Duration
11 days
Activities
  • guided cycle
Accommodation
  • 10 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels
Meals
  • 4 Dinners
  • 1 Lunch
  • 10 Breakfasts

Price

$USD

 
 

Overview

Trip Code: SOG8139

Trip highlights


  • Cycling on the beautiful Estonian island of Saaremaa
  • Discovering the small towns and villages en route
  • Exploring the historic centres of Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn
  • The coastal scenery of the Baltic coast and the wildness of the national parks
  • Soaking up the hospitality of comfortable hotels

While Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia share the same Baltic coastline, the contrasting unique characters of these three countries will become evident as you follow this incredibly scenic cycling route from Vilnius to Tallinn. From the three capitals - Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn - to the many small villages that have changed little over time, this guided cycling experience along low traffic roads and dedicated cycle paths will showcase the diverse cultures, World Heritage sites and mainly flat landscapes that make travelling in this region so different to anywhere else in Europe. Discover the island castle at Trakai, enter the previously off-limits Curonian Spit, a wild pre-historic sand dune peninsula, and marvel at the pilgrimage sight of thousands of crosses of every size and design imaginable at the Hill of Crosses in northern Lithuania. Crossing into Latvia, dip your toes in the Baltic Sea at the white sandy beaches of Jurmula and on the island of Saaremaa, visit Latvia's oldest Church and pay homage at a bicycle museum before heading into Estonia. We'll stop at Saaremaa, famous for its Bishop's Castle, before reaching the Estonian capital of Tallinn, where the trip concludes.

Trip Grading

introductory to moderate

More info about grading system

On arrival in Vilnius, make your way to the joining hotel (we can assist with an arrival transfer from the airport if required - please ask for our rates). There will be a city tour tomorrow morning however, depending when you arrive, we recommend taking a walk through the old town. At 7:30 pm there will be a welcome meeting at the hotel with your tour guide and group. Dinner is at your leisure.

Meals:  Nil

After breakfast there will be a guided walking tour of Vilnius Old Town. Set on the Vilnia river and with its historic centre awash with beautiful buildings and cobblestoned streets, Vilnius has a wonderful ambience. It has been known as the 'Jerusalem of Lithuania' or the 'Jerusalem of the north' and was declared the European Capital of Culture in 2009. After taking time to explore the centre, we transfer by bus to just outside the city to begin our first cycle to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After an optional visit to the 14th century Trakai Island Castle, built on a small island in Lake Galve, we transfer by coach to Kaunas. (100km/62mi coach travel).

Meals:  B

Explore Kaunas by bike on a picturesque cycle trail along the Nemunas River. En route stop for a picnic lunch (included). Finish the ride in Zapyškis, famous for its unusual small 14th century Gothic church. Transfer to the Baltic coast and Klaipeda, a modern town at the Baltic Sea. where we stay tonight. Dinner is at leisure tonight. (230km/144mi coach travel - total transfer time approximately 5.5hrs)

Meals:  B,L

This morning is the longest cycle day, to Nida following the Seaside Cycle Route. You'll enjoy a beautiful view of the Curonian Spit sand dunes which separate the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon. The area is known for its amber and fine sand beaches. We sightsee around Nida, one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania, and in the afternoon we'll transfer by bus or boat back to Klaipeda. Dinner is included tonight. (50km/31mi coach or boat travel)

Meals:  B,D

We'll have an early morning ride to Palanga through the Seaside Regional Park, a former Soviet military training area. On arrival in Palanga, Lithuania's largest seaside resort, we visit the Botanical Garden and the Amber Museum in the Palace of Count Tyszkiewicz, which has over 25,000 pieces of amber and 15,000 insects on display. In the afternoon, we transfer across the border to Riga, the capital of Latvia, stopping along the way at the Hill of Crosses, an unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. A group dinner is included this evening. (290km/180mi coach travel - total transfer time approximately 4.5hrs)

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast we'll have a guided walking tour of Riga old town, a medieval Hanseatic town famous for its Art Nouveau buildings. In the afternoon you can enjoy free time in Riga or cycle to Jurmala, the largest resort in the Baltic States and well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties, returning to the hotel by coach. Evening at leisure (20km/12.5mi coach travel).

Meals:  B

In the morning we transfer to Saulkrasti. After visiting the Latvian bicycle museum we start cycling to Sigulda, the most popular resort in Latvia. Continuing by bike through Gauja National Park, we'll enjoy spectacular views of the valley and Gutmana Cave and Turaida Castle. Enroute visit the oldest Latvian Church in Krimulda, built in 1205, then arrive in Sigulda where we stay tonight. Dinner is at leisure. (50km/31mi coach travel)

Meals:  B

This morning we transfer by ferry to the largest Estonian island of Saaremaa, which has preserved all that is best about old Estonia. With little traffic and flat roads Saaremaa provides the perfect rural setting for cycling. We travel on picturesque roads along the Baltic Sea Coast to the village of Angla where iconic windmills are located. We transfer to Mandjala or Kuressaare and check into our hotel, where we stay for 2 nights at the seaside. Dinner at the hotel tonight (included). (330km/205mi coach travel, 6km/3.5mi ferry - total coach transfer time approximately 5hrs)

Meals:  B,D

Today we enjoy a ride across Saaremaa Island’s wild beauty at Sorve Peninsula, finishing with a visit to Kuressaare, the capital of Saaremaa. Kuressaare is home to one of the finest preserved medieval Episcopal Castles in the Baltics, dating from the 13th Century. Free time to explore the town and the Bishops castle before transferring back to the hotel. Dinner at leisure tonight. (50km/31mi coach travel)

Meals:  B

We start the morning with a ride to the Kaali meteorite crater which is listed on the world's giant craters list and is the rarest nature wonder in Estonia. In the afternoon we arrive in Tallinn, check-in at the hotel and have a guided walking tour of Tallinn's old town. The city grew in importance as a strategic port between Russia and Scandinavia, and has evolved into a vibrant cultural city with a delightful walled historic centre. There is an eclectic mix of medieval and modern, Soviet and classic Estonian, grand church spires and crumbling wooden houses. A farewell dinner is included tonight. (210km/130mi coach travel - total coach transfer time approximately 4 hours)

Meals:  B,D

The trip concludes after breakfast. A transfer to the airport or additional accommodation can be arranged - please ask for our rates. We can assist with booking extra nights here on request.

Meals:  B


Inclusions

  • 10 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch and 4 dinners (does not include drinks). The breakfast and dinners are provided at your overnight hotel or a local restaurant. Breakfast will generally be buffet style with breads, cheese, some meats, spreads and perhaps yoghurt and muesli. There will also be juice, coffee and tea available. Dinners will usually be 3 courses (sometimes 2).
  • 8 nights in 3 star hotels and 2 nights in 4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
  • 24-speed bike rental with pannier (electric bike available - supplement applies)
  • Welcome meeting and welcome drink
  • Mineral water during cycle days and reusable water bottle
  • Tour guide - one tour guide* for 2-15 people or two guides for groups sizes of 16-21 people. Note *: for groups of up to 7 people the guide will also drive the van so will cycle with the group only at times, mainly guiding from the minivan
  • Internal transfers as described by air-conditioned coach/minibus
  • Luggage transfers and support vehicle
  • Boat trip across Curonian Lagoon from Nida to Klaipeda or transfer by minibus (day 4)
  • Ferry tickets to/from the Curonian Spit and to/from Saaremaa Island
  • Entrance to: the Dead Dunes on the Curonian Spit, Saulkrasti Bicycle Museum and Angla Windmill Park in Saaremaa
  • Information pack (one set per room booked)
  • Guided 2-hour city walking tours in English in the capital cities: Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn

  • Travel to Vilnius and from Tallinn
  • Lunch except on day 3, 6 dinners (optional 4 dinner package is available: 3 course dinners in Kaunas, Klaipeda, Sigulda, Saaremaa - supplement applies) drinks
  • Tips for tour guides and crew
  • Travel insurance - mandatory
  • Items of a personal nature - eg. phone calls, laundry
  • Entrances to museums not noted as included

Bike information


Grading

introductory to moderate  

INTRODUCTORY TO MODERATE – GRADE 2 The trip requires a reasonable level of fitness to fully participate in the cycling. Daily biking routes are mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths range from 30 to 58km/18.5 to 36mi. The terrain is varied and rolling with some gradual hills on some riding days (some steep ups and downs in the Gauja River valley) and dead flat most of the tour. The walking in the capital towns is along cobbled streets. The group travels at approx. 20 km per hour with several stops. In some places there will be small, rolling hills eg on Day 1, but normally it’s flat. It can be windy on some days, especially at the coast.


Departure dates


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Priceper person from

$USD


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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.

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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. 

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Cycling in the Baltics - Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia | UTracks Active Travel
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