Difficulty Rating : 5 Start : Munich Finish : Munich Terrain : Flat, undulating Daily Average : 43-55km Weekly Average : 260-330km Tour Type : Self Guided Teaser : Bavaria, situated in the south east of Germany is renowned for its unique culture and traditions, sparkling lakes, breathtaking alpine views,
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Bavaria, situated in the south east of Germany is renowned for its unique culture and traditions, sparkling lakes, breathtaking alpine views, fine food and the best of German beer...it is no surprise that world famous artists like Kandinsky and Holbien drew their inspiration from this beautiful part of the country.

Our Munch Lakes safari begins and ends in Munich, the Bavarian captial. We leave the city behind, cycling through parkland and lakeside to Murnau, a picture book market town on the shores of Lake Staffelsee. We pedal through the Murnau Moos - a beautiful nature reserve with its warm lakes, small woods, brooks and meadows filled with many animal and plant species which are threatened with extinction elsewhere. 

Upon arrival at Garmisch Partenkirchen, we swap our bikes for the train and visit Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, with stunning views of the surrounding Alps and countryside below. Travelling along the course of the Isar river we experience stunning Alpine scenery, meadows covered with flowers, colourful forests and crystal clear mountain lakes. Bad Tolz, a picturesque town located on the bank of river Isar, is our home for two nights. After a visit to the charming Lake Tegernsee, what better way to revive those weary muscles than a soak in the iodine-rich waters of the famous Aplamare spa

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Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Munich

Welcome briefing and bike distribution on arrival. Bavaria’s capital city is waiting with many sights (English Garden, Town Hall, Hofbräuhaus…).

Day 2

Munich ~ Murnau / Lake Staffelsee (65 kms)

From Munich, the tour begins with a bike ride through the Forstenrieder Park to Lake Starnberg before you cycle on the lakeside road to Seeshaupt. Your journey continues on wonderful ways through rustic Bavarian towns, past the Osterseen lakes and Lake Riegsee to Murnau am Staffelsee.

Day 3

Murnau ~ Garmisch Partenkirchen (40 kms)

he cycle starts through the nature reserve called Murnauer Moos (largest swamp area of Central Europe), after which you head through unspoiled nature following the River Loisach to Garmisch Partenkirchen. The days cycle is short so that you have enough time for a trip with the “Zugspitzbahn”, a mountain railway with wonderful views of the Alps.

Day 4

Garmisch Partenkirchen ~ Wallgau (45 kms)

You take the train to Scharnitz and cycle uphill through wonderfully romantic gorges and lush meadows to the spring of the River Isar. Afterwards, you will cycle back through a sunny valley where there is a marvellous panoramic view of the mountains of Karwendel and Wettersteingebirge, passing Mittenwald and finally arriving in Wallgau – a place where the Bavarian tradition is still a part of everyday life

Day 5

Wallgau ~ Bad Tölz (50 kms)

Todays cycle will follow the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the impressive Lake Sylvenstein. Cycling through charming landscapes, you arrive in Bad Tölz. Located at the crossroads of two old trade routes which created a thriving town whose ornate mansions testify to a previous golden age.

Day 6

Loop around Lake Tegernsee (45 kmS)

ou will cycle through the scenic Tegernsee countryside to Gmund at Lake Tegernsee which opens out to a beautiful panoramic view of the lake. Following the valley Gaißbach, you return to Bad Tölz where you can visit the Market Street, the setting for numerous markets that are held in the town where you can peruse many items from pottery to fresh local products.

Day 7

Bad Tölz ~ Munich (65 kms)

The Isar bike path leads you from Bad Tölz over Geretsried and Wolfratshausen directly to Grünwald. After a few short climbs you will arrive back in Bavaria’s state capital Munich, where you can explore its countless sights and attractions.

Tour ends after breakfast the following morning.

  • 7 nights accommodation ( 3* and 4*hotels )
  • Breakfast included
  • Luggage transfer
  • Train Garmisch - Partenkirchen - Schwarnith ( bike fare of approx €5, not incl. )
  • Travel maps & route details ( one per room )
  • Signposted route
  • GPS tracks available
  • Service hotline

    +€220 half board option ( 7 dinners ) 

In 2024 Bike Rental is not included in the basic tour price.    
All rentals come with a pannier, lock and repair equipment

For 2023 bike rental is not included in the basic tour price

It is of course possible to rent a bike!

On this tour the standard rental bike is what is called a "unisex" bike or a step though frame, see our tour dossier for an image. It is possible to rent a more typical gents frame for taller men but this is on request only. It is also possible to rent an e-bike

Bike rental includes:
● 21 speed unisex bike (gents bike on request only/limited availability)
● Saddle bag (water-resistant)
● Handlebar bag (water-resistant)
● Tools / Repair kit / Pump
● Combination lock

MUNICH

Day 1 & 7: NYX Hotel, Munich

MUNICH image 1MUNICH image 1

MURNAU AM STARNBERGER SEE

Day 2: Hotel Angerbrau

MURNAU AM STARNBERGER SEE  image 1MURNAU AM STARNBERGER SEE  image 1

GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN

Day 3: Mercure Hotel Garmisch Partenkirchen

GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN image 1GARMISCH PARTENKIRCHEN image 1

WALLGAU

Day 4: Gasthof Post

WALLGAU image 1WALLGAU image 1

BAD TOLZ

Day 5 & 6: Kolberbrau

 

BAD TOLZ image 1BAD TOLZ image 1

2024 MUNICH LAKES SELF GUIDED
€1100 per person sharing  ( 13th - 9th April )
€1180 per person sharing ( 20th April - 10th May  )
€1240 per person sharing ( 11th May - 7th September )

+€360 for single room supplement

Bike Rental 7 Night Tour
€100   7- or 21- speed touring bike unisex incl. bike insurance
€170   27-seed touring bike, crossbar, incl. bike insurance
€260   E-bike, unisex, incl. bike insurance

Self Guided Tour Information

Tour is available daily from 13th April – 7th September (from/to Munich)

How to get to the start point in Munich: 

Fly into Munich airport, lots of frequent international flights available. 

By Bus: The Lufthansa Airport Bus leaves every 20 minutes and stops at Terminal 1 (Arrivals A), the bus terminal at the Munich Airport Center (Z) and at Terminal 2 on the arrivals level (Level 03). You can buy a bus ticket from the driver, to city center takes approx 35 minutes.

Munich By Train: From Munich central staton (Hauptbahnhof) take the S-Bahn S7 to Wolfratshausen, from there continue either by public bus No. 373 towards Seeshaupt to Monsing / Holzhausen or take a taxi (approx. €18 per ride) directly to the hotel.

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

Our biking vacation was great! Met many good new friends and really enjoyed the scenery along the way. Our accommodation was excellent as was the food. Looking forward to another bike trip in the future.

Jamie & Ingrid Bloomfield (Munich Lakes 2013)

Another fabulous holiday. The bikes were great. The choice of hotels was nice and varied with Bad Toltz being the most authentic and delightful. Highlights were the cafe at the end of the long one- way valley from Wallgau and the cable car ride up the Tolspitz.

Fiona Smith (Munich Lakes 2013)

The hotels were very nice. the food at all hotels was excellent. The route and scenery were varied, interesting and beautiful!
Overall we had a great time and are looking forward to booking another cycling holiday in the future. Germany is a wonderful place to visit and their facilities for cycling is excellent.

 

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Primary Contact Details.

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.