Day 1: León Meet your fellow walkers in León today for an introductory lunch, followed by a locally guided tour of Leon's magnificent Cathedral and the Romanesque paintings in the Pantheon of St. Isidoro. An integral stop this afternoon is at one of the local pilgrim's refuges to get your pilgrim's passports, the credential that you will carry all the way to Santiago de Compostela as proof of your journey. Our hotel this evening is the Parador San Marcos, formerly a pilgrim's hospital and now a beautifully restored luxury hotel. Dinner together at the fine restaurant in the Parador. Overnight at Parador San Marcos.
Day 2: O'Cebreiro to Sarria (113.8 km to Santiago) Today's walk: Warm up walk into Casa Diaz Your first stop today is the city of Astorga for an informal walking tour of the town, including the Bishop's Palace designed by Catalán architect Antoni Gaudí, the Cathedral and the Chocolate Museum. Continue on to the small mountain village of O'Cebreiro, gateway to Galicia, and enjoy lunch in a small tavern before taking some time to explore the town. From here descend into Galicia for a visit to the Monastery of Samos and continue to your charming rural inn, the Casa Díaz. Those who wish can enjoy a warm-up walk along the way. Dinner together in Sarria. Overnight at Casa Diaz.
Day 3: Sarria to Portomarín (91.8 km to Santiago) Today's walk: Sarria or Mouzos to Portomarín (91.8km to Santiago): 21.5 or 15.6 km Today embark upon your first full-day's walk along the Camino de Santiago. Begin walking about 107 kilometers from Santiago: only those pilgrims who complete the last 100km under their own power walking (or 200km biking) qualify for the Compostelana certificate and corresponding indulgence issued by the Catholic Church. Wind your way through small Galician villages with green pastures and lots of cows to the town of Portomarín, your destination for the evening. Dinner this evening is on your own. Overnight at Pousada de Portomarín.
Day 4: Portomarín to Ventas de Narón (79.3km to Santiago) Today's walk: Portomarín to Ventas de Narón 12.5 km Portomarín is a fascinating town. It was moved to its present location from the bottom of the valley in 1962, when the Belesar Dam was built and created the reservoir lake that now consumes the valley floor. Several monuments including the local church were dismantled block by block and rebuilt on the higher ground selected for the new town. Your route today continues through Galicia to the small village of Ventas de Narón. Return to Portomarín tonight to enjoy a special Galician feast with your host, Mario. Enjoy a traditional festivity known as a "queimada," an ancient Galician ceremony celebrated when friends and family get together. Overnight at Pousada de Portomarín
Day 5: Ventas de Narón to Palas del Rei (67.5 km to Santiago) Today's walk:Ventas de Naron to Palas del Rei: 11.8 km Continue your scenic journey along the Camino from Ventas de Narón, passing through numerous small villages on our way to Palas del Rei. Exiting Ventas de Narón, look for the "cross of Lameiros", a stone structure dating from 1670. The village of Eirexe, meaning church in the language of the region, is home to a beautiful Romanesque temple. Take time to interact with the friendly locals here-they are most proud to be part of the culture of the Camino de Santiago and dedicate much of their energy to helping and sometimes hosting pilgrims. Our hotel this evening the Balneario Rio Pambre spa hotel, overlooking the beautiful Rio Pambre Castle. Dinner tonight will be with the group at your hotel.
Day 6: Palas del Rei to Leboreiro (58.4 km to Santiago) Today's walk: Palas del Rei to Leboreiro: 9.1 km If your legs are aching this morning, make an appointment for a massage or other spa treatment for this afternoon. The thermal waters work wonders for tired pilgrim legs! Our walk today takes us from the town of Palas del Rei in the Galician province of Lugo into the province of A Coruña. The Camino continues along a Roman road towards our destination of Leboreiro with its charming Church of the Virgin of the Snows. Notice the general state of abandonment in the small Galician villages--it’s hard for the younger generation to make a living off of the land, so most have headed to the cities, leaving the older generation behind. Dinner is together with the group tonight at the Casa de los Somoza near the hotel. Overnight at Balneario Rio Pambre
Day 7: Leboreiro to Castañeda (44.7 km to Santiago) Today's walk: Leboreiro to Castañeda 19.3 km Today pass through the town of Melide, one of the larger towns on the Camino de Santiago in Galicia. Melide is famous for its restaurants serving Galician-style octopus, so you may choose to stop here for lunch. You may also enjoy a stop at the Ethnographic museum and a visit of the local church that houses 15th century frescoes of St. James the Moorslayer. Your final destination this evening is the village of Castañeda, where the stonework for the Cathedral of Santiago was crafted before transport to the building site. Your hotel this evening is a charming rural inn, Casa Rural A Painza, just off of the Camino itself. Dinner this evening is together with the group.
Day 8: Castañeda to Salceda (27.9 km to Santiago) Today's Walk: Castañeda to Salceda 16.8 km Climb up and down the rolling hills of Galicia, passing through the charming town of Arzúa and through green fields on the way to your destination, the village of Salceda. Our hotel this evening is one of the most charming rural inns of Galicia, the Pazo de Andeade. Our hostess, Elena, will be happy to show you around the beautiful stone home that has been in her family for centuries. Dinner together, prepared by Elena and her mother.
Day 9: Salceda to Lavacolla (10.2 km to Santiago) Today's Walk: Salceda to Lavacolla 17.7 km Breakfast is a special treat this morning, prepared by Elena with her homemade preserves, pastries and butter. Relax, enjoy the meal at leisure and get a later start today, beginning the route where you left off in the village of Salceda. Journey though stunning scenery, through several quaint towns along the way to Lavacolla. This town takes its name from the words "lavar" meaning to wash, and "cola" meaning tail, where historically pilgrims took the time to bathe themselves thoroughly in preparation for the last day's walk into Santiago and their entrance to the Cathedral. Your hotel this evening is the charming Casa Rural San Xordo, another rustic inn located off of the actual Camino. Dinner tonight will be together.
Day 10: Lavacolla to Santiago 10.2 km After breakfast, follow the footsteps of the millions of pilgrims who have climbed the sacred ascent to the Monte del Gozo, or Mount of Joy, the spot where medieval travelers first viewed the Cathedral of Santiago. From here, walk downhill to the city, and slowly uphill through town to the Plaza del Obradoiro and the Cathedral of Santiago. Your hotel this evening is the magnificent Hostel of the Catholic Kings located next to the cathedral, Parador Reyes Católicos. Once a pilgrim's hospice, it is now a luxury inn. Toast your achievement with a glass of chilled Cava, and celebrate your arrival tonight during a festive dinner together with the group.
Day 11: Tour Santiago / End Tour This morning enjoy a guided visit of the Cathedral of Santiago and the historic center of town before saying goodbye to your new friends, and leaving behind the centuries of history that surround you. Like pilgrims throughout the ages, you’ll return home inspired and changed by your journey along the Camino.
