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Along the Baltic National Parks - Latvia and Lithuania
Latvia, Lithuania (14 days)
Baltic States are lucky to have plenty of untouched natural territories.
During the Cambrian, Silurian and Devonian eras, the territory of the current Baltic States was often covered by seawater, which is why there are places where lots of geological evidence can be found about these periods in history. These are manifested not just in fossils and various geological objects, but also in the unique landscape. For example, The Gauja River basin is an outstanding locations for Devonian cliffs and caves. Other interesting elements of the terrain relate to the development of the Baltic Sea in the past – the Baltic Ice Sea and the Littorine Sea. That is well presented at he landscape of hillocks and valleys in the Slītere National Park. Many forests and bogs have remained virtually untouched as biotopes here. The Ķemeri, Slītere national parks were all established to protect wetlands. Rivers in the Baltic States have not been straightened and dense areas of buildings are not common. There are two “lands of lakes” in the Baltic States – Latgale and Augštaitija. The Baltic States are at the crossroads of the living areas of many different plants and animals, and that is why “northern,” “southern,” “western” and “eastern” species can all be found here. Some national parks have been established to protect distinctive local cultural heritage.
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General information:
- Route: Rīga – Koknese – Rēzekne – Daugavpils – Ignalina – Vilnius – Trakai – Druskininkai - Kaunas – Klaipēda – Nida - Liepāja – Ventspils – Kolka – Ķemeri – Rīga
- Individual
- Hire car
- Length of the route: ~ 1745 km
- 14 days
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1st day / Arrival in Rīga
Arrival at Rīga International airport. Free time to explore Rīga. Places of particular interest are the medieval Old Town and the Art Nouveau district included into UNESCO World's Heritage list. Also the Central Market, one of the largest in Europe is worth a visit to see the local products.
Accommodation at hotel in Rīga.
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2nd day /Route: Riga - Kekava - Kegums - Koknese - Atasiene - Vilani - Rēzekne (~254km)
Breakfast.
The route goes along the right bank of the Daugava river providing some fine views and then crosses the river at Kegums HES.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Picturesque Koknese Castle Ruins and park;
- Skriveri Dendrology Park with 372 foreign trees and shrubs;
- Teici Nature Reserve is the largest untouched raised and moss bog in the Baltic. In the middle of the bog there is a unique islet Siksala where Old believers seeked refuge in 17th century. There still has remained four active households. (Excursions to the Teici should be pre-booked and available from 1.06-31.10.)
- Vilani Catholic Church and Bernadine monastery
If interested in birdwatching then detour to the Nagli fishing ponds by the lake Lubana would be beneficial. The ponds are one of the richest and most diverse site of the nesting and resting waterbirds. There are several birdwatching towers and Tirumnieki raised swamp trail.
Overnight at the guesthouse near Rezekne.
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3rd day / Route: Rēzekne – Mākoņkalns – Andrupene – Daugavpils (130 km)
Breakfast.
Latgale region is Latvia' s “land of lakes” and there is Rāzna National Park.
Sites and attractions en route:
- lake Rāzna is the second largest in Latvia.
- typical landscapes of ancient hillocks and a unique cultural environment.
- Mākoņkalns Hill, which offers a lovely view of Lake Rāzna
- Latgale famous pottery workshops
- typical regional meals can be tasted at Andrupene farm
- Aglona Basilica – the piligrimage place.
Overnight at the guesthouse near Daugavpils.
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4th day / Route: Daugavpils - Zarasai – Ignalina – Palūše – Ginučiai –Stripeikiai – Ignalina (~160 km)
Breakfast.
Latvian/Lithuanian border crossing at Smelyne.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Augštaitija National Park. Around 70% of the park comprises of forest. Most of it is pine, about 200 years old. There are 126 interconnected lakes and several ethnographic villages. Several mounds where was settlements in 9-11th centuries.
- The oldest wooden church at Paluše from 18th century;
- Ginučiai village and its watermill with preserved original mechanisms;
- Ancient Beekeeping Museum at Stripeikiai;
Guided birdwatching and other wildlife excursions within the park are available upon request.
Overnight at the guest house in Ignalina.
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5th day / Route: Ignalina – Moletai – Vilnius (~233 km)
Breakfast.
Vilnius – the capital of Lithuania.
Vilnius attractions include Old Town with its many churches, Vilnius University, Higher and Lower Castle Museums, the Gates of Dawn.
Overnight at the guesthouse or hotel in Vilnius.
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6th day / Route: Vilnius – Trakai (~28 km)
Breakfast.
Trakai Historical National Park preserves mainly monumental part of Trakai.
Trakais Island Castle is the most popular Lithuania's tourism sites
The Karaites' cultural heritage (ethnic group of Turkish origin settled here in 14th-15th cent)
Overnight at the guesthouse or hotel in Trakai.
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7th day / Route: Trakai – Merkinė – Marcinkonys – Druskininkai (~63 km)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Dzukija National Park include several well preserved traditional farmsteads and villages worthwile a visit. The park's is a good place where to experience Lithuanian crafts and traditions.
- Visitor Centre located at Marcinkonys.
- Ancient Castle Hill at Merkinė provides fine views at the rivers Merkys and Nemuna.
- Druskininkai is Lithuanian historic health and spa resort
- Grutos Park where exhibition was based on the Soviet time monuments demolished during 1989-91 restoration of independence.
Overnight in Druskininkai.
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8th day / Route: Druskininkai – Kaunas
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Kaunas was a Lithuanian capital between wars (1920-40). The attractions include Town Hall at the Old Town, some churches as well as pedestrian Laisves Avenue with shops, cafes and restaurants. Here are also located the State Museum to the most prominent Lithuanian artist Mikolojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis.
Overnight at the hotel in Kaunas.
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9th day / Route: Kaunas – Klaipėda – Nida (~267 km)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Curonian Spit National Park is a sand-dune spit that separates Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea. This is the only place in the Baltic States where there is such a vast territory of open-air sand dunes which still change the local terrain very actively because of the wind.
- Several small ethnographic villages;
- Nida – pretty holiday resort where memorial house of writter Thomas Mann can be visited;
- impressive sand dunes;
- Sea Museum, Aquarium and Dolphinarium where dolphins performances takes place;
- Near Juodkrantė, bird lovers can observe the grey herons and large cormorants collony.
Overnight in Nida.
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10th day / Route: Nida – Liepāja (~120 km)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Palanga is a busy beach resort with an excellent and very informative Amber Museum;
Cross Latvian/Lithuanian border.
- Liepaja is a lively town with distinctive cultural and military history. The places of interest include old town, promenade with cafes and restaurants and nice beach, naval forts and Military prison.
Overnight in Liepāja.
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11th day / Route: Liepāja – Ventpils (~124 km)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- distinctive Jurkalne steep coast makes a nice stop;
- Ventspils is one of the best maintained towns in Latvia. Places of interest includes: Old Town with Livonian Order Castle, promanade, market place, ancient crafts house, breakwater as well as Blue Flag beach.
Overnight in Ventspils.
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12th day / Route: Ventspils – Kolka – Ģipka (~102 km)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- Slīteres National Park is as an open-air museum which shows the historical development of the Baltic Sea. Nowadays evidence of geological events is seen in the Blue Hills of Slītere, which stand 20 to 30 metres high above what was the shore of the Baltic lake of ice 10,000 years ago.
- Cape Kolka where the waters of Baltic Sea meet with the Gulf of Riga;
- Traditional Livs' villages along the coast and tasting of smoked fish. Livs are one of the smallest ethnic groups in Europe;
- several nature trails and Slitere lighthouse which provides fantastic panoramic view.
Guided wildlife (birds, mammals, insects) tours can be pre-arranged.
Overnight near Ģipka or Roja.
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13th day / Route: Ģipka – Ragaciems – Ķemeri – Rīga (~138 km)
Breakfast.
Sites and attractions en route:
- The Ķemeri National Park mostly involves wetlands – the shallow shores of the Bay of Rīga, an overgrown seaside lake, vast swamps, damp forests and fens, and flood-land meadows. The massive swamps are important, too, in the flow of sulphuric waters and medicinal mud.
- Lake Sloka walking trail, Kanieris Castle Mound trail and birdwatching tower
- Historic centre of Kemeri health resort
- Jurmala, the most popular holiday and spa resort of Latvia
Overnight in Rīga.
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14th day /Riga Breakfast.
Departure.
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Rate per person in a double room: from 485 EUR**Minimum number of persons - 2.
*A price of the tour can change in case the planned guest houses/hotels are fully booked and we have to choose other accommodation sites.
*Prices may change due to changes in national tax legislation or other independent reasons.
Services included in the package price:
- 13 overnights with breakfast in hotels and guesthouses with shower and WC;
- Maps and detailed description of the itinerary.
Extra costs not included in the package price:
- Rental car
- Single supplement per person during the whole tour (13 nights): from 215 EUR
- Transfer to/ from Riga International Airport: from 15 EUR one way (1-3 persons)
- Other meals than breakfast
- Ferry tickets to Curonian Spit (Klaipeda - Smiltyne)
- Tickets, degustations and entrances to the attractions and sites
- Additional night in hotel in Riga: from 60 EUR (double room with breakfast)
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