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Camino
Santiago De Compostela |
Ref:
CAM |
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Walk
One: Portomarin to Santiago. Eight
day trip with 87km walk over five days.
Walk Two: Sarria to Santiago. Eight
day trip with 110km walk over five
days.
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8 days
March 15-22 - FULL, March 22-29 - FULL
May 3-10. June 28-July
5. Sept 6-13. Oct. 4-11. €667 per person sharing
€150
(Please see booking information)
April 5-12. May 10-17. June 21-28. Sept 13-20. Sept 27-Oct
4. €725 per person sharing
€150
(Please see booking information)
• Transfer from/to Santiago airport.
- Meeting point at 15.30 at information point
in arrivals hall of Santiago airport on Saturday.
• 7 nights hotel accommodation
• 7 breakfasts
• Transfers to and from walks
• Experienced Irish guide
Please allow €10-12 per head for dinner. |
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The Camino
Santiago, or Way of St. James, is one
of the most famous long distance pilgrimage
walks in the world. Its history is steeped
in tradition of over a thousand years
when pilgrims came to visit the final
resting place of the Apostle who, as
legend has it, was buried there in the
9th century after his martyrdom in the
Holy Land.
To complete the whole journey from beginning
to end would see us cover a distance of
over seven hundred and fifty km, a feat
often accomplished these days without interruption,
but only by those truly dedicated and with
over five weeks to spare. Our challenge
will be much more modest with a choice
of two distances on the final journey into
Santiago.
The first is a walk of 87km from the town
of Portomarin to Santiago, and the second
is more strenuous, as it covers a longer
distance in the same five days of walking.
You will decide which walk best suits you.
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Staying in rural towns & villages,
many dating back to the 9th century with
remains
- of Romanesque churches and early
pilgrim hostels
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Walking on well maintained tracks and paths through meadowlands and forests of
--poplars and eucalyptus.
• Entering the World Heritage City of Santiago and visiting the imposing
Cathedral
- which
evolved into the magnificent structure
it is today over hundreds of years.
• Enjoying the company of fellow travellers from far and near along the
way,
- or as we relax after each days walk.
For more information or e-mail us at info@govisitireland.com
Walk One, Portomarin to Santiago.
Day 1. Afternoon arrival at Santiago airport.
On arrival we will travel by private bus to Portomarin, a journey of less
than two hours. We will be brought to our hotel accommodation and can relax before
meeting up again for our evening meal in a local restaurant.
Day 2. Walk Portomarin to Palas de Rei. 22km. Total
ascent of 340m.
The centre piece of Portomarin is the church of San Nicolas which stands
in the town square. It was dismantled in the 1950’s and reconstructed on
higher ground when the original town was flooded to make way for a hydroelectric
scheme. We cross the river over a narrow footbridge which leads to our path through
forest and farmland. Remains of Pilgrim Hospitals and ruined churches can be
seen along the way as we pass through small hamlets. There are opportunities
for coffee and snack breaks along the way, and reaching our first nights destination
at ‘Palacium Rergis’ or Royal Palace is a welcome sight.
Day 3. Walk Palas de Rei to Melide. 14km. Descent, 230m.
Though Palas de Rei is said to be on the site of the original Roma road
between Lugo and Astorga, there are no major remains within its limits. Today’s
walk is short as we journey the 14km through oak and pine forests and along the
restored medieval road as we cross from the province of Lugo to La Coruna and
on to Melide. It is primarily an agricultural market town, with engineering supplies
and workshops for the farming community. After lunch, it is highly recommended
that visitors explore the old town quarter with its agricultural museum, church,
courtyard and civic offices. You should also visit the small leather workshop
nearby before leaving.
Day 4. Walk Melide to Arzua. 14km. Descent, 40m.
Another short day’s walk takes us through much the same type of
countryside and terrain, although the latter part of the journey sees us walking
on quiet country roads as we make our way to Arzua. In medieval times, we would
have collected a few stones from the quarries in Triacastela on our way to Sarria
from the East and brought them to the furnaces at Castaneda, a few miles beyond
Melide. Here, the lime was produced for use in the construction of the Cathedral
in Santiago. We pass the beautifully restored 15th century hostel at Ribadiso.
Arzua is another fine town with a very pleasing square where we can sit with
a drink and watch fellow ‘Pilgrims’ come and go as the locals go
about their business.
Day 5. Walk to Rua. 18km. Descent, 80m.
Our second last day’s walk sees us stroll through mixed countryside
of pine and eucalyptus forest paths, wide open spaces and country roads. Watching
the markers along the way, we can count down the distance yet to travel to Santiago,
and very shortly we will be on the right side of twenty kilometres. We will stop
for a late lunch at a busy roadside café and then its only forty minutes
or so to our hotel, our final resting place before entering Santiago the following
day.
Day 6. Walk Rua to Santiago. 19km. Ascent, 100m.
Whether you started from Portomarin, from Sarria or from further East,
this is a significant day on your journey along the Pilgrim’s route to
Santiago. The city is large, and this is reflected in the change of terrain as
we approach the suburbs of our final destination. We pass through Labacolla,
where tradition has it that “Pilgrims on their way to Santiago take of
their clothes, and for the love of the Apostle, wash not only their private parts,
or mentulas, but the dirt from their entire bodies.” We then pass by Monte
del Gozo, or Mound of Joy, where early pilgrims were able to get their first
glimpse of the city. “On seeing it, we fell to our knees and began to weep
for joy and were unable to speak for the tears that streamed out of our eyes
with such force that our hearts trembled and our continuous sobs interrupted
our singing.” A few more km, and we enter the outskirts of the city, finally
arriving at the Praza do Obradoiro, on which stands the Cathedral. A ten minute
walk sees us at our hotel for a rest, a shower and change of clothes before exploring
the city and all it has to offer for the rest of the evening and well into the
night if you have the energy.
Day 7. Santiago. Free day to explore the city.
The luxury this morning is that we don’t have to pack our bags and
have them ready for collection. One of the highlights will be to go, along with
pilgrims, walkers and visitors alike to the Cathedral at mid-day, be there at
11.30 if you want a seat, to watch the ceremony which culminates in the swinging
of the giant Botafumeiro from side to side and which reaches a speed of almost
70km per hour. There is an endless list of historical buildings and sights to
be seen, and many parks for a quiet moment for yourself after your journey. Most
of all, you have time to explore on your own, enjoy. We will have one final meal
together this evening in one of the city centre restaurants and a nightcap in
one of the many small bars is a distinct possibility before heading back to the
hotel.
Day 8. Leave for home.
After a late breakfast, our bus will collect us to bring us the short
distance to Santiago airport for our flight home.
Walk Two, Sarria to Santiago. 110km.
This walk is 23km longer than the walk from Portomarin described above.
We are collected at the airport as before, and our bus takes us to the town of
Sarria which is situated further east from Portomarin.
Many visitors like to complete this distance because it qualifies them for the
official certificate which is awarded from the Cathedral office in Santiago.
It also means however, that the walk from Palas de Rei to Arzua is covered in
one day’s journey as opposed to the two days allowed in the first trip.
Therefore, a reasonable degree of fitness and walking experience is required
in order to ensure that you enjoy your experience on the Camino to the fullest.
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