We accompany on your first steps on your way to Santiago de Compostela, in a small groups of maximum ten persons, we follow the path of the pilgrims towards Santiago, respecting your own rhythm.

2021 and 2022 are Holy Years. The Holy Year is celebrated when the 25th of July, the feast of St. James the Apostle, falls on a Sunday. Just think that every century, this happens only 14 times. During the Holy Year, the Pilgrim’s Mass is celebrated more frequently, as well as the use of the famous Botafumeiro in such celebrations. The next Holy year is 2027.

Many pilgrims still use this pilgrimage as a way to find some answers or simply take some time away from their overly busy lifestyle, or to balance their life.

 

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Departures

 

2024

10-16/09/24

 27/10-2/11/24

Day 1: Pontevedra

In Pontevedra, a delightful medieval town, we will get our pilgrim passport stamped from the Baroque style chapel ‘Santuario da Peregrina’, or Pilgrim Virgin, patroness and symbol of the city. The 18th century Baroque style chapel has a floor plan in the shape of a scallop shell. At the Plaza de la Leña, the most beautiful square of the town, we will have our first dinner.

Day 2: Pontevedra – Combarro (15 km) – ↗98m↘95m

We hike through vineyards (the famous Albariño wineregion) and can see lemons, oranges and figs hanging on the trees. We will be passing the village of Poio and have the chance to visit its monastery. In Combarro, a charming fishing village with its narrow streets we can smell the sea breeze. The village is also known for the ‘horréos’ : a granite, concrete or wooden roofed structure on stilts that is used to store corn or grain alongside the coastline. The horréos have something magic and sacred. We will spend the night in Combarro, Galicia’s most beautiful fishing village.

Day 3: Combarro – Ribadumia (22 km) – ↗380m↘406m

Walking via wooded trails we arrive in Armenteira, famous for its monastery. Today we hike along the river for 5 km on the ‘ruta de la piedra y del agua’ where we come across  the remains of old mills. We see and smell the eucalyptus trees, we hike along vineyards and old chapels. In the evening,we will sample the Galician cuisine in a local taverna in a town called Ribadumia, where we will spend the night.

Day 4: Ribadumia – Vilanova de Arousa (15 km) – ↗90m↘84m

We will hike further along the river, through beautiful vineyards and sleepy towns. We will arrive at the end of the day at the beach of a small fishing village called Vilanova de Arousa where we will spend the night. The village is also the birthplace of the famous Spanish writer Ramón María del Valle-Inclán y de la Peña. We have the opportunity to visit a museum dedicated to him.

Day 5: Vilanova de Arousa – A Picarana (12km) – ↗101m↘61m

On the fifth day we give our feet a rest and we travel the only maritime ‘Via Crucis’ in the world : where you can admire the 17 centennial cruceros and sometimes we can spot dolphins (boat trip is included in the price). We follow the same route as the remains of St James on his journey to Compostela (see the section of history).  During lunch we sample the famous Padrón peppers in the town of Padrón (with one in thirty being chilli-hot). We also visit the Iglesia de Santiago. According to the legend in this church you can find a stone where the rope who brought the remains of the apostle Santiago was tied. We continue to A Picarana, so we have only left 14 km to Santiago.

Day 6: A PicaranaSantiago (14 km) – ↗227m↘73m

The sixth day we take ‘time’ to arrive in Santiago. We will  try to see the swinging of the biggest giant incense burner in the world or ‘Botafumeiro’.  This was done in the past traditionally to clean the air in the cathedral as most pilgrims were travelling for a very long time. This is a very moving and unique experience. We finish off the evening with a last communal meal. The next day you can visit the Pilgrim museum (included in the price) or do a rooftop tour of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (optional) or have a stroll in the narrow streets of Santiago and sample some Santiago cake or enjoy the seafood from Galicia.

 

 ¡Buen Camino!

What is included in your trip?

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pilgrim’s kit containing pilgrim passport, scallop shell, packing list

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my experienced guidance – we have a daily briefing at dinner

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transport of your luggage – limited to one transport bag during the walk

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accommodation on twin sharing basis, single room upon request (extra charge)
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food: breakfast (dinner around 15 euros)

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guided boat trip (English)

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a unique and amazing experience you will never forget!

The groups consist of up to ten people. You can socialise as much or as little as desired – some people like to walk in groups, others prefer to hike alone. It’s your choice- it is your Camino!

Number of overnight stays: 6
Number of km to be hiked: 82 km

Price: 950 EUR

Fitness level:
People with a basic level of fitness can participate

Excluded in the price:
Flights and travel insurance are not included. Do not hesitate to refer to me for any travel-related information.

The best way to travel to  Pontevedra, Spain :
Porto airport in Portugal is well connected by different budget airlines. note that there is a one-hour time difference from Portugal to Spain). There is a bus from Porto with a quick stopover in Vigo bus station. Please refer to me for any travel-related information.

“To arrive in Santiago like a young person, begin the Camino like an old man.”

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