Amazing Journey in Nature - My recent day trip to Gauja National Park was an unforgettable experience, and it would not have been the same without our amazing tour guides, Roland and Volters. From the moment we met them at the designated meeting point, their warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm set the tone for a fantastic day ahead. Roland's friendliness was infectious, making our group instantly comfortable with each other. Throughout the journey, he shared fascinating stories about the park's history, local legends, and the remarkable biodiversity that flourishes within its boundaries. His knowledge and passion for the area were evident, and it felt like we were exploring the park with an old friend rather than a typical guide. As we ventured deeper into Gauja National Park, I couldn't help but be captivated by the sheer beauty of nature that surrounded us. Roland introduced the diverse natural landscapes, from limestone cliffs to the meadow ecosystem, weaving in history and local legends. We even got to try some of the flora (a.k.a. Woodland Sorrel) XD. The lush green forests, pristine rivers, and breathtaking landscapes left us awe-struck at every turn. Roland also brought us through some improv exercises during breaks, which livened the trip even further! The tour also included a relaxing walk along the picturesque trails of Sigulda, where the charming medieval castle ruins stood as a testament to Latvia's rich history. Roland's knowledge of the region's cultural heritage enriched the visit, and he encouraged us to take our time and soak in the tranquility of the surroundings. To top it off, Roland recommended a great location to celebrate Midsummer's day in Grīziņkalns park where we met him and his lovely wife by chance. More than 50% of Latvia is covered by forests, so experiencing its natural landscape is not-to-be-missed. This tour was definitely the highlight of my Baltic trip!

Tasting the Country - We were seven people and we've had fun by visiting the park. It was a beautiful experience, enhanced by the friendly presence of the guide, Rolands, who also let us taste some local products in open air.

Kayaking in Gauja National Park, Latvia - Having spent the last few days visiting museums and walking the streets of Riga, my friend and I were ready to enjoy some nature so I booked a one day kayaking trip with i-DA Adventure down the Gauja River in the Gauja National Park. I didn’t really know what to expect but I am now so glad we did it. Rolands our guide picked us up from the hotel and we knew straight away that this was going to a fun day out. Rolands started our adventure in a tributary of the Gauja River so that we could enjoy kayaking on different terrains, dodging trees and some fun rapids, great for beginners and more experienced kayakers under the watchful eye of Rolands. We then reached the vast open river and kayaked through the beautiful sandstone cliffs aligning the river banks. The river’s current helping any tired arms and one could just really just sit back and paddle down this vast open water. Rolands offered us some local knowledge about the conservation projects in the areas and an insight into Latvian culture and social history along with relaxing silences as we enjoyed the surrounding landscape. It was a fantastically hot day and the trip was interjected with stops for swimming to cool off along with a prepared a lunch of traditional Latvian delights which was a lovely surprise. It really was a highlight of our 2-week trip travelling through the Baltics, with a particular shout out to Roland our guide who was just like having another friend of the trip. I would really recommend if you can take the time to fit it into your itinerary. After 23K, with tired arms , we then slept well that night.

Great highly recommend - The guide provided comprehensive background information and is very skilled and knowledgeable about the area.

Outstanding natural beauty with an outstanding guide - I find Latvia, and Riga, a welcoming place in general and that positive impression has just been so reinforced, and greatly exceeded by my experience with Rolands on the kayak tour. With great environmental and local knowledge, as you would expect, Rolands went above and beyond bringing everything to life with a depth of personal experience. But he need not have done as the environment itself was so breath taking - with mist rising from an untouched natural world absolutely full of river life it felt at times like you where paddling down the Amazon or were an extra on the set of Jurassic park. More was provided than could have been expected in the tour description. I was left feeling looked after and thoroughly contented. If you want a TRULY unforgettable experience and experience a different side of Latvia, the "real Latvia" whatever that means, book this tour. You will be glad you did.