Go on a pilgrimage from Riga – visit Siluva and Hill of Crosses!

The striking part of this day trip is its reach: from Riga, you cross into Lithuania to visit two deeply personal religious sites that are awkward to reach without a car. Siluva recalls a reported Virgin Mary apparition in 1608, while the Hill of Crosses is a forest of crosses on a small hill.

I like the private, air-conditioned transport and the balance between explanation and quiet time. Guide Janis Gasiņš is praised for his humor and insight into Latvian and Lithuanian culture, while Krista is described as warm and well informed. The main drawback is the long day, roughly eight to nine hours, with lunch not included.

Key points to know

• Two countries in one day: Start in Riga and visit Siluva and the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania.
• A private vehicle: Your group travels together in air-conditioned transport with WiFi and bottled water.
• Siluva offers quiet personal time: You have free time at the church and the chapel built over the stone linked to the apparition.
• The Hill of Crosses has guided and free time: About 40 minutes of explanation is followed by time for photos and personal exploration.
• You can buy or place a cross: Local sellers offer crosses at the site, and you may plant one if you wish.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The tour price covers transport and guiding, but not a meal.

Why this pilgrimage makes sense from Riga

Riga has plenty to fill a stay, but Latvia’s capital cannot show you every important site in the region. This excursion takes you south into Lithuania, where Siluva and the Hill of Crosses offer a very different kind of day from museums, old-town streets, and city churches.

The two stops also complement each other. Siluva feels tied to a particular religious event and its chapel. The Hill of Crosses is more visual and collective, with thousands of crosses placed over time by people who came to pray, remember, or mark a personal intention.

You are not simply being driven from one photo stop to another. A private guide gives context during the road journey, then explains the sites in person. That matters here because the meaning of both places is easy to miss if you only walk around and take pictures.

This is also a practical choice. Neither site is presented as an easy independent outing from Riga, and private transportation removes the need to piece together public transport connections across an international border. You can focus on the day rather than the route.

The road from Riga with a private guide

The tour lasts about eight to nine hours, so expect a full day rather than a quick side trip. Pickup is offered, and the experience is private, meaning only your group participates.

The vehicle is air-conditioned and includes WiFi and bottled water. Those details become useful on a long road day. You can settle in between stops, ask questions, and hear commentary from your own guide instead of following a fixed group schedule.

The guide is one of the tour’s most important parts. Janis Gasiņš is praised for combining cultural information with a good sense of humor. Krista receives similar praise for her warm manner and strong knowledge of the Hill of Crosses. Since this is a private tour, you can ask for more explanation when a subject catches your attention.

The available information does not give a precise pickup address or a detailed lunch stop, so confirm the meeting point when booking. The stated operating hours are 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily. Confirmation is sent within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Siluva and the chapel built over the sacred stone

The first stop is Siluva, a town associated with what is described as the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Europe, dating to 1608. The date is part of what gives the visit its importance. It places Siluva more than two centuries before Lourdes and Fatima.

You have about one hour here, with admission included. The plan is not a tightly led church tour from start to finish. Instead, you receive free time to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Siluva church and the First Chapel at the Rock.

The chapel was built over the actual stone where the apparition is believed to have occurred. That physical detail gives the visit a clear focus. You are not only hearing a religious account in the abstract, you can stand at the place connected with it.

I like the freedom built into this stop. A pilgrimage site should allow room for quiet thought, prayer, or simple observation, and the schedule does not fill every minute with narration. If you are interested in sacred art or Catholic devotion, you can take your time inside the church. If you are traveling with someone who has a personal connection to the site, the free period gives them space to experience it privately.

The limitation is the short visit. One hour is enough to see the church and chapel, but not enough for a long service, extended prayer, or a slow study of every detail. You will need to keep an eye on the time before returning to the vehicle.

The Hill of Crosses, where the visual impact is immediate

The second stop, Kryžių Kalnas, or the Hill of Crosses, is the more visually striking part of the day. It is described as Lithuania’s most popular pilgrimage site, and its character comes from the sheer number and variety of crosses placed there.

You receive about 40 minutes of guided explanation. After that, you have free time to explore on your own, take photographs, and decide if you want to buy or place a cross.

That structure works well. The guide can explain why the place matters and help you read the site as more than an unusual collection of objects. Then you can walk at your own pace without having to stay beside the group.

The hill can be meaningful even if you are not Catholic. Crosses may represent prayer, grief, gratitude, hope, or remembrance. Your guide can provide the setting, but your response to the site is your own. The free period gives you time to notice the details that a fast guided walk might miss.

You might choose to buy a cross from local sellers and plant it at the site. This is optional, not a required part of the tour. If you do take part, it gives the visit a personal gesture rather than leaving you as a passive observer.

Bring a camera if you enjoy unusual visual subjects, but remember that this is an active religious place, not only a sightseeing stop. Give people space, keep your tone respectful, and avoid treating every cross as a prop. The tour information specifically highlights photography, so you have room to take pictures, but good judgment still matters.

Guided time and personal time are well balanced

Some religious tours are too scripted. Others leave you with an impressive place and no idea why it matters. This excursion aims for a middle ground.

At Siluva, you have free time at the church and chapel. At the Hill of Crosses, the guide leads you for about 40 minutes before giving you time to explore. That division lets you learn first and then experience each place without constant commentary.

The private format strengthens this balance. You are not sharing the day with a large coach group, and only your party participates. The exact rhythm can still depend on the guide and road conditions, but the setup allows for questions and a more personal conversation.

The two guides named in the available information also shape expectations. Janis Gasiņš is associated with humor and explanations about both Latvian and Lithuanian culture. Krista is associated with a friendly manner and strong information about the Hill of Crosses. When booking, you may wish to ask which guide is available, since guide assignment can affect the tone of the day.

What the $185.22 price means

At $185.22 per person, this is not a budget bus outing. The price makes more sense if you value privacy, direct transport, and a guide for a full day beyond Riga.

You are paying for private transportation, an air-conditioned vehicle, bottled water, WiFi, and guiding. You are also avoiding the time and uncertainty of arranging your own cross-border route to two sites that are not especially convenient without a car.

The value depends heavily on your group size. A couple will pay more per person than a larger private group, while a family or group of friends may find the private setup more appealing. Group discounts are offered, though the exact rate is not provided.

Lunch is not included, so allow extra money and time for food. The supplied details do not specify a restaurant or meal stop. Ask your guide about the day’s practical rhythm, especially if anyone in your group needs a regular meal break.

Admission to both listed sites is free. That does not make the transport and guide cost disappear, but it means the price is concentrated on getting there and having personal assistance throughout the day, rather than on entrance tickets.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this experience to you if you want to see more than Riga and have a genuine interest in religious places, regional culture, or unusual pilgrimage traditions. It suits first-time visitors who do not want to handle an international drive or public transport connections on their own.

It is also a good fit for families or friends who prefer a private vehicle to a large group. You can talk with the guide, adjust your attention between the two sites, and spend free time according to your own interests.

The tour may be less suitable if you want a relaxed half-day outing. Eight to nine hours is a serious commitment, and the road time is part of the experience. It may also disappoint you if you expect a standard sightseeing schedule packed with many attractions. This day focuses on two religious sites, with time for reflection rather than a long list of stops.

You do not need to be a practicing Catholic to appreciate the trip, but you should be comfortable visiting active devotional places. The atmosphere is more personal and symbolic than a typical landmark visit.

Practical details before you book

Pickup is offered, but the exact meeting point is not included in the supplied information. Confirm that detail before the day of departure.

The tour runs Monday through Sunday, with listed hours from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Since the excursion itself lasts about eight to nine hours, an early start may be necessary. Your booking confirmation arrives within 48 hours, subject to availability.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The experience is described as being near public transportation, although the tour itself uses private transport.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours ahead are not refunded, and changes inside that period are not accepted. The cutoff follows local time.

Should you book this Riga pilgrimage?

Book it if your priority is reaching Siluva and the Hill of Crosses with minimal transport hassle and a guide who can connect the sites to Latvian and Lithuanian culture. The private vehicle, bottled water, WiFi, and personal guiding make a long day easier, while the mix of guided explanation and quiet exploration keeps the experience from feeling rushed.

Think twice if you have limited time in Riga, dislike long road days, or want lunch and entrance attractions bundled into the price. For everyone else, this is a focused way to see two important religious places beyond the capital, with enough freedom to make the visit personal.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

The tour begins in Riga, Latvia, and pickup is offered. The exact meeting point is not provided, so confirm it when booking.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts approximately eight to nine hours.

Which places does the tour visit?

It visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Siluva in Siluva, Lithuania, and Kryžių Kalnas, known in English as the Hill of Crosses.

Is the tour private?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Private transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle is included, along with bottled water and WiFi on board.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

How much time is spent at Siluva?

The visit to Siluva lasts about one hour. You have free time to visit the church and the First Chapel at the Rock.

How much time is spent at the Hill of Crosses?

The Hill of Crosses visit lasts about one hour and 40 minutes. This includes roughly 40 minutes of guided touring and additional free time.

Can I buy or place a cross at the Hill of Crosses?

Yes. You may buy a cross from local sellers and place one at the site if you wish.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.