Self-guided hiking in Portugal - The Portuguese Camino de Santiago

Duration:

11 Days / 10 Nights

Distance:

154 km / 96 mi

Difficulty:

Medium / High

Start / End

Madrid - Santiago

2017:
1190 €

Single room supplement +350€

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Self-guided walking from Portugal

Walk over the border from Portugal to Spain!
On this spectacular trip you begin your Camino in the beautiful town of Ponte de Lima and make your way to Santiago de Compostela, travelling through wild forests, vineyards, coastal cliffs and historical villas. We greet you in Madrid and then take you to Ponte de Lima in our van where you will begin the walk the next day. You will have reserved accommodation at the end of each stage, but you walk independently and on your own each day. An organized adventure!

Our support

You want to live this adventure on your own, but we organize the details so you can do just that!

We personally greet you in Madrid for an introduction. The 'Briefing Package' we prepare for you includes a route map, the daily accommodations, a program with cultural information, and your Pilgrim's Kit: A small backpack, your pilgrim's passport, shell, notepad, a cap, a circulatory foot cream, and a reusable thermic bottle. We take care of your accommodations, breakfast, transferring your luggage each day. You also have the full support of our staff just a phone call away for anything that might come up.

Accommodation

You have accommodations reserved each night, all with private bathrooms and hot water! The accommodations are right at the end of each stage so you can easily access them on your own by foot. They include private inns, hostels, and hotels, depending on the stage. You will be able to experience many of the different accommodation options right on the trail.

If you are traveling on your own, you can opt to share with someone else on the group if possible to avoid paying the single supplement. If no one else wants this option, you would need to pay the single supplement to have your own room.

Departures

We have fixed departures on certain dates of groups of maximum 16 people. We all meet in Madrid and then you head to Ponte de Lima together in our private van. You all sleep in the same accommodations each night but you are completely independent, of course. As usual on the Camino you end up making friends and having dinner with the people you meet along the way.

If you have your own group and want an independent walk for other dates, just let us know. Any questions you have, don't hesitate to contact us!

Before and After

Before: Our Camino starts in the city of Madrid, where most international flights land. You can arrive a few days before the tour to enjoy the city if you’d like. We would be happy to assist you with hotels in Madrid.

After: You arrive in Santiago de Compostela, where you spend the last night. We offer optional add-on activities once the tour is finished like a one-day trip to Finisterre (minimum 4 people), or an optional gourmet lunch in Santiago after your guided visit. Just ask! There are flights from Santiago to Madrid, Barcelona, and London among others. You can also take a 6-hour train to Madrid from Santiago.

Extra hotel reservations: If you would like to stay in Madrid or Santiago for a few days before or after the tour, we’d be happy to send you a list of hotels we work with along with prices and assist you with the reservations.

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.

Packing list

We will send you a packing list with recommendations on what to bring along on your trip, along with a ‘Guide to Your Camino’ which answers questions regarding laundry, tip, and other useful topics.

Dates:

May 23 - Jun 01, 17
Sep 26 - Oct 05, 17 4 spots left!

Our Portuguese Adventure includes:

Accommodations with private bathrooms
All breakfasts
Daily transfer of ONE piece of luggage per person
Informational program with daily stages
Pilgrims' Kit
Value added Tax (VAT)
Transfer from Madrid to Ponte de Lima
Guided visit in Santiago de Compostela

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1

Meet in Madrid
Bus Transfer to Ponte de Lima

We meet in Madrid at 9:00 am on the first day for a lovely welcome. The team greets you and hands you all the necessary material for you to go off on your own. Then you head out to the town of Ponte de Lima in Portugal where you will start your walk the next day.

Night in Ponte de Lima

Day 2

Ponte de Lima - Rubiaes
18.5 km / 11.5 mi

Today our Camino begins!

Ponte de Lima awaits with its amazing bridge over the Lima River, namesake of the town. This stage is considered to be the most beautiful on the whole Portuguese Way.

Night in Rubiaes

Day 3

Rubiaes - Tui
19 km / 11.8 mi

You will begin today's stage by crossing the beautiful Roman bridge in Rubiaes and continue your journey until you get to the fortified town of Valença do Minho, where you will be able to see the Miño river in the distance and the city of Tui on the other side. You will cross the river via the international bridge, built in 1886, to set foot in Spain for the first time.

Night in Tui

Day 4

Tui - O Porriño
16.4 km / 10.2 mi

You will start your stage in the city of Tui, which marks the starting point of the Portuguese Camino in Galicia, and make your way to the town of O' Porriño. On this stage you can admire the sublime architecture on every street of Tui's historical quarter as well as the beautiful forest paths you will traverse throughout the day.

Night in O Porriño

Day 5

O Porriño - Redondela
15.6 km / 9.7 mi

On this stage you will have the pleasure of seeing the church of Santa Eulalia del Monte and the Pazo de los Marqueses in the parish of Mos, which are some of the most beautiful examples of Galician architecture in this region. You will continue your journey through peaceful forest paths until you arrive at the convent of Villavella in the city of Redondela.

Night in Redondela

Day 6

Redondela - Pontevedra
19.8 km / 12.3 mi

You will walk along the coastlines of Vigo and Pontevedra until you arrive in the city of Pontevedra, capital of the Portuguese Way in Galicia. Here you can find the sanctuary of "La Virgen Peregrina" or Pilgrim Virgin, patroness and symbol of the city.

Night in Pontevedra

Day 7

Pontevedra - Caldas de Reis
21.5 km / 13.3 mi

Today's stage is one of the most beautiful in the Galician section of the Portuguese Way. You will walk through vineyards, small rural hermitages and forests filled with chestnut, pine and eucalyptus trees. On your way to Caldas de Reis you will pass through Muiñada Da Barosa, a beautiful natural enclave with waterfalls and natural pools where you can cool off and rest a bit before continuing your journey.

Night in Caldas de Reis

Day 8

Caldas de Reis - Padrón
18.6 km / 11.6 mi

You are approaching the end of the Portuguese Way. From Caldas de Reís you will cross the Umia River where you can see the natural thermal baths that the town is named after. The path continues through the beautiful Bermaña Valley and its ancient forest. Your stage ends in the emblematic town of Padrón, the place where according to tradition, the stone boat containing the remains of the Apostle arrived from Palestine.

Night in Padrón

Day 9

Padrón - O Milladoiro
18.2 km / 11.3 mi

You are getting closer to Santiago with each step. you will walk through several towns as you make your way to the historic sanctuary of A Escravitude. After this you will continue toward the Chapel of San Martiño were you can see one of the most ancient Cruceiros of Galicia. Your way continues to the town of O' Milladoiro, end of today's stage and last stop before arriving in Santiago.

Night in O Milladoiro

Day 10

O' Milladoiro - Santiago
6.4 km / 4 mi

The last stage of your Camino!

You will pass through Agro Dos Mosteiros where for the first time you can make out the spires of Santiago's Cathedral in the distance. You are scheduled to arrive in Santiago before 12:00 pm, so that if you wish to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass and perform any pilgrim rituals like hugging the Apostle Santiago, you can do so.

Night in Santiago de Compostela

Day 11

Guided visit in Santiago
Light city walking

In the morning we offer a guided visit through Santiago focused on the old city, where the history of the city and the pilgrimage to Santiago can be recalled through its main monuments, squares and streets. During the tour you will visit the Cathedral where, in addition to its history and evolution, well-known traditions will be explained. You will also enjoy an exclusive visit to the Cathedral's roof to enjoy best view of the city. Our tour comes to an end at about 1 pm. Your Camino through life begins!

OPTIONAL

Full-day Trip to Finisterre
Not Included in Price

You will need to extend your stay in Santiago by one or two nights to join this trip.
You meet your local guide in Santiago and, in our private van, head towards Muros, one of the most beautiful coastal towns in Spain, making a short stop in Alto de Paxareiras until we reach Ézaro & head to the famous Finisterre lighthouse. After breaking for lunch in Finisterre, we will drive to the town of Muxía and then back to Santiago.

Ask us about pricing!