Camino Tour, June 2008 !
Guide and Organizer: Garry , www.spanishadventures.com, San Sebastian (Donostia), Spain.
Email: garry@spanishadventures.com
Tour Overview
This tour is aimed at a easy to moderate walking level, up to 30km a day, but several much easier days. We meet in Leon with its lovely Cathedral famous for its stained glass windows, and then attend the medieval Jousting festival in Puente de Orbigo. We walk from there, walking the final 260km of the Camino in 11 days, so we average 25km a day.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1. Friday 6th June
Meet in Leon, accommodation in nice city center Hotel. Welcome dinner.
Day 2. Saturday 7th. Puente de Orbigo
Am: Free time in Leon. Pm: transfer to Medieval Festival in Puente de Orbigo. See http://www.hospitaldeorbigo.com/justas/. Accommodation in Orbigo or nearby. Lunch and dinner not included.
Day 3. Sunday 8th. 16km to Astorga
Start walking the Camino! Small rolling hills through vineyards and Holm Oaks forests to the old Roman town of Astorga. Dinner included
Day 4. Monday 9th. 19km to Rabanal de Camino
Steady but easy incline through Maragato country up to the old village of Rabanal. Dinner included.
Day 5. Tuesday 10th. 25km to Molinaseca
Past Foncebadan and over the Iron Cross pass where tradition has it pilgrims drop a stone from the flatlands beforehand, or from their homeland. Descend from the Iron cross. Dinner included.
Day 6. Wednesday 11th. 29km to Villafranca de Bierzo
Passing spectacular Pontferrada Castle and across the vineyards in the Bierzo Valley. Dinner included.
Day 7. Thursday 12th. 28km to O Cebreiro
A lot of up! The walk has some steeper sections, we start early and take it easy. O Cebreiro is a lovely Celtic mountain hamlet. Dinner included.
Day 8. Friday 13th. 30km to Samos
Mostly downhill, nice green views! Samos is a village dominated by a very large Benedictine monastery. Dinner included.
Day 9. Saturday 14th. 27km to Portomarin
Lovely green rural valley walk, like old Ireland or Wales! Portomarin was moved from the valley below in the 1960´s when the local reservoir mas made. Dinner included.
Day 10. Sunday 15th. 24km to Palas del Rei
Cross over hills covered with heather and bracken to the town of Palas del Rei, which appears not to have a Kings Palace. Dinner included.
Day 11. Monday 16th. 30km to Arzua
Small rolling hills, lots of eucalypt forests! Dinner included.
Day 12. Tuesday 17th. 20km to Arca do Pino
More Rolling hills! Dinner included.
Day 13. Wednesday 18th. 20km to Santiago
Arrive at Monte de Gozo for the first views of Santiago and the famous Cathedral. Final Dinner included.
Day 14. Thursday 19th. Leave.
Extra nights in Santiago can be booked at extra cost.
Tour Price and Inclusions
The tour price is 2500 Euros per person.
Included in the cost:
- All accommodation in twin or double room for the 13 nights. Single supplement payable for single rooms. Accommodation is in nice, clean local run hotels and pensions, all rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Some places are quite old and rustic, others are more modern. They are chosen for being safe, reliable, clean on or close to the camino and with friendly staff.
- Dinners, except night 2 in the medieval festival.
- Breakfasts.
- Experienced guide, myself, Garry, I have been on the camino 5 times as a Pilgrim and 13 times with groups.
- All bag transfers whilst walking. Hence you only need a small day pack.
- Pilgrims passport, the credential which must be stamped along the way. To get the pilgrims passport at the end you must walk (at least) every step of the way for the last 100km which is from and including day 9. Anyone missing any bits of that last 100km CANNOT get a pilgrims Compostella certificate in Santiago . To get the credential I need for each person:
- Full name and address
- Date of birth
- Nationality and passport number
- Occupation
- Transfer from Leon to Puente de Orbigo on Day 2.
Not included in the cost:
- Lunches or other food or drinks during the day: Typically for lunch we will either stop on the camino and eat a sandwich which we each need to buy or prepare.. or stop in a local restaurant for a pilgrims menu which costs up to around 12 euros.
- Any other accommodation.
- Transport to Leon or away from Santiago, though I can help with those arrangements.
- Any extra transport required, including any taxis required if one is ill or can not walk on any day. The vehicles transferring bags can NOT take passengers.
- Any entrance fees for churches or museums.
- Personal costs.
- Personal/travel insurance. Please note, you must have insurance, including cancellation insurance.