We offer you the opportunity to discover Estonia by safaris and visit places, which are not on typical bus routes. You may not find them by your own. Estonia is much more than shown in pictures in pamphlets or what you can see from your bus window. During our safaris you can experience rural Estonia. We have carefully drawn up routes that bring you through forests and between fences along dusty lanes. Travel the high border of the Baltic cliff while the sun sets into the sea, through old fishermen’s hamlets to national parks and mansions. We will discover together natural sights (grottos, waterfalls) also manors, military sites left by the former Soviet Army, ruins of a naval fortress from the period of the Russian czar Peter the First, as well the ancient earthen strongholds. Our safari-style tours may take several days or even weeks. Adventure safaris are 3+ hours. You can drive yourself or ride with a driver. The difference being “Safari with a driver” gets you an experienced driver for your service. “Drive by your own” means that you will drive yourself, a valid driver’s license is required. All our vehicles are provided with GPS devices intercommunicative radios and wenches. Our guide car will always be following and trip explanations will be available via the communication device during the entire trip. Short stops will be made at interesting sites.
Seven days in Western Estonia and islands
Day 1: Arrival in Tallinn
Transfer from the port or the airport to the chosen hotel. Free evening to see the city. The cost of dinner not included. NOTE! Visitors are briefed in the hotels!
Accommodation:
Hotel Old Town Maestro's
Day 2: Tallinn-Pivarootsi (B, L)
Transfer from the hotels to the parking lot of the Maksimarket shopping centre in Laagri.
On jeeps: Laagri – Muusika – Ruila - Riisipere – Lümandu – Sipa – Loodna – Teenuse
The route includes the following attractions:
- Ukukivi or Castle Stone – with ancient sacrificial cavities, C = 35 m, H = 5.7 m
- Ruila Manor – main building from 1858
- Hingu (Lagema) windmill – restored Dutch windmill
- Riisipere Manor – from 1821, was one of the most beautiful Classicist buildings in Estonia, currently in disrepair
- Kolju karstic area – several karstic cavities of up to 3 m in depth and 30 m in diameter
- Nissi Church – from 1873, historicist style
- Angasilla Hill – the forest includes the Oak of Penitence with co-joined trunks; it is said that if you slip through between the trunks you will be freed from all sins
- Sipa linden – one of the three branches is broken, C = 9.0 m (at 0.6 m in height); the three has partially grown around a sacrificial stone
- Sipa Manor – Early Classicist ensemble from the 2nd half of the 18th century Loodna Manor – modest historicist main building (2nd half of the 19th century), granary and renovated tavern at a small distance
At Teenuse, we will step into canoes for a 2-hour canoe trip. Then we sill continue on jeeps on the route: Teenuse- Vana-Vigala – Kirbla – Lihula – Virtsu
The route includes the following attractions:- Vigala Manor – one of the oldest manors in Estonia, main building from 1775, restored after fire in 1905
- Rumba narrow-gauge railway bridge – one of the most beautiful reinforced concrete bridges, built in 1930
- Rumba Manor – small wooden main building and a number of unused service buildings
- Vanamõisa Manor – main building in ruins, Old Baltic style steward’s house, stable/coach house, dryer
- Vanamõisa bridge - 64 m in length, one of the most notable limestone bridges in Estonia, 19th century
- Kirbla church – 15th century, Late Gothic style
- Lihula stronghold ruins – from 13th-16th century, residence of the Bishop of Saare-Lääne 1234-1251
- Lihula manor – 19th century, Classicist ensemble
- Karuse church – 13th-19th century, Gothic style
- Kõmsi barrows – 1st-3rd century, one barrow is restored and the walls of the other have been opened for display
- Hanila church – 13th-19th century, Gothic style
- Kaseküla barrows – 1st millennium BC, the largest in Western Estonia – two settlement sites, 16 stone barrows and worship stones
Pivarootsi Manor
Sauna 15 EUR/ per hour
Day 3: Pivarootsi-Kuivastu Kuressaare (B)
The route includes the following attractions:- Muhu hill fort - 100 x 110 m, courtyard 70 x 80 m, from Younger Iron Age (9th-13th century)
- Eemu working windmill – branch of the Saaremaa Museum
- Tumala worship stones – 2nd millennium, one stone has over 60 sacrificial cavities
- Valjala church – probably the oldest rural church in Estonia (built 1240-1270), in Late Roman style, unique murals
- Valjala hill fort – 12th-13th century, 120 x 110 m, height of walls 3-8 m, the site of the final battle of Estonia’s ancient fight for freedom
- Kaali Crater Museum of Meteoritics and Limestone (lunch break on request)
- Kaali craters
- Kudjape cemetery – many interesting grave monuments
3* hotel in Kuressaare
In the town, we will visit:
- Kuressaare Bishop’s Castle – 13th-18th century, the castle houses the Saaremaa Museum
- Saaremaa Museum – exposition on the history, nature and ashlars of Saaremaa in the Bishops’ Castle of Kuressaare
The route includes the following attractions:
- Scene of the Tehumardi Night Battle of 8 October 1944
- Sõrve Peninsula
- Vilsandi National Park – includes the island of Vislandi with the surrounding islets and the peninsulas of Western Saaremaa. Species-rich community of seabirds, resting spots of seals, interestingKurevere barrows and worship stones – the largest group of archaeological remains in Saaremaa, 7 worship stones (1st millennium BC), ca 60 stone barrows (1st millennium BC and 7th-12th century)
We will board the boats at an old and romantic harbour site, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful harbours in Saaremaa, even though it is currently not in use. We will row between the islets of the National Park, marvel at the scenic view of Vilsandi, the harbours and lighthouses. If the nesting period of birds is over, we can also stop on one of the islets. Who knows, we might even reach Vilsandi! The exact route will depend on the weather and stamina of the travellers.The trip includes a nice picnic on the beach. Everyone gets a local souvenir as a reminder of this adventure.
Trip duration: 3-4 hours
Price: 30 EUR/person (at least 4 participants required)
Total number of places in boats: 15
Price includes: a place in boat, paddles, lifejackets, meal, souvenir, guide services. Other options include a kayaking trip to Vilsandi or ride through the sea on a truck.
Accommodation:
Loode Tourism Farm
Option 2: Kuressaare - Sõrve Peninsula – Vilsandi
Accommodation options on Vilsandi in Tolli farm or Kusti farm
Day 5: Loode - Pidula - Silla - Mustjala - Võhma - Panga - Metsküla - Leisi - Triigi (B, L, D)
The route includes the following attractions:
- Pidula watermill – one of the oldest in Saaremaa (1809)
- Pidula Manor – small Baroque main building from the 18th century
- Kolju (Kalja) Mouth – karstic cavity of 70-80 m in diameter and 3-4 m in depth
- Mustjala church - 1863, historicist/eclectic
- Mustjala Orthodox church
- Paatsa hill fort, 12th-13th century
- Tuiu iron smelting hills – remains of some 20 iron smelting sites, some partially restored; the largest known ancient iron smelting site
- Panga (Mustjala) cliff – the highest cliff in Saaremaa, H = 21 m, length 2.7 km
- Laugu glass house – workshop of the glass artist Peeter Rudas' Hen-house of Rannaküla Manor
- Leisi Orthodox Church
Sõru-Ristna 50 km
Attractions:
- Sõru coastal-museum- among the others- Three-Masted Trader "Ernst Jaakson"
- Tohvri coastal defence batteries- from World War I
- World War II coastal defense facilities
- Kurisu doline karst-largest sinkhole 200 x 30m in Hiiumaa, 6 m deep
- Mäenspe church- 1908 y.
- Õngu windmill-19th century
- Ülendi settlement site- approx 3500 y. old
- Kaleste village- a typical architecture of II half of 19th century
- Ristna lighthouse-1874 y.
- Optional: Jet Ski riding
At Tahkuna Peninsula
Day 6: Tahkuna - Kärdla - Nõmba - Käina - Kassari (B)
Accommodation:
In Kassari- Mäeotsa Farm
Keldrimäe Guesthouse
In Käina-Lõokese Spa Hotel
Day 7: Kassari - Heltermaa (25 km) - Heltermaa - Rohuküla by ferry (B, L)
The route includes the following attractions:
- Vaemla Wool Factory-we can observe the work process
- Mäe windmill
- Ruins of Haapsalu Bishop’s Castle – a view of the town from the watchtower
- Estonian Railway Museum – development of railway, stationmaster’s office, old rolling stock
- bicycles on the railway
- a bicycle trip on the former rail bed of Keila-Haapsalu railway, a railway with a unique history: old station buildings and railway villages.
Electric train from Riisipere to Tallinn. Walking from Balti Railway Station to the hotel.
Accommodation:
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