Curonian Spit

The Curonian Spit is 99-kilometer sand-dune spit that runs between Lithuania and Russia, separating the Baltic Sea from a lagoon. Embark on a daylong adventure to explore the highlights of the national park on this private tour. See sand dunes, visit the Russian-Lithuanian border, take in the natural landscapes, and more over the course of the day. Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site—Curonian Spit Learn about ethnic Curonians and their fishing culture. Stay connected on the journey with onboard Wi-Fi. A private tour means a personalized experience. Plan: 1. 9.20 Start in Klaipeda from DFDS terminal 2. Ferry to Curionian Spit. 3. Amber bay. 4. Hill of Witches. 5. Cormoran colony. 6. The dead dunes. 7. Russian/Lithuanian border. 8. Nida dunes. 9. Sun Clock. 10. Dinner with local smoked fish at "Tik pas Joną". 11. Boat trip in Lagoon 12. Promenade of Nida. 13. Evangelical lutharen Church just go true. 14. Thomas Mann museum. 15. Nida beach. 16. Back to Klaipeda. 17. Klaipeda overview. 19. 18.00 DFDS terminal

A unique combination of wind, water and sand has been shaping this narrow strip of land since the beginning of time. Today it is known as the Curonian Spit and it is a UNESCO world heritage site. There is plenty to see here: the migrating dunes, the wildlife, the old fishermen villages and,  last but not the least, the Pervalka Lighthouse. The combination of the spectacular nature, cultural and historical heritage and a truly unforgettable cedar canoe paddling experience makes this tour one of a kind. You will begin with a picturesque ferry transfer to the Curonian Spit. You will travel from Klaipeda to the village of Pervalka, passing Juodkrante with its peaceful embankments. After a short briefing, you will proceed to Pervalka Lighthouse. You will paddle along the shore, enjoying picturesque views of the dunes, the Curonian Lagoon and of course, the main landmark of this trip, the Pervalka Lighthouse. After a short photo opportunity at the lighthouse (no need to risk your own equipment, your guide will take pictures with his camera and a drone) you will paddle towards the dunes. Here you will sit back, have a glass of wine, a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy the view. On your way back you will make two stops, first, at the famous heron and cormorant colony, one of the largest colonies of these birds in Europe, second, in Juodkrante village (formerly known as Schwarzort).

Catch the ferry from Smiltyne in Klaipeda and cruise to the sand dunes of the Curonian Spit. Stop en route at the seaside village of Juodkrantė, known for its handsome villas, and explore one of the oldest settlements of the national park (Kuršių Nerija National Park) to soak up its tranquil vibe. Continue to one of the most beautiful sand dunes to marvel at about 80 oak sculptures that form a huge ensemble of witches, demons, dragons and other fairytale characters. Stand in the footsteps of Thomas Mann at the village where he spent his summers and admire the architecture and ancient fishing boats of Nida before going to the natural sundial of the Parnidis sand dune Get stunning views from the observation deck and learn more at the Thomas Mann Memorial Museum. Visit the Amber Museum-Gallery in an old fisherman's house to see all 434 of the original-size wooden amulets dating back to the Stone Ages.

Discover the untouched beauty of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania from Vilnius. Appreciate the view as your drive toward Klaipeda, board a small ferry, and marvel at the nature of the Curonian Spit. Scale the dead dunes of the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante and admire the village of Nida. Enjoy hotel pickup in Vilnius in the morning, and begin your journey to the Curonian Spit. After a 3-hour drive, arrive at Klaipeda and board the 10-minutes ferry to the Curonian Spit. Find yourself in a completely different world, covered in pine trees and surrounded by the Baltic Sea and Curonian Lagoon. Take a deep breath in and admire the rareness of untouched scenery. Visit the Hill of Witches in Juodkrante, climb the dead dunes, and find yourself in Nida, a small resort village, littered with original Lithuanian fishing houses. Take the option to board a small boat and tour the Curonian Lagoon, or explore the Thomas Mann summerhouse. Return back to Vilnius in the late evening.

Start your day in the charming Juodkrantė, which boasts a beautiful Amber Bay and lots of stone sculptures. After visiting Juodkrantė, drive to the Grey Dunes, more commonly known as the Dead Dunes. Stretching for over one kilometer, the educational trail through the Grey Dunes, that hide as many as four villages and a couple of ancient cemeteries under their sands, will give you a magnificent view of this wonderland, a peek into the history and an opportunity to see something you won’t see anywhere else. Travel to explore one of the most popular dunes on the Lithuanian seaside by climbing up to the famous Parnidis Dune, which reaches over fifty meters. The view that opens from the top will enchant you and make you fall in love with this place. Literature lovers will enjoy a stop at the Thomas Mann Memorial Museum. The writer, when visiting the place in 1929, was so overwhelmed by the beauty of the area and, according to the writer himself, by the world of the wandering dunes, that he soon bought a home there, in which he spent three summers. Continue to the Mizgiriai Amber Museum. See the old workshops for amber processing, the tools used for that purpose, a wonderful collection of inclusions, and will learn a lot new and deepen your knowledge about amber and its significance in Lithuanian history and culture, as well as about the possibilities of the use of amber. The fascinating exhibits of the museum will perfectly illustrate everything you will hear from your guide. After the eventful day in the Curonian Spit, have a bus ride to Klaipėda. There you will briefly stop in the heart of the city - the Theatre Square, where you will be greeted by the adorable sculpture of the Ann from Tharau dedicated to the poet Simon Dach.

Start with an early morning pick-up from your centrally located Vilnius hotel and drive to the Lithuanian seaside for 4-hours. There, you will experience the haunting atmosphere in the cormorants colony, have a look at the characters of the famous Lithuanian sagas and fairy tales on the mysterious Hill of Witches and walk on beautiful moving sand dunes, probably the largest in Europe. You will also have time to explore the cultural center of Curonian Spit - Nida village. See sand dunes with rare flora, littoral forest with centuries old trees and hand planted hill pines, white sand beaches, as well as urban infrastructure, streets, embankments, the Old Town with the architecture typical of this region and the scent of freshly smoked fish will make an indelible impression on you. In the evening, drive back to Vilnius.

You will meet your professional guide and driver who will whisk you away to the Curonian Spit – a 98-km-long, thin, curved sand-dune spit that separates the Curonian Lagoon from the Baltic Sea coast. Famous for its massive dunes and ‘dancing trees’ the spit was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Its southern portion lies within Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia, and its northern portion is within southwestern Lithuania. Visit Juodkrantė, a quiet seaside resort and the second-largest settlement on Lithuania's part of the spit. Explore the Hill of Witches - a sculpture park that has more than 70 wooden figures, most of which are based on the country’s legends and folk tales. Next, discover Nida, the ‘Lithuanian Sahara’, noted for its magnificent 50-60 meter high sand dunes. Nida is an upmarket holiday resort that boasts beautiful beaches and interesting attractions, such as the fisherman's ethnographic museum, gallery-museum of amber, and a German Protestant (Evangelische) Brick Gothic church. See where German written Thomas Mann built his summer house – now a museum to his life - before enjoying some free time to further explore the area or eat lunch in one of the nearby cafes. After lunch, your bus will take you back to Klaipeda port, where you can reboard your ship, or take some time to visit Klaipėda's beautiful Old Town, only a few minutes away. Inspired by German and Scandinavian architecture, discover a planned street structure that cannot be found anywhere else in the country!