YOGASWIM LITHUANIA

After waking, we meet for our morning yoga practice. Here we will develop our stability and alignment for the specific muscle groups we will use when swimming. We will then have time to explore Iyengar Yoga and how it complements our swimming. Our first swim of the day starts with a short scenic walk through the forest to a quiet swim spot on Lake Lūšiai, following our swim we retrace our steps through the forest back to Tiki Inn for lunch.

The length of our afternoon swim has some flexibility and your guides will adjust their plans depending on the wishes of the group. It’s then back to the Tiki Inn in time for a restorative yoga practice, where we’ll take the time to relax our bodies and release any tension. We will then be ready to watch a beautiful Lithuanian sunset reflected in the water.

After our morning yoga practice we have breakfast and an opportunity to sit and contemplate the beauty of the surroundings. We will explore a deeper awareness of the body, mind and breathing, and how this can assist us in the water.

After our breakfast, we head out to another of the local lakes for the morning swim of 1 to 2km where the calm water will refresh and awaken us. The grass banks which sweep down to the lake’s shore are an excellent place to unwind from the swim. After a break, it is then time for lunch.

In the afternoon we take a short, gentle swim. After this, we are transported back to our accommodation where we enjoy another deep restorative yoga practice and a delicious evening meal at the Tiki Inn. There is a chance this evening to have a traditional Lithuanian sauna followed by a soak in the wood fired hot tubs.

We start the day a little later today with our morning yoga practice. You’ll then have the morning to rest, kayak or SUP on the lake in front of the Tiki Inn. You could also take the option to join us on a silent meditation walk, taking in the beauty and sounds of the forest, before returning in time for lunch.

After lunch we walk the botanical trail around to start of our swim and return by water to the Tiki Inn. There will then be time for a shower before we undertake our final deep restorative yoga practice. In the evening after dinner, you can relax out on the deck or enjoy an early night.

On our last day, we will bring everything we have learnt together for our final yoga practice - how yoga has the ability to train the mind and body and how we can take this into our everyday lives to enhance all that we do. We will also have the time to discuss any of the practices we have done. After this we will enjoy our last dip in the water, a shorter, more mindful swim, saying our farewells to the lakes, their shores and surrounding forests. After the swim, there is time for a well-earned lunch together before the trip ends with a final sitting and contemplation of our days together.

Equipment Checklist

In addition to your daily non-swimming clothes, we also recommend that you bring the following items:

*Try to bring one clear lens and one tinted lens for different light conditions.

Please note that SwimTrek will supply yoga mats, swim hats and provide water and electrolyte drinks in shared water bottles on your safety boat. If you prefer to use your own drink bottle, please feel free to bring one along. If you would like to use a wetsuit, rash vest or fins during your swims, please ensure that you bring these with you.

Yoga Practice

Our 1-1 ½ hour morning practice is designed to help you prepare for the day, energising and invigorating your body for exhilarating swims and walks. This practice may include a mix of standing poses (asanas), back or forward bends. All poses are completely optional and props may be used for support. The practice will develop stability and alignment for the specific muscle groups we will use when swimming.

After our active day, we’ll unwind our tired bodies and relax with a restorative evening yoga class. This is a gentle session which will help the mind and body let go and allow you to enter a state of relaxation.

Swimming Distances

*The shorelines of most of these lakes are very grassy and reedy. It is advisable to only enter and exit the lakes at the designated entry and exit points in order to avoid these. It should also be noted that there are no shoreline tracks for non-swimmers to follow the group.

Swimming Conditions

These lakes are some of the world's cleanest freshwater lakes, however, water quality can be an issue due to water run-off from the fields. Blue-green algae and Weil’s disease are two possible contaminants. If you do feel unwell at any stage during or after the trip, you should go to your GP immediately, telling them you have been lake swimming.

Walking Conditions

Most walks take place on recognised paths and tracks, however, there may be cases where we walk along trails or other unsealed surfaces and care should be taken in these areas.

Temperatures

*Please note that these temperatures are indicative and should be used as a guide only.

Weather Caveat

For safety reasons, we rely on decent weather conditions when carrying out our swims. As a consequence, open water swimming holidays require a certain degree of on-trip flexibility which can result in changes to the planned itinerary. These changes often add a touch of uniqueness to your trip and will be communicated to you by your SwimTrek guides as quickly as possible. The itinerary may vary depending on weather, as may the lakes temperatures. Hence, you may require a wetsuit for some swims, but not others.

Group Size and Boat Support

This trip has a maximum group size of 15. The group will be split into a maximum of three groups, based on speed, with each group being accompanied by their own safety vessel/escort. 

Boat support on this trip includes a Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) and two canoes, piloted by your SwimTrek guides and Safety Support Crew. Please note that this boat support is subject to change without notice and cannot be guaranteed.

There are several ways to travel to Paluse, however, the most common route is to fly into Vilnius Airport and book a transfer service via our accommodation partners at the Tiki Inn. It is also possible to travel to the Tiki Inn via public transport.

Alternatively, you can also fly into Kaunas Airport and book a private transfer to your accommodation, however, please note the transfer time is longer when using this option.

While we have outlined various travel options below, they are subject to change and should be used as a guide only. Whichever route you choose to take, we recommend confirming your flights and other travel bookings as early as possible in order to avoid price rises and availability issues.

Flights to Vilnius

To search for available flights into Vilnius Airport, we suggest that you use Skyscanner.

Public Transport From Vilnius Airport To Paluse

The cheapest option way to travel from the airport to the Tiki inn is to take a train to Ignalina via Vilnius and connect with the complimentary transfer to the Tiki Inn.

As you come out of arrivals from the airport, the train station is approximately 400m to the right of the bus stops in front of you. Take the elevator down to the tracks and hop on the train to Vilnius. This takes around eight minutes and costs approximately €1. Tickets can be purchased on the train, however please make sure you have some change with you. Train timetables can be viewed at www.traukiniobilietas.lt. Alternatively, you can take bus number 1 which runs to Vilnius station from directly outside the airport terminal and costs approximately €1. A timetable and map of this bus route can be found at Lit Rail - Vilnius Station.

Once you reach Vilnius, you will need to catch a train to continue onto Ignalina. From Vilnius station it takes roughly 1½ - 2 hours and will cost between €4 - €7. When you arrive in Ignalina, your complimentary transfer will meet you and take you to the Tiki Inn. A full itinerary of the journey can be found at Lit Rail.

Please note that if you do choose this option, please contact Matthew at the Tiki Inn and let him know your expected arrival time into Ignalina so that a transfer from the station to the Tiki Inn can be arranged for you. You can contact Matthew to let him know your arrival time via email at matas@tikiinn.com.

Transfer From Vilnius Airport To Paluse

The Tiki Inn offers a transfer service from Vilnius Airport to Paluse which takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. The transfer can accommodate up to eight guests and costs €135.Please note that this transfer must be booked at least seven days in advance by contacting Matthew at the Tiki Inn to advise of your flight number and arrival time via email at matas@tikiinn.com.

Flights to Kaunas

To search for available flights into Kaunas Airport, we suggest that you use Skyscanner.

Public Transport From Kaunas Airport To Paluse

The cheapest option of travelling from the airport to the Tiki Inn is via Express Microbus and the connecting train to Ignalina and then join the complimentary transfer service to Tiki Inn.

Please note that if you do choose this option, please contact Matthew at the Tiki Inn and let him know your expected arrival time into Ignalina so that a transfer from the station to the Tiki Inn can be arranged for you. You can contact Matthew to let him know your arrival time via email at matas@tikiinn.com.

The Express Microbus service goes from Kaunas Airport to Vilnius train station and costs approximately €10. The journey time is approximately 2½ hours and is a great way to see the Lithuanian countryside. For further information, please visit www.ollex.lt/en/express/Kaunas-airport/buy-a-ticket.

Once you reach Vilnius, you will need to catch a train to continue onto Ignalina. From Vilnius station it takes roughly 1½ - 2 hours and will cost between €4 - €7. When you arrive in Ignalina, your complimentary transfer will meet you and take you to the Tiki Inn. A full itinerary of the journey can be found at Lit Rail.

Alternatively, a bus service runs twice a day from Kaunas Airport to Paluse. This service can take 3-3 ½ hours and costs approximately €12. The Tiki Inn is situated less than a 5 minute walk from the bus stop. Tickets are not available online and must be booked at the booking office. For timetables, please visit Autobusubilietai.

Transfer From Kaunas Airport to The Tiki Inn

The Tiki Inn offers a transfer from Kaunas Airport to Paluse which takes approximately 2-2 ½ hours. The transfer can accommodate up to eight guests and costs €150 for a transfer. Please note that this transfer must be booked at least seven days in advance by contacting Matthew at the Tiki Inn to advise of your flight number and arrival time via email at matas@tikiinn.com.

Accommodation

Nestled between trees on the banks of the Lake Lusiai, the Tiki Inn offers a unique accommodation experience. The guesthouse features a Hawaiian theme and is run by Matthew Olsen and his family, who are welcoming hosts and provide delicious, homemade meals which are included as part of your holiday. The 'community' rooms are used as twin-share accommodation with shared showers and bathrooms, while standard single, twin and double rooms with en suite bathrooms are also available and can be reserved during the booking process, subject to availability.

If you require additional nights’ accommodation before or after the SwimTrek trip, this can be arranged directly through Matthew at the Tiki Inn via email at matas@tikiinn.com.

Extra Activities

As a SwimTrek guest, swimmers and non-swimmers alike, you have access to a range of watersports equipment and other facilities to use during the course of your trip at no extra charge. This equipment includes stand-up paddle boards, bicycles, canoes and hammocks. The use of this equipment can be arranged directly with the Tiki Inn staff during your stay.

Meals

All breakfasts, lunches and dinners are included for both swimmers and non-swimmers. The Tiki Inn has more than one kitchen allowing anyone to prepare their own meals if they wish. For those with strict dietary requirements, we will try to accommodate these if notified at the time of booking. However, if you do prefer certain specialist food, it is advisable to bring these with you, as it is not always possible to source a wide range of options locally.

Extra Expenses

You should bring extra money with you to cover such items as dinners, drinks, entertainment, souvenirs, etc. There is also a €1 fee for the National Park which must be paid locally. The local currency in Lithuania is the Euro (€). There are no cash machines near the Tiki Inn or at the nearest town of Paluse. There are cash machines in the town of Ignalina (3 km from the Tiki Inn) but we advise you withdraw cash before you leave the airport.

Passports and Visas

Lithuania is part of the European Union. Non-residents of Lithuania require a full passport to enter the country, which should be valid for six months beyond the expected length of stay. Citizens of all EU member states, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand do not require a visa to enter Lithuania. Please note that visa regulations are subject to change and we advise that you check your own visa requirements prior to travel.

Health Information and Recommended Vaccinations

For comprehensive health information for people travelling to Lithuania, including all recommended and required vaccinations, please visit Travel Health Pro. Please note that this information is subject to change and you should re-check this site regularly prior to your trip.

Travel Plugs & Electricity

For a useful source of information on the different electrical outlets, electrical plugs, and electric sockets, please visit https://www.worldstandards.eu/.