Santiago de compostela pilgrimage how to#

Starting from Portomarin, much of today’s route is along a gravel path alongside the road with little traffic, often cutting through gorgeous Galician forests and fields. When the town was flooded by the creation of the Belesar reservoir, they dismantled the town’s historic buildings and rebuilt them on higher ground, so they can still be admired today.

An excellent spot to recharge your batteries, the town features an inviting array of restaurants and lovely views of the Embalse de Belesar lake. Some of the little farms you pass will be selling lovely fresh produce like jams, bread and cheeses – perfect snacks to keep you going! After around 4.5 hours of walking (excluding stops) finish up for the day in the delightful town of Portomarin. You may like to stop for a breather at the Santiago de Barbadelo or the church of San Fiz de Reimondez – your leader will be on hand to share historical facts and interesting tidbits about the highlights you pass on your journey. Kicking off from Sarria, walk a mostly asphalt path through beautiful countryside, passing forests of chestnut and oak trees, small farms, villages and wheat fields. Have your pilgrim passport handy as you will be getting this stamped at least twice a day throughout your journey. Today is a gentle introduction to the Camino de Santiago – it’s all about finding your feet, so be sure to take your time and pause to enjoy your scenic surroundings. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight between 15kg / 33lb.We like to think that’s what puts the ‘adventure’ in ‘adventure travel’. But every now and again there might be a hiccup. More often than not, it’ll be a great surprise. And while we have thoroughly researched every detail of the logistics, new destinations and working with new partners can sometimes throw us some unexpected surprises. This trip is new to our range this year.Your leader will be able to advise when such clothing is necessary. A light scarf is a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot. You will need to bring clothes that cover the shoulders and knees. During your trip you will visit numerous religious sites.Your longest walking day is 29km, but there will be the option to take a taxi to shorten the walking distance. There will be some long walking days and we recommend reading descriptions of all walks carefully.

This trip involves plenty of walking and is best suited to travellers with a good level of mobility.

Donations help them safeguard the physical integrity and rights of migrant people in imminent danger who have fled their homes across the Mediterranean Sea.

By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Open Arms.

Feel an unbeatable sense of accomplishment as you complete your journey in the fascinating ancient city of Santiago de Compostela and collect your Camino certificate.

Santiago de compostela pilgrimage how to#

Take a sip of Galicia’s Celtic history as your leader shows you how to make the traditional and mythical Queimada drink – prepare for a fiery show!.Take a load off – literally! Your luggage will be transferred between your accommodation each day, meaning you’ll only have to carry a day pack, and your luggage will be waiting at your hotel.Fuel your journey with unique Galician specialties, including traditional polbo a feira octopus in Melide and world-renowned cheese in Arzua.Uncover scenes of the real Galicia as you walk through traditional countryside, quaint hamlets, ancient bridges, roman ruins and beautifully preserved horreos on stilts.Walk the final 100km of the iconic Camino de Santiago with a local leader to provide historical context and add a deeper layer of understanding to your discoveries.