and trails. Our trips are great value for money because you only pay for what you want.  

Self-Guided Specialists

Our wide range of self-guided itineraries embody the UTracks philosophy of exploring Europe your way. We handle the logistics so all that's left for you to do is enjoy exploring Europe at your own pace. Most depart daily with a minimum of two people, meaning maximum flexibility.

Our Wide Range

With close to 400 trips in almost 50 countries, including the largest range of bike & boat holidays in Europe, we're confident that we can organise an Alps walk, Camino de Santiago or Via Francigena experience, Food Lovers' trip or a tour in a lesser-known pocket of Europe that you will love. 

Videos

Amsterdam to Bruges Bike and Barge | UTracks Active Travel

Similar trips

Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips