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2006 Camino de Santiago Tour

8 days / 7 nights

The crown jewel of Spanish walking trails, the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela began as an act of faith as Europeans crossed Spain to visit the sacred tomb of Saint James. One thousand years later, the Camino continues to draw the spiritual as well as the traveler looking to enjoy the beauty of the green rolling hills and small hamlets of northwestern Spain's Galicia. Come be part of this magical route that is very special for us - it is on the Camino where the idea for Fresco Tours was first born in 1999.

Camino de Santiago
Tour Dates

Oct 22 - 29, 2006
Click for 2007 Dates

Tour Price

1,450 EUR is approx. 1,852 USD
(USD price as of Nov. 2, 2006)

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Camino de Santiago Tour Photos

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Day 1: Madrid to O'Cebreiro

In the morning, we meet the group in Madrid and drive up to Galicia, stopping along the way for lunch to have our orientation meeting. Afterwards, we stretch our legs a bit and do a short walk to the mountain top town of O'Cebreiro, where we are rewarded with the breath-taking views of the valleys below. Before our home cooked dinner, we visit the tiny church of Santa Maria and are introduced to the first of many miracles that we will learn this week linked to the Camino.
Sleep: O'Cebreiro / Walking: 3 miles

Day 2: Sarria to Portomarin

With our boots and scallop shells on, we shuttle down to the market town of Sarria, located 114km from Santiago, where we begin our Camino de Santiago. On our way to Portomarin, we walk by the 100km marker, a milestone (or kmstone!) for the millions of pilgrims who have traversed this same spot during the last millennium. As we approach Portomarin, we see the 12th-century Church of San Juan, an interesting fortified church that stands guard over the banks of the River Miño.
Sleep: Portomarin / Walking: 13 miles

Day 3: Portomarin to Palas de Rei

We start our day with a gentle climb out of the river valley and pass through typical Galician villages, decorated with their raised corncribs and the occasional carved granite cross that marks the way to Santiago. Continuing west, we walk through the first of many eucalyptus forests along the Camino and work our way into Palas de Rei. We've finished our longest day, and what better way to reward ourselves than a glass of Galicia's light Albariño white wine!
Sleep: Palas de Rei / Walking: 15 miles

Day 4: Palas de Rei to Melide

Following the now very familiar yellow arrows, we ramble up and down gentle rolling hills along quiet footpaths. Little has changed in this quiet corner of Spain, and the peaceful rural environment of local farmers tending to their lazy cattle in stone houses accompany us back to another time. We quickly arrive back to the present in the bustling market town of Melide, where tender octopus, pulpo, is still boiled in large copper kettles on the street.
Sleep: Melide / Walking: 9 miles

Day 5: Melide to Arzua

Half way to our destination, we leave Melide and on small country roads we wind our way across the Galician countryside. Along the way, our journey is filled with tiny churches dating back to the 12th and 14th-century dedicated to Santiago and Santa Maria. Once in Arzua, we should take advantage to try some of the famous local cow cheese or perhaps a bit of empanada, a light crusty pastry filled with either beef or tuna.
Sleep: Arzua / Walking: 9 miles

Day 6: Arzua to Arca

Today we continue to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Galician countryside and charming atmosphere of tiny 3-house villages. Get a feel for the people and greet a local villager with a “Buenos dias” or “Hola”. You'll see how these quiet and reserved people, quickly wish you well on your journey to Santiago. On this trek, you are no longer a tourist but a pilgrim! Almost there...
Sleep: Arca / Walking: 11 miles

Day 7: Arca to Santiago

One week, one hundred kilometers, and we have arrived to Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! You are going to love this magical city filled with fantastic monuments and with a lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets. After performing the traditional pilgrim rituals in the Cathedral, we head to our hotel and get ready for our evening celebratory dinner!
Sleep: Santiago / Walking: 12 miles

Day 8: Santiago

On Sunday morning, our local historian gives us a closer look at the amazing Cathedral that has seen so many transformations since the original chapel built in the 9th-century. After the tour, we sadly say our last "buen camino" as we leave you at the Cathedral in time for the pilgrims' mass at noon.

Notes to the Camino de Santiago Tour

This itinerary has been designed:

To give you the opportunity to walk the last 100KM into Santiago. This is a requirement needed to request the compostelana, the certificate granted by the church of Santiago upon the completion of the pilgrimage. It is not mandatory, however, to walk 100km (60 miles) to participate in this Fresco Tour. As with all our trips, your walk is accompanied by a support van and shorter walk options are available on a daily basis.

To give you the opportunity to integrate yourself into the Camino experience. Most of the hotels that have been selected are located in villages right along the trail so as to not isolate us from the Camino or other pilgrims. On most days, our walks will therefore be from inn to inn and will not require a shuttle. Due to the rural nature of the Camino, the hotel category on this Fresco Tour will not be 3-4 star. Hotels have been chosen based on location, service, cleanliness and each room has its own private bathroom. The price of the Camino de Santiago Tour has been adjusted accordingly and the single supplement fee has also been reduced 50% for this tour.