Walk the Camino de Santiago

• Orientation Meeting: 6pm

Say hello to Spain! Your adventure on the Camino de Santiago begins here, in the Galician region of Spain in the city of Sarria. This portion of the country is autonomous and has an entirely distinct culture from other parts of Spain complete with language, food, and customs. This area is perhaps the most famous, however, for being home to the finishing point of the Camino de Santiago: Santiago de Compostela. You’ll be hiking the final 60 or so miles of this classic pilgrimage over the next week. There is an orientation meeting tonight at 6pm where you’ll meet your fellow travelers and group leader for a quick briefing. Afterward, head out to one of local restaurants if you like, perhaps with your group to get to know one another, and get your first taste of Galician flavors. 

Please be sure to attend the orientation meeting as you will need to provide emergency contact and insurance information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let an Intrepid representative or the hotel know. 

• Activities Included: Sarria to Portomarin Guided Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: 13.5MI / 22KM

Gear up today for your introduction to the Camino de Santiago as you leave Sarria behind and journey to Portomarin. Start getting your trail legs today and enjoy the wonderful scenery all around you. Make sure to have your pilgrim passport available as it will be stamped at least twice everyday. Learn interesting facts about the history of this region from your group leader as you hike through local farms, wooded areas of oak and chestnuts trees, small villages, and fields of wheat on a mostly asphalt path. Many of the farms you pass will be selling fresh snacks such as jams, breads, and cheeses which are perfect to keep up your energy. After about 6 hours of walking (including stops), you’ll arrive at the wonderful town of Portomarin, a lovely rest for the night after a long day of hiking. This city features a wide selection of restaurants along with views of Embalse de Belesar Lake, the creation of which flooded the town and forced the historic buildings to be reconstructed on higher ground for preservation. 

• Activities Included: Portomarin to Palas de Rei Guided Walk; Roman Ruins of Castromaior Visit; Queimada Drink Preparation & Tasting
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: 15.5MI / 25KM

Today brings another day of traveling through the Spanish countryside. Most of your travels today will be along a gravel path next to a quiet road often cutting through forests and fields. You’ll encounter the hamlets of Gonzar, Ligonde, and Castromaior with the last being the gateway to the imposing Roman ruins of Castro de Castromaior. Just like yesterday, there will be stalls along the road selling snacks and drinks along with cafes and restruants where you can stop for a sit down meal or just coffee. You’ll journey over the Sierra de Ligonde, with a gradual incline and descent before arriving at your destination for the night: Palas de Rei. This city is covered in historical buildings, many of which have Romanesque architecture, but the real treat of town is your chance to try one of Galicia’s mystical and renown specialties: Queimada, called the “fire drink.” Having its origins in Galicia’s Celtic heritage and said to ward off evil spirits, this drink is made with liqueur oruju, lemon, and coffee beans and then set alight in a blazing spectacle. Not only will you find it delicious, but the making of it is quite the entertaining show as your group leader will prepare this drink for you and your fellow travelers to enjoy. 

• Activities Included: Palas de Rei to Arzua Guided Walk, Local Speciality Lunch in Melide
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch 
• Hiking Distance: 18MI / 29KM

Today is your longest day on the Camino de Santiago, so eat hardy at breakfast this morning. Much of today’s walk is on asphalt and has some ups and downs, so be prepared for there to be a few more hills today. Stop for lunch at the charming town of Melide. Home to around 9000 residents, this is one of the most populated areas of your trek and it is well known for its speciality octopus dish: polbo a feira. After trying this delicious cusine, you might give the local favorite desert a try: mini glazed donuts called melindres. From here, you can either get back on the path and trek the rest of the way to Arzua or catch a taxi to rest your legs. If you chose to walk, you’ll trek across the Iso River and over some short— but steep— slopes. Arzua is famous for its cheese making, so make sure to give this local food a try. 

• Activities Included: Arzua to O Pedrouzo Guided Walk
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: 12.5MI / 20KM

The trek today brings your group to a decision point. As you leave Arzua, you’ll come to a fork in the road where the path to the right continues on the larger, main road, while the one to the left snakes through shady forests. The group will journey on the road less traveled today and won’t regret it, as the saying goes. You’ll pass through some of the most beautiful countryside on this walk along with small villages and farm land. There will still be cafes and restaurants where you can rest and recharge before you reach the Fountain of Santa Irene, with water that is said to cure diseases of crops and children who are sick. Pass on from here and soon arrive at O Pedrouzo where your accommodations are waiting for you. 

• Activities Included: O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela Guided Walk; Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim’s Museum Visit
• Meals Included: Breakfast 
• Hiking Distance: 12.5MI / 20KM

Get ready for you last day of trekking today as you journey between O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela and the famous Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. The path begins by winding through denser forests with few farms or houses to be seen before coming upon a long stretch of road between Lavacolla and Monte do Gozo. Keep your eyes up as the countryside slowly gives way to an urban area as you trek the last 3 miles. You’ll enter the city and cathedral to the sound of bagpipes welcoming you to the end of your journey on the Camino de Santiago. You’ll receive your Camino certificate after displaying your stamped pilgrim passport as verification that you have made the 100km trek to Santiago de Compostela. If you happen to arrive before noon, you can participate in the pilgrims’ mass in which a list of names of all who have completed the pilgrimage in the last 24 hours are read. Your group will visit the Museum of Pilgrimage here to learn about the history of this journey and others like it around the globe. This evening, perhaps have a final dinner with your group to talk about your adventures or to share photos 

• Meals Included: Breakfast

You are free to depart whenever you’d like today as there are no activities planned and you have reached the end of your hiking trek this trip. Intrepid would be happy to book your additional accommodation in Santiago de Compostela if you’d like to stay longer in this splendid city as long as availability allows.