Self-guided Itinerary     6 nights  

Day 1  Arrive in Sarria (transfer not included). Dinner included in a restaurant.

Day 2 From Sarria to Portomarin on quiet trails edged by bramble covered fences and stone walls . On reaching Portomarin one finds a lovely lake which is really a reservoir. Beneath the waters of this reservoir lies a medieval town although the main buildings of that town were moved stone by stone and rebuilt on higher ground before the valley was flooded.  Distance 23 km. Dinner included in a restaurant.

Day 3  The trail from Portomarin to Palas de Rei is through undulating landscape studded with oak trees and bramble. In spring the gorse is a brilliant yellow and sublimely fragrant. A small detour takes you to Vilar de Donas with its outstanding Romanesque church.  Distance 25 km. Dinner included in a restaurant.

Day 4 From Palas del Rei to Arzua.  On leaving Palas de Rei you traverse an area dominated by devotion to St Julian.  Legend says that Julian was tricked by the devil into killing his parents and to expurgate his sins he ran pilgrim hospitals. A quaint church of St Julian that commemorates his works.  At Melide, the parish church has 15th century frescoes depicting St James, the Moor-slayer. It also has plenty of shops, bars and restaurant scattered around the narrow streets. Melide is famous for its "pulpo" -  octopus cooked in it’s own juice in large copper pots and sprinkled with paprika. If octopus for lunch doesn't appeal this region is also known for its sea-food and its cheeses. From Melide to Arzua the trail is often through shady eucalyptus forests and lined by old stone walls and there is a nice resting stop next to a stream before reaching Arzua.  Distance 29 km. Dinner included in a restaurant.

Day 5 Almost there!  Arzua to Rua/O Pino. On the trail leaving Arzua you pass fields, oak groves and small hamlets. Much of the Camino here is on farm tracks and occasionally you may have to wait while a farmer herds his cattle across the path. Enterprising farm wives often sell fresh-picked fruit and home-made pancakes to passers-by.   Distance 19 km. Dinner included in a restaurant.

Day 6  The final day of walking.  From Rua the trail leads to San Paio. Legend says that Paio was a beautiful ten-year-old Galician boy who was traded as a hostage to a wicked Arab Caliph and killed. Although the boy was martyred in 925AD, his cult remains strong in Galicia. Just past San Paio comes Labacolla (from "Lava" - to wash and "colla" - one's bottom). Here, medieval pilgrims performed their ablutions washing their private parts before presenting themselves to St James.  The trail leads up Monte del Gozo (Mount of Joy) for a first sight of Santiago de Compostela. The historic route then leads through the city gates and finally to the main plaza by the Cathedral.  Distance 19 km. Dinner not included.

Day 7  Depart after breakfast. It is a 20 minute taxi-ride to Santiago Airport.  Or, if you wish to stay to explore the old city including the Cathedral, we can arrange for an extra night at the hotel. On the day you leave a taxi is included to Santiago Airport.

The itinerary can be modified with extra rest days along the way or longer days can be split into shorter days – please ask about the price increase for customized options.