Lithuania - Russia Poland - Three Countries along the Baltic Bike Tour 2019 Self-Guided Cycling Tour 11 days / 10 nights On this tour you will discover three cities well known for their rich history: Klaipėda (Memel), Kaliningrad (Koenigsberg) and Gdansk (Danzig). The Baltic Coast cycle route leads you from Lithuania across the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad into Poland. The tour begins in the Lithuanian seaport of Klaipėda and takes you along the Curonian Spit with many swimming opportunities on the way to Kaliningrad, the former Koenigsberg. This city has been extensively redeveloped since the war to become a true Soviet city - don't miss your opportunity to see it. From Russia you enter Poland and cycle in Pomerania. After touring the impressive Malbork Castle, built by the Teutonic Knights, your tour ends in Gdansk - a city with over 1000 years of history. Nowadays it's an important European seaport with a spectacular Old Town.
Itinerary Day to Day Day 1: Klaipėda (Memel) Individual arrival in Klaipeda and transfer to your hotel (not included). Visit the quaint old town where you will enjoy the city s oldest buildings, dating from the middle of the 18th century. Many are former warehouses built in the Fachwerk style. Overnight in Klaipeda. Day 2: Klaipėda Juodkrantė Nida 57 km Information meeting and delivery of rental bicycles at the hotel where you will be greeted by our representative. The Curonian Spit is a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by two countries: Lithuania and Russia. Today you will cycle along the whole of the Lithuanian part of the Spit, one of the most beautiful cycle routes in Eastern Europe. En route you can visit the Hill of Witches, watch a colony of grey herons and cormorants and stop off at the Dead sand dunes. Overnight in Nida. pinterest.com Day 3: Nida Free day to explore Nida. A former fishing village, Nida is now the largest town in the Neringa region and one of the most beautiful resorts in Lithuania. Cycle or walk along impressive sand dunes and visit the most popular places of interest the traditional Fisherman s House, the summer house of the famous German writer, Nobel Prize laureate Thomas Mann and the Amber Gallery. The Curonian Spit is renowned for its sandy beaches, take the opportunity to relax and enjoy it. Overnight in Nida. Day 4: Nida - Zelenogradsk 56 km Today s bike trip leads you through the Russian part of the Spit to reach the field station in Rybachnoye, the first in the world dedicated to bird observation. There s an interesting museum to see here in this important location for migrating birds where almost one million birds pass/stop off each year. There s plenty of time to stop & enjoy a swim in this area which is perfect for cycling. Overnight in Zelenogradsk. Commons.wikimedia.org
Day 5: Zelenogradsk Yantarnyj- Svetlogorsk 75 km Zelenogradsk is a traditional, popular seaside spa resort with elegant old villas, some of them have been renovated to reveal their former glory. Despite that, or perhaps because of that, it s an interesting place with a special atmosphere. Today s cycling takes you through West Sambia to Yantarnyj, the town named after Bernstein & whose name means amber in Russian; continue cycling to Svetlogorsk. Overnight in Svetlogorsk. Day 6: Svetlogorsk - Kaliningrad 56 km Svetlogorsk (formerly Rauschen was founded in 1228) lies just 35 km northwest of Kaliningrad and makes for a quick and pleasant getaway from the city. It also another traditional, seaside spa town with its impressive 60 meter high coastal cliffs. The narrow beach is backed by steep, sandy slopes and pretty wooden houses set among tree lined streets dot the little town. Cycling on local roads with very little traffic to follow the coast. If you prefer, take a train to Kaliningrad. Overnight in Kaliningrad. Day 7: Kaliningrad (Königsberg) Free day to explore Kaliningrad. As well as its natural wonders, Kaliningrad is well-known for its history which differs markedly from the rest of Russia. From the 13th century until 1945, the entire region was German, part of the core territory of the Teutonic knights and their successors, the dukes and kings of Prussia. Its capital, now named Kaliningrad, was the famous German city of Königsberg, capital of East Prussia where Prussian kings were crowned. The city has grown considerably since its 750 year anniversary. The most interesting places to explore are the King s Gate and the area around the Cathedral. Overnight in Kaliningrad. Globespots.com
Panoramio.com Day 8: Kaliningrad -Mamonovo Frombork 75 km Leave Kaliningrad to cycle to the Polish border at Mamonovo, cross the border and cycle on to Frombork. This city has developed into a peaceful, seaside tourist destination with an intriguing astronomical legacy. Traditionally the home of merchants, farmers and fishermen, Frombork s most illustrious inhabitant was the astronomer and mathematician Nicolaus Copernicus who lived and worked as a priest in Frombork. Today you can visit the museum of this well- known astronomer and the Cathedral - the cities, oldest original building is also worth visiting. Overnight in Frombork. Day 9: Frombork Elblag 46 km Cycle along the picturesque coast of Vistula Lagoon from Frombork to Elblag through a rolling landscape and have many opportunities to observe numerous kinds of wild birds nearby. Explore Elblag town, a former Hanseatic Elbing founded by Teutonic Order and nowadays famous for its reconstructed Stare Miasto (the Old town). From Elblag you may also take a boat and travel on the Druzno Lake to see the Elblag Canal - the famous early technical masterpiece a winch which was used to lift boats 100 m up and across dry land before returning them back to the Elblag Canal above. Overnight in Elblag. Day 10: Elblag - Gdansk-Malbork 55 km, train 60 km After breakfast cycle to Marienburg (Malbork), the capital of Teutonic Knights, and visit the greatest European fortress from the middle Ages. In the afternoon take a train to Gdansk. Overnight in Gdansk. Day 11: Gdansk Breakfast at the hotel. Individual departure. commons.wikimedia.org
Route Technical Characteristics: Tour Profile: Average. Daily biking routes mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths of the Lithuanian Seaside Cycle Route (range from 55 to 80 km each day. Bicycle route is flat, except for a few undulations on the Curonian Spit (LT) and between Frombork and Elblag (PL). Distance: 417 km Travel Season: Daily departures from May 1 to September 30, 2019 Low Season: May 1 June 14 and August 30 September 30 High Season: June 15 August 31
Price per Person: Double/Twin Occupancy 745.00 Single Occupancy 1195.00 Seasonal Supplement Double/Twin Occupancy June 15 August 31 50.00 Seasonal Supplement Single Occupancy June 15 August 31 95.00 Luggage Transfer 750.00 Half board (10 x 3-course dinners with coffee/tea) 245.00 Trekking bicycle (waterproof pannier (24-speed Shimano derailleur gears or 7-speed hub gears with 195.00 back-pedal break) Rental of a tachometer (minimum 4 functions) 15.00 Rental of 2 waterproof panniers (Ortlieb, ~40l) 30.00 Extra Nights Klaipėda Double Occupancy with breakfast 3* except Sea Festival July 26-28 85.00 Extra Nights Klaipėda Single Occupancy with breakfast 3* except Sea Festival July 26-28 75.00 Extra Nights Gdansk Double Occupancy with breakfast 3* 99.00 Extra Nights Gdansk Single Occupancy with breakfast 3* 89.00 Accommodation: 3* middle range hotels. Rooms with shower/wc or bath/wc. Included: 10 nights stay at hotels (rooms with WC/shower) All hotel taxes Breakfasts daily Official invitation for Russian visa 24 hours emergency hotline Individual Information package (city guide, maps, program ad route description) Not Included: Arrival and departure transfers Lunches and dinners Bicycle rental Entrance to museums Russian Visa Train tickets Boat trip on Druzno Lake/along Elblag Canal Tips
Bikes Trekking and cross/trekking bicycles for rental on self-guided and fully guided cycle tours in the Baltics are equipped with: 7-speed internal-hub Shimano Nexus gears & back-pedaling brake (KALKHOFF Jubilee, KREIDLER Raise RT 2.1) or 24-speed Shimano derailleur gears with free wheel (KALKHOFF Agattu 24G, MERIDA Crossway 40, GHOST Trekking 1300) Aluminum frame of different size and type - lady's, unisex and standard one with a crossbar Front suspension fork (some are with lockout function) 28" size wheels with V-brakes and puncture protection tires Comfortable saddle Bottle holder (except bikes with lady s frame) Back rack for panniers Halogen or LED lights with hub dynamo or batteries Assisting people in realizing their touring dreams worldwide is our passion. www.okcycletours.com THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848