Day 1 - UK to Bilbao
Today, you fly to Bilbao, the largest city in Spain's Basque Country. D
Day 2 - Puente la Reina - Lagaurdia
Walk 6km/3.73mi – 2 hrs
Today, we'll head to medieval Puente La Reina, the meeting point of the Jaca Pilgrim Road and the French Way. We can admire the 12th century church of Santa María de Eunate in the vicinity, before beginning our walk along the Camino de Santiago. Passing though vineyards and rural countryside until we reach Puente La Reina, where lunch is included. Our tour then takes us by minibus to the 'wine fountain' at the Monastery of Irache, and onto the La Rioja wine region for a wine tasting in Haro, before arriving to our hotel in Laguardia. B,L
Day 3 - Lagaurdia - Burgos
Walk 5km/3.1mi – 90 minutes
Our first stop today is at Navarrete, a town built in the 12th century by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, which offers wonderful views of the surrounding countryside. Our walk today takes us through more vineyards of La Rioja. We'll continue by road to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, an important stopping point for pilgrims. On arrival in Burgos, where we stay tonight, you can join an optional guided tour. B,D
Day 4 - Burgos to Astorga
Walk 5km/3.1mi – 90 minutes
After breakfast we'll embark on today's walk, which takes us to the Campos de Castilla area, known as the 'breadbasket' of Spain due to its cereal production. The canal we'll follow was built for transportation of this commodity and a highlight will be its locks, which allow for a 14-metre drop in terrain. In the town of Frómista, we'll have free time for lunch before then driving on to León, where a walking tour is included to explore the old town and cathedral (aprox. 2 hrs). Our hotel tonight is in Astorga. B,D
Day 5 - Astorga to Ponferrada
Walk 6km/3.73mi – 2 hours
This morning we'll admire the cathedral and Bishop's Palace of Astorga. Our walk then takes us to the highlands of the Bierzo region, where we'll stop at la Cruz de Ferro, the famous landmark 'Iron Cross'. After a traditional lunch in Molinaseca, we'll drive to Ponferrada. B,L
Day 6 - Ponferrada to Santiago de Compostela
Walk 5km/3.1mi – 90 minutes
We’ll reach our goal of Santiago de Compostela today. First we’ll make a stop at the Celtic town of O Cebreiro. One of the most picturesque villages on the Way of St James, we’ll pause to admire its pre-Romanesque church and round stone houses. There’s time for lunch in the riverside town of Portomarín – whose historic buildings were rescued stone by stone when it flooded, and moved to allow for a dam to be built on the Miño River.
We’ll then drive to Monte de Gozo, or the Mount of Joy, which is the first point at which pilgrims can view Santiago de Compostela after their long journey. Our final walk takes us into Plaza del Obradoiro, in the centre of the city. B
Day 7 - Santiago de Compostela
Walk 3km/1.8mi – 2 hours
This morning we'll head to Fisterra, a historic fishing port where pilgrims would bathe in the sea to purify their souls and collect a scallop shell – the symbol of pilgrims. On a short stroll around the lighthouse here, see if you can collect a shell to take home as a wonderful souvenir of your trip.
This afternoon, why not join our optional guided tour of Santiago de Compostela, the capital of Galicia, with its porticoed streets lined by granite architecture. We'll also visit the local market and we will have the opportunity to attend the pilgrim mass.
This evening, we will gather as a group and head to a traditional Galician restaurant for a farewell dinner. B,D
Day 8 - Santiago de Compostela - UK
We'll transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. B