After landing in Santiago, you can catch one of the regularly scheduled buses to the first destination Sarria, which is about three hours away via automobile (we also offer an alternate transfer at an additional cost). Sarria is the last place along the Camino where you can qualify to get the Pilgrim Credential (which we will supply). When you begin your walk from this point, you receive the Credential which is a passport that is stamped in each town along the trail, and gives access to special accommodations to those on "The Way". The Credential is to be stamped first at the Pilgrim office next to the Cathedral when you arrive in Santiago to officiate one's beginning of the pilgrimage. This first night is spent in Sarria.

(Accommodations, Sarria)

The walk between Sarria and Portomarin is one of the quietest and most peaceful of the Camino. This leg of the pilgrimage sets the emotional stage of the Camino and establishes one's humbling historic mindset towards the journey. During the summer months there are many places to have lunch and cold drinks along the way. Altitude at arrival is 1,815 feet, and the length of the hike is 14.1 miles, which takes approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes. Night two is spent in Portomarin.

(Breakfast, Sarria; Dinner, Accommodations, Portomarin)

There are several miles of paved road along this stretch, but the roads are tame and without much traffic. This day, you will pass through some small villages and visit some very iconic sights like the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria, which resides in Gonzar and is about 5 miles into the walk. 3 more miles down the path, in Ligonde, is a lovely Galician cemetery teeming with history. Along this hilly walk your journey passes through fields and forests where you'll see countless granaries, hórreos, and wayside crosses or cruceiros. The third night is spent in Palas de Rei, which was an important town in the Middle Ages that housed a Royal Hospital, and the church of San Tirso which greets the pilgrim with a Romanesque portal. Altitude at arrival here is 1865 feet, and the hike's distance is 15 Miles which takes approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes.

(Breakfast, Portomarin; Dinner, Palas de Rei)

This is the longest day of the pilgrim's journey, but one can shorten the trek by taking a shuttle for part of the way. This route takes you to Melide which is a pleasant town that is home to the former monastery Church Santci Spiritu, a pilgrim hospital, and the Church of San Pedro, as well as the church of Santa Maria - which is seen as the pilgrim is leaving the town. Along the route the trekkers pass over a Medieval stone bridge that leads to Ribadiso, which is surrounded by beautiful scenery surrounding the Gothic Chapel of Magdalena, which is part of the old Augustinian monastery that has survived the test of time. Arzua is renowned nowadays for its Galician cheese factories, which produce a fine pear-shaped delectable that is enjoyed throughout Spain. This fourth night is spent in a modest hotel in Arzua. The altitude upon arrival is 1284 feet, with the walk being 18 miles, taking approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.

(Breakfast, Palas de Rei; Dinner, Accommodations, Arzua)

After breakfast, the trek will continue to Arca do Pino, which is the largest community before the final destination of Santiago. Along this route one finds themselves immersed in fragrant eucalyptus groves. In Arca, you can take stroll around the village and pay a visit to grandiose Monastery of Sobrado-Galicia's first Cistercian monastery. The altitude upon arrival in Arca do Pino is 1049 feet; the trek is 12 miles long, and takes around 5 hours and 30 minutes.

(Breakfast, Arzua; Dinner, Accommodations, O Pino)

The final trek continues along the route through the village of Lavacolla where, according to tradition, pilgrims used to cleanse themselves before completing the Camino de Santiago. When the pilgrims arrive in Santiago, they are presented with the Compostela which is an award of completion that comes with a special blessing. Pilgrims from over 100 different countries make this journey every year, which, as it stands, is the the most iconic walk in all of Europe. The elevation upon arrival in Santiago is 869 feet, the walk being 11 miles, which takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

(Breakfast, O Pino; Dinner, Accommodations, Santiago de Compostela)

Continue on to Cape Finisterre on your own or on to your next Avanti destination!

(Breakfast, Santiago de Compostela)