Spain

A Pilgrimage Journey on El Camino Trail - Led by Konstantina

Price

1.395 EUR

Duration

7 Days

Level

moderate

Date

June 29, 2023

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

7 days

1,395 EUR / 505 KWD / 6,145 AED / 6,335 SAR

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Overview

The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe, all leading to the tomb of St. James in Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Although, traditionally, and as with most pilgrimages, the Way of Saint James began at one's home and ended at the pilgrimage site, there are nine routes regarded as central ones, each with its unique beauty and level of difficulty.

According to the legend, the body of Apostle James traveled on a boat from Jerusalem, reaching the coastline of today’s Spain, where his disciples retrieved it and buried it. The tomb attracted numerous pilgrims during the Middle Ages, and the trail was considered, along with Via Francigena in Italy and the road to Jerusalem, as one of the most important pilgrimages of Christianity. The popularity of El Camino faded away over the years, only to be revived in the end of the 20th century, when it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and began, once again, attracting many visitors of all faiths and beliefs, many of whom choose to traverse it while on a journey of inner exploration.

Here, we have chosen the second most popular St James route, which starts from the beautiful town of Vigo in Spain and ends in Santiago. These are the last 100 km of the overall trail and represent not only the most sacred section of the entire route but also the minimum distance one must hike to obtain the Peregrine certificate.

Highlights:
Get ready to:

Walk on the footsteps of ancient pilgrims, following one of the most spiritual trails of Europe.
Connect with numerous other travelers who, either on their own or in a group, choose to retrace the old pilgrimage route.
Visit several picturesque villages of the Spanish countryside, surrounded by forests, cornfields, and green slopes.
Tick off your bucket list one of the most famous hiking trails in the world.
Embark on a spiritual journey, knowing that if you are bold to ask the question, you will receive the answer in the end.
Obtain the Peregrine certificate as a tangible memento of your pilgrimage journey.

Share this trip:

Activities: cultural sightseeing, hiking/trekking, nature watching, Spiritual Experience

Trip leader

Konstantina Sakellariou

Konstantina is Rahhalah’s advisor for Europe and the Middle East. A writer, a conscious traveler, an avid story collector and an entrepreneur, she has traveled extensively around the world in search of meaning and peace, focusing on the cultural heritage of different people. She is interested in documenting stories highlighting our humanity while connecting with nature and hiking long-distance trails. She is passionate, wild, and disruptive. Immerse in her energy by joining her on this trip.

Kostantina

Hiking Expert & Travel Writer

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Difficulty analysis

El Camino is a long, picturesque and relatively smooth trail, without steeps ascends and descends. Also, it feels comfortable as one passes through villages and towns, where one can easily replenish in snacks and water, thus avoiding having to carry heavy loads during the day.
However, hiking for an average of 5-6 hours per day for several consecutive days requires a certain level of physical fitness and stamina. Additionally, a large part of the hike is on tarmac, which may be uncomfortable to some hikers.

To help you understand whether you are fit enough to participate in this hiking adventure, Rahhalah’s expert team will assess your fitness levels before your registration and, once you register, will help you prepare a training routine that will guarantee the success of your trip.

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (29th June 2023): Arrival at Vigo

Note: One private group transfer will be arranged from Vigo International airport (VGO) to the hotel (exact timings will be announced closer to date). Alternatively, you can make your own arrangements, using a bus or a taxi from the airport to the hotel.

Vigo is a Spanish town on the Atlantic Ocean. Its medieval origins were quite turbulent, as the settlement was frequently attacked and conquered by many forces. Today, it represents a populous municipality and the starting point of your hiking adventure.
Upon your arrival, you will first head to your hotel (either by bus, private transfer, or other arrangements), and then you may explore the old center of the city at your own pace, getting acquainted with the historical and spiritual value of El Camino.

Accommodation: Silken Axis Vigo (4*) or similar.

Day 2 (30th June 2023): First day on El Camino: Hiking from Vigo to Redondela (B)

The first day of your adventure will be comparatively short, as you get used to the terrain, the path, and the process. On the way, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Vigo estuary, including the Cíes Islands, the Morrazo peninsula, the Rande Bridge (upon its construction, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world), and the cove of San Simón, with its beaches, wetlands and islands. You may choose to remain silent or interact with the other hikers who, either on their own or in groups, attempt to traverse a part of El Camino in search of answers to questions hidden within. In any case, remember that the trail has more to offer than merely the hiking process.

Hiking details:
Estimated distance: 16 km.
Estimated hiking time: 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: As Chivas (3*) or similar.

Day 3 (1st July 2023): Hiking from Redondela to Pontevedra (B)

This part of the trail is well signed, allowing you to enjoy the unfolding of the surrounding landscape. By mid-day, you should expect to arrive at Arcade: a charming town, ideal for a lunch break (don’t forget to try the famous local oysters). Late in the afternoon, you will arrive at Pontevedra where, after settling in the hotel, you can explore the well-preserved old town with its medieval buildings, a Gothic church, palace, and picturesque alleys.

Hiking details:
Estimated distance: 20 km.
Estimated hiking time: 5-6 hours.

Accommodation: Hotel Rias Bajas (3*) or Hotel room (2*) or similar.

Day 4 (2nd July 2023): Hiking from Pontevedra to Caldas de Rei (B)

Today is one of the longest but, also, one of the most beautiful days on the trail. Early in the morning, a string of lights will guide you through the historic center of Pontevedra, keeping you on the pilgrimage route, leading to the Sanctuary of the Pilgrim Virgin and the evocative ruins of the Convent of Santo Domingo: great examples of the old, monumental splendor of Galicia.
After Pontevedra, you will keep crossing small villages, surrounded by forest land, until you reach Caldas de Rei for a well-deserved evening at leisure.

Hiking details:
Estimated distance: 23 km.
Estimated hiking time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Roquiño (3*) or similar.

Day 5 (3rd July 2023): Hiking from Caldas de Rei to Padrón (B)

The landscape keeps unfolding peacefully around you, as the various rural settlements of Galicia, surrounded by cornfields and green slopes, form the famous carballedas (autonomous communities), leading you gradually outside the province of Pontevedra and into Coruña. As you finish the day in Padrón, you begin to feel the energy of the path, traversed by thousands of pilgrims over the centuries, towards the burial site of Apostle Santiago (St James).

Hikind details:
Estimated distance: 18.6 km.
Estimated hiking time: 4-5 hours.

Accommodation: Hotel Os Lambrans (3*) or similar.

Day 6 (4th July 2023): Hiking from Padrón to Santiago (B)

This is the last stage of the Camino de Santiago Portugués and the completion of the pilgrimage. You will cross the valley of the poetic River Sar and the sanctuary of A Escravitude, before reaching the top of O Milladoiro - the "humilladoiro", that is, where the pilgrims "humbled themselves", kneeling with respect upon setting eyes on the cathedral.
In Santiago, you will visit the Cathedral and hear the chiming of the famous bells, before checking-in in your hotel for a relaxing evening.

Hikind details:
Estimated distance: 23.7 km.
Estimated hiking time: 6-7 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Carris Casa de Troya (3*) or similar.

Day 7 (5th July 2023): Departure from Santiago (B)

After breakfast, you will head to the airport for your flight back home.

Note: One private group transfer will be arranged from the city to the Santiago de Compostela Airport (exact timings will be announced closer to date). Alternatively, you can make your own arrangement, using a bus or a taxi either to the Santiago airport or to the Vigo airport.

Notes

This cost is based on Double Occupancy. Single Supplement amounts to 850 EUR.
The cost is based on a group of min 6 people. Rahhalah reserves the right to change the price if the trip runs with fewer participants.
All services stipulated above are subject to availability at the time of booking/reservation. All prices are subject to change.
All accommodation is subject to change to a similar one depending on availability.

The Price Includes:

One group airport transfer from Vigo airport to the hotel (Day 1) and one from the hotel to
Santiago airport (Day 7).
1 night in Vigo, B&B.
1 night in Redondela, B&B .
1 night in Pontevedra, B&B.
1 night in Caldas de Rei, B&B
1 night in Padrón, B&B.
1 night in Santiago, B&B.
Luggage transfers throughout the trip from one stop to the other.
Compostelana Certificate.
The presence of Konstantina Sakellariou, Rahhalah's advisor for Europe and the Middle East.

The Price Excludes:

International and domestic flights.
Additional airport transfers, if needed (private, bus or taxi).
Travel insurance.
Visa and visa fees.
Optional activities or anything not mentioned in the above itinerary.
Meals not included.
Beverages.
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, etc.
International departure tax.
Gratuities.
PRC cost and quarantine expenses, if needed.

Important:The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the RIGHT to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.

Also, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Rahhalah's control (force
majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena (earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes, etc.). We, the Rahhalah team, both in our HQ and on the ground, will do our best to assist you with alternative arrangements (like new accommodation and/or transportation arrangements, revised itinerary and activities etc.), but ALL NEW COSTS incurred because of force majeure are to be covered by the traveler.

We strongly recommend that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances that cannot be controlled by Rahhalah or any traveler.