Camino de Santiago

Upon arrival in Madrid, we’ll all meet in the early afternoon and take a 4.5-hour train to Sarria, where the journey will officially begin. After time to settle into the hotel and rest, we’ll come together for our orientation meeting, where you’ll go over the details for the days ahead, including Camino logistics, pacing, luggage transfers, and pilgrim passports. We’ll then gather for our welcome dinner, a wonderful first introduction to Galicia and its rich food culture, before setting out on the trail tomorrow.

*You should arrive in Madrid before 11:00am. Otherwise, you can arrive the day before and we'll arrange a transfer and pre-trip accommodation for you.

After breakfast we’ll set out on our first day of walking the Camino, stepping into the Galician countryside and beginning to find the rhythm of the trail. Today’s stage runs along shaded paths, quiet country lanes, and small villages where stone houses, timeworn churches, and garden plots sit close to the way. As we walk, we’ll pass chestnut and oak trees, moss covered walls, grazing animals, and stretches of farmland that give this part of Galicia its peaceful and deeply rural character. Throughout the day we’ll move through a series of hamlets and village clusters, where locals and fellow pilgrims often cross paths in simple cafés, fountains, and trail side rest stops. This first stage is one of the most classic sections of the route, not only because of the scenery, but because it captures so much of what makes the Camino feel special, the steady pace, the shared path, and the sense of moving through a landscape shaped by generations of walkers. There will be time to take in the views, enjoy breaks along the way, and settle into the experience at a comfortable pace. By the end of the walk, we’ll arrive in Portomarín, a hilltop town above the Miño River with one of the most memorable settings on this part of the Camino. After time to rest and refresh, we’ll meet this evening for dinner and enjoy the satisfaction of completing our first full day on the trail together

Walking distance: 22.4 km / 13.9 miles
Approximate walking time: 5.5 to 7 hours

We’ll set out today from Portomarín and continue on foot toward Palas de Rei, following the Camino through a landscape of low hills, eucalyptus groves, farm tracks, and open stretches of countryside. This stage feels more spread out, with the trail linking together small hamlets, roadside chapels, and rural corners where the pace of daily life remains slow and local. As the hours pass, you’ll settle into the movement of the walk, with plenty of time for breaks in cafés and village stops before continuing on through this gentler, less visited feeling section of the route. By the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Palas de Rei, a historic Camino town that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries, where we’ll check in, rest, and then sit down together for dinner.

Walking distance: 25 km / 15.5 miles
Approximate walking time: 6 to 7.5 hours

Today we’ll continue on toward Melide along a shorter stretch of the Camino, making for an easygoing day on the trail. The route leads through open countryside, with old stone bridges and heritage churches appearing along the way and giving the walk a quiet sense of depth. By the time we reach Melide, one of the best known stops on this section of the Camino, we’ll arrive in a town with a long pilgrim tradition and a strong food reputation. After checking in, there will be time to rest, and for those who wish, Melide also offers pilgrim focused massage treatments, a very welcome option after several days of walking. This evening we’ll share a traditional Spanish dinner together.

Walking distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Approximate walking time: 3 to 4 hours

From Melide, we’ll continue on toward Arzúa through a landscape of forest tracks, grazing land, quaint country roads, and scattered farmsteads that give this stage a very Galician feel. Along the way, the route slips in and out of shade, passes small streams and roadside crosses, and moves through little settlements where simple pilgrim stops appear at just the right moments. With fewer miles to cover, the day has an unhurried feel, giving you more space to enjoy the scenery and settle into the walk. By the afternoon, we’ll reach Arzúa, a lively town best known for its creamy local cheese, one of Galicia’s most loved specialties.

Walking distance: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Approximate walking time: 3 to 4 hours

After breakfast, we’ll make our way toward O Pedrouzo through the municipality of O Pino, following earthen paths that wind beneath tall oak trees, with the trail weaving between tiny settlements that feel increasingly tied to the final approach to Santiago. Along the way, we may pass Santa Irene, a small stop known for its chapel and baroque fountain, and later A Rúa, the last village before O Pedrouzo. There is a special energy to this stage, with more pilgrims on the route and a growing sense that Santiago is now close enough to feel. By the time we arrive in O Pedrouzo, there will be free time to rest, freshen up, and get ready for tomorrow’s walk into Santiago.

Walking distance: 19.1 km / 11.9 miles
Approximate walking time: 4.5 to 5.5 hours

At last, we’ll set out on the final stage into Santiago, the day every pilgrim has been walking toward. The stage gradually shifts from wooded paths and quieter outskirts into the edges of the city, where the excitement starts to build with every step. As we get closer, there may be that first distant glimpse of the cathedral towers, a moment that makes the whole journey suddenly feel very real. From there we’ll continue through the outer neighborhoods of Santiago before entering the historic center and finally arriving at Obradoiro Square, where the cathedral rises in front of us and the emotion of completing the Camino truly sinks in. After taking it all in, we’ll check into our hotel in Santiago, where there will be time to rest, book a massage if you wish, and begin exploring the city at your own pace. Later we’ll regroup for an early celebratory dinner.

Walking distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
Approximate walking time: 5.5 to 7 hours

After the excitement of arriving in Santiago, the morning will begin at a more relaxed pace, giving everyone time to rest, enjoy breakfast, and take in the fact that you’ve now reached the end of the route. Later in the morning, we’ll head out for a guided tour of Santiago’s historic center, exploring its granite streets, elegant squares, and centuries old buildings before visiting the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the great destination that has drawn pilgrims here for generations. We’ll also enjoy a wine tasting paired with gourmet seafood, a distinctly Galician experience that offers a delicious introduction to one of the region’s most loved culinary traditions. Afterwards there will be free time to browse the shops, wander the old town, or simply enjoy Santiago at your own pace before we meet in the evening for dinner.

For our final full day, we’ll head out from Santiago on a day trip to the Atlantic coast, where Galicia feels rougher, wider, and shaped by the sea. Our main destination will be Cape Finisterre, the rocky headland long considered the “end of the world,” where cliffs drop into the ocean and the views seem to stretch endlessly outward. After everything that came before, it’s a very memorable place to stand. We’ll also spend time exploring part of the Costa de Morte, a striking stretch of coastline known for its fishing villages, Atlantic views, and untamed beauty, before sitting down for lunch by the water. By evening, we’ll return to Santiago for our farewell dinner, a wonderful final meal together to celebrate the journey.

You will be picked up at the hotel by a private driver who will take you to the airport for your departing flight.