Current as of: April 16, 2024 - 18:07
Cycle the Baltics Trip Notes
- Ways to Travel: Guided Group, Private Group Adventures
- Destination: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania
- Programmes: Cycling
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Activity Level:
2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate
- 11 Days: Land Only
- Ages: 16+
- Trip Code: MVB
- Carbon Footprint: 19kg CO2e
Trip Overview
Discover the best of the Baltics by bike
Crossing Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, this ride will take you on a journey of discovery through historic cities, untouched wilderness and along breath-taking coastlines. Our trip will start in Tallinn, where the fairytale architecture sets an enchanting scene; a theme that continues throughout our trip as we journey travel through Tartu, Riga, Trakai and Vilnius. We will also enjoy some of the best cycling in the region, through beautiful national parks and along idyllic coastal paths.
At a Glance
- Nine days cycling with full vehicle support
- 80 percent paved roads, 20 percent gravel paths
- Group normally 5 to 16 plus leader. Minimum age: 16
- 10 nights in hotels
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E-bikes available for an additional cost
Highlights
- Cycle through three unique countries
- Discover fascinating capital cities
- Visit the fairytale Trakai Island Castle
Is This Trip for You?
This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). For more on our trip gradings, visit our Activity Level Guidelines page.
- Nine days of cycling with full vehicle support.
- Average daily distance: 28mi (45km).
We mainly take quiet backroads, paths through national parks and coastal cycle tracks. There are some up and down sections, so a moderate level of fitness is required, though most of the route is flat. We are covering a large area, so there are bus transfers on most of the cycling days, this enables us to see all the highlights and use the bikes to cover the best bits.
Before reaching the cities, the leader will give you information on their history and places of interest and will guide you into town; however, they are not allowed to give you a guided tour due to local restrictions. You can either wander around at your own pace or pay locally for an official city guide.
Group
The group is normally six to 16, plus one local leader and driver.
Adult min age: 16
Min group size: 5
Max group size: 16
Itinerary
Land Only
- Start City: Tallinn
- End City: Vilnius
Land Only Itinerary
Fly to Tallinn; transfer to hotel.
We fly to Tallinn, arriving in the evening, and catch our transfer to the hotel. If you would like more time to explore the city, we recommend speaking to your sales representative about booking pre-tour accommodation.
Accommodation: Go Hotel Shnelli (or similar)
Start Tallinn; transfer to hotel
The adventure begins in Tallinn, a historical city with many sites to explore. If you have time after your arrival, we recommend strolling through the streets of the Old Town to Raekoja Plats (Town Hall Square), which is surrounded by elaborate merchant houses and is the perfect setting to enjoy a coffee.
Upon arriving at the hotel, head to reception to check in and receive your meeting instructions.
Accommodation: Go Hotel Shnelli (or similar)
Explore Tallinn; transfer to Lahemaa National Park for a scenic ride
This morning there is free time to further explore the Estonian capital (timings will be confirmed by the guide in the welcome briefing). In the afternoon, we drive out of the city (approximately one hour) to Lahemaa National Park for our first ride. The park, one of the last unspoilt regions on the Baltic Coast, covers more than 270sqmi (700sqkm). Here you will cycle through thick woods, and past marshes and lakes. Also keep your eyes peeled for moose and wild boar, although they’re difficult to spot, and more than 220 bird species.
Accommodation: Hotel Wesenbergh (or similar)
Full day riding through Lahemaa National Park
Today we have a full day to explore the largest national park in Estonia and one of the biggest in Europe. We will take a bus to Vihula manor, then we cycle through the 400-year-old fisherman’s village of Altja, the popular seaside resort of Vosu and Kasmu village which is home to a fisherman’s museum before we reach Sagadi. From there we take a bus back to our hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Wesenbergh (or similar)
Transfer to Peipsi and cycle along the lake shore; transfer to Tartu
We start the day with a bus transfer to the shore of Peipsi Lake (approximately 90 minutes), then start cycling from the 17th-century fisherman’s village of Mustvee. From here, we pass through ancient towns and churches. Following an old Russian tradition, villages in Peipsi only have one street. Because of this, the shore of Peipsi Lake is one long street with lots of small settlements dotted along it. We continue cycling into Varnja and then transfer to Tartu (approximately 30 minutes).
Accommodation: Tartu Hotel (or similar)
Cycle through 'Estonian Switzerland' to Otepaa; transfer to Riga
After breakfast, we have a 25mi (40km) transfer to Otepaa. This area is known as the Estonian Switzerland because of its stunning scenery and pine forests. As you might expect, there are a few hills on today’s ride, though nothing too challenging with the gradient not passing seven percent. Once over the hills, we cycle through beautiful forest and meadows and past Lake Puhajarve on our way to Sangaste town. We will visit the park We then continue cycling to Valga city, and from here we transfer by bus to Riga (approximately 2hr 30min), our base for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Rixwell Old Riga Palace (or similar)
Cycle to Jurmala; transfer to Riga for the night
Our journey today will start in bustling Riga, the capital of Latvia. The city has a Medieval old town with wooden buildings and art nouveau architecture. We then follow cycle paths to the beautiful town of Jurmala, which has more incredible wooden buildings and 19th-century Russian villas. Jurmala is also one of the largest seaside resorts in Latvia – it has a 21mi (33km) stretch of white sandy beach for us to explore on our bikes. There will be plenty of time to swim in the sea before we transfer back to Riga for the night.
Accommodation: Rixwell Old Riga Palace (or similar)
Transfer to Sventoji; cycle to Klaipeda
After breakfast, we leave Latvia and transfer directly to Lithuania (approximately four hours). We begin our ride in Sventoji on a beautiful cycle route to Klaipeda, which lies along the Baltic Coast. On the way, we pass Palanga, a traditional bucket and spade seaside town with a long sandy stretch. It’s a fun place for a wander and sea dip, and one of the most favoured seaside towns among Lithuanians. There are numerous cafes where we can lunch and enjoy the atmosphere before we set off for our final destination of Klaipeda, our base for two nights.
Accommodation: Green Park Hotel Klaipeda (or similar)
Transfer to Curonian Spit National Park; explore by bike
We transfer to the resort town of Nida (approximately 90 minutes including the ferry ride), which is known as a hub for artists. From here, we explore the 42mi (68km) long Curonian Spit. The high dunes (up to 197ft/60m) running along the spit have encouraged the local people to refer to the area as the Lithuanian Sahara. During our ride, we will stop in Juodkrante and admire the bizarre wooden carvings on what is known as Witch Hill. The sculpture park was started in 1979 and now has more than 70 carvings representing characters from Lithuanian folklore. We then continue along the spit with the Baltic Sea extending far into the distance. We finish the ride at the ferry port, and from here we take the ferry across the lagoon then transfer back to the hotel in Klaipeda for the night.
Accommodation: Green Park Hotel Klaipeda (or similar)
Transfer to Zapyskis; explore Kaunas; end the ride in Pažaislis; transfer to Vilnius
We start the day with a bus transfer (approximately 2hr 30min) to Zapyskis, a centuries-old small town in the Kaunas district. Here we jump on our bikes and cycle past old villages, beaches and the Nemunas, the largest river in the country. Halfway through our ride, we stop to explore Kaunas city, a European Capital of Culture in 2022. Our end point is Pažaislis Monastery, where a 17th-century baroque church dominates the grounds. After, we’ll transfer to Vilnius by bus (approximately 1hr 30min).
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel (or similar)
Transfer to Trakai; cycle around town and visit Trakai Castle; return to Vilnius
After breakfast, we transfer by bus to Senieji (Old) Trakai. From here, we have a picturesque ride to Galve Lake (with possibility to have a lakeside picnic and a swim in the lake). Here sits Trakai Castle, as if floating on its own island in the lake – it’s a truly magical place. After we explore the area and visit the castle, we continue our ride to Užutrakis Manor Park while enjoying the scenery. Here we finish our cycling for today and transfer back to Vilnius for the night.
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel (or similar)
Explore Vilnius; fly to London
Transfer to Vilnius airport; fly to London.
End Vilnius
We have a free morning in Vilnius before the trip ends. If you’d like to spend a bit longer in this special city, perhaps exploring the Unesco-recognised old town, then you can speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.
Accommodation
Two- and three-star hotels
On this trip, we stay in two- and three-star hotels, ideally located for our cycling adventures. Below are the properties we typically use.
Tallinn: Go Shnelli Hotel (night 1)
We begin our adventure by staying near the medieval old town of Tallinn and Balti Jaam Market. When you’re not out exploring, the first-floor hotel restaurant has floor-to-ceiling windows with views over both and serves breakfast plus an à la carte dinner menu.
Rakvere, near Lahemaa National Park: Hotel Wesenbergh (nights 2-3)
A stay at Hotel Wesenbergh provides easy access to our rides in Lahemaa National Park. However, we’re also in the centre of Rakvere, while the hotel has a bistro dishing out traditional Estonian cuisine (Monday to Friday).
Tartu: Hotel Tartu (night 4)
In the city centre, Hotel Tartu is within walking distance of the old town and the Vanemuine Theatre (the oldest theatre in Estonia). There’s also a 70-seat cafe on the ground floor plus a sauna centre (additional cost) with Finnish and steam saunas. If you plan on using the sauna centre, you need to bring flip flops (or purchase them from the hotel for €3).
Riga: Rixwell Old Riga Palace Hotel (nights 5-6)
Occupying an art nouveau building in Riga Old Town, this 116-room hotel is our home for two nights in the capital of Latvia. When you want to relax, there’s a bar and a small gym with fitness machines.
Klaipeda: Green Park Hotel (nights 7-8)
In the port city of Klaipeda, we stay at the Green Park Hotel, which is ideally located for our ferry ride. The rooms are relatively simple and there’s a bar for post-exploration drinks.
Vilnius: Comfort Hotel LT – Rock’n’Roll Vilnius (nights 9-10)
With an industrial style and music theme, our Vilnius hotel has plenty of personality. The 80 rooms are all air conditioned with underfloor heating in the bathroom, plus the Mellow restaurant serves a menu packed with local produce. Other nice additions are a free-to-use gym and a lobby shop selling beers, snacks, sandwiches and more.
Single supplement from £ 270
Food & Drink
All breakfasts included.
- Breakfast: Taken in the hotels. In most places, these will be buffet style and will offer plenty of choice including cold meat, cheese, eggs, bread, jams and juice.
- Lunches: On many of the days due to our remote rides there will be the option to buy a picnic from the hotel or get supplies on the way – we can then choose a spot on our ride to stop for a break. This means we can be flexible and choose the best views for lunch. On some days, there will be opportunities to buy lunch in cafes in the towns that we go through such as Palanga.
- Dinners: Cuisine in this area is often centred around pork, veal, fish, potatoes, sauerkraut and soups such as borsch (beetroot soup with meat; in Lithuania this is served cold). In Trakai, kibinai are popular, these are large savoury baked pastries traditionally filled with lamb or beef.
Transport
The group is accompanied by a transfer bus with a trailer to carry the bikes. In places, the routes follow cycle paths where the bus is unable to follow, so it is important you are comfortable cycling the distances; however, the routes are not challenging.
Weather & Seasonality
The climate is largely influenced by the Baltic Sea. Summers are warm with temperatures from 20C to 30C (68F to 86F). In the evenings, the temperatures will not drop too much. There is little rain in the summer but it’s always a possibility, so it is best to come prepared. The days will be long, with up to 19 hours of daylight. In spring and autumn, there is the possibility of light rain. Estonia is the furthest north and therefore the coldest, although the temperature range described applies. Lithuania is the furthest south, which makes it the warmest country of the three.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Start hotel: Go Shnelli, Toompuiestee 37-1, 10149 Tallinn
Phone: +372 631 0100
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately
Airport: Tallinn Airport (TLL)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a 25-minute drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Make your own way
You can book a private transfer, which costs approximately €37 (payable before departure), with your sales representative. Please ensure you provide us with all relevant information at least two weeks before departure. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to Vilnius Airport (VNO) that’s scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Location start: Tallinn
Location end: Vilnius
What To Take
Essential Equipment
- Normal daily clothes
- Warmer layers (for earlier departures)
- Sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Insect repellent
Water included
Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill or get burned. Both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. For your trip, we provide an alternative to single-use plastic bottles to reduce the plastic used. This means that safe drinking water will be available throughout; all you need to do is bring a bottle to refill along the way. Please add this to your packing list.
Equipment Hire
Included standard bike
The standard bike for this trip is a Kross Trans 4.0.
We will take your height at the time of booking to reserve equipment. If you have a preferred bike size, please request when booking.
E-bike upgrade
Electric bikes are available on this trip; prices from £165/US$230/315 Canadian dollars. Speak to your sales representative for more information.
Bringing your own bike
If you’d prefer to bring your own bike, please advise us at the time of booking and you will receive a discount on the price of the trip. However, you will be responsible for any extra baggage charges; assembling and disassembling your bike; and bringing along spare parts and any tools specific to it. You should also ensure you have adequate insurance to cover loss, damage or theft.
Accessories and clothing
Bringing equipment from home
You’re welcome to bring your own equipment, such as SPD pedals or clipless pedals, your own saddle (excluding the seat post), or gel saddle cover for the hire bikes. Your leader will help you fit these when bikes are distributed.
Helmets
Helmets are mandatory for everyone on a guided Exodus cycling trip. You must bring your own as, following best safety practice, they are not available for hire.
Cycling clothing
For this cycling trip we recommend:
- Padded cycling shorts: For destinations with more modest cultures, we also recommend loose ‘over-shorts’ for riding or rest stops
- Eyewear: Either sunglasses or eye protection with clear lenses to protect the eyes while riding
- Cycling gloves: Especially for riding off-road or on rugged surfaces
- Cycling shoes: Cycling is more efficient with stiff-soled shoes. We don’t recommend open-toed shoes or sandals
- Small close-fitting backpack or bum bag (fanny pack): To keep spare clothing or essential items to hand during the ride
- Breathable top or cycling jersey
- Waterproofs and long cycling trousers
- Reflective strips
Practical Information
Passport
Remember to check the expiration date of your passport if travelling internationally. Many countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after the date of your scheduled return.
Visa
Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through. Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.
- Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
- Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
- United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
- USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html
Vaccinations and Health
There are no required vaccinations to enter Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania. However, you should check with your doctor or travel clinic for the latest recommendations.
The Travel Health Pro website recommends to have a rabies vaccination on this trip, as cycling is considered a higher risk activity.
Local Time
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s time zone: UTC +03:00
Electricity
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s electricity: Plug types C (two round pins) and F (two round pins) – 230V, 50Hz
Money
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania’s currency: Euro (EUR)
ATM Availability
ATMs and banks are available in the larger cities. You can use credit cards in many shops and restaurants. It is best to change your money on arrival as the exchange rates are fair. You will start in a large city in each country when you cross the borders so you will be able to change money easily.
Extra Expenses & Spending Money
Allow €8-€15 for lunch, €23-€35 for dinners (depending on what you choose we suggest you budget around €30-€40 per day for meals). During our journey, there are opportunities to visit a few small museums (all optional), €15 should cover this.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus; however, most of our clients wish to tip their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. If you feel you would like to leave a tip, as a guide we would suggest €2 per day for the driver and €4 per day for the guide.
During the week, if you wish to tip hotel staff and local guides we have found it useful for the group to have a kitty for tipping. Your leader will be able to advise you on the amount, but as a guide expect it to be €20 per person for the week.
People, Places & Planet
We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.
Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:
People
How this trip helps improve life for local communities.
- The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
- This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
- Purchasing fresh smoked fish is a good way to support local fishermen and their business.
- We are enthusiastic about exploring the culture of each of the three countries on our route with visits to a number of historical sites where the profits generated by entrance fees, souvenirs and local handicrafts sold benefits the surrounding communities.
Places
How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.
- Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
- By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
- On entering the Curonian Spit, we have to pay ecological fees for our vehicle where the money goes to support the municipality of the area.
- Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
- We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.
- Water is especially important for cycling trips and whilst we must stay hydrated, it is also vital to not cause too much waste from single use plastic bottles. Hence, we provide large water containers so that clients can refill their reusable water bottles.
Planet
How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.
- Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
- We emphasise on eating locally sourced food which has not been transported long distances.
Tips for sustainable travel on this trip
- Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
- Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own re-usable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
- Take the train: Consider taking the train to this trip. Not only will it significantly reduce the carbon footprint of your holiday vs. flying, it also extends your adventure! Read more about which train journeys we can book, or how to book your own, here.
Important Information
Water safety
This trip includes time by a lake, river or sea, where there may be opportunities to swim. You should always seek local advice before deciding whether to swim. Open-water or wild swim spots should be treated with extreme caution. Information on how to keep yourself safe while swimming is shown here.
Important Information
Your safe participation
When booking this trip, you should be confident in your ability to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you have any doubt about your suitability, please call the Exodus office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely take part in an activity, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that activity.
By booking this trip you agree to our Booking Conditions which clearly state that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these rare instances we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
How to Book
- Check availability: Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
- Secure your place: You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days.
- Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to our website for online bookings, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
After booking
You will receive your booking confirmation letter and invoice, which includes extra information and guidance about your travel arrangements.
Full joining instructions, including local emergency numbers and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately two to three weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier, please contact our office or your travel agent.
Trip Note validity
These Trip Notes are valid from the “Current as” date on page one. They will occasionally be updated after booking and before departure; if there are any updates that significantly impact the inclusions or itinerary, customers will be written to separately. They will also receive a link to the most up-to-date Trip Notes with their Final Joining Instructions before travelling.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons – climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best-possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Licensing
Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582, issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA – The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all money paid to us for your trip is fully protected.