Baltic Experience
Baltic Experience
12 Days
From
$2915
$2915
$2777
Baltic Experience
12 Days Starting in Helsinki and ending in Vilnius
Visiting:
Helsinki
,Tallinn
,Riga
,Sigulda
,Šiauliai
,Klaipėda
,Curonian Spit National Park
,Aukštaitija National Park
,Vilnius
Tour operator:
Physical rating:
Low
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Trip Styles:
Activities:
Tour code:
BMSE
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
English
Interests:
Recommended For:
From:
$2777 (USD)
tourhub discount: $138
Tour Overview
Experience the diverse delights of the Baltic states on this adventurous journey through Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. From the medieval spires of Tallinn and the funky bars of Riga to the Baroque-styled quirks of Vilnius, hidden delights await. Visit colourful markets, be immersed in art and architecture and kayak Lithuanian lakes. Join us and discover the rich history and fascinating customs of this region on our journey from Helsinki to Vilnius.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Helsinki
Location:
Helsinki
Accommodation:
Hotel
Welcome to Helsinki, Finland! Your tour kicks off with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If in the city early, maybe check out the magnificent Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Senate Square or catch a performance at the National Theatre. You may want to consider purchasing the Helsinki Card – which is both an economical way to travel on Helsinki City Transport (HKL) services and free admission to the main Helsinki sights and nearly 50 museums.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Day 2 : Tallinn
Location:
Tallinn
Accommodation:
Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Leave Helsinki after breakfast and catch a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the Estonian capital of Tallinn (approximately 3 hours). Arrive mid-afternoon, check into your hotel and start your time here with a short orientation walk through the city. The rest of your day is then free to enjoy this exceptionally preserved medieval city and all it has to offer. Perhaps head out and enjoy some of the region's culinary specialties or stop for a drink and people watching on the main square. With its steep red roofs, spires, pastel-coloured buildings and new restaurants and bars, Estonia's capital is a real treat to explore. Seeing the vibrant streets of Tallinn now, it's difficult to fathom that Soviet occupation only ended in 1991.
Day 3 : Tallinn
Location:
Tallinn
Accommodation:
Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Today is free to do as you wish, but an exploration of the Old Town is recommended. Located here is the last remaining gothic town hall in northern Europe, Old Thomas; the Raapteek, which has housed a pharmacy since the 15th century; and St Olaf Church, a major landmark of Tallinn. You can head towards Upper Tallinn, home to the noble families, to see amazing views of Lower Tallinn and the medieval spires of the town walls. The 13th-century Toompea Castle, where the Estonian Parliament sits, and the 19th-century orthodox Alexander Nevsky Cathedral are some of the main attractions of Upper Tallinn. Alternatively, you could head to Pirita to chill out at Tallinn's most popular beach, or visit Kadriorg Palace, a palace built by czar Peter the Great for his second wife Catherine I. Make sure you spend some time in the beautiful gardens surrounding the palace. Or perhaps head to the Kalamaja district, with it's well-preserved streets lined with colourful wooden houses.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Day 4 : Tallinn / Riga
Location:
Tallinn, Riga
Accommodation:
Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Spend the morning in Tallinn and visit any sites you missed yesterday. Depart by bus after lunch, cross the border and arrive in the Latvian capital of Riga in the early evening. The 4-hour journey is a good chance to take a nap or relax with a podcast. Riga is renowned for its welcoming locals and a fascinating art nouveau heritage. Tonight, perhaps grab a drink at one of the many bars in the Old Town after you’ve settled into your lodgings.
Day 5 : Sigulda / Riga
Location:
Sigulda, Riga
Accommodation:
Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Travel by public transport to Sigulda, a pretty town with medieval history that backs onto Gauja National Park. Take the cablecar across the river to Turaida Castle, which began construction in 1214 and is made from striking red bricks. Take a guided tour and then explore the castle grounds which feature sculptures set in evergreen woodland. Take a hike along the winding Gauja River with your leader, taking in the clear air and thick Latvian forest. Return to Riga in the afternoon and spend the rest of the day as you please.
Included Activities:
-
-
-
Day 6 : Riga
Location:
Riga
Accommodation:
Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Today you will finally get the chance to explore your base for the past two nights, beautiful Riga. Take an orientation tour and see the Doma Cathedral, St Peter's Basilica, House of Blackheads, the Swedish Gate, The Great Guild & Small Guild and the Cat House. There is nothing scheduled for the rest of the day, so you are free to explore at your own pace. Perhaps pay a visit to The Museum of Occupation of Latvia, which offers insight into the hardships suffered by Latvians during its occupation by, first, the Germans and, later, the Soviets. The Central Market Halls are a great place to haggle for supplies for a picnic lunch if it takes your fancy. Make sure you give the bitter but reputedly healthy Riga Black Balsam a try. The recipe is secret, but it contains rare ingredients such as Valerian, Wormwood, Black Pepper, Ginger, Gentian and Linden flower.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
Day 7 : Siauliai / Klaipeda
Location:
Šiauliai, Klaipėda
Accommodation:
Guesthouse
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Set off by private bus after breakfast and cross the border into Lithuania. After a stop at the famous Hill of Crosses at Siauliai, continue onto the former Prussian city of Klaipeda (approximately 6 hours in total), the city of sculptures and jazz. Klaipeda used to be a member of the Hanseatic League and is the gateway to the Curonian Spit – a long and narrow sand dune peninsula separating the Curonian lagoon from the Baltic Sea. Upon arrival check into our local family-owned guesthouse, then head out to the waterfront and explore the Old Town centre, which features 18th-century wooden buildings and other historic monuments.
Included Activities:
-
Day 8 : Curonian Spit National Park / Klaipeda
Location:
Curonian Spit National Park, Klaipėda
Accommodation:
Guesthouse
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Today, take a day trip to explore the unique World Heritage-listed Curonian Spit National Park – the second-oldest national park in the former Soviet Union. This is a spectacular landscape full of beaches, sand dunes and forested areas. The peninsula is only 400 metres wide in parts but 98 kilometres long. It formed only 5000 years ago by strong winds and currents which constantly change the shape of the landscape to this day. Only recently a whole village was swallowed by the inexorable sand. According to legend, the spit was formed by the girl giant Neringa, who poured sand into the Baltic Sea to protect the bay from storms and create an embankment for fishermen to live. On our day trip you will explore the tiny village of Nida and the surrounding beaches by bike. Look in the distance to see the Russian border, and learn about amber, which has been mined here since the 19th century. Spot the rather unique attribute of the area, the weather vanes. Each village has its own unique design. For lunch, perhaps try the smoked pike for which the spit is famous.
Included Activities:
-
-
Day 9 : Aukstaitija National Park
Location:
Aukštaitija National Park
Accommodation:
Homestay
Meals Included:
Breakfast, Dinner
After breakfast, travel by a mix of private transport and local trains to the town of Ignalina (approximately 6 hours) and then on to Aukstaitija (pronounced owk-sty-chee-ah) National Park and the charming village of Ginuciai where our home stay is located. As one of the most delightful national parks in the Baltic states, Aukstaitija has 126 lakes, an abundance of waterways, hills and woods. Enjoy the hospitality and home-cooking of our host family for the next two days.
Day 10 : Aukstaitija National Park
Location:
Aukštaitija National Park
Accommodation:
Homestay
Meals Included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning you will take a guided kayak ride through the lakes and rivers, past villages and through forests, to an ancient pagan site on top of a hill with a wishing tree. The top affords great views across the surrounding forests and lakes. The rest of the day is free to visit some of the local attractions, such as the nearby villages that date from the 14th century and consist of traditional wooden houses and farmsteads. The 19th-century Ginuciai Watermill is another point of interest. You can hike to some glorious lookouts, do some fishing, take a swim in the lake or river rapids, or just relax. Perhaps ask our host family to fire up the sauna for the ultimate relaxation and cleansing experience.
Included Activities:
-
Optional Activities:
-
-
Day 11 : Vilnius
Location:
Vilnius
Accommodation:
Hotel
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Continue your journey today by local train to the capital of Lithuania, Vilnius (approximately 4 hours). Having once been occupied by Sweden, Poland, France and Russia, each occupier has left its mark in some way on this picturesque city. Vilnius offers a different picture of the Baltics than Riga and Tallinn, but it’s every bit as interesting. On arrival, take an orientation walk with your leader that covers Cathedral Square and its free-standing belfry an the length of pedestrianised Pilies Gatve, lined by baroque churches. The rest of the day is free. A definite must is a visit to the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights, previously called the Museum of Genocide Victims and better known under the name KGB Museum, as it is located in the former KGB headquarters of Vilnius. If you’d like a break from Vilnius’ historic monuments, maybe take a walk through some of the charming gardens around the city. Perhaps visit the ‘republic’ of Uzupis. This inner-city quarter declared independence from Lithuania in 1997 and has statue of Frank Zappa.
Optional Activities:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Day 12 : Vilnius
Location:
Vilnius
Meals Included:
Breakfast
Your Baltic Experience comes to an end today. Have the time to stay on and dive deeper in Vilnius? An Urban Adventure is the perfect way to see the city through local eyes. Check out urbanadventures.com/destination/Vilnius-tours for information.
Optional Activities:
-
-
What's Included
-
Aukstaitija National Park - Guided Kayak Trip
-
Sigulda - Day Trip
-
Sigulda - Gauja River Cable Car
-
Sigulda - Turaida Castle Guided Tour
-
Siauliai - Hill of Crosses
-
Curonian Spit - Bike Ride
-
Curonian Spit - Full Day Trip to the National Park
-
Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (2 nights)
-
Transport
Public bus, Ferry, Canoe, Private vehicle, Train, Tram, Cable Car
-
Meals
11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
What's Not Included
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
International Travel
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
Included Activities
- Sigulda - Gauja River Cable Car
- Sigulda - Day Trip
- Sigulda - Turaida Castle Guided Tour
- Siauliai - Hill of Crosses
- Curonian Spit - Bike Ride
- Curonian Spit - Full Day Trip to the National Park
- Aukstaitija National Park - Guided Kayak Trip
Transport
- Public bus , Ferry , Canoe , Private vehicle , Train , Tram , Cable car
Accommodation
- Hotel (7 nights), Guesthouse (2 nights), Homestay (2 nights)
Check out our Q&As
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes
Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
A tour leader will be with you throughout the trip, except for free time
Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes
Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
Yes
What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
This trip will run with just one person booked on
Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
If you wish to have a hotel list, please ask a booking agent. Please note, these are subject to change.
Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
We are a global company, on most of our tours we will have passengers from all over the world joining.
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Please speak to a medical profession regarding vaccinations before you travel
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
Are international flights included in this tour?
No
What is the maximum group size?
16
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Yes
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
The trip is requires a reasonable level of fitness as you will be exploring the places you visit on foot. There are no strenuous activities included.
Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
Yes. All prices listed are on a twin-share basis. If you are travelling solo, you can pay the twin-share rate to be roomed with another solo traveller of the same sex. Alternatively a single supplement is available for an additional cost. Single supplements are subject to availability.
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No but we can arrange these for you for an additional cost
Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, except optional activities
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Yes if aged 15+ and accompanied by an adult
Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Visas are the responsibility of the traveller and vary depending on your nationality, please speak to the relevant consular or embassy regarding your travel plans. While we will not arrange a visa for you, should you need any supporting documents from the operator, we can provide these for you’
What currencies are required for this tour?
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
Dates & Availability
Saturday
May 06, 2023Wednesday
May 17, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Wednesday
May 10, 2023Sunday
May 21, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Wednesday
May 24, 2023Sunday
Jun 04, 2023$3270
$3115 (USD)
$3270
$3115 (USD)
Saturday
May 27, 2023Wednesday
Jun 07, 2023$3120
$2972 (USD)
$3120
$2972 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 03, 2023Wednesday
Jun 14, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Wednesday
Jun 07, 2023Sunday
Jun 18, 2023$3205
$3053 (USD)
$3205
$3053 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 10, 2023Wednesday
Jun 21, 2023$3145
$2996 (USD)
$3145
$2996 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 17, 2023Wednesday
Jun 28, 2023$3145
$2996 (USD)
$3145
$2996 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 24, 2023Wednesday
Jul 05, 2023$3205
$3053 (USD)
$3205
$3053 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 08, 2023Wednesday
Jul 19, 2023$3145
$2996 (USD)
$3145
$2996 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 15, 2023Wednesday
Jul 26, 2023$3205
$3053 (USD)
$3205
$3053 (USD)
Wednesday
Jul 26, 2023Sunday
Aug 06, 2023$3145
$2996 (USD)
$3145
$2996 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 29, 2023Wednesday
Aug 09, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 05, 2023Wednesday
Aug 16, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 12, 2023Wednesday
Aug 23, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Wednesday
Aug 16, 2023Sunday
Aug 27, 2023$3090
$2943 (USD)
$3090
$2943 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 19, 2023Wednesday
Aug 30, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Wednesday
Aug 23, 2023Sunday
Sep 03, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Wednesday
Aug 30, 2023Sunday
Sep 10, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 02, 2023Wednesday
Sep 13, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 06, 2023Sunday
Sep 17, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 09, 2023Wednesday
Sep 20, 2023$3035
$2891 (USD)
$3035
$2891 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 13, 2023Sunday
Sep 24, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 16, 2023Wednesday
Sep 27, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 20, 2023Sunday
Oct 01, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 23, 2023Wednesday
Oct 04, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 27, 2023Sunday
Oct 08, 2023$2915
$2777 (USD)
$2915
$2777 (USD)
Saturday
May 04, 2024Wednesday
May 15, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
May 08, 2024Sunday
May 19, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
May 18, 2024Wednesday
May 29, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
May 22, 2024Sunday
Jun 02, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
May 25, 2024Wednesday
Jun 05, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 01, 2024Wednesday
Jun 12, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Jun 05, 2024Sunday
Jun 16, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 08, 2024Wednesday
Jun 19, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 15, 2024Wednesday
Jun 26, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Jun 19, 2024Sunday
Jun 30, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 22, 2024Wednesday
Jul 03, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jun 29, 2024Wednesday
Jul 10, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 06, 2024Wednesday
Jul 17, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Jul 10, 2024Sunday
Jul 21, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 13, 2024Wednesday
Jul 24, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 20, 2024Wednesday
Jul 31, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Jul 24, 2024Sunday
Aug 04, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Jul 27, 2024Wednesday
Aug 07, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 03, 2024Wednesday
Aug 14, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 10, 2024Wednesday
Aug 21, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Aug 14, 2024Sunday
Aug 25, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 17, 2024Wednesday
Aug 28, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Aug 21, 2024Sunday
Sep 01, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 24, 2024Wednesday
Sep 04, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Aug 28, 2024Sunday
Sep 08, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Aug 31, 2024Wednesday
Sep 11, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 04, 2024Sunday
Sep 15, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 07, 2024Wednesday
Sep 18, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 11, 2024Sunday
Sep 22, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 14, 2024Wednesday
Sep 25, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 18, 2024Sunday
Sep 29, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Saturday
Sep 21, 2024Wednesday
Oct 02, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Wednesday
Sep 25, 2024Sunday
Oct 06, 2024$2970
$2829 (USD)
$2970
$2829 (USD)
Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: 100% of booking price.
-
COVID Protection
If you contract COVID-19 before you leave, or if government-imposed travel restrictions related to COVID-19 mess up your plans, you can cancel your trip right up until the departure day.*
*Some exclusions will apply. Please ask your booking agent for more information.
Trips on or before 31 December 2022
If your Intrepid trip starts on or before 31 December 2022, you must provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.
Children under 18 are exempt. Children aged between 5 and 17 years old must provide proof of either vaccination, recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards
From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19.
However, we continue to strongly recommend that all travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and other Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.
This policy excludes all Polar trips and select adventure cruises, where testing and vaccination remains a requirement. Please refer to the Essential Trip Information of your chosen tour for more details.
Baltic Experience
12 Days Starting in Helsinki and ending in Vilnius
Visiting:
Helsinki
,Tallinn
,Riga
,Sigulda
,Šiauliai
,Klaipėda
,Curonian Spit National Park
,Aukštaitija National Park
,Vilnius
Tour operator:
Physical rating:
Low
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Trip Styles:
Activities:
Tour code:
BMSE
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
English
Interests:
Recommended For:
From:
$2777 (USD)
tourhub discount: $138
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."