Spanish Way Camino de Santiago
Spain Hiking + Walking Tours
Walk the Ancient Pilgrim Route of St. James Way
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€805 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
To hike along the Camino de Santiago is to walk an ancient pilgrimage of great historical, cultural, and spiritual significance shared by people of all interests.
For some the Camino is a journey through beautiful landscapes. For others, it is a personal pilgrimage of self-discovery and achievement. There are those who walk because of the legend and those that walk to enjoy the incredible food and wine, historical sites, and camaraderie all along the way.
Whatever your reason, as you trek the way of the ancients, moving along with other pilgrims, you are participating in something much larger than yourself.
You have options with this tour. One featuring shorter daily distances, and the other a bit longer.
Highlights
- Cultural and historical impact of this walking experience
- Quiet country lanes, leafy riverside paths, tracks lined with ancient stone walls and luscious green pastures as you step back in time in the footsteps of ancestral pilgrims
- Santiago de Compostela with its awe-inspiring cathedral, shrouded in centuries of myths and legends
- Hike with Unesco World Heritage recognition
See our complete list of hiking & walking tours.
Itinerary
Option A
Shorter daily distances
Day 1: Arrival in Sarria
Day 2: Sarria - Portomarín, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 3: Portomarin - Lestedo, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 4: Lestedo - Melide, 12 mi. (20 km)
Day 5: Melide - Arzua, 9 mi. (14 km)
Day 6: Arzua - Rua, 12 mi. (19 km)
Day 7: Rua - Santiago de Compostela, 14 mi. (23 km)
Day 8: End of tourDay 1: Arrival - Sarria
Arrival at the Galician town of Sarria, the starting point for all pilgrims wishing to complete the last 112 km of the Camino. Your tour documents will be waiting for you at your accommodation.Sample Accommodation: Hotel Roma, Posada Casona De Sarria, Hotel Duerming Villa De Sarria (Sarria)
Day 2: Sarria - Portomarín, 14 mi. (23 km) | Elevation gain: 300 m
Today you set off on the Camino walking through ancient oak, birch, and chestnut forests and later through many hamlets dotted around areas of cultivated land and grazing pastures along quiet country lanes and natural pathways. Enjoy the peace and tranquility as you walk through a part of rural Spain that seems to be caught in a time warp!Sample Accommodation: Pousada de Portomarin, Hotel Villajardin, or Hotel Ferramenteiro (Portomarin)
Day 3: Portomarin - Lestedo, 12 mi. (20 km) | Elevation gain: 450 m
Pine forests, cornfields, meadows, and leafy green woodland accompanies you on this strech of the Camino. You will also cross a number of small villages full of rural character, with ancient stone-built houses in age-old villages that reflect the simpler pace of life of a bygone era.Sample Accommodation: Rectoral de Lestedo (Lestedo)
Day 4: Lestedo - Melide, 12 mi. (20 km) | Elevation gain: 450 m
Today you will cross several beautiful river valleys as you follow secluded pathways through mature woodland. The area is full of medieval castles as well as Romanesque churches and ancient settlements.
Sample Accommodation: Pousada Chiquitín or Hotel Carlos 96 (Melide)Day 5: Melide - Arzua, 9 mi. (14 km) | Elevation gain: 90 m
A short stage day to give your legs a rest! You will walk amongst woodland, meadows, and small orchards that surround the many small villages you go through. You'll be tempted to stop and savor each one you encounter!
Sample Accommodation: Pension Teodora, Hotel O´Retiro, or La Cason De Nene (Arzúa)Day 6: Arzua - O Pino/O Pedrouzo, 12 mi. (19 km) | Elevation gain: 120 m
This part of the Camino weaves its way towards Santiago through undulating fields and tiny villages, each one a hidden gem with stone-built houses, narrow streets and seemingly standing still in time. You can breathe the history along the way and can only imagine how many thousands of people over the centuries have shaped this legendary route.
Sample Accommodation: Hotel O'Pino, Hotel O'Acivro, Pension Residencial Platas, or Pension Lo (O'Pedrouzo/O'Pino)Day 7: O Pino/O Pedrouzo - Santiago de Compostela, 14 mi. (23 km) | Elevation gain: 375 m
Time to relish the last remaining kilometers of your adventure. Today the Camino leads you into the very heart of the unique city of pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela, into the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the Cathedral built in honor of Saint James. A city shrouded in centuries of legends, you will arrive elated to the echos of the pilgrims who have gone before you! This is a truly spiritual and uplifting experience! With a buzz of satisfaction and a smile on your face, you will arrive with enough time to get your “Compostelana” or Pilgrim’s Passport. This singular city offers many important landmarks for you to enjoy, every corner imbued with history and atmosphere. You won't want to say goodbye!
Sample Accommodation: Hotel Alda Avenida, Hotel Gelmirez, or Hotel HerraduraDay 8: End of tour or extra nights in Santiago
Departure or why not linger in Santiago a few days to rest and enjoy. How about a touch of Luxury in the ***** Parador?Option B
Longer daily distances
Day 1: Arrival in Sarria
Day 2: Sarria - Portomarin, 14 mi. (23 km) | Elevation gain: 300 m
Day 3: Portomarin - Palas de Rei, 16 mi. (26 km) | Elevation gain: 450 m
Day 4: Palas de Rei - Arzua, 18 mi. (29 km) | Elevation gain:150 m
Day 5: Arzua - O Pino/O Pedrouzo, 11 mi. (17 km) | Elevation gain:160 m
Day 6: Rua - Santiago de Compostela, 14 mi. (23 km) | Elevation gain: 120 m
Day 7: Rest day in Santiago de Compostela
Day 8: End of tourFinisterre Extension
The Camino Finisterre is an amazing 96-kilometer extension to your Camino de Santiago experience. It takes an additional five days to complete. Because Finisterre was considered to be the end of the known world in the Middle Ages, it held special spiritual and physical significance.
Day 1: Santiago de Compostela - Negreira, 22 km
Day 2: Negreira - Santa Mariña, transfer at end of day, 18 km
Day 3: Santa Mariña - Olveiroa, transfer at beginning of day, 15 km
Day 4: Olveiroa - Ces, 20 km
Day 5: Ces - Finisterre, 21 km
Day 6: ReturnInterested in seeing more than our hiking & walking tours? Check out our full list of tours & activities & view all our featured & new tours.
Map
Accommodation
The hotels are conveniently positioned very near or on the Camino and are always the best quality offered along the way. They are typically of the 3-star grading. On each day’s details, you will find a list of sample accommodations. Please do note that the final hotel list is based on availability.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodation for 7 nights
- Option A: 7 breakfasts & 6 dinners (excluding Santiago)
- Option B: 7 breakfasts & 5 dinners (excluding Santiago)
- Luggage transfer (one item per person up to 20 kg. Additional items incur a supplement)
- Detailed maps with trails clearly marked
- Tourist information such as route notes, information, recommendations, etc
- GPS tracks are available on request
- Pilgrim’s passport
- Emergency telephone support
- 5 nights of additional accommodation
- 5 breakfasts & 5 dinners
- Luggage transfer (one item is allowed. Additional items incur a supplement)
- Transfer from Santa Mariña to Olveiroa on Day 2
- Transfer from Olveiroa to Santa Mariña on Day 3
- Detailed maps with trail clearly marked
- Tourist information such as route notes, information, recommendations, etc
- Roadbook & maps
- GPS tracks are available on request
Finisterre extension
What’s Not Included
- Meals other than those mentioned as included
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
Daily arrivals possible from April 1 to October 31, 2024
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
Option A (shorter daily distances)
Twin/double: $ 1353 £ 711 $ 1,218 € 813 kr 125312 ₪ 3356 ¥ 132517 Mex$ 15505 NZ$ 1455 NOK 9615 kr 9358 $ 902 Single room supplement: $ 398 £ 209 $ 358 € 239 kr 36838 ₪ 987 ¥ 38956 Mex$ 4558 NZ$ 428 NOK 2827 kr 2751 $ 265
Option B (longer daily distances)
Twin/double: $ 1339 £ 704 $ 1,206 € 805 kr 124079 ₪ 3323 ¥ 131213 Mex$ 15352 NZ$ 1441 NOK 9520 kr 9266 $ 893 Single room supplement: $ 388 £ 204 $ 349 € 233 kr 35913 ₪ 962 ¥ 37979 Mex$ 4443 NZ$ 417 NOK 2756 kr 2682 $ 259
Extra Options
Extra night in Santiago
On request
Extra luggage (per piece)
Option A or B: $ 62 £ 32 $ 55 € 37 kr 5703 ₪ 153 ¥ 6031 Mex$ 706 NZ$ 66 NOK 438 kr 426 $ 41 Finisterre Extension: $ 52 £ 27 $ 46 € 31 kr 4778 ₪ 128 ¥ 5053 Mex$ 591 NZ$ 55 NOK 367 kr 357 $ 34
Finisterre Extension
Twin/double: $ 958 £ 504 $ 863 € 576 kr 88782 ₪ 2378 ¥ 93887 Mex$ 10985 NZ$ 1031 NOK 6812 kr 6630 $ 639 Single room supplement: $ 270 £ 142 $ 243 € 162 kr 24970 ₪ 669 ¥ 26406 Mex$ 3089 NZ$ 290 NOK 1916 kr 1865 $ 180
Airport Transfers
Santiago Airport to Sarria: $ 255 £ 134 $ 229 € 153 kr 23583 ₪ 632 ¥ 24939 Mex$ 2918 NZ$ 274 NOK 1809 kr 1761 $ 170 From Finisterre to Santiago (for Finisterre extension): $ 170 £ 89 $ 153 € 102 kr 15722 ₪ 421 ¥ 16626 Mex$ 1945 NZ$ 183 NOK 1206 kr 1174 $ 113
An extra fee may be applicable when booking dates associated with bank holidays, local holidays, or other events. In the event of any changes to your plans, kindly be aware that a €50- €100 booking modification fee will apply. If you wish to cancel, please refer to our cancellation policy.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Moderate
This tour is rated moderate to difficult. Daily distances are long and you will encounter hilly terrain. There is an option with shorter distances offered. Please look at each day’s details to see elevation gain. Generally, you will average three ascents per day.
Airport Info
Fly to Santiago de Compostella Airport aka Labacolla Airport (SCQ).
Local Travel
Bus travel to Saria from Santiago involves a transfer in Lugo, but it is a straightforward process. If you prefer, you can arrange for an airport transfer upon arrival for an additional fee.
To catch the bus to Lugo, simply head outside the main entrance/exit of the airport. You’ll find the bus operated by the company FREIRE there. If you need assistance, there is an information desk located in the main lobby of the airport.
Tickets for the bus can be purchased directly on board. For detailed schedules and fares, please visit their website at Empresa Freire. There are 7 departures every day but Sunday, which has 4. It is less than a 2-hour ride and it will cost approx 9,45 Euro.
The bus ends at Lugo and here you can access the bus to Saria. This bus operates under the company Monbus. You can purchase your ticket on board. Travel time is 35 minutes and the fare is less than 5 euros. Please check the company website for schedules and fares and double-check all times and prices.Climate
Santiago de Compostela has a moderate maritime climate which is strongly influenced by the Atlantic Ocean despite its situation in the interior. On average temperatures are much lower than in the more southeasterly located places in Spain. Please check local conditions before you travel and you will find Monthly Weather Averages below.
Day of Rest
Please ask us if you would like to book any extra nights within your itinerary!
Important to know
Documents
Before you travel, please check the passport and visa requirements of the country/countries you plan to visit. Please be advised that is your responsibility to ensure that you have proper identification. For US citizens, the U.S. Passports & International Travel website is a good source of information. The Country Information tab provides details about passport validity, blank passport pages required, etc. It is important to research before you travel as airlines will not permit boarding if you do not have the required valid documents.
*Important note: Please check on the status of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.
Sustainability
This holiday produces a carbon footprint of 0,356 tonnes of CO₂. This includes taxis, luggage transfers, and accommodation for every traveler. Our partner will compensate the CO₂ footprint for each booking through tropical reforestation projects in collaboration with the CeroCO₂ platform. Additionally, you can also offset your own flight emissions by visiting myclimate.
Extra Stay
If you would like extra nights before or after your tour, just ask.
An extension of 6 days is offered from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre. See day to day itinerary and pricing.Tour Operator
This tour is run by Senderos y Pueblos.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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