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Listed as the main European
Cultural Itinerary, dotted with
delightful monuments such as
old pilgrims' hospitals, and
sanctuaries, this route reminds
us constantly to be the oldest,
most celebrated and frequented
route in Europe.
Running through two of Spain’s
northern regions - Castile and
Galicia - the Camino gives way
to breathtaking landscapes,
unique monuments and typical
villages in this part of our
country. You will savor the
rich Spanish gastronomy, offering
traditional regional cuisine
with excellent wines.
This “do it yourself”-tour
gives you the flexibility to
enjoy this historic pilgrimage
at your own pace and brings
the experience down to its essence:
an individual challenge to reach
Santiago…!
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Itinerary |
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Day
1 LEON
On arrival in León,
you will find the information
required for your journey
at the hotel: a complete
package including hotel
vouchers, your touring bike
with all accessories, detailed
documentation with maps
and a road book.
Founded in 884 AD, León
has abundant gastronomic
and architectural riches
- dinner is best enjoyed
by having tapas in the atmospheric
bars located along the narrow
streets of the Barrio Húmedo.
The cathedral is a gem from
the Gothic period. |
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Day
2 León - Astorga
48 km
Today’s
route takes us through classic
Castilian landscapes, complete
with holm oaks, golden wheat
fields and gentle ups and
downs. It’s hard to
get lost: the route never
strays far from the N120
highway. The landscape in
the first half of the route
is relatively dry, but gets
greener the further west
you get; you’ll cross
fields full of diverse crops,
such as wheat, corn, hops
and wine grapes. Wildlife
isn’t a big feature
of this first part of the
trip, though you will see
geckoes, birds of prey and
lot of dairy cows!.
Astorga is home to three
national monuments and one
of the best Romanesque facades.
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Day
3 Astorga - Villafranca
75
km. A climbing.
From Astorga, the Camino
starts to climb gently until
it meets the first mountain
on the way. Once you've
reached the top of Foncebadón,
take it easy and enjoy the
sweeping downhill ride and
the gorgeous views on the
ride through vineyards to
Villafranca.
You will stay in the renovated
Parador of Villafranca.
The town of Villafranca
del Bierzo is a historical
and artistic monument, was
created to give refuge and
sanctuary to the pilgrims
before initiating the most
difficult part of their
pilgrimage. The monastery
cloister is a Renaissance
jewel. |
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Day
4 Villafranca - Portomarín
85
km. The most difficult day.
Get ready for the most challenging
day. From Villafranca you
ride slowly towards the
mythical O'Cebreiro pass,
the most demanding peak
along the western section
of the Camino. With a little
patience it's more than
possible to reach the top,
but in any case, a taxi
is there to avoid it. Then
it's downhill all the way
to Sarria, and onward via
a rolling route to Portomarín.
The older neighborhoods
once belonged to the
Order of Saint John of Jerusalem,
but now lie submerged, covered
by the waters of the Miño
River dam. |
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Day
5 Portomarín - Arzua
51
km. This day provides a
lovely alternative to the
previous day's hard work.
Several easy and long uphills
and downhills go through
rolling terrain, giving
cyclists a view of Galicia's
rural landscape. |
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Day
6 Arzua - Santiago Compostela
38 km. 200 mts. gradient
(ascent)
Don't let the short length
fool you; the final stage
is short, but kind of demanding!
After approximately four
hours of riding, cyclists
become pilgrims upon arriving
at the Pórtico de
la Gloria ("The Façade
of Glory") at the Cathedral
of Santiago. After taking
a breath (and celebrating
with others arriving by
foot and on horseback!),
you can visit the Pilgrims'
Office where you can obtain
the "Compostela"
the document certifying
you as an official pilgrim
(good for John Wayne jokes
in the future!). Accommodation
is centrally located, giving
you the opportunity to explore
the streets and bars of
the atmospheric historic
centre after dark.
This city, without any
doubt, is the most important
of the Christian Middle
Ages. It is worldwide renowned
and each year thousands
of travelers come to visit
its treasures. |
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Day
7 End of the trip
Rest
your weary legs and bask
in the glory as you reflect
on a truly memorable journey.
This is the final day of
the tour. |
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PRICE
2012 (EURO):
780
€ in hotels 2*-3*
180 € single
supplement |
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DAYS/ NIGHTS:
7
d / 6 n
LEVEL:
Medium-advanced
2012
DATES (Sunday):
March:
25
April: 8 and 29
May: 6 and 20
June: 3 and 24
July: 8 and 22
Aug: 26
Sept: 23
Oct: 14 and 28
INCLUDED:
Accommodation,
breakfast, road book and
maps, a taxi transfer
from Villafranca to O'Cebreiro
on Day 4th and luggage
transfers.
NOT
INCLUDED:
Lunches
and dinners.
OPTIONS:
- Bike rental: 160 €
- Travel insurance: 20
€
- Madrid-León transfer:
480 € (1-6 people)
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- The friendship along
the way with all pilgrims.
- The Cathedral and atmospheric
streets of the city of
León.
- Riding along gorgeous
paths through ancient
oak forests.
- Replenishing your energy
with local cuisine and
wine.
- The thousand-year-old
ritual of congratulating
yourself on your achievement
in front of the Cathedral. |
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