Duration:
12 Days / 11 Nights
Distance:
152 km / 94 mi
Difficulty:
Medium / High
Start / End
León - Santiago
French Way Last 150 km - Camino de Santiago VIP Tour
Originally called our 'VIP Camino', this was our first tour ever! On our Exclusive French Way, you will be able to walk the last 150 km of the French Way of the Camino de Santiago, VIP from O' Cebreiro, the entire Galician Camino. We meet in the city of León and end in Santiago de Compostela. Our intention is that you enjoy the spirituality of the Camino de Santiago, see the most interesting places that the route has to offer while staying in the highest quality, most authentic accommodations.
Meals
Accommodation
Walking
Before and AfterMeals
All breakfasts and dinners are included in our Camino de Santiago VIP tour. We have carefully selected the included meals so you can have a taste of the most typical, most delicious, local cuisine. Lunches are not included, so depending on your tastes and preferences, you have the opportunity to experiment and choose on your own. You can stop and eat something along the way or at the end of the daily stage. There are plenty of options along the way.Vegetarians, vegans, or those with a special diet (eg. gluten-free) can always find suitable options. Just let us know beforehand and we will be happy to accommodate your needs.
Accommodation
All of our accommodations are hand-picked to give you the best possible experience. The first night you will stay at the Real Colegiata de San Isidoro in León.Along the way we stay in charming Galician manors, usually in rural areas, that used to be the homes of important people in the community in the past such as kings or noblemen. They form part of the cultural experience. Usually they are located in privileged areas surrounded with green, peaceful scenery.
For our last two nights in Santiago we will stay in the prestigious Parador de los Reyes Católicos in Santiago de Compostela. Here you will find a fusion of the tranquility and peace with all the comforts of a 5-star hotel and prime location. All of our accommodations have ensuite bathrooms.
We know all the owners personally, and you can be sure you will receive the personalized attention and service you deserve. A truly Camino de Santiago VIP Tour.
Walking
You walk the 150 kilometers at your own pace. It is a Camino de Santiago VIP Tour, but you do all the walking! There is no one you have to follow or walk with. We have meeting points along the way where our support vehicle will be waiting with snacks, fruit and water and to make sure everything is OK. We also offer assistance for any unexpected circumstances or simply to relieve muscular pain or cure blisters. We start walking at around 9 am and finish our daily walk just in time for lunch. We meet at the end of the stage to eat, have a drink and relax.If you do not want to keep walking for any reason, you can hop on the support vehicle or be taken back to the hotel. You mustn't worry about getting lost as the yellow arrows always show the way. Moreover, on the Camino you are never alone. After the daily walk, and after we’ve all had lunch we will head back to the hotel where we can shower, freshen up and have a much-deserved rest.
Before and After
Before: We meet in the city of León on the first day. It takes about two hours on the high-speed train from Madrid, where most international flights land. Y You can check timetables and prices online. The ticket can be bought directly online, or at the station if you come 45 minutes before the departure time, We can make the reservations for you at your request. There are also flights to León from Spain’s main cities, like Madrid and Barcelona.If you would like to book extra nights in LeónThe price for the Parador where we meet in the first day is 115€ (single room), and 125€ (double room) for the pre-tour nights.
After: Our tour ends in Santiago de Compostela on the last day at around 1:00 pm. Transportation back to Madrid is NOT included.
We offer optional add-on activities once it is finished like culinary activities in Santiago, and tours through other parts of Galicia.
You can join one of our activities, stay in Santiago on your own, or leave on the last day of the tour. An extra night in the Parador de Santiago is 230€ (double room) and 205€ (Single room) per night for this tour.
You can fly or take the train back to Madrid or elsewhere. The flight Santiago-Madrid is 1 hour, and the train trip is 6-10 hours long. There are plenty of short flights throughout the day to Madrid and Barcelona. You can book online or through your travel agency. We would be happy to make recommendations.
Means and Assistance
Vehicle and guide
A vehicle and guide for logistical support will be available during the entire route. It shall be of help not only for the pilgrims in transit but for the transport of luggage and to cover any other needs that might arise along the way. It will have fruits, snacks, water, medicine, first aid kits and everything necessary for unexpected situations.
Luggage transferred
The luggage will be transferred from one hotel to the next using the support vehicle. For the walk you can take a small/medium backpack for a camera, water bottle, and personal belongings. You can use the one we provide, or bring your own.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones with a spanish line will be handed out for the period of the tour for every 2 or 3 pilgrims. This will allow you to communicate with the driver or guides for any reason at all times. The number can also be given to family members back home to receive phone calls.
Pilgrim's Kit
We prepare you for your walk by sending you a packing list with recommendations on what to bring along on your trip, and provide a small backpack with famous Pilgrim’s Kit (Click here to view) that includes: Your Pilgrim's Passport, the shell, a Marly Camino program with reflections and waterproof Route Map, a waterproof pouch, notebook, snacks and more!
Dates & Price 2018:
2990 €
Single Supplement + 590 €
- May 19 - May 30, 2018
- Sep 04 - Sep 15, 2018
- Sep 25 - Oct 06, 2018
Dates & Price 2019:
3190 €
Single Supplement + 590 €
- May 17 - May 28, 2019
- Sep 13 - Sep 24, 2019
The price includes:
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1
Meet in León.
Light city walking
Our meeting point will be in the beautiful city of León at the marvellous Real Colegiata de San Isidoro at 4:00 pm. We will enjoy a guided visit through this beautiful city, after which we will return to the Colegiata for a welcome cocktail followed by a wonderful dinner where we will sample some of Leon's wonderful culinary delicacies.
Night at the Real Colegiata de San Isidoro
Night at the Real Colegiata de San Isidoro
Day 2
Day of visits
Light walking
We head from León toward the region of "El Bierzo" stopping at the historic bridge "Puente de Orbigo" & the beautiful city of Astorga. We visit historic places such as Rabanal del Camino, Foncebadón, and the famous "Cruz de Ferro" (Iron Cross). We will meet a real Templar Knight at the Pilgrim's hostel in Manjarín. Finally, we will enjoy a private wine-tasting. In the evening we will be treated to a delicious dinner focusing on regional products. Night in El Bierzo
Day 3
O' Cebreiro - Triacastela
21 km / 13 mi
Today our Camino begins! We will begin our Pilgrimage in the town of O’ Cebreiro, which is the beginning of the Camino de Santiago in Galicia and home of what is known as the "Eucharistic miracle of O' Cebreiro." Then we will make our way along beautiful mountain paths until we reach the highest point of the Camino in Galicia, the "Alto do Poio" peak, where we can enjoy breathtaking views. After this, we will continue on our Way until we reach the town of Triacastela. Night in Samos
Day 4
Triacastela - Sarria
19 km / 11.8 mi
Today we will walk through the beautiful forests of the Oribio river valley. The highlight of this stage is the Monastery of Samos, run by Benedictine monks since the 9th century. The end point is one of the most important cities on the entire Camino, the beautiful city of Sarria.
Night in Sarria
Night in Sarria
Day 5
Sarria (Barbadelo) - Portomarín
18.7 km / 11.6 mi
On this stage we will come across many little villages and towns, the most interesting of which are Barbadelo, Ferreiros, Vilachá and Portomarín where we will see many monuments such as: the beautiful church of "Santiago de Barbadelo", the Romanesque portico at the church of Ferreiros, and the fortified church of St. Nicholas in Portomarín. We will also have the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking view of the Miño river valley right outside the town of Vilachá. Night in Sarria
Day 6
Portomarín - Palas de Rei
24.3 km / 15 mi
Today's journey will take us through beautiful oak and eucalyptus forests passing by the villages of Gonzar, Ventas de Narón, Ligonde and Airexe on our way to the town of Palas de Rei.
Night in Palas de Rei
Night in Palas de Rei
Day 7
Palas de Rei - Boente
20.7 km / 12.9 mi
We walk along peaceful forest paths passing by the town of Palas de Rei where we can admire the Romanesque portico of San Tirso's church. We will then cross over the border of the provinces of Lugo and A Coruña via an ancient roman road. Once in A Coruña we will marvel at true jewels of the Camino such as the church of "La virgen de las nieves", and the ancient Roman bridge in the town of Furelos. Melide is a town famous for its octopus which we can sample in one of its many "Pulperías".
Night in Arzúa
Night in Arzúa
Day 8
Boente - Salceda
19.5 km / 12.1 mi
Today we will start our walk from the town of Boente, home of the spectacular church of Santiago, and continue on through the lovely towns of Arzúa, Ribadiso and Castañeda, all very closely linked to the Camino's history. In Arzúa we can see the beautiful chapel of "La Magdalena" built in gothic style and founded in the 14th century and also enjoy some of Arzúa's delicious cheese, which was given Denomination of Origin. We will continue our walk to Salceda, passing by the town of Calzada.
Night in Arzúa
Night in Arzúa
Day 9
Salceda - Monte do Gozo
22.9 km / 14.2 mi
We will walk through the beautiful villages of A Brea and A Rua. Along the Way, we will have the opportunity to see the hermitage of St. Irene with its baroque fountain whose water is said to have curative properties and the town of Lavacolla where the ancient purification ritual needed to arrive in Santiago was performed. We end at one of the Camino's most emblematic places: Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy), where we can enjoy a marvellous view of Santiago and our final destination, the Cathedral.
Night in Lavacolla
Night in Lavacolla
Day 10
Monte do Gozo - Santiago de Compostela
4.8 km / 2.9 mi
Today is our journey's most exciting day! We will make our way to our final destination: Santiago's Cathedral. We are scheduled to arrive in Santiago before 12:00 pm, so that those who wish to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass and perform any pilgrim rituals like hugging the Apostle Santiago can do so. In the evening, we will have a wonderful farewell surprise accompanied by a delicious dinner to celebrate our arrival.
Night in Santiago de Compostela
Night in Santiago de Compostela
Day 11
Day in Finisterre
Light city walking
We will go on a tour to Finisterre. Pilgrims have ended their Camino de Santiago at this town's famous lighthouse for centuries, where in ancient times the Non Plus Ultra gate was believed to mark the end of the known world.
Night in Santiago
Night in Santiago
Day 12
Day in Santiago
Light city walking
In the morning we offer a guided visit through Santiago for our group. The focus of the guided visit will be on the old city, where we will recall the history of the city and the pilgrimage to Santiago through its main monuments, squares and streets.
Your Camino through life begins!
Your Camino through life begins!
Want to join our Camino de Santiago VIP Tour?
Have a group of 6 or more? Want different dates?
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