Camino - Pilgrims and Paradors
Camino - Pilgrims and Paradors
$2490
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Camino - Pilgrims and Paradors" tour, a remarkable journey through Spain's historic pilgrim trail. This self-guided adventure takes you from Villafranca del Bierzo to the iconic Santiago de Compostela cathedral, offering a blend of cultural, spiritual, and scenic experiences. Walk through the picturesque hills of Galicia, explore the ancient village of Triacastela, and visit the grand Monastery of St Julian in Samos. Enjoy the camaraderie of fellow hikers, traverse ancient woodlands, and savor the comfort of paradors, pazos, and charming hotels. With included transfers, luggage transport, and a digital information pack, this tour ensures a seamless and enriching pilgrimage experience. ...more ...less
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive Villafranca Del Bierzo
Location: Villafranca del Bierzo
Accommodation Name: Parador
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Make your way to Villafranca del Bierzo and check into the Parador for 2 nights. The Parador has great views of the northwest of the region of El Bierzo and the south of the Ancares mountain range. The town has a rich monumental heritage and its old centre has been declared Property of Cultural Interest.
Day 2 : Transfer To Herrerías And Walk To O Cebreiro (6Hrs), Transfer Back To Villafranca
Location: O Cebreiro
Accommodation Name: Parador
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning at 8.30am you will be transferred to Herrerías to start your Camino. You will walk via La Faba to Laguna de Castilla, where you will find a wonderful example of a functional Galician 'palloza'. This traditional structure has stone walls with a conical, slanting roof and is a typical dwelling of this region. Continue through the scrub land to reach O Cebreiro (at 1330m) where you will meet your 4pm transfer to take you back to Villafranca for your overnight stay.
Distance 8km/5mi
Day 3 : Enter Galicia And Walk To Samos (6Hrs), Transfer To Monforte De Lemos
Location: Samos
Accommodation Name: Monforte de Lemos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
A morning transfer (8.30am) takes you back to O Cebreiro to continue your walk. Early morning mists give way to ethereal hilltops that look like floating islands and along the way you will encounter amazing views in every direction. In Hospital de la Condesa take the time to visit the Iglesia San Juan with its unusual stone roofed belfry and the cross of Santiago. Pass through the village of Triacastela on your way to Samos for your late afternoon transfer to Monforte de Lemos.
Distance 30km/18.6mi
Optional excursion:
You have the option to add a day to the trip and take a tour of the Ribeira Sacra including wine tasting lunch, cellar visit, catamaran journey on the river and vineyard experience. This is a full day excursion. It must be requested at the time of booking and the excursion supplement plus an extra night in Monforte apply.
Day 4 : Transfer To Samos And Walk Via Sarria To Barbadelo (5Hrs), Transfer To Monforte
Location: Samos
Accommodation Name: Monforte de Lemos
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
At 8.30am a transfer will take you back to Samos to commence today's walk. Samos has as its centrepiece an enormous monastery founded in the sixth century, The Monastery of St Julian, an active Benedictine monastery. From here you will pass through Sarria and on to Barbadelo, following a winding path between the river and railway to cross a stream. Climb up through ancient woodlands to meet your 4pm transfer back to Monforte.
Distance 17.5km/10.8mi
Day 5 : Walk Through The Hills Of Galicia To Portomarin (6Hrs)
Location: Portomarin
Accommodation Name: Portomarin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to Barbadelo this morning (at 8.30am) to continue your walk. You are now experiencing rural Galicia at its best following a well-worn path along granite stepping stones and narrow laneways to stay above the flood prone area below. Gently climb to Ferreiros and Vilacha before descending steeply to the bridge spanning the Miño river. Overnight in Portomarin. The Belesar reservoir on the river Miño flooded the old village of Portomarín in 1963. Its main historic buildings were rescued stone by stone: the Romanesque church of San Pedro, the church fortress of San Nicolás and some medieval palaces, and relocated to the new town. The usual accommodation here, a pazo, was partially relocated to its current spot at this time due to the flooding.
Distance 16.5km/10.2mi
Day 6 : Walk To Palas De Rei, Transfer To Vilamaior (6.5Hrs)
Location: Palas de Rei
Accommodation Name: Vilamaior
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you will find varied terrain on your journey to Palas de Rei. You will commence with a climb up a woodland path to then make numerous crossings over the main road. If you have time, take an optional detour from Portos to Vilar de Donas where you will find the Church of San Salvador, constructed in the middle of the 12 century. After another gentle climb around the side of Rosary Heights you will descend to Palas de Rei. Afternoon transfer to Vilamaior and your accommodation.
Distance 25km/15.5mi
Day 7 : Continue To Arzua (6Hrs)
Location: Arzua
Accommodation Name: Arzua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer at 8.30am to Palas de Rei to commence your walk. The terrain becomes easier today as you walk through the villages of Casanova and Leboreiro past eucalyptus trees. There are many places along the way to stop for coffee and lunch. Crossing over the River Seco on the Magdalena Bridge you will reach Furelos and Melide. Continue to your comfortable lodging in Arzua in the province of La Coruña.
Distance 29.5km/18.3mi
Day 8 : Walk From Arzua To Rua, Transfer To Pazo Andreade (5Hrs)
Location: Rua
Accommodation Name: Pazo Andreade
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today’s walk will bring you to the small town of Rua which has a population of only 50 people. The walk is lovely, passing large green fields and rural landscapes. Meet your transfer at 4pm to take you to your overnight accommodation.
Distance 18km/11.2mi
Day 9 : Transfer To Rua, Walk To Santiago (5.5Hrs)
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Accommodation Name: Parador
Meals Included: Breakfast
You are transferred back to Rua at 8.30am this morning to commence your walk. Today you will pass many ancient sites including monuments, chapels and bridges – all have a story to tell. Follow country lanes and forest paths through increasingly populated countryside. The last day on the trail is always a special one. Walk into the city - the Parador is adjacent to the cathedral. Arriving in the fabled Santiago de Compostela, there is plenty to see and do – or you can simply relax and celebrate the end of the journey. Dinner is not included tonight so you can try one of the many restaurants in town.
Distance 20km/12.4mi
Day 10 : Trip Concludes
Location: Santiago de Compostela
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast
What's Included
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Accommodation
9 nights in a combination of charming hotels and Paradors -
9 breakfasts, 8 dinners (no dinner in Santiago): Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by chicken, red meat, fish or a pasta dis
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9 nights in paradors, pazos (manor houses) and charming hotels on a twinshare basis
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Digital information pack with route notes, maps & GPX
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Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess
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Transfers as noted on days 2 - 9
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Pilgrim Passport
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Emergency Hotline
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Travel to Villafranca del Bierzo and from Santiago
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Meals not listed as included, drinks
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Travel insurance - mandatory
What's Not Included
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Travel to and from the Starting and Ending Points
Travel to Villafranca del Bierzo and from Santiago is not included.
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Meals Not Listed
Meals not listed as included, as well as drinks, are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is mandatory.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees are not included.
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Guide
This is a self-guided tour, so a guide is not included.
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Solo Traveler Supplement
A supplement will apply if you are traveling solo or book a single room.
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Transfers Not Listed
Transfers not listed as included are excluded.
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Excess Luggage
Excess luggage charges apply for additional pieces of luggage.
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Items of a Personal Nature
Items of a personal nature are not included.
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Optional Excursion
An optional full-day excursion in Ribeira Sacra is available at Monforte (where you stay on days 3 and 4). This must be requested at the time of booking and requires an extra night in Monforte. Note that it does not operate on a Wednesday.
Grading
The walking is graded moderate (3). Daily walks are between 8 and 30km on well marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to mountainous. This is a well worn path where route finding will be reasonably straight forward (refer below for further details on self guided adventures). The main areas to concentrate on route finding are arriving and leaving towns and cities. The accent is on keeping a steady pace to take in all of the attractions, with time to stop and take photos. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure. ...more ...less
What You Carry
As the walks are fully supported you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, good walking boots / shoes, water bottle, mobile phone and sun protection etc.
Mode of Transport
Transfers are provided on days 2-9, including luggage transfer (1 piece, max 20kg). Travel to Villafranca del Bierzo and from Santiago is also included.
Accommodation
Enjoy 9 nights in paradors, pazos (manor houses), and charming hotels on a twin-share basis, providing maximum comfort throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will enjoy 9 nights in paradors, pazos (manor houses), and charming hotels on a twin-share basis, providing maximum comfort throughout your journey.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, 9 breakfasts and 8 dinners are included. Breakfasts are usually continental with breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee, and juices. Dinners consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by chicken, red meat, fish, or pasta.
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Is luggage transfer provided during the tour?
Yes, luggage transfer for 1 piece of luggage with a maximum weight of 20kg is provided. A supplement applies for excess luggage.
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What kind of support is available during the tour?
You will have access to an emergency hotline and a digital information pack with route notes, maps, and GPX files is provided.
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Is there an option for a guided tour?
No, this is a self-guided tour, so a guide is not included.
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What is the difficulty level of the walks?
The walking is graded moderate (3). Daily walks are between 8 and 30km on well-marked trails over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to mountainous. You will need a good level of fitness to participate fully in this adventure.
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What should I carry during the walks?
As the walks are fully supported, you only need to carry a daypack with your daily requirements including wet weather gear, good walking boots/shoes, water bottle, mobile phone, and sun protection.
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Is there an optional excursion available?
Yes, an optional full-day excursion in Ribeira Sacra is available at Monforte (where you stay on days 3 and 4). This must be requested at the time of booking and requires an extra night in Monforte. Note that it does not operate on a Wednesday.
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Are transfers included in the tour?
Yes, transfers are provided on days 2-9, including luggage transfer. Travel to Villafranca del Bierzo and from Santiago is also included.
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What happens on the last day of the tour?
On the last day, you will walk into Santiago de Compostela, where there is plenty to see and do. You can relax and celebrate the end of the journey. Dinner is not included on this night, so you can try one of the many restaurants in town.
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How fit do I have to be?
Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.
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What happens if something goes wrong?
On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.
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I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?
Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Camino - Pilgrims and Paradors
10 Days Starting in Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain and ending in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Visiting: Villafranca del Bierzo, O Cebreiro, Samos, Portomarin, Palas de Rei, Arzua, Rua, Santiago de Compostela ...more ...less
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CPI
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided