Jump to content
Jump to footer
Book now
To the online version

(Copyright: pure-life-pictures)

Rhine cruise (2) upriver

From Cologne to Mainz

Bike & boat trip
8 Days / 7 Nights
Distance tour
Individual tour

(Copyright: pure-life-pictures)

Through the UNESCO world heritage

Numerous romantic castles and fortresses have been built along the banks of the Rhine between Cologne and Mainz and they have many exciting stories to tell. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Upper Middle Rhine Valley is rich in tales and adventures and it is very beautiful. The Rhine in this area pushes its way through rocks and passes towns like Koblenz, which are over 2000 years old and have old towns with many timber framed houses. This is the ideal landscape for a beautiful and relaxing holiday. Last but not least many of these towns between Cologne and Mainz are home to some noble wines and regional delicacies, which make this journey also a culinary one.

The itinerary
at a glance

For your 8-day tour from Cologne to Mainz

Individual arrival to Cologne and embarkation at 04:00 pm. Enjoy the evening on board or with a Kölsch beer in one of the pubs with a view over the river Rhine.

Before starting your first cycle tour, take the opportunity to stroll through the Old Town. Afterwards you start your cycling tour to the city of Beethoven, Bonn. This federal city and former capital of Germany still has international flair. On your way it is worthwhile to visit the leisure island Groov amidst a vast landscape of the Rheinaue wetland in the Cologne suburb Porz-Zündorf. In Bonn there are museums like the House ofHistory or the Bundeskunsthalle courting for visitors’ attentionand the House of Beethoven, the Rheinaue as well as the Bundesviertel with the path of Democracy are equally worth a visit.

You will continue towards Andernach by bike today. Königswinter with its castle Drachenburg on the Drachenfels (steep ascent) as well as the Sea Life with aquariums for more than 6.000 sea inhabitants is worth a visit. Your destination for today, Andernach, is famous for the world ́s biggest cold water gush spring with its impressive fountain of 60 meter.

 

On your way to Koblenz you will find castle Engers in Neuwied. At the famous “Deutsche Eck” (german corner) the river Moselle merges with the river Rhine. Another place of interest is the fortress Ehrenbreitstein which you can also reach by cableway across the Rhine in Koblenz. Tickets for the cableway are available on board.

You continue your journey by bike up the river Rhine through the UNESCO world heritage site Upper Middle Rhine Valley. You will pass the romantic fortress Marksburg, the only hilltop castle of middle Rhine which has never been destroyed, as well as the city Boppard with its fortress Kurfürstliche Burg, before you will reach St. Goar. Here you will find the ruins of fortress Rheinfels, which is the biggest of its kind along the Rhine. The fortresses Katz und Maus (cat and mouse) in St. Goarshausen on the other side of the Rhine are also worth visiting.

 

Again you will pass very beautiful Rhine castles like Burg Reichenstein and Burg Rheinstein. You will cycle past the famous rock Loreley before you reach Rüdesheim. In Rüdesheim we recommend a city walk around the historical town with its beautiful half-timbered houses. Or treat yourself to a ride on the cable car up to the Niederwald monument. Here you will have a beautiful view over the old town of Rüdesheim and the river.

 

On your final cycling stage you will find the Rhine at its best. The city Eltville am Rhein with its emblem, the castle Kurfürstliche Burg, is on your way. Mainz, your destination of today, presents itself with numerous impressive buildings. You may want to visit its cathedral Hoher Dom St. Martin, one of the proud imperial cathedrals of Germany, or the castle Kurfürstliches Schloss. In the old town you will find attractive alleys and squares like the Augustinerstraße and the Kirschgarten with its lovely timber framed houses and wine restaurants.

Disembarkation after breakfast until 9:00 am.

Level

Beginners and dabblers

You feel right at home on flat terrain. You have nothing against a few little breaks, and sightseeing is a priority for you. These trips are also suitable for cyclists who are not super fit. In short, these tours are for all those who prefer relaxed cycling and easy enjoyment for body, mind and soul.

Topography

The stages lead through mostly flat terrain without any notable gradients.

Road conditions

You will cycle on sealed side roads and well-developed bike paths.

Route-finding & navigation

There is a daily route briefing on board. Afterwards, you will cycle at your own pace according to the maps provided.

Fancy a break from cycling?

If you want to take a break from cycling, you can stay on the boat and get to the next destination without any effort.

Services & Info
Trip details

  • 7 x overnight stays on the MS Olympia
  • 7 x hearty breakfast buffet
  • 6 x packed lunch or lunch on board
  • 6 x afternoon coffee/tea on board
  • 7 x 3-course dinner
  • Welcome drink on arrival day
  • Daily cleaning of your cabin

  • Daily route briefing with on board tour leader
  • All port, bridge and sluice charges
  • Carefully designed routes
  • Detailed cycling map with route information in English
  • Detailed travel documents per cabin in English
Minimum number of participants
  • This tour requires a minimum of 75 participants. If this number is not reached and the tour is cancelled, you will be notified no later than 21 days before the start of the tour.
  • If the tour is cancelled, you will receive a full refund. No further claims will be accepted.
  • Once the minimum number of participants has been reached, the tour is guaranteed to take place. You will receive confirmation of your booking as soon as a PEDALO representative has checked the available capacity.
Taxes & Fees

Ferry trips: according to tariff

Ferry trips are not included in the cruise fare and must be paid on site. 

Prices & Dates
at a glance

Arrival: Saturday, 14.06. / 12.07.2025

Prices per person in EUR

Frequently asked
 questions

Sorry! No FAQs were found. Please try again with a new search term.

The combination of bike and boat is becoming more and more popular. The PEDALO catalogue is extensive and varied, but spaces and dates are limited.

If you’ve been thinking about booking one of our fantastic bike and boat trips, we recommend not delaying for too long, as certain dates are often booked up quickly on many of our trips. Welcome on board! But please make sure to book in good time.

    •  
  • Changes to the sailing times and/or the route, which may occur in the event of high or low water or other unforeseeable weather conditions such as storms, etc. are not grounds for cancellation without cost.
    •  
  • The same applies to lock and/or bridge repairs that are ordered by the authorities but not announced in advance.
    •  
  • In these cases, we reserve the right (for your own safety) to change the route and/or to bridge some sections with other means of transport. In some cases, overnight stays may be necessary.

Your travel documents usually include general travel information, a hotel list, a road book and/or detailed maps as well as a textual description of the route; you will also get luggage tags and possibly also vouchers and/or information material on the various sightseeing attractions. The exact contents of the information package depend on the booked trip and its included services.

The documents will be sent to you approx. two to three weeks before the start of your tour. Depending on the trip, you may receive them partly in digital form and partly by post – or you will receive the hotel list and general travel information in advance by e-mail, and the remaining documents along with the maps on site at your starting hotel.

Please note that the travel documents are issued exclusively for PEDALO guests and are therefore not available without a booking.

Travel insurance is not included in our prices. You can decide whether to get a quote elsewhere or simply book your travel insurance online at pedalo.com/en/service/travel-insurance. In any case, we recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance!

Please note that for last-minute bookings (less than 30 days before the start of the trip), insurance cover can only be taken out within 3 days of booking.

from
€1,249
Book now Book
You now receive special conditions when you book a trip.