Self Guided Walking Holiday in Lithuania and Latvia in 12 Days
- Find yourself in a desert while taking a walk in Grey Dunes;
- Explore ancient history in one of Latvia‘s medieval castles;
- Compare two Baltic countries – find similarities and differences of your own;
- Hike through Varnikai cognitive path and try to count how many different birds and wild animals You will hear or see;
- Take a deep breath while witnessing misty fog getting down on Gauja river.
Explore Lithuania and Latvia in 12 days traveling by our created self-guided walking tour. In Lithuania, there will be an opportunity to see Pavilniai Regional park and Puckoriu exposure, also visit the seaside – Neringa and Curonian spit, magnificent dunes, unique pine forests, and golden wild beaches. Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania will leave an unforgettable impression of its cozy and spectacular old town. While visiting Latvia – take a walk in Gauja national park, go hiking through beautiful nature trails and enjoy exceptional medieval Cesis old town. Riga will surprise you with architectural diversity and modern cultural experiences. This tour will be a breathtaking experience of getting to know two beautiful countries where magical nature meets ancient castles, remarkable modern cities are still full of old myths and history.
This tour includes accommodation, route notes and maps transfers by public transport or a car where public transport is not available, luggage transfers.
Day 1 - Arrival to Vilnius
Arriving to Vilnius. OPTIONAL Airport transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Vilnius.
If you arrive earlier - take an easy walk around the old town. Otherwise, you can book extra day to explore Vilnius more.
Overnight in Vilnius.
Day 2 - Walking Pavilniai regional park
Today you will explore a regional park which is within Vilnius city boundaries. You will take a short train ride, will walk along the river, walk up and down some hills and through the forests - and everything without really going out of town.
Pristine Pavilniai Regional Park is a protected area that includes the 65 m height Puckoriai rock exposure at the Vilnia river valley. 20 thousand years old formations are visible from the lower side after 1 km easy hike from a restaurant located in a former mill.
Walking 4 h, 10 km.
Public transport: Vilnius train station - Pavilnio st. (7 min).
Overnight in Vilnius.
Day 3 - From Vilnius to the Countryside among the Lakes
Today after a short train ride you will find yourself in the cosy medieval town surrounded by picturesque lakes and forests.
Trakai, located 30 km from Vilnius is a historical capital of Lithuania and it’s beauty leaves no one indifferent.
Locals take a day trip there and we invite you for one as well. See Trakai Castle, lakes and beautiful views around. Trakai used to be a medieval residence of Lithuanian Grand Dukes. Once a significant and powerful town, nowadays the town is enjoying tranquility and the status of summer resort with its only 5000 residents. The town is also famous for it's karaim community living here since the 14th century who make "kibinai" the best local pastries in the area.
This day offers two hikes to choose - a shorter one around the Trakai town and peninsula and a longer one with an extension to Varnikai Reserve that will lead you through an old forest and meadow offering nature lovers an opportunity to enjoy spectacular views and the rich natural biodiversity found here.
Walking:
Short route - 2 h, 7 km
Long route - 5 h, 15 km
Public transport: Vilnius train station - Trakai.
Private transfer: Trakai - Countryside accommodation.
Luggage transfer from Vilnius to Countryside accommodation.
Overnight in the countryside hotel/BnB near Trakai. Tony resort or similar.
Day 4 - Vilnius to Klaipeda - Karkle - Duchman’s cap
On this day you will move to the Western coast of Lithuania and explore Klaipeda surroundings.
Early morning a private transfer will pick you from Countryside and take you to Vilnius train station to catch your 4 hour train to Klaipeda. Train journeys let you avoid highways and get a glimpse of the Lithuanian countryside.
Upon arrival to Klaipeda, you will drop your luggage at the hotel and stretch your legs before going on a breathtaking walk on the Baltic sea coast.
The afternoon offers you a very spectacular 7 km circular walk along the Baltic sea coast. You will walk through a thick forest, discover ancient hillfort, have a glimpse to a WW2 fortifications and bunkers lying just on the sandy beach and discover The cliff of the Dutchmans Cap (a parabolic dune emerged 24.4 m from the sea) which is constantly eroded by the beat of the waves and falls to the seaside by the slant of 20-22 meters height.
Private transfer from Countryside to Vilnius train station - 30 min.
Train from Vilnius to Klaipeda - 3,5-4 hours.
Walk in Karkle along the Baltic sea shore - 7 km, 3 hours.
Public transport or taxi (not included) - from Hotel to Karkle for a walk.
Overnight in Klaipeda.
Day 5 - Klaipeda-Pervalka-Nida
Your private transfer will pick you and your luggage in the morning from Klaipeda and you will be dropped at the Grey dunes – another picturesque trail in the Nagliai nature reserve (get a ticket from the ranger - 2€). There you will start the day’s walk and will be going further south along the coast of Curonian lagoon to Preila. Before entering Pervalka village you can have your picnic lunch in front of the smallest beacon in Lithuania which is also one of the most picturesque places in all Curonian lagoon.
From Preila you have an option to continue walking along the lagoon coast until Nida (another 12 km), but if it is too challenging, you can take a local bus from Preila bus stop and get to Nida by bus.
Hiking for the day: 6 hours (15 km, elevation gain – 47 m)
Additional hike: Preila-Nida (12 km)
Accommodation: Hotel or BnB in Nida.
Day 6 - Walking in Nida
In Nida you can decide if you want to have a more relaxed day while resting on the beach or follow our prepared route that lets you enjoy the highlights of this unique resort town. There are many different paths in Nida that you can follow, but on our route you will not miss the most important sites - such as a wonderful Parnidis dune with a breathtaking view of 360 degrees, Nida lighthouse, Baltic sea coast, ancient cemetery and the memorial museum of Nobel prize winner in literature Thomas Mann.
Hiking for the day: 10 km, 4-5 hours.
Accommodation: Hotel or BnB in Nida.
Day 7 - Nida-Klaipeda-Riga
On this day the private transfer takes you to Klaipeda bus station where you will catch the bus to Riga.
Afternoon at leisure in RIga.
Transfer time from Nida to Klaipeda: 1 hour
Bus ride from Klaipeda to Riga: 5 hours
Overnight in Riga.
Day 8 - Exploring Riga
In the morning you will continue exploring Riga on foot and in the afternoon
In Riga while meandering its narrow streets and ancient alleyways you will discover the must visit sites and some hidden corners. Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a true kaleidoscope of various architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, Swedish Gates, Three Brothers, Large and Small Guild House and the Freedom Monument.
Walking: 2-3 h, 4-5 km
Overnight in Riga.
Day 9 - Gauja National park
In the morning, you will take a local train to Gauja national park (Sigulda or Cesis according to availability).
After arrival to Sigulda, you will drop your luggage at the hotel. After that you will take a spectacular hike in one of the most beautiful nature areas of Latvia.
The Gauja National Park often called Switzerland of Latvia by locals is the largest and oldest of the national parks in Latvia, characterized by great biological diversity, variety of landforms, natural springs, sandstone outcrops, picturesque views and unique natural, cultural and historical monuments.
During this day you will have a very picturesque walk in Sigulda and hike medieval castle ruins, hills, caves, cliffs, impressive forests and wonderful sights of river Gauja valley.
Walking: 6-7 h, 12-14 km.
Train from Riga to Sigulda.
Overnight in Sigulda.
Day 10 - Train to Cesis - Exploring Cesis
Day 11 - Ciruleisi nature trails
Day 12 - Departure
Today is the last day crowning your Lithuanian and Latvian exploration. If you feel that you would like to extend your stay, options are available.
No transport or accommodation included for this day.
Optional transfers available.
Tour extension options available.
- 5 nights in 3* hotels in the cities
- 6 nights in countryside BnBs or guest houses without breakfast
- Detail route notes and route gpx tracks
- Transfers by public transport between accommodation locations
- Private transfers were indicated
- Luggage transfers between accommodations
- Arrival and departure airport transfers.
- Travel Insurance.
- Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks.
- Transfers in he cities.
- Personal Equipment.
- Taxi transfers or public transport.
- Entry fees/boat trips/optional excursions.
- Transfer from Vilnius airport to centrally located hotel - car
- Transfer from Vilnius airport to centrally located hotel - minivan
- Transfer from Cesis to Riga - car
- Transfer from Cesis to Riga - minivan
- Pre/post tour accommodation in Vilnius - 3* hotel - double room
- Pre/post tour accommodation in Vilnius - 3* hotel - single room
- Fine dining in Vilnius 6 course Lithuanian historical dinner
- Local beer tasting in Vilnius
- Traditional Karaim lunch in Trakai
- Latvian contemporary dinner at the restaurant "Forest"
- More than 60 days before tour start date – 10% of tour price will be charged .10% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of booking and preparing your tour.
- 59-35 days before tour start date – 25% of tour price will be charged. 25% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.
- 34-22 days before tour start date – 75% of tour price will be charged. 75% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.
- 21-0 days before tour start day – 100% of tour price will be charged. 100% is non-refundable, as this represents our direct cost of canceling any arrangements made for your tour.