Compare 7-Day Camino de Santiago Adventure by Walking Connection vs Cycling the Camino de Santiago by Exodus Travels
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 9 days |
| Price From | $ 3,398 | $ 2,960 |
| Price Per Day | $ 485 | $ 329 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | All breakfasts and 4 dinners are included. Dinners are either taken at the hotel, or left open, where there is a good choice of restaurants. |
| Description |
Since the Middle Ages pilgrims from Portuguese lands have trekked to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. The Camiños de Santiago also known as the Portuguese Way (from Portugal to Spain), follows ancient paths through forests, vineyards, quaint villages and historical cities. Now in modern times and in our fast paced world whether walking this trail for a spiritual quest, a personal challenge or just to slow down and take in the experience, walking the Camino will be an extraordinary journey... Join us along the Atlantic shoreline with epic coastal views and forest tracks with untouched natural beauty. Our days will offer insight into rich local history as well as modern life at a slower pace... Whether you choose our 7 or 12 day trek, you will be rewarded with each day's end spent at a lovely parador, quaint guest house or historical boutique hotel. Topped off with dining experiences that will be a reflection of local traditions and cultural heritage. |
Since the 9th century, the French Way has led thousands of pilgrims on an 800km journey across northern Spain, winding from the Pyrenees across the wheat fields of old Castile to pass through to Leon and onwards to Santiago. Your eight-night self-guided cycling holiday begins in Leon with the route taking in the last 225km of the pilgrimage trail. Leon is the seat of the Spanish Kings and is full of soaring cathedrals and hushed convents. Your cycling route then builds through the Galician countryside to a spectacular finale at Santiago de Compostela's majestic Baroque cathedral, the last resting place of St James the apostle.The Spanish Camino de Santiago is one of THE most ancient pilgrims routes in the world. |
Day 1: Vigo to Redondela
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: NH Collection Vigo
Hike Distance: 9.1 mi. (14.76 km)
Total Ascent: 971 ft (296 m)
Total Descent: 1,030 ft (314 m)
Optional Shorter Hike: up to 5.6 mi. (9.1 km)
Look forward to your first great hike on this journey to Santiago de Compostela! Trekking from the coast of Vigo we will start to climb, further inland to reach a highland plateau. The rewarding views extend over Vigo and the estuary beyond.
As we continue along this great plateau we will enter a refreshing wooded area descending to our goal of the day, the coastal village of Redondela.
Our overnight stay will again be in Vigo, where we will have time to get to know this city a little better with its full history that began around the 2th century BC.
Depending on flight schedules it may be necessary to arrive in Vigo the night prior. We will be happy to assist with hotel arrangements.
Day 2: Redondela to Ponteverda
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: Parador Pontevedra
Hike Distance: 12.9 mi. (20.83 km)
Total Ascent: 1,135 ft (346 m)
Total Descent: 1,066 ft (325 m)
Optional Shorter Hike: up to 8 mi. (13.4 km)
Today we will resume the path where we finished the day before, in the village of Redondela, where several personalities were seduced by its charm, among them the Famous Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, one of the first victims of the Spanish civil war.
From here the path goes up to the top of a hill where a wooded area begins. We reach Soutomaior, a town famous for the quality of its oysters where we will take the time to savor this delicacy.
Soutomaior is also known for its beautiful medieval bridge where the French were defeated in a battle which marked their retreat in the Spanish War of Independence. Our path will lead us up another hill with an entry through a forest corridor to our destination of the day, the beautiful city of Pontevedra.
It is here that we will spend the night in a charming parador located right in the historic center and inside an old Renaissance palace from the 16th century. Enjoy an after dinner saunter through the streets of the historic center, which is considered one of the most stunning and well preserved in all Galicia.
Day 3: Redondela to Armenteira
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodations: Mosteiro de Armenteira
Hike Distance: 13.1 mi. (21.07 km)
Total Ascent: 2,063 ft (629 m)
Total Descent: 1,272 ft (388 m)
Optional Shorter Hike: up to 7.4 mi. (12 km)
The day starts with a visit to the historic Gate of the Pilgrim. Built in 1778 it is one of the most symbolic sites of the city, being also the sanctuary of the Pilgrim Madonna.
From here we will move on to two of the more emblematic monasteries of this great spiritual route to Santiago of Compostela, and it will be in one of them where we will sleep this night.
At the exit of the city we cross the Burgo bridge, also with a rich history. Of Roman origin, it was hewre that the Kings Fernando II of Leon and Galicia and Afonso Henriques of Portugal, signed a treaty of peace.
In the afternoon we will arrive at the Monastery of Poio, dating from the 7th century. Considered one of the most important places for the pilgrims with a mosaic of 200 square meters representing the way to Santiago.
From here we will climb to our destination, the austere and reserved Convent of Armenteira. It will be in this highly spiritual place that invites introspection and meditation, that we will dine and sleep. An intimate experience of renewal and surely one of the highlights of the whole journey.
Day 4: Armenteira to Cambados
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Parador Cambados
Hike Distance: 8 mi. (12.93 km)
Total Ascent: 200 ft (61 m)
Total Descent: 1,063 ft (324 m)
Optional Shorter Hike: up to 4.2 mi. (6.8 km)
After spending the night in the peaceful Armenteira Convent we will start our ninth day of hiking. The path leads us inside a scenic forest with the waters of a crystalline stream at our side.
We will arrive at the village of Cambados, with one of the best white wines (known as vinho verde) in the world. Cambados is an authentic outdoor museum carved in granite, as it is home of one of the most well-preserved historical sites in Galicia.
It will be here that we stay in an elegant mansion with the traditional traces of the old and tradition “Sunny Houses of Galicia”.
Day 5: Cambados to Parada de Francos
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodations: Casa Grande de Cornide
With the new day we will take a boat ride through the estuary of Arousa, which is not only part of the largest estuary in Galicia but also in Spain. It is famous for its rich marine fauna, beaches and islets. We will enter the Ulla River one of the largest rivers in the region.
After this experience we begin our walk. After passing through several villages we arrive at our destination, the village of Parada de Francos.
Hike Distance: 8.7 mi. (14.12 km)
Total Ascent: 524 ft (160 m)
Total Descent: 223 ft (68 m)
Optional Shorter Hike: up to 5.3 mi. (8.5 km)
Day 6: Parada de Francos to Santiago de Compostela
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodations: Hospedería San Martín Pinario
Hike Distance: 8.9 mi. (14.39 km)
Total Ascent: 938 ft (286 m)
Total Descent: 429 ft (131 m)
Optional Shorter Hike: up to 6.6 mi. (10.6 km)
The final leg of our journey leads us to our ultimate goal, the monumental Obradoiro Square in Santiago of Compostela. With the huge towers of the cathedral in view from our last few miles we are pushed forward by the awaiting magnificence.
Now it is time to take in everything that surrounds us in an atmosphere where you can feel the greatness that has drawn pilgrims for centuries...
After this moment, we will check in at the elegant San Francisco Hotel Monumento that offers the tranquility of an 18th-century Franciscan convent right in the historic center and just steps from the Cathedral.
Enjoy one last dinner together and savor the richness of all of the tastes, sights and cultural encounters of our well accomplished journey.
Day 7: Farewell
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast our bus will take us back to the city of Porto. Or transfer on your own to the Santiago de Compostela International airport.
Day 1 Arrival into Leon
Arrive at the Posada Regia hotel, perfectly located in the centre of Leon. Explore the picturesque old quarter, the Barrio Humedo, which boasts narrow alleyways, traditional Spanish tavernas and breath-taking plazas.
Day 2 Leon and transfer Leon to Astorga
After your morning briefing, discover the highlights of Leon, including the Panteon Real, the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo and the 13th-century Catedral de Leon, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in Spain. You can choose to take a guided tour of Leon (available for a supplement.) A late afternoon transfer takes you to to Hotel Via de la Plata in Astorga where the Episcopal Palace was designed by Gaudi.
Day 3 Astorga to Molinaseca
Cycle into the Maragateria area, a wooded mountainous region where beautiful villages dot the landscape. Climb to the highest point of the tour, passing the stone cross at 1,510m, where traditionally each pilgrim leaves a stone they have brought from their homeland. Later descend into the rich valley of the Bierzo before arriving at the Hotel El Palacio in medieval Molinaseca
Day 4 Molinaseca to Ferrerias
Cycle through the Bierzo valley, which produces excellent wines, fruit and vegetables before reaching the historic town of Villafranca del Bierzo. On to the foothills of the O'Cebreiro, a pastoral village between the mountain ranges of O Courel and Os Ancares where you have a traditional tapas dinner at the Hotel Paraiso del Bierzo.
Day 5 O'Cebreiro to Goian (nr Sarria)
A transfer takes you to the top of the steep O'Cebreiro mountain with breath taking views. Descend into outer lying woods and mountains, cycling through the small town of Samos where you can visit its ancient Middle Age monastery and is still inhabited by monks to this day. Cycle alongside streams and rivers arriving at the restored parsonage Hotel Rectoral de Goian in time for your included dinner.
Day 6 Goian (nr Sarria) to Palas de Rei
Today cycle on narrow secondary roads through one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino. Pass through peaceful woodland and green pastures before arriving at Hotel A Parada das Bestas for your included dinner.
Day 7 Palas de Rei to O Pino
Time stands still in many of the pretty villages you cycle through today, each one a hidden gem with stone-built houses and quaint narrow streets. Dinner awaits at Hotel O Muiño de Pena
Day 8 O Pino to Santiago de Compostela
The final few miles of your epic pilgrimmage takes you into the heart Santiago de Compostela, the capital of northwest Spain's Galicia region. We cycle into this unique city of pilgrims and onto the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the Cathedral built in honour of Saint James before arriving at the Virxe da Cerca on the edge of its legendary historic centre.
Day 9 Leave Santiago de Compostela
Enjoy Santiago and the cathedral before taking a taxi to the airport (pay locally approx 15 euro). Alternatively, stay on for extra nights to explore this beautiful historic city. Walking through the old streets of Santiago is a fantastic way to spend your time here, with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings lining the old town's streets and plazas.
