Camino de Santiago
15 days/14 Nights
2010 Dates see Tour Calendar
Tour Details: Arrive Pamplona, Depart Santiago
What’s Included: All Breakfasts,
“brown bag lunch” each day, 3 dinners with wine
You Should Know: There are a few good climbs on this journey, but the van is always nearby with water, snacks and a ride should the need arise! So don’t let the mileage or kilometers scare you!
Itinerary
Day 1 We meet in Pamplona for a glass of vino and spend some time sightseeing in the city known for “los San Fermines” or the running of the bulls. This evening you’ll be introduced to tapas and later we’re off for the traditional “copa” of pacharan.
Day 2 Pamplona-Puente la Reina We start our journey in Cizur where we stop to collect our “credencial” which is our passport for the Camino. There is much to see along this walk including the beautiful view over the Pamplona basin from the Sierra del Perdón.
Today’s walk is about 18 kms
Day 3 Puente La Reina–Estella We complete another entire stage of the Camino today and the reward is a shuttle to the heart of the Rioja for some wine tasting and fine regional cuisine.
Today’s walk is about 19kms
Day 4 Burgos- Enjoy a shorter walk today from Villafranca Montes de Oca to San Juan de Ortega and then we’ll shuttle to Burgos, home of Spain’s favorite son, El Cid. A visit to the magnificent Gothic cathedral with the best art historian in Burgos and later a stoll along the sycamore tree lined promenade.
Today’s walk is about 13 Kms
Day 5 Burgos-Carrion de los Cóndes We leave Burgos this morning and exit the city along tree lined paths that take us to Castrojeriz. This road takes us past the ruins of the 14th century monastery of San Antón. We shuttle to Frómista to visit the Romanesque church of San Martin and on to Carrion de los Cóndes where we spend the night in a Monastery.
Day 6 & 7 Las Mesetas Our walk today takes us through the mesetas of Leon which feature small villages, wheat fields, an oak forest and in the springtime wildflowers galor! Leon so much to see and do, two days hardly seem enough! This morning there is a guided visit to the Gothic cathedral, San Isidoro and then the afternoon is yours to explore. We meet again to have a night out on the town in the “barrio 
humedo” for great tapas. first day of the short tour.
Day 8 Villafranca del Bierzo-O’Cebreiro We say goodbye to Leon and from this point, walking an average of 27 kms each day, (16 miles) you are assured the Compostela. Our walk begins in the Bierzo and we make our way up to O'Cebreiro a beautiful little hamlet of Celtic houses “pallozas” and a church which houses the Chalice of the Miracle that dates back to the 14th century. The afternoon is yours to explore O'Cebreiro. The scenery today will take your breath away. Today's walk: 13.2 kms 8.2 miles
Day 9 Cebreiro to Sarria There are two long days on our journey and today is one of them. Starting today we will walk several full stages of the Camino. We attempt to keep this journey as authentic as possible, but our van is never far behind should the need arise. Rolling hills, winding roads a pleasant walk. Today's walk: 38.5 kms 16- 23 miles
Day 10 Sarria to Portomarin Our destination Portomarín, a town rebuilt stone by stone exactly as it was in 993A.D. Today the roads will take us through lush green forests and primitive farms still worked as they were a thousand years ago. Tonight we dine with our friend and host Mario and watch wide-eyed as he offers his special quiemada a tradition of Galicia, which conjures up tales of witches and spirits. Today's walk: 21.5 kms 13 miles
Day 11 & 12 Portomarin to Palas de Rei Our journey to Palas del Rei is marked by cruceiros and many historical remnants along the way. This area is one of the most important to art historians throughout the world because of its’ abundance of Romanesque architecture. A small detour takes us to Vilar de Donas where we visit the tombs of the Knights of Santiago. When we arrive in Palas de Rei, our shuttle awaits to take us to our accommodations for this evening, a traditional, magical, pazo owned by the same family for 300 years. Our hosts Elena and her mother are incredible chefs and attention to detail is evident everywhere. Prepare to dine as Kings and Queens. Today's walk: 23.9 kms 14.8 miles
Day 13 Arzua-Santiago An exciting day awaits us as we awaken with the knowledge that today we begin our final walk to reach our destination. Walking through eucalyptus forests we ascend the Monte de Gozo where, from the top of the mountain we see Santiago de 
Compostela. We enter the city and continue to follow the familiar yellow arrows that have guided us for many days until we see the cathedral before us.
Today's walk: 38.4 kms 16-23 miles
Day 14 Santiago The day is yours to enjoy this city, visit the many museums, shop the silver shops, or just relax. Tonight we meet for our farewell dinner and our celebration of a journey you'll remember, we hope, always!
Day 15 Departures
