Rhine River BIking
Authentic Germany On Two Wheels
The Rhine is one of Germany’s most iconic rivers, and our guided biking tour along the river is the best way to see it! You will bike along flat bike paths that follow the river past dozens of castles, vineyards, biergartens, and quaint towns. This is the Germany you have always imagined, and an experience you will never forget!
2022 Dates
Contact us for private/custom trip options.
Duration
7 Days/ 6 Nights
Difficulty
Moderate
Group Size
12 guests maximum
Price From
$1,975 per person
Germany Bike Tour Highlights
- Spend the night like royalty in a beautifully restored castle perched above the Rhine
- Bike through the Rhine Gorge, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 40+ castles and fortresses
- Take a break from biking and sail down the Rhine on a river boat to meet up with group
- Sample fine wines while biking through one of Germany's premier wine growing regions
- Admire the beauty of the Cologne Cathedral, one of the most iconic churches in the world
- Enjoy classic German dishes and a fun atmosphere at a typical biergarten for lunch or dinner
Trip Difficulty: Moderate
The biking ranges from 8 to 35 miles per day, with the option to have rest days and/or to reduce the daily biking by utilizing our support van. This is a very manageable distance, especially considering that you have all day to bike, however it will require several hours of biking per day. You can reserve an electric assist bike if you would like to have the same biking experience but with less effort. At any point if you get tired and want to rest, you can easily ride to the next town in our support van or take a scenic cruise on a boat up the Rhine. If you would like to bike faster or slower than the group, your trip leader will provide you with additional information to help you get the most out of your tour.
An Unforgettable Experience
This area is one of the most beautiful locations in Germany and Europe. Our unique itinerary has been designed so that you will get the most out of your trip. We arrange all of the trip logistics including bike rentals (21 speed hybrid bikes), hotels, and even transport your luggage between towns so you just bike with the essentials for that day. One of our leaders is German and can assist with language barriers and can help with any special arrangements. The camaraderie that you experience with the other cyclists, facilitated by the group leaders that have years of experience providing high quality trips, will make the journey even more enjoyable.
Itinerary
This is the general itinerary that is used for the trip. Itineraries are subject to change based on weather, group preferences, and other circumstances. Click on each day to discover a more detailed description of the itinerary.
Cologne is easily accessible from either the Cologne/Bonn or Dusseldorf airports, and has easy train connections from several other European cities such as Brussels and Amsterdam. Cologne is a great city to explore and is dominated by its cathedral, Kölner Dom. This world-famous cathedral is the largest in Germany and dates back to 1248! There are several worthwhile museums to visit, or you can explore the city and take a walk through the parks or along the riverfront. There are plenty of great restaurants and breweries where you can try the local Rhineland cuisine and some of the beer that Germany is famous for!
The first day of biking is easy and flat, and a great warm up for the next few days. We bike along the river and pass through Bonn, the former capital of West Germany, and the birthplace of Beethoven. Bonn is a smaller city that features a lot of outdoor cafes and biergartens along with beautiful architecture from the historic buildings. We continue along the river to the resort town of Konigswinter where you have the evening free to wander and explore the town. We spend the night in a historic riverfront hotel that has hosted royalty and presidents as guests!
(27 miles, 40ft net elevation gain).
During the ride today, the surrounding countryside starts to become a little more hilly, although the path along the river remains flat and perfect for biking! Koblenz is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers, and has plenty of activities for you to enjoy after biking. Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, perched above the city, is one of the largest forts in Europe and houses several museums. You can access the fort via a cable car that crosses the Rhine- a fun experience that gives a different view of the river!
(36 miles, 37ft net elevation gain).
Today you have the option of staying in Koblenz to relax and partake in some of the many activities available in the city, or you can opt to do more biking. The optional ride today is along another famous German river, the Moselle. The river’s character is distinct from the Rhine, but the hills, vineyards and castles all provide plenty of beautiful scenery to admire. You can also decide to bike on your own to do more or less distance than what the group decides.
(Distance varies)
Biking south from Koblenz, we enter the Rhine Gorge, which is possibly the most gorgeous part of the trip (and maybe all of Germany!) This valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring more than 40 castles and fortresses, many dating back to the Middle Ages. Small towns along the river surrounded by vineyards become a common sight. One of the highlights of the trip is spending the night in a luxurious castle hotel with panoramic views of the Rhine! The atmosphere here cannot be beat, and a gourmet four course dinner is included. After a day of biking and a delicious meal, you will truly sleep like kings and queens!
(27 miles, 43ft net elevation gain).
We cover less distance today to give you time to thoroughly enjoy the castle and to really explore this beautiful area. After a delicious breakfast at the castle and a chance to explore the garden and castle grounds, we continue biking through the scenic Rhine Gorge. On the way to Rudesheim, we stop and visit the storybook town of Bacharach. This region is famous for their wine, and in the afternoon you can partake in an optional wine tasting!
(8 miles, 20ft net elevation gain)
Today you are on your own to explore more of Rudesheim, visit another nearby town along the Rhine (Mainz and Heidelberg aren’t far!), or continue on to another destination in Germany or Europe. We are more than happy to provide some suggestions and help with arrangements.
Dates & Prices
2022 Trip Dates
Contact us for private/custom trip options.
Pricing
$1,975
*Prices are in US Dollars, based on double occupancy.
We pride ourselves on offering one of the smallest group sizes and best leader to guest ratios in the industry. Our average group size is 6-8 people, the maximum for this tour is 12 guests, and we never exceed a guide to customer ratio of 1:8. Our small groups allow us to personalize the trip based on the group to best suit your travel needs and preferences. Larger groups are available as a custom/private tour.
IncludeD:
- Double occupancy accommodation for six nights
- Daily breakfast
- 21-speed hybrid bicycle rentals
- Daily luggage transfer & support van
- Four course dinner in a medieval castle!
- Wine tasting
- Online trip photo album & Carpe Mundo shirt
Not IncludeD:
- Airfare (we can help!)
- Airport transfers
- Meals (not listed above)
- Alcoholic beverages
- Travel insurance
- Leader gratuities
Supplemental:
- Electric assist bike: $100
- Single supplement: contact us for additional information
- Private airport transfers: contact us for pricing to/from various regional airports
Additional Information
Accommodations: This trip stays at some very unique and memorable hotels/inns! One of the trip highlights is staying at a four star medieval castle hotel overlooking the Rhine. The rooms are decorated with antiques and you will enjoy exploring the castle grounds and gardens. In Konigswinter, we stay at the historic four star Rheinhotel Dreesen, which served as the headquarters for the allies after WWII and has also hosted notable guests including kings, queens, and presidents (including Eisenhower). While staying in larger cities such as Koblenz and Cologne, we stay at centrally located 3-4 star properties. In some of the smaller towns, we stay at authentic family run inns that give a real feel for life on the Rhine.
Payment Terms & Conditions: If you are thinking about signing up for a trip but are not yet ready to commit, we offer a 5 day courtesy hold. To secure your space on a trip, a $500 per person deposit is required and can be paid by check or credit card. The remaining trip balance is due no later than 90 days prior to the start of the trip. If you decide to cancel more than 45 days prior to the start of your trip, you will receive a Carpe Mundo credit that is transferable with no expiration for the amount paid, or we will refund your payment less a $250/person cancellation fee. If you decide to cancel less than 45 days prior to the start of your trip, no refunds or credits will be available.
Single Supplement: Single accommodations are available for an additional fee, based on availability. If you are willing to be placed in a room with someone else from the trip, we will match you with another traveler if possible and waive the single supplement fee.
Packing List: A suggested packing list as well as additional information on travel to Germany can be found in our Customer Information packet. Luggage transport is provided from town to town, so you only need to bike with the few essential items that you need during the day.
Release of Liability: We require that everyone participating in a Carpe Mundo trip completes and e-signs an Assumption of Risk/Liability Release waiver as well as a Medical Information Form. You will receive these after you have registered for a trip, and they must be completed prior to your trip.
Insurance: Due to the nature and locations of our trips, we highly recommend that everyone participating in a trip has medical insurance that provides coverage while abroad. Although not required, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance or a travel protection plan for your trip. We adhere to our cancellation policy, and these plans will protect your trip purchase in the event you cancel under certain circumstances.