Poland Masuria Cycle Tour

Highlights: Guided

1. Bialowieza national park
2. Biebrza national park
3. Orthodox temples in Grabowka, Bialowieza and Suprasl
4. Bialystok old town
5. Canoeing in Narewka
6. Masurian Lake District
7. A ship cruise to Sztynort
8. The infamous “Wolf’s Den”, Hitler’s headquarters in WWII
9. Guided tour of Warsaw’s Old Town district

Daily Program: Guided

Day 1: Arrival to Warsaw (warm up ride 8 miles/12 km)
Individual arrival to Warsaw, meeting with your local guide at 12:00 p.m. at Warszawa Centralna train station. Bus transfer to Bialowieza. On the road, you will visit the Holy Mount of Grabarka, which consists of an Orthodox monastery and pilgrimage center.

After checking into the “Bialowieski” 3-star Hotel that features fine regional cuisine, including pierogis and mushroom soup. You will also have a short bicycle trip, to familiarize yourselves with the village and the bicycle equipment (about 8 miles/12 km).
Overnight in Bialowieza.

Day 2: Bialowieza National Park (19 miles/30 km)
Today we have scheduled a visit to the Forest Museum with a 3 hour long guided trip through the heart of the Bialowieza National Park, Europe’s most strictly preserved natural reserve. The world-famous reserve has existed for more than 70 years and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Picturesque landscape and virginal nature are to be found at every turn here. Then we ride to the park’s zoo, where wolves, mooses, wild boars, and – above all – bisons can be observed. In the evening a bonfire with accordion music awaits us. Return to Bialowieza Hotel; accommodation as on day one.
Overnight in Bialowieza.

Day 3: Canoeing on Narewka River (19 miles/30 km; about 2.5 hours by canoe)
The road to Narewka take us through the vastness of beautiful woods. Today’s destination is the river of the same name, along which you shall paddle for 2.5 hours. The river is shallow and slow-moving, and therefore perfect for beginning paddlers. After a short hiking trip you reach a forester’s hut, where he will tell you about his life, work and the realm of beavers, offering coffee and pastry. At the end of the day, a bus will take you back to Bialowieza. Accommodation as on day two.
Overnight in Bialowieza.

Day 4: Free Day
This day is free for your enjoyment. Your hotel offers the biggest spa & wellness center in Bialowieza, including massages, swimming pool, external jacuzzi, saunas, etc. In the price, you have one a treatment included. Accommodation as on day 3.
Overnight in Bialowieza.

Day 5: Bialystok- the capital of north-eastern Poland (26 miles/42 km)
Today’s bicycle trip takes us – after a bus transfer in the early morning – to Suprasl, where we visit the Orthodox Christian monastery and admire the impressive collection of holy paintings in the renowned Museum of Icons. From Suprasl we ride to Bialystok, where we meet with the city guide. Notable places to visit include the Branicki Palace with it’s gardens, and Kosciuszko square with the baroque City Hall.
Overnight in Bialystok.

Day 6: Biebrza National Park (12 miles/20 km)
After breakfast, a bus transfer to Biebrza National Park awaits us. Then we cycle the most interesting excursion in the Park takes us to the protected area of Czerwone Bagno (Red Marsh). With the local guide, we observe various woods, meadows, and different animal species. Here we have a great opportunity to stand eye to eye with a moose. The afternoon is free to your disposal. Dinner and accommodation in a middle-class hotel in the Biebrza National Park.
Overnight in Biebrza National Park.

Day 7: Masurian Lake District (34 miles/55 km)
Today we take a beatuful bicycle tour to Elk, a city which lies directly upon the Elk lake. To refresh ourselves, we can enjoy a bathe in the refreshing lake waters. Dinner and accommodation in a middle-class hotel in Elk.
Overnight in Elk.

Day 8: Masurian summer capital- Gizycko (45 miles/73 km)
We ride through Wydminy, where we tour an interesting church from the 17th century, to Gizycko. Today we ride along many pleasant field and forest roads, and pass many lakes on the way. Dinner and accommodation in a middle-class hotel in Gizycko.
Overnight in Gizycko.

Day 9: Wolfsschanze (19 miles/30 km)
Today, a ship cruise in the Masurian Lake District to Sztynort awaits us. On our way, we shall see a natural reserve on the Dobskie Lake, where hundreds of cormorants have built their nests on the trees.

In Sztynort we take a short tour of castle ruins and ride further to Gierloz, to see the infamous “Wolf’s Den” – “Wolfsschanze”, Adolf Hitler’s headquarters during World War II. We reach our hotel after a short bus transfer. Dinner and accommodation in a middle-class hotel in Reszel.
Overnight in Reszel.

Day 10: Tour of Reszel (34 miles/55 km)
Today, we have scheduled a bicycle tour of Reszel and the trip to the viewtower in Biskupiec. On the way, we come to Swieta Lipka to admire the baroque church of the 17th century, and there we participate in an organ concert. Back in Reszel, we take a walk to familiarize ourselves with the city. Dinner and accommodation as on day 9.
Overnight in Reszel.

Day 11: Departure
Right after breakfast we ride by bus to Warsaw, where we take a professionally guided tour of the Old Town (2 hours). We end the tour on Warszawa Centralna station before 4 p.m. individual departure.

Included Services: Guided

• Accommodation in good, local hotels and pension in double/single rooms, with bathrooms
• Meals include breakfast and dinner; it is possible to arrange vegetarian meals upon earlier notice (please let us know, if you eat fish)
• First meal upon day of your arrival: dinner
• Last meal upon day of departure: breakfast
• Mineral water at your disposal during cycling days
• One spa treatment in the “Bialowieski” Hotel & Wellness Spa
• All transfers, entrance fees and sightseeing listed in the programme
• Luggage transport/service bus/repairs
• English speaking, qualified tour guide
• Maps of the route

Bike Rentals: Guided
Bikes available for rent on this tour (reserved in advance at the time of booking):

• Hybrid touring bikes: 7-speed Sachs with pedal brakes, women’s
• Hybrid touring bikes: 6-speed Shimano, men’s
• Electrically assisted bikes

Helmets:
Helmet rental is not available on this tour. For safety and hygiene purposes, we recommend that you bring your own helmet or plan to purchase one upon arrival.