Rhine Valley Barge & Bike
8 Days Starting in Koblenz, Germany and ending in Mainz, Germany
Visiting: Koblenz, Boppard, Oberwesel, Bingen, Mainz, Nierstein
Tour operator:
Tour code:
RVB
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Germany's picturesque Rhine Valley with the "Rhine Valley Barge & Bike" tour. Cycle through stunning landscapes, explore ancient castles, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the region. Enjoy wine tasting and dinner in Nierstein, learning about the area's ancient wine-growing traditions. Relax aboard the comfortable MS Olympia, where you'll be treated to daily briefings, delicious meals, and scenic cruises. This self-guided tour offers the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation, with daily cycling routes ranging from 12 to 24 miles, allowing you to fully appreciate the beauty of the Rhine Valley.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Koblenz
Location: Koblenz
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Dinner
On arrival in Koblenz, make your way to the dock to board the MS Olympia - embarkation is from 4pm. Located at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, Koblenz has been an important defence centre for the region over its more than 2000 year history. Its impressive fortifications are still in good condition today and it’s worth exploring these, as well as the old town with its ancient churches and winding streets.
Day 2 : Cycle To Boppard (23Km/14Mi)
Location: Boppard
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning you begin cycling to Boppard. Enjoy the panoramic view of the
unforgettable Upper Middle Rhine Valley (or Rhine Gorge) a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cycle alongside the river, surrounded by vineyards and castle ruins.
Day 3 : Cycle To Oberwesel (20Km/12.5Mi)
Location: Oberwesel
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Boppard, you cycle along the Rhine to Oberwesel. On this short stage you'll pass by many scenic viewpoints from where you can enjoy the varied landscape. From the banks of the river, the many fortresses and the legendary Loreley cliff offer a picturesque backdrop all along the way.
Day 4 : Cycle To Rüdesheim / Bingen (25Km/15Mi)
Location: Bingen
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The cycle today takes you from Oberwesel past slate cliffs and through dense forests to sights including the Pfalzgrafenstein Castle near Kaub and the Niederwald Monument. Today's destination is the wine town of Bingen, and Rudesheim across the river. Here we suggest that you visit the world-famous Drosselgasse.
Day 5 : Cycle To The Delightful Town Of Mainz (30Km/19Mi)
Location: Mainz
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On this stretch, the Rhine River again shows all of its beauty. Ride past Eltville am Rhein, where the Electoral Castle is well worth a visit. Continue to Mainz, home to numerous impressive buildings. You may want to visit St Martin's Cathedral, one of the proud imperial cathedrals in Germany, or the Electoral Palace. Lined with beautiful half-timbered buildings and wine taverns, pretty narrow lanes and marvellous squares like the Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten Square, a stroll through the Old Town is highly recommended.
Day 6 : Continue Cycle To Nierstein (17-26Km/12-16Mi), Cruise To Worms
Location: Nierstein
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short stage allowing lots of time to take it slowly and absorb the beautiful views. Directly alongside the Rhine, you cycle on the well-paved Rhine Cycle Route to Nierstein. With almost 1.000 hectares of vineyard surface area, Nierstein is the biggest wine-growing municipality on the Rhine. You may also want to visit the historic Old Town with its medieval market square and the noble houses. In the afternoon, enjoy the boat tour from Nierstein to Worms.
Day 7 : Cycle To Nierstein, Cruise To Mainz (37Km/24Mi)
Location: Mainz
Accommodation Name: MS Olympia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today's cycle begins from Worms, the city of the Nibelungs. Following the banks of the Rhine, you will have again the possibility to fall for the charms of the vineyards and to enjoy the scenery along the river. Coming from the south, you cycle towards Nierstein, also referred to as the Riesling City. In the evening, cruise to Mainz for your last night on board.
Day 8 : Trip Concludes Mainz
Location: Mainz
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip concludes after breakfast with disembarkation at 9:00am.
What's Included
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 7 dinners, tea and coffee in the afternoon - breakfasts are buffet style consisting of breads, cereals, cheese, meats, fruit, yoghurt and breakfast beverages. Picnic lunches are assembled at breakfast time. Dinners are 3 courses.
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Accommodation
7 nights accommodation in main deck cabin on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities onboard MS Olympia - Premium category vessel (supplement applies for other categories of berths on main or upper deck).
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Information Pack
Information pack including route notes and maps per cabin. Plus navigational app access (smartphone required).
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Bicycle
Bicycle, 7 speed with hand and back pedal brakes or freewheel hubs with hand brakes only (the latter must be reserved in advance - limited number). The bike is supplied with a waterproof pannier and bicycle insurance (8 speed electric bike available on request).
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Welcome Drink
Welcome drink and information meeting on first evening aboard.
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Cruise Director
Cruise director on board - does not cycle with the group, provides daily briefings.
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Linen and Towels
Linen and change of towels as required.
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Daily Cabin Cleaning
Daily cabin cleaning.
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Harbour, Lock, and Bridge Fees
All harbour, lock and bridge fees.
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Emergency Hotline
Emergency hotline.
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from Koblenz / Mainz
Travel to and from Koblenz / Mainz is not included.
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Drinks
Drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board are not included.
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Meals Not Detailed
Meals not detailed in the itinerary are not included.
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Helmet
Helmet is mandatory on all bike tours, you are encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet.
2024: No hire facility is available, you may be able to purchase from bike shops locally.
2025: available to purchase on board - EUR40 per helmet. -
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is mandatory and not included.
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Tour Guide
Tour guide is not included as this is a self-guided tour.
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Single Room Supplement
A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees and sightseeing fees are not included.
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Optional Excursions
Optional excursions are bookable and payable on board.
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Special Diets
Catering for special diets (except Vegetarian) is not included.
A supplement is payable for lactose or gluten free diets - EUR25pp (subject to change) paid locally on board. -
Tips
Tips are not obligatory, but it is customary to offer a tip if the guide and crew have done a good job.
As a guide, we would recommend around EUR30-60 per person (to be distributed between the guide/s, captain and crew). -
Personal Items
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
, are not included.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the panniers provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, water and camera. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Grading
INTRODUCTORY - GRADE 1
This trip involves 6 days cycling of between 17km and 46km/10.5 to 28.5mi per day usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. Distances provided daily are provided as a guide only and may change according to the location of the boat. In and out of the cities there will be some light traffic. You need only carry your camera
ain gear and water bottle. Your luggage remains on the boat. For this reason the trip is a grade 1 cycle and is considered suitable for beginners.*For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.
Mode of Transport
Travel includes cycling along the scenic Rhine Valley and cruising on the comfortable MS Olympia. Bicycles are provided, and the tour includes a cruise director for daily briefings.
Accommodation
Enjoy 7 nights of accommodation in a main deck cabin with ensuite facilities onboard the premium MS Olympia. Daily cabin cleaning and linen changes are provided as required.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of bike is provided for the tour?
The tour provides a 7-speed bicycle with hand and back pedal brakes or freewheel hubs with hand brakes only. The bike comes with a waterproof pannier and bicycle insurance. An 8-speed electric bike is also available on request.
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Is there a welcome meeting on the first day?
Yes, there is a welcome drink and information meeting on the first evening aboard the MS Olympia.
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 7 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, and 7 dinners. Breakfasts are buffet style with a variety of options, picnic lunches are assembled at breakfast time, and dinners are 3-course meals.
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What should I carry during the cycling days?
During the cycling days, you will carry your daily requirements in the panniers provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, water, and camera. A small daypack that can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
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Is the tour suitable for beginners?
Yes, the tour is graded as introductory (Grade 1) and involves 6 days of cycling between 17km and 46km per day, usually along paved cycle paths across generally flat terrain. It is considered suitable for beginners.
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Are helmets provided for the bike tour?
Helmets are mandatory on all bike tours. You are encouraged to bring your own well-fitted helmet. For 2024, no hire facility is available, but you may be able to purchase from bike shops locally. For 2025, helmets will be available to purchase on board for EUR 40 per helmet.
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Is there a tour guide accompanying the group?
No, this is a self-guided tour. However, there is a cruise director on board who provides daily briefings but does not cycle with the group.
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What happens if I am traveling solo?
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Are there any additional costs not included in the tour price?
Yes, additional costs not included in the tour price are travel to and from Koblenz/Mainz, drinks other than afternoon tea and coffee on board, meals not detailed in the itinerary, travel insurance, entrance fees and sightseeing fees, optional excursions, catering for special diets (except Vegetarian), tips, and items of a personal nature such as phone calls and laundry.
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What kind of accommodation is provided on the tour?
The tour includes 7 nights of accommodation in a main deck cabin on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities onboard the MS Olympia, a premium category vessel. Supplements apply for other categories of berths on the main or upper deck.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.