This year, Ķemeri National Park Travelers' Days will be held on September 30 and October 1 in the spirit of the European Bird Days!
Program for September 30
Moods of European Bird Days
9.00-13.00 and 14.00-17.00 Bird-watching excursions by bus with ornithologist Dmitry Boiko to Lake Kaniera and Dundur meadows. The number of participants is limited, prior registration is mandatory:
- For the tour from 9.00-13.00 online application form,
- For the tour from 14.00-17.00 online application form.
10.00-18.00 Latvian bird exhibition by nature photographer Andras Eglīš Art trail in Valguma forest, recreation base “Valguma Pasaule” www.valgumapasaule.lv Entrance fee during the Ķemeru National Park Travelers' Days on September 30 and October 1 – EUR 4.00. At the exhibition, you have the opportunity to meet and ask the author of the photographs Andris Eglīti.
From 13.00 Valguma Panorama restaurant – Travelers' Day special treat in autumn colors and flavors.
All day long – the possibility of making a digital bird trail with breakout game elements at the Nature Center of the Ķemeru National Park in the Forest House, Ķemeros. Requires a charged smart device with an internet connection; scan the QR code found at the nature center and follow the tasks.
Other Travelers' Day activities on September 30
10.00-17.00 Drying apples, cooking jams and various games Džukste Fairytale Museum in the garden. Participation in the event with a museum ticket is EUR 3.00, for preschool children - free.
10.00 Tourist day boat trip along Vērsupīti through Slokas lake and further along Vecsloceni together with “Sea boats” (10–12 km, 3–4 h). At the beginning of the boat trip, the representatives of the Ķemeru National Park nature center will give a talk about the natural values found along the route. Prices for boat rental: single (kayak) – 35 EUR; double (canoe, spike) – 40 EUR. Application by phone: 29466501 or e-mail: [email protected]. More: www.seakayak.lv; www.juraslaivas.lv
11.00 From Silinupite to Starpinupite - walk and stories with a local guide, getting to know the audio guide routes available in Lapmežciem. End by the bonfire in the old fisherman's homestead “Gaiķi”, where you will have the opportunity to buy warm soup and tea. Walk length ~ 4 km, duration ~ 2 h. Meeting place – filling station MC in Lapmežciem. Please apply in advance by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
11.00 Family bike ride around Ķemeri together with Ķemeri Alternative Tours. Several breaks are planned along the way – we will see the Forest House, the Ķemeri resort park and the water tower, there will be a picnic with a bonfire and bird watching activities by Lake Sloka. Part of the route – The wooden boardwalk section of the Sloka Lake walking trail along the lake – let's measure on foot, pushing the wheel by hand. The total length of the route is around 9km, but the exact duration is difficult to predict – let's adapt to the pace of the slower rider, taking our time, enjoying nature and each other's company. Bring a good mood, drinking water, snacks and baked goods for the picnic. Participation is free, no prior registration is required. Gathering at the Nature Center of the Ķemeri National Park in the Forest House, Ķemeros. In case of questions, please contact Ķemeri Alternative Tours on Facebook.
13.00-16.00 Creative nature education with nature guide Jānis Šlūkis in Jaunķemeri, restaurant “Neptūns” in the surroundings www.restoransneptuns.lv First a walk in nature, together discovering and exploring various natural treasures in the forest and the sea coast, then a creative workshop, allowing the acquired impressions and knowledge to turn into plaster casts. Participation is free, but prior registration is required: https://forms.gle/ZEHiC8szyE5TV5v58 After that, you can also continue exploring the forest in the form of flavors, enjoying the Travelers' Day special offer from autumn forest products in the restaurant “Neptunes”.
12.00-22.00 Special offers weakness for travelers in the restaurant “Neptūns” www.restoransneptuns.lv - lingonberries and Ķemeru warm apple drink EUR 3; warming wild mushroom soup EUR 4.50
18.00-20.00 Evening concert on boats on the water “Sounds of Melnezer”. Musicians Eriks Upenieks (guitar) and Ineta Rudzīte (vocals) participate. Free entry with your own boat. More information and application www.laivukoncerti.lv
Program for October 1
Moods of European Bird Days
10.00-14.00 Exploratory activities, games and tasks together with the employees of the Ķemeri National Park Nature Center at the bird tower of Lake Kaniera. Bird watching with biologist Viesturas Vintulis. Participation is free, no prior registration is required.
10.00-18.00 Latvian bird exhibition by nature photographer Andras Eglīš Art trail in Valguma forest, recreation base “Valguma Pasaule” www.valgumapasaule.lv Entrance fee during the Ķemeru National Park Travelers' Days on September 30 and October 1 – EUR 4.00. At the exhibition, you have the opportunity to meet and ask the author of the photographs Andris Eglīti.
From 13:00 Valguma Panorama restaurant – Travelers' Day special treat in autumn colors and flavors.
12.00-15.00 Master class with nature photographer Andris Eglīti "How to photograph birds in nature more successfully" at the “Valguma World” Application – until September 30 ([email protected]; 29414022). Participation fee – 8.00 EUR (or two tickets on the Art Trail).
All day long – the possibility of making a digital bird trail with breakout game elements at the Nature Center of the Ķemeru National Park in the Forest House, Ķemeros. Requires a charged smart device with an internet connection; scan the QR code found at the nature center and follow the tasks.
Other Travelers Days activities on October 1
8.40 Exploratory hike “Among insects, strangler snakes, healing and reinforced concrete” together with environmental inspector, biologist and nature photographer Ieva Pauniņa. Using the last option, we will start the hike from the historical railway station “Kūdra”, which will be closed from next year. Let's learn about the process of peat extraction and see degraded high bogs that are undergoing natural regeneration. We will explore the picturesque Lake Akach and see the landscape of the active high marsh. We will watch the birds in the bird tower of Lake Sloka and through various forest habitats we will get to the “Forest House”. In the climax, we will climb the highest tower in Ķemeru. And who knows, maybe we will see the rarest snake in Latvia, which is also a strangler.
Length of the walk ~12 km, degree of difficulty – medium, duration - ~ 4 h. Rubber boots are mandatory. Participation is free, but prior registration is required: https://forms.gle/NpVpJ41Q3e32bXfu8
The event is specially adapted to the train departure times. Also, please note that the hiking route is the so-called “linear”, starting at one point and ending at another (without returning to the starting point). Additional information and recommendations for logistics can be found in the application form.