The Camino de Santiago across northern Spain is one of the world's oldest pilgrimage routes. Gothic cathedrals, medieval monasteries, and miles of unspoiled rural scenery are just some of the attractions that draw visitors from around the world annually to make this historic trek. We designed our ride from León to Santiago for those of you who don't have the time to commit to our longer 15-day ride along the Camino; it is also a slightly easier tour with a 301 level rating.
Day 1: Arrive León, Spain
Highlights: Former capital of Spain, visit the Cathedral without Walls, introductory dinner
We'll meet this afternoon at our hotel in León, just a few meters away from the "Cathedral without Walls." This splendid example of Spanish gothic architecture is renowned for its marvelous stained glass windows. After fitting bikes this afternoon, you can explore town and visit the local sites. Then, we'll gather this evening for dinner together in a traditional Spanish wine bodega and meet others of the group.Lodging: Hotel NH Plaza Mayor
Day 2: Bicycle León to Astorga
Highlights: Visit to cathedral and palace designed by Antonio Gaudí
Our destination today is Astorga, home of the 15th-century cathedral and neo-Gothic palace designed by the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí. You'll have time to explore both this afternoon after our arrival. Dinner is on your own tonight, but we'll suggest some of our favorite restaurants. Distance: 63 km (39 miles).Lodging: Hotel Via de la Plata
Day 3: Astorga to Cacabelos
Highlights: Scenic cycling through the Spanish countryside, Cruz de Ferro (Don't forget to bring your pepple from home!)
Leaving Astorga, we pedal toward the hills that separate the provinces of León and Galicia. As you pass through tiny hamlets and monuments untouched since early Christianity, it's easy to imagine the awe that original pilgrims making this trek must have felt. By mid-afternoon, we'll arrive at our destination in Cacabelos, where we'll enjoy dinner together. Distance: 72 km (45 miles).Lodging: Hotel Villa de Cacabelos
Day 4: Cacabelos to O'Cebreiro
Highlights: Medieval hilltop village of O'Cebreiro, historic Villafranca del Bierzo
It's a beautiful ride today, as we head through the green fields of Galícia. Along the way, you'll pass through the old Camino town of Villafranca del Bierzo, which was founded by French pilgrims during the Middle Ages as a place of absolution for those too weak to continue their pilgrimage. Our hotel this evening is in O'Cebreiro. Dinner is together. Distance: 43 km (27 miles).Lodging: Hotel Alfonzo IX
Day 5: Bicycle O'Cebreiro to Portomarín
Highlights: Rural Galicia's landscapes & Celtic influences
You will get a real taste of Galicia today as we pedal our way to Portomarín. Celts from Ireland settled in Galicia as long ago as the 10th Century B.C., and their impact on local culture and music is evident to this day. If you have been on our bicycle tour through Ireland, you will also notice similarities in agricultural styles between Galicia and western Ireland, with endless green stretches of pasture divided by low stone fences. Dinner is on your own. Distance: 69 km (43 miles).Lodging: Hostal Santa Mariño Portomarín
Day 6: Portomarín to Touro
Highlights: ride over rolling hills, overnight in country manor and B&B
One of the prettiest rides on the tour awaits you today as we meander along forgotten country roads through the beautiful Galician countryside. Rolling hills and green pastures lead us to our destination for the evening near Touro, where we'll stay in one of the traditional country houses (similar to B&Bs) that dot the landscape. Dinner together. Distance: 79 km (49 miles).Lodging: Pazo de Andeade
Day 7: Santiago de Compostela
Highlights: Arrival in Santiago, Cathedral of St. James, farewell dinner
Today's ride is a fitting end to the Camino, as we pedal along rural roads through woodlands and pastures to Santiago. Once in town, you'll have plenty of time to look around the famous Cathedral of St. James that forms the city's heart. Tonight, we'll celebrate our journey's end with a great farewell dinner together. Distance: 43 km (27 miles).Lodging: Hotel San Francisco
Day 8: Tour ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Highlights:
Remember that you may not get to Santiago in time for the Pilgrim's Mass at noon on Day 7 so if you'd like to participate plan travel accordingly. There is plenty of Spain left to explore. The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao is not far away and neither is the Minho Wine region that separates Spain from Portugal. Thanks for joining us and buen viaje!-
HighlightsCathedral of St. James, Spanish castles and cathedrals, Continue a Thousand-year-old tradition, León, Basilica de San Isidoro, Pilgrim's Passport
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Includes"The Usual" plus... Use of a quality 27-30 speed bicycle; 8 days, 7 nights accommodation, 6 dinners with wine, all breakfasts
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CountriesSpain
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Begin/EndLeón/Santiago de Compostela
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Arrive/DepartMadrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) / Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ) or Madrid
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Total Distance373 km (233 miles)
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Daily Distance43-78 km (27-49 miles)
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What to ExpectCenturies of history, great cycling, charming medieval villages.
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Rating301
Rolling terrain on most days. Two days have sustained climbs for approximately 5 - 8 miles. -
NotesIf this sounds great but you would like a longer tour, check out our Cycling the Camino de Santiago - Roncesvalles to Santiago tour.
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Terms
| Dates | Price | Single Supplement* |
Notes | Next Step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28 - Jul 05, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Sold out. Wait list available. | Book It |
| Aug 30 - Sep 06, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Two Spaces Available | Book It |
| Sep 20 - 27, 2013 | $3550 | $500 | Sold out. Wait list available. | Book It |
| *We are happy to match solo travelers who would like to share a room with someone of the same gender. If no match exists, due to hotel pricing, we will charge 50% of the single supplement rate. This fee will be collected at the time of the final payment. If a roommate assignment is available this fee will be refunded at the conclusion of the tour. | ||||
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Here on ExperiencePlus.com
- Packing Tips
We've traveled enough and loaded enough luggage to have some useful suggestions to help you pack. - Pre-tour training
ExperiencePlus! has contracted with national fitness expert Joe Friel to create customized, day by day, training programs to ensure you are ready for your biking tour. - Spain Trip Planner
Read up on country customs, transportation information, culinary specialites, and more! - We Are ExperiencePlus! Meet your Tour Leaders
We'd like to introduce you to your tour leaders. We believe we have the best bicycle tour leaders out there, click through to see a slideshow about them.
Elsewhere on the Web
- A Camino de Santiago Resource Page
These pages are intended to help you plan your Camino de Santiago tour and hopefully keep you in contact with other pilgrims after you have gone back to your daily life. - Bike the Camino de Santiago
Ted Kornish made a video highlighting the once-in-a-lifetime tour on the Camino in Spain for us. - Cycling the Camino de Santiago
Gabriel Del Rossi gives us a glimpse of life on tour with ExperiencePlus! in this video - Iberia by James Michener
Looking for a travelogue set in Spain? Here's a review on one of Michener's finest books. - La Tomatina
The end of summer means tomatoes! In Valencia, Spain, there's a tomato throwing festival..join in the fun. - Nat Geo Traveler Tours of a Lifetime 2010
The Camino de Santiago is a fantastic trip; we're excited that National Geographic Traveler thinks so too! - New Cultural Pilgrims
New York Times highlights our final stop on the Camino in this article - Restaurant Basics in Spain
Ordering, meal times, and customs at restaurants in Spain - Spain hosts the 32nd America's Cup
Before or after your trip, consider visiting Valencia, where you can view the new facilities built for the 32nd America's Cup. You may also have a chance to watch crews from all over the world racing or training. The Cup will be defended in June and July, 2007 by Switzerland. There are many preliminary races before that date.
Click on the "pins" for details about each day's highlights.
Map Key
Start
City (on route)
End
City (not part of route, provided for reference)The Camino really is a trip of a lifetime. History, scenery, food ... everything about the trip makes it memorable. The chalk arrows are absolutely brilliant. They take all the worry out of riding and let me go completely at my own pace. On the Camino, they were the Way! I can''t imagine a better experience.
Pam K., Stanford, CA
We absolutely loved every minute of the tour. Thank you to our guides for making sure that Mike had all of the gluten-free food that he needed. They made it a stress free vacation.
Carolyn O., Littleton, CO
I loved the people, the trip, the place, the guides. Fantastic experience!
Garrett E., Donnybrook, Ireland
[My favorite part?] Riding through endless rolling hills day after day in beautiful weather. Encountering at least two quaint and unique villages each day. I can think of nothing I disliked about the trip!
Sara G.
Portland, OR
Portland, OR
I loved being so well taken care of by the leaders. The arrows on the street were great. There was no fear of being lost so we could enjoy the country side and really appreciate what was in front of us.
Eunice C.
Roosevelt Island, NY
Roosevelt Island, NY
