River tour series ”Discover the river Emajõgi!” Seto Line Piirissaar river tour

The wooden river ship M/L Alfa takes you on an experience-filled boat trip along river Emajõgi to the beautiful Lake Peipus, to get to know the unique culture of the Old Believers and the pristine nature of Piirissaar. Come and discover river Emajõgi water world!

Seto Line’s river ship M/L Alfa cruises eleven times during the summer on a day full of experience to Piirissaar and back. The wooden boat M/L Alfa, which can accommodate up to 80 passengers on the inner and outer decks, is well suited for a summer experience trip, nature observations and a pleasant time together. The trip lasts the whole day and allows you to enjoy the beauty of Lake Peipus and get to know the unique living conditions and culture of Piirissaar.

Piirisaar is the only permanently inhabited Estonian island on Lake Peipus, where only 30 people live year-round and nearly 200 people in the summer. There are three villages in the northeastern part of the island: Piiri, Tooni and Saare. The majority of the inhabitants of Piiri island are Russian Old Believers, who have lived on the island from time to time, trying to preserve their culture and way of life – fishing and growing onions. The architectural style characteristic of the Old Believers has been preserved on the border island. In the village of Saare, there is a prayer hall of the Old Believers that was destroyed in the fire, and in the village of Tooni, there is an empty Apostolic-Orthodox church. The island’s three cemeteries are located in Piiri village. The entire Piirissaar also forms a nature reserve, where many protected amphibians and birds live and many rare plants grow.

The trip lasts the whole day: the boat ride to Piirissaar lasts 4 hours, 2 hours are allowed for exploring on the spot, and the return trip is approximately 4.5 hours. You can bring your own picnic basket. Buy a ticket for the river trip to Piirissaar in advance from www.setoline.ee, more information by e-mail at [email protected].
The series of river trips “Discover the river Emajõgi!” organized by the Tartu County Development Association is part of the main program of the European Capital of Culture Tartu 2024 and is supported by the South Estonian Community Program together with LEADER action groups.
Come on an adventure and discover the water world of river Emajõgi!

If you would like to find a nice place to eat or need a place to stay, see the offers of the members of the Tartu 2024 hospitality network: https://tartu2024.ee/en/recommendations/?_suggestions_location=tartu-linn