Walking the Camino de Santiago
Walking the Camino de Santiago
Walking the Camino de Santiago
11 Days Starting in Leon and ending in Santiago de Compostela
Visiting: León, Molinaseca, Cruz de Fierro, Vega de Valcarce, O Cebreiro, Sarria, Portomarín, Lestedo, Torres , O Coto, Palas de Rei, Arzúa, Rúa Xosé Neira Vilas, Monte do Gozo, Santiago de Compostela
Tour operator:
Tour code:
W10CS
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 6
Age range:
12-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Since Apostle James’ tomb was discovered in the ninth century, the route has also been known as 'The Way of St James'. The symbol of the scallop shell, typically found on the Galician shores, marks the way. On completion of at least 100km of the route, it is a great tradition to receive a certificate or ‘compostela’. Taking a self-guided walk along the Camino is a perfect way to meet travellers from all over the world, as they journey from far and wide to walk this important route.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Leon.
Location: León
Accommodation: Hotel
Arrive at your historic hotel in the heart of Leon. There are masses of
restaurants and tapas bars on your doorstep, so we've left the choice up to
you for dinner tonight.Comfortable Hotel
Day 2 : Trek From Cruz De Ferro To Molinaseca.
Location: Molinaseca, Cruz de Fierro
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your day starts with a guided tour of Leon's magnificent gothic Cathedral
which is often called the 'House of Light' and a visit to the Basilica of San
Isidoro, one of the most important Romanesque churches in Spain and resting
place of Leon's mediaeval monarchs. You will then receive your pilgrims
passport. We then provide a transfer (1hr) to Cruz de Ferro, the highest
point on the Camino, marked by a pre-Roman cross. The Camino winds downhill
through fragrant pines where once the Knights Templar protected pilgrims from
bandit attack. A path lined with wild chestnuts, cherries, peppers and fennel
leads to riverside Molinaseca, known to be one of the most beautiful villages
on the Camino.Two options: Distance 8km/5mi, approx. 2 hours walking or
19km/12mi, approx. 4 hours walking.Comfortable Hotel
Day 3 : Ascend The Rio Valcarce Valley To O'cebreiro; Sunset Viewpoint.
Location: Vega de Valcarce, O Cebreiro
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a short transfer (30 mins), you ascend the Rio Valcarce valley,
climbing into moody oak woods strung with lichen and strewn with early purple
orchid. O Cebreiro is a 11th Century village in the heart of the Cordillera
Cantabrica. Walk to the viewpoint above the village for a perfect sunset and
views over four ranges of hills then return along the narrow, cobbled
streets, past traditional thatched houses known as pallozas.Comfortable Hotel
Day 4 : Walk Between Villages Overlooking The Monastery Of Samos; Continue To Sarria.
Location: Sarria
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
After a short transfer we drop you off at Triacastela. As the Camino meanders
between heather-clad villages overlooking the Monastery of Samos, you can
hear the bells ringing. On reaching Sarria - the antiques capital of Galicia,
you'll be whisked to Javier and Raquel's elegant country rectory (10 mins),
complete with chapel and al fresco dining patio area.Comfortable Hotel
Day 5 : Head Up The Celerio Valley; Descend Into Portomarin.
Location: Portomarín
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A Roman bridge leads out of Sarria up the Celerio Valley, where you'll
traverse the hamlets of the southern flank of the Sierra del Paramo. Descend
into Portomarin - the original village was drowned by the Belesar Reservoir,
and some remains still shimmer below the surface! Comfortable Hotel
Day 6 : Walk Up Torres Valley To The Delightfully Rural Farmhouse At Lestedo.
Location: Lestedo, Torres
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Drop into Portomarin's church then follow the Torres stream, passing between
cornfields lined with ox-eye daisies. Stamp your Pilgrim Passport in country
churches dedicated to the Order of St James before arriving at your
beautifully restored rectory.Comfortable Hotel
Day 7 : Hike To O'coto Via Palas Del Rei.
Location: O Coto, Palas de Rei
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Country lanes lead past fortified farmhouses into the hillside town of Palas
de Rei (Palace of the King) as you enter the province of A Coruna. You'll
pass typical, raised Galician granaries, and chickens scamper across narrow
streets as you enter vineyards, with views east to the Montes del
Vacaloura.Comfortable Hotel
Day 8 : Leave Hamlet Of O'coto; Walk To Arzua.
Location: Arzúa, O Coto
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today's first stop is Melide - a thriving country town where tavernas brim
with locals enjoying Galician seafood in specialist pulperias (octopus
restaurants). Drop into the Romanesque church to admire the frescoes, before
lanes lined with bright yellow celandine bring you into the lively market
town of Arzua. Continue on to your elegant manor house, surrounded by
tranquil countryside, just outside the town.Comfortable Hotel
Day 9 : From Arzua Walk To A Converted Watermill In Rua.
Location: Arzúa, Rúa Xosé Neira Vilas
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Arzua's colonnaded streets lead into open country where local farmers wear
berets as they tend vines and build haystacks with pitch forks. Your route
rises and falls through river valleys, crossing rushing streams. This evening
you can marvel at Javier's breathtaking converted water mill, where original
machinery has been turned into spectacular period features.Comfortable Hotel
Day 10 : Walk To Santiago Via Monte Do Gozo; Visit The Cathedral.
Location: Monte do Gozo, Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Excitement mounts as you set off towards Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy), where
pilgrims of old caught their first glimpse of the spires of Santiago. On
reaching Santiago's historic centre, congratulations are everywhere as a
steady stream of pilgrims reach their journey's end below the cathedral's
spectacular Baroque facade. Drop into the Pilgrim Office to collect your
certificate if you wish, before checking into our historic hotel near the old
marketplace - still a riot of colour!Comfortable Hotel
Day 11 : End Santiago De Compostela.
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy Santiago and the cathedral before taking a taxi to the airport (pay
locally approx 15 euro). Alternatively, stay on for extra nights to explore
this beautiful historic city. Walking through the old streets of Santiago is
a fantastic way to spend your time here, with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque
buildings lining the old town's streets and plazas.
What's Included
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Route notes
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All buffet breakfasts and 7 dinners
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All accommodation (see accommodation section)
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Meals
10 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 7 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Standard Madrid to Leon rail ticket
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Travel to/from the start/end points
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request -compulsory supplement)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Accommodation
You'll stay in a diverse range of properties including converted watermills, stylish farmhouses and a restored parish house - all of them packed with period features. Please feel free to ask us for more detail about where you'll stay. Room Upgrades:Room upgrades may be available on request for a supplement on the final night; prices start from an additional £10 per person per night (based on 2 people sharing) – please enquire at the time of booking for further details and prices. Upgrades available at select hotels only (not for the entire duration of the tour). All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs.
Food
All breakfasts and 7 dinners are included.Dinners are either taken at the
hotel, or left open, where there is a good choice of restaurants.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.