Due to the popularity of the Compostela tour in 2004, Nancy
and Jose have decided to continue offering the special 7-day
tour from León. Walking the last 100km will allow you
to earn the Cathedral's certificate of completion, the Compostela.
Come join us and we'll show you the highlights of the Camino
and many of its special secrets in this delightful rural corner
of Spain, Galicia.
We will start in León, visit the highlights of this
historic pilgrimage town and then head off the next day towards
Galicia. Our Day 2 morning walk heads through the Leonese meseta,
or high tableland. In contrast to the days to come, here the
scant villages are adobe, the land flat and dry and the red
earth dominates - it's fascinating to observe the abrupt change
in the landscape, cuisine, villages between León and
Galicia. We will end the day in Cebreiro, a small hamlet located
on a mountain pass and linked to the pilgrimage since the 10th
century.
From
Days 3 through 7 we will be walking the last 105 km of the pilgrimage
route, a beautiful, hilly section through rural, bucolic Galicia.
Each day (Days 3 to 7) we'll give you a map and description
of the easy-to-follow trail so you can either walk on your own,
meeting up with the group for lunch, or with Nancy. The shuttle
will be available at lunch time and in case of need.
We offer various cultural activities to enhance
the overall experience such as visiting Leon’s magnificent
cathedral with the best collection of stained-glass windows
in Europe after Chartres, Lugo's 1800-yr-old, intact Roman wall,
as well as a still active 10th century Cisterician monastery.
In Galicia we will pass through countless hamlets
connected to one another by ancient dry-stone walls separating
the trail from an endless patchwork quilt of worked fields and
cow pastures. We'll enjoy the hearty Galician fare - including
leafy green soup, called caldo gallego, creamy cow's
milk cheeses, thick, round loaves of wheat, rye and corn meal
bread, outstanding Galician veal and pork, seafood and greens
– cabbage, broad beans, swiss chard and leeks. We'll stay
in small, simple hotels and lodgings located on the pilgrim's
trail (except one day) so that you can have the comfort of walking
directly to your bed at the end of the day and starting out
on foot in the morning.
A
little bit more about the Compostela:
In order to receive the Compostela, pilgrims must complete the
last 100km (62mi) of the pilgrimage, carry with them a Pilgrim's
Passport which you will get stamped on a daily basis, and then,
once we reach Santiago, you'll head to the Pilgrim's Office
to register yourself and receive the Compostela.
7 days & 7 nights
Level: Medium (Due to the length of the
walks and the hilly countryside. In general the trails are
groomed but some sections will be uneven earth and stone).
Walking Days: 7 Total
Distance: 78.3 miles / 126.9 km With optionals 83.2
miles / 135.1 km
Departure Dates:
April 3-9, 2008
June 5-11, 2008
June 21-27, 2008
September 2-8, 2008
Oct 9 - 15, 2008
Price: US$1950/€1550
Reyes Católicos Parador Supplement: The last night
of the tour we will be staying in a lovely small hotel in
the historical quarter accessible by foot to all monuments
and points of interest. If you would like to stay instead
in the 5-star parador, Reyes Católicos hotel, we can
try to arrange lodging there. The supplement to stay at the
parador will be 145 Euros/double room or 120 Euros/single
room. Please keep in mind that demand for rooms in July will
be particularly high so it may not be possible to accommodate
all reservation requests.
Custom Camino 2008: Please contact us if you have a group
of six or more and these dates don't work for you.
Weather: In April and October expect temperatures in the
40-60F/ 5-15C with high chance of rain showers though it could
also be simply partly cloudy and more temperate. Temperatures
in May and September tend to be about 10F/5C warmer than April
and October. Expect a combination of sun, showers and clouds.
July is typically sunny and warm (60-80F/15-25C).
What is and isn’t included: Expert guides (Nancy & Jose), support vehicle,
all ground transport from the start in León to the
finish in Santiago de Compostela, lodging in double occupany
accommodation, all meals (except two dinners), the Pilgrim's
Passport, daily maps and descriptions of the sections to be
walked, optional visits and entry fees to museums visited.
Airfare to Spain is not included nor is insurance or transportation
to and from the start (León) and end (Santiago de Compostela)
points. The single supplement fee is US$165/€130
for this tour.
Daily Itinerary
Day
1 - León
We'll meet at our hotel in León's historic quarter and,
after our introduction, take a walking tour of the Romanesque
San Isidoro church, famed for its Romanesque paintings, and
then the French-influenced Gothic Cathedral where the 2000 sq
meters of 13th-17th C stained glass windows inevitably impress.
After walking to the San Marcos pilgrim's hospital, located
on the banks of the Río Bernesga and noted for its Renaissance
facade bedecked with shells, we'll return to the historic quarter
for dinner enjoying delicious regional specialties. Walking
distance: 3.2 miles / 5.4 km
Day 2 - O Cebreiro
From León we'll shuttle to Puente Orbigo, famed for its
many-arched medieval bridge and 15th century knights' tournament
which put the small town on the European map. We set out from
the bridge and picnic en route. Afterwards we briefly visit
the once great Roman way-station, Astorga - more recently famous
for its chocolate and sweet treats. From Astorga, we'll shuttle
to the base of the Cebreiro mountain pass. Those who would like
to hike the 5.3mi/8.5km uphill to our lodging in Cebreiro may
do so - this section is one of the Camino's most celebrated.
Enjoy either free time in this rustic village known for its
pre-Roman style thatch dwellings (called pallozas) or the uphill
walk before we meet for dinner to enjoy a hearty Galician meal.
Walking distance: 7.7 miles / 12.5 km With Optionals 12.7 miles
/ 20.7 km
Day
3 - Portomarín
Today we start the last 100km to Santiago from Sarria enjoying
a beautiful section of rural lanes, small country churches,
thick oak and chestnut groves and numerous hamlets active with
farm-life. We'll picnic en route and continue to Portomarín
located on the banks of the Río Miño. In the 1950s
the town was moved uphill to make way for a hydro-electric plant
created further downstream. Walking distance: 9 miles / 15 km
Day 4 - Palas de Rei
From Portomarín we'll set off into the woods on our journey
towards Palas de Rei. On the hilly walk we'll continue through
field and forest passing countless granaries, hórreos,
and way-side crosses or cruceiros (usually depicting
on once side Christ and the other the Virgin), both very characteristic
of the Galician landscape. Free time. Optional visit to the
Roman city of Lugo to see its intact, 1800-yr-old Roman fortification,
named in 2002 an UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visit the Cathedral.
Walking distance: 15.2 miles / 24.5 km With optionals 16.7 miles
/ 27 km
Day 5 - Arzúa
The walk sets off from Palas and ends up at a small medieval
(and recently restored) pilgrims' hospital and bridge spanning
the Río Iso from where we'll shuttle to Arzúa.
En route we'll pass through the bustling small town of Melide
and visit its small ethnographic museum. Today we also pass
from Galicia's Lugo province to Galicia's A Coruña provice.
The chestnuts and oaks give way to eucalyptus. Free time and
dinner on your own tonight. Walking distance: 16.2 miles / 26
km
Day
6 - Arca
After returning to where we left off yesterday (3km from Arzúa),
we'll continue our trek to Arca, the largest community before
Santiago, immersing ourselves in the fragrant eucalyptus groves.
We'll picnic en route. After arrival in Arca you'll have free
time. Optional visit to the grandiose Monastery of Sobrado,
Galicia’s first Cistercian monastery and dedicated to
the Virgin Mary. Renovations in the 17th and 18th centuries
amply embellished the façade, church and side chapel.
Walking distance: 13.6 miles / 22 km
Day 7 - Santiago de Compostela
We'll set out in the cool morning air to make the last and final
stage of our journey to reach the famed city of Santiago. En
route we'll stop for our picnic on the Monte del Gozo (Mount
Joy) from which the spires of the Cathedral are first visible.
After arrival in the Cathedral square we'll check into our hotel.
Afterwards we'll offer a guided visit of the Cathedral and city.
Free time. Tonight we'll say farewell to one another at one
of Santiago's famed restaurants. Walking distance: 13.3 miles
/ 21.5 km
From
Days 3 through 7 we will be walking the last 105 km of the pilgrimage
route, a beautiful, hilly section through rural, bucolic Galicia.
Each day (Days 3 to 7) we'll give you a map and description
of the easy-to-follow trail so you can either walk on your own,
meeting up with the group for lunch, or with Nancy. The shuttle
will be available at lunch time and in case of need. 
A
little bit more about the Compostela:
Day
1 - León 
Day
3 - Portomarín 
Day
6 - Arca