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DISTANCE

70 miles

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DURATION

10 days

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LEVEL

Moderate

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ROUTE

Sarria - Santiago

  • Free Changes
  • 24/7 support

From: $ 3,199
$2,999

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Our original and popular Camino de Santiago tour, the Classic Camino, leads you through the last 70 miles (115km to be exact) of the French Way of St James. This tour departs from Madrid and will transfer you to Sarria where your walking adventure will start.

After a 6-day walk through beautiful landscapes and lush forests, we will end our tour in Santiago de Compostela, covering the last section of the French route of the Camino de Santiago. This tour makes you eligible to receive the official Compostela certificate upon arrival in Santiago.

We’ll stay at unique and historical hotels and family-run bed and breakfasts, all with private en-suite bathrooms. We'll also take the time to taste the best of the local gastronomy along the way, while we become immersed in the history and tradition of this amazing pilgrimage. Classic Camino allows you to walk comfortably with guided support while giving a truly authentic experience.

  • TOUR TYPE: Guided
  • GROUP SIZE: 10
  • AGE: 14+
  • ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels, B&B; Rural Houses
  • TRANSPORTATION: Bus/Train, Walk
double beds in camino classic hotel room
Private Accommodations

You will be staying at a mix of hotels and comfortable rural houses close to the camino. Each room has its own private bathroom and all the necessary amenities. Staying at different villages each day makes your pilgrimage experience more authentic and enjoyable.

galician steak with fries
Walking Route

All meals are included in our tour. Enjoy the best of Galician cuisine over 3-course dinners every night with your group. Full breakfasts are provided every morning, together with picnic lunches to build up strength along the way.

typical Galician basket on el Camino
On the trail

This tour's activity level is rated as medium or moderate. While it is not a demanding hike and pilgrims of many different ages walk the Camino, it is important that you are used to walking and in good physical condition. Our guide and private vehicle will support you every step of the way!

Itinerary

Day 1. Fly to Madrid

Fly to Madrid

  • BBVA building view in Madrid
You will depart on Friday evening for an overnight flight to Madrid, Spain.
Day 2. Welcome Dinner in Madrid

Welcome Dinner in Madrid

  • Delicious tapas in Madrid on a countertop
As your flight lands in Madrid, you will be transferred to your hotel. Then you'll have some free time to rest, take a stroll through the central part of Madrid and at the end of the day, enjoy a wonderful welcome dinner with your group, where you will enjoy typical Madrid tapas and some of its characteristic staples.

Meals: D. Overnight: Madrid

Day 3. Transfer to Sarria

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: Sarria

Day 4. Sarria - Portomarin (14 mi)

Sarria - Portomarín

  • Cruceiro Sarria (main)
Sarria is strategically placed just over the 100Km mark away from Santiago which is the minimum distance eligible for the completion certificate (Compostela). It is the ideal starting place for new Camino walkers. The day starts at one of the most beautiful oak groves in El Camino. Along the way, you will see Romanesque building remains, rustic crossings and a medieval bridge together with several historical sites like the church of Santiago de Barbadelo or the church of San Fiz de Reimondez. As you reach the end of the stage you will cross over the Miño river.

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: Portomarín

Day 5: Portomarin - Palas de Rei (16 mi)

Portomarín - Palas de Rei

  • Pilgrims on path leaving Portomarin (main)
Portomarín dates back to the Roman invasion of Spain and was an important stop along the route in the Middle Ages. You can visit its 13th century church and see the ancient roman bridge when the river runs low. This stage will take you through the region of Monterroso and Palas de Rei, crossing renowned villages like Gonzar, Castromaior (with its famous Castro) and Ligonde.

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: Palas de Rei

Day 6: Palas de Rei - Melide (10 mi)

Palas de Rei - Melide

  • Cabazo in Leboreiro (main)
Palas de Rei was the old residence of the visigoth king Witiza in the 8th century where you can visit the church of St. Tirso dating from the 12th century. We will set on foot for Melide today, an important town where both the Northern Camino and the Camino Primitivo merge with the French. For this reason, you'll find more pilgrims on the following stages until you arrive in Santiago.

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: Melide

Day 7: Melide - Arzúa (9 mi)

Melide - Arzúa

  • St Mary of Melide (main)
After enjoying the local food in Melide, we will make our way to Arzúa. The route is a mix of well conserved and repaired trails together with some more abrupt sections. You will cross the Iso river and reach the village of Ribadiso while walking through some of the most spectacular scenery in el Camino. We will make sure to try the renowned cheese varieties from this region (Arzúa-Ulloa). In March they hold a Cheese festival at the village dedicated to this local staple, famous enough to carry its own trademark.

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: Arzúa

Day 8: Arzúa - O Pedrouzo (12 mi)

Arzúa - Rúa/O Pedrouzo

  • St. Irene Church (main)
After our stay in Arzúa, where you can visit the Convent of Mary Magdalen and the parochial church of Santiago, we'll get our pilgrim passports stamped and head out to the town of O Pedrouzo. This stage takes you through quiet forest paths with eucalyptus groves between villages that are so small with houses so spread out that it is hard to tell where one village ends and the next one begins. The scenery is one of the most beautiful throughout el Camino. Towards the end of the stage, we will visit the chapel and fountain of St Irene, built in the Baroque style.

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: O Pedrouzo

Day 9: O Pedrouzo - Santiago (12 mi) - Madrid

O Pedrouzo - Santiago (walk) - Madrid

  • Cathedral of Santiago (main)
Ready with anticipation as this is the final stage of the journey on the Camino, some pilgrims eager to reach their final goal in Santiago usually make it through this stage pretty fast. Other pilgrims, sad to see their wonderful time on the Camino coming to an end, choose to take it easy through the leaf covered paths. Monte de Gozo (Hill of Joy) is the first place from where you can see the spires in Santiago's Cathedral. We will arrive in Santiago where we will visit the cathedral and have a chance to hug the apostle. We will also collect our last stamp, apply for our pilgrim certificate and enjoy our farewell dinner. You will be transferred to Madrid at the end of the day.

Meals: B,L,D. Overnight: Madrid

Day 10: Fly back to the US

Fly back to the US

  • Royal Palace in Madrid
We say goodbye to Madrid as you prepare to fly back home. Breakfast will be provided at the hotel and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back to the US.

Meals: Breakfast.

  • Walking Pilgrims on el camino trail
  • counter with Spanish food and tapas
  • Mile marker with hiking boots
  • mino river view
  • picture of church in palas de Rei
  • st mary of melide
  • monte do Gozo monument
  • Camino goers with hike the way shirts
  • Walking Pilgrims on el camino trail
  • counter with Spanish food and tapas
  • Mile marker with hiking boots
  • mino river view
  • picture of church in palas de Rei
  • st mary of melide
  • monte do Gozo monument
  • Camino goers with hike the way shirts
  • Roundtrip Economy Airfare JFK/EWR to MAD
  • Double Accommodations (8 nights)
  • Daily Breakfast (8)
  • Picnic Lunch (6)
  • Daily 3-course dinners (8)
  • Luggage transfer
  • Expert local guide
  • Support vehicle
  • All transfers on itinerary
  • All taxes, tips
  • Welcome packet
  • Pilgrim's Credential
  • Tour prices listed are per person, in double occupancy accommodations.
  • See OPTIONAL tab for individual supplement and other add-ons
  • SINGLE OCCUPANCY SUPPLEMENT: $449
$2,999
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We're right behind you!

Guides: Our guides are great! They speak both English and Spanish and are here to respond to your needs on the spot. They will teach you the local culture, the secrets of el Camino and in short, turn your trip into a memorable experience.

Luggage Transfer: Carry just a small backpack on the trail as we transfer your luggage to your hotel for you every day. It will be waiting for you when you arrive from your walk.

Support Vehicle: Our support vehicle will meet you at checkpoints along the way to see how you are managing. Feel free to stop and take a break with us, drink some water and get any other assistance you need.

Welcome packet: Our complete information package includes your pilgrim credential, maps for the walk and hotels and all the information you need during the tour.