Camino de Santiago Trek
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a spiritual journey through the heart of Spain on this immersive 9-day tour. Starting in the historic town of Samos, you'll follow the footsteps of countless pilgrims along the famous Camino de Santiago. This multi-day tour is a blend of cultural exploration and natural beauty, taking you through traditional agricultural villages, ancient oak forests, and picturesque countryside. Along the way, you'll visit significant landmarks like the Monastery of San Julian de Samos and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. You'll also have the opportunity to sample local delicacies, such as the renowned octopus with potatoes in Melide and the famous cheeses of Arzua. This tour is more than just a sightseeing trip; it's a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Included
All breakfasts are included. A typical breakfast in Spain might consist of coffee with milk, toast with ham, olive oil, tomatoes, cheese and butter and jam. Bakery items, fruit and juice are also popular. Expect different variations of breakfast at our chosen hotels and pensions, but they all include at least some of the standard breakfast items popular in Spain.
On El Camino, restaurants and bars offer a set menu called the Menu del Pergerino, which offers a choice of five starters, five mains and dessert, coffee and drink for about €12-€15. You can also try the delicacy pulpo a la feira, which is sliced octopus with paprika, olive oil and sea salt. Sometimes it is also served with grelos (boiled sliced potatoes).
Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually taken between 8pm and 9.30pm.
Vegetarians can be catered for, as can other dietary requirements, although there may not be the same choice or variety as you have at home. Please advise us upon booking.
vegetarian, vegan, meat
Luggage transfer service.
Follow one of the world's oldest pilgrim routes.
Explore romanesque cathedrals, mediaeval monasteries and unspoiled rural scenery.
Collect stamps for your pilgrim's passport along the way.
The historic Galician capital of Santiago de Compostela.
The tour leader accompanies the group on all activities from Day 1 to Day 7. They also provide suggestions on what to do on Day 8, your free day.
We spend eight nights in two- and three-star hotels and pensions. All rooms feature private bathroom facilities and most offer free wifi.
The accommodations typically used can be found in the day-to-day itinerary; however, below are a couple of the standout stays.
Samos: Hotel A Veiga (night 1)
Begin the trip at this 15-room hotel, which has a rustic bar – the perfect spot to gather with new friends and discuss the adventures ahead. The rooms themselves are clean and unfussy, plus there’s a restaurant serving an ever-changing menu.
Santiago de Compostela: Hotel Avenida (nights 7-8)
Make the most of your time in the capital of Galicia with a stay at Hotel Avenida, which is ideally located in the old town. The city highlights are on the doorstep (the cathedral is just a 10-minute walk away) and the rooms are simple yet cosy.
Worth knowing
There may be some departures where groups are split between two hotels in some locations. All hotels used are of a similar standard throughout.
A limited number of single rooms are available for a supplement on request.
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Samos
Day 1: Samos
- Mirador de Orellán
- More
Our journey begins in the historic town of Samos, a popular starting point for many Camino pilgrims. After a welcome briefing, you'll have free time to explore the town or rest. Don't miss the chance to visit the Monastery of San Xian de Samos to collect your Pilgrim Passport, a significant tradition that marks the start of your pilgrimage. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel A Veiga (or similar).
Day 2 – Day 2: Samos to Sarria
Day 2: Samos to Sarria
- Mirador de Orellán
- More
Our pilgrimage truly begins today as we take a short detour to explore the Monasterio de San Julian de Samos, one of Spain's oldest monasteries. We then embark on a scenic walk through the unspoiled Galician countryside, dotted with traditional agricultural villages. Our destination for the day is the town of Sarria, another popular starting point for El Camino. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Duerming Villa de Sarria (or similar).
Day 3 – Day 3: Sarria to Portomarin
Day 3: Sarria to Portomarin
Leaving Sarria behind, we journey through the rolling hills of Galicia, passing through a picturesque oak grove on our way to the town of Portomarin. This unique town was relocated to a hilltop to escape flooding from a reservoir constructed in 1962. As we cross the modern bridge into Portomarin, keep an eye out for the older bridge beneath it. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Villajardín (or similar).
Day 4 – Day 4: Portomarin to Palas de Rei
Day 4: Portomarin to Palas de Rei
We start the day with a steady ascent to the village of Ventas de Naron. Along the way, we'll have the opportunity to visit the ruins of an Iron Age fort at Castromaior. From there, we continue to Palas de Rei, marking the halfway point of our trek. This town is a popular stop for many walkers, and you'll truly feel the Camino spirit here. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Alda Palas de Rei (or similar).
Day 5 – Day 5: Palas de Rei to Arzua
Day 5: Palas de Rei to Arzua
Our longest day begins with a picturesque walk, crossing several Roman bridges and passing medieval churches. We'll stop for lunch in the small town of Melide, famous for its delicious octopus with potatoes. After lunch, we continue to Arzua, known for its cheeses. Along the way, we'll pass through the riverside village of Ribadiso, home to the region's oldest bridge. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Arzua (or similar).
Day 6 – Day 6: Arzua to Pedrouzo
Day 6: Arzua to Pedrouzo
Today's journey takes us to the picturesque village of Pedrouzo. The walk involves several short ascents and descents through woods, fruit fields, and eucalyptus groves. As we draw closer to Santiago, we'll encounter more pilgrims, adding to the anticipation of reaching our final destination. Accommodation for the night will be at Pension Platas (or similar).
Day 7 – Day 7: Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Day 7: Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
- Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela
- More
Our final day's walk takes us to the historic city of Santiago de Compostela. We'll climb up to Monte do Gozo, where pilgrims traditionally first saw the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. We'll make our way through the city streets to Plaza del Obradoiro, dominated by the spectacular cathedral. Here, we'll celebrate the completion of our pilgrimage. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Avenida (or similar).
Day 8 – Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
Day 8: Santiago de Compostela
- Museum of Pilgrimage
- Faro de Finisterre
- More
Rather than heading home straight away, we'll spend a free day exploring Santiago de Compostela. You can visit the cathedral, stroll around the World Heritage-listed Old Town, or visit the Museum of Galician Life. Alternatively, you can join a day excursion to Cape Finisterre, the 'end of the known world' in Ancient Roman times. Accommodation for the night will be at Hotel Avenida (or similar).
Day 9 – Day 9: Departure
Day 9: Departure
Our journey comes to an end this morning after breakfast. It's time to say our final goodbyes and start our journey home, enriched by the experiences and friendships made along the Camino.
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