Explore a borderland of Lithuania, Poland and Belarus which is the land of gentle hills, sandy plains, vast primeval forests, crystal clear lakes and deep river valleys. The tour starts in the Lithuanian capital city Vilnius and finishes in the Polish capital city Warsaw, both cities famous for their Old towns designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The tour also includes the Čepkeliai - Dzūkija National/PAN Park with Druskininkai Resort in Lithuania, visa free Grodno region with Augustow Canal in Belarus, Masurian Lakeland with Wigry and Biebrza National Parks in Poland. Experience a wide variety of towns, villages and countryside for an excellent introduction to the very distinct characters of these different countries, especially Belarus, which still remains a blank spot on the map for many foreigners. Now you have a chance to fill up this gap!
Arrival / departure airports: arrive in Vilnius (Lithuania) and depart from Warsaw (Poland)
Cycling grade and conditions: We rate this trip Easy to moderate. Daily biking routes mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths range from 32 to 53 km (20-33 miles) each day with a possibility to cycle more kilometres on some days like Day 5 (Grodno Town in Belarus) and Day 8 (detour on a circular route in Wigry National Park). The terrain is dead flat most of the tour except a few rolling roads with some gradual hills in Lithuania (around Trakai and Merkinė) and Wigry National park.
Arrive in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania for more than 600 years. Individual transfer to the hotel (not included) and welcome meeting at the hotel with tour guide Check-in at the hotel.
OVERNIGHT: Vilnius; HOTEL: COMFORT HOTEL LT ***
After breakfast a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town. Afternoon trip to Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. After visit to the 14thC island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė start your first cycle ride on gentle hills around the lake. Then transfer by coach to Druskininkai which is one of the best climatic and wellness springs resorts in Europe. Arrive in Druskininkai, check-in and dinner at the hotel (included).
OVERNIGHT: Druskininkai; HOTEL: REGINA***
Morning transfer to the Čepkeliai - Dzūkija National/PAN Park, the largest park in Lithuania overgrown with pine forests (90% of the territory) and one of 13 wild PAN parks in Europe. Here begins our cycle route through ethnographical villages. The route also passes through Grūtas Park, which has a unique distinction in Lithuania of being the place where all unwanted statues of Lenin were taken after Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union. OVERNIGHT: Druskininkai; HOTEL: REGINA***
Morning ride on picturesque road along the Nemunas River. Today’s cycle route passes through Liškiava famous for its 17-18thC Dominican monastery ensemble on the Nemunas River bank. Here we visit an impressive church (17thC) and it’s cellar where lies Jacobin remains and exposition of liturgical heritage. In the afternoon transfer to Grodno in Belarus, the region capital and mysterious place for those, who are fond of history, culture and architecture (Grodno is visa free region for foreigners!). Arrive in Grodno, check-in and dinner at the hotel (included).
OVERNIGHT: Grodno; HOTEL: SLAVIA***
After breakfast a guided tour of Grodno historical old town located on steep bank of the Nemunas River. In the afternoon free time for shopping and sightseeing on your own or going for a guided cycling tour around the city and its extensive parks at the Nemunas River.
OVERNIGHT: Grodno; HOTEL: SLAVIA***
After breakfast transfer by minibus towards Augustow Canal which was built in 19thC to connect water basins of the Nemunas and Vistula Rivers. This Canal is very special and protected as a historic monument. We’ll start our cycle ride from a soviet style village on a country road towards the beginning of Augustow canal near the Nemunas River. Then we’ll cycle along the canal on paved roads and forest trails. En route we’ll explore several locks and weirs which were renovated 10 years ago. Transfer back to the hotel for the last night in Grodno.
OVERNIGHT: Grodno; HOTEL: SLAVIA***
Morning bus transfer to Poland. Afternoon sightseeing around Augustow, a small but appealing town, the gateway to the Suwałki region at the Netta River and Augustow Canal bearing the town's name. We’ll start our cycle ride from the town centre and continue cycling to Wigry National Park along several lakes and Augustow canal using extensive network of cycle trails. Check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays. Dinner at the hotel (included).
OVERNIGHT: Wigry National Park; HOTEL: HOTEL NAD WIGRAMI***
Cycling tour on marked trails around Wigry Lake which is the largest, one of the deepest (73 m) and most beautiful lake in Podlasie region. Its shoreline is richly indented, forming numerous bays and peninsulas, and there are 15 islands on the lake. En route explore a former Camaldolese monastery, built by the death-obsessed Camaldolese monks soon after they were brought to Wigry by King Jan II Kazimierz Waza in 1667. The whole complex, complete with a church and 17 hermitages, is spectacularly located on a peninsula in the lake.
OVERNIGHT: Wigry National Park; HOTEL: HOTEL NAD WIGRAMI***
Transfer to Biebrza National Park which protects vast and relatively untouched fenlands with a unique variety of plants, rare wetland birds and mammals such as Elk and Beaver. Today we cycle along the GreenVelo route to Goniadz. Check-in and dinner at the hotel (included).
OVERNIGHT: Goniadz; HOTEL: BARTLOWZINA*** or similar
Morning is dedicated for the final cycling ride along the Royal Route (Polish: Trakt Królewski) through Biebrza National Park and then transfer by bus to Warsaw, capital of Poland. Check-in at the hotel followed by a guided tour of Warsaw Old Town.
OVERNIGHT: Warsaw; HOTEL: METROPOL*** or similar
Breakfast at the hotel. End of the tour.