Hiking Adventure in Gauja National Park

Hiking Adventure in Gauja National Park

  • 7 days / 6 nights
  • Latvia
  • Riga - Jurmala - Sigulda - Līgatne - Cēsis - Amata - Riga
  • April - November

Program

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

Arrival in Riga and transfer to hotel. Check-in to the hotel.

Overnight in Riga, Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA**** or similar.

DAY 2: ART NOUVEAU PEARLS IN RIGA & JURMALA

Founded in 1201 by German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of three Baltic capitals. It is known for its outstanding diversity of Art Nouveau buildings that can easily compete with Paris or Barcelona. On our guided walking tour you will see the most famous pearls of this style on Alberta and Elizabeth streets. Later we will explore the Old Town, see Riga Castle, as well as Three Brother houses, the oldest dwellings in the city. At lunchtime we are visiting the Riga Central Market, one of the largest covered markets in Europe. The market was opened in 1930, and it consists of five former Zeppelin airship hangars. Feel free to wander around the market and try smoked meat, pickled vegetables, Latvian rye bread, seasonal treats, and more.

Tour to Jurmala by train. Jurmala is a popular seaside resort famous for its wonderful wooden architecture from the 20th century, fancy lifestyle, and white-sand beach. In the morning, stroll along Joma Street, a very lively pedestrian street full of restaurants and cafes, walk around the town to see the most beautiful wooden villas with magnificent woodwork, or simply enjoy the beach.

Overnight in Riga, Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA**** or similar.

DAY 3: SIGULDA & THE HILLY HIKE CURVES OF THE GAUJA

On this day we will go to Sigulda and enjoy a hike up and down the hills in the Gauja River. This hike guarantees one of the most scenic views in Latvia where the valley of the Gauja River curls between hills as far as the eye can see! You will be able to enjoy not only the beauty of nature, but also take a look at impressive sandstone outcrops and the biggest cave in the Baltics – Gutman Cave. Ancient historical sites, like Sigulda Brother of Swords castle ruins and Krimulda manor. A well-established trail along the Gauja River. A bit of climbing on the steep river banks to see the primeval Gauja River valley. And… a lot of fresh air!

Overnight in Sigulda, SPA Hotel Ezeri**** or similar.

DAY 4: LIGATNE PAPERMILL TOWN AND NATURE TRAILS

You will visit a papermill village Ligatne that still looks almost the same as in the 19th century. Later walk through the Ligatne Nature Trails. On the trail you will have a chance to see various species of wild mammals living in Latvia like brown bear, elk, deer, wild boar and many more. The Ligatne Nature Trails were established to educate visitors about Latvian natural treasures and local species of wild plants and animals. All of the animals were abandoned, injured or tamed animal babies. In the evening you can enjoy an Ligatne wine degustation that takes place in the romantic Anfabrika cliff cellar in candlelight.

Overnight in Ligatne, Boutique Hotel Zeit**** or similar.

DAY 5: THE MEDIEVAL GEMSTONE CESIS & GAUJA RIVER

Toaday is reserved for Cesis, It is a medieval gemstone and the third oldest town in Latvia. It attracts tourists with lovely streets and the beauty of natural treasures in the Gauja National Park. Charming ruins of the medieval castle invite you to explore the history and feel the medieval spirit in a candle light.

Despite the wars, the old town has remained almost unchanged. On the city tour you will see such highlights as the City Hall, Merchant House, Princess House and St. John’s Church. Eight hundred years long history of Cesis is visible not only on the streets but also in Cesis castle complex. Inside the medieval castle you will receive a lantern and climb up its towers.

Afterwards, nature is waiting for you! You will go for a hike to see beautiful sandstone cliffs along the ancient Gauja River valley and enjoy the wonderful nature. And transfer to the Amata village to stay overnight.

Overnight in Amata village, Karlmuiza Manor Hotel **** or similar.

DAY 6: THE AMATA RIVER TRAIL

In the morning you will start to walk the Amata River trail, which is one of the most scenic hiking routes in Gauja National Park. On the hike, the highlights are the impressive sandstone formations. The sandstone outcrops will take you 350–400 million years back in the history of the Earth, when the sand grains carried by the rivers flowing southward deposited in the sea, compacting and cementing together.  On this trail along the Amata River, you will have the chance to experience the natural beauty from various viewpoints and be charmed by the untouched nature. After the hike transfer to Riga

Overnight in Riga, Wellton Riga Hotel & SPA**** or similar.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE FROM RIGA

Departure day, and transfer to the airport.

Highlights

  • Riga Art Nouveau  and the Old Town
  • Jurmala Seaside
  • Gauja National Park
  • Paper-mill village Ligatne
  • Amata River Trail
  • Cesis Medieval Castle

Tour map

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Tour dates

Only private tours on request are available. Recommended travel time is from April to November.

Price in double occupancy
  • 2 people traveling – 1100.00 EUR per person
  • 4 people traveling – 870.00  EUR per person
  • 6 people traveling – 680.00  EUR per person
  • 8 people traveling – 580.00  EUR per person

Single supplement: 345

Single supplement

The single supplement is mandatory for solo travelers

Included
  • 6 overnights in centrally located 4-star hotels with breakfast;
  • English-speaking driver and tour leader throughout the program;
  • 10 – 15 km hikes from day 2 to day 6;
  • Transportation per program;
  • Private transfer from/to Riga Airport;
  • Ligatne wine degustation;
  • Tran tickets to/from Jurmala;
  • Entrance tickets in Ligatne Nature Trails, and Cesis Medieval Castle.
Not included
  • Any meals or drinks;
  • Hiking equipment.
Level of difficulty

Easy hike with few steep climbs. The terrain is mostly small footpaths through the woods. The hiking tours also include walking around the town, along the beach, boardwalks and countryside roads.

Note:
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Baltic nature travel
5.0
Based on 15 reviews
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Michael Warden
Michael Warden
2024-06-15T13:26:11+0000
Valdis took my wife and I in June 2024 from Riga to Kuldiga to see the Venta waterfalls. He told us a lot of... interesting information and gave me the inspiration to walk across the falls. He was very considerate regarding the time to spend at each location and the speed of walking through the township. I would recommend this tour for anyone wanting to see the Latvian countryside - we really enjoyed the tour with Valdis - Thank you very much.read more
Dona Zavislan
Dona Zavislan
2023-09-25T14:40:43+0000
I loved this tour and it was a highlight of my five days in Latvia. After spending a few days in Riga, I wanted to... explore more of the country and do some hiking. I considered renting a car for the day, but this tour provided just what I was looking for and so much more without the expense and hassle of a car rental and figuring out where to go. I was picked up and dropped off at my hotel and was able to enjoy the drive and an opportunity to see area surrounding Riga. Guide Valdis is a native Latvian and has a lot of experience hiking and much knowledge about the area and Latvia. The 15 K hike was rigorous, but doable. I found the park gorgeous and peaceful. We hiked through a forest, along the river, crossed bridges, explored caves and sandstone carvings and passed other notable places. Valdis made the hike very interesting with stories and he pointed out other activities available in this beautiful park and surrounding area. We stopped midday for a lovely picnic. Valdis also gave me information about other places to consider exploring in Latvia. A perfect day and I highly recommend this tour.read more
Tom Moore
Tom Moore
2022-11-19T14:17:21+0000
Had a fantastic hike with Valdis today. He's really friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him.
Zijian Hua
Zijian Hua
2022-10-16T08:47:16+0000
Valdis is an experienced guide, a local from Riga. He has a wealth of knowledge and is always able to tell you... interesting history along the way. The route plan of the hiking is also reasonable. In autumn, the fallen leaves near Sigulda are also very beautiful. If you are planning to do an outdoor hike in Latvia too, then don't hesitate to join a walking group organized by Valdis.🇱🇻read more
Sheila Dunk
Sheila Dunk
2022-06-04T01:33:30+0000
Absolutely brilliant day out with Valdis, we didn’t stop talking from the moment he picked me up. He was knowledgeable... about the area, answered all my questions about Latvia and was just delightful to be with.The area of the hike was stunning, we got some good spots for views and pictures, the weather was beautiful and I couldn’t have asked for a better way to spend the day. The hike isn’t difficult, plenty of ups and downs and with a decent level of fitness anyone can do this hike.read more
Betti Sewell
Betti Sewell
2020-11-28T17:19:37+0000
The hike was beautiful and Valdis was relaxed, helpful and informative. Highly recommended.
Chris Palin
Chris Palin
2020-11-15T07:39:38+0000
Had a great experience with Valdis. The hike was really interesting with lots of points of interest including an... abandoned bob sleigh track. A great guide, fantastic day out.10 out of 10 I would definitely recommend to anybodyread more
Elisa Bozzotto
Elisa Bozzotto
2020-10-31T21:30:28+0000
I love the atmosphere in the group and the offered trails. They show a part of the countryside that is still not yet... well know but definitely worth seeing. With woods that look like the one from a fairy story book and really good company it's definitely a suggested tou experience for the lovers of outdoors activities..The guide is super available and offer explanations and curiosity. Particularly useful is the description of how to reach the starting point with public transport (even with the specific schedule time). So I definitely recommend it 😉read more
Lina Kulikauskaite
Lina Kulikauskaite
2020-10-31T18:04:12+0000
Nicely chosen trail 🍂🌲very friendly and supportive guide. Had a lot of fun! Looking forward for next trip 👣📸
Kristīna Dzelme
Kristīna Dzelme
2020-10-05T05:49:53+0000
I am very grateful to Valdis for leading our hike through the Gauja National Park near Sigulda. It was the perfect... combination of the city sightseeing and enjoying nature. Valdis made stops at the most remarkable objects both in the city and in nature and told the most important things, which were neither too much nor too little. He really took good care of the group. Thank you for this day! Highly recommended!read more
Victor Papin
Victor Papin
2020-10-04T15:43:17+0000
Great welcoming & service, great hike.
Oskars Ikstens
Oskars Ikstens
2018-04-27T12:18:35+0000
Zane Kurševa
Zane Kurševa
2018-04-22T14:12:43+0000
Armīns Maslovskis
Armīns Maslovskis
2018-04-22T13:39:50+0000
Liene Lote Čemme
Liene Lote Čemme
2018-03-01T14:27:46+0000
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What travelers say about us

EXCELLENT
36 reviews on
Krzysztof Narkiewicz
Krzysztof Narkiewicz
2025-06-30
Excellent Experience – Highly Recommend We were a group of 15 people traveling from Gdansk (Poland) to Lithuania for a combination of a short visit to Vilnius and a four-day canoe trip. The agency did a fantastic job from start to finish. They gathered detailed information beforehand (including a teleconference), prepared an excellent offer that took all our wishes into account, and organized transportation with a comfortable minibus from our location to Lithuania. The tour itself went exceptionally well: we had a very good bus and a professional driver, excellent lodging throughout Lithuania, an outstanding guide, and great paddling opportunities. Valdis, the company owner, stayed in touch the entire time, was responsive, and handled last-minute minor changes without any problems. Overall, it was an excellent experience, and I highly recommend this company to anyone considering a trip to Lithuania.
claire wallick moy
claire wallick moy
2025-06-19
Our small family group 2 seniors and 2 adult children all agree our 10 day “best of” Lithuania was excellent. We were very happy we went with a private tour and driver. (same person, Tomas) This way we could include all (or most) of the destinations within the country in this short time. Valdis arranged our itinerary, suggested museums, parks and researched accomodations including local guest house and vacation rentals when there were no hotels (or not available) close to our destinations. We loved visiting the national parks and UNESCO heritage sites. Our travels with Tomas was excellent. He is very knowledgeable about the history and geography of Lithuania and happy to share this with us. He was very helpful with all the arrangements the tickets for entry at various attractions and accomodations (all of which was included and arranged by Baltic Nature Travel). Tomas was also helpful in guiding us for food and drink choices. And suggesting restaurants in Vilnius, Siauliai and kaunas. He is also an excellent driver and the van was very comfortable. We feel really lucky to have had this opportunity. The 4 of us agreed that where we visited and having Tomas as our tour guide made our Lithuania holiday very special. Although most people speak some English it is not enough to have the in depth conversations that Tomas was able to translate for us. The 2 days we had to tour the Curonian Spit were lovely even though we had some rain. And though thunderstorms interfered with our planned kayaking Aukstaitija NP, we were able to do a short kayak ride in Dzukija NP. Also our pottery visit in Merkine was a highlight. If you are planning a trip to Lithuania I suggest contacting Baltic Nature Travel and let them handle arrangements for you.
Laura Lopez Vinasco
Laura Lopez Vinasco
2025-06-19
Fue un viaje que llenó nuestras expectativas por mucho, una gran sorpresa cada lugar que visitamos
Michael Neilson
Michael Neilson
2025-05-26
We toured the Curonian Spit with Kristina who provided a great mix of nature, history and personal experiences to give us a very entertaining and enjoyable day.
michelle leow
michelle leow
2025-05-20
Kuldiga: charming streets, and wides waterfall in Europe on 7th May 2025 We joined a private tour of 6 people to this exotic location. Our vacation was made an even better experience by a knowledgeable and friendly tour guide Valdis, who provides us with all the information about the place and enlightens us on the history and culture of the region. Despite the chilly weather, Celsius 5 degree. It was a few hours walking tour around the newly built tower that oversees the magnificent view, waterfalls, and the old town. Valdis waited for us patiently taking photos. Because we saw so many beautiful places of interest, our vacation was well worth the time and money we spent on it. Apart from showing us the various places of interest, Valdis also managed our transportation and meals recommendation, all of which he did very efficiently. Please accept our heartfelt thanks, Valdis.
Priya Bhatt
Priya Bhatt
2025-05-12
Loved the trip, every day was truly amazing Estonia is worthy and so I would recommend people to visit Estonia through Baltic travels, Mr Valdis did a terrific planning, every details were given and made my journey memory very happy 😃
Samuel Lister
Samuel Lister
2025-02-08
We had a fantastic tour with Tomas around Vilnius. He was informative, friendly and helpful and despite there being no snow for snowshoes it was a brilliant experience. I would highly recommend it for anyone wanting to experience Vilnius.

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