Czech Canoe and Cultural Tour 2026
Places are full. Due to great interest, the Czech canoe and culture trip will also take place in August:
Czech Canoe and Cultural Trip 2026/2 — elamus+
A canoe trip on the Vltava River differs from the canoe trips usually familiar to Estonians in its sociality and cultural richness. In the summer, this river is very popular, so it feels like a festival on the river. Every few kilometers, you can stop at a restaurant or a tent camp. Along the way, you will pass several of the loveliest towns in South Bohemia with their architectural and cultural heritage: Český Krumlov, České Budějovice. The river itself has a relatively slow flow, which is “spiced up” by some falls from dams.
The end of June and the beginning of July is a good time for canoeing on the Vltava River: the air temperature is 23°C to 25°C during the day, 15°C to 20°C at night.
The hike is also suitable for those who have never canoed before - everyone can do it! If you can't row, the distances are such that the river will still flow downstream to the camp by evening. The hike takes place in two canoes, all necessary equipment is provided by the canoe rental company.
We stay in hostels in cities and also in camping cabins during the canoe trip.
We carry the necessary things with us in the canoes during the hike. In Prague and Český Krumlov, we can also leave things at the hostel for the day. If necessary, anything unnecessary during the hike can be sent to the end point of the hike in České Budějovice before the canoeing begins.
Overview - short & sweet
Objective: to explore the towns and villages along the Vltava River in the Czech Republic by canoeing for about 70 km.
Dates: 28.06.-5.07.2026
Activities: canoeing on the Vltava River, walks in Prague, Český Krumlov, České Budějovice
Adventure guide: Evelyn Fridolin
Technical difficulty level: 1/5 (easy canoe trip without special equipment)
Physical difficulty: 2/5 (medium effort, suitable for everyone)
Group size: min 8, max 12
Hiking adventure price:
Early bird (until 31.03.2026) — €990
Standard Registration (01.04-30.04.2026) — €1089
Late Registration (from 01.05.2026)— €1188
NB! Elamus+ community members get a 5–10% discount. Read more and check your discount eligibility. community members page.
Travel cost
Price includes:
Entire trip organization and on-site guidance
Elamus+ Estonian-speaking tour guide (also speaks English) who has canoed the Vltava River himself
Local transportation (rental bus from Prague to the starting point of the canoe trip and public transportation tickets in Prague)
Canoe rental: double canoes
Museum visits: Prague City Hall, Cubism Museum, Rozenberk Castle, Český Krumlov Castle and Tower, Egon Shiele Museum
All overnight stays throughout the trip (in hotels and camping houses)
Breakfasts in Český Krumlov
Graduation dinner
Stylish Elamus+ sports shirt for each participant
Group pharmacy
The price does not include:
Flight tickets to Prague and back (~120-300 €)
Insurance (travel insurance)
Personal hiking equipment (comfortable clothing for canoeing, light footwear)
Meals not included in the trip price
Extra activities and transportation for them
Personal hygiene products and medications
Registering for the tour
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a deposit (20%) must be paid within 3 business days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by email; if there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule and activities
DAY 1 - ARRIVAL IN PRAGUE
Arrival on Sunday, June 28. Direct flights from both Tallinn (Eurowings) and Riga (Ryanair). First introduction to the city. We will spend the night in a hostel in the center of Prague, 2-4 people per room.
DAY 2 - PRAHA
Exploring the unique architectural heritage of the Czech Republic, which includes the Gothic Charles Bridge (over the Vltava River!) and the Town Hall, abundant cubist architecture, as well as the creations of world-famous architects such as Zaha Hadid and Frank Gehry. We will move around the city either on foot or by public transport. Meals with local food in cafes/restaurants - you can taste the local cuisine! Since today we will stay in the same hostel as the previous one, you can do the whole city day with a lighter bag.
DAY 3 - Start of the canoe trip: Vyšší Brod - Rozenberk
12 km approx. 2,5 hours of canoeing
We take a pre-booked bus from Prague to Vyšší Brod. The ride takes about 2,5 hours. We briefly explore the small town of Vyšší Brod and start a canoe trip. We pack everything we need for the trip into the canoes. If necessary, unnecessary stuff can be sent to České Budějovice (the end point of the trip). The river is quite calm, during the day there may be a few dams or falls, from which the descent is marked with arrows and is safe - the only risk is that the person in the canoe in front will get wet. Lunch at the U tří veverek (Three Squirrels) camp. In the evening we reach the Rožemberk camp, where we will also spend the night in the campsites (2-4 people per room). The Rožemberk castle dates back to the 13th century and is within walking distance of the campsites. There is also a restaurant at the campsites where you can have a drink.
DAY 4 - Rožmberk - Český Krumlov
22 km approx. 4,5 hours of canoeing
We wake up at the campsites and continue our canoe trip. Lunch at a riverside restaurant. That day we reach the UNESCO World Heritage town of Český Krumlov, where we leave our canoes at the camp. Dinner will probably be at one of the many restaurants in Šveiki. Overnight stay in double rooms at the Český Krumlov hostel.
DAY 5 - Český Krumlov Town Day
A little city break in the middle of a canoe trip! A chance to visit Český Krumlov Castle and its tower, the castle garden, the medieval town and the Egon Shiele Museum. Since we are staying in the same place as last night, we can leave unnecessary stuff at the hostel for the day. Breakfast is served at the hostel, other meals in the city.
DAY 6 - Český Krumlov - Zlatá Koruna
16 km approx. 3 hours of canoeing
After breakfast at the hostel, we pack our things and continue with a canoe trip - the day starts with beautiful city views from the river, plus a couple of fun descents from the dams. For lunch, there are several options at riverside eateries. In the evening, we arrive at the Zlatá Koruna camp, which is located next to a small village with a monastery and, of course, a local pub. We spend the night in rooms 2-4 in the camp's campsites.
Day 7 - Zlata Koruna - Borsov
20 km approx. 4 hours of canoeing
Breakfast at the Zlata koruna camp. This day is more nature-focused than the previous ones. On the way, we will pass a ruined castle and riverside forests. In the evening, we will reach České Budějovice, where we will leave the canoes that served us. České Budějovice is a typical Bohemian town, where you can enjoy local fun, food and drinks and celebrate the end of the canoe trip! Among other things, the town is home to the famous pencil factory KOH-I-NOOR. We will spend the night in a local hostel in rooms for 2-4 people.
Day 8 - BACK HOME!
Breakfast and a short walk in České Budějovice. Then we head to Prague by bus. Flight from Prague to Tallinn.
NB! There may be minor changes to the schedule and planned activities - for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Hiking equipment
Here is a list of the most important things you may need on a hike.
Daypack for excursions.
Comfortable, lightweight shoes for canoeing, but also for walking around town.
Spoon/fork/spork for eating camping food.
Water bottle and optional snacks
Wind and rainproof jacket and pants
Comfortable clothes for canoeing
Waterproof bag/mini bag for equipment - other stuff can be put in the waterproof plastic barrel that comes with the canoe. You can also bring a waterproof bag (but it is not mandatory).
Power bank and phone with wires
Sunscreen (the stronger the better), first aid kit, medication, toiletries
Swimwear
Sunglasses
You can always ask the adventure guide for advice!
Travel documents, Covid and footnote information
The participant is responsible for the validity and orderliness of their travel documents. The following documents are required for this trip:
ID card or passport;
travel insurance (including travel disruption, baggage, medical assistance).
We recommend that you take out travel insurance immediately after receiving confirmation of your travel registration so that you are also covered for longer-term health problems!
Read more also Elamus Pluss OÜ travel conditions
Don't worry, let's do it!
Is this hike suitable for me?
Absolutely! This is an active vacation that is affordable for any adventurer with an active lifestyle.
But I don't have any hiking gear, who can afford to buy it?!
You won't need them on this hike ;) The Czech climate is such that normal sportswear, a hat, and light hiking shoes are enough for hiking. On land, we will travel with a light bag.
Okay, I registered. Now what?
To make the hike more enjoyable, we recommend participating in our preparatory events before the trip - it's also part of the fun. Elamus+ also organizes preparatory hiking training and, if desired, we can provide advice on suitable insurance and equipment, etc.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
