Adventure Travel Along the Camino de Santiago in Spain

Reserve Trip Trip Customization Email A Friend

El Camino de Santiago

Biking and Hiking

(9 Days)

The Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James) is one of the world’s ancient treks, and has been trodden by hikers and bikers from all over the world for centuries. Its history begins in 813 AD with the discovery of a tomb containing the remains of the body of the apostle Santiago (or St James). Santiago had been decapitated in 42 AD in Palestine, but his followers had stolen the body, put it in a little stone boat, and after a storm-tossed voyage they landed up on the shores of Galicia in Spain. They had secretly buried the body and it lay undiscovered for almost eight centuries. Just under 1200 years after the discovery, we have the chance to hike and bike along this very same route, absorb the legends, traditions and rich culture, and in the process discover one of the most beautiful parts of Spain.

Trip Highlights

Walk in the footsteps of 1200 years of pilgrims towards Santiago de Compostela, one of Europe's holiest shrines
Experience rural Spain at its authentic best: its sights, sounds and flavours
2 days of adrenalin-packed mountain biking

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Madrid - Transfer to Leon (Hiking)

Today you will be met in Madrid at an agreed meeting point and will be transferred directly to Leon. Once in Leon we’ll wander around this beautiful, ancient city on foot. Some of Leon’s highlights are the Romanesque church of the Real Basilica de San Isidoro, the stunning gothic Cathedral, and the intricate, winding streets of the old centre of Leon. We will also pick up our Pilgrim’s Passports to get ready for our trip along the Camino de Santiago. The region of Leon is known for its fine wines and embutidos (sausages). This evening we’ll have the chance to sample some in a local bar before sitting down to dinner in a cozy restaurant in the old town. Overnight in Leon in a comfortable 3- star hotel. (B,D)

Day 2: Leon to Astorga (Hiking)

Today we have a short drive from Leon to El Puente de Orbigo, the medieval bridge and our starting point on the Camino. Our first day of hiking is 16 kms/10 miles through peaceful, rolling countryside of wheat fields and dairy farms. We’ll eventually reach the delightful town of Astorga, established in Roman times. We’ll take a look around this ancient town, which was at the crossroads of two of the most important Roman roads on the Iberian Peninsula where the locals were known for their business acumen. Dinner this evening will be in our hotel. Overnight in Astorga.(B,D)

Day 3: Astorga to Rabanal del Camino (Hiking)

This morning we'll set off from our hotel and embark on a 20 km/12 mile walk through many colonial towns such as Santa Catalina de Somoza and El Ganso. Our final destination is perhaps the most picturesque of them all, Rabanal del Camino. In Rabanal, the plains of central Spain come to an end and the hills of western Leon will be the prominent feature of the section of the Camino beginning the following day. Rabanal, although a very small town, is well worth a look around. Overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Rabanal del Camino. (B,D)

Day 4: Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada (Hiking)

Today’s walk of 24 kms/15 miles is through a gorgeous section of the Leonese mountains. Stops on the way include a visit to the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross), where we can throw a stone onto an ancient pile of stones, an act that pilgrims believe cleanses them of their sins. If it’s a hot day, we’ll stop for a refreshing dip in a local swimming hole in the town of Molinaseca. We overnight in the town of Ponferrada, a 12 km/7.5 mile shuttle from where we finish walking. Molinaseca is located in one of Spain’s most prominent wine regions, known as El Bierzo and there will be the chance to sample some of the local wines this evening before enjoying dinner in Ponferrada. Overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Ponferrada.(B,D)

Day 5: Ponferrada to Sarria (Hiking)

Today we'll leave the region of Leon and enter Galicia, acknowledged as one of the most beautiful regions of Spain. The countryside surrounding the Camino becomes greener and lusher and the rolling hills start to replace the flat plains. The walk ends in the beautiful village of O’Cebreiro where Celtic culture is evident in the pallozas (huts with thatched roofs) and the local music. Later this evening we will enjoy a cooking demonstration, given by the owners of our guesthouse who will prepare some Galician specialties, complimented by a queimada – a potent mixture of alcohol, sugar and roasted coffee beans which is a centre piece of many social gatherings, and which dates back to pagan Celtic times. Overnight in a comfortable hotel in Sarria. (B,D)

Day 6: Sarria to Melide (Mountain Biking)

For the next two days we'll take a short break from our walking and take to mountain bikes, the second most popular means of travelling the Camino. We will cover about 53 kms/33 miles today on a route that takes us through the beautiful towns of Sarria, Portormarin, and Palas de Rei. We’ll stop to watch the pilgrims stroll by as we sip a cafe con leche in an attractive town square. Today’s ride is of a moderate level and combines some challenging glute-burning climbs with exhilarating downhill stretches. At journey’s end, we’ll relax in the town of Melide and enjoy a leisurely dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel Melide. (B,D)

Day 7 - Melide to Arca (Mountain Biking)

Today we will saddle up for another breathtaking bike ride through the Galician landscape of old stone villages, bustling market towns, and the occasional herd of cows being led to pasture. The terrain continues to roll and offers a biker a wonderful variety of on and off-road adventure. The 40 kms/ 25 miles we cover today lead us to a wonderful hotel that is almost within stone throwing distance of Santiago. The local cuisine of pulpo a la gallega (octopus cooked with potatoes and paprika) and pimientos de padron (grilled green peppers), and the hospitality of the locals will delight you as you prepare for the final leg of the trip: the walk into Santiago. Overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Arca. (B,D)

Day 8: Arca to Santiago de Compostela (Hiking)

Today is the culmination of our journey, and fittingly, we enter Santiago the way you should enter the city: on foot. The last 19 kms /12 miles may well be the most memorable of the whole trip, as we inevitably feel the anticipation build as we approach the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. You will accompany many others, pilgrims and walkers alike, who in some cases have been following the Camino for several months and who will be overjoyed to see the end so near. Once in Santiago we will have time to relax in our hotel before embarking on a short walking tour of this wonderful city and then a farewell dinner in a medieval building within a few minutes of the Plaza de Obradoiro, the stunning square of the cathedral. Overnight in a comfortable 3-star hotel in Santiago. (B,D)

Day 9: Santiago to Madrid

Our tour concludes today. We'll transfer back to Madrid where you have the rest of the day to enjoy Madrid and get ready for your trip onwards. (B)

$3399 US	-	Based on 4 Travellers
$3599 US	-	Based on 2 Travellers

May 31, 2012	-	Jun 8, 2012
Sept 13, 2012	-	Sept 21, 2012


Hotel
8 Nights