Augustów Canal – City Break in Grodno – 3 days

Feel the unique atmosphere of Belarus, a beautiful and hospitable country, and see Augustów Canal on the other side of the border - VISA-FREE!

Augustów Canal – surrounded by woods of Augustów Primeval Forest; a unique artificial waterway, on a European scale, which combines both natural forces of Mother Nature and the ingenuity of men. It is a cross-border area which connects three borders, namely: Polish, Belorussian, and Lithuanian. Moreover, in 1968, the Augustów Canal  was declared a monument of Polish technology. It is considered one of the greatest natural wonders of nature, and in 2009, it received a Golden Certificate of the Polish Tourist Organization. Moreover, in 2015, it became one of the “seven wonders” of Poland.

The canal has a total length of 103,6 km (approx. 63 miles), The watershed area of the canal on the Polish side of the border is 81 km. The total difference in water levels, which is 54 m, is regulated by 18 historic, renovated locks (14 on the Polish side, 3 on the Belarusian side, and 1 on the border). In Poland, the biggest lock is in Paniewo – with two chambers and the difference in water levels of 6,40 m; and in Belarus – Niemnowo lock with 4 chambers and the difference in water levels of 9,8m.

Border crossing and passport control is performed in a kayak.

Grodno – often emerges as the most fabulous, most medieval among all Belarusian cities. A charming quiet town with lots of greenery, Grodno has the largest number of historical attractions among all cities of Belarus.

The route is relatively easy, recommended for everyone with a good physical condition, even for beginners. On Augustów Canal there is no current, no obstacles and no portages.

Program

1^st day:

till 11.00 – Arrival in Augustów, SZOT Base (how to find us) – office; water equipment rental – kayaks, canoes, bikes, tents; Villa Skomanda – hotel; restaurant; bungalow (8 comfortable rooms); summer houses; playground for children; outdoor sauna; sheltered barbeque area with a fireplace; fenced parking area.

In the neighborhood, there is a large bakery, where you can conveniently do shopping before you start your kayaking trip.

There is a possibility to book an extra night in Villa Skomanda before the kayaking trip – ask about the availability.

Before we start the tour, a short briefing will be provided (organizational and safety issues; kayaking instructions).

Transportation to the kayaking starting point; border crossing and passport control at Kurzyniec lock.

Kayaking route: Rudawka – Niemnowo   /20 km
3 locks: Kurzyniec, Wołkuszek, Dąbrówka.
Accommodation – dormitory rooms, bathrooms / campsite. Possibility of sauna bathing.

2^nd day:

10 AM – 5 PM – sightseeing in Grodno – with a Polish-speaking guide:
Return to Niemnowo. Night’s accommodation.

3^rd day:

Kayaking route: Niemnowo – Rudawka   /20 km
3 locks: Dąbrówka, Wołkuszek, Kurzyniec; border crossing and passport control.
The end of the kayaking trip. Transportation to Augustów.

at around 6 PM – the end of the kayaking trip

Price

889 PLN /person                 819 PLN /children up to 12
STANDARD Option – accommodation at agritourism farms, dormitory rooms /without bedding/, catering (HB)

749 PLN /person                 679 PLN /children up to 12
CAMPSITE Option – accommodation at campsites on the route, catering (HB)

Price includes

• two night’s accommodation – depending on your chosen option
• 2 x HB catering (breakfast, dinner),
• seat in a double SZOT KOMFORT kayak with paddling gear (paddle, life jacket, soft seat),
• transportation: Augustów – Rudawka, Rudawka – Augustów,
• Polish-speaking lifeguard / kayaking instructor
• sightseeing in Grodno (transportation, Polish-speaking guide,
• pass allowing to cross the border without a visa,
• lock fees on the Polish and Belarusian side,
• accident insurance (AXA in both, Poland and Belarus)

Parking lot during the trip – FOR FREE.

Paid separately

• renting a single SZOT kayak; kayaking in a double kayak individually – 35 PLN/person/trip
• renting a single CAROLINA kayak – 70 PLN/person/trip
• renting a double polyethylene kayak: CRUISER II / VISTA / HORIZON – 10 PLN/person/trip
• renting a 2-person igloo tent – 90 PLN/trip + deposit of 50 PLN
• renting a foam mattress – 6 PLN/trip
• renting a waterproof bag (55l) or barrel (3,5l/10,4l) – 15 PLN/trip + deposit of 50 PLN
• showers on the route /CAMPSITE option/ – approx. 7-10 PLN/person
• sauna bathing – approx. 120 PLN/group
• available to purchase in SZOT office: maps, waterproof mobile phone cases, sport gloves, sun hats and raincoats.

Additional information

• a scanned copy of a passport (the side with a photo) must be sent at least 5 days before the start of the trip in order to get the visa-free pass,
• the minimum number of participants: 12 persons
• trip members must be in an appropriate state of health, which allows to participate in a kayaking trip. Kids and teenagers can take part in a kayaking trip only under supervision of their parents or legal age guardians
• accommodation:
  • STANDARD – dormitory rooms at a waterside hostel on the route; bathrooms.
  • CAMPSITE – campsite on the route  /separate building with showers and toilets/
• additional fee is required for showers on the route /CAMPSITE option/ – approx. 7-10 PLN/person
• Food: delicious, home-made meals with elements of regional cuisine. Dinner is served on the first day of your stay; breakfast – on the last day
• There is a possibility to book an extra night in Villa Skomanda before or after the kayaking trip – with a discount
• We provide first-quality 1-, 2-, and 3-persons kayaks
• Things you should take with you: sleeping bag (accommodation on the route does not include bedding). In a CAMPSITE option: a tent and a foam mattress (you can rent these in SZOT office).
• We also suggest you to take: comfortable, lightweight footwear – sandals/ slides/ water shoes, mosquito repellant, fleece sweatshirts, warm clothes suitable for night weather conditions, fingerless gloves, raincoats, and of course, a GOOD MOOD!