Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia

1. Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development of the Republic of Latvia The Possibilities of Adventure Tourism in Latvia

2. During the last ten years, the branch of tourism in Latvia has undergone very great changes. Alongside with the most common kinds of tourism, many new types have appeared. In the research “The Possibilities of Adventure Tourism in Latvia”, the integration of various elements of adventure tourism into different sorts of tourist activities, relaxation and entertainment is being revealed. The present research was done in July, 2000, and is the first of its kind in this country.

3. The term “adventure tourism” suggests adventurous and, sometimes quite risky, activities. It is very subjective, because each individual has his own perception of adventure and risk, depending also upon his or her previous touring experience, interests, motivations, physical, as well as financial capabilities.

4. In the present research, the adventure tourism is associated with different kinds of touring activities, relaxation and entertainment. Some of them are part of a hundred-year-old tradition, but some of them have appeared quite recently. The application of the term is rather flexible, because one cannot draw a strict line of demarcation. As a basis for determining this phenomenon, the following criteria could be used: • 1. the adventure tourism is associated, to a greater or a lesser degree, with the active functioning of the individual; • 2. while participating in the given activity, the individual experiences a sense of adventure, as well as heightened emotions and feelings which are not common in his or her daily life; • 3. the adventure tourism may be part and parcel of the traditional, as well as untraditional kinds of tourism, relaxation and entertainment.

5. Hiking • Routes can be established in a lot of places. In many protected areas (national parks, natural reserves etc), there are special cognitive trails. For those European tourists, who have no free access to the sea, the following routes along the seacoast are recommended:

6. Coast of the Baltic Sea: Pāvilosta – Jūrkalne (10 km), Mazirbe – Kolka (20 km); • Coast of the Gulf of Riga: Kolka – Melnsils (12 km), Roja – Kaltene (8 km), Mērsrags – Engure (22 km), Vecāķi – Gauja (13 km), Tūja – Vitrupe (18 km).

7. Cycling • Some of the recommended areas are: the Valley of the River Abava (Kurzeme; the regions of Tukums and Talsi); the Vānema Hillocks (the region of Talsi); Ķemeri National Park (the regions of Riga and Tukums).

8. Some of the recommended areas are: Kurzeme: the Valley of the River Abava (the regions of Tukums and Talsi); the Vānema Hillocks (the region of Talsi); Ķemeri National Park (the regions of Riga and Tukums); Vidzeme: Gauja National Park (the regions of Riga, Cēsu and Valmiera), the Alūksne Height (the regions of Alūksne), the Vidzeme Height (the regions of Cēsu and Madona; Zemgale and Sēlija: the Sēlija Hillock (the regions of Jēkabpils and Aizkraukle), the Augšzeme Height (the regions of Jēkabpils and Daugavpils); Latgale: the Latgale Height (the regions of Krāslava, Rēzekne and Ludza).

9. Boating • In Latvia, boating is mostly seasonal, and one should bear it in mind while choosing boat and equipment. In spring, about 150 rivers and some 200 lakes are suitable for boating, whereas in summer, only 30 – 40 rivers are fit for that purpose, the total length of all suitable parts being approximately 2500 km.

10. In spring, when the snow melts and the rivers start to flood, the speed of the current increases dramatically, and rapids form in places where big stones obstruct the flow. The many obstacles encountered on the way (big stones, overhanging trees, naturally-formed obstructions, including dams erected by beavers) become a touchstone for the tourist’s dexterity. Usually, depending on the weather conditions, the rivers in Latvia start to flood either at the middle or at the end of March, or in the span until the middle of April. The rivers, which originate in the uplands, start to flood later. In the west of the country, the floods start earlier than in the east.

11. Rafting • A relatively new kind of adventure tourism is going down the river on wooden rafts. From summer 2000 on, it is possible to go down the river Daugava on rafts from Līvāni to Jēkabpils (8-9 hours), or to accomplish a shorter journey from Jēkabpils to the Bridge of Zeļķi (3.5-4 hours). The space on the raft is 18 sq. m., and it can accommodate 10-15 people. If the weather conditions are unfavorable, the raft is being propelled by a motor.

12. Cave visiting. • Presently, guided tours are held in only two caves of Latvia, which are partly equipped for the reception of visitors, and, namely, the 460 m long sandstone caves of Riežupe, where formerly sand was scooped out for the needs of the local glass industry, and Vējiņi Cave with two underground lakes.

13. Mountaineering • In Latvia, there are no high, solid rocks. That is why mountaineers are trained in several schools, where 7 – 8 m high artificial cliffs are erected. The basics of mountaineering are taught there. In the open air, old towers, windmills and bridges are used for that purpose.

14. Riding tours. • In the vicinity of Riga, riding tours are organized by the farm Ventas. The visitors are offered a one-day tour in the outskirts of Saulkrasti, and a two-day tour to the Lake of Pabaži and the Bīriņi Castle. They spend the night in tents, and are provided with supper.

15. Eco-tourism • Both a surprise and an adventure to many West-European ornithologists is the call of the corn-crake in a meadow, as well as the observation of the black and the white stork. Given the great diversity of insect, amphibian, reptile and other animal and plant species, as well as the great diversity of landscapes and biotopes, the most valuable objects of eco-tourism are: forests, flood-lands, seacoast, river valleys, bogs and marshes.

16. Motor tourism • Motor tourism is effective only in those situations, when, in a relatively short period of time, a maximum sightseeing program is to be accomplished, or, it is necessary to arrive quickly at a definite place. As most picturesque, with the greatest number of natural and cultural history monuments, the following routes are recommended: Riga – Tukums – Kandava – Sabile – Renda – Kuldīga – Ēdole – Alsunga – Jūrkalne. 4x4 and off-road motor clubs have also become increasingly popular.

17. Flying • Sightseeing flights above the Gauja National Park are popular already for several years. Yearly, approximately 1000 people participate in them. The altitude is 300 m, and the duration of the flight is 6 – 8 minutes. The standard route is about 20 km long.

18. Balloons • Possible in all seasons and temperatures, except on occasions when it rains or snows, or when the wind is more than 8 mps. Limitations exist also, depending on the time of the day: autonomously balloons may fly early in the morning – four hours after the sunrise, or in the evening – four hours before the sunset. In autonomous flight usually two passengers take part.

19. Parachute jumping • Presently organized by several companies. Age: no less than 18. At Cēsis Airfield, jumping with automatic unfolding of the parachute is practised at the altitude of 700 m. A free fall, in short-rope to the instructor, is practised at the altitude of 2400 m.

20. Bungee-jumping • Bungee-jumping for the first time was held in 1989. The statistics of the Bungee-Jumping Club show that over the years it has been practised for more than 20’000 times, in which approximately 6000 people have participated. Currently the sport is practised from a rope-way car above the River Gauja, in Sigulda, at an altitude of 43 m.

21. Diving and underwater tourism. • Diving courses are offered by several companies. Successful graduates are awarded a certificate, which enables them to go in for underwater sports. Unfortunately, this kind of tourism has not become widely popular yet.

22. Railway. • Traveling by narrow-gauge railway is popular in the world and in Latvia as well. In Latvia, the only possibility to go by a steam-locomotive-drawn train is at Ventspils Open-air Museum of Sea Fishing Industry. The route is 1.4 km long, and the trip lasts for 10 minutes. The train consists of two carriages, each of them being meant for 25 passengers.

23. Ships • Several rivers in Latvia are navigable, and lakes can be used for navigation purposes, too. Yet, they are not made full use of. Presently, it is possible to hire the sightseeing ship “Hercogs Jēkabs” and go on a tour along the river Venta. A visit to Ventspils harbor is also possible. This ship is one of the most popular attractions for tourists in Kurzeme, among many others. In 1998, it was visited by 16.1 thousand tourists, but in 1999 – already by 23.5 thousand tourists.

24. Information • The information on various possibilities of adventure tourism can be obtained at local information centers.