Aschaffenburg to Cochem
Germany Bike + Barge Tours
Biking & boating along the Moselle, Rhine & Main Rivers
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1565 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Bike and boat in the heart of the Rhine Valley! Navigate ancient waters and pedal through villages that date back to the Middle Ages. Much more than a shipping highway, the Rhine River is the pulsing economic vein of Germany and Europe.
Around every bend, legends spring to life; the plunging Lorelei cliffs, deadly Bingen Reef, the fabled site where Rheingold is buried... these ancient places reach down through time and connect us with great literature, music, and history.
Highlights
- Mainz
- Franconian Region
- Burg Eltz
- Ancient Boppard
- St. Goar and the Loreley
- Seligenstadt
- Johannisburg Palace
- German wines
- Riverscape cycling
- Aschaffenburg
We have many other bike and boat tours in Germany. Be sure to check them out!
Itinerary
Day 1: Cochem
Day 2: Moselle, visit of the Burg Eltz
Day 3: Koblenz - St. Goar
Day 4: St. Goar - Ruedesheim
Day 5: Ruedesheim - Mainz
Day 6: Mainz - Frankfurt am Main
Day 7: Frankfurt am Main - Aschaffenburg
Day 8: AschaffenburgThis itinerary, as on all bike and boat tours, is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances such as changing weather or lock repair, etc. In case of flood or low tide, the captain reserves the right to change the route of the ship and therefore, cycling itinerary may also be affected. In extreme situations, a tour could be canceled on short notice. No legal right shall be constituted of both situations. (Water level is force majeure). The same applies for officially ordered - previously not announced - repair work on locks or bridges or in the event of a mechanical breakdown.
Average daily distance: 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 1: Cochem
Today you will join the IRIS docked in Cochem and enjoy the day in this typical Moselle and Wine village. The guide will take you on a walk to the Burg (Castle) to have a guided tour there!Day 2: Moselle, visit of the Burg Eltz
Your first ride will be along the river on the Moselle bike path with a stop at Burg Eltz, well hidden in the hills. This castle is different from any other castle. It has remained unscathed by wars, owned and cared for by the same family from the time it was built. Its architecture has no comparison and many of the original furnishings of the past eight centuries still remain in place. There is a Treasury and Armoury boasting world-class artworks in gold and silver. It towers high on a large rock but is still in a valley. It is a must-visit. You will return to the barge by bike for a cruise to Koblenz and docking for the night.Koblenz has a beautiful “Altstadt” (old city) in the triangle between the Mosel and the Rhine River.
Day 3: Koblenz - St. Goar
After breakfast, the route leads to the ancient city Boppard. Here the Rhine takes an amazing turn, nearly 180 degrees. Boppard has always been a visitors' magnet with precipitous vineyards and one of the nicest bank promenades on the Middle Rhine. It also boasts the oldest preserved Roman fort walls north of the Alps.
Your destination is St. Goar, opposite the famous Loreley. A ferry and a bus will transfer you up to the Loreley and a hiking path leads the final way to this lovely vista over the narrowest part in the romantic Rhine Valley.
The first traces of human settlement have been apparent from the time the Loreley Plateau was level with the Rhine. During the Middle Ages, the Loreley was well known, along with the Binger Loch, as the most dangerous section of the Rhine. Many mariners in their wooden dinghies came to tragedy here. In St. Goar, directly opposite the Loreley, the saint, Goar settled to save shipwrecked mariners and nurse them back to health.Day 4: St. Goar - Ruedesheim
Your morning starts with a great sail along the Lorelei. Once you begin to cycle, you will pass by pompous castles to reach Ruedesheim. Even the Romans planted vines here! Stroll through the “Drosselgasse”, famous for its entertaining music and taste some of the wines of this wine village. This small old “gasse” is only 144 meters long and has thousands of paving stones. Visit the Asbach center, home of German Brandy, produced locally since 1892. You’re not into brandy? They produce some great chocolate as well.The old town, dating from the Middle Ages, and parts of the city’s fortifications like the Adlerturm (eagle tower) are well maintained. Here you will find cozy traditional wine taverns in historic half-timbered houses.
Day 5: Ruedesheim - Mainz
The beautiful first stage leads through rolling vineyards and well-known wine villages. The Rhine is flowing gently, forming little islands and broadening its bed up to 800 m width! Today's destination is Mainz, where the Main river meets the Rhine.
In the afternoon there will be time to explore this interesting city. Mainz’s inner city is its pride and joy, filled with spacious plazas, lovingly restored -timbered houses, and magnificent Baroque-style churches. The ‘Old Town’ has a very charming and warm atmosphere.Day 6: Mainz - Frankfurt am Main
You now cycle on the cycle paths along the Main River to Frankfurt, one of Germany’s largest cities. Frankfurt is a trade city, home to Banks and Stockmarkets. The city skyline is very contemporary due to these developments and also because of the destruction in the Second World War and subsequent rebuilding. Frankfurt has many museums as well, located in a special area along the riverside and famous for its annual Buchmesse (Book Fair).Day 7: Frankfurt am Main - Aschaffenburg
Today’s bike tour leads first to the small and romantic city of Seligenstadt with its windings alleys, wood-framed houses, and basilica. You then cross the Main on a small ferry and continue through Hanau the town where the famous Grimm Brothers were born. You will find the barge again in Aschaffenburg, with the Johannisburg Palace, located on the banks of the Main River. This castle will be the first thing you see as you enter Aschaffenburg as it is the grandest of all Renaissance palace complexes.Day 8: Aschaffenburg
DepartureAschaffenburg to Cochem
Day 1: Arrival in Aschaffenburg
Day 2: Aschaffenburg - Frankfurt-am-Main, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Frankfurt-am-Main - Mainz, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 4: Mainz - Rüdesheim, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Rüdesheim - St. Goar - Boppard - Koblenz, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 6: Koblenz - Cochem, 26 mi. (41 km)
Day 7: Cochem - Beilstein - Neef - Cochem, 14 or 34 mi. (22 or 55 km)
Day 8: Cochem
If you’re looking for a different flavor, check out our full list of bike and boat tours or view all our featured bike trips, specials, and news.Boats
- Iris
Premium Class Barge
The Iris is a refitted freight barge that accommodates 24 overnight passengers. The interior of the Iris is fresh, tasteful, and comfortable. This vessel can navigate on most rivers and canals in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. On the top deck, you will find the lounge, a roomy sitting area, a cozy bar, and a sun deck. The whole barge has central heating and air-conditioning. Read More
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights on the premium class ship, the Iris
- Breakfast
- 6 three-course dinners on board
- A glass of wine or beer at dinner
- Packed lunches for bike trips
- Coffee & tea on board
- One tour guide - an additional guide will be added from 18 guests
- Guided tour at Burg Eltz
- Entrance to the Main Tower in Frankfurt
- Cabins cleaned daily
- Climate-controlled cabins
- Bike rental with helmets, panniers, & water bottle
- Bike protection
- WiFi
What’s Not Included
- One dinner
- All beverages other than those mentioned as included
- Entrance fees for museums, monuments, etc. not mentioned in includeds
- Gratuities for staff & guides
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
2021
Premium Class Boat
IrisSaturday departure
September 18, 2021Cabin Type Twin $ 2489 £ 1386 $ 2,398 € 1565 NZ$ 2681 kr 16174 $ 1,918 Single supplement Extra Options
Electric bike: $ 151 £ 84 $ 146 € 95 NZ$ 163 kr 982 $ 116
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy
This guided bike tour is rated easy. The majority of the time you will cycle on paved bike paths. If you do not feel like biking you can stay on board and enjoy a day of sailing.
Airport Info
The closest international airport to your tour start and tour end is Frankfurt International Airport (FRA). It is located 61 km from Cochem and 51 km from Aschaffenburg.
Local Travel
Frankfurt International Airport is well connected by train. The Frankfurt Airport Regional Station is located below Terminal 1.
Climate
In most of Germany, the climate is moderately continental, with cold winters and warm summers. Please check local conditions before your arrival.
Important to know
Documents:
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Tour Operator
This tour is run by BikePlanet and Tripsite.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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