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Day 1: Join tour Bilbao
Arrive Bilbao and check into our hotel. Bilbao is famous for its casco viejo (old town) where we may have time to wander its historic narrow lanes.
Overnight Comfortable Hotel (H++)
Day 2: Drive to Burgos; sightseeing, then walk/drive to Leon via Hornillos
We drive to Burgos first thing this morning, in the central region of Castilla y Leon, a region that has had a major influence on much of Spain's historical and cultural development. During Medieval times Burgos was one of the great trading centres of northern Spain and for four centuries it was the capital of the united kingdoms of Castile and Leon. The great hero of the Spanish conquest over the Moors, El Cid, was born just to the north of the city and his statue proudly stands near the Puente de San Pablo. With its increasing importance on the main pilgrimage route Burgos also became an important place of worship as well and the huge gothic cathedral stands testimony to that fact. Built in the 13th century, over a period of some 40 years, the cathedral is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture and, for many, Spain's most spectacular church from that period. After visiting Burgos we continue by bus to the small village of Hornillos and the start of our walk. This short section through the Meseta gives us some idea of life in the local villages as we hike across the fertile tracts of this stunning region. In Hontanas we finish our walking for the day and rejoin our bus to travel on to Leon. If time allows en route there might be the chance to interrupt the journey for a short visit to the fine Romanesque church in Frómista and the remains of the once incredibly powerful monastery of Sahagun. (Approx. 2 hours walking, 11km, 85m ascent, 75m descent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3: City tour; drive to Astorga
Leon, like Burgos, played a major role in Spain's reconquest and this morning we will take time for a guided tour of the city. This was once the centre of Christian Spain, during the time that two thirds of the peninsula was under Muslim rule. The two central buildings of the city are its great Gothic cathedral and the equally superb Romanesque Basilica de San Isidoro. Both are without doubt two of the finest examples of their time to be found anywhere in Spain. The cathedral is unique for the quality and magnificence of its stainedglass windows, which span seven centuries and cover subjects as diverse as religion, mythology and even medieval life. San Isidoro on the other hand is the final resting place of dozens of Christian kings and noble families, buried over centuries, beneath the stunning 12th century frescoes. After lunch we will drive to the small town of Astorga, once a strategically important staging post on the Roman route to Andalusia, where they controlled the traffic of gold from their mines in the nearby hills of Las Medulas. Later it became a major stopping point on the pilgrim trail to Santiago. Astorga houses some fine medieval buildings, including the superb cathedral, but it is the Palacio Episcopal that probably shines out. Designed by Antoni Gaudi, the Modernista architect at the end of the 19th century, the magnificent Bishops Palace was built to replace its predecessor, destroyed by a fire in 1887. Unfortunately its radical design and horrendous costs resulted in it never being used and it now houses a unique collection of artefacts and treasures devoted to Astorga's history and its importance on the Pilgrim route. We will have the chance to visit this most unusual of buildings today.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Walk to Molinaseca via Meseta; drive to Medulas
Today we begin our walking, following in the footsteps of so many pilgrims who have led the way to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela. The rather monotonous high plateau of the Meseta lies behind us as we drive up into the mountains of the Bierzo, to the almost abandoned village of Foncebadón. From here we walk, up to the famous Cruz de Hierro (Iron Cross), at 1,482m the highest point in the entire Camino. This is one of the most significant points on the route, where for centuries pilgrims have been leaving a stone brought from home, an offering they hope will give them protection for the rest of the pilgrimage. From here we can see the mountains of Galicia in the distance. The rest of our day is spent gently descending and, after a picnic in the woods somewhere near Riego de Ambros, we finally arrive in the small village of Molinaseca with its lovely Roman bridge. Here we re-meet our bus and transfer the short distance to our hotel in Las Medulas. (Approx. 4 hours walking, 19km, 100m ascent, 930m descent)
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Free day in Las Medulas
We have a free day today, to relax and perhaps explore the village and its surrounding hills. This was once the most important gold mining area in Roman times and its hills, riddled with caves and strange sculpted rock formations, is today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Romans honeycombed the hills with canals and tunnels through which they pumped water to break up the rock, freeing the gold within. The result is a singularly unnatural natural phenomenon and we have the opportunity to explore something of this unique area, taking some of the trails through forests of chestnut trees, to view for ourselves the surreal orange formations left behind by the miners. After a day exploring the hills around town we return to our hotel, where there is the opportunity to try their delicious homemade chestnut flan.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Into Galicia; walk to O'Cebreiro
After breakfast we drive to Villafranca de Bierzo. Once an important medieval town this delightful spot is home to some spectacular churches, including the Romanesque Church of Santiago. From here we continue, to the town of Riutelan, where we start today's walk and our "conquest" of the Galician mountains. The route follows the course of the Valcarce River, through the valley, the natural route between Galacia and Castile since ancient times, which passes through the picturesque villages of Las Herrerías and Faba to the "border" between Galacia and Leon. Here we come to one of the highlights of our walk, the unusual village of O Cebreiro, a tiny wind battered settlement of stone houses high above a patchwork quilt of green valleys. The village is famous for its "pallozas" – traditional circular, thatch-roofed houses. Our ascent today is the most challenging section of our itinerary, so please be aware that the bus will be unable to collect anyone once we leave Riutelan. (Approx. 3 hours walking, 10km, 700m ascent)
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Walk to Sarria; optional visit to Samos monastery
Driving to the village of Triacastela this morning we begin our walk through one of the most unspoilt regions of the Camino, following a trail that has been used since the very early days of pilgrimage. The scenery is beautifully diverse, with oaks and chestnut trees blanketing the hills. Passing through the villages of Alto de Riocabo and Furela we arrive in Sarria, a medium sized town on the Camino, and our night stop for today. On arrival there will be an opportunity for anyone interested to visit the delightful Benedictine monastery of Samos, one of the most important monasteries in Galicia (optional). (Approx. 4 hours walking, 19km, 220m ascent, 440m descent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8: Walk to Portomarin
From Sarria we continue on foot through Galicia, traversing a terrain of undulating hills in this most verdant of all Spain's regions. Passing the village of Ferreiros we reach the (100km) famous landmark, for so long a magical moment for the weary pilgrims. It was here that they could re-gather their strength, knowing that it was now only another 3-4 days to go to Santiago. This afternoon we reach Portomarin, once upon a time a splendid medieval village, which was relocated by Franco to make way for a dammed lake. Remnants of the towns more prosperous days can still be seen amongst its narrow streets, such as the delightful Romanesque church San Pedro. (Approx. 5 hours walking, 21km, 250m ascent, 360m descent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Walk to Boente
Departing town this morning we drive to Palas do Rei and the start of today's walk. Today is a good day for trying some traditional Galician dishes en route, specifically the famous octopus with potatoes! The village of Melide is renowned all over Spain for this particular meal and we can stop here for lunch in one of its traditional restaurants. And what better way to finish than by washing it down with some of the excellent local white wine from the Riberas Baixas near Pontevedra. Not too much though, as we still have to walk to Boente. On arrival our bus will be waiting to transport us the 8km to our hotel, but anyone who feels the need for more walking can continue of foot. (Approx. 4 hours walking, 18km, 75m ascent, 215m descent).
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10: Walk from Arzua to Alto de Santa Irene; drive to Santiago and visit cathedral
Our final day's walking sees the landscape flattening out as we travel between Arzua to Alto de Santa Irene, to the outskirts of Santiago itself. Our bus will be waiting for us on the edge of the town to transport us the last few kilometres to our hotel, via Monte de Gozo, the final hill before the city and the point where the pilgrims could finally see the cathedral and the end of their journey. After contemplating what an emotive moment this must have been for the exhausted pilgrims, we continue to our hotel, to check in and freshen up. Later this afternoon we will visit the cathedral, for a guided tour of what, for many, was the pinnacle of their journey. The 12th century Baroque cathedral, towering over the surrounding city streets, is one of Christendom's holiest of shrines, indeed after Jerusalem and Rome, this city was the most important place of pilgrimage anywhere in the Christian world. The tomb of St. James is believed to lie in the crypt beneath the altar, part of the original 9th century foundations of an earlier basilica. The majesty of the Praza do Obradoiro, the immense square that stands before the cathedral was the focal point for the arriving pilgrims, a fitting setting for the end of their journey. (Approx. 3 hours walking, 15km, 60m ascent, 110m descent)
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Free day in Santiago; Optional visit to Cape Finisterre
Today has been left free to explore more of this most enigmatic of cities at your own pace. You may wish to return to the magnificent cathedral and appreciate in more depth the stunning architectural diversity of its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque styles. Alternatively you may prefer to wander the city's narrow streets and visit some more of the myriad of architectural treasures that are dotted around the city. In the Convento de Santo Domingo de Bonaval you will find a folk museum dedicated to the Galacian region, whilst the Monasterio de San Martiño Pinario and the Palacio de Gelmirez are just two of the other jewels in this dazzling crown. And, at the end of the day, what better than to relax with a reviving drink on the Praza das Praterias and watch the world pass by. For those interested the tour leader could organize a day trip to Cape Finisterre, in Medieval times considered to be the 'end of the world'.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12: Tour ends Santiago de Compostela
Included meals: Breakfast
