16-Day Camino de Santiago, Ancient Cities & Hidden Spain

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A private car will pick you up at your hotel with your local guide to take you to Las Médulas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was the largest open sky gold mine of the Roman Empire. The rock formations and the colours of the land died by the mineral makes this place a must-see in the area. This place is locally called "Mars on earth". Later you'll be taken to Ponferrada for a private guided tour, including its Templar castle. You'll finish the day by arriving at your next hotel.

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Today, you'll start your walk. The luggage transfer has been arranged for every stage so you just have to take a little backpack with some useful things like camera, cell, passport, bandages, sun lotion, water and some food with you. As you walk, you'll start seeing the green land of the next province and leave the flat land of the previous one behind. You will walk about 20 kilometres in total today over a fairly easy track.

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Today, you'll leave the province of León behind to enter in Galicia. You'll face some uphills and downhills in this stage though you'll be able to walk it well. The first 20 kilometres on this route is gently uphill and fairly easy; however, the last 8 kilometres is hard going with an ascent from 700 metres to 1,330 metres - a hard afternoon. When you arrive at your overnight destination, the traditional thatch-roofed "pallozas" in O Cebreiro are a must-see.

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You will probably start feeling your legs are not working as well as the first day today but nevertheless, we will continue through the beautiful countryside. Though the stages are not too hard you are probably not used to walk long distances every day and you'll need a good rest at the end of every stage. Today, you'll walk around 21 kilometres which are mostly downhill with a few hills towards the end.

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Today, you'll get to the preferred starting point for most of the pilgrims. Since you need 100 kilometres walking or 200 kilometres cycling to get the diploma at the end of the Camino, Sarria is the perfect beginning. It is important to find good accommodation where to rest to be able to walk every day. Today, you have the choice of two routes depending on how you are feeling, the second one is a little more strenuous so you can decide at the starting point.

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Today, you'll start seeing many more pilgrims around you. This is good because you'll be able to talk to more people (if you are a solo traveller this is perfect). This stage has almost everything. You will walk along a good path full of muddy sections, sharp declines, gentle slopes. You will cross the railway, many rivers, enjoy beautiful landscapes, bridges over the Belesar reservoir & will pass by the 100th milestone.

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The main characteristic of this stage is that around 20 out of 24 kilometres are uphill, but the road is solid. This day starts with a steep climb just outside Portomarín, which gives an idea of how it will be for the rest of the stage. This initial pendant is surrounded by woodland, that despite the effort that requires the slope, makes it very nice. The rest of the day is easy going through rolling countryside.

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This stage is a long one - 28 kilometres - often referred to by the locals as 'the leg breaker'. The pilgrims face a series of uphill and downhill which can be quite hard. The roads are good and Galicia offers pilgrims all its charms with its unmistakable forests, streams that intersect and charming villages. Much of the day is shaded and shortly after Melide, you will walk through Oak and Eucalyptus forest absorbing the wonderful smell.

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Today is a short stage to recover from previous days. It is a charming one where you will walk around forests of eucalyptus and oaks. Instead of walking to Santiago, it is better to stop here so you can recover a little bit and start soon the day after to get to Santiago at noon for the pilgrim's mass. If you have been able to get your diploma first, your name will be mentioned in that day's mass. Otherwise, it'll be mentioned the next day.

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This is probably the ugliest stage of all, passing beside the airport and the outskirts of Santiago, but it will also be the best as you are reaching Santiago and the finish line is just a few steps away. Time to visit the saint at the cathedral and be glad for ending. In the afternoon, there will be a private guided walking tour through the city if you are feeling up to it.

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Today, you'll enjoy a great private tour where you'll enjoy some of the best coastal views in the whole country. The tour passes through three villages of the southern part of the Coast of Death: Muros, Finisterre and Muxía. The first stop is Pontemaceira, which is famous for its medieval bridge of the 14th century. Before reaching Muros, there is a stop at the top of Paxareiras, a privileged viewpoint that allows us to admire the entire coast.

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Today, you'll be taken by a private car with a local guide to some small villages like Betanzos to finish in A Coruña, the largest city of the province. Its old city, the Roman lighthouse (the oldest in Europe still in use) and the beach promenade certainly deserve a visit. Lunch is included in one of the most traditional restaurants in town in the Mayor square to taste local specialities such as seafood, Spanish omelette, or a stew of meat or croquettes. You'll love it!

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Today, a private car will take you to the airport to board a domestic flight to Madrid. Once you arrive, another private transfer will take you to your accommodation. In the afternoon, you'll venture out on a private guided walking tour of Madrid that will take up most of your evening. You'll discover the old quarter and the "Madrid of Augsburg" and a little of the local living with your local guide.

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A private car and your local guide will pick you up to take you to Ávila and visit this small town with an amazing Roman Wall surrounding the entire city. Its old quarter will delight you. Later you'll be taken to Segovia for a local and traditional lunch. You'll eat the "cochinillo" (roasted sucking lamb) very popular in this area. Afterwards, you'll enjoy a private walking tour through the old quarter, the Alcazar and the Roman aqueduct will finish this wonderful tour.