Country Holidays

Individual tours/cycling, canoeing, walking


An adventurous tour of the Gauja National Park

cycling, canoeing, walking

 best seller
luggage transfer
available
Latvia (8 days)

This route leads mostly through the Gauja National Park, which features the most beautiful river valley in the Baltic States - the ancient Gauja River Valley with its faune, its flora, and the mightiest Devonian era sandstone cliffs in the Baltic States. While riding the route, you can study Latvia's most brilliant medieval town, Cēsis. You can visit medieval castles and castle riuns there and in Sigulda. A guide will take you through underground bunkers in Līgatne which were secret in soviet times and have no analogue in North-eastern Europe. You'll see the unique Soviet-style town of Seda and learn about the traditions of rafters at Strenči. Get off your bike and canoe down the Gauja for a separate adventure. You will never forget the landscapes that you will see, and you will be inspired by the untouched nature is all around you.
Read more about protected nature areas en route in the description below.

General information:
  • Route: Rīga – Strenči - Valmiera - Cēsis  - Līgatne - Turaida – Sigulda - Rīga
  • Individual
  • Recommended season: May - October
  • Level of difficulty: Medium
  • Time: 8 days
  • Road cover: Asphalt 64%, gravel and other road cover 36%
  • The tour includes:
    • 4-5 Cycling tours (Daily cycling distances: ~30-55 km)
    • 2-3 Walking tours
    • 1 Canoeing tour
To read feedback about this tour please click here.
1st day / Arrival in Rīga
Arrival in Riga Airport.
Additional: Transfer to the hotel.
Pick up the info package with maps and the detailed itinerary.

Overnight in Riga.

2nd day /  Rīga - Valmiera
Breakfast.
Pick up the bicycles at the hotel.
Cycle from the hotel to the Central train station (~0.5 hour)
Take the train: Riga – Strenci (~2.40 h)
Cycling: Strenci - Valmiera (~33 km, 70% tarmac, 30% gravel road). 
En route: town Strenči and brewary Brenguli with beer garden. In Valmiera: the Valmiermuiža brewery, the Regional Research Museum, the castle ruines, St. Simon`s Lutheran church, the ruins of the Riga gate.

Overnight in Valmiera.
To see more photos from this day please click here.
3rd day / Valmiera - Cēsis
Breakfast.
Cycling: Valmiera - Cesis (~55 km, 5% tarmac, 10% gravel road, 85% forest trails).
En route sightseeing of Sietiņiezis white sandstone cliffs and Erglu red sandstone cliffs by the river Gauja.
Free time in Cesis. Attractions include  historical center, impressive Livonian Order castle and St. John' s Lutheran Church.
Cycle from the guest house to Cirulisi. Walk the Cirulisi trail  (2,7-4,6 km), picturesque trail along Gauja River Valley.

Overnight in Cesis.
To see more photos from this day please click here.
Gauja
4th day / Cēsis - Līgatne
Breakfast.
Canoeing from Cesis to Ligatne (~17 km, 4-5 h) which is one of the picturesque parts of the river Gauja where sand stone banks are visible.
Cycle from the river to Ligatne Nature Park (~4 km, 98% tarmac)
Cycling at the Ligatne Nature Park (5,1 km, 100% tarmac).
Walking  trails at Ligatne (5,5 km) is excellent to watch local wild animals and enjoy the river Gauja valley.
Cycle from the  Nature park to the guest house (~4- 9 km, 100 % tarmac).

Overnight in Līgatne.

5th day / Līgatne - Sigulda
Breakfast.
Cycling: Ligatne – Nurmizi - Sigulda (~30 km, 40% gravel road, 60% tarmac).
Visit Peter's cave, Satezeles castle hill, Kraukļu cliff and Paradise hill with excellent views to the Gauja river valley.

Overnight in Sigulda.
6th day / Sigulda
Breakfast.
Cycling: Sigulda – Turaida – Krimulda - Sigulda (~30 km, forest trails, gravel road and tarmac) en route can visit Sigulda castle ruins, Gutmana cave , Turaida Museum Reserve, with the castle museum, observation tower, history museum and sculpture garden, the palace with the park of Krimulda, the Bob-sleigh track.

Overnight in Sigulda.

7th day / Sigulda - Rīga
Breakfast.
Take a train from Sigulda to Riga.
Free time in Riga.
In the evening return bicycles at the hotel' s reception.

Overnight in Riga.

8th day / Rīga
Breakfast.
Additional: transfer to the Riga Airport.
Individual departure or extra days in Riga or in the countryside in Latvia.

Rate per person in a double room: 330.00 EUR*
*Minimum number of persons travelling - 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:
  • 7 overnight with breakfast at hotels or guest houses (DBL or TWIN, en suite)
  • 2-seated canoe boats (1 day), incl. oars, life jackets, waterproof bags, delivery and pick up of the boats
  • Transportation of the baggage and the bicycles from Cesis to Ligatne
  • Maps and detailed description of the itinerary
Extra costs:
  • Hired bicycles with bags (6 days), incl. delivery and pick up: 100.00 EUR per person
  • Single supplement per person: 135.00 EUR
  • Private transfer Rīga airport – hotel or hotel – airport: EUR 15.00 (1-3 persons/ one way) or EUR 30.00 (4-7 persons/ one way)
  • Luggage trasport from hotel to hotel from day 2 to day 7: from 310.00 EUR/ 1-4 Pers.
  • Cycling helmets 2 EUR per day/ pers.
  • Additional night hotel in Rīga: from 65.00 EUR (DBL/ night)
  • Train tickets and evtl. entrance in the museums and attraction sights
  • Meals and lunch boxes can be arranged
Booking form
Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv