Private Tour

All Inclusive Honest History Tour - Āraiši, Cēsis, Līgatne, Sigulda

Overview

Available languages

English

Mobile ticket

A private historical tour including a visit to the Soviet Bunker.

On this tour you'll learn everything about history of Latvians and their ancestors. We'll do this in chronological order: first Āraiši Lake Castle - an authentic reconstruction of a prehistoric fortified settlement. Then we move on to Cēsis Castle (1214), main base of Teutonic Knights in this region. Next is Līgatne, where you'll learn about industrial revolution in Russian Empire. After that - to Secret Soviet Bunker for a private visit - only your party and the guide, so you can ask all the questions you might have. And that's all the major periods of Latvian history covered! Finally we continue to Sigulda, catch some picturesque viewpoints and maybe do a little hiking or visit a cave if you're still not tired :)

All the tickets and a traditional Latvian meal for lunch are included.

The tour is customisable, so if you want to drop or add something, just let us know.

Additional Info

Specialized infant seats are available

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect

Araisi ezerpils Archaeological Park

The Araisi Lake Castle is the only authentic reconstruction of a prehistoric fortified settlement in Northeastern Europe. The wooden village, built on a small, flooding island for protection, had been a permanent settlement of ancient Latgalians who arrived in the territory in the 9th-10th century. The lake settlement is a result of experimental archaeology and during its reconstruction copies of ancient tools and methods were used to give it maximum authenticity. We'll wander around the dwelling, have a peek in some houses, learn about the lifestyle of people who could be considered ancestors of modern day Latvians. Besides the Lake Castle, there's more to Āraiši Archaeological Park - there's a reconstruction of some Stone and Bronze Age dwellings, as well as ruins of medieval castle of Livonian Order. So a quick glance on those two, and then we can move on to Cēsis.

1 hour • Admission Included

Cesis Medieval Castle

Cēsis castle was one of the most important footholds for the Teutonic Order in the Baltics during medieval times and now, 800 years later, it's the most impressive and well preserved castle ruins in Latvia. We'll start the visit with Riekstu Hill, an ancient hillfort once inhabited by the Vendi tribe, who invited the German crusaders to join them, before they finished their own castle. Then through the Castle park we'll go and explore the actual medieval castle, it's tower, inner yard and manor house which was added later. The castle suffered greatly in 1577, when, during the siege set by the army of Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible, 300 people sought refuge in the castle and eventually committed suicide by blowing themselves up with gunpowder. With the rapid development of military equipment, the ancient fortress lost its military importance, but it was still inhabited until the end of the 17th century. And that's around the time when the first researchers started to look into it's history.

1 hour • Admission Included

What‘s Included

Private transportation

All Tickets and Entrance Fees

Lunch

Coffee and/or Tea

Pickup points

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