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26th Oct 2024 - 2nd Nov 2024
8 days/Spain /Moderate to Challenging
Join St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice as they explore the eighth and final section of the French Way, the most traditional and best known of all the pilgrims’ ways to Santiago de Compostela. During the 5-day walk we traverse the hilly landscapes of Galicia, passing numerous points of cultural and historical interest along the way.
The UNESCO World heritage site of Santiago de Compostela, the final destination of the legendary medieval Camino de Santiago (Way of Saint James), is named after the Apostle Saint James (Santiago), who is buried here.
Saint James went to this most north-western part of Spain, called by the Romans ‘Finis Terrae’ (end of the world), to preach and convert people to Christianity. After returning to Palestine in 44AD, he was taken prisoner and tortured to death. The king refused to bury him, so his disciples stole the body and brought him by boat to the Spanish coast where he was buried in a secret place in a wood. Centuries later, in 813, the hermit Pelayo heard music in that wood and witnessed strange lights in the night sky. The site was thus called, in Latin, ‘Campus Stellae’, field of the star, a name that later became Compostela.
Today, thousands of people known as ‘pilgrims’ walk the Camino de Santiago for a number of different reasons; spiritual, cultural and adventurous or simply such as wanting to learn about the history of this ancient trail and as a way to get fit and spend time outdoors. This is not a religious tour. The Camino is about the journey and to the majority of people it symbolises a time of reflection, learning and fresh starts.
NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and may be subject to flight surcharges.
This trek is graded moderate to challenging. You will be trekking long distances over varying terrain which includes some steep uphill sections, in hot weather conditions. You will stay in basic hotels and hostels, with shared bathroom facilities.
The trek is accompanied by professional English-speaking local guides who have an excellent knowledge of hiking in the region. The guides are first aid trained and will support you throughout your journey. You will also be supported by assistant guides and a Different Travel Company UK tour manager.
The terrain will vary throughout the 5 days but in general you will trek up and downhill all day along country roads, forest tracks, gravel trails, paved streets and through woods and meadows. Each day you will experience undulating terrain but some days you will trek mostly uphill so it is essential that your training includes hill walking and trekking up and down gradients.
The section of the Camino de Santiago you will be walking is located in the Northwest of Spain in the region of Galicia also known as the Ireland of Spain. Here, there is usually a temperate climate all year round, however weather can be unpredictable, so it is important to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions and temperatures.
In general, the temperature each day can range between 11-19°C during the day but could drop to 9°C (or lower) at night. Weather conditions will vary but in October, it will be relatively warm (average 17°C) but still with a high amount of rainfall.
It’s important to be prepared for all weather conditions and temperatures by packing non-cotton trek layers and waterproofs. It’s better to have waterproofs and not need them, than to not have any when you need them!
Although the temperatures and conditions above are historically accurate, climate change can impact the seasons so you may experience uncharacteristic conditions during the trip which are out of our control. Should this happen the guide will assess the situation and make decisions to ensure the best enjoyment and ultimately safety of the group as a whole.
Breakfast and evening meals will be taken in a communal dining room at the accommodation or at local restaurants. You will enjoy hearty, delicious Spanish meals that will keep your energy levels high for each day’s trek. You will eat packed lunches which you will carry yourself each day or stop in small local restaurants. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary requirements or preferences.
You will stay in hostels along the trail in dormitories, and while staying in the cities of Sarria and Santiago you will stay in simple guesthouses on a twin or triple-share basis.
The minimum age is 18 (or 16-17 if accompanied by a parent/guardian). There is no upper age limit.
An ideal candidate is someone who is open minded, positive, flexible and enjoys the challenges of the great outdoors. Adventure travel involves elements of the unexpected so do not expect the standards to be the same as you are used to at home. Remote areas are sometimes unpredictable (be it because of group pace, weather conditions etc.) and itineraries may be altered to allow for this. You must also be willing to train hard for this challenge!
Bathing facilities will be basic with showers and flushing toilets, but these may be shared facilities. You are recommended to bring your own toilet paper for use along the Camino. Please ensure you do not leave this on the ground. Pack it up into sanitary disposal bags or dog waste bags and carry it with you until you find a waste bin. When looking for the toilets look or ask for “aseos” or “servicios.”
If you do not already regularly exercise you should aim to start training (including plenty of hills) as early as possible. The best training is hill walking, which will prepare you for the type of terrain you will experience. Other activities which can complement hill walking include running, cycling, gym workouts, boot camps etc.
Building up your core and leg muscle strength is important so exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, planks and crunches will really enhance your training. These exercises can be done at home – no gym needed. You can download a number of free apps, which will help you train and track your progress, e.g. MapMyWalk, C25K (couch to 5k run), MyFitnessPal (for a variety of sports).
You must take your training seriously and arrive as fit as you can be, so you get the most out of this challenge.
This tour is classified as moderate to challenging. You will be walking for many hours and sometimes on steep gradients. It is essential that you are fit enough to trek for at least 8 hours at a time for multiple consecutive days. Regular breaks are taken, but long days walking are inevitable. You cannot be too fit for this challenge so you should train well before your departure.
The tour manager for this trip is …
Best trip of my life! I'll never forget my experience. 100% would book again!
London to Sarria
Fly from London to either Santiago, La Coruna, Vigo, or Porto (tbc). On arrival transfer to spend your first night at a hotel in Sarria and have dinner and a briefing on the trek to come.
Meals: Dinner
Sarria – Portomarin
After a hearty breakfast we start our walk today, through shady oak woods, pretty villages and on quiet country roads. The village of Barbedelo has a beautiful Romanesque church, the Church of Santiago, which features pictorials of fantastic birds, Daniel between two lions and the three wise men before Herod. The art displayed here represents the importance of resurrection and new beginnings. When we finally arrive in Portomarin, there is time to relax at the hotel and enjoy the numerous terraces of the main plaza and learn about the history of the area.
Distance: 22km
Duration: approx 6 hours
Altitude gain/loss: +230m / -300m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Portomarin – Palace do Rei
Leaving the village, the Camino crosses the River Miño and climbs steadily uphill. On our way, we cross Gonzar and the Romanesque Church of Santa María Castromaior, and then stop a moment to enjoy the peace and calm of the Galician Cemetery in Ligonde. We continue on to Eirexe and its stunning Romanesque church featuring a sculpture of Daniel, as well as Santiago de Peregrino. Our overnight stop is in Palace do Rei, a small and pretty town.
Distance: 25km
Duration: approx 6.5 hours
Altitude gain/loss: +340m / -140m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Palace do Rei – Arzua
Today, the Camino continues slightly downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the charming village of Leboreiro. At Melide there is a chance to stop in one of the many restaurants to try some local specialties. Later today, the Camino follows a forest track and crosses several streams bringing us to the village of Boente, with its church of Santiago. Then we pass through the medieval village of Ribadiso, and finally reach Arzùa. This small town has 2 churches that can be visited, Santa María and La Magdalena. It has a population of around 7000 and is famous for its creamy cheese, quiexo.
Distance: 29km
Duration: approx 7 hours
Altitude gain/loss: +140m / -340m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Arzua – Rua Opino
Today’s shaded section of the Camino passes through woods, along streams and through sleepy villages. We take our time and visit the chapel of Santa Irena, with its unique statues of Santiago. The rest of the way to Rua Opino is on a good and quiet country road. Rua is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela.
Distance: 18km
Duration: approx 5.5 hours
Altitude gain/loss: +50m / -130m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Rua Opino – Santiago de Compostela
The final stage today, firstly to Lavacolla, where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. The tall eucalyptus trees line the way to Monte del Gozo (the Mount of Joy), from where we can see our goal – the Cathedral of Santiago! After descending to the city you will be able to witness the fantastic architecture of the UNESCO World Heritage Site close-up. We check into our hotel and relax after completing our camino.
Distance: 21km
Duration: approx 5.5 hours
Altitude gain/loss: +150m / -185m
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Santiago
Today is free for you to enjoy at your leisure.Take in the sights of Santiago de Compostela or optional excursions available for a supplement payable locally. Gather for a celebratory farewell dinner this evening.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Santiago – London
Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK.
Meals: Breakfast
N.B. This itinerary may change due to unusual weather patterns, the ability of the group,and so on. We will do our best to keep to the set itinerary however we cannot be held responsible for changes that might occur outside of our control. In all such circumstances your guide and tour leader will have the final say in the interest of the health and safety of the group.
Registration fee: £385
and then either…
Sponsorship: £2700
or
Flexi: £1555 trip costs* and fundraise £1145 for St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice
NB. Bookings on this trip are now subject to availability and may be subject to flight surcharges.
This option is for those who wish to raise sponsorship to cover both the costs of the trip (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) and a donation to their chosen charity. There is a minimum sponsorship amount for each trip that you are required to raise in order to participate.
This option is for those who choose to pay the trip costs* (flights, accommodation, food, guides etc.) themselves while still raising some funds for the charity.
*NB This is the maximum trip cost you will be required to pay but the final trip costs are subject to change dependent on the final group size.
If you’ve a question about this challenge that you can’t find the answer to within the given information then complete this quick form and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
