Hiking tours
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Walking at Gauja National Park This tour features the best trails and attractions within the Gauja National Park. The walks are organized so that you constantly move forward and the luggage is transferred from one accommodation to the next. There is a good mixture of natural and cultural monuments. The Gauja National Park is one of the best-appointed protected territories in Latvia in terms of nature trails and tourism routes. The main “artery” of the park is the ancient Gauja River valley with many tributaries that are deep ravines with massive sandstone cliffs from the Devonian period. The park also features cultural monuments of pan-Baltic importance – the Turaida Museum Reserve, the medieval old town of Cesis with its famous castle ruins and St John’s Church, the reconstructed lake settlement at Āraiši as well as the wooden baroque manor - Ungurmuiža Manor. |
General information:
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1st dayArrival at the Riga International airport.Free time to explore Riga. Places of particular interest: Old Town, Art Nouveau district as well as Central Market. Accommodation in Riga |
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2nd dayBreakfast.Walking: Krimulda – Sigulda (10km, 3-4 hours forest trails and in the town – tarmac, medium grade) Private transfer Riga - Krimulda (~50km), luggage transfer continues to the hotel in Sigulda. Some parts of the trail might be challenging and muddy. Krimulda Church, one of the oldest churches in Latvia. Walk back to Sigulda along the picturesque banks of the river Gauja with many protected geological and cultural monuments. Krimulda castle ruins, the Piķene precipice (along the upper part of the ancient river valley), the pedestrians' bridge with a view to the Devil’ s (Velnala) cliffs, the Black shores, Ķeizarkrēsls, along the Olympic bobsled track and back to the hotel through the town centre. Accommodation in Sigulda Optional Day to stay in Sigulda Walk around Sigulda town: 9km, 2-3 h; walk Sigulda - Turaida 8km Paved roads, forest roads and trails, some steep wooden stairs. Walk 1: Around Sigulda - 9km, 2-3 h Explore Sigulda town. Sigulda is on the edge of the ancient Gauja River valley. Places of interest in the route: Sigulda New Castle, Medieval Castle ruins with spectacular views, the Vējupīte river valley with some small caves and ravines, Paradīzes hill, the Gauja National Park visitor centre and the Sigulda castle ruins. Return to the hotel or continue. Walk 2: Sigulda – Turaida, 8km, 3h Further visit Turaida Museum Reserve then follow trail with several scenic spots like Karla hill, Slaktera hill along the famous Gutmana Grotto to Krimulda Manor. Catch a cable car across the spectacular river valley returning to Sigulda. Accommodation at guest house in Sigulda. |
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3rd dayBreakfast.Walking: Sigulda – Ligatne (20km, 6h, tarmac roads, forest roads and trails) Luggage transfer to Ligatne. This day is for the very active tourist – someone who wants to experience the most impressive ancient river valley in the Baltic States, complete with mighty sandstone cliffs from the Devonian era. Trail along the ancient valley of Gauja river to Ligatne Nature Reserve. On the way there are few maintained pick-nick spots for boaters which makes a nice lunch stops also for hikers. Accommodation in guest house in Ligatne Optional Day in Ligatne Walking: along the Ligatne nature trails (5km, 2h) In Ligatne Nature Reserve there are well maintained trails through the forest where to observe the local wild animals in their enclosures at their natural habitat. Alternative attractions of Ligatne are: Soviet Secret Bunker built for the government officials in case of nuclear war. Guided excursion takes about 1,5 h. Accommodation in guest house in Ligatne |
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4th dayBreakfast.Walking: Amata river trail -15km, 6h, Mostly forest trails, level: medium, might be challenging at some parts because of the steep and high shores, the deep ravines, and occasional fallen tree along the path. Transfer from Ligatne to the beginning of Amata river trail at Melturi (17 km), luggage transfer continues to the country hotel Karļa Muiza. This one is for tourists who aren’t afraid of difficulties caused by Mother Nature and want to see and experience the impressive shores of the ancient Amata River valley by hiking untouched forest trails. The path mostly winds down the right bank of the river (except between the Kārļi hydroelectric plant and the Kārļi fish farm). You’ll be both at the top and the bottom of the valley, with a 40-metre difference between the two. Pick-up at the end of the route. Spectacular sandstone Zvartes Rock. Accommodation at the guest house Kārļa muiža. |
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5th dayBreakfast.Walking: Cesis town and Cirulisi nature trail - 10km Transfer Kārļa muiža – Cēsis (20 km), Luggage transfer continues to Cesis. Explore streets of charming Cesis Old Town. Attractions: St.James' Church’s tower for fine panoramic views, Medieval Livonian Order Castle, cakes at Karumlade cafe. Walk: Circular route Cēsis - Cirulisi nature trail 10km, 3-4h, easy walk Walk towards the river Gauja and along Cirulisu Nature Trails. This is a tour that will take you trough time and space, because it clearly reveals the geological history of the location since the end of the Ice Age. It’s possible to take a public transport from Cirulisi to the centre of Cesis or walk all the way back. Accommodation at the guest house in the town’s centre. |
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6th dayBreakfast.Walking: Ungurmuiža Manor and trail - 1.3km, 1-2 hours Public transport or private transfer from Cēsis to Ungurmuiža (15km). Walk: Circular route - 1.3km at the Ungurmuiža Park. Ungurmuiža Manor park trail weaves through impressive ancient oak trees. Some of them are rotting or dead and they are home to many species, including several total distinct in other parts of Europe. Ungurmauiža Manor is only survived sample of the wooden baroque architecture in the Baltic which dates back to early 18th century. Its interior contains some original wall paintings. Lunch can be pre-ordered at the Ungurmuiža Manor. Return to Cēsis Accommodation at the guest house in the town’s centre. |
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7th dayBreakfast.Take a train to Riga and then bus 22 to the airport or we can organize a transfer from Cēsis to the airport or include an extra day in Riga. Departure |
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Price per person in a double or twin room: from 370 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:
Extra costs not included in the package price:
Information & booking - tel: +371 67617600, e-mail: lauku@celotajs.lv
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