10-Day Tour Of Exotic Baltic Countries From Vilnius
Description
Sign up for this tour and see the best of European countries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia as you explore the countryside on bike and trek along the ancient river valley of Gauja National Park and Estonian bogs. Get lost in the charming small towns of Riga, Tallinn, and Trakai. Find marvellous cathedrals, beautiful forests, serene rivers and historical museums on this tour.
Highlights
- Visit the magnificent Trakai Castle and the medieval castle of Cēsis
- Enjoy the small town of Trakai, Riga's old town and the charming town of Tallinn
- Soak in the beauty of Neris Regional Park and see the mysterious bogs in Lahemaa
- Participate in a Curonian Spit biking tour
- Find Siauliai and Hill of Crosses where crosses are still erected till the day
- Paddle in the vibrant seaside town Jurmala along a pine-covered dune
- Ride in a cable car to the Gauja Valley or kayak in the Gauja River
- Learn about the role of nature in the lives of the locals at Forest Museum
- Drop by the coastal villages of Käsmu and Altja
- Hike through the Viru Bog on a 3,5 km wooden trail over the wetland
Itinerary Expand All Collapse All
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Day 1: Arrival at Vilnius expand_more
- Take the optional transfer from the airport to the hotel.
Arrive in Vilnius, known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches.
Check-in at Algirdas hotel or similar.
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Day 2: Vilnius - Trakai - Vilnius expand_more
Explore the city and stroll down the Old Town with the Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anna’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn.
Visit the Trakai Castle, located on an island in Lake Galve. Take a walk around the medieval castle museum with your local European guide and learn the history and culture of Lithuania and Karaims and Old Russian Believers.
Enjoy the charming small town Trakai and paddle through serene landscapes, navigate around numerous islands on the lake and see the landmarks of Trakai such as Island Castle, Užutrakis Mansion or ruins of Peninsular Castle.
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Day 3: Vilnius - Kernave (Hike ~5km) - Klaipeda expand_more
Start with a short drive (~40 km) from Vilnius to Kernave.
Explore an ancient oak forest and deep river valleys in Neris Regional Park.
Discover mysterious fort hills and traces of ancient settlements dating back to 9000 years BCE.
Take a walk through Kernavė, and learn about the first medieval capital of Lithuania.
Drive (~300) across Lithuania to the coastal city Klaipeda. It first became a part of Lithuania in 1923 and has a long history as a German town called Memel.
Visit the Old Town with its narrow cobblestone streets and old guild houses.
Marvel at the Theatre Square and the Aennchen von Tharau.
Check-in to the Bohema Art Hotel or similar.
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Day 4: Curonian Spit (bike ~60km) expand_more
Reach the Curonian Spit, a thin stretch of land between the Baltic Sea and the Curonian Lagoon.
Cross the lagoon and take up a Curonian Spit biking tour.
See small fishing villages, pine forests and endless dunes.
Spend the rest of your day at the beach visiting fisherman’s settlements.
Return to the hotel.
Cycling distance Klaipeda - Juodkrante (~60km) or Klaipeda – Nida (~100km)
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Day 5: Klaipeda - Samogitia - Riga expand_more
Continue to the Samogitia National Park in Lithuania, called "Žemaitija" (lowlands), to see the picturesque Lake Plateliai. Almost half of the park covers the forest, and lakes surround only 7%. It wouldn't be Lithuania without marshlands and swamps; Samogitia National Park is no exception.
Take a walk through the bog and climb a viewpoint.
Continue to Siauliai and Hill of Crosses, one of the holiest sites of Catholic Lithuania, where thousands of crosses are erected.
Head North to Latvia and reach Riga in the late afternoon.
Check-in to hotel Garden Palace **** or similar.
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Day 6: Riga - Jurmala - Riga(bike ~30km) expand_more
Take a walk through Riga's Old Town, including Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter's Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles.
Take a local train from Riga to Majori and paddle in the vibrant seaside town Jurmala along a pine-covered dune. When in the mid-19th-century holidaymakers began escaping the city to relax in Jurmala, it developed as a resort, often called the "Ņorthern Riviera".
Sightsee the expressive wooden architecture, modern villas, and endless sandy beaches.
Stop for a swim at one of the 11 established swimming areas before boarding the train back to Riga.
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Day 7: Riga - Gauja National Park (kayak ~8km) - Cēsis expand_more
In the morning, start with a short drive to Gauja National Park, the largest and oldest national park in Latvia.
Take the cable car to enjoy picturesque views over the Gauja Valley. Inspired by the beauty of the park, enjoy nature at your leisure. Or take an optional kayaking tour in the river Gauja to see the sandstone cliffs and outcrops.
In the afternoon, continue to a small charming town Cēsis.
Get acquainted with its old town and medieval castle on a walking tour.
Late in the afternoon, enjoy local food and wine degustation from Lígatne winery and visit“Anfabrika” rocks and cellars; they are 17 m high, beautiful reddish cliffs. There are several rectangular holes in the foot – these were cellars abandoned a long time ago. (Optional)
Check-in at hotel Cēsis *** or similar.
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Day 8: Cēsis - Soomaa National park (hike ~5km) - Tallinn expand_more
Continue from Cēsis to Estonia and drive to Soomaa National Park (~150 km), the wetlands of Estonia, where you stop by the historical Riisa Study Trail.
Walk the great swamp on the wooden path (~5km).
Head to Tallinn in the afternoon. Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life.
Walk around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where you see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall.
Check-in at hotel Braavo Spa*** or similar
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Day 9: Lahemaa National Park (hike ~4km) expand_more
Tour the amazing Lahemaa National Park to explore the Estonian countryside home to towering pine forests, picturesque coastline, and mysterious bogs. Go to a giant natural waterfall in Estonia with your guide.
Visit the hidden old manor houses of Sagadi and the Forest Museum, where the role played by nature in local lives is displayed.
Next, visit the little coastal villages of Käsmu and Altja.
Hike through the Viru Bog on a 3.5 km wooden trail over the wetland.
Return to Tallinn.
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Day 10: Departure from Tallinn expand_more
Take the optional transfer to the airport.
What's Included
Ten overnights at 3 and 4 stars hotels with breakfast buffet
Service of 1st class van throughout the tour
English speaking European tour guide throughout the tour
Entrances: Vilnius University, Trakai Castle Museum, Kernave archaeological park, and Sagadi forest museum
Bike rent: Klaipeda and Jurmala
Train ticket Riga – Jurmala – Riga
Sigulda cable car ticket
What's Excluded
Transfer to hotel for 4 PAX, 35 EUR
Transfer to airport for 4 PAX, 35 EUR
2h Trakai kayak tour, 50 EUR per person
2h Gauja National Park kayak tour 50 EUR per person
Local food and wine degustation 40 EUR per person
Know before you go
Moderate physical fitness is required.
Please dress according to the weather conditions, and wear appropriate footwear (sandals or hiking shoes depending on weather conditions would be ideal).
Cancellation Policy
For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.Price Details
Standard - single room | |
1 To 4 | EUR 1984 Per Person |
Standard - Double Room | |
1 To 4 | EUR 1460 Per Person |
This is a private tour |