Sacred Steps: Walking the Camino de Santiago

Fly into the Santiago–Rosalía de Castro Airport (SCQ) arriving no later than 1:00 pm, and our private driver will meet us after customs to escort our group to our cozy accommodation for the night, the 4-star Parador de Monforte de Lemos. If you plan to arrive a day early or later than 1:00 pm we can help with a private transfer from the airport to the hotel at an extra cost.  

After checking in and taking some time to unwind from a day of travel, we'll gather for our trail orientation. Our fearless guides will give us an overview of the adventure ahead, distribute pilgrim passports, and give us a scallop shell to hang off our backpacks. We're officially pilgrims of the Camino!

We'll toast to the beginning of a wonderful trip over dinner at the hotel's restaurant, indulging in traditional Galician cuisine. 

Rise and shine for our first day of walking. We'll savor a continental-style breakfast before transferring to the Barbadelo trailhead. Our support van will take care of our large luggage, so we won't have to worry about any heavy lifting while we walk. 

Today's walk totals 11 miles from Barbadelo to Portomarin. Most of our walk will be on woodland paths with plenty of shade and opportunities to stop for refreshments along the way. 

We'll continue on past the iconic marker that signals 100 kilometers left until Santiago, a milestone for many embarking on the Camino. Lunch will be in a town of our choosing, according to the group's preferences. Embrace the slow, spontaneous nature of the trail and savor the unexpected moments. 

Once we reach Portomarin, our support van will transfer us to the tranquil Hotel Mercure Lugo. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Lugo, stretch, and relax. We'll gather for dinner in the hotel tonight, a well-earned meal after a successful first day.

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at our hotel, complete with fresh fruits, jams, locally baked bread, and a variety of Spanish specialties. Our support van will meet us once we've had our fill and transfer us to the Portomarín trailhead.

Our walk starts in a wooded area, filled with gorgeous oak trees to provide us with some shade from the Spanish sun. We'll continue through farmland and into a handful of small villages, eventually picking one where we'll enjoy lunch and a cold beverage. 

There are plenty of historic churches and other notable landmarks along the Camino. We encourage you to stop and explore these special places and maybe even get a stamp for your pilgrim's passport.

After about 10.5 miles, we'll arrive at our destination for the day: Airexe. With a small local population, you can't get any more authentic or serene than this. 

Our support van will meet us in the village to transfer over to Hotel As Torres da Hermida for the night, a beautifully restored, 300‑year‑old manor that practically begs you to sit back and relax. The afternoon is yours to enjoy.

Dinner will be in the hotel's restaurant, where we'll have our choice of filling meals made with locally sourced ingredients.

At this point, you probably have a favorite Spanish breakfast dish to indulge in before our adventure begins. 

After transferring back to the Airexe trailhead, we'll begin a 10-mile walk to Leboreiro. Today's path is shaded by old trees that have seen thousands of pilgrims walk beneath them. 

As usual, lunch will be enjoyed wherever appeals to us for the day. As we continue to walk, don't be afraid to chat with those around you; it's part of the magic of the pilgrimage! 

Once we arrive in Leboreiro, we can explore the 13th-century Romanesque chapel that looms over the town's square, filled with religious sculptures and even a preserved Renaissance-era painted wall. What a treat.  

Our van will pick us up to bring us back to Hotel As Torres da Hermida for an evening of relaxation and reflection. We'll gather for dinner in the same spot as last night, sharing our favorite sights from the day's walk.

Fuel up at breakfast for the day ahead; we have about 12 miles to cover along the Camino today. We'll bid farewell to the beautiful village of Leboreiro and set off for Arzúa once our van drops us at the trailhead. 

At a notable stop in Melide, we'll see one of the oldest crosses in Galicia at the church of Sancti Spíritus. This town is also famous for its octopus á feira, a popular Galician dish made up of boiled octopus topped with olive oil, paprika, and coarse salt. We'd be amiss not to stop at one (or a few) of the many pulperias to sample this local favorite.

After a filling snack break, our walk continues through dense forests until we reach the town of Boente, home to the beautiful Fountain of Saleta. We'll follow the stream of Ribeiral toward Ribadiso, an oasis for pilgrims and a popular swim spot in the summer months. 

Just a bit more walking brings us to Arzúa, our final destination for tonight. Before the van picks us up to bring us to our accommodation, consider tasting some Arzúa Ulloa cheese in town. This mild, soft cheese is a staple of the region. 

We'll head to Pazo de Brandeso, an enchanting 18th-century Galician manor turned boutique hotel set amidst historic oak groves just outside of town. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Perhaps take a dip in the outdoor pool to soothe your sore muscles or enjoy a massage at the in-house spa. 

We'll gather for dinner at a cozy eatery serving hearty Galician dishes right in our hotel. 

Indulge in a hearty Galician breakfast spread before hitting the trail today. Our driver will pick us up in the morning to transport us to the Arzúa trailhead, where we will continue our journey.

Our walk today will be about 10.5 miles through some of the most lush landscapes of the Camino. We'll enjoy a mostly flat and shaded trail that winds through small villages, with quaint houses dotted along the way. 

As we get closer to Santiago de Compostela, the number of bars, cafes, and shops will grow. This means we're spoiled for options when it comes to finding a lunch spot!

Our van will pick us up at the trailhead in Santa Irene after some time to explore the namesake chapel of the town, and return us to Pazo de Brandeso. We'll again have the afternoon free to do as we wish. If you didn't indulge in a spa treatment yesterday, we'll ensure you're taken care of tonight.

We'll dine in the hotel tonight, an excellent opportunity to try another delicious meal off their locally sourced menu. 

We'll enjoy breakfast and pack up our bags before driving to the Santa Irene trailhead. Our journey today will span about 8.5 miles and end in Vilamaior, a small village just outside of Santiago. 

We'll walk through the village of San Anton pretty early on today, before enjoying the shade of the last grove of oak trees along the Camino Frances. From there, a steady, forested incline takes us up to and around the airport. 

Passing through Lavacolla, we can pause for lunch at any of the spots calling our name. It's the perfect waypoint to rest and regroup before our final uphill walk of the day to Vilamaior. Historically, pilgrims used to stop in this village to wash themselves in the river before continuing on to Santiago. 

The final leg of our journey is a short walk to Lavacolla. Our van will meet us at the trailhead to whisk us away to Hotel A Quinta da Auga Relais & Châteaux, a beautifully restored 18th-century paper mill nestled on a lush riverside estate. 

This hotel is designed for total relaxation, complete with a floatarium, a full menu of massage options and body treatments, and a massive 'spa circuit' featuring hot and cold pools. Why not spend the afternoon pampering yourself? 

We'll reconvene in the evening for dinner at Filigrana, a beautiful restaurant located within our hotel. We'll enjoy local dishes with an innovative twist as we toast to the final days of our adventure together. 

Today is the day! The excitement will be palpable as we eat breakfast and prepare for the final stretch of the Camino, ending in Santiago de Compostela. 

After a transfer to the trailhead, we'll start on the 7-mile walk into town. As we approach Monte do Gozo, look for the towers of the Cathedral of Santiago on the horizon, an experience sure to give you goosebumps. We'll bid farewell to the rural landscapes we've walked through for the past 7 days and head into the urban sprawl of Santiago. 

Once we're in town, we'll make our way to the Plaza del Obradoiro and then to the gates of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Take a moment to soak in the amazing feat you've just accomplished with new friends by your side. 

After we gather for group photos, we'll have the option to head inside the cathedral for Pilgrim's Mass at 12:00 pm. Collect your Compostela certificate of completion in town to commemorate this grand adventure. 

Lunch will be at a local tapas bar in the Old Town, where we'll feast and raise a toast to officially becoming pilgrims of the Camino. 

We'll drop our bags off at Parador de Santiago, a stunning historic 5-star hotel overlooking the cathedral.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are all yours. Wander around town, visit the Pilgrim's Museum, or grab a glass of wine and watch the world go by. You choose where and with whom to eat dinner tonight, your guide will be happy to point you in the direction of some local favorites.

Our final full day begins with a peaceful breakfast at the hotel before we step into Santiago de Compostela. 

A local guide will lead us through the city's storied streets, revealing tucked-away chapels, vibrant plazas, and the layered history behind the city’s sacred walls. The walk invites reflection on our purpose and the quiet strength it took to arrive.

Midday, you're free to grab a bite wherever the mood strikes, perhaps a lively market stall, a modern café, or a sunny bench with takeaway empanadas. In the afternoon, we’ve arranged a soothing foot treatment at a nearby spa that's a great chance to pause, exhale, and thank your body for the journey it has endured.

The remainder of the day is yours. Browse the artisan shops, climb the museum steps, or sit and watch the city's life unfold.

Tonight, we gather for one final meal together at A Tafona, where tradition meets creativity under the guidance of a Michelin-starred chef. It’s a time to share stories, raise a glass, and honor the path that brought us here.

Enjoy breakfast and free time before checking out.

The trip officially ends in Santiago de Compostela. You're off to the airport for your flight home, so hail a taxi whenever you're ready. Plan on flying out of the local airport (SCQ) to connect to your flight onward. 

This has been a grand adventure, and we hope you're proud of yourself for accomplishing over 100 kilometers of walking! Until we meet again...