If you think pilgrimage means hauling a backpack the size of a small car and surviving on stale bread, think again. We’re talking history, culture, and countryside magic—all with zero baggage (literally, it will be transferred from one accommodation to another). Each step will take us through Galicia’s rolling green hills, past villages straight out of a Spanish telenovela, and into cozy inns where delicious feasts await. And the grand finale after all that hiking? Waltzing into Santiago de Compostela like a medieval rockstar, stepping into the Parador—a.k.a. the oldest hotel in the world—and soaking in a city that’s been drawing legends, dreamers, and seekers for centuries. Walk, feast, sleep, repeat. Best. Pilgrimage. Ever.
This is the Camino, but without the weight—literally. With luggage transfers and all meals included, all that’s left to do is hike, eat, and soak in the beauty of Spain. From charming stone villages to rolling green hills, each day brings new landscapes, historic churches, and the unbeatable reward of arriving in Santiago de Compostela. There’s fresh-baked empanadas, local dishes, and cozy countryside stays along the way, capped off with a night at the iconic Parador, one of the oldest hotels in the world. Vamos!
On the first day, you’ll meet your transfer company at 11am in the foyer of the Parador de Santiago Hotel or you’ll be picked up from Santiago de Compostela airport at 11:45am. We’ll transfer from Santiago de Compostela to Sarria, where we’ll enjoy a restaurant lunch before heading off. Today’s walk will take us from the town of Sarria to the village of Sabenche. We’ll head out of town and go on an uphill stretch to the countryside, walking along country roads to the tiny village of Sabenche. Our accommodation is the charming Casa Caxiguero, a 12th-century traditional Spanish farmhouse where we’ll enjoy home-cooked meals accompanied by local wines.
Note: There’s an option to skip today’s walk and travel with the guide/driver.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Hiking: 6 km/ 3.7 miles, 3 hours
Elevation gain: 500 m (1,640 ft)
Accommodation: Casa Caxiguero
After breakfast, we’ll start our walk following country lanes through rural settings and forests. We’ll pass through many quaint hamlets and villages, including Ferreiros with its interesting church. The path ascends to Pena dos Corvos, where we can enjoy magnificent views before descending into the Rio Mino valley. We’ll cross the bridge and walk towards the historic town of Portomarin. The original town is now underwater due to a dam built in the 1960s to create a reservoir. When the dam is low, remnants of the old town can still be seen on the waterfront. Our accommodation for the night is at the modern Vistalegre Spa Hotel. We can relax in the spa or explore the town. Tonight, we will dine in a local restaurant featuring fresh regional produce and wines.
Note: Today, there is an option of being transported to Portomarin after breakfast.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 16.5 km (10.2 mi), 4.5 hours
Shorter option: Rente to Ferreiros 9.5 km (5.9 mi)
Accommodation: Vistalegre Spa Hotel
After breakfast, we’ll leave Portomarin and begin a steady uphill climb with scenic views. We’ll pass Gonzar and Castromaior, known for its Romanesque church. The route winds through charming hamlets and calvaries, crossing Ventas de Naron and the gentle Sierra de Ligonde before descending into Ligonde, home to a church dedicated to St. James. We’ll transfer (15 minutes) to Pazo de Orban & Sangro, our accommodation for the next two nights. Tonight, we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant with regional wines.
Shorter walking options:
Portomarin to morning tea stop (7.7 km / 4.8 mi)
Morning tea to lunch stop (5 km / 3.1 mi)
Lunch to afternoon tea stop (6 km / 3.7 mi)
Afternoon tea stop to the finish (5 km / 3.1 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 24 km (15 mi), 6 hours
Elevation gain: 400 m (1,312 ft)
Accommodation: Pazo de Orban & Sangro
On Day 4, after breakfast, we’ll transfer back to the trail. Today’s walk takes us from Palais de Rei to Melide. We’ll traverse the land encountering pretty woodlands of chestnut and oak. We’ll pass hamlets and small towns of Casanova, O Coto, and Leboreiro until we finally arrive in the 10th-century village of Melide with its historic churches and buildings. After lunch, we will be transferred back to Lugo (40 minutes), arriving at around 3pm, with the remainder of the day free. Tonight, we’ll enjoy wine tasting of regional wines before a relaxing dinner in this charming location.
Shorter walking option: Campanilla morning tea stop to Melide (6 km / 3.7 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14 km (8.7 mi), 4 hours
Accommodation: Pazo de Orban & Sangro
Today’s walk takes us from the town of Melide to Arzua. We’ll walk through the villages of Carballal, San Xuilan do Camino, and Lebereiro. We will stop at one of the local villages along the way for lunch. Crossing over the river Seco on the Magdalena bridge, we will reach Furelos and continue on to Arzúa, in the province of La Coruña, famous for its local cheese. Then, we’ll be transferred to our accommodation for the next two nights at Arzua at Pazo De Brandeso. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a three-course meal served with local wine.
Shorter walking options:
Melide to morning tea stop: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Morning tea to lunch stop: 7.5 km (4.6 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 14 km (8.6 mi), 4 hours
Accommodation: Pazo De Brandeso
After a good night’s rest, we’ll have breakfast and transfer back to Arzua to continue our walk to San Anton. We’ll depart by the Rua do Carme, cross the river Raido, and then pass through several hamlets. After our walk, we’ll be transferred back to our accommodation at Pazo De Brandeso where we can relax, have dinner, and enjoy a refreshing swim.
Easier walking options:
Arzúa to morning tea stop: 8 km (5 mi)
Arzua to lunch stop: 15.5 km (9.6 mi)
Lunch stop to San Anton: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 20.5 km (12.7 mi)
Accommodation: Pazo De Brandeso
Today is the final leg of our Camino walk as we make our way to our destination at Santiago de Compostela. After breakfast, we’ll transfer back to the trail to start our walk. We’ll walk through Lavacolla village, a place where pilgrims traditionally stopped to wash in the river and purify themselves before entering the city of Santiago.
Later on, we’ll reach Monte del Gozo and see the impressive Cathedral of Santiago. We’ll walk into Santiago through the cobbled streets of the Old Quarter and feel the elation as we reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, one of the most beautiful and renowned squares in Spain (it’s also the end of our walk). We’ll spend the night at the Parador, considered one of the oldest (if not *the* oldest) hotels in the world. Tonight, we’ll join the pilgrims service at 7:30pm before enjoying a celebratory dinner in the historic restaurant at the Parador Hotel.
Shorter walking options:
Amenal to morning tea stop: 4.5 km (2.8 mi)
Morning tea stop to lunch stop: 7.5 km (4.6 mi)
Lunch stop to Santiago de Compostela: 4 km (2.4 mi)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Hiking: 16 km (10 mi)
Elevation gain: 330 m (1,082 ft)
Accommodation: Parador Hotel
After breakfast, the tour comes to an end. You can enjoy free time to explore Santiago de Compostela. Participants will need to organize flights from Santiago to Barcelona or Madrid to connect with international flights. The airport is a short 15-minute taxi ride from the city.
Meals: Breakfast
Included:
Not included:
This Camino de Santiago 8-day adventure is rated moderate, which means that a moderately good fitness level is required to participate. Expect hiking up to 6 hours and 24 km (15 mi) per day, while gaining up to 500 m (1,640 ft) in elevation. Shorter options are also available.
You can find detailed day-by-day hiking distances and some elevation changes in the itinerary.
For more Camino de Santiago tours, click here!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. Your luggage will be transferred from one point to another, so you don’t need to worry about hauling your luggage with you.
You’ll receive a detailed packing list before your departure.
Group sizes and pricing
A Camino de Santiago 8-day adventure can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
The starting point of your Camino de Santiago 8-day adventure is Santiago de Compostela. To get there, most people fly into Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ). From there, you can take a shuttle service, public transport, or rent a car to reach Santiago de Compostela.
Once you’re there, you will meet your guide at 11am in the foyer of the Parador de Santiago Hotel. Alternatively, the guides can pick you up from the Santiago de Compostela Airport at 11:45am. After that, you’ll be transferred to Sarria and start the hike from there.
Medical and travel protection is mandatory to participate in this tour. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!
Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
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