Treasures of the Baltic by Bike
Treasures of the Baltic by Bike
Treasures of the Baltic by Bike
11 Days Starting in Vilnius and ending in Tallinn
Visiting: Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TBY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 21
Age range:
18-80
Tour operated in:
EnglishTour Overview
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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Vilnius (Lithuania)
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.
Day 2 : Vilnius City Tour, Cycle To Trakai Island Castle, Transfer To Kaunas (25Km/16Mi)
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. (115km/71.5mi coach travel).
Day 3 : Cycle Along The Nemunas River To Zapyškis (40Km/25Mi), Transfer To Klaipeda
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 3hrs)
Day 4 : Cycle Along The Curonian Spit, Return To Klaipeda (58Km/36Mi)
Morning transfer by bus to Nida, one of Lithuania's most picturesque resorts. After exploring the sights in Nida, embark on a scenic ride along the Curonian Spit, renowned for its amber and pristine sandy beaches. Follow the newly reconstructed Seaside Cycle Route, taking in the breathtaking views of the Curonian Spit, which forms a natural barrier between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon. Conclude your day's adventure with a short ferry ride to Klaipeda’s charming Old Town. Dinner is included tonight. (50km/31mi coach or boat travel)
Day 5 : To Palanga By Bike (32Km/20Mi), Drive To Hill Of Crosses Then Cross Border To Riga
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)
Day 6 : Morning Riga City Tour, Return Cycle To Jurmala Beach (40-50Km/25-31Mi)
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, or cycle one way and return by train (tickets not included). Evening at leisure.
Day 7 : Visit Bicycle Museum Then Cycle Through The Gauja National Park To Sigulda (45Km/28Mi)
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)
Day 8 : Ferry To Saaremaa Island, Explore Baltic Sea Coast By Bike (38Km/24Mi)
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 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)
Day 9 : Morning Ride At Sorve Peninsula, Afternoon Visit To Kuressaare (56Km/34Mi)
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)
Day 10 : Ride To Kaali Meteorite Crater (28Km/18Mi), Transfer To Tallinn
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)
Day 11 : Trip Concludes
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.
What's Included
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Accommodation
10 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels -
10 breakfasts, 1 picnic lunch and 4 dinners. 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
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8 nights in 3 star hotels and 2 nights in 4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities
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24-speed bike rental with pannier and helmet (E-bike available - supplement applies)
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Welcome meeting and welcome drink
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Mineral water during cycle days and reusable water bottle
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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
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Internal transfers as described by air-conditioned coach/minibus
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Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
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Support vehicle
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Boat trip across Curonian Lagoon from Nida to Klaipeda or transfer by minibus (day 4)
What's Not Included
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8 lunches and 6 dinners and drinks (optional 4 dinner package -3 course dinners - is available for a supplement - days 2,4,7 & 9)
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Tips for tour guides and crew
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Items of a personal nature - eg. phone calls, laundry
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Entrances to museums not noted as included
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Lunch except on day 3, 6 dinners (optional 4 dinner package is available: 3 course dinners in Kaunas, Klaipeda, Sigulda, Saaremaa - supplement applies) drinks
Accommodation
10 nights in 3 and 4 star hotels
During the trip you will be accommodated in 3 or 4 star hotels, specially chosen for their location and service. Rooms will typically be twin share with a private bathroom. Included meals are taken at the hotel or a nearby restaurant and drinks are available for purchase through the restaurant. Most hotels will have wifi although it may be limited to the lobby.
Grading
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.
What You Carry
During the cycle day you carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.
Check out our Q&As
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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.