18 Days
Specific Tour
24 people
English
DAY 1, Thursday, May 15, 2025 – We depart Denver Airport for our flight into Bilbao, Spain M
DAY 2, Friday. – Upon arrival in Bilbao, we meet our driver and guide, and our journey continues to Lourdes, France, making a comfort stop in the beautiful French coastal town of St Jean de Luz. After checking into our hotel in Lourdes we will enjoy a walk following the Stations of the Cross. Dinner and overnight Lourdes. D
DAY 3, Saturday. – Today, we explore Lourdes, the town that has played host to millions of pilgrims from all over the world, a very different Pilgrimage from what awaits us. The morning is free for those who wish to visit the Baths of Lourdes to be submerged into the water of miracles. This afternoon we walk in the footsteps of Bernadette, visit the Basilica, and the grotto where St. Bernadette saw the first of 18 visions on February 11, 1858. Together, as a sign of unity and sharing, this evening we attend the Torchlight Procession. Overnight Lourdes. B
DAY 4, Sunday. – After an early breakfast and check out, we drive to St. Jean Pied de Port, the starting point for many Pilgrims on the Camino De Santiago. St. Jean Pied de Port is an important and emotional place where paths join as one in this small Midi Pyrenees town. It is here that pilgrims from around the world become one with one single destination, Santiago de Compostela. Already, we begin to realize that for each pilgrim, this journey will be as unique as a fingerprint. We will experience the excitement and anxious anticipation of signing in and collecting our Pilgrim Passports. There will be free time for lunch then an afternoon walk through the town and a visit to the church. Early evening prayers and blessing for our journey will conclude our day. Dinner and overnight St. Jean Pied de Port. B
DAY 5, Monday. – Here we go…… a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. We have an early start, before sunrise. Today’s walk takes us on the Napoleon Route over the Pyrenees, or the slightly less strenuous Valcarlos Valley Route (the choice is yours) to Roncesvalles (25 km). There will also be the option to reduce the number of kms walked. In Rioncesvalles we will attend the Pilgrims’ Mass at the Collegiata, a sacred rite for pilgrims which has been celebrated for almost 1000 years and is one of the most important services on the Camino. Dinner and overnight Roncesvalles. BD
DAY 6, Tuesday. – Today, we walk through the beautiful countryside of Navarra. Starting from Roncesvalles to Espinal (8 km), we pass through Burgete, historic for its connection with Ernest Hemingway. In Espinal we regroup and continue on the bus to Zubiri. We will walk from Zubiri to Zabaldika (11km) where our bus will be waiting to take us on to Pamplona. Dinner and overnight Pamplona. B
DAY 7, Wednesday. – This is a day that begins before the sun rises and ends way after the sunsets, a day where we need to be flexible, focused, think of others, and maybe sacrifice rest time. We walk from Cizur Menor on the outskirts of Pamplona to Uterga (14 km) crossing the Alto de Perdon, where the path of the wind crosses that of the stars. We will have an uphill walk followed by a steep downhill to our waiting bus which will take us on to our overnight destination. Time permitting, we visit Eunate Church before continuing to Estella for a brief stop at the wine fountain. We then continue through the vineyards of La Rioja and then on to Santo Domingo de Silos for Vespers. Overnight in Santo Domingo de Silos. BD
DAY 8, Thursday. – After breakfast, our journey continues as we travel by bus to Hontanas, the starting point for today’s walk to Castrojeriz (10 km). Once we have regrouped the coach takes us to Boadilla where we walk along the Canal of Castilla (6 km) to Fromista. The bus then takes us to Leon, where we visit the Basilica of San Isidoro and the Cathedral of Leon. Dinner and overnight Leon. B
DAY 9, Friday. – We board the bus and travel to Astorga for a short stop before continuing to Foncebaddon where we begin today’s walk to Cruz de Ferro, the highest point on the Camino in Spain (3.5 km). Back on the bus we journey to Pieros and begin our walk to Villafranca del Bierzo (6 km). Depending on the weather and the time it has taken us for our morning walks, it may be possible for us to include a further 8km walk, from Las Herrerias to O Cebreiro. In O Cebreiro we visit the church, renew our baptismal vows, and have an early dinner before boarding the bus and continuing to Sarria for overnight. BD
DAY 10, Saturday. – Our main Pilgrimage begins this morning. We depart before sunrise hiking through the beautiful rolling hills of Galicia from Sarria to Portomarin (23 km) This is one of the most picturesque days of our journey where time is your own to find your pace and breathe. This is the day we come within 100 km of Santiago. Dinner, reflection time, and overnight Portomarin. BD
DAY 11, Sunday. – Leaving the River Miño behind us, we climb the hill out of Portomarin. Our walk takes us through fields and farms towards Gonzar, Hospital da Cruz and Ligonde, and finally to Palas de Rei (25 km). Today’s walk also takes us through the ancient settlement of Castromayor. Dinner, reflection time, and overnight Palas de Rei. B
DAY 12, Monday – Our longest day of walking is today as we walk from Palas de Rei to Arzua (30 km). As with the other days there is the possibility to reduce the distance walked. Today’s walk takes us through forests and along streams. Melide is today’s halfway point, a bustling town famous for its octopus dish. Dinner, reflection time, and overnight Arzua. B
DAY 13, Tuesday – After the storm comes the calm. Appreciating a much shorter day, we walk from Arzua to Perdouzo (23 km). Believe us when we say that you will have forgotten yesterday’s hardship and wish that this day was longer. It is a perfect day to reflect on the past days, to slow down, and savor the walk. Dinner, reflection time, and overnight Pedrouzo. BD
DAY 14, Wednesday – Today is our final day of walking and we say goodbye to the countryside and begin passing the busier villages as we get closer to Santiago (20 km). Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) is the point where we all regroup to walk the last 4 km of this journey together into the city of Santiago de Compostela. Tapas dinner and overnight Santiago de Compostela. BD
DAY 15, Thursday – Together we visit the tomb of St James and attend the morning Pilgrim Mass, and our offering of the Botafumeiro (availability pending.) Next stop is the Pilgrim office to collect our Compostela certificates. We’ll have a short time for coffee before visiting the Portico de la Gloria and Cathedral Roof top. After our tours you will be free to explore Santiago until dinner time. This evening, we will gather for a most memorable dinner at the Parador Hotel. Overnight Santiago de Compostela. BD
DAY 16, Friday –. Your morning in Santiago will be free for exploring and shopping before we make an afternoon excursion to Finisterre (Land’s End). We will celebrate Holy Eucharist on the Langosteria beach before heading to the lighthouse for a celebratory beverage as our pilgrimage draws to a close. Overnight Santiago de Compostela. B
DAY 17, Saturday – After a free morning in Santiago, we will transfer by bus to Porto with time for reflection. Overnight in Porto BD
DAY 18, Sunday, June 1, 2025, Fly out of Porto Airport – Denver Airport. BM
End of tour group transfer to Porto airport for our flight home.
