Treasures of the Baltic Self Guided Cycle

Treasures of the Baltic Self Guided Cycle

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11 Days From

$1893

$1808

Treasures of the Baltic Self Guided Cycle

11 Days Starting in Tallinn and ending in Vilnius

Visiting: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

TBS

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 15

Physical rating:

moderate

From:
$1893
$1808 Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$85

NB: Prices correct on 17-May-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Discover the contrasting characters of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania on this scenic self guided cycle route from Tallinn to Vilnius. While these three countries share the same Baltic coastline, their cultural differences will become apparent as you pedal at your own pace between the three capitals - Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn - and the many small villages that have changed little over time. Following low traffic roads and dedicated cycle paths, the trip will showcase the diverse cultures, World Heritage sites and largely flat landscapes that make travelling in this region so different to anywhere else in Europe. Enjoy a ride through one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast at Lahemaa National Park and discover the 'Estonian Switzerland' at Otepää Lakeland. Crossing into Latvia, dip your toes in the Baltic Sea at the white sandy beaches of Jurmula, visit Latvia's oldest Church and pay homage at a bicycle museum. In Lithuania, marvel at the pilgrimage sight at the Hill of Crosses, enter the previously off-limits Curonian Spit and explore the island castle at Trakai before riding on to the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. Support will be provided by a driver who will transfer your luggage each day and provide assistance during the cycle day if required and professional guides will provide city tours in each capital.

Highlights

  • Cycling on the beautiful Estonian island of Hiiumaa

  • Discovering the small towns and villages enroute

  • 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 local hotels

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Tallinn, Estonia

On arrival in Tallinn, make your way to the hotel (we can arrange an arrival transfer for you if required - supplement applies). In the early evening at 6pm you can join a guided 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. Dinner at leisure in Tallinn's emerging culinary scene.

Day 2 : Cycling In Lahemaa National Park (51Km/32Mi), Overnight Sagadi

Meals Included: B

This morning you'll meet your minibus driver for the transfer to the start of your cycle (100km - 1.5 hours). The route begins by taking you through the Lahemaa National Park, which is one of the last unspoiled regions of the Baltic coast. Lahemaa, or 'land of bays' is a nature lover’s paradise and the largest national park in Estonia, established in 1971. There are dense woods, marshes, lakes and waterfalls to discover. If you prefer wildlife to landscape, the park has moose, wild boars and over 220 bird species. Continue to Sagadi and your hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 3 : Cycle Along Peipsi Lake (50Km/31Mi), Transfer To The University Town Of Tartu

Meals Included: B

Following a transfer by minibus to Mustvee, you begin a pleasant bicycle trip along the Peipsi Lake shore to Varnja. Peipsi is the 4th largest lake in Europe, divided in two by the Russian border. En route, you’ll pass many fishing villages. You reach your hotel after a bus transfer to Tartu, a famous, historic university town (the university was founded in 1632).
Total Transfer: 160km/99.5mi - 1.5-2hrs

Day 4 : Cycle Through The 'Estonian Switzerland' (28Km/18Mi), Transfer To Sigulda

Meals Included: B

After a short bus transfer to Otepää, a beautiful place with many lakes, you begin cycling through the so-called “Estonian Switzerland”, absorbing the stunning landscape. The route takes you to Sangaste which is famous for its 19th century romantic castle built in the style of Windsor Palace. From here you transfer into Latvia where your destination is Sigulda, in the Gauja River Valley, which is the most popular resort in Latvia. En route stop in Cesis where you can visit the medieval old town.
Total Transfer: 235km/146mi - 3.5hrs

Day 5 : Cycle Through Gauja National Park (17Km/11Mi), Transfer To Riga

Meals Included: B

As you cycle through Gauja National Park, enjoy spectacular views of Gauja River valleys with the Gutmana Cave, the ruins of a 13th Century Crusaders Castle in Sigulda and the restored medieval style Turaida Castle. Afternoon transfer to Riga, the Latvian capital, where a guided tour of the charming Old Town awaits. After checking-in at the hotel you can explore this medieval Hanseatic town, famous for its Art Nouveau buildings.
Total Transfer: 50km/31mi - 1hr

Day 6 : Explore Riga, Cycle To Jurmala (35Km/22Mi), Return To Riga By Train

Meals Included: B

Today is free to explore Riga on your own and take a cycle ride on a bicycle path to Jurmala, a Latvian seaside resort well known for its long, white, sand beaches, mineral waters and mud with healing properties. We recommend taking the opportunity to bathe in the sea and cycling along the beach – its well worth it! In the evening take a local train back to Riga (30 min; not included).

Day 7 : Enter Lithuania,Visit Hill Of Crosses, Cycle To Klaipeda (42Km/29Mi Or 32Km/20Mi)

Meals Included: B

Transfer by minibus to the Lithuanian coast, stopping en route at the Hill of Crosses, the unforgettable sight of thousands of crosses on two small hills. You begin cycling towards Klaipeda on a great bicycle path, which follows the Baltic Coast along the Seaside Regional Park. En route pass Palanga, the well-known Lithuanian seaside resort. Enjoy a break here; perhaps visit the renowned Botanical Park, Amber Museum and the 470m pier heading out into the Baltic Sea.
Total Transfer: 290km/180mi - 4hrs

Day 8 : Ferry Then Cycle The Curonian Spit National Park (57Km/36Mi) To Nida

Meals Included: B

After breakfast you cross the lagoon by ferry (not included - allow EUR1 pp) and start cycling on an asphalt bike path which takes you along the Curonian Spit to Nida, the most beautiful resort in Lithuania, famous for impressive sand dunes and the Amber Gallery. En route you can visit the Hill of Witches which houses almost one hundred whimsical wooden sculptures about Lithuanian legends, scattered along a forest path. Or, if you prefer, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants, explore the “Dead” sand dunes on foot, swim in the Baltic Sea or, simply relax and take in some sun on the golden beaches. Take a boat (2 hours) or minibus transfer back to Klaipeda.

Day 9 : Cross The Curonian Lagoon, Cycle To Vente Cape (31Km/19Mi), Transfer To Kaunas

Meals Included: B

Take a morning boat across the Curonian Lagoon to the mainland (approx. 1.5 hours), enjoying a beautiful view of the Curonian Spit sand dunes. The cycle route takes you to Vente Cape where you can visit a bird observatory and the 19th century lighthouse which was used for more than 100 years. In the afternoon ride along the Curonian Lagoon through the Nemunas River Delta Regional Park then transfer by minibus to Kaunas.
Total Transfer: 210km/130mi - 3-3.5hrs, boat 14km

Day 10 : Cycle To The Island Castle At Trakai (25Km/16Mi), Transfer To Vilnius

Meals Included: B

After breakfast you are transferred by minibus to the Lake District where you begin cycling through picturesque countryside over gentle hills. Arrive in Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. Here you can visit the famous 14th century Gothic island castle erected on a small island in Lake Galve. Later a short transfer takes you to Vilnius, capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. Set on the Vilnia river and with its historic centre awash with beautiful buildings and cobblestone streets, Vilnius has a wonderful ambiance. 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. This evening, a guided tour of the city awaits you.
Total Transfer: 97km/60.6mi - 1.5hrs

Day 11 : Trip Concludes

Meals Included: B

The trip concludes after breakfast. Transfers can be organised to the airport, or additional accommodation booked - please ask our staff for details.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    10 nights in 3-4 star hotels

  • 10 nights in 3 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities

  • 10 breakfasts - generally buffet style with breads, cheese, some meats, spreads and perhaps yoghurt and muesli. There will also be juice, coffee and tea available.

  • Bike rental with helmet, pannier and handlebar bag (electric bike available, also tandem bikes with two panniers - on request - supplement applies)

  • Internal transfers as described by air-conditioned minibus

  • Luggage transfers

  • Boat trip across Curonian Lagoon from Nida to the mainland

  • Guided 2 hour city tours in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius (entrance fees extra - payable locally)

  • Information pack with route notes and map (one set per room)

  • Emergency hotline

  • Support vehicle in area (except Jurmala and the Curonian Spit)

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What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Tallin / Vilnius

  • Tour guide - this is a self guided cycle tour

  • Dinner, drinks and lunch each day (optional 6 dinner package is available which includes a 3 course dinner every night except in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius - supplement applies)

  • Entrance fees for tourist sites

  • Travel insurance - mandatory

  • SPD pedals can be supplied on request - supplement applies

  • Items of a personal nature - eg. phone calls, laundry

  • tips

  • As prices are based on twin occupancy, a single supplement will apply if you are travelling alone or book a single room

  • Travel to Tallin and from Vilnius

  • Optional 6 dinner package is available which includes a 3 course dinner every night except in Tallinn, Riga and Vilnius - supplement applies)

  • Meals not listed as included, drinks

  • Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday

  • A supplement will apply if you book a single room

  • Excess luggage

  • Transfers not listed included

  • Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage

  • Bike Hire security deposit. Euro 100 for hybrid bikes / Euro 200 for E-bikes or Gravel bikes

  • Items of a personal nature

Accommodation

10 nights in 3-4 star hotels
During the trip you will be accommodated in 3-4 star hotels, specially chosen for their location and service. Rooms will typically be twin share with a private bathroom. Most hotels will have wifi although it may be limited to the lobby.

Grading

MODERATE – GRADE 3
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 17 to 57km/10.5 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 Otepää region) and dead flat most of the tour.

What You Carry

During the cycle day you will 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.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

A. Williams(Mansfield, VIC Australia)  

Treasures of the Baltic Self Guided Cycle

Fantastic trip! A great combination of independen

Fantastic trip! A great combination of independent riding, travelling with others during the transfers and seeing amazing parts of these beautiful countries - old cities, rural villages, coastal resorts. The accommodation ranges from good to superb and the fact that the trip is linear, and contains significant distances by coach as well as on bikes, means that you cover a lot of ground and detail, and can make it an active part of a longer journey. We were the only native English speakers so the cultural exchanges were also valuable.

M. Brake(Tasmania)  

Treasures of the Baltic Self Guided Cycle

This was an interesting trip with easy cycling due

This was an interesting trip with easy cycling due to the flatness of the countries visited. It was our second UTracks cycle tour, and very different to the first. The first trip was genuinely self-guided, and was somewhat like a treasure hunt - the treasure being the motel at the end of the day. This trip however often required meeting the bus at a specified time for a transfer. It was still a great experience as the transfers did enable us to see a lot of the Baltic countries with some great cycling along the way. The bus drivers were amazing - particularly Alius in Lithuania - his enthusiasm and desire to give us a great time and show us whatever he could during our transfers was 100%.

M. Jones(Glen Iris, VIC)  

Treasures of the Baltic Self Guided Cycle

Baltic States were amazing and well worth the visi

Baltic States were amazing and well worth the visit. The cycling is excellent, mostly off road but vehicles were very respectful of cyclists when we did have to ride on roads. Can't recommend this tour highly enough. Beautiful countries to visit!

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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.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • 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.

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