Walking the Camino de Santiago

Land Tour

Follow in the footsteps of countless pilgrims on this eight-day journey, walking the final, legendary section of the Camino Frances (French Way) from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela to qualify for the Pilgrim's passport. This final stretch is a traditional rite of passage, passing through sprawling, idyllic Galician landscapes and historic towns. After traversing eucalyptus forests and rolling farmland, you'll pass the famous 100-kilometre mark near Ferreiros before finally cresting Monte Gozo to see the magnificent Catedral de Santiago rising in the distance.
N.B for 2026 we have two dates running a 12 day itinerary starting in Madrid - 28 April and 08 September.

Authentic Galician culture and cuisine - Discover charming medieval villages, cross historic bridges, and savour delicious local food and wine
Undulating, idyllic landscapes and historic towns - Traverse varied terrains including eucalyptus forests, rolling farmland, ancient oak groves
Santiago De Compostela - Finish up in the historic town, mix with other pilgrims and feel a real sense of comradery.

Highlights
Fully-supported walking along the best bits of the Camino de Santiago|Discover medieval cities and villages en route|Enjoy good local food & wine

Tour information
Transport: Bus
Tour staff: Explore Tour Leader, Explore Tour Leader
Meals :Breakfast 7, Lunch 0 & Dinner 0

From price

$2,570
Price per person, twin share
Number Of Days
8
Start Location
Santiago de Compostela Airport, Spain
End Location
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Age Range
Avg. 30+
Group Size
5 to 18
Tour Style
Standard
Tour Themes
Cycling/Trekking/Walking
Physical Rating
Moderate

Departure dates

Price per person, twin share
Start End Availability Price
13 Jun 2026 20 Jun 2026 13 - Guaranteed $2,570
27 Jun 2026 04 Jul 2026 16 - Guaranteed $2,570
29 Aug 2026 05 Sep 2026 13 - Guaranteed $2,570
19 Sep 2026 26 Sep 2026 14 - Guaranteed $2,780
26 Sep 2026 03 Oct 2026 13 - Guaranteed $2,570
03 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026 16 - Guaranteed $2,570
10 Oct 2026 17 Oct 2026 15 - Guaranteed $2,570

Itinerary details

Day 1 - Join at Santiago de Compostela airport
Our trip begins today at Santiago de Compostela Airport where we'll meet in the arrivals hall at 4.30pm. Please note, the latest your flight can arrive is 3:30pm. We then transfer to Sarria. This medieval town in the hills of Galicia marks the starting point our Camino journey and welcomes thousands of pilgrims annually with its well-preserved old quarter featuring narrow cobblestone streets, 13th-century castle ruins, and the beautiful Romanesque Church of Santa Marina.
Day 2 - Walk through eucalyptus forests and rolling farmland to Portomarin
From Sarria, we continue on foot through Galicia, traversing a terrain of rolling hills. Passing the hamlet of Ferreiros, we'll reach the famous 100-kilometre/62-mile landmark - a magical moment for weary pilgrims. It's here that pilgrims would re-gather their strength, knowing it was only another three or four days to Santiago. More recently this waypoint marked the limit from where you have to walk continuously to achieve La Compostela, the official pilgrim's certificate. This afternoon, we'll reach Portomarin, once a splendid medieval village, which was relocated by Franco to make way for a reservoir. Remnants of the town's more prosperous days can still be seen amongst its narrow streets, such as the attractive Romanesque San Pedro church. Today's 22-kilometre/13.6-mile walk is expected to take around five-and-a-half hours with 540 metres/1,772 feet of ascent and 300 metres/984 feet of descent. The terrain is mainly unmade paths through hilly countryside.
Day 3 - Cross historic railway bridges and climb the high pass en route to Palas de Rei
Today, we'll begin with a crossing of the reservoir via a beautifully preserved disused railway bridge - a perfect photo opportunity as the morning mist lifts from the water below. The ancient pilgrim trail then winds gradually uphill through rolling countryside, passing the significant 80-kilometre marker near the picturesque village of Castromaior. Keep an eye out for Casa Carneiro, a fascinating glimpse into the Camino's illustrious past. This medieval inn once welcomed royal pilgrims including Emperor Charles V, who rested here in 1520 en route to his coronation, and later King Philip II on his journey to England to marry Mary Tudor. We'll conquer our final high pass at 722 metres just before Ligonde and enjoy the sweeping views over the landscape. From here, the path winds through hills dotted with eucalyptus groves Cruceiros - those distinctive stone crosses that are such a feature of the Galician landscape. The day concludes with a gentle descent through the countryside to our accommodation just outside Palas do Rei. Today's 20-kilometre/12.4-mile walk is expected to take around five hours with 540 metres/1,771 feet of ascent and 640 metres/2,100 feet of descent. We'll ascend up to the pass (722 metres/2,369 feet) and then continue on unmade paths through gently undulating hills.
Day 4 - Hike through rural Galicia; cross the medieval bridge near Melide
Leaving the town behind, the Camino now takes us through idyllic rural Galicia along gently undulating terrain, passing traditional stone farmhouses, grazing cattle, and patchwork fields of green pasture. We'll walk through ancient oak groves and eucalyptus plantations to reach A Coruna hamlet, then cross the atmospheric medieval bridge with its four weathered stone arches spanning the river to enter Melide, famous throughout Galicia for its octopus preparation. Tonight, we'll stay in a typical Galician farmhouse surrounded by rolling countryside, where we can enjoy a traditional dinner featuring locally-sourced ingredients. It's the perfect opportunity to try authentic Galician specialties, particularly Melide's renowned 'pulpo a la Gallega' - tender octopus served with paprika, olive oil, and coarse salt - paired with crisp local white wine from the prestigious Rías Baixas region near Pontevedra. Today's 28-kilometre/16.6-mile walk is expected to take around seven hours with 500 metres/1,770 feet of ascent and 650 metres/2099 feet of descent. The terrain is rural paths through farmland and gently undulating hillsides.
Day 5 - Discover traditional horreos, taste famous Arzua cheese, and walk where two historic Camino routes converge toward Santiago
Today we'll pass many 'horreos', typical barns of the region that dot this beautiful countryside. We'll also start to see more signs that we're nearing Santiago, including many pilgrim villages. Crossing the River Iso, we'll arrive in Arzua where the Camino Frances (French Way) that we've been following, and Camino del Norte (North Way or Camino Primitivo) meet - Arzua is also known for its local soft cheese, which you might like to try while we're here! Today, we'll pass many pilgrim sites including pilgrim Guillermo Watt's memorial; he died here whilst on the pilgrimage and his shs can be found in the stone wall. We can also stop at Santa Irene Chapel to see the statues of Saint James. We'll arrive at the small village of El Amenal and our hotel for the night. Today's 27-kilometre/16-mile walk is expected to take around seven-and-a-half hours with 350 metres/1,476 feet of ascent and 470 metres/1,542 feet of descent. The terrain is rural paths and local village roads.
Day 6 - Final walk over Monte Gozo and down to Santiago
Today is the final day of our pilgrimage, as we walk into Santiago de Compostela. We'll pass through the village of Lavacolla, where traditionally pilgrims would wash and change into their best clothes for the final stretch of the walk. From here, we'll ascend the final hill to Monte Gozo, from where we'll finally see Santiago Cathedral in the distance. We're now just five kilometres from Santiago's historic centre and the end of our pilgrimage. As we walk the last hour of the trail, we'll share the emotions and sense of achievement of thousands of pilgrims, ancient and modern from all over the world. Finally, we'll complete the trail and claim our 'Compostela'. Our last walk covers 17.5 kilometres/10.8 miles and is expected to take around five hours with 300 metres/984 feet of ascent and 350 metres/1,148 feet of descent. The terrain is unmade paths and roads.
Day 7 - Morning guided walking tour of Santiago; free afternoon
This morning, we'll take a walking tour of Santiago with a local guide, including a visit to the magnificent cathedral. Santiago de Compostela Cathedral is the final and most iconic stop of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Reputed to be the resting place of Saint James the apostle, this religious site has attracted pilgrims since the early Middle Ages. Built in the Romanesque style with numerous Gothic, Baroque, Plateresque and Neoclassical add-ons, the cathedral is one of Spain's most visited tourist sites. We'll also visit the important local squares, churches and buildings around the cathedral.The afternoon is free to wander the city's narrow streets, discover some of the city's other architectural treasures, and enjoy the local food and wine. It's also possible to take an optional excursion to Cape Finisterre - please note, this is a full-day tour, so you would miss the city tour.
Day 8 - Trip ends in Santiago de Compostela
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Santiago de Compostela.There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Santiago at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) which is around a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

Frequently Asked Questions

You should choose this tour if you want a fully-supported experience walking the legendary final section of the Camino Frances. This journey allows you to qualify for the official Pilgrim's passport while enjoying a blend of authentic Galician culture, stunning landscapes like eucalyptus forests and rolling farmland, and the camaraderie of fellow pilgrims as you reach the magnificent Catedral de Santiago.
This tour is designed for active travelers who enjoy walking and immersing themselves in local culture and history. Those who appreciate nature, medieval architecture, and authentic regional cuisine—such as Galician octopus and local wines—will find this experience particularly rewarding.
The pros include a fully-supported walking experience, the opportunity to earn the 'Compostela' certificate, and visits to charming medieval villages and historic landmarks. A potential con for some may be the physical demand, as the tour involves daily walks of up to 28 kilometers over undulating terrain and unmade paths.
With a small maximum group size of 18 people and a strong emphasis on the sense of camaraderie among pilgrims, this tour is a great option for solo travelers, couples, and families alike who enjoy group walking holidays.
This tour is suitable for both. First-time visitors will benefit from the fully-supported nature of the trip and the guidance of an Explore Tour Leader, while experienced travelers will appreciate the authentic route and the chance to traverse the traditional rite of passage from Sarria to Santiago.
This tour may not be suitable for those with significant mobility concerns, as it is rated as 'Moderate' physicality. It involves several days of extensive walking on unmade paths and hilly countryside, with daily distances ranging from 17.5 to 28 kilometers and various ascents and descents.
This tour offers a balanced blend of all three. It focuses on sightseeing through the Galician landscape and medieval towns, culture through the exploration of local traditions, food, and the religious history of the pilgrimage, and adventure through the physical challenge of the long-distance walk.
The pace of the tour is steady and active. While the walking days are demanding—often taking between five and seven and a half hours—the itinerary concludes with a guided tour and a free afternoon in Santiago de Compostela to allow for a more relaxed end to the journey.
The itinerary is structured to ensure you cover the essential final stretch of the Camino Frances to qualify for the pilgrim's passport. While the walking days are intensive, the inclusion of a free afternoon on Day 7 and a flexible departure on Day 8 provides a balanced conclusion to the trip.
Yes, key highlights are central to the experience. You will visit the 100km and 80km markers, cross historic railway and medieval bridges, explore the town of Sarria, and culminate the trip with a guided visit to the iconic Santiago de Compostela Cathedral.
The tour is led by Explore Tour Leaders and includes a local guide for the walking tour of Santiago, which helps ensure that guests can navigate the experience and understand the local history and culture comfortably.
Disclaimer:
These FAQs have been generated with the assistance of AI to provide a general overview. They are intended as a starting point only and should be reviewed based on your knowledge, current supplier information and client requirements.
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