During this stage you will leave the Lugo province and enter A Coruña, where Santiago de Compostela is located. This stage goes through Melide, an important town where both the Northern Camino and the Camino Primitivo merge with the French. The route is a mix of well conserved and repaired trails together with some more abrupt sections. As we near the end of the stage you will find several short, but demanding slopes. You will cross the Iso river and reach the village of Ribadiso while walking through some of the most spectacular scenery in el Camino. At the end of the day you will reach Arzúa, where you should take some time to try the renowned cheese varieties from this region (Arzúa-Ulloa).

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.

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.

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.

You will depart on Friday evening for an overnight flight to Madrid, Spain.