Aukštaitija kayaking trip - Baltic Nature Travel

Aukstaitija national park self-guided kayaking trip

Self-guided tour

Aukstaitija kayaking trip

7 days

AUKŠTAITIJA, Lithuania

April – September

Program

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Welcome to Vilnius. Check into the hotel. For your comfort you can choose a optional private transfer from the airport, guided tour of Vilnius Old Town or a guided kayaking tour in Trakai.

Overnight: double room in Vilnius Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping or similar.

DAY 2: VILNIUS – GINUČIAI (NO PADDLING)

After breakfast, an optional Vilnius walking tour or Trakai kayaking tour. In the afternoon transfer to Aukštaitija National Park and stay at the rural guest house in Ginučiai.

Overnight: double room in Ginučiai, Gaideliu guesthouse or similar.

DAY 3: RIVER BŪKA – GINUČIAI (PADDLING DISTANCE APPROX. 20 KM)

Start the self-guided tour on the River Būka. It is one of the most picturesque rivers in Aukštaitija National Park. You will pass some remote traditional villages and enjoy the tranquility of the lush woods. Find an inner pond located on one little island of Lake Baluošas before you reach Ginučiai. In the afternoon stop paddling at the Ginučiai watermill and return back to your guesthouse.

Overnight: Ginučiai, Gaideliu guesthouse or similar.

DAY 4: GINUČIAI – PALŪŠE (PADDLING DISTANCE APPROX. 18 KM)

In the morning from Ginučiai paddle through the heart of Aukštaitija National Park and enjoy the journey through several chain lakes. On the way climb the ancient Ginučiai hillfort and enjoy the view over 6 lakes from Ladakalnis hill. Late afternoon you arrive in Palūšė and at the guesthouse. Explore the surroundings of the nearby village Palūšė. Visit the iconic wooden church of Palūšė from the early 18th century.

Overnight: Palūše, Karolio guesthouse or similar.

DAY 5: PALŪŠE – KALTANENAI (PADDLING DISTANCE APPROX. 16 KM)

In the morning start paddling from Meironys. Explore picturesque lakes Lūšiai, Šakarvai and Žeimenys. Enter the Žeimena river and see the picturesque peninsula where Kaltanėnai is located. Paddle to the guesthouse Žeimenos vingis that is right next to the Žeimena river in Kaltanėnai. After you have settled in, visit the Kaltanėnai village and its Manor Site with the only remaining building – granary.

Overnight: Kaltanenai, Žeimenos vingis or similar.

DAY 6: KALTANENAI – ŠVENČIONELIAI – VILNIUS (PADDLING DISTANCE APPROX. 18 KM)

Enjoy your last day of kayaking and start paddling at down one of the most popular rivers in Lithuania – Žeimena. Our guide will pick you up at the beach next to the bridge in Švenčionėliai and bring you back to Vilnius.

Overnight: double room in Vilnius Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping or similar.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE

Check out from the hotel and Departure from Vilnius. Optional private transfer from the airport.

Highlights

Kayaking on remote lakes and rivers of Aukštaitija National Park
Ladakalnis hill with a panoramic view over 6 lakes
Iconic wooden church of Palūšė
Accommodations in traditional homesteads and guesthouses

Additional Information

Grocery stores or catering facilities are within walking distance (10-15 min) from the accommodation. A kitchenette is available in each accommodation.

Purchase food, water, and snacks for personal use before reaching Aukštaitija National Park.

Recommend bringing comfortable shoes, waterproof slippers, a rain jacket, and extra socks with you.

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Private tour price

Double occupancy and tandem kayak:

2 persons traveling: 620 EUR per person;
4 persons traveling: 550 EUR per person;
6 persons traveling: 490 EUR per person.

Single room supplement in Vilnius: €70,00/per person

Single kayak supplement: €60,00/per person

Included

Double kayak with all necessary equipment (paddles, dry bags, safety gear);
2 nights in Vilnius Downtown Forest Hostel & Camping;
2 nights in Ginčunai Gaideliu guesthouse;
1 night in Karolio guesthouse or similar;
1 night in Žeimenos Vingis guesthouse or similar;
Transfer Vilnius – Aukštaitija National Park – Vilnius.

Optional

Additional night in Vilnius: 40.00 EUR per person;
Guided tour in Vilnius Old Town: 120.00 EUR per tour;
Guided Kayaking tour in Trakai: 120.00 EUR per person;
Private transfer from/to the airport: 55.00 EUR for 1-3 people in a car, 85.00 EUR for 4 – 7 people in a minivan.

Not included

Any meals;
GPS navigation device.

Level of difficulty

The currents in the rivers and lakes are slow and safe to kayak. Prior to embarking on the trip, extensive kayaking training and experience are not necessary; however, proficient swimming skills are required.

Season

From April to September.

Bookings

Bookings are on request and should be made at least three weeks before the departure date. The itinerary can be modified according to the client’s wants and needs.

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Tour map

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What travelers say about us

EXCELLENT

36 reviews on

David Morris

2024-09-10

Excellent booking experience - very easy and all the information we needed. Hire car arrived at the hotel as arranged and the handover was excellent. All the hotels that were booked for us were great and the itinerary was really wide-ranging and interesting. Estonia people were almost always friendly and helpful, and the restaurant food was great. Would definitely recommend Baltic Nature Travel and Estonia as a destination

Karen Green

2024-07-23

Valdis, the owner of Baltic Nature Travel, is a terrific tour organizer. His advance communication and arrangements were unfailingly responsive, prompt and helpful. On the trip, we had different guides as well as drivers in the different cities (Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn.) In each case, they were well-informed and on time at the meeting point. We never needed to worry or contact the guide (though we were provided with their information.) Every hotel Valdis chose for us was of a very good standard, well-run, clean, exceptionally well located, and with wonderful breakfasts. The restaurants he recommended were also excellent – we learned to just go where he suggested! The tour was an exceptionally good value. In sum, we couldn’t have been more pleased. Our trip was wonderful and we left wanting to see more of the Baltics' beauty. If we do go again, we would unquestionably work with Valdis. In the meantime, we will recommend him to all of our friends.

Lucía Gómez

2024-07-17

Fantastic Self-Guided Hiking Experience! We recently completed a self-guided hike in Gauja National Park, which was wonderful. The trails were serene, and we rarely encountered other hikers. The provided materials and app were excellent and highly accurate. The hotels, luggage transfer, and overall transportation arrangements were flawless. Highly recommend this experience!

Paul Green

2024-07-12

Anna Brish was a fantastic tour guide for understanding Jewish history and culture in Vilnius. She was friendly, deeply knowledgeable, eager to answer our questions and accommodate our specific interests. Anna does other tours and we would take any of them, she’s amazing!

James Cornez

2024-07-11

Myself and my best friend came across this company whilst researching options to travel in Latvia and we are very pleased we did. Valdis was very amenable during the planning process by arranging video calls with both of us so we could better understand what was on offer for us to do. He compiled an 8 day itinerary for us that did not disappoint starting in Riga for 2 days. We paid for an optional 3hr walking tour which was very worthwhile to see the main sites of the city. Janis took us on the tour who is a great guy that gives you plenty of interesting information, ready to answer any questions regarding Latvian history/culture. We chose the self driving option to see as much of Latvia as possible which I would definitely recommend if you want to have more than just a city break. It took us to varied places ranging from the heavily forested and pretty areas of Sigulda (where we did a fun kayaking tour on the Gauja river) and Cesis to the pleasant coastal cities of Liepaja and Ventspills. Overall, definitely the company to approach if you want to authentically explore Latvia!

Esther A

2024-06-21

Valdis and his team helped us to organise a guided 16 day trip across Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Helsinki. We had a very enjoyable experience! Coming from Singapore and not knowing Valdis beforehand, we were initially worried about language and logistical challenges. All these were unfounded as Valdis and his guides were not only knowledgeable but also responsive, helpful and flexible. We had some minor hiccups during the trip but Valdis was able to resolve them very promptly. I would highly recommend engaging Valdis for your next trip!

Annette Ihrman

2024-06-16

The tour was very versatile and a good addition to our trip to Riga. We can recommend it!

K G

2024-04-06

I joined Valdis for Gauja national park tour and experience breathtaking views, beautiful cave, Plus the experience to see the inside of luge and skeleton track. It’s an unforgettable experience to see something outside the Riga! Highly recommended!!!

Carmen Daams

2023-09-22

I took the Kuldiga trip with Valdis. The experience was amazing. The entire day was great. He is a great guide, and knows a lot of interesting information. He would definitely make your whole experience even better. Kuldiga is such a captivating city, very unique with a very special style and soul. If you are visiting Latvia, don't hesitate to take this trip, it is a "must".