Walking along the Camino de Santiago

 

Camino Santiago 2024

 

 

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May through October ● 11 days/10 nights

Private escorted tour for 2+ people. Walk the last 100km to gain your Certificate of Pilgrimage/ Compostela. Tour supported by English-speaking driver/guide and cell phones.

 

Arrive León. Afternoon walking tour of the two great monuments associated with the pilgrimage years-the frescoes at San Isidoro Church and the Cathedral compared to Chartres. Relax before dinner in the old quarter.
Overnight: Parador San Marcos D

Day 2 LEÓN • ASTORGA • PONFERRADA • VILLAFRANCA

Begin your journey on the Camino after breakfast. Follow the Via de la Plata/Silver Route to Astorga; see the Roman excavations, Gaudí’s bishop’s palace, and taste the famous cakes of the Maragatas.  Full lunch en route. Cross the fertile El Bierzo Valley, criss-crossed by vineyards. Stop to see the Door of Forgiveness in Villafranca, then continue to your overnight stay in the vineyards. Sample the wines of the newly emerging appellation el Bierzo over dinner at the palace.
Overnight: Palacio el Canedo.     B L D

Day 3 VILLAFRANCA • O CEBREIRO • TRIACASTELA

Over breakfast, study your walking maps, and lace up your boots. Ascend the pass to • Cebreiro by vehicle, site of one of the great miracle stories of the Camino; explore the Celtic thatched village and visit the shrine church. Continue to Alto do Poio, which marks the highest pass; below the pass lies the Capilla San Roque, and below that Fonfría, from where you'll begin walking, with your cellphone and picnic in your daypack. Glorious views stretch out beneath you as you descend to Triacastela/ three castles; no castles remain in this 9th centur village but a lovely 18th century church still stands at the end of the path. Meet your guide at trail's end for a detour to visit the Monastery at Samos before continuing to your overnight outside Triacastela. Dinner in the village.
Overnight: Casa PaciosB PICNIC D 14KM

"All the kids said Carol was a great guide!" St John’s Episcopal Church,  Chevy Chase, MD

Day 4 TRIACASTELA • SARRIA • PARADELA

After breakfast, your guide will take you back to the outskirts of Triacastela, near San Xil, from where you'll set off for the walk to Sarria. At Furela, a finely carved capital can still be seen, dedicated to San Roque, one of the patron saints of pilgrims. On arrival in Sarria, proceed to the Calle Mayor, a beautifully preserved medieval street in the heart of the old village. Your guide will meet you at the Parish Church of El Salvador, a Romanesque structure, built in the 11th century. Beyond you have the fortress of Sarria, dating to the 14th c, and the Magdalene convent, which once housed a hospital. From here, continue to Paradela and your overnight stop. Dinner at the manor house.
Overnight: Casa Cimadevila B PICNIC D 15KM

Day 5 PARADELA • SARRIA • PORTOMARIN

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you back to the outskirts of Sarria, at Mouzós, to walk the Camino to Portomarin. Along the Way today you have the beautiful Romanesque portal on the Church of Santiago at Barbadela. At Marzan, you'll pass a molino/mill. The village of Brea is mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus. You'll pass the ruins of the Monastery at Loio, seat of the Knights of Santiago in the 12th century. When you reach Portomarin, you cross the River Miño on a Roman bridge and then ascend to the 12th c village, moved stone by stone when the river was diverted to flood the plain. San Nicolás Church stands as a 13th c fortress, and belonged to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Meet your guide at the inn, unless you need a transfer earlier. Relax over dinner at the inn with a view.
Overnight: Pousada Portomarin B PICNIC D 15.6KM

Day 6 PORTOMARIN • GONZAR • VENTAS DE NARÓN • LAMEIROS • PIDRE

Set off after breakfast from the inn. Today Gonzar is a ghost town, but was a parish seat in the Middle Ages. Castromaior is so named as the site of another castro/Celtiberian hill fort; today you can see a Romanesque church in the village. Hospital is named for its medieval hospital, offering both refuge and care to pilgrims. Ventas de Narón is mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus, site of a 9th century battle between the northern Christian kingdoms and the Arabs. Stop to see the hermitage of Santa María Magdalena at Ventas. From here, call your guide, then walk on the last stretch to Lameiros, and meet at the chapel dedicated to St. Lazarus. Detour to see the lovely Church of Vilar de Donas, with frescoes, before continuing to your rural guest house. Dinner in the countryside.
Overnight: Casa Parada das Bestas B PICNIC D 14.7KM

Day 7 PIDRE • PALAS • MELIDE

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you back to the Camino, to Palas, conclusion of the 12th stage of the Way according to the Codex Calixtinus. Walk on, from Palas to Melide. Meet your guide at the 12th century Church of San Pedro, with its distinctive Romanesque portal. Since the Middle Ages, this town has been an important market center. From here, drive on to your rural guest house and dinner.
Overnight: Casa de los Somoza B PICNIC D 15.2KM

Day 8 MELIDE • ARZUA

After breakfast, your guide will drop you back in Melide to begin walking. As you cross the River Iso, watch for the ancient hospital, so welcome to medieval pilgrims. Call your guide as you approach Arzua. Transfer to your guest house for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Casa A Painza B PICNIC D 13.4KM

Day 9 ARZUA • LAVACOLLA • SANTIAGO

After breakfast, your guide will transfer you along the Camino to Lavacolla, where pilgrims traditionally bathed prior to entering the Holy City. Your guide will meet you in Santiago at the Cathedral. On arrival, you'll obtain your Compostela/Pilgrim's Certificate, and final stamp. After a visit to the Cathedral and light lunch, you may opt to return to the hotel for a couple of hours before returning to explore the city. Enjoy an afternoon walking tour of Santiago. Celebration dinner tonight.
Overnight: Hotel San Clemente B L D 13KM

Day 10 SANTIAGO

Explore the river lands of Galicia, the Rias Baixas today—an ancient Celtic site by the sea, a fishing village that is today a National Monument to the horréos, and a private hosted winery visit and tasting. You’ll have time to swim, weather permitting. Sit down to special farewell dinner at the parador tonight. 
Overnight: as above  B D

Day 11 SANTIAGO • MADRID

Transfer out for flight to Madrid. B

 

INCLUDED: Hotels or similar, double occupancy, with breakfast Meals per itinerary-picnic lunches for walking days Entrances and tours per itinerary Fully escorted by English-speaking driver/guide Airport/train transfers in & out León &Santiago Walking maps & Cell phone	PRICE: On Request Subject to numbers & dates

 

Contact us for smaller and lorger groups. All prices subject to currency fluctionation adjustments.