Deposit for Camino de Santiago

Camino de Santiago

Deposit for Camino de Santiago

500.00

  • Trip: Camino de Santiago
  • Route: St Jean de Port to Estella / Sarria to Santiago
  • Date: All year
  • Duration: 7 Days Land Only
  • Grade: Walk – Moderate
  • Total cost guided: €1500

Please call contact us about the trip if you would like further details

We can also organise self-guided, please contact us about this.

A deposit of €500 is required for booking flights (non-refundable).

Final payment due 16 weeks before departure.

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Dates 2024

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The Camino de Santiago, or Way of St James is one of the most famous pilgrimages walks in the world. Its history is steeped in a tradition of over 1,000 years when pilgrims came to visit the final resting place of the Apostle who, legend has it, was buried initially in the year 44AD after his martyrdom by Herod, and whose final resting place was rediscovered early in the 9th century.

To complete the whole journey from beginning to end could see us cover a distance of up to 800km and more, depending on where you start. However, our challenge will be much more modest as we begin our 6 days walk from either the town of Sarria or St Jean de Port.

Prices

1 Week – €1,500

Flights, Hotel accommodation, transfers, guide.

A deposit of €500 is needed for the booking. Final payment due 16 weeks before departure.

For self-guided please contact us.

Price includes:

  • B&B in Hotels along the way (Twin Sharing)
  • Private transfer to/from Airports
  • Luggage transfers to the next Hotel along the route
  • Guide
  • Dinner allowance €20 per day

Price excludes:

  • Personal items
  • Single Supplements Apply €150 limited rooms

Tips & Gear


Choose your walking shoes or light boots carefully. They should be designed for support, comfort, and grip. Most blisters are a result of poorly fitting socks of dubious quality.

Set out a training program for yourself. Get used to walking continuously for four hours or so once a week. Speed or distance isn’t necessary at the beginning, just keep moving at a steady pace and build up to longer walks over varying terrain.

Use a walking pole if you feel it gives you support over rough ground. Choose one which folds easily and fits into your luggage case when traveling. Spend time choosing your rucksack, and beware of features that you don’t need.

A 45-liter capacity is ideal for a couple of weeks walking carrying your gear. A rain cover is essential although an internal waterproof bag is more efficient.

Food and drink: Generally speaking eat whatever you like best, just eat plenty of it. And remember that you’re eating today for tomorrow, so a substantial meal late at night is often a good thing for an early start and a long distance. Have a few bars or biscuits for a snack. Keep hydrated, a little and often, and water is best.

Plan tomorrow’s walk: Check the map or the route, know the distance, tick off the coffee stops or rest breaks, be aware of steep climbs coming up. Be aware of any history or culture associated with the route and look around you to take in the sights.

Carry a basic first-aid kit – a bandage for sprains, wipes, and a selection of plasters for cuts or grazes, blister pads for the feet. If you are taking medication with you, make sure that you have enough for the entire stay – and an extra supply in case of delays or emergencies.

Stage 1 St. Jean to Estella


Dublin to Biarritz & transfer to St.Jean Pied de Port.

Day 2:
Walk from St. Jean to Roncesvalles, 25km.
We take the high pass ‘Route de Napoleon’ from St.Jean and the only coffee/lunch break is after the first 9 km at Orrison. It is a constant but very manageable uphill route for the first 20 km but with stunning views of the countryside all around.

Day 3:
Walk from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. 22km.
This stage is generally downhill with a few very short steeper sections along the way. On leaving Roncesvalles, you walk along the track which runs parallel to the main road and takes us along the tree-lined route. We rejoin the main road a little further on and walk through the village of Burguete and on into the countryside. Unlike yesterday’s walk from St. Jean, there are numerous options for coffee breaks along the route.

Day 4:
Walk on to Pamplona. 20km.
Retracing our steps from the village to the path, we continue along the track which is very narrow and stony in parts, having stocked up the night before with drinks and some snacks because the services are sparse along this day’s walk. This section is quite flat and descends to the city outskirts. As in approaching any of the cities or large towns along the way, we watch carefully for the yellow arrows and Camino signs. Our entry into Pamplona brings us across the river, through the Medieval fortress grounds, and through the drawbridge gates which were the original entry point for pilgrim walkers over the centuries. We continue along the narrow streets in the old quarter, passing by the Cathedral on a side street to the left.

Day 5:
Walk from Pamplona to Puenta La Reina, 24km.
We leave Pamplona by walking along the narrow streets and eventually through the University grounds and public park area, and after a short time join the Camino path and continue to the adjoining village of Cizur Menor stopping here for a coffee break. The route then takes us to the high point with the pilgrim sculptures and wind turbines and crosses over the motorway tunnel
below. There may well be a man with a van selling drinks, but this depends on the time of year! We take particular care going down the steep stony track on the far side.

Day 6:
Puente La Reina to Estella. 22km.
You walk along the narrow main street and over the bridge, turning left before heading off into the countryside. There’s a short steep section and then mainly flat. Stop for coffee at Cirauqui after 7km, Typical Camino town built high up overlooking the surrounding countryside. 

Day 7:
Free day to explore Estella OR. Some people walk on to the next town, Los Arcos 22km, you’ll experience a change of countryside and the start of the main wine-growing regions. Have something to eat there before getting a taxi to bring you back to Estella.

Day 9:
Transfer from Estella to Biarritz for the flight home.

Final Stage Sarria to Santiago


Arrive in Santiago & on to Sarria.

Day 2:
To Portomarin 22km

A calm walk through pretty villages and peaceful hamlets under the shade of oak trees and along quiet country roads. Along the way, you will spot many Galician traditional ‘hórreos’ (granaries). Visit the beautiful Romanesque church in the village of Barbadelo. Your destination for the night is the town of Portomarin.

Day 3
To Palas de Rei 22km.

After your night in Portomarin, your Camino will cross the river Miño (Galicia’s longest river) and rise uphill steadily towards the Serra de Ligonde. You will pass nice hamlets such as Gonzar and Ventas de Narón. Stop to visit the Romanesque Church of Santa María in Castromaior and the Romanesque church in Eirexe, with its portal featuring a sculpture of Daniel with animals, as well as Pilgrim Santiago.

Day 4
To Arzúa 28 km.

After your night in Palas de Rei, the Camino trail continues downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the delightful village of Leboreiro. You should take a break in the lively market town of Melide (454m), where you should try octopus, Galicia’s most classic dish, in one of the many ‘pulperías’. The Camino crosses several streams and follows a forest track bringing you to the village of Boente and the church of Santiago. Next is the pretty medieval hamlet of Ribadiso and finally the town of Arzúa (389m), famous for its local cheese. In Arzúa, you should visit the churches of Santa María and A Magdalena.

Day 5

To Pedrouzo 18Km.

On this step, you will pass through quiet forest tracks to encounter small linking villages and hamlets. The distribution of the houses is such that in some sections it is difficult to know where one ends and the next begins.

Day 6
To Santiago.

Your next point of interest is Lavacolla in the outskirts of Santiago, where pilgrims used to wash in the river in preparation for their arrival in Santiago de Compostela. Rows of tall eucalyptus trees line your journey to Monte do Gozo (‘Mount of Joy’ 368m) and it is from here that will catch your first glimpse of the spires of the cathedral in Santiago. When you arrive in the city (264m, population 80,000), explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site’s architecture and delight in the wonderful atmosphere of this spiritual and cultural city. With only 16.5km to walk today, you should be in Santiago in time for the pilgrim mass (12 pm). After visiting Santiago Cathedral and recovering from your walk, take time to explore this gem of a city, small and vibrant. Its old town will enchant you. In Santiago the Compostela you will find not only pilgrims but also locals and students, enjoying a few bites and socializing over a glass of wine in the many bars, restaurants, and cozy cafes.

Day 7
Free day to explore Santiago.

Day 8
Transfer for the flight home.

Preparation

A reasonable level of walking fitness will help you enjoy this experience all the more! Hopefully, the weather will be good, and if we feel it may be warm during the day we simply leave a title earlier, but generally, 8.30 am is our starting time. Footwear is obviously very important! Many people use good strong walking runners, while others like to bring light hiking boots for increased support. We will be walking along paths and tracks, quiet country roads, and through some forest areas. There are also a few rough stony stretches where particular care is needed, especially going downhill!

Plenty of pairs of tightly fitting socks is important to minimize the risk of developing blisters. This shouldn’t be a problem if you bring sensible walking footwear that you know and trust!

It goes without saying that you should pack good quality sunscreen for summertime walking, especially if you’re comfortable in shorts and light sleeveless tops, and a good sun hat is really important for protection.

Many people like to bring walking poles for extra comfort and support especially on uneven ground stretches, just make sure that they fold up small for your luggage bag. Even in summertime, the evenings can be chilly so a light fleece is an option, and a pair of sandals to change into is a good idea. A light rain jacket or poncho which hopefully you won’t need is essential, as the weather can be very changeable along with this, the first stage of the Camino, especially our first day’s walk over the high pass into Spain.

And finally, we want to emphasize that this is an adventure and a holiday, not an endurance test to be worried about! We pass through some wonderful countryside, towns, and villages large and small, and will meet others from all over the world doing exactly as we are. Coming with a good frame of mind is probably the most important element in your preparation.

Travel Insurance

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We can recommend our preferred partnered Accident & General for this new travel insurance policy which covers trekking up to 6000 meters but does not cover technical climbing. Please check out the policy details and cover.

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