The Best of the Pilgrim Route (Guided)
Burgos or El Cebreiro to Santiago de Compostela
Walking and Sightseeing
14 days, 13 nights, 9 days walking or 7 days, 6 nights, 5 days walking
The Best of the Pilgrim Route offers a great taste of the Pilgrim route. It takes in the great centres of the Pilgrim Route - Burgos and Leon and the changing landscape as you walk from the Meseta - the high plateau of tableland near Burgos down through the rolling countryside into the flat plains of Leon and then up again to the Montes de Leon, noted for several abandoned villages. The camino continues through this deserted landscape reaching the highest point of the route at Cruz de Fierro (1504m) before it enters the mountainous area of El Bierzo known for its fertile valleys and good wine. Then the landscape changes from chestnut forests to open countryside before reaching the lush green countryside of Galicia at El Cebreiro for the final stretch of the pilgrim route into Santiago de Compostela.
In order to qualify for the Pilgrimage Certificate the pilgrim must walk the last 100 km of the route into Santiago without breaking the journey (i.e no taxi shortcuts etc.). The 'best of' route has incorporated this into the itinerary yet allows you to enjoy the great sights as well along the way.
You will be accompanied throughout by a Spanish speaking walking guide and also by a guest lecturer who will walk with you. The guide will be a local person and the guest lecturer will be Dr Steve Blake. Before taking early retirement in March 2006 Steve was curator and Museum & Collections Manager at Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum. He has a particular interest in local and social history, and has published and lectured widely on the history of Cheltenham and the building of Regency and Victorian town. He is a Fellow of the Museums Association and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. His other great passion is medieval history and architecture, especially churches and the whole subject of medieval pilgrimage. To pursue these interests, he has travelled extensively within Britain and Europe and has walked large parts of the pilgrim routes throughout Europe and especially the Royal French Way to Santiago de Compostela.
Dates: 6th September 2008 (for 14 day option) and 13th September 2008 (for 7 day option). Other dates possible for private parties - please ask.
Tour Itinerary: (for 14 day version - 7 day version from Day 8 evening)
Day 1: Burgos - capital of Castille with splendid Gothic Cathedral and Santiago chapel and many important buildings.
Meet guides and group. Dinner in restaurant in centre of the city.
Day 2: Burgos / Castrojeriz
The morning is spent exploring Burgos and then in the afternoon there is a transfer to Castrojeriz - this small town was built by the Romans and was an important place for pilgrims in former times - with several hospitals for pilgrims. Today it is a nice place to stay with three interesting churches and a good view of the ruins of the Alcazar on the hill above the town. Dinner and overnight
Day 3: Castrojeriz to Fromista - 15 miles
The first walk along the Pilgrim route is 15 miles to the small town of Fromista with Romanesque Church in centre of town (now deconsecrated) and one of the best preserved National Monuments to the Camino. The main church is the 15th Century Church of San Pedro.
Dinner and overnight
Day 4: Transfer to Leon guided tour of Leon and then the rest of the day is free to explore this wonderful city.
The three most important monuments are the 13th c cathedral in French Gothic style with marvellous stained glass windows, the Basilica of San Isidoro and the Romanesque church of San Marcos, formerly an important pilgrim hospital and now a parador. The Casa de las Bottines by Gaudi is now a bank.
Dinner and overnight
Day 5: Transfer to the longest Pilgrim Bridge in Spain crossing the river Orbigo at Hospital de Orbigo - it is 204 metres long and has 20 arches - from where it is just over 10 miles to Astorga.
Astorga is the junction of two of the major Pilgrim routes - the Camino Frances and the Via de la Plata. In Astorga you will find the Bishop's palace built by Gaudi, the pilgrim museum and the beautiful Gothic cathedral along with several other interesting churches.
Overnight and dinner in a hotel in Astorga.
Day 6: Transfer to Rabanal del Camino and walk Rabanal to Ponferrada - 18.75 miles.
After about 4 miles you come to the small deserted village of Foncebadon where the hermit Gaucelmo built a hospital, church and hospice for pilgrims in the 12th century - however the remains are all that is seen today along with several ruined houses. A mile further along the route you come to Cruz de Ferro (1504m) with fantastic views on a clear day. It is traditional to take a stone from home and add it to the pile. From here the route is all downhill as far as Ponferrada. After another mile you will walk through another nearly abandoned village and after about 5 miles will come to the village of El Acebo which formerly had a pilgrim hospital - today it has a long narrow street with attractive old houses with overhanging balconies and a church.
Dinner and overnight Ponferrada
Day 7: Ponferrada is a large industrial town - with an old and a new town.
The small historic part of the town has a 13th century castle built by the Knights Templar, the 16th C basilica of Nuestra Senora de la Encina (Our Lady of the Evergreen Oak) and in the suburbs there is the 10th C church of Santo Tomas de Ollas. There is time to visit Ponferrada before transferring to Villafranca del Bierzo - here the Iglesia de Santiago was previously the point where pilgrims who were too weak or ill to continue to Santiago were able to obtain the same indulgences had they continued their pilgrimage. There are a number of other interesting churches in the town.
Dinner and overnight Villafranca.
Day 8: Villafranca to El Cebreiro (18 miles)
The walk between Villafranca and El Cebreiro is a strenuous walk and you should set out early - there are mountains and a stiff climb but in the end it is worth the effort and at the end of the day you stay in a very atmospheric hostel opposite the Church. El Cebreiro is a tinyvillage with lots of pallozas (round wooden dwellings of Celtic origin) The Church contains relics and a 12th C statue of the Virgin who inclined her head after a miracle took place in the 16th Century.
Dinner and overnight El Cebreiro
Day 9: Transfer to Sarria, a modern town with an old section - walk Sarria to Portomarin - 14.5 miles.
The walk between Sarria and Portomarin is one of the quietest and most peaceful of the Camino. During the summer there are plenty of places for lunch and drinks along the way.
Dinner and overnight in Portmarin
Day 10: Walk Portomarin to Palas de Rei - 15.5 miles
There are several miles of road walking along this stretch but the roads are quiet and you pass through some small villages - i.e. the Romanesque Church of Santa Maria in Gonzar is 5 miles into the walk. There is a lovely Galician cemetery church in Ligonde which is about another 3 miles.
Dinner and overnight in Palas de Rei.
Day 11: Palas do Rei - Arzua - 18 miles
The route takes you to Melide about 4 miles from Palas - this is a pleasant town with a former monastery Church Santci Spiritu, along with a pilgrim hospital and the Church of San Pedro and the church of Santa Maria as you leave the town.
Dinner and overnight in hotel in the small town of Arzua.
Day 12: Arzua - Lavacolla - 17.5 miles
The route continues to the small village of Lavacolla where traditionally pilgrims used to cleanse themselves before the final walk into Santiago de Compostela.
Dinner and overnight Lavacola
Day 13: Lavacolla - Santiago de Compostela 7.5 km
The final day's walk is short so the pilgrims can arrive in the Plaza de Obradoiro and enter the Cathedral by midday when the pilgrims are blessed. Afterwards collect the well earned certificate and enjoy this wonderful city.
Farewell dinner in city restaurant, overnight in hotel in centre of city.
Day 14: departure after breakfast.
Getting there
There is a train station in Burgos with excellent links to Madrid (about 4 hours by train). There are also small airports close by some served by budget airlines please ask and we will give you information.
What to take
Walking boots and walking socks (with a change of socks in rucksack), rucksack/day pack, water bottle, insect repellent, sunglasses, sun hat, sun block/cream, compass, torch, mobile phone, container for sandwiches and a first-aid kit.
Insurance
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of your having to cancel your holiday for whatever reason.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Prices depend on whether you take the 7 day or the 14 day tour ie cost per person for double occupancy is $1250 for 7 day, $2650 for 14 day.
Cost per person: $2650/£1450 (14 days) single supplement $275/£140 or (7 days)$1250/£675 single supplement $125/£60
Included:
13 nights accommodation with breakfast, dinner in a mixture of hotels three star where available. In some of the smaller towns there is no great choice of hotels all rooms with private bathroom
Transport of luggage between stops
Transfers as outlined in the programme.
Guide and guest lecturer (minimum of 10 persons for guest lecturer)
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Spain
France
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