Day 1

UK – Santiago

Travel to Santiago

We fly to Santiago and transfer to our hotel in the bustling town of Sarria. We have a welcome meal and meet the team that will be with us throughout our Camino challenge.

Day 2

Portomarin

23km

We set off from the hotel and start a gradual climb through the countryside and villages, passing the Church of Santiago de Barbadelo set amidst beautiful oak trees. The villages are enclosed by the typical slate walls or ‘chantos’, which are one of the most characteristic features of the area. The countryside is rugged and the last 10km are all downhill into Portomarin, where we’ll spend the night.

Day 3

Palace de Reis

25km

Today we make our way out of Portomarin, where for the morning the trek is all uphill. We’ll pass through the villages of Toxibo, Gonzar, Castromaior and Hospital da Cruz. From Prebisa it’s downhill all the way to the Ligonde river and Eirexe, where we’ll have lunch. In the afternoon we trek to Palas De Rei, finishing there with our evening meal and a well-earned rest.

Day 4

Arzua

14km

Today we’ll trek mainly downhill, passing through San Xulian Pallota and crossing the river Pambre to enter the district of La Coruña at Campanilla. In late morning we’ll walk through several villages until we reach Melide for lunch. In the afternoon we have another 15km trekking through the hamlets of Raido, Boente, Castaneda and Ribadiso before arriving at our accommodation in Arzua.

Days 5

Pedrouzo

23km

Our penultimate day of walking on the Camino is mostly away from the roads through gentle rolling hills, crossing streams and passing through beautiful forests. We stop for lunch in a good roadside restaurant. The last 7km in the afternoon descends to our stop point just past the village of Pedrouzo.

Day 6 and 7

Santiago - UK

19km

Today is the day we reach Santiago, where we’ll meet up with those completing the El Camino cycle tour. From the summit of the Monte do Gozo, we have great views just before the final descent. As we enter the city we drop through a warren of tiny roads to the central square of Plaza del Obradoiro with its stunning cathedral. Here, we have the opportunity to attend a Pilgrim’s Mass, which includes a rare spiritual spectacle: the ritual swinging of the famed Botafumeiro, which dispenses incense throughout the cathedral as it arcs through the air at speeds of up to 68 km/h. Tonight we celebrate our achievements with a great meal of typical Spanish delights.

The following day we’ll visit the pilgrim office after breakfast to collect a certificate as an official Camino Pilgrim, before transferring to the airport for our return flight home.