Borderland of Lithuania & Poland
Lithuania, Poland Bike Tours
Bike & explore two countries, two cultures, and two histories of Eastern & Central Europe
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length9 days
- Prices from€1213 Rates
Overview
Explore the borderland of Lithuania and Poland on this supported or fully guided bike tour. These two countries, though geographically not truly Eastern Europe, historically, have been under the Eastern bloc of Soviet influence.
Once separated from Western Europe by the "Iron Curtain", culturally, these borderlands and the people retain their complex and distinct identities, yet a unique, combined identity, with refreshing openness to cultural diversity.
It is a beautiful region: a land of gentle hills, sandy plains, vast primeval forests, crystal clear lakes, and deep river valleys. You will experience a wonderful mix of villages and rural countryside for an excellent introduction to the very distinct history and culture of these different countries.
Highlights
- Vilnius and Unesco listed old town
- Warsaw and Unesco listed old town
- Čepkeliai - Dzūkija National/Pan Park, Lithuania
- Druskininkai Resort, Lithuania
- Masurian Lakes Region, Poland
- Wigry and Biebrza National Parks in Poland
Be sure to check out our other tours in Lithuania!
Itinerary
All distances are approximate. Due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, you may find temporary local deviations/detours caused by roadwork not reflected in your route book or GPS tracks. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.
Day 1: Arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania
Day 2: Vilnius - Trakai - Vilnius, 31 mi. (49 km) + transfer
Day 3: Vilnius - Druskininkai, 30 mi. (48 km) + transfer
Day 4: Druskininkai - Dzūkija National Park - Druskininkai, 41 mi. (65 km) + transfer
Day 5: (Lithuania - Poland) Druskininkai - Suwalki Lakeland - Gawrych Ruda, 34 mi. (55 km) + transfer
Day 6: Gawrych Ruda - Wigry National Park - Gawrych Ruda, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 7: Gawrych Ruda - Augustow & Biebrza National Park - Goniadz, 36 mi. (57 km) + transfer
Day 8: Goniadz - Warsaw, 24 mi. (39 km) + transfer
Day 9: Departure from Warsaw after breakfastDay 1: Arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania
Individual arrival in Vilnius, the ancient capital of Lithuania for over 600 years. After arrival and check-in at the hotel and a welcome meeting with our local representative (scheduled for 7pm). Be sure to take some time to stroll about the Unesco World Heritage-listed old town, including Cathedral Square and Town Hall Square.Overnight: Vilnius, 3* Comfort Hotel LT
Day 2: Vilnius - Trakai - Vilnius, 31 mi. (49 km) + transfer
After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to join a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town. In the afternoon, a minibus transfer will bring you to Užutrakis where start your first bike ride on gentle hills around Galvė Lake and back to Vilnius. En route, you may visit Trakai, the former capital of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, famous for the 14th-century island castle built on a small island in Lake Galvė.
Bus transfer: 32 km
Overnight: Vilnius, 3* Comfort Hotel LT
Day 3: Vilnius - Druskininkai, 30 mi. (48 km) + transfer
You will be transferred by minibus to Merkinė, where you will begin your ride to Druskininkai. Druskininkai is famous throughout Europe for its wellness springs resorts. Today's cycle route goes via Liškiava, known for its 17-18th-century Dominican monastery ensemble on the Nemunas Riverbank. After arrival in Druskininkai, you will check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays. The afternoon is free to enjoy the resort or go for a ride through the woods. Optional dinner at the hotel (not included).Bus transfer: 100 km
Overnight: Druskininkai, 3* Hotel ReginaDay 4: Druskininkai - Dzūkija National Park - Druskininkai, 41 mi. (65 km) + transfer
An early morning transfer will bring you to Dzūkija National Park, the largest park in Lithuania. It is overgrown with pine forests (90% of the territory) and one of 13 wild PAN parks in Europe. Here begins your cycle tour through the woods and ethnographical villages. There will be an afternoon trip to Grūtas Park, which has the unique distinction of being the place where all unwanted statues of Lenin were taken after Lithuania regained its independence from the Soviet Union.Bus transfer: 45 km
Overnight: Druskininkai, 3* Hotel ReginaDay 5: (Lithuania - Poland) Druskininkai - Suwalki Lakeland - Gawrych Ruda, 34 mi. (55 km) + transfer
Today you will finally enter Poland! After crossing the border, you will begin cycling on rolling hills with picturesque views of beautiful lakes and Polish countryside. Wigry National Park is your destination. En route, you will visit Suwałki, the largest town and the capital of the historical Suwałki region. Check into the hotel for 2 overnight stays—optional dinner at the hotel (not included).Transfer: 85 km
Overnight: Gawrych Ruda, 3* Nad Wigrami or similarDay 6: Gawrych Ruda - Wigry National Park - Gawrych Ruda, 29 mi. (47 km)
Today you will be on marked trails riding around Wigry Lake. Wigry is one of the largest lakes in Poland, with 15 islands, and one of the deepest (73 m) and most beautiful. En route, you may explore a former monastery, built by the death-obsessed Camaldolese monks in the 17th century. The whole complex, complete with a church and 17 hermitages, is spectacularly located on a peninsula in the lake.
Overnight: Gawrych Ruda, 3* Nad Wigrami or similarDay 7: Gawrych Ruda - Augustow & Biebrza National Park - Goniadz, 36 mi. (57 km) + transfer
In the morning you will be transferred to Augustow, a small but appealing town, the gateway to the Suwałki region at the Netta River. Today, your cycle route goes along the GreenVelo route 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.Bus transfer: 28 km
Overnight: Goniadz, 3* Hotel Bartlowzina or similarDay 8: Goniadz - Warsaw, 24 mi. (39 km) + transfer
This morning is dedicated to your final bike ride along the Royal Route (Polish: Trakt Królewski) through Biebrza National Park. You will be transferred by minibus to Warsaw, the capital of Poland. After check-in at the hotel, you will have the opportunity to take part in a guided tour of the Warsaw Old Town.Car Transfer: 180 km
Overnight: Warsaw, 3* Hotel MetropolDay 9: Departure from Warsaw
The tour ends after breakfast. You will bid Poland farewell, or continue with your travels!Day 1: Arrive in Vilnius, Lithuania
Day 2: Vilnius - Trakai - Vilnius, 14 mi. (23 km) + transfer
Day 3: Vilnius - Druskininkai, 20 or 30 mi. (32 or 48 km) + transfer
Day 4: Druskininkai - Dzūkija National Park - Druskininkai, 33 mi. (52 km) + transfer
Day 5: (Lithuania - Poland) Druskininkai - Suwalki Lakeland - Wigry National Park, 34 mi. (55 km) + transfer
Day 6: Wigry National Park round-trip, 29 mi. (47 km)
Day 7: Wigry National Park - Augustow & Biebrza National Park - Goniadz, 36 mi. (57 km) + transfer
Day 8: Goniadz - Warsaw, 24 mi. (39 km) + transfer
Day 9: Departure from Warsaw after breakfastYou can view all of our tours in Europe or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
Accommodations
You will be accommodated in three-star establishments during your tour. On each day’s details, you will find the name of each overnight preferred accommodation, based on availability.
Bicycles
Standard Bike
Ladies, unisex or standard crossbar Velo-de-Ville bike
- Aluminum frame
- Flat handlebars
- Comfortable saddle with springs or/and suspension seatpost
- Water bottle cage (expect ladies frame)
- 24-speed Shimano derailleur gears with a freewheel
- Flat pedals (can be changed to SPD pedals for a supplement or you can bring your own pedals)
- V-brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheel (26" and 24" wheels also available)
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires
- LED lights (front & back) with hub dynamo
E-Bike
Ladies or unisex Velo-de-Ville bike
- Aluminum frame
- Upright handlebar
- Comfort saddle
- 8-speed (Shimano Nexus) freewheel
- On-board computer with 5 riding modes: off, eco, tour, sport, turbo
- Bosch central drive motor (250 Wh)
- Lithium-Ion battery (400 Wh) which lasts up to 70 mi. (110 km) in eco mode
- Flat pedals
- V-brakes
- Rear rack
- Mudguards
- 28-inch wheels
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires
- LED lights with hub dynamo
Inclusions
What’s Included
Self-guided (with support)
- 8 nights stay in hotels, including all taxes
- Transfers as per itinerary by air-conditioned coach /minibus
- Luggage transport as per itinerary
- Daily breakfast
- Trekking bicycle with waterproof pannier, handlebar bag with plastic cover
- Guided tours in Vilnius and Warsaw (any entrance fees are payable individually)
- Emergency contact numbers for our English or German-speaking representatives
- Individual information package (one per room)
- GPS Tracks
- 8 nights stay in hotels, including all taxes
- Transfers as per itinerary by air-conditioned mini/-bus
- Luggage transport
- Daily breakfast
- Welcome meeting with a glass of wine or beer
- Four 3-course dinners with coffee/tea (in Druskininkai, Wigry, Goniadz, Warsaw)
- Mineral water at your disposal on cycling days
- Trekking bicycle with waterproof pannier (+ helmet on request)
- Services of English-speaking tour guide(s) on days 2-8
- Excursions as shown in the itinerary
- Entrance to Grūtas Park of Soviet Sculptures, Wigry Monastery
- Individual information package (one per room)
Fully guided
What’s Not Included
Self-guided/supported
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Lunches & dinners
- Entrance fees
- Helmet
- Gratuities
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
- Arrival & departure transfers
- Lunches & 4 dinners
- Gratuities
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Fully guided
Dates & Pricing
Dates & Pricing
Self-guided (with support):
Friday departures:
July 12, August 16, & September 6, 2024- Minimum of 4 people on fixed departure dates to confirm a departure.
- Other dates are possible May through September for a minimum of 6 people.Double/twin: $ 2025 £ 1047 $ 1,811 € 1213 kr 185465 ₪ 5053 ¥ 209229 Mex$ 22710 NZ$ 2228 NOK 14609 zł 5334 S$ 1803 kr 14411 $ 1,323 Single: $ 2471 £ 1278 $ 2,209 € 1480 kr 226289 ₪ 6165 ¥ 255283 Mex$ 27709 NZ$ 2719 NOK 17825 zł 6508 S$ 2200 kr 17583 $ 1,615
Guided tour:
Friday departures:
July 12, August 16, & September 6, 2024- Minimum of 6 people on fixed departure dates to confirm a departure.
- This tour is available on any other dates May through September with a minimum of 12 people.Double/twin: $ 2545 £ 1316 $ 2,275 € 1524 kr 233017 ₪ 6349 ¥ 262872 Mex$ 28533 NZ$ 2800 NOK 18355 zł 6701 S$ 2266 kr 18106 $ 1,663 Single: $ 2996 £ 1549 $ 2,678 € 1794 kr 274299 ₪ 7474 ¥ 309444 Mex$ 33588 NZ$ 3296 NOK 21607 zł 7889 S$ 2667 kr 21314 $ 1,957
Extra Options
Self-guided/supported:
Electric bike:
Velo de Ville or Kalkhoff Pedelec with tachometer & back pannier: $ 234 £ 121 $ 209 € 140 kr 21406 ₪ 583 ¥ 24148 Mex$ 2621 NZ$ 257 NOK 1686 zł 616 S$ 208 kr 1663 $ 153Helmet (please indicate size at time of booking; S, M, L, XL): $ 17 £ 9 $ 15 € 10 kr 1529 ₪ 42 ¥ 1725 Mex$ 187 NZ$ 18 NOK 120 zł 44 S$ 15 kr 119 $ 11
Guided:
Electric bike:
Kalkhoff Pedelec with waterproof back pannier: $ 259 £ 134 $ 231 € 155 kr 23699 ₪ 646 ¥ 26736 Mex$ 2902 NZ$ 285 NOK 1867 zł 682 S$ 230 kr 1842 $ 169
Helmet (please indicate size at time of booking; S, M, L, XL): Included but on requestDinners included (self-guided)
Four 3-course dinners (1 x Druskininkai, 1 x Gavrych Ruda, 1 x Goniadz, 1 x Warsaw): $ 259 £ 134 $ 231 € 155 kr 23699 ₪ 646 ¥ 26736 Mex$ 2902 NZ$ 285 NOK 1867 zł 682 S$ 230 kr 1842 $ 169
3* Vilnius (including city tax):
Double/twin per room: $ 159 £ 82 $ 142 € 95 kr 14525 ₪ 396 ¥ 16386 Mex$ 1779 NZ$ 175 NOK 1144 zł 418 S$ 141 kr 1129 $ 104 Single room: $ 142 £ 73 $ 127 € 85 kr 12996 ₪ 354 ¥ 14662 Mex$ 1591 NZ$ 156 NOK 1024 zł 374 S$ 126 kr 1010 $ 933* Warsaw (including city tax):
Double/twin per room: $ 184 £ 95 $ 164 € 110 kr 16819 ₪ 458 ¥ 18974 Mex$ 2059 NZ$ 202 NOK 1325 zł 484 S$ 164 kr 1307 $ 120 Single room: $ 165 £ 85 $ 148 € 99 kr 15137 ₪ 412 ¥ 17076 Mex$ 1854 NZ$ 182 NOK 1192 zł 435 S$ 147 kr 1176 $ 108Arrival transfer (price for one way):
From Vilnius Airport (by car for up to 3 people) per group: $ 65 £ 34 $ 58 € 39 kr 5963 ₪ 162 ¥ 6727 Mex$ 730 NZ$ 72 NOK 470 zł 171 S$ 58 kr 463 $ 43 From Vilnius Airport (by minibus 4 to 7 people), per group: $ 109 £ 56 $ 97 € 65 kr 9938 ₪ 271 ¥ 11212 Mex$ 1217 NZ$ 119 NOK 783 zł 286 S$ 97 kr 772 $ 71
Departure transfer (price for one way):
To Warsaw-Chopin (by car for up to 3 people), per group: $ 82 £ 42 $ 73 € 49 kr 7492 ₪ 204 ¥ 8452 Mex$ 917 NZ$ 90 NOK 590 zł 215 S$ 73 kr 582 $ 53 To Warsaw-Chopin (by minibus for up to 7 people), per group: $ 109 £ 56 $ 97 € 65 kr 9938 ₪ 271 ¥ 11212 Mex$ 1217 NZ$ 119 NOK 783 zł 286 S$ 97 kr 772 $ 71Departure transfer (price for one way):
To Warsaw Modlin Airport (by car for up to 3 people), per group: $ 192 £ 99 $ 172 € 115 kr 17583 ₪ 479 ¥ 19836 Mex$ 2153 NZ$ 211 NOK 1385 zł 506 S$ 171 kr 1366 $ 125 To Warsaw Modlin Airport (by minibus for up to 7 people), per group: $ 249 £ 129 $ 222 € 149 kr 22782 ₪ 621 ¥ 25701 Mex$ 2790 NZ$ 274 NOK 1795 zł 655 S$ 222 kr 1770 $ 163Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
We rate this self-guided (with support) or fully-guided trip as moderate. The itinerary leads mainly on low traffic roads and cycle paths with distances that range from 32 to 65 km (20 to 41 miles) each day with a possibility to cycle longer on some days such as on Day 3 (Dzūkija National Park in Lithuania) and Day 8 (Wigry National Park in Poland). The terrain is mostly flat except for a few rolling roads with some gradual hills on the first riding days in Lithuania. Tour distances: self-guided cycling 225 mi. (360 km) and the guided cycling tour 200 mi (321 km). Transfers: approximately 500 km.
Airport Info
Arrival in Vilnius Airport (VNO), located 6 km from the city or Kaunas Airport (KUN), 83 km from Vilnius. Departure from the main International Warsaw-Chopin Airport (WAW) in Poland.
Local Travel
Private or group airport transfers are available. Please see pricing. If you prefer taxi and public transportation, upon arrival at the Vilnius Airport, you will find taxis outside Arrivals with relatively cheap fares. The journey time to the city is 15 minutes and the cost is €10. If you are arriving in Kaunas Airport, there is an express bus service that runs from Kaunas Airport to Vilnius. The bus stop at Kaunas Airport is just in front of the passenger terminal.
Remarks
This trip is offered as a self-guided or fully guided tour with support. The self-guided version is a “half-guided tour”. During the whole trip, a driver with a minibus and bike trailer is with you and you can take part in city tours (Vilnius, Warsaw) lead by professional guides. The driver will transport your luggage every day to the next hotel. If you have a breakdown or need any assistance, then the driver will take care of everything for you. The fully guided version not only offers van support but also a cycling guide.
Important to know
Travel Documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
We recommend that you make copies of your important documents and papers (insurance cards, etc.). Leave a copy at home and have a copy with you. In the unfortunate situation that you lose your original documents, having copies facilitates the replacement process.
*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 Baltic Bike Travel.
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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