El Camino Spain
Day 1: Arrive Madrid
Welcome to Madrid, the capital city of Spain. Known for its elegant boulevards, baroque-style architecture, outdoor cafés, art galleries, vibrant night life and culinary delights. During the day there are no planned activities so check into our boutique hotel located near Plaza Mayor, the grand central square, and enjoy this time to explore the city. In the evening we’ll meet for a Welcome Meeting, followed by dinner on the town, a Flamenco show, and a visit to the San Miguel Night Market. Overnight in Madrid.
Day 2: Sarria
Today we begin our journey by private transport to the town of Sarria, stopping en route at iconic sites along the Way. Cruz de Ferro is the highest point along the Camino.Frances. We’ll stop here to take a moment and participate in a centuries old tradition where pilgrims leave a stone brought from home as a symbol of leaving behind something that no longer serves you. In the town of Ponferrada, we’ll visit a magnificent 12th century stone castle. In O Cebreiro, we’ll see pallozas, round stone huts with thatched roofs. These huts are how townspeople of this region lived dating back to Celtic times 1,500 years ago, up until the 1960s. Overnight in Sarria.
Day 3: Portomarin Walking Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles (Approx 6.5 hours)
Today our pilgrimage begins! We’ll enjoy a peaceful walk through beautiful countryside, open meadows and the shade of an oak wood forest. Expect some steep uphill and downhill on parts of the route as we pass through charming villages and cross a medieval bridge to our destination of Portomarin. Tonight we stay in a modern boutique hotel in the heart of Portomarin with free time to stroll through the streets with their impressive archways, relax in the main plaza, or check out the castle-style church which was moved brick by brick and reconstructed in a new location after the original village flooded in the 1960’s. Overnight in Portomarin.
Day 4: Lestedo Walking Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles (Approx 5.5 hours)
Today we climb steadily uphill through woodlands passing the hamlet of Gonzar. Near Castromajor, the path borders the ruins of a 2200 year old Celtic fort, and in Ligonde, we’ll find a hospital which received the emperor Charles V and his son Philip II, the most famous pilgrims of the 16th century. If you’re interested in architecture, you may wish to follow the 2.5 km detour to the extraordinary 15th century Romanesque church of Vilar de Doñas, the burial place of several nights of the Order of Santiago. Tonight we’ll stay in a luxurious 17th century Galician Manor. The owner will pick us up from the Camino and bring us back to the same point the next day. Overnight in Lestedo.
Day 5: Melide Walking Distance: 18 km / 11.2 miles (Approx 5 hours)
Today we’ll continue slightly downhill passing several villages along the way. In Palas de Rei, enjoy a coffee or check out the souvenir shops along the way. Arriving in the lively market town of Melide for lunch, we’ll eat at one of the many restaurants. If you’re adventurous, you may like to try octopus, Galicia’s most classic dish in one of the many ‘pulperías’. Tonight we’ll stay in a beautiful guesthouse in the countryside with garden and mountain views. Overnight in Melide.
Day 6: Arzua Walking Distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles (Approx 4 hours)
From Melide, the camino becomes gentler and we continue our journey through the peaceful Galician countryside. Today we arrive in Arzua, known for its peculiar shaped cheese and its two churches, Santa María and La Magdalena. Tonight we’ll stay at a modern hotel in the heart of the town.
Overnight in Arzua.
Day 7: O Pedrouzo Walking Distance: 19 km / 11.8 miles (Approx 5.5 hours)
With only 40 km (35 miles) left before we reach Santiago, the countryside begins to change as we walk through a shaded forest, along streams and through sleepy villages. In O Pedrouzo, the owner the Galician Manor where we’ll be staying will pick us up and take us to his guest house. We’ll have plenty of time to relax and explore the area including the orchard, granary, a renovated old mill, a small chapel and ethnographic museum.
Overnight in O Pedrouzo.
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela Walking Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles (Approx 6 hours)
Today we’ll cross the Lavacolla river where pilgrims traditionally bathed and washed their clothes to purify their soul before stepping into the Cathedral. We’ll climb up to Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) which offers stunning views of the City before we descend into the medieval town, entering via the “Camino Door” and continue down to the Plaza del Obradoiro. After we share in the emotion of having arrived at our destination, we’ll check-in at our hotel with free time to enjoy this beautiful city and dinner on the town. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 9: Finisterre
Today we’ll journey along a unique route that starts in Santiago and ends at Cape Fisterra which was believed to be the ‘End of the Earth”. This is the only trail starting in Santiago de Compostela that takes pilgrims West to the stunning Atlantic coast of Galicia where pilgrims in ancient times would go to pray and burn their clothes to symbolically start a new and purer life.
A local guide will pick us up in a private vehicle and take us on a day tour along the Finisterre Camino. Rather than spend 3-4 days hiking this trail, we’ll walk a portion of the route along the rugged coastline and beaches feeling the wind and salty air. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 10: Departure Day
In the morning a local guide will take us on a walking tour to see the highlights of Santiago and ensure that we get our Pilgrim’s Certificate for having walked the final 112 km of the Camino. Our tour ends with lunch and marks the end of our pilgrimage to Santiago. In the afternoon there are no planned activities and you are free to depart at any time.
Important Note: For the duration of 2019, the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, believed to be the burial site of the biblical apostle St. James, will be under construction but we may still be able to get glimpse inside.
Our luggage will be transferred for us each day along the Camino which means you’ll only need to carry a small daypack with the essentials (eg. water, sunblock, camera, cell phone, personal documents, your pilgrim passport, first aid supplies etc). Luggage for each person is limited to 1 per person with a maximum weight of 50 lbs (20 kg).
Inclusions
9 Nights Accommodation in 2/4 star guest houses/hotels based on twin share
Breakfast 9 / Dinner 7
Private air-conditioned vehicle as per itinerary
Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
English speaking National Guide (on the first day of the Camino, on the day trip to Finisterre and in Santiago de Compostela)
English speaking Tour Leader from Day 1 to Day 10
Flamenco Show in Madrid
Day trip to Cape Finisterre
John Brierley Guidebook: A Pilgrims Guide to the Camino de Santiago
A Pilgrim Kit including your Official Pilgrim Passport
Excluded
International & Domestic flights
Taxis and transfers from airport to hotel on arrival and departure days, budget €60
Drinks of all kinds
For snacks & lunches not included on the Camino, budget €20 per day x 7 days. For meals on arrival day in Madrid, day trip to Finisterre, and departure day in Santiago, budget €50 per day x 3 days. (Approx €290)
Medical/evacuation/cancellation insurance strongly suggested
Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills, room service, etc
Additional expenses in the event of delays or itinerary changes
Gratuities to tour leader, tip driver and local guides, budget €130
Gratuities of any kind (Porterage/hotel and restaurant staff/drivers/etc
Visas to enter Spain