Trekking the Camino de Santiago

4.8Based on

Carbon neutral

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

16 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Challenging

Demands good physical fitness and stamina for more intense or extended activities.

Starts

Samos, Spain

Ends

Santiago De Compostela, Spain

Highlights

Hike one of the oldest pilgrim routes in the world

Collect stamps for your Pilgrim's Passport along the way

Receive your Compostela certificate – without waiting in the lengthy lines!

Spend a full free day exploring Santiago de Compostela, the magical capital of Galicia

Itinerary

Join friendly pilgrims and trekkers in Galicia for the quintessential Camino de Santiago experience. Walk the best-known route, the Camino Frances, following the historic trail to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, said to be the burial site of James the Great, one of Jesus's 12 apostles. Along the way, our tour leader provides expert insight into the history and culture of the region, while luggage transfers between our nightly stops make the journey even more peace-inducing. The longest-lasting memory, however, may well be the friends you make along the way – the communal spirit of El Camino is infectious and unforgettable.

day 1 - Start Samos

We begin the adventure in Samos, a classic start point for many Camino pilgrims. We have a welcome briefing this evening, then free time to rest or explore. Most groups head to the Monastery of San Xian de Samos to collect their Pilgrim Passport (Credencial), a significant moment that confirms your pilgrim status.

On El Camino, the passport is stamped at the accommodations, and you can collect more stamps at churches and even some cafes. We need to present the passport to the Pilgrims Office in Santiago de Compostela to receive our Compostela certificate.

Alternatively, if you'd like a little time to settle into the trip, speak to us about booking hotel nights before our adventure begins.

Accommodation:Hotel A Veiga (or similar)

day 2 - To Sarria, walking through ancient oak forests and quaint villages

Our pilgrimage begins in style: with a short detour to walk around the Monasterio de San Julian de Samos, one of the oldest monasteries in Spain. We then take one of the most unspoiled sections of the trail, walking through Galician countryside populated by traditional agricultural villages.

We continue through ancient oak forests to the town of Sarria, another popular start point for El Camino, as it’s almost exactly 62mi (100km) from Santiago de Compostela – the shortest distance you can walk and still earn a Compostela.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Duerming Villa de Sarria (or similar)

day 3 - Walk through the hills of the Galician countryside to Portomarin

Leaving Sarria, we take a mostly rural route today, walking up and down the hills of Galicia, and through a picturesque oak grove, to the town of Portomarin. Our destination, which was originally located in the River Mino valley, was rebuilt on a hilltop to escape flooding when a reservoir was constructed in 1962. As we cross the modern bridge to enter Portomarin, we may be able to see an older bridge beneath it, depending on where the water level sits.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Villajardín (or similar)

day 4 - To the village of Ventas de Naron; continue to Palas de Rei

We start with a steady ascent to the village of Ventas de Naron, where the terrain levels out. Before the top of the climb though, we can visit the ruins of an Iron Age fort at Castromaior, one of the best preserved in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula.

It’s then on to Palas de Rei, though there are plenty of cafes en route where we can enjoy a break. Palas de Rei marks the halfway point of our trek and we spend the night in a hotel, where we can really feel the Camino spirit, since many walkers stop here.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Alda Palas de Rei (or similar)

day 5 - Walk to the town of Melide, renowned for its octopus with potato dish; continue to Arzua

We begin our longest day with a walk along a picturesque stretch, crossing several Roman bridges and walking past medieval churches. As we continue, we cross the Lugo-A Coruña border and see ancient horreos (granaries), a rectangular construction seen across rural Galicia.

For lunch, we stop in the small town of Melide, renowned for its delicious octopus with potatoes. You may notice an increase in pilgrims, as two other strands of El Camino meet here: the Northern and Primitivo.

After lunch, we continue to Arzua, well-known for its cheeses. Along the way, we pass through picturesque landscapes and the riverside village of Ribadiso. The 12th-century bridge here is the oldest in the region.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Arzua (or similar)

day 6 - Meet many more pilgrims on the final section to Pedrouzo

Today’s relatively short walk to the village of Pedrouzo – considered among the most picturesque on our journey – involves several short ascents and descents through woods, fruit fields and eucalyptus. As Santiago draws ever closer, more pilgrims cross our path, adding to the anticipation of reaching our goal: the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.

Meals:Breakfast

Others:Pension Platas (or similar)

day 7 - Walk to Santiago de Compostela

Our final day’s walk sees us climbing up to Monte do Gozo, where pilgrims traditionally first saw the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. As part of the centuries-old tradition, we make our way through the city streets and crowds to Plaza del Obradoiro. The square is dominated by the cathedral, making a spectacular culmination to our trek – take a moment or two to congratulate each other on completing El Camino! We can observe a mass service that may include the impressive Botafumeiro incense swinging, although it cannot be guaranteed.

To save time, our tour leader can gather the Pilgrim Passports and collect everyone’s Compostela certificates – allowing the group to avoid the often-lengthy lines at the office and spend more time reflecting on the journey together.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Avenida (or similar)

day 8 - Free day in Santiago de Compostela

Rather than dashing straight home after our pilgrimage, we have a free day to explore the historic city. There are plenty of things to do: visit the spectacular cathedral and stroll around the narrow streets of the World Heritage-listed Old Town with its diverse architecture.

Alternatively, visit the museum of Galician Life, home to interesting exhibits on Galician traditions and art. You can also join a day excursion to Cape Finisterre, which was believed to be the end of the known world in Ancient Roman times. The Cape is also the final destination for many pilgrims on El Camino.

Meals:Breakfast

Accommodation:Hotel Avenida (or similar)

day 9 - End Santiago de Compostela

The trip ends this morning after breakfast. Say your final goodbyes and start your return journey home, one Compostela heavier.

If you'd prefer to explore the town a little longer, speak to us about booking extra nights in the holy town of Santiago de Compostela, there are plenty more pilgrims to meet!

Meals:Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

All accommodation

Meals

All breakfasts

Transport

Group arrival and departure transfers available

Guide

Tour leader throughout

Others

All luggage transfers and listed activities

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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4.8

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