Spain - El Camino De Santiago

May 7 - 20, 2009

September 16 - 29, 2009

Here is an opportunity to experience the foremost walking pilgrimage in Europe , the road to Santiago de Compostela, where St. James is believed to lie. You will follow the route across northern Spain taken by the Romans, the armies of Charlemagne and the Moors, then countless pilgrims of all persuasions up to the present. It's also a great hike, through the verdant hills, vineyards and historic towns of Castile and Galicia . We average 20 km per day for 10 days with extra days to enjoy history in Leon and Santiago . Call us for help with your arrangements to fly to Madrid , take a train or bus to Leon and meet our group at an appointed hotel.

Overnight flight to Madrid.

Day 1 - Meet at our hotel in Leon. To get there from Madrid airport, taxi to Chamartin Station, train to Leon, walk or taxi to hotel. We can help with these arrangements. You may opt to go earlier and tour Madrid, Toledo or wherever.

Day 2 - Guided walking tour of old Leon – awesome Gothic Cathedral, Pantheon of kings, 12th Century monastery of San Marcus, etc. Pick up our pilgrims' credencias at a convent (to obtain stamps on route as proof of passage and as a commemorative). Bus to Ponferrada - 1 ½ hours, 90 kilometers over low mountains. Our hotel is near the Templar Castle which is worth a visit .

Day 3 - A 23 kilometers hike through vineyards, pastoral hills and old stone villages to Villafranca del Bierzo, a beautiful old valley town featuring a 16th Century castle and splendid churches, with nesting storks on towers. Gardens and wildflowers everywhere, welcoming all pilgrims. Our hotel is beside the Rio Burbia .

Day 4 - Hike 18 kilometers to Ambasmestas, climbing through chestnut woods to a high ridge, then down by old lanes and medieval villages and along the “yellow brick road” to a valley inn.

Day 5 - A 10 kilometers walk through woods and heather-laden hills up to the fascinating mountain top settlement of O'Cebreiro - 150 kilometers from Santiago. It is noteworthy as one of the most important pilgrims' hostels through history and for a Pre-Roman church and "pallozas" (pre-historic, round, straw-roofed, dwellings). We stay in a quaint , refurbished old inn - pure Galician!

Day 6 - A brisk hike of 21 kilometers down Monte Pozo to Triacastela on paths and cart tracks with vast views on all sides. We descend through ancient stone farmsteads to our hotel in a quiet valley town.

Day 7 - Two routes, 16 or 20 kilometers, through pastoral hills to Sarria, a sizeable town. The long route passes the great monastery of Samos (6th Century) , a symbol of Spanish culture and learning. The short route follows cool wooded lanes through quaint villages. Stay in a modern, well appointed hotel.

Day 8 - Sarria to Portomarin, 19 kilometers through old oak forest, stone-fenced farms and hamlets - a Celtic landscape unchanged for centuries. Today we pass the half way mark (100 km to Santiago). Portomarin was moved uphill stone by stone from a flooded valley and rebuilt just as it was one thousand years ago. Our hotel overlooks the lake.

Day 9 - A 24-kilometer walk to Palas de Rei, on back roads and paths through undulating moor and farmland, past tiny Romanesque churches and Cruceiros (stone crosses). Palas was held in turn by Visigoths, Celts and Romans. We stay at a country inn on the outskirts noted for its Galician cuisine .

Day 10 - We hike 25 kilometers to Arzua via corredoiras (stony cart tracks) , past pastoral farmland, woods, streams with medieval bridges and numerous hamlets. Melide is a biggish town and there is a trail marker by the fountain on the right side of the traffic circle. Our hotel is by Arzua's central plaza, a pleasant place to relax with a bottle of wine.

Day 11 - Arzua to Arca, 20 kilometers following farm tracks through fields and woods of eucalyptus and pine to a country inn where we enjoy a classic Galician dinner (included).

Day 12 - The last stretch! - a triumphant 20 kilometers mainly along forest paths to Monte del Gozo where the famous pilgrim statues overlook the sacred city. We walk on with humility into the city centre, through the Porta do Camino, an historic entry point to the old walled city, and on to the great Cathedral of Santiago (St.James), reliquary of the body of the Apostle. In the words of Picaud, author of the first pilgrim's guide, "it is more splendid than words can express". You will have well earned your pilgrim's scallop shell, plus a bonus - "remission of half your appointed time in purgatory". Our hotel is in the classic old sector close to the Cathedral .

Day 13 - A free day to explore the many wonders of old Santiago. At noon we congregate in the Cathedral for an inspiring multi-lingual service in honor of the newly accredited pilgrims.

Day 14 - Here our trip ends and our group sadly parts company, heading for home in various ways:

•  Plane from Santiago to connections.

•  Train or bus to Madrid , arriving after 9 p.m. , then plane home.

The land cost from Leon to Santiago is $2,200, covering leadership, baggage transfer, accommodation in good small hotels and inns (double occupancy with bath), breakfasts local style and a typical Galician dinner.  As we say in our brochure,  you are expected to walk the entire 200 kilometer but taxis are available (at your expense) for the sick or wounded.

NOTE: We recommend participants purchase a comprehensive guide book of Spain.
We prefer “The Lonely Planet”.

Although every effort will be made to adhere to the above program changes may be necessary due to circumstances beyond our control.

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