• Kemeri National Park - Stroll along the wooden boardwalk through one of Latvia’s most stunning landscapes. The guide vividly describes the area: its botany, ecology, carnivorous sundew plants, birdlife, sulphur springs, and Tsarist spa history. Climb the observation tower for a panoramic view that photos simply can’t capture.

The highlight for many is when bog shoes are distributed. These wide, lightweight frames strap over regular footwear, allowing a gentle step off the boardwalk for a brief 15-minute loop through the open bog. The moss yields underfoot, the wild rosemary emits an extraordinary fragrance, and visitors stand on ground that few, even among Latvians, ever tread. The entire experience lasts about 90 minutes from car park to car park, enjoyed at a leisurely, conversational pace.

• Mosquito repellent (generic, over-the-counter; use at your own risk)
• Refreshments at the van at the end — tea, coffee, biscuits, Latvian pastry, crisps, chocolate
• Bogshoes for every guest — one pair each, sized to the shoe size you give us at booking
• Rubber shoes for every guest who requests them — sized to your booking, so we can guarantee a fit
• English & Latvian; Russian, German, or French on request
• Air-conditioned minibus for the four-hour activity
• All national park access fees and parking
• Local nature-enthusiast guide who knows the bog topology
• Hotel pickup & drop-off in central Riga
• Life vests for any guest opting into the bog-lake swim

• Swimwear & a towel (bring your own if you’d like to swim)
• Lunch or a heavier meal — we serve light refreshments at the van, not a full meal
• Gratuities (kind but never expected)

Embark on a guided hike off the boardwalk into a 10,000-year-old raised bog, which predates the Pyramids. Enjoy a picnic and an optional swim in a bog lake, located just 4 hours from Riga. Experience the golden-hour slots at both sunrise and sunset.

Here’s a quick question: what comes to mind when you hear “carbon sink”? Most people think of rainforests. However, the truth is that peat bogs, which cover only about 3% of the Earth’s land surface, store approximately 30% of the planet’s soil carbon. This is twice the amount of carbon found in all the world’s forests combined. Latvia is among the few European countries that preserved its raised bogs throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, unlike the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands, which drained theirs for fuel and agriculture. Today, EU peatland-restoration scientists view Latvia as a model. Visit Ķemeri to see a well-preserved ten-thousand-year-old bog and learn how to restore one yourself.

• Not recommended for travelers with limited mobility
• Not recommended for travelers prone to motion sickness
• Please tell us in advance about any mobility needs and we’ll plan accordingly.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.