Compare Highlights of the Camino de Santiago Walk by Exodus Travels vs The Portuguese Camino - Coastal Way to Santiago by UTracks
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 8 days | 12 days |
Price From | $ 2,525 | $ 1,850 |
Price Per Day | $ 316 | $ 154 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Self-guided tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Basic |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | No | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included | Food along the Camino de Santiago is generally fresh local produce, simply prepared and presented with lots of great flavours. The emphasis in the majority of restaurants is on hearty fare for hungry walkers.Galicia in particular is famous for having excellent seafood. Among other dishes you may encounter the ‘empanada gallega’, a simple flat pie which can be stuffed with almost anything including pisto (Spanish ratatouille), tuna or meat, mixed with a base of lightly fried onions, green peppers and tomato. Pimientos are small green peppers, usually lightly fried in olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt. Lacón con Grelos is a popular meat based dish - boiled meat from the front leg of a pig. Grelos are turnip leaves - the lacón and grelos are boiled together and served with sausage and potatoes. Stews are also common to revitalise hungry visitors - Caldo Gallego is a Galician broth full of cabbage, potatoes and beans, often with ham, sausage and pork added to make a filling main course. Dessert is sometimes the ubiquitous ‘flan’ - a variation on crème caramel, or pancakes stuffed with honey, sugar, custard or jam. Along the Camino you can always find ‘tarta de Santiago’ a dry cake made with almonds, often with a sugar dusted cross on the top - sweet, delicious and filling. There are five Denominaciones de origen in Galicia: Ribeiro, Valdeorras, Rias Baixas, Ribeira Sacra and Monterrey. Although known almost exclusively for their white wines, each also produces red wine. | N/A |
Description |
The vast expansion of its humble Roman roads connecting France and Spain has, over time, fanned out across Iberia and western Europe, making it one of the most unmissable long distance trails in the world. On this seven-night walk, you'll start in Sarria, a large town famed for Galicia's antique fairs. From here you'll walk along farm tracks, paths and country lanes, and through vineyards, stopping off at churches to admire the frescoes and tavernas for lunch en route. Be sure to have your Pilgrim Passport stamped in bars, hotels and churches along the way to qualify for a certificate from the official Pilgrim Office in Santiago.As ancient a route as they come, the Camino de Santiago's growing popularity since its 9th century inception has almost bypassed the need for an introduction. |
Walk the Camino Portugués from Viana do Castelo to the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela |
Day 1 Arrive in Sarria
Arrive at your hotel in Sarria. (Staying at Rectoral de Goian, Half Board)
Day 2 Sarria to Portomarin
Today starts with a walk along the Roman bridge that leads out of Sarria up the Celerio Valley. Cross through the hamlets of the southern edge of the Sierra del Paramo then descend into Portomarin - the original village was drowned by the Belesar Reservoir, and some remains still shimmer below the surface! (Staying at Casa Rural Santa Marina, Half Board)
Day 3 Portomarin to Lestedo
Today you can visit Portomarin's church before passing between cornfields lined with ox-eye daisies as you follow the Torres stream. Stamp your Pilgrim Passport in country churches dedicated to the Order of St James before arriving at your beautifully restored rectory. (Staying at Rectoral de Lestedo, Half board)
Day 4 Lestedo to O Coto
Walk along country lanes past fortified farmhouses into the hillside town of Palas de Rei (Palace of the King) as you enter the province of A Coruna. You'll pass typical, raised Galician granaries, and see chickens scamper across narrow streets as you enter vineyards, with views east to the Montes del Vacaloura. (Staying at Casa de los Somoza, Half Board)
Day 5 O Coto to Arzua
Today's first stop is the thriving country town of Melide, where you'll see locals enjoying Galician seafood in specialist pulperias (octopus restaurants). Drop into the Romanesque church to admire the frescoes, before walking to the lively market town of Arzua along lanes lined with bright yellow celandine. Your final stop is the elegant manor house, surrounded by tranquil countryside, just outside the town. (Staying at Pazo de Santa Maria, Half Board)
Day 6 Arzua to Rua
Follow Arzua's colonnaded streets into open country where local farmers wear berets as they tend vines and build haystacks with pitch forks. Your route will rise and fall through river valleys, crossing rushing streams. This evening you'll stay at Javier's breathtaking converted water mill, where original machinery has been turned into spectacular period features. (Staying at O Muino de Pena, Half Board)
Day 7 Rua to Santiago
The finishing line is near! Set off towards Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) today, where pilgrims of old caught their first glimpse of the spires of Santiago. As you reach Santiago's historic centre, the atmosphere is electric as a steady stream of pilgrims reach their journey's end below the cathedral's spectacular Baroque facade. Drop into the Pilgrim Office to collect your certificate, before checking into our historic hotel near the old marketplace - still a riot of colour! (Staying at Hotel Virxe da Cerca, Breakfast only)
Day 8 Leave Santiago de Compostela
Day 1 Arrive Viana do Castelo
Make your own way to Viana do Castelo and check in to the first hotel. Viana do Castelo is a beautiful city located in the Minho region in North Portugal. With an appealing medieval centre, the 5th Century Cathedral and the Basilica of Santa Lucia, and beaches just outside the city there is plenty to see this afternoon.
Day 2 Walk to Praia de Ancora (5hrs, 19km/11.8mi)
The walk today is a gentle one, and you'll be sure to enjoy the sea-air as you walk along the coast. Your destination for the day is the small but charming town of Praia de Ancora. This afternoon you can take the opportunity to swim in the Atlantic ocean. Overnight Praia de Ancora.
meals : B,D
Day 3 On to Caminha, then by ferry to A Guarda (4hrs, 15km/9.3mi)
As you leave Villa Prais de Ancora you'll continue onto the beach of Praia de Moledo. You then leave the coast slightly, walking through forest and back to a boardwalk before reaching Caminha, the last town before crossing into Spain on your ferry trip. You will need to take the ferry to A Guarda where you will overnight (ferry tickets to be purchased locally).
meals : B,D
Day 4 Continue to Viladesuso or Oia (4hrs, 13km/8mi or 5.5hrs, 19km/11.8mi)
Leaving from A Guardia this morning, the trail takes you around the peninsula, with ample opportunities to stop for a coffee or lunch and enjoy the magnificent beach scenery before continuing your walk to the lovely small village of Oia. Overnight Viladesuso or Oia.
meals : B,D
Day 5 Walk to Baiona (5.5hrs, 19km/11.8mi or 4hrs, 13km/8mi)
The walk today is a real feast for all senses. For the first 10km the route takes you along a coastal footpath away from the main road. You then continue along picturesque coastline, walking along the boardwalk, all while enjoying stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day you should be able to see the Cies islands. Overnight Baiona.
meals : B,D
Day 6 On to Vigo (6.5hrs, 23km/14.3mi)
As you leave Baiona you will walk alongside sandy beaches for most of the day. There is also plenty of opportunities to take a break in a lovely seaside cafe along the way. This afternoon you will arrive in Vigo, a typical Galician town with a wide sandy beach. Walking along the harbour you'll arrive at your hotel for the night. Overnight Vigo.
meals : B,D
Day 7 Join the main Portuguese Camino as you walk to Arcade (5-6hrs, 22km/13.7mi)
The route as you leave Vigo is mainly uphill. The uphill walking will reward you with specatacular views of the city and harbour. Continue walking though to Redondela where you will join the main Portuguese Camino route and then on to Arcade. Overnight Arcade.
meals : B,D
Day 8 A shorter walk to Pontevedra (3.5-4hrs, 14km/8.7mi)
On today's walk you will cross a Romanesque bridge which is where Napoleon was defeated by the Spanish during the War of Independence. As you arrive into Pontevedra you will head through the narrow streets before reaching the 13th Century church of Santa Maria. Overnight Pontevedra.
meals : B,D
Day 9 Walk to Caldas de Reis (6-7hrs, 21km/13mi)
Most of this stage is through woodland and countryside along gentle river valleys with virtually no climbing. Closer to Caldas de Reis the route crosses the N550 and follows this road for short sections. Located between the Umia and Bermana rivers, the town of Caldas developed as a result of its thermal waters and continues to be a major health spa. The botanical gardens next to the river are lovely for some respite from the walk. Overnight Caldas de Reis.
meals : B,D
Day 10 Via the river valleys of Bermana and Valga to Padron (5-6hrs, 19km/11.8mi)
This is a beautiful walk through the Bermana river valley before dropping down into the Valga valley, one short climb. Two short stages of main road, leaving Caldas and entering Padron. The town is lovely, set on the banks of the Sar and Ulla rivers, with some St James relics to be seen at the Igrexa de Santiago (church). Overnight Padron.
meals : B,D
Day 11 Through Galician villages to Santiago (6-7hrs, 26km/16.2mi)
The final day takes you through pine, oak and eucalyptus wood, then approaching Santiago the route follows some sections of main road. Arrival in the historic city of Santiago. Overnight Santiago.
meals : B
Day 12 Trip concludes Santiago de Compostela
Trip arrangements conclude after breakfast. If you'd like to stay an extra night in Santiago please ask for our rates.
meals : B