The Lakaja River flows through the forests of the Labanoras Regional Park, woodlands, and the Lakaja Landscape Reserve. The source of Lakaja is in the Juodieji Lakajai Lake. The river width at the source is ~10 – 15 m, later narrowing to ~6 – 10 m. Lakaja River is a very water-rich tributary of Žeimena, with clear currents and winding banks. The length of Lakaja River is ~30 km. Lakaja River flows through Aldikis and Lakaja lakes. About ~7 km before the confluence of Lakaja and Žeimena rivers, the Peršokšna River flows into Lakaja from the left.

START

The canoe trip on the Lakaja River begins at the channel between Aldikis and Lakaja lakes, near the bridge in Žukaučizna village. You’ll paddle through the Lakaja section in the Labanoras forest, where nature is lush and seemingly untouched, with deep waters and pure air penetrating the silence of the marshes.

When you start paddling and travel ~0.7 km, you’ll enter the fairly large Lakaja Lake (74 ha). Although initially appearing wide, the lake narrows in the middle. The shoreline begins to wind, forming small peninsulas. You’ll notice that the banks are higher in the northeast and south, with sloping ends, and marshes occasionally shimmering. Around the lake, perennial forests have grown.

You’ll paddle about ~1 km until the narrowing of Lakaja Lake. From the narrowing, paddle another ~0.7 km and ahead, you’ll see two (left and right) lake narrows. You need to paddle the left one, as it is the source of the Lakaja River.

Once you enter the Lakaja River through the narrowing channel, you’ll have about 17 km left to the finish. You’ll mostly see forests along the riverbanks, occasionally passing through a few villages: Vilkaslastis, Algirdiškė, Lamanina. On the shore near Algirdiškė, you’ll find a rest area where you can take a break or spend the night.

Paddling from Algirdiškė towards Lamanina village and after ~4 km (from Lamanina village), you’ll feel how the Lakaja River becomes more water-rich. This is due to the Peršokšna River, whose tributary you’ll see on the left side of Lakaja. From the Peršokšna tributary, you’ll paddle ~7.3 km to reach the confluence of Lakaja with Žeimena. The closer you get to this confluence, the more you’ll feel the winding of the riverbed. On the left side of the river confluence is a village called Santaka. Beyond it, you’ll see the flowing Žeimena River, which you’ll paddle further to reach the finish.

FINISH

Entering the waters of Žeimena, you’ll bid farewell to the winding Lakaja. Paddling ~1.5 km on Žeimena, you’ll reach Liūlinė village, where your finish is! Immediately after passing under the concrete bridge, dock on the right side.