The long May weekend in a kayak – 3 rivers in 3 days

Tired of the hustle and bustle and constant rush of big cities? Dreaming of a short holiday amidst amazing nature and fresh air? Grab a paddle and enjoy your May weekend in Augustów. 2024

The most beautiful routes – relax on the Czarna Hańcza River, adventure on the Rospuda River and adrenaline on the Marycha River. Do not hesitate!

Turn off the stress – get relax!  😉

• The queen of Augustów Lakeland rivers – the Czarna Hańcza – meanders calmly along grasslands and woods of Augustów Primeval Forest. Take it easy, relax and enjoy the magnificent views and smell of the forest.
• Augustów Canal – a unique artificial waterway, on a European scale, which combines both natural forces of Mother Nature and the ingenuity of men.
• Marycha River meanders along the border area of Poland and Lithuania. In the final part, it meets Belarus. Due to its wild nature, on the route there are many natural obstacles in form of fallen trees that will ensure an unforgettable adventure.
• Beautiful and surprising Rospuda River runs between high, steep river banks overgrown with trees. Along the river there are sections with rocky bottom and large boulders here and there, but there are also calmer ones, where the river is mild and surrounded by banks covered with bulrush. It also crosses several picturesque lakes. The waters of the famous Rospuda Valley are reachable only by a kayak!

Comfortable accommodation in Augustów; next to a forest, tasty, home-made meals; daily transports; extra attractions available on-site; comprehensive organization.

Accommodation: Villa Skomanda in Augustów – rooms or summer houses or a campsite.
Catering: HB – buffet breakfast, dinner

Program

02.05.2024

till 10:30 AM –  arrival in Augustów.

The SZOT Base (how to find us) is located on 8 hectares of land. There are Villa Skomanda – a hotel with a restaurant, bungalow – rooms with separate entrances from the veranda, 4-person summer houses. There is also the SZOT tourist office, kayak and canoes rental, a playground for children, a traditional wood-fired sauna, a sheltered barbecue area with a bonfire place, and a large car park. Everything in a fenced area, surrounded by a forest and a large green space.
We are situated in a picturesque part of Augustów town, close to Augustów Primeval Forest, Augustów Canal, and “Green Velo” cycle trail.

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

11:30 AM – transportation to the kayaking starting point.

Czarna Hańcza and Augustów Canal kayaking route: Dworczysko – Mikaszówka   /12 km

An attractive part of the river meanders among the majestic, natural forests of the Augustów Primeval Forest – the second largest forest complex in the Poland. The river flows in a rather narrow bed, the current is gentle and safe. There are many bends on the route, some fallen trees, branches sticking out of the water. The most of them can be kayaked over, paddling skillfuly. For experienced kayakers it is a piece of cake, for beginners it is more adrenaline 😉

We start the kayaking trip in a small village and immediately enter the world of beautiful forest nature. The next village is not until in 10 km. There is charming and convenient place for a stop and a bath on the route after 5 km kayaking (three Oaks). The last two kilometers we kayak through the fascinating Augustów Canal regulated by historic, manually operated locks (must-see!). In total, we will rise over 5 meters. Attraction! In Mikaszówka there is an old wooden church built in the traditional architectural style, a perfect match for the wilderness of old-growth forests.

Duration: approx. 4,5 hours of kayaking.

approx. 5.00 PM Transportation from the ending point back to Augustów / check-in possible from 3 PM/, accommodation.

03.05.2024

09.00 AM – transportation to the kayaking starting point.

Marycha kayaking route: Zelwa – Stanowisko  /20 km

Beautiful, wild and meandering river. It starts in the area of Kukle forest preserve, and then runs along the border area of Poland and Lithuania. On the route there are many natural obstacles in form of fallen trees. As an additional attraction, sometimes it is necessary to get out of the kayak and push or move it over the obstacle. The ending point is located 2 km from the place where three borders meet: Polish, Lithuanian, and Belorussian.

Duration of kayaking: approx. 5 hours

approx. 4.00 PM transportation from the ending point back to Augustów.

04.05.2024

After breakfast, check-out.

10.00 AM – transportation to the kayaking starting point.

Rospuda kayaking route: Małe Raczki – Święte Miejsce /15 km

Along the river there are sections with sharp curves, fallen trees and large boulders, but there are also calmer ones, where the river is mild and free of obstacles. In summertime the route is relatively easy. Surrounded by beautiful, picturesque scenery! On the route there is a food bar “Chodorki”. On the route there are two unique spots to visit: the ruins of Pac Palace in Dowspuda, and Święte Miejsce nature reserve – cultural and religious site. Transportation from the ending point back to Augustów.

Duration: approx. 4 hours of kayaking.

approx. 3.30 PM transportation from the ending point back to Augustów.

Guests departure Or extend your stay and:

sightseeing Augustów, cycling trip (bike rental on site at Villa Skomanda), a cruise and many other attractions.

We also offer one-day trips: to the Suwałki- Augustów Lake district, to Lithuania – Vilnius and Trakai. Reservation of excursions at the reception desk; pick-up of participants and return transport to Villa Skomanda.

Extend your stay or arrive earlier and get an attractive discount for accommodation with breakfast of 10%.

Price

• 919 PLN /person
• 669 PLN /children up to 12, sharing a room with 2 parents
• 859 PLN /children up to 12, sharing a room with 1 person
• 739 PLN /3rd person in a room
  VILLA Option – in a 2-person room

• 839 PLN /person
• 779 PLN /children up to 12
  SUMMER-HOUSE Option – in a 4-person house

• 889 PLN /person
• 829 PLN /children up to 12
  SUMMER-HOUSE Option – in a 3-person house

• 999 PLN /person
• 939 PLN /children up to 12
  SUMMER-HOUSE Option – in a 2-person house

• 729 PLN /person
• 629 PLN /children up to 12
  CAMPSITE Option – SZOT campsite

Price includes

• seat in a double polyethylene kayak CRUISER II / VISTA / HORIZON with paddling gear (paddle, life jacket, soft seat) – 3 days
• 2 overnight stays – depending on your chosen option
• 2 x HB catering (breakfast, dinner); children up to 12 – ½ servings
• daily transportations of people to the kayaking starting point and back
• lifeguard / kayaking instructor guidance – 3 days
• kayaks’ launching fees
• accident insurance (EUROPA, 20 000 PLN)
• Guarantee Fund contribution of 2 PLN
• Tourist Relief Fund contribution of 2 PLN

Nutritional needs, any diets, should be reported at least two days in advance at the Reception.

Parking lot during the kayaking tour – free.

For our regular guests we offer an additional discount.

In the backyard you will find:

• outdoor, wood-burning sauna
• volleyball court
• sheltered barbeque area with a fireplace
• playground for children
• rental office: kayaks, bikes, Nordic-walking poles
• parking area

Paid separately

•  local fee (cash only) – 6 PLN/person/trip,
•  locks on Augustów Canal (2 on the route) – 5,40 PLN/per kayak/per lock.
•  extra charge for the single bungalow room – 230 PLN /3 overnight stays
•  CAMPSITE option only – warm shower in SZOT Base – 5 PLN/shower
•  renting a single CAROLINA kayak; kayaking in a double kayak individually – 70 PLN/trip
•  renting a waterproof bag (55l) or barrel (3,5l/10,4l) – 20 PLN/trip + deposit of 50 PLN
• sauna bathing – 250 PLN/2 hours/group
• possibility of increasing the insurance sum
• additional insurance against trip cancellation costs – 2,5% of the total price. General Insurance Terms and Conditions Cancellation Costs – EUROPA
•  available to purchase in the SZOT office: maps, waterproof mobile phone cases, sun hats and raincoats.

Additional information

• • If you want to spend your free time in an active way, you are more than welcome to join us and become a kayaker! No matter how old or fit you are, our kayakers are of different age and shape. They are families with children or students, couples and those kayaking on their own. Simply everyone who just wishes to spend their free time actively, in fresh air and surrounded by beautiful nature. Anyone who wants to meet new people, looks for an adventure, and who enjoys spending free time with family and friends
  • 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:
    • Bungalow (wooden) – 2-person rooms with an additional bed – folding sofa. Facilities: fridge, coffee and tea set, bedding, bathroom, shower
    • Summer houses – Designed for 4 persons; with a wooden terrace and bedroom in the attic. On the ground floor there is a living room with a bathroom.
    • SZOT campsite next to Villa Skomanda; toilets with sinks are available, showers are charged extra.
  • In the backyard you will find: a playground for children, dry sauna, sheltered barbeque area with a fireplace, bicycles for rent
  • Food: delicious, home-made meals with elements of regional cuisine in Villa Skomanda. Dinner is served on the first; breakfast on the last day of your stay
  • We provide first-quality 1-, 2-, and 3-person kayaks
  • The minimum number of participants: 8
  • There is a possibility to book an extra night before or after the kayaking trip – with a discount
  • We 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!

We are a licenced touroperator listed in the Central Register of Tourism Organizers No. 17/00/04 issued by the Marshal of the Podlaskie Voivodeship and the Insurance Guarantee of the Insurance Company EUROPA.

Get into a kayak and get inspired with us! 😉