Detailed Trip Dossier

Walking the Camino de Santiago
$1,850 per person
10 nights from
ff
At a glance...
Walk along one of the most famous
UNESCO pilgrimage routes in the world
Excellent variety of accommodation:
converted water mills, restored parish
houses, stylish farmhouses
Poppy-sprinkled wheat fields, orchid-rich
water meadows, pine-scented woodland
Share in a breath-taking 1000-year-old
sense of achievement
Pilgrim Passport to record your
adventure en route
What’s included...
• 10 nights’ - hotel-to-hotel
• All buffet breakfasts and 8 evening
meals
• ff self-guided walking with route
notes and maps provided
• Walking transfers included
• Luggage transfers between hotels
• Guided city tour of León included
• 98% sustainability rating
• 88% customer satisfaction rating
See pp6-7 & 50-51 for details of our activity
ratings and how our holidays work
© CC-BY jexweber.fotos / flickr
SpAin | GaliCia
Walking-the-Camino-de-Santiago2016.qxp_Spain 10/8/15 3:27 PM Page 72
The Spanish Camino de Santiago is one of THE most ancient walking routes in the
world. Ever since the C9, the French Way has led thousands of pilgrims on an
800km/500mi journey across northern Spain, winding from the Pyrenees across
the wheat fields of old Castile to pass through león, the seat of Spanish Kings, full
of soaring cathedrals and hushed convents, before entering Galicia. The route then
builds to a spectacular finale at Santiago de Compostela's majestic Baroque
cathedral, the last resting place of St James the apostle.
Your walk begins in león and, in keeping with the pilgrimage route, you walk daily
along farm tracks, paths and country lanes, enjoying sociable lunches in
restaurants en route. You'll stay in an astonishingly diverse range of properties
including restored parish houses, converted water mills and stylish farmhouses, all
packed with period features. We’ve included transfers after breakfast on the first
three walking days, after which you'll walk all the way to Santiago. The sense of
achievement on arrival is immense, and sharing
in this tradition is incredibly rewarding.
Everyone
on the Camino has a Pilgrim
E
“ The organization
Passport
that can be stamped in
P
and bag moving en route is
bars,
hotels and churches along
b
the
t way to qualify for a certificate
superb. Hassle and worry free.
ffrom the official Pilgrim Office in
”
SSantiago. You'll notice a profound
and
a heart-warming camaraderie
Mr A Woodgate
with
w other walkers, as day by day you
fall
fa in and out of step with people from
all
a over the world, some of whom have
been
walking for months, covering
b
hundreds
of miles! You'll also find
h
Santiago arzúa
complete
strangers cheering you on
c
O Coto
Rua lestedo
and
a wishing you 'Buen Camino!' ('Enjoy
Sarria
Portomarin
Madrid •
your
walk!').
y
O Cebreiro
Molinaseca
Call us on 1-800-567-6286 for a tailor-made quote
león
Walking-the-Camino-de-Santiago2016.qxp_Spain 10/8/15 3:27 PM Page 73
Your accommodation
Your itinerary
Day 1
Arrive at León
Day 2
León to Molinaseca 8km/5mi/2hr or 19km/12mi/4hr
Day 3
Molinaseca to O Cebreiro 15km/9.5mi/4.5hr
Arrive at your historic hotel in the heart of León. There are lots of restaurants and tapas bars on
your doorstep, so we’ve left the choice up to you for dinner tonight.
After a guided tour of León’s magnificent cathedral, and once you’ve received your Pilgrim Passport,
we provide a transfer (1hr) to Cruz de Ferro, the highest point on the Camino, marked by a preRoman 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, where you’ll be well looked after by your hosts Noemi and Javier.
Posada Regia HHH
Posada de Muriel AAA
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 an C11 village in the heart of
the Cordillera Cantábrica. 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.
Hotel O Cebreiro AAA
Rectoral de Goian AAAA
Casa Rural Sta Marina AA
Rectoral de Lestedo AAAA
Casa de Los Somoza AAA
Pazo de Santa Maria AAAA
O Muino de Pena AAAA
Virxe da Cerca HHHH
Day 4
Day 6
Portomarin to Lestedo 21km/13mi/5hr
Day 7
Lestedo to O Coto 14km/8.5mi/3hr
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.
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 Coruña. 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.
O Coto to Arzúa 21km/13mi/5hr
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 Arzúa. Continue on to your elegant manor house, surrounded by tranquil countryside, just
outside the town.
Day 9
Arzúa to Rua 19km/12mi/5hr
Day 10
Rua to Santiago de Compostela 21km/13mi/5hr
Day 11
Leave Santiago de Compostela
Arzúa’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.
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 façade. 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 color!
Day by Day Walking Guide
1500m
1000m
500m
0m
Sarria (Day 4)
Portomarin (Day 5)
Lestedo (Day 6)
Sarria to Portomarin 23km/14mi/5.5hr
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! This evening, meet
your hotelier, Mario, who keeps his own horses and makes his own wine for you to enjoy; perhaps
take a waterside stroll after dinner.
Day 8
O Cebreiro (Day 3)
Molinaseca (Day 2)
O Cebreiro (Triacastela) to Sarria 18km/11mi/4.5hr
After a short transfer we drop you off at Triacastela. As the Camino meanders between heatherclad 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.
Day 5
León (Day 1)
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking boots are essential.
Walking poles are recommended.
O Coto (Day 7)
Rua (Day 9)
Arzúa (Day 8)
Santiago (Day 10)
Dates and prices (US$)
Departs Saturdays
2016 Departures
Apr 9, 16, 23
Apr 30, May 7, 14
May 21, 28, Jun 4, 11, 18
Jun 25, Jul 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Aug 6, 13, 20
Aug 27, Sep 3, 10
Sep 17, 24
Oct 1, 8, 15
Tour
Only
$1,850
$1,885
$1,933
$1,986
$1,986
$1,933
$1,885
$1,850
Singles: Add $32 per night. Solo traveler supplement, an additional
$32 per night. Child: This holiday is unsuitable for children under 12.
Room upgrade: Prices from $11 per person, per night, based on 2
sharing.
Group Size: No minimum group size, however, walking and luggage
transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked.
Departs: Saturdays from Apr 9 to Oct 15.
Duration: 11 days (10 nights).
Meals: Buffet breakfast and 8 evening meals.
Other details: For “What your holiday price includes,” see “Booking
Information” section pp 50-51.
Hotels: **** (1), *** (1),** (1), AAAA (4), AAA (2), AA (1)
Tour starts: Leon train station 17:40* (transfer to hotel, 5 mins, pay
locally).
Tour ends: Santiago De Compostela (taxi to airport not included,
approx 15 euro, pay locally).
*Tour price includes rail from Madrid Chamartin to Leon 14:40/17:40.
Due to the linear nature of this walk, it is not possible to fly into
Santiago.
For further details visit:www.breakaway-adventures.com
W10CS