Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park (Lithuania)

Highlights:

• Nights in the capital Vilnius included
• Accommodation in local guesthouses and homesteads en route
• Paddle through a beautiful landscape of lakes and slow-flowing rivers
• Enjoy panoramic views from Ladakalnis hill
• Choose double or single kayaks
• Optional extra activities in Vilnius

Summer Holidays > Kayaking > Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park

Combine adventure and comfort on a kayak tour through one of Lithuania's most scenic regions

Love the idea of a self-guided multi-day tour but also enjoy the luxury of a roof over your head and a comfortable bed at night? Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park may be the perfect option for you!

Suitable for both adults and families (min. age 13), this experience features 4 days of kayaking through the beautiful waterways of Aukštaitija, just a couple of hours by included transfer from Lithuania's historic capital, Vilnius.

Your kayak tour takes through a landscape of lakes and slow-flowing rivers. Photo: BNT.

The tour is active but easy-going, taking you through a network of lakes and slow-flowing rivers in the National Park rich in both natural and cultural heritage. No previous kayaking experience is required - but a sense of adventure will certainly be helpful! Double kayaks (the most stable option) are used as standard, with single kayaks available on request.

Highlights of the tour include the kayaking the lovely Buka River to reach the islands in the middle of Lake Baluošas, a spectacular view over six lakes from Ladakalnis hill, the wooden church at Paluše and the remains of the Manor at Kaltenėnai, the ethnographic villages of Vaisnoriskes and Suminai, as well as Lithuania's beautiful capital, Vilnius, where you will spend a night at the start and end of the week.

Both natural beauty and cultural highlights are features of the tour. Photo: BNT.

Comfortable accommodation and local hospitality

Unlike our other canoe and kayak tours, which are based on camping, Self-guided Kayaking in Aukštaitija National Park features accommodation in local guest houses and homesteads along the route.

The accommodation is normally located close to the water, allowing you to kayak right up to your home for the night! Each accommodation has its own atmosphere and charm, and all have kitchenette facilities for self-catering meals during your stay.

Accommodation is in 2-person rooms as standard with possibly apartment-style accommodation at some locations depending on availability and group size.

Enjoy the sights of Vilnius and optional additional activities before and after your kayak tour

Your experience begins with a night in the capital, Vilnius, before transfer to the National Park on Day 2 to begin kayaking on Day 3. At the end of your tour, you will return to Vilnius for your final night before departure.

A guided tour of Vilnius Old Town and also a guided half-day kayak tour in the nearby Trakai Historical National Park can be added as optional extras, either on arrival day if time allows, in the morning of Day 2 before transfer to the National Park, or if spending if spending additional days in Vilnius after your tour.

Nights in historic Vilnius are included at the start and end of your tour. Photo: BNT.

You can also choose to add extra night(s) in the capital at the start of end of the week, giving additional time to explore the city's attractions.

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Day 1: Arrival

Arrive in Vilnius. Travel to your accommodation by public transport or optional private transfer.

If time allows this day, you can choose optional extra activities - a guided tour of Vilnius Old Town or a guided kayak tour in the scenic and historic nearby lake system of Trakai. You can also add an extra day in Vilnius at the start or end of your tour to have time for these extra activities.

Vilnius offers many sights and experiences, including:

• Wonderful Old Town architecture in Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassical styles.
• The Gediminas Tower with panoramic views over the Old Town.
• Vilnius Cathedral, an impressive Neoclassical building and Lithuania's main Catholic cathedral.
• Uzupis, the "artists' republic", an atmospheric bohemian area which has its own constituation, president, flag and even currency! A glass of beer will cost one "EurUzas"!

Accommodation: Double rooms at Vilnius Downtown Forest Hostel and Camping or similar; Kayaking distance: 0km (unless choosing optional Takai kayak tour).

Day 2: Transfer from Vilnius to Ignalina

The optional guided tour of Vilnius or Trakai kayak tour can also be added as morning activity for this day before transfer to the National Park.

Today you will be transferred from accommodation in Vilnius north-east to your accommodation in Ignalina in the heart of Aukštaitija National Park.

Transfer time can be flexible by arrangement but usually leaves Vilnius at 15.00 to allow time to explore the city during the day before travelling to the National Park. Earliest check-in to your accommodation is 13.00-14.00.

Ignalina is a tranquil and scenic town. Depending on time available, here you can:

• Spend an evening on the beach at Lake Palaukinis.
• Take a stroll around Lake Paplovinis.
• Follow the street art route around the town.
• Simply relax at your hotel and prepare for your kayaking days to come.

There is no kayaking this day.

Provisions: Before leaving Ignalina, you will need to purchase all food for self-catering meals, as well as drinking water and snacks for the coming days (until return to Vilnius on Day 6), as there are no reliable opportunities to purchase additional supplies for the rest of the tour.

Accommodation: Double rooms at Hotel-Restaurant Zuvedra or similar (breakfast is included for the following morning); Transfer distance: approx. 140km; Kayaking distance: 0km.

Day 3: Kayak day tour on River Būka to Lake Baluošas

The day begins with a transfer (approx. 30 mins) from the accommodation to the start point - an adventure in itself with an off-road trip through the woods!

You will receive your kayak equipment, including buoyancy aids, dry bags and route map, then begin your paddle towards the guest house where you will stay this night along one of the National Park's most scenic rivers, the River Būka, passing traditional villages and tranquil forests.

When you reach Lake Baluošas, there is a lovely inland lake on one of the islands to explore, before reaching Ginučiai watermill and paddling to your accommodation at the guesthouse.

The Būka River is narrow and shallow, meandering its way though a very attractive rural landscape. The best month for kayaking here is May, when water levels are highest. In summer, there may be stretches where the water level is too low and the kayak needs to be transported past these. You are also likely to encounter some fallen trees and perhaps other obstacles to add to the adventure! Don't worry - the river is shallow and it's straightforward if necessary to take your kayak out of the water to bypass any obstacles or if the water level is too low in some places to paddle.

Today's highlights include:

• Adventurous but easy-going kayaking on the Būka River.
• Vaisnoriskes ethnographic village, a beautifully preserved village dating from the 18th century and famous for its honey.
• Suminai ethnographic village, well known for its architecture and also ancient pine tree.
• Lake Baluošas, with its forested shores and seven islands to explore.
• Narrow waterways leading you to Ginučiai village, where the daring visitors try a shoulder massage beneath the strong current of the watermill.

Accommodation: Double rooms at Guideliu Guesthouse or similar; Kayaking distance: approx. 20km.

Day 4: Kayak from Ginučiai to Paluše

Today's route begins on the small, calm Srove River as you paddle through Ginučiai village with its traditional homesteads and fishing boats.

Take some time to explore Lake Almajas before continuing on the river and through a series of lakes in the heart of the National Park. Stop to hike the long staircase up to Ginučiai Hillfort and Papiliakalnes Hillfort and take in the spectacular view of six lakes from Ladakalnis hill.

If you're particularly keen on hiking, there is another opportunity at Lake Asalnykstis, from where you can walk to the Salos II ethnographic village. Continue your paddle on beautiful Lake Lušiai and then, towards the end of the afternoon, you arrive at the guest house in Paluše. Take time to explore the village and its beautiful 18th century wooden church, said to have been constructed without a single nail!

Accommodation: Karolio Guesthouse or similar; Kayaking distance: approx. 18km.

Day 5: Kayak from Paluše to Kaltenėnai

You return to Lake Lušiai and begin paddling towards Lake Šakarvai, one of the deepest in Lithuania. Today you can visit another historial village, Sakarva - pay attention here! You will need to pass under a tiny bridge when a special passage made for kayakers.

You reach Lake Žeimenys and pass into the beautiful Žeimen river, which is wider and flows slightly faster than the River Būka. Žeimen offers a varied landscape of forests, small islands, submerged trees and attractive villages.

From here you see the lovely peninsula where Kaltenėnai town is located. As you pass through the town, it is an unusual feeling to paddle past locals enjoying tea on their porches and in their gardens!

The guesthouse is right next to the river. Visit the village and the site of the Manor, where only the granary building remains.

Accommodation: Žeimenos Vingis country house or similar; Kayaking distance: approx. 16km.

Day 6: Kayak from Kaltenėnai to Švencioneliai for return transfer to Vilnius

Your last day of kayaking continues along the meandering Žeimena River, surrounded by deep forest and sandstone outcrops. Later in the tour you enter a wetland area, where flocks of cranes can often be seen, to end at the beach next to the bridge in Švencioneliai.

Here you will be met for return transfer to Vilnius.

Accommodation: Double rooms at Vilnius Downtown Forest Hostel and Camping or similar; Transfer distance: approx. 100km; Kayaking distance: approx. 18km.

Day 7: Departure

Check out from your accommodation for independent travel or optional private transfer for departure.

Alternatively, you may wish to add an extra day to explore the capital and choose one of more of the optional activities - a guided tour of Vilnius old town or a guided kayak tour in the scenic and historic nearby lake system of Trakai.

Dates 2026

Start any day* by arrangement between 1st May and 15th September** (latest end date 21st September).

*We recommend planning your dates so that Day 3 of your itinerary (kayaking on the Būka River) is not a Saturday or Sunday, as paddling the waterways there can be very popular at weekends, especially between June and August. Arrival (Day 1, unless of course you are adding extra night(s) in Vilnius before the main tour) in Vilnius should therefore not be a Thursday or Friday if possible.

**When kayaking in early May or in September, you should be prepared for cooler conditions.

Prices 2026

Getting There

See below for a summary of travel options. To learn more about how to travel to this experience, please get in touch!

Detailed information on travel will be provided in response to your enquiry. We are happy to advise on suitable connections and assist you with any aspect of planning your journey.

NB: Please ensure that you make a booking with us first and wait for confirmation that your spaces are reserved before making any travel arrangements.

Travel Summary:

By Air:

Fly to Vilnius for public transport or optional private transfer to the city centre.

Without Flying:

Train to Vilnius via Brussels and Warsaw or train + ferry via Germany.

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