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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
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
Distance in Km: 19
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 4
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
Distance in Km: 15
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 5
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
Distance in Km: 18
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 5.5
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
Distance in Km: 23
Distance in Miles: 15
Activity Hours: 7.5
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
Distance in Km: 21
Distance in Miles: 14
Activity Hours: 7
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
Distance in Km: 14
Distance in Miles: 9
Activity Hours: 4
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
Distance in Km: 21
Distance in Miles: 14
Activity Hours: 6
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
Distance in Km: 19
Distance in Miles: 12
Activity Hours: 5
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
Distance in Km: 21
Distance in Miles: 14
Activity Hours: 6
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.
10 nights in 2 to 4-star hotels9 days point-to-point walkingAltitude max.
1300m, average 700mSelf-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
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.
10 nights in 2 to 4-star hotels9 days point-to-point walkingAltitude max.
1300m, average 700mSelf-guided holiday. Min age 12 yrs
This is a moderate walking holiday because of the distance covered each day
rather than the altitude change or the terrain. There is lots of classic
Galician countryside to enjoy, rural paths and hamlets with cafes and
restaurants for pilgrims along the route. Walks on this holiday are on
village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking days are
approximately 5-6 hours with ascents up to 700m (2400feet) and may involve
some scrambling. You should be used to walking all day.As this is a
self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There may be others on
the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. You
are provided with route notes for each day, which begin with an overview of
the walk and advice on lunch, followed by detailed instructions. The route
notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need
it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or
pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. You may
find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference:
http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Training_Guide.pdf
HotelsYou'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.
As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. A local
agent/representative is on hand to assist you and will meet you at the
beginning of the week to go through the route notes and point out particular
places of interest. Your luggage is transferred from point to point and route
notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain a 24-hour emergency
assistance telephone number. In an emergency, the local representative is
normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to
charge for this service.Please note: the walking and luggage transfers that
are included in this tour are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked
on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers
and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person is travelling on any
departure date.
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.
We have included transfers after breakfast on the first three walking days,
after which you'll walk all the way to Santiago.
The tour itself normally begins at the start hotel in Leon on the afternoon
of Day 1 of the itinerary, please purchase your rail tickets from Madrid
Chamartin to Leon (payable locally) at the suggested times below. Arrival
transfers from Leon train station and departure transfers to Santiago Airport
are not included, however these journeys are only a short taxi ride (paid
locally).Standard Rail Times:Rail from Madrid Chamartin to Leon departs 14:40
arrives 17:40.Flights:We can also book flights for you to coordinate with the
above rail times if you wish. The standard flights we usually use are with
Iberia Airlines from London Heathrow to Madrid usually departing at 07:30,
arriving 10:55. Then rail to Leon (rail and transfer to the hotel, 5 mins,
pay locally). Return: Santiago de Compostela to Heathrow (via Madrid)
departing 13:35 arriving 17:20. Please note that the standard flights/trains
may occasionally change throughout the season so please enquire for
up-to-date details.
In April and October expect temperatures in the 40-60°F/5-15°C with high
chance of rain showers though it could also be simply partly cloudy and more
temperate. Temperatures in May, June and September tend to be about
10°F/5°C warmer than April and October. Expect a combination of sun,
showers and clouds. July and August are typically sunny and warm
(60-80°F/15-25°C). Occasionally in summer there can be hot days so it is
always important to make sure you have enough water.
Light walking boots (good walking trainers will suffice)Small daypack for
camera, guidebook, etc.Water bottle to use when walking and sightseeing (2
litre)Sun creamHatSunglassesWaterproofsWarm clothes
Walking polesSwimwear
Lunch is not included in the itinerary and some dinners are left open where
there are good restaurant choices, please allow some spending money for this.
We recommend approximately €5-15 (US$4.50-13) per lunch and €20-30
(US$18-27) for dinner.
Travel insuranceSingle accommodation (available on request - compulsory
supplement)Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on
a departure date)Visas or vaccinationsTravel to/from the start/end
pointsStandard Madrid to Leon rail ticket
Ved skriftlig aksept av vårt tilbud bekrefter du/dere at våre betingelser er både lest og forstått og at evt kansellerings gebyrer kan tilkomme ved en evt. avbestilling av reisen.