General Information

Duration:

10 Days

Location Start:

Leon

Location Finish:

Santiago de Compostela

Phone:

US Tollfree 1-866-6987563

Fax:

+34 94 415 1001

Payment Types:

Paypal, Cheque, Travellers Cheque, Payment Transfer

We Speak:

Spanish, English

Itinerary

Day 1

Leon to Valcarce Valley In the afternoon, we meet the group in the town of Leon, whose Gothic Cathedral's magnificent stain glass windows have led people to say that it is made more of glass than stone! We hop in the van and drive west following the Camino de Santiago. We stretch our legs a bit and do a short walk through the green Valcarce river valley. Before dinner, we meet as a group for our Orientation Meeting to discuss our week ahead on the Camino de Santiago Tour!Sleep: Valcarce / Walking: 4 miles

Day 2

O’Cebreiro to TriacastelaWith our boots and scallop shells on, we get our first glimpses of the green Galician countryside. Our day starts with a steady climb to the Alto do Poio, the highest point of the Camino de Santiago in Galicia. After a stamp and a coffee, we start our decent down to the town of Triacastela, named after the 3 castles that once stood watch over the village. Our first full day of walking in the books! We hop in the van to shuttle to our accommodations for the evening.Sleep: Sarria / Walking: 12 miles

Day 3

Triacastela to SarriaThe day of the difficult decision! What to do? The Camino de Santiago has 2 paths to reach Sarria - take the path through San Xil and enjoy the beautiful views from atop the ridge or visit the ancient monastery of Samos along the river valley? Traditionally, pilgrims would have to choose one or the other. We, however, get to do both! By day we walk along the hills of San Xil, and in the evening we'll take the van to visit one of Spain's oldest monasteries! Sleep: Sarria / Walking: 11 miles

Day 4

Sarria to PortomarinLeaving Sarria, we should take in the views from atop of the city and keep an eye out for the ruins of Celtic castros hiding in the vegetation along the Camino de Santiago. On our way to Portomarin, we walk by the 100km marker, a milestone (or kmstone!) for the millions of pilgrims who have traversed this same spot during the last millennium. As we approach Portomarin, we see the 12th-century Church of San Juan, an interesting fortified church that stands guard over the banks of the River Miño.Sleep: Palas de Rei / Walking: 13 miles

Day 5

Portomarin to Palas de ReiWe start our day with a gentle climb out of the river valley and pass through typical Galician villages, decorated with their raised corncribs and the occasional carved granite cross that marks the way to Santiago. Continuing west, we walk through the first of many eucalyptus forests along the Camino de Santiago and work our way into Palas de Rei. We've finished our longest day, and what better way to reward ourselves than a glass of Galicia's light Albariño white wine!Sleep: Palas de Rei / Walking: 15 miles

Day 6

Palas de Rei to MelideFollowing the now very familiar yellow arrows, we ramble up and down gentle rolling hills along quiet footpaths. Little has changed in this quiet corner of Spain, and the peaceful rural environment of local farmers tending to their lazy cattle in stone houses accompany us back to another time. We quickly arrive back to the present in the bustling market town of Melide, where tender octopus, pulpo, is still boiled in large copper kettles on the street.Sleep: Melide / Walking: 9 miles

Day 7

Melide to ArzuaHalf way to our destination, we leave Melide and on small country roads we wind our way across the Galician countryside. Along the way, our journey is filled with tiny churches dating back to the 12th and 14th-century dedicated to Santiago and Santa Maria. Once in Arzua, we should take advantage to try some of the famous local cow cheese or perhaps a bit of empanada, a light crusty pastry filled with either beef or tuna.Sleep: Melide / Walking: 9 miles

Day 8

Arzua to ArcaToday we continue to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Galician countryside and charming atmosphere of tiny 3-house villages. Get a feel for the people and greet a local villager with a “Buenos dias” or “Hola”. You'll see how these quiet and reserved people, quickly wish you well on your journey to Santiago. On this trek, you are no longer a tourist but a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago! Almost there...
Sleep: Arca / Walking: 11 miles

Day 9

Arca to Santiago9 days, 160 kilometers, and we have arrived to Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! You are going to love this magical city filled with fantastic monuments and with a lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets. After performing the traditional pilgrim rituals in the Cathedral, we head to our hotel and get ready for our evening celebratory dinner!
Sleep: Santiago / Walking: 12 miles

Day 10

Santiago de CompostelaAfter breakfast, our local historian gives us a closer look at the amazing Cathedral that has seen so many transformations since the original chapel built in the 9th-century. After the tour, we sadly say our last “buen camino” as we leave you at the Cathedral in time for the pilgrims' mass at noon.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

The Compostelana & the Camino de Santiago Tour: This itinerary gives you the opportunity to walk the last 100KM into Santiago. This is a requirement needed to request the compostelana, the certificate granted by the church of Santiago upon the completion of the pilgrimage. It is not mandatory, however, to walk 100km (60 miles) to participate in this Fresco Tour. As with all our trips, your walk is accompanied by a support van and shorter walk options are available on a daily basis.

Exclusions -

Airfare to and from Spain, airport taxes / departure fees, visas, or items of personal nature - laundry, phone, luggage surplus charges, medical expenses, bar, tips, etc.) Prior to / After your Fresco Tour: Should your vacation to Spain be for more than a few days prior to or after your Fresco Tour, perhaps you would be interested in a Spain-taineous Custom Tour and personalized private itinerary. Let us know and we'll create an itinerary especially in tune with your needs and desires.

Extras -

What's Included

Guides: At least 2 multi-lingual guides will accompany the group for the duration of the tour. When specified, local art historians will join us to provide further insights of the specific monument / museum that we visit.

Limited Group Sizes: Fresco Tours are in small groups to ensure that you receive the individual attention that you deserve. We want to be able to treat each of our clients with a personal touch and we limit the groups to a maximum of 14 participants.

Accommodations: Fresco Tours selects a combination of 3-4 star hotels, restored country manors and B&B's that offer the best in hospitality, comfort and location. All rooms have their own bathrooms. Tour prices are based on double occupancy.

Meals: Food speaks volumes about a culture and we love to eat! During our walk days, when possible, we prepare gourmet picnics, using the freshest of local ingredients and selecting the tastiest recipes of the region. Dinners are celebrated in restaurants chosen not only for their menu, but also their atmosphere and service. All breakfast, lunches and dinners (minus one lunch and dinner, where we encourage you to sample the local cuisine on your own) are included.

Support Vehicle: Your walks will be accompanied by a support vehicle that will be there to provide you assistance when the route permits. The possibility of shorter routes and pick-up options will be explained on a daily basis.

Ground transportation: All ground transportation between the designated starting and finishing point of your Fresco Tour is provided. We will help facilitate information for your travel arrangements prior to and after the tour start and finish.

Luggage transfer: Your luggage will be transported between hotels. Due to space restrictions, each participant is limited to one medium-sized piece and a small carry-on bag.

Special Event Tickets: Wine tastings, garden tours, concerts, etc. as outlined in the itinerary.


2009 Camino de Santiago Tour Dates:
April 19 – 28, 2009
May 10 – 19, 2009
June 28 – July 7, 2009
July 19 – 28, 2009
August 30 – September 8, 2009
September 20 – 29, 2009
October 4 – 13, 2009