Walk the Camino de Santiago

Welcome to Spain! Your adventure begins in the Galicia region of northwest Spain, an autonomous area with its own language, cuisine and culture distinct from the rest of the country. Over the next week, you’ll be walking 78.5 miles of the Camino de Santiago – a world-renowned pilgrimage. Meet your small group of fellow walkers tonight at a welcome meeting at 6 pm, then collect your ‘pilgrim’s passport’, which you’ll need throughout your expedition. Once you’re prepped for the week ahead, maybe head out to a local restaurant for your first taste of Galician cuisine.

It’s your first day on the Camino, so today’s all about dialling in your pace, your pack and your mindset for the miles ahead. Starting from Sarria, walk a mostly asphalt path through countryside, forests of chestnut and oak trees, small farms, villages and wheat fields. You’ll cross bridges that have stood since the medieval times and along the way, fuel up on fresh produce, jams, bread and cheese from little farms as you pass by. You’ll finish up for the day by crossing the Mino River and entering the town of Portomarin. In the summer when the river’s water level drops, you may be lucky enough to see the remains of the original village from the Middle Ages and an ancient Roman bridge.

Most of today’s route is on a gravel path following a road with little traffic and often cutting through Galician forests and fields. You’ll pass by small villages with food stalls along the way selling fruit, snacks and cold drinks, plus plenty of places to stop and rest over a sit-down meal or coffee. Climb a gradual hill to Sierra de Ligonde around the halfway point, followed by a gentle descent before wrapping up in Palas de Rei. Any time you’re in the Galicia region, you’re bound to see or taste their most mystical and celebrated specialty – the Queimada or ‘fire drink’ – made with liqueur oruju, lemon and coffee beans, then set aflame to ward off evil spirits. This evening, your tour leader will make these drinks for the group, just to make sure you won’t be bothered by any evil spirits on the rest of your journey!

Head out on your longest walk today, which will make you thankful you packed your best boots and maybe your favorite walking poles. Today’s terrain is undulating asphalt, so prepare for some ups and downs. You’ll first walk to the town of Melide – home to around 9000 people – one of the most populated spots on your journey. It’s known for its food, so your group will tuck into a traditional lunch and maybe follow up with some melindres (mini glazed donuts). If you need to give your legs a break, you can hop on a taxi from here to Aruzua, or hit the trail and continue the final stretch of today’s walk, crossing the Iso River and navigating a series of short and steep slopes. When you arrive in Aruzua, ask your tour leader where to find the famous traditional cheese made in this region.

When you leave Arzua behind today, you’ll reach a split in the path where the right will take you down the main road and the left cuts through shady forest. Take the road less traveled as you veer left for a day immersed in Galicia’s nature, strolling through peaceful forests, eucalyptus groves and past villages and farms – this is some of the most beautiful scenery on the Camino. If you need to fuel up, there will still be plenty of cafes and restaurants along the way, giving you a chance to reconnect with the group if you’ve taken some time for yourself at your own pace. As you draw closer to O Pedrouzo, your base for the evening, pass by the Fountain of Santa Irene – the water was said to cure diseases of crops and children’s illnesses. Tonight, join your group for a tapas dinner at a local restaurant, reflect on the journey thus far and get ready for tomorrow’s push into Santiago de Compostela.

Gear up for your final day of walking, lacing up your hiking shoes for one last journey to the finish line. Begin by walking through the dense green forest and maybe take this time to quietly reflect on all you’ve achieved over the past week. Continue along the path, follow a long stretch of road – the first place where you can see the spires on Santiago’s Cathedral. Savor the last section of the walk before the rural landscapes become urban for the final 3 miles into the city. If a feeling of pride washes over you, you deserve it! Hear Galician bagpipes welcoming you to the cathedral, marking the end of your journey along the Camino de Santiago. Present your passport – that’s been stamped along the way – and receive your Camino certificate. If you arrive at the cathedral before noon, you can join the pilgrim's mass, where a list of all those who have collected their certificates in the last 24 hours will be read aloud. This evening, celebrate your achievement with a final group dinner in town and toast to what you just accomplished.

With no activities planned for today and the walking done and dusted, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.