Our rural tourism farmstead is surrounded by an extremely diverse landscape. In the nearby village of Palūšė one can even see dunes (currently overgrown with trees). Due to a varied terrain, samples of the greatest variety of plants can be found both in the neighbouring and more remote surrounding countryside.

In the environs of Gaveikėnai there are about 900 species of plants, i.e. about 60% of all non-cultivated plants in Lithuania. Even about 60 of them are rare species of plants (about 27% of all plants entered into the Red Data Book of Lithuania). More than 600 species of mushrooms can be found in the forests with 17 of them listed in the Red Data Book and even 110 species of mushrooms are edible.

 

About 70 species of plants belonging to 4 plant families can be observed along a 3,5 km long Botanical Trail quite close (approximately 2 km) to our farmstead. In the period of bloom the plant growth areas are marked by placing information plates with plant names written on them both in Lithuanian and Latin. The botanists of Aukštaitija National Park look after the Trail, tourists can walk unguided for free. If you want to learn more, however, a guided tour can be arranged.

 

Local ethnographers have written down such old sayings: “An old tree, no matter where it grows, must be revered and honoured as it remembers things long gone”, “A willow tree and a birch must be planted where there’s an excess of water- these trees soak it up”, “Ash-tree protects from snakes, poplar from thunder and rowan tree from evil spirits”, “Good spirits like lime trees. Maple tree is for sap and oak tree is there for people to come back to the farmstead”. Aukstaiciai preferred to have a juniper on the farmstead (to bless it and to disinfect the house). “A fir tree on a farmstead brings poverty.”

 

 Biologists are of an opinion that there live over 19 species of wild animals and the total number of mammals exceeds 40 species. Most of the species which abound in the surrounding forests such as elk, deer, roe and fox are typically found in the whole of Lithuania. We are proud to say that in the realms of the forests a bit further removed from Jonalaukis there still hide lynx, rare white rabbits, otters and northern birch mice.

 

Various sources mention a bear which had ventured into Ignalina woods in 1969 and 1991.

 

Beavers which are under protection in Europe do a lot of harm to these forests. On the first of the beaches of Palūšė you can see a stand featuring the “house” of this smart creature.

 

In lake Dringis as well as in other surrounding lakes there are over 30 species of fish which belong to eleven families. Most of us have seen salmon, eel, sea-trout, northern whitefish or vendace on a supermarket counter, but here, if you are lucky, you can spot it alive. It goes without saying that you will have to get a fishing permit first (our rep will provide all the necessary information). Fast spreading crayfish, which is an indicator of clean water, tell the world and Lithuania about the clear water of the lakes.

 

About 67% (~200) of the species of birds in our country abide in the territory of Aukštaitija National Park around Gaveikėnai. The Red Data Book of Lithuania lists 60 species of them. Over 130 species of birds breed in the surrounding area ( which means that they consider Lithuania to be their native land). The island on Lake Dringis is a favorite with most of the birds. They stop there for rest while flying over the windswept lake.

 

Close by there are a lot of old buildings the basements and attics of which abound in mythical bats. Around four species are found here. They are quite lovely and homely creatures.

 

As many as 85 species of day butterflies greet the sun in the meadows of the environs. Frogs, reptiles, bugs... who can count them. Professionals, however, will always be able to keep themselves busy here.