Softley says...
Excellent pace of itinerary and well thought out accommodation. Local guide in Leon was enthusiastic, well informed and very collegial.
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One of the most ancient walking routes in the world, the Spanish Camino de Santiago is popular with walkers from all over the world, who come to follow in the footsteps of travellers from the 9th century onwards. The 800km journey across northern Spain has led thousands of pilgrims on a winding route from the Pyrenees across the wheat fields of old Castile to pass through Leon, the seat of Spanish Kings, full of soaring cathedrals and hushed convents, before entering Galicia. As you reach Santiago de Compostela's majestic Baroque cathedral, your route comes to a spectacular finale at the resting place of the Apostle St James.
On this 12-night trip, you'll begin your walking in Leon - you'll spend two nights here, giving you ample chance to explore the historic city and its fabulous architecture. From here, in keeping with the pilgrimage route, you'll walk daily along farm tracks, paths and country lanes, enjoying sociable lunches in restaurants en route. Remember to have your Pilgrim Passport stamped in bars, hotels and churches along the way to qualify for a certificate from the official Pilgrim Office in Santiago. After you've reached your journey's end, you'll spend two nights in UNESCO-listed Santiago de Compostela so you can explore the city's old town, and its Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings. You can even choose to attend the special Pilgrim Mass at 12 noon.
You'll stay in an astonishingly diverse range of properties including restored parish houses, converted water mills and stylish farmhouses, all of them packed with period features. We have included transfers after breakfast on the first three walking days, after which you'll walk all the way to Santiago. The sense of achievement on arrival is immense, and sharing in this tradition is incredibly rewarding.
Along with your Pilgrim Passport you'll notice a profound and heart-warming camaraderie with other walkers, as day by day you fall in and out of step with people from all over the world, some of whom have been walking for months covering hundreds of miles! You'll also find complete strangers cheering you on and wishing you 'Buen Camino!' ('Enjoy your walk!').
Read more about this holiday in Stumpy's Blog.
Walks on this holiday are on village streets, country lanes, farm tracks and rural paths. Walking boots are essential. Walking poles are recommended.
After arriving at your historic hotel in the heart of Leon, head out for dinner in one of the many restaurants and tapas bars on your doorstep.
You stay at the Posada Regia (breakfast included)
Today, you are free to explore Leon which is famous for its historical and architectural heritage, perhaps visit the Casa Botines, a creation of the famous Antoni Gaudi or the Museum of Contemporary Art (MUSAC) which is also is a superb example of modern architecture.
You stay at the Posada Regia (breakfast included)
Your day starts with a guided tour of Leon's magnificent gothic Cathedral which is often called the 'House of Light' and a visit to the Basilica of San Isidoro, one of the most important Romanesque churches in Spain and resting place of Leon's mediaeval monarchs. You will then receive your pilgrims passport at the local albergue. A one-hour transfer takes you to Cruz de Ferro, the highest point on the Camino, marked by a pre-Roman cross where you start your walk. The Camino winds downhill through fragrant pines where the Knights Templar once protected pilgrims from bandit attack. A path lined with wild chestnuts, cherries, peppers and fennel leads to riverside Molinaseca.
You stay at the Casa El Palacio (breakfast included)
After a short transfer (30 mins), you ascend the Rio Valcarce valley, climbing into moody oak woods strung with lichen and strewn with early purple orchid. Reaching O Cebreiro, an 11th century village in the heart of the Cordillera Cantabrica, you can walk to the viewpoint above the village for a perfect sunset and views over four ranges of hills. You'll then return along the narrow, cobbled streets, past traditional thatched houses known as pallozas.
You stay at the Hotel O Cebreiro (breakfast and evening meal)
Today begins with a short transfer to Triacastela. You'll hear the Monastery of Samos's bells ringing as you meander between the heather-clad villages that overlook it. On reaching Sarria, the antiques capital of Galicia, you'll be whisked to Javier and Raquel's elegant country rectory (10 mins), complete with chapel and al fresco dining patio area.
You stay at the Rectoral de Goian (breakfast and evening meal)
A walk along the Roman bridge leads you out of Sarria up the Celerio Valley, where you'll criss-cross the hamlets of the southern flank of the Sierra del Paramo. You'll then descend into Portomarin - the original village was drowned by the Belesar Reservoir, and houses still shimmer below the surface!
You stay at the Casa Rural Santa Marina (breakfast and evening meal)
Visit Portomarin's church then follow the Torres stream passing between cornfields lined with ox-eye daisies. Stamp your Pilgrim Passport in country churches dedicated to the Order of St James before arriving at your beautifully restored rectory.
You stay at the Rectoral de Lestedo (breakfast and evening meal)
Follow country lanes leading past fortified farmhouses into the hillside town of Palas del Rei (Palace of the King) as you enter the province of A Coruna. You'll pass typical raised Galician granaries and see chickens scamper across narrow streets as you enter vineyards, with views east to the Montes del Vacaloura.
You stay at the Casa de los Somoza (breakfast and evening meal)
Today's first stop is Melide, a thriving country town with tavernas brimming with locals enjoying Galician seafood in specialist pulperias (octopus restaurants). Drop into the Romanesque church to admire the frescoes, before lanes lined with bright yellow celandine lead you into the lively market town of Arzua. The last stop is your elegant manor house, surrounded by tranquil countryside, just outside the town.
You stay at the Pazo de Santa Maria (breakfast and evening meal)
Arzua's colonnaded streets lead into open country where local farmers wear berets as they tend vines and build haystacks with pitch forks. Your route then rises and falls through river valleys crossing rushing streams. This evening you can marvel at Javier's breathtaking converted water mill, where original machinery has been turned into spectacular period features!
You stay at O Muino de Pena (breakfast and evening meal)
It's an exciting time as you set off towards Monte do Gozo, the Mount of Joy, where pilgrims of old caught their first glimpse of the spires of Santiago. It is certainly busier these days! On reaching Santiago's historic centre, the atmosphere is alive with chatter as a myriad of pilgrims reach their journey's end below the cathedral's spectacular Baroque facade. Drop into the Pilgrim Office to collect your certificate, before checking into our historic hotel near the old marketplace, still a riot of colour!
You stay at the Hotel Virxe da Cerca (breakfast included)
You can choose to attend the Pilgrim Mass (at 12 noon) before exploring this beautiful city. The old town has Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The oldest monuments are grouped around the tomb of St James and the cathedral, which contains the remarkable Portico de la Gloria.
You stay at the Hotel Virxe da Cerca (breakfast included)
Enjoy Santiago and the cathedral before taking a taxi to the airport (pay locally approx 15 euro). Alternatively, stay on for extra nights to explore this beautiful historic city. Walking through the old streets of Santiago is a fantastic way to spend your time here, with Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings lining the old town's streets and plazas.
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347, use our live webchat or email usa@exodustravels.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
The Valina family have run much of the accommodation in O Cebreiro for generations, and the village certainly looks like time has stood still. With amazing views in all directions, this tiny place is one of the most charming on the Camino. There are rooms in three different buildings, each just 20m apart and made from the heavy, grey stone typical to this area.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
A rectoral in Spain is the equivalent of a parsonage in the UK. A grand home, often in a picturesque location built of attractive old stone. Such is the case with The Rectoral de Goian, just 8km from the centre of Sarria, it's a gorgeous property set in isolated countryside in landscaped gardens that are just too perfect.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
This eco-friendly hotel is located on the banks of the Mino river. The rooms are located in the Main building and are decorated with wood panelling.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Set deep in the countryside directly on the Camino, on a hillside with fabulous north facing views, this ancient light stone ruin has been restored by Susana and Cesar (a local vet). The sloping garden gives all the rooms pleasant country views, and the public spaces are very effectively designed to maximise natural light and make the most of the views. The 9 bedrooms are light and spacious with black and white photos on the walls, wooden floors and some striking designer touches that you might not expect in a building of this age.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
In the tiniest village of just a few houses, Jesus Cardelle's rustic country Turismo Rural is a popular stop on the Camino. The house was originally a farm, and has an old world charm about it with tiled floors and wooden beams throughout. The garden outside is always full of passing pilgrims having a drink in the sunshine, and playing Jesus' typical in house Galician skittle game. This is a simple village and a simple hotel, full of rustic charm. There is no English spoken here.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Juan Manuel Duque took on this ruined Galician stately home on the outskirts of Arzua as a retirement project several years ago, and has restored it to it's former glory using original materials and creating an atmosphere of perfect peace and tranquillity.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Suite.
Suites offer extra space.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra nights at the start or end, or if you'd like to arrange a stop off point en-route, then we recommend the following hotels.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades and extra nights: Contact us for details.
The price includes a rail ticket between Madrid and Leon however the start point for this holiday is the Hotel Posada Regia in Leon. Due to the linear nature of this walk, it is not possible to fly into Santiago.
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 1-800-267-3347 or email us at usa@exodustravels.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
Excellent pace of itinerary and well thought out accommodation. Local guide in Leon was enthusiastic, well informed and very collegial.
After long tiring days of walking, it was lovely to relax in rustic accommodation with comfortable beds, a good en suite and decent food. We thoroughly enjoyed 'Walking the Way of St. James.' The landscape was thoroughly unexpected in Galicia, - very lush, green and much like the U.K. and Ireland. It was particularly special to make friends (although very briefly) with people from all over the world.
This holiday provides a stress-free camino experience for those who either do not wish to or cannot carry a full back pack. Accommodation and meals are of a significantly higher standard than is available in the hostels and dormitories along the route. As well as completing the 100km required for the compostela, it combines some interesting earlier sections of the camino as a bonus. The guided tour of Leon provides an excellent introduction to the camino combined with the visit to the impressive Cathedral and other historic buildings. It is well worth extending the holiday to spend two nights in both Leon and Santiago de Compostela.
We would like to say how fantastic the man was who gave us the mini-moke ride from our hotel back into Portomarin and how hard our hostess (Maria) worked to keep everybody happy in the Casa de los Samoza.
The food in Rectoral de Goian was amazing! For the world's best bread and butter pudding go to O Muino de Pena>
Overall it was a great holiday. We throughly enjoyed ourselves.
It was hard work covering the average 12 miles/day. We enjoyed the 8 mile day with some 'free time' in the afternoon and felt very at home at Casa de la Somoza that afternoon. Enjoyed the company of the other 4 Headwater walkers we ate and walked with. Exciting to arrive at such an interesting and varied accomodation with such a variety of ambience and fare.
We were told on the 'phone when booking that we needed to get the 6.30 flight from Stanstead in order to have time to catch the train from Madrid to Leon. In fact it only took a short time by taxi to the station where we waited 4 hrs for the train. 2 hrs extra in bed and 8.30 flight would have got us off to a better start!
Thank you arranging all the accomodation and transfer of luggage which worked so well. Loved Leon and found it such a generous place - we kept being given little extras, whether from market traders or patisserie.
Route instructions generally good, but not clear that we needed to walk almost to the railway station to find the Hotel Roma at Sarria. That was a long last k.
Also the last k to Pazo Santa Maria directions could have been clearer with more detail.
Our pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela was a magical experience, and spiritually uplifting. We encountered so many memorable characters and different nationalities along the way, all with different stories and experiences, which will endure as we reflect on our journey in the years to come.
Please see above comments - it was a wonderful experience walking the Camino but I was disappointed with the seesaw quality of the places we stayed - a couple lovely, several really miserable. Food poisoning episode only helped by the fact that there was a doctor on the trip who helped me. The venue seeemed unconcerned. Really spoiled the last few days of the holiday.
Headwater response:
Dear Mrs Wylde,
Thank you for taking the time to complete your post-holiday questionnaire following your holiday this summer to Spain. Firstly, we were sorry to see you felt this holiday did not live up to your expectations with regards to the standard of some of the accommodations and the walk ratings. Please be assured that we have discussed your feedback in detail with our local agents, he will in turn discuss with our local suppliers and measures will be put into place to improve where necessary. We were also sorry to see that you were unwell at the end of your holiday; our agent was also disappointed to hear this and advised us that had you mentioned this to him he would have most certainly arranged onward transportation for you. We have not received any further complaints regarding sickness over this period or throughout the rest of the season. Our agent has advised us that food poisoning is a very rare occurrence in this region as the suppliers are used to dealing with high volumes of pilgrims and all of the food is prepared fresh daily. However, we will continue to monitor the feedback we receive, and will ensure it is cascaded back to the suppliers should another incidence be reported. We were also sorry to see that you felt the accommodations were poor in places. Due to the amount of walking done on this holiday, we try to use accommodations which are on or close to the Camino and because of this the accommodation standards can vary, as reflected in our brochure and web page ratings, however, please be assured that we do realise how important it is to maintain our high standards of accommodation and service, and we do appreciate we cannot afford to let our standards slip. With this in mind, our agent continually monitors any feedback received and provides feedback to both Headwater and the specific suppliers as appropriate. He also advised us that there are newer Albergues being built, however, these do not comply with our standards as most of them offer shared facilities and are mostly dorm type rooms with bunk beds and this is not the type of accommodation we feel is suitable for our customers. In closing we would like to thank you for your constructive feedback.
Yours sincerely,
Headwater Customer Service team
Everything extremely well-organized - comfortable and interesting accommodation. Would thoroughly recommend Headwater.
The accommodation was variable between wonderful and very simple.
We were suprised by how few vegetables we were available both in the accommodations and in restaurants.
At the end of some of the walk sections the instructions/directions were less clear and this was a problem when you are tired at the end of a days walking.
We were part of the party with the Raeburns were there was a muddle about our tour of Leon which we missed out on. That shouldn't have happened.
Headwater had thought of everything and it's attention to detail that counts on a holiday like this. Thank you !
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 12 night self-guided walking holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , , and hotels
All continental breakfast and 7 evening meals
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
Route directions and maps
Luggage transfers between hotels
Walking transfers
Guided city tour of Leon
Pilgrim's Passport
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
| Departing | Tour only | Prices  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Apr 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 14th Apr 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 21st Apr 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 28th Apr 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5th May 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 12th May 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 19th May 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 26th May 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Jun 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 9th Jun 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 16th Jun 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 23rd Jun 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 30th Jun 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7th Jul 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 14th Jul 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 21st Jul 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 28th Jul 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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| 4th Aug 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 11th Aug 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 18th Aug 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 25th Aug 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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| 1st Sep 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 8th Sep 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 15th Sep 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 22nd Sep 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 29th Sep 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| Departing | Tour only | Prices |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6th Oct 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 13th Oct 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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| 20th Oct 2023 | US$3779 | US$720 | Tour only: US$3779 Single supp: US$720 |
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The prices quoted for each individual departure supercede those published in our current brochures. Air prices are subject to change and we advise early booking to obtain the best prices. Please see our Planning your holiday and What's included in the price? pages for additional information.
Minimum group sizes
No minimum group size, however transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
This holiday is unsuitable for children.
Holiday type
Self-guided walking Managed locally by Headwater appointed agent.
Departures
Every Friday from 7th Apr 2023 to 20th Oct 2023, for 12 nights. All dates are subject to availability, please contact us to check.
Meals
All continental breakfast and 7 evening meals
Other details
This holiday is based on a minimum of 2 passengers.
This holiday does not include any flights or rail.
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 1-800-267-3347 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
