St. James' Day group tour - July 2023
Limited availability - 4 double/twin rooms remaining!
Triacastela to Santiago covers the final 135km of the Camino Francés; the most popular route of them all!
Not only will you qualify for your “compostela” – the certificate for officially having completed the Camino – but you will arrive into Santiago on St. James’ Day, the ultimate fiesta day in Santiago.
This walk takes you through the rolling hills of Galicia – similar to much of the Irish countryside in many respects. A moderate level of fitness will do; it’s a walk that’s well within the compass of most.
This group is being led by Eoin from Camino Groups.
More than any other section of the Camino, this final section from Tricastela is all about people – you will find yourself in the middle of an eclectic mix of groups and individuals, from Spain and from abroad, those who begin in Sarria and those who have walked hundreds of kilometres from their various starting points. You will pass through farmyards and forest of eucalyptus and pine, while the many stopping points along the route make this the most social of Camino routes.
Along the way, you pass through the towns of Sarria, Portomarín, Palas de Rei, Melide, Arzúa and Pedrouzo, each with their own character and with a variety of restaurants and cafes. Whether you opt for the “Menu del Día” dinner option or indulge in the seafood and vino delights of Galicia, you won’t be short of choice when it comes to wining and dining.
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- July 19th - 26th (Wednesday – Wednesday).
- €780 pps (not including flight).
- Single Supplement €240 - there are only 2 individual rooms available.
- 7 nights’ accommodation in ensuite rooms on a B&B basis.
- Airport transfers from Santiago to Tricastela and from Santiago to Santiago airport for the return flight to Dublin. Internal transfers between Palas de Rei and Melide
- 2 evening meals: a Menú del Día welcome in Triacastela and a 'picoteo' tasting menu in Pedrouzo.
- Bag transfer each day.
- Pilgrim Passport (Issued by Camino Society Ireland – the only official Irish pilgrim passport).
- This is a guided group, led by Eoin from Camino Groups.
- Detailed walking notes and accommodation maps.
Note:
- Flights are not included in the prices.
- We recommend that you have adequate travel insurance in place for your trip.
Wednesday, July 19th, Day 1
- Fly from Dublin To Santiago.
- Transfer to Tricastela for overnight,
- We will havea welcome dinner in our accommodation; a chance to experience the typical pilgrim's "Menú del Día".
Thursday, July 20th, Day 2
- Our first day’s walk – 19km from Triacastela to Sarria (along the San Xil route). This is a very peaceful section before many more pilgrims join the trail in Sarria; good way to experience the calm of the Camino.
- There is an alternative route via Samos for those who have a few more miles in their legs! Samos is home to a magnificent Benedictine monastery, well worth the extra 5k walk.
Friday, July 21st, Day 3.
- Walk 22km to Portomarín, getting a sense of the typical Galician farms that you walk through. Portomarín has a fascinating history, the original town being flooded by the development of a major hydroelectric plant further along the Miño river.
- The town as you find it today was relocated above the water levels of the flooded plain. The church was reconstructed brick by brick from the original!
Saturday, July 22nd, Day 4.
- Walk 24 km to Palas de Rei. By now, you will have begun to notice the ubiquitous Horreos – stone and wooden structures that were used to store corn and keep it away from pesky rodents! Now mostly ornamental, the Horreo is as much a symbol of Galicia as the scallop shell is of the Camino.
- In Palas de Rei, we will transfer you to Melide, a town lying 14km further along the Camino.
- Overnight in Melide, the self-styled Galician capital of pulpo (octopus). You have to try some!
Sunday, July 23rd, Day 5.
- You have 2 options today: you can continue from Melide and walk 14.4km to Arzúa or you can return to Palas de Rei (transfer provided) to walk the full 29km to Arzúa.
- Walk to Arzúa. This is your longest and toughest day if walking 29km– but when you make it to Arzúa, you know you’re well on your way. The walk from Melide to Arzúa is hilly, but the picturesque hamlet of Ribadiso helps to ease away any thoughts of weary limbs.
Monday, July 24th, Day 6.
- Today we walk 19km to Pedrouzo and then a further 4km to our accommodation just beyond Amenal. This will allow us to get an early run at Santiago in the morning; those who wish to experience the 12:00 mass (if you can get in) will arrive into Santiago in plenty of time.
- The advice is to have a good lunch in Pedrouzo, before we set sail for our accommodation, where the saline swimming pool will be a bonus.
- Tonight we will have dinner together; a picoteo taster menu will give you a taste of a variety of typical Galician foods.
Tuesday, July 25th, Day 7.
- Happy St James’ Day!
- Early rise today; we will have breakfast at 06:30 to allow us to get to Santiago in plenty of time for all the day’s activities.
- Walk 16km to Santiago. After skirting around the airport near Lavacolla, you will arrive at Monte de Gozo (about 5km from Santiago). This marks the traditional spot where pilgrims would wash themselves in preparation for their arrival into Santiago. Nowadays, it is a great gathering spot for groups to meet up, before walking into Santiago together if they wish.
- You have a full day in Santiago to explore the city. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the old historic centre is entirely pedestrianised. There aren’t many better places to sip a vino or “tomar un café” just to watch the world go by.
Wednesday, July 26th, Day 8.
- Free time in the morning in Santiago before your transfer at 14:00 to Santiago airport for the return flight home.
