Today we will leave Portomarin behind, as we make our way to Gonzar where we will see the romanesque St Mary's church which is very well conserved. Further on, we will visit the Castro of Castromaior, a series or celtic ruins from pre-roman times. We will stop when we reach Ventas de Naron, with a small chapel that seems to suggest the existence of an old pilgrim's hospital, just before the Sierra de Ligonde.

Today we will be crossing into the Santiago province, a reminder that we are getting close to our final destination. Beautiful eucalyptus forests will surround us during most of the stage. As we approach the main road, we'll see small crosses that travelers have attach to the barriers as symbols of their pilgrimage.

Our team will meet you in Madrid where our journey will begin. Your welcome packet contains directions to the station and your meeting point. Our trip starts with a journey by train to Sarria, where we will have our welcome dinner and spend the night, resting as we prepare for the first walking day.

Today we will set out on foot for Portomarín, famous for its roman bridge and medieval churches. Our itinerary will take us through forest paths lined with oak and pine trees. We will pass by the Romanesque church of St Mary and cross several small towns until we start a sharp descent to the Mino river. We will enter the town through its old roman bridge rebuilt with steps that lead to a chapel. We'll enjoy a wonderful dinner and a well deserved rest.

Our first day on el Camino! In Sarria we will see the first cross or cruceiro, located on a vantage point above the city. Then after we pass by Mary Magdalen's convent, we will leave the city through the medieval bridge Ponte Aspera. We will be walking through meadows and chestnut forests most of the way, perfect places to enjoy your picnic lunch. We will also see some of our first hórreos (granaries) along the way as we reach the official 100Km marker.

Santiago is only a short distance from Lavacolla. Shortly after departing we will reach Monte de Gozo (Hill of Joy), the the first place from where you can see the spires in Santiago's Cathedral. Shortly after, you will arrive in Santiago where you will be able to visit the cathedral and have a chance to hug the apostle.

Today we will visit the Astorga region, famous for its cultural heritage and delicious food, together with the relevant sights in this section of el Camino. We will enjoy a great meal sampling the best products of the region and visit landmarks like the episcopal palace built by Gaudi, which looks more like a castle. On the camino, we will stop at the Cruz de Fierro, where it is a tradition that pilgrims deposit a rock brought from their own countries as a symbol of their pilgrimage.

Arrive in Leon to start our tour. Leon was founded more than 2,000 years ago on a Roman legion’s camp. Since then, many civilizations have left their mark on the city. Visit its impressive Gothic cathedral, built in the 13th century, that resembles Notre Dame of Paris. The cathedral has 20,000 sq. ft. of stained glass windows, the largest in Europe. Tour the different neighborhoods and try the delicious local staples while you enjoy a relaxing evening.

Today you will be walking along the Oribio valley, one of the most impressive landscapes of the French route, surrounded by the river and lush forests of chestnuts, poplars and oak trees. Halfway through the stage we will visit the benedictine monastery of Samos, the oldest inhabited monastery in Spain, with its impressive cloisters and murals. The day will end with dinner in Sarria, where many of the camino routes come together.