Explore the Pilgrim Trail along the Way of St James. This Camino walk has been specifically designed for Australians who want to experience the famous Camino track with limited time.

On this 8 day Pack Free walk, we follow the popular pilgrim route of the Way of St James from the Spanish towns of Sarria to the end of the camino at Santiago de Compostela in the Spanish province of Galicia. 

This walking tour covers 114kms, including walking the last 100kms which entitles you to receive the pilgrim certificate – the Compostela.

Following in the footsteps of pilgrims over the past 1000 years, we will walk through beautiful forests, farmlands and rustic villages following trails and paths that are surrounded by stonewalls.

We have hand-picked each hotel along the journey to ensure you will stay in the best accommodation available in each town, where you will enjoy local produce and wines, as well as warm Spanish hospitality.

Each day is flexible allowing our guests to opt-out of any day’s walking and travel with our host guide to explore the towns.

When you walk with Life’s An Adventure you can be sure that our aim is to deliver a tour beyond your expectations. When comparing other tours in this region be sure you check that you don’t you have to carry your own gear and that your accommodation is not a long distance from where you are walking. We believe our tours deliver exceptional value for money, with all the creature comforts you are after.

Your 8 day walking holiday includes:

• Pack Free fully supported walk with no heavy packs to carry
• 1 night accommodation at the charming Casa Caxiguero
• 1 night accommodation at Portomarin
• 2 nights accommodation at homely Casa Camino
• 2 nights accommodation at Azrua
• 1 night accommodation Santiago de Compostela
• 7 x delicious lunches
• 7 x Dinners every evening featuring local produce
• Complimentary wines with evening meals
• 7 x breakfasts
• Pilgrims Passport and shell
• Camino guidebook with maps (on book per couple)
• Professional and passionate guides
• Celebratory dinner on the last night in the vault restaurant.
• Return transfers to and from Santiago de Compostela
• Luggage transported to your accommodation each day

Note: Accomodation may change due to unforeseen circumstances.

Guests will need to organise their own flights into Santiago de Compostela to meet the group. Direct flights operate from Madrid (1 hour 15 min flight) or Barcelona (1 hours 40 mins) to Santiago de Compostela.

WALK NOTES:

Walk 6km. 3hrs. 

WALK ITINERARY:

You’ll meet your guide at 11.00am in the foyer of the Parador de Santiago Hotel or alternatively we can pick you up from Santiago de Compostela airport at 11.45am.

We transfer to Sarria (1.5 hours drive) where we collect our pilgrims’ passport and begin our walk.

Today’s walk takes us from the town of Sarria to the village of Barbadelo. Before leaving Sarria we do a short walk through the town. With its Celtic origins, Sarria was a major medieval centre for pilgrims with several churches, chapels, monasteries and 7 pilgrim hospitals, these days it is a bustling modern city.

From here our walk takes us out of town and on an uphill stretch to the countryside. We walk along peaceful country roads, past tiny villages and through charming woodlands.

We arrive at our accommodation in the afternoon, the charming Casa Caxiguero a 12th century typical traditional Spanish farmhouse.

Enjoy the warm hospitality and quaint atmosphere with wonderful home-cooked meals featuring organic food produced in the garden all accompanied with local wines.

Note this walk can be added to our 5 day Camino walk to create a longer journey across Spain and our French Camino walk.

WALK NOTES:

Walk 16km, 4.5hrs. Easier 9.5km walk option to Ferreiros.

WALK ITINERARY:

After a delicious breakfast, we farewell our hosts and start our walk from the village of Barbadelo to the town Portomarin.

We follow country lanes through rural setting and shady wooded forests. We pass through many quaint hamlets and villages including Ferreiros with it’s small church.

The path ascends to Pena dos Corvos where you can enjoy magnificent views before descending into the Rio Mino valley. We cross the bridge and walk towards the historic town of Portomarin.

The original town is now underwater due to a dam built in the 1960s to create a reservoir. A decision was made to move the most important of the old historic building to the new town higher on the hill. Painstakingly buildings were moved brick by brick and reconstructed. When the dam is low remnants of the old town can still be seen on the waterfront.

Guests will love this quaint town with its cobbled-stone streets and homes decorated with colourful flower boxes. Tonight we will dine in a local restaurant featuring fresh regional produce and wines.

EASIER OPTION: For those after an easier option today walk 9.5kms to Ferreiros.

WALK NOTES:

Walk 24kms. 6Hrs.  Optional easier walk 13km to Ventas de Naron.

WALK ITINERARY:

After breakfast we farewell Portomarin and head towards the town of Palas de Rei.

Our day starts with a steady uphill climb taking in views of pretty Portomarin. The route takes us through the brooms, with their magnificent fragrance.

Our path then follows the road to Gonzar and past Castromaior, known for its Romanesque church. Along the path you will pass charming hamlets and calvaries.

Over this stage, we will pass through Ventas de Naron, over the gentle Sierra de Ligonde, then downhill through Ligonde to see the church dedicated to the apostle St James. Emperor Charles V stayed here in the modest village of Ligonde in 1520.

Our guide will meet us today towards the end of the walk for our short transfer (15 mins) to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at Casa Camino, a charming Spanish Country House set on the hill overlooking the valley.

Tonight enjoy a home-cooked dinner with local wines.

EASIER OPTION: For those after an easier option today walk 13kms to Ventas de Naron.

WALK NOTES:

Total Walk 15kms. 4.5Hrs.

WALK ITINERARY:

Enjoy breakfast before we transfer back to the trail (15 mins). Today’s walk takes us from Palais de Rei to Melide.

We traverse the land encountering pretty woodlands of chestnut and oak. We pass hamlets and small towns of Casanova, O Coto and Leboreiro and travel through various valleys.

We finally arrive in the 10th-century village of Melide with its historic churches and building. From here we will be met and transferred back to our accommodation at Casa Camino (20mins).

Tonight enjoy wine tasting of some regional wines before enjoying a relaxing dinner at this charming location.

WALK NOTES:

Walk: 14km. 4hrs.

WALK ITINERARY:

After breakfast, we farewell our hosts and transfer back to the trail at Melide.

Today’s walk takes us from the town of Melide to Arzúa. The terrain becomes much easier today as we walk through the villages of Carballal, San Xuilan do Camino with its cute 12th Century church and the village of Lebereiro.

We wind our walk through woodlands of oaks, pine and Eucalyptus trees. We will stop at one of the local villages along the way for lunch.

Crossing over the River Seco on the Magdalena Bridge we will reach Furelos and continue on to Arzúa, in the province of La Coruña, famous for its local cheese.

From here we are transferred to our accommodation for the next two nights at Arzua at Pazo de brandesco or Pazo da Briona. Tonight we dine in the grand dining room enjoying a three-course meal served with local wine.

WALK NOTES:

Walk: 18km. 5.5 Hrs. Easier walk option: 11km to Salceda.

WALK ITINERARY:

After a good night’s rest, we enjoy breakfast.

Afterwards, we transfer back to Arzúa (10 mins) to recommence our walk to A Rua.

Today’s walk is mostly flat and follows country trails through pretty forests of towering oak trees and Eucalyptus trees.

As we most previous day we discover an array of traditional hamlets and small villages along the way. Along the way see the Baroque fountain of healing waters.

Our walk brings you to the small town of Rua which has a population of only 50 people. The walk today is lovely, as you pass large green fields and rural landscapes.

After our walk, we are transferred back (20 mins) to our accommodation at Pazo De Brandeso or Pazo da Briona where you can relax after another day walking.

Enjoy dinner in the dining room served with local wines and chatting about the day’s adventures.

EASIER OPTION: For those after an easier option today walk 11kms to Salceda.

WALK NOTES:

Walk: 21km. 5.5 Hrs. Easier walk option: 10km.

WALK ITINERARY:

Today is the final leg of our camino walk as we make our way to our destination at Santiago de Compostela.

After breakfast we transfer back to the trail (20 mins) to start our 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.

We walk through Lavacolla village, a place where pilgrims traditionally stopped to wash in the river and purify themselves before entering the city of Santiago.

We reach Monte del Gozo (Mount of Joy) where we will see impressive views of the impressive Cathedral of Santiago.

We walk into Santiago though the cobbled streets of the Old Quarter and feel the elation as we reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, one of the most beautiful and renowned squares in Spain and the end of our walk.

Enjoy the views in front of you of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago. To the left of the cathedral in the square is our impressive accommodation for the night at the Parador (also knowns as the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos.) Considered the oldest hotel in the world, in 1499 this building was a Royal hospital to house the walkers who were on the camino pilgrimage to Santiago.

These days this accommodation is now an elegant hotel with the best location in the city offering a truly unique and exclusive place to stay.

Tonight we join the pilgrims service at 6.30pm before enjoying a celebratory dinner in the grand vault restaurant at the Parador Hotel.

An easier option of approximately 10kms walking is also available.

After breakfast your tour concludes. enjoy free time to explore Santiago de Compostela at leisure. Additional nights can be booked at the Parador hotel if requested.

Guests will need to organise flights from Santiago to Barcelona or Madrid to connect with international flights. The airport is a short 15 minute taxi from the city.