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

The striking part of this day is the contrast between two very different sacred places: Siluva’s quiet chapel, linked to a 1608 apparition of the Virgin Mary, and the Hill of Crosses, a crowded, otherworldly mass of crosses. I like the private transport from central Riga and the chance to hear local Latvian and Lithuanian context from your own guide. Janis Gasiņš is praised for his humor, while Krista is described as warm and well informed.

The main drawback is the length. This is an 8 to 9 hour outing, and much of that day is spent getting from Riga to Lithuania and back. You also buy lunch yourself, so plan for a full day with a fair amount of driving rather than a relaxed local excursion.

Key points to know before booking

• Two sacred sites in one day: Visit Siluva and the Hill of Crosses, two of the region’s best-known Catholic pilgrimage places.
• Private transport from Riga: Your own group travels in an air-conditioned vehicle with bottled water and WiFi.
• A useful mix of guidance and freedom: Siluva includes free time, while the Hill of Crosses has about 40 minutes of guided touring followed by time to explore alone.
• Local guides shape the day: Janis Gasiņš is noted for his humor and cultural explanations, while Krista receives praise for her warm, informed approach.
• Bring or buy a cross: At the Hill of Crosses, you can purchase one from local sellers and place it among the thousands already there.
• Good value for a private outing: At $185.22 per person, the price makes the most sense for people who value door-to-door transport and a private guide.

Why these two pilgrimage sites work well together

Siluva and the Hill of Crosses are not interchangeable stops. Siluva feels tied to a specific event and a small town. The Hill of Crosses is broader, stranger, and more visual, with countless crosses placed by people over many years.

That contrast gives the day a useful rhythm. At Siluva, you have time to enter the church and visit the First Chapel at the Rock without a scheduled guided walk pressing you along. At the Hill of Crosses, you first get an explanation of the site, then time to wander, take photographs, and decide how personally you want to engage with it.

I also like that this is not presented as a rushed checklist of churches. The private guide can talk as you travel, helping connect Latvia and Lithuania rather than treating the border as the main event. The descriptions of Janis Gasiņš and Krista suggest that the guide can make a real difference, especially on a long road day.

Still, you should book this for the religious and cultural sites, not for a leisurely day in Riga. The route takes you well beyond the city, and the total duration leaves little room for adding other Lithuanian sights.

The journey from Riga: private transport makes the distance manageable

Pickup is offered from central Riga, and the tour uses private transportation for your group only. That matters here. Siluva and the Hill of Crosses are difficult to combine by ordinary public transport in one day, and changing buses or arranging separate taxis would make the outing far less straightforward.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is included. WiFi is also available on board, which is a small but useful touch during a long drive. You can settle in, listen to your guide, and use the travel time to learn about Latvian and Lithuanian culture.

The private format is also more flexible than a large coach trip. You are not sharing the day with a busload of strangers, and the guide’s attention is directed only toward your group. That is especially useful if you want to ask questions about Catholic traditions, local customs, or the historical meaning of the sites.

The tradeoff is simple: the price buys convenience and privacy, not a short journey. At $185.22 per person, the value improves when several people are traveling together or when you would otherwise need to arrange transport across the border yourself. Group discounts may also be available, so larger private groups should check the current price before booking.

Siluva and the 1608 apparition

Siluva is presented as the place of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Europe, traditionally dated to 1608. The claim is part of the town’s religious identity, and the site is described as predating the better-known apparitions at Lourdes and Fatima by a considerable margin.

Your visit includes free time at the Shrine of Our Lady of Siluva church and the First Chapel at the Rock. The chapel was built on the stone where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared. You can visit these places at your own pace rather than following a tightly timed explanation at every step.

That freedom is valuable at a devotional site. Some people will want a quiet look inside the church or chapel. Others may prefer to focus on the architecture, the setting, or the history of the apparition. The schedule gives you room to do that.

The listed stop lasts about one hour, with no admission charge. That is enough for a meaningful visit, but not enough for a long, unhurried religious service or a broad tour of the town. If Siluva is your main reason for booking, keep your expectations focused on the shrine and chapel rather than a full town tour.

You will also have the guide’s commentary during the journey and around the day, but the Siluva portion itself is mainly free time. I see that as a strength for a pilgrimage visit, though anyone wanting a detailed, step-by-step tour of the church should ask the guide what can be covered during the stop.

The Hill of Crosses: guided first, personal second

The Hill of Crosses, or Kryžių Kalnas, is the more visually dramatic stop. It is described as Lithuania’s most popular pilgrimage site, and the experience is built around seeing the site for yourself rather than only hearing about it.

The guided portion lasts about 40 minutes. This gives you an introduction to the meaning of the hill and helps you understand what you are seeing before you explore alone. That context matters because the crosses can otherwise look like a giant collection of objects without a clear story.

After the guided walk, you have free time to take photographs, look closely at the different crosses, and plant one if you wish. You can also buy a cross from local sellers at the site. That optional purchase gives you a direct way to participate, but you do not need to buy or place anything to appreciate the stop.

The full visit lasts about one hour and 40 minutes. That is considerably longer than the Siluva stop, and rightly so. The Hill of Crosses rewards slow movement and close attention. You may find small personal messages, different styles of crosses, and new additions among the older ones, though the supplied tour details do not promise any particular feature or ceremony.

Photography is clearly part of the appeal, but it is worth keeping the religious nature of the site in mind. This is not simply an unusual photo stop. The crosses represent prayer, remembrance, and personal devotion, so a respectful approach will make the visit better.

The free time is another strong feature. A fixed guided route can explain the site, but it cannot tell you exactly how long you will want to spend looking at a particular area. Here, the guide provides structure and then lets you set your own pace.

What the guide adds to a long day

A private guide can make or break an excursion with several hours of driving. The guide is not only there to lead you around the Hill of Crosses. Commentary is provided during the journey, so the road time becomes part of the experience rather than dead time between stops.

Janis Gasiņš is specifically praised for his knowledge, professionalism, and sense of humor, as well as for explaining Latvian and Lithuanian culture. Krista is described as an informed and lovely guide who brings a warm manner to the Hill of Crosses visit.

Those details matter because this tour crosses from Riga in Latvia into Lithuania. The two countries share a region but have their own national stories, traditions, and religious identities. A guide who can explain both helps you understand why the sites matter instead of simply pointing out where to take photographs.

You should not assume you will get a particular guide, since the supplied information names Janis and Krista as examples of guides who lead the experience. Still, their strong personal impressions suggest that the provider, Latvian Gem, places real weight on the human side of the tour.

Time, food, and comfort on the road

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours. The exact day can feel different depending on traffic, border conditions, and how smoothly the stops run, but the advertised length gives you a useful planning guide. Keep your evening in Riga reasonably open.

Lunch is not included. That is an important practical detail on a full-day trip. The supplied information does not specify a restaurant, meal stop, or amount of free time for eating, so you should confirm the lunch plan with the provider before departure and bring a snack if needed.

Bottled water is included, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. Those basics are welcome on a long road trip. WiFi on board can also help you stay connected, though you should not book the tour solely for that feature.

The sites themselves are free to enter, so the cost is mainly paying for the private vehicle, guide service, convenience, and the ability to visit both places in one day. That makes the price easier to judge. If you are traveling alone, $185.22 is a substantial day-trip cost. If you are splitting the experience among a private group, it becomes more competitive, especially when group discounts apply.

Who will get the most from this pilgrimage day

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see important religious places beyond Riga and prefer a private road trip to a complicated independent journey. It suits people interested in Catholic pilgrimage, local culture, religious architecture, and unusual historical sites.

It is also a good match if you enjoy a day with some structure but do not want every minute controlled. Siluva gives you free time, and the Hill of Crosses combines a guided introduction with independent exploration.

You may want to choose something else if your priority is a short excursion, a full Lithuanian city tour, or a day with included meals. The schedule focuses on two religious sites, not on shopping, nightlife, or a broad survey of Lithuania.

Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed. The activity is also near public transportation, though the key benefit is the private pickup and vehicle rather than using local transit for the main route.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is sent within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability. The stated operating hours are Monday through Sunday, from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM, for the listed period ending June 16, 2026.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund, and the cut-off follows local time.

Since this is a private activity, only your group participates. That is one of the clearest reasons to consider it over a cheaper shared excursion.

Should you book the Siluva and Hill of Crosses tour?

Book it if you want an easy, private way to connect Riga with two important pilgrimage sites that are awkward to reach independently. The strongest features are the private transport, guide commentary throughout the drive, and the balance between explanation and free time.

The day is especially appealing with a guide such as Janis Gasiņš or Krista, based on the specific strengths associated with each. You get cultural background, a guided look at the Hill of Crosses, and enough unstructured time to take in both locations personally.

Skip it if you dislike long drives, need lunch included, or want a broader sightseeing tour of Lithuania. For the right visitor, though, the $185.22 price is reasonable for a private full-day route with transport, a guide, water, and WiFi. Just treat it as a serious pilgrimage and cultural outing, not a quick side trip from Riga.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is offered from central Riga, Latvia.

How long does the experience last?

The full excursion lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.

Which sites are included?

The tour visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Siluva and the Hill of Crosses, also called Kryžių Kalnas, in Lithuania.

How much time is spent at Siluva?

The Siluva stop 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. It includes about 40 minutes of guided touring, followed by free time.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price.

What is included in the tour?

The experience includes bottled water, an air-conditioned vehicle, private transportation, and WiFi on board.