Spain El Camino de Santiago Hiking Tour

Your Guides

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The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.

Erik P.

Erik was born and raised in the Asturias region of northern Spain and has been leading MT Sobek globally since 1989. Erik holds the coveted IFMGA/UIAGM certification, which is the highest professional award attainable in mountaineering, and has written two guidebooks on hikes and climbs in the Picos de Europa. Erik studied Humanities at the University of Oviedo-the capital city of Asturias-and received an MA in History. He is passionate about sharing the landscapes and rich cultures of northern Spain with MT Sobek travelers.

Leo S.

Leo was born in the mountains of Spain's Basque Country and made his home in Jaca, in the heart of the Pyrenees, where he spends his winters on backcountry skis. He has been guiding in the Pyrenees for many years, as well as in Nepal, Morocco, Tanzania, Peru, Chile, Venezuela, Pakistan, India, and the French Alps. He has also taught skiing in Colorado. He is an International Certified Mountain Guide (UIAGM) and a professional ski instructor (ISIA). Leo is fluent in English, French, and Basque.

Fernando G.

Fernando is a IFMGA Mountain Guide with an extensive backgrouond in mountaneering and guiding. He has hiked the Great Himlayan Trail from India, Sikkim, Buthan, Nepal and Pakistán over a period of 6 months. Fernando was the first man to ever climb to the peak of Cho Oyu (26,906') solo and in Winter. He holds the world record of permanence in altitude, remaining at the summit of Aconcagua (22,841') for 66 days; and he has climbed Aconcagua 40 times. Fernando has been guiding in the Alpes, Andes, Himalaya and Pyrenees and other Mountains in Spain for more than 40 years.

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                    [Headline] => Meet in Bilbao & Transfer to Saint Jean-Pied de Port
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Arrive in Bilbao this morning and transfer to the hotel. Meet your guide and the rest of the group at 11am for a brief orientation and transfer to San Sebastian. Enjoy lunch and a short visit of this beautiful city along the Bay of Biscay before continuing on to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a small market town on the French side of the Basque Pyrenees. After checking into the hotel, take a brief walking tour and end the day with a welcome dinner.
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                    [Headline] => Begin the First Stage of El Camino 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/9.5 miles hiking with 1,656\' elevation gain & 2,114\' elevation loss
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Transfer from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Biakorri, where a statue of the Virgin Mary watches over travelers from atop a rocky ridge. Begin the first stage of El Camino, crossing from France into Spain along the historical Pass of Roncesvalles, where the hero of the Charlemagne Army, Roland, battled against the Basques. Hike in the mid-altitude meadows of the Pyrenees, with a very gradual climb to the cols of Bentarte and Leopeder, eventually descending through beech tree forests to Roncesvalles. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Roncesvalles\' historic sites.
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                    [Headline] => Hike to Zubiri & Transfer to Pamplona
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/14 miles hiking with 1,428\' elevation gain & 2,853\' elevation loss
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After breakfast, hike through meadows and forests, passing villages on the way toward the charming old town of Zubiri in the valley of Esteribar. Cross the Erro valley through oak and beech tree forests, typical for the southern slopes of the Pyrenees. In Zubiri, board the bus and transfer to Pamplona. Founded by the Roman General Pompeius, Pamplona is the first big city that the pilgrims discovered when they arrived in Spain. Take a walk through the old city, including the streets where the famous "running of the bulls" takes place.
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                    [Headline] => Hike the Meseta & Arrive at Burgos 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/12.5 miles hiking with 1,000\' elevation gain & 1,500\' elevation loss
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After transferring 2 hours from Pamplona to Ages, begin one of the main stages of El Camino: the high plains of central Spain, known as the Meseta. After a short 500-ft ascent to Matagrande, the journey follows a very flat route, passing through several villages. In the afternoon, arrive at the 9th-century city of Burgos on the Rio Arlanzon, home town of El Cid, whose statue guards the Puente de San Pablo. Check in to the hotel and enjoy a guided tour of the Gothic-style cathedral and the old town before dinner.
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                    [Headline] => Cross the Tierra de Campos & Reach Carrion de los Condes 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 7 hours/16.5 miles hiking with 891\' elevation gain & 865\' elevation loss 
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Today enjoy another full day on the high plains of central Spain, while crossing through the Tierra de Campos (or Campos Goticos). Today known as Castilla, this region is filled with the history of La Reconquista, a period lasting nearly 800 years in the Middle Ages. Pass green and golden grasslands and fields of sunflowers on the way to the medieval town of Carrion de los Condes. Take a guided tour of the old town, then settle into the hotel, impressively located within a restored medieval monastery.
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                    [Headline] => Hike through El Burgo Ranero & Transfer to Leon 
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/12 miles hiking with 464\' elevation gain & 1,090\' elevation loss
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Today hike through the small town of El Burgo Ranero and through vast fields of crops and grasslands on very flat terrain. By lunchtime, reach the medieval market city of Mansilla de las Mulas, a crossroads in this area of El Camino. After lunch, take a short transfer to the capital of Christian Spain: the city of Leon, also known as El Reino de Leon. Take a historical tour of the city and its early Gothic-style cathedral, one of the most famous in Spain.
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                    [Headline] => Hike from Hospital de Orbigo to the Roman City of Astorga
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/11 miles hiking with 800\' elevation gain & 834\' elevation loss
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Begin today\'s hike in Hospital de Orbigo, with its picturesque old Roman bridge, and continue along country roads through vineyards and rolling hills. En route pass through the small villages of Valle de Santibanez and Valdeiglesias, and reach El Crucero de Santo Toribio, the religious cross that has marked this trail for centuries. Continue on to the small Roman city of Astorga, founded in 14 B.C. and today known for its fascinating, eclectic architecture. Then transfer to Villafranca del Bierzo, home for the night.
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                    [Headline] => Hike from Las Herrerias to the Celtic Village of O Cebrerio
                    [ActivityOverview] => 4 hours/6 miles hiking with 2,416\' elevation gain & 394\' elevation loss
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Leave behind the high plains of El Camino and enter the northwestern region of Galicia. Begin the hike in Las Herrerias and reach the first significant ascent in many days. Climb over 2,000\' in the last five miles to reach the old Celtic village of O Cebrerio by way of the Piedrfita Pass, where custom has it the pilgrim must throw one stone in the Cruceiro for good luck. Spend the night in the ancient city of Monforte de Lemos.
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                    [Longitude] => 7.5568 W
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                    [Headline] => Reach Santiago de Compostela
                    [ActivityOverview] => 6 hours/14 miles hiking with 1,534\' elevation gain & 1,600\' elevation loss
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After breakfast, a 2-hour transfer leads to the town of Pedrouzo, where you start the last stage of the trek along El Camino de Santiago. Today reach the official destination of the journey - Santiago de Compostela and the cathedral that is the reputed burial place of St. James. The cathedral sits on La Plaza del Obradoiro, as does the hotel, a five-star parador located within a spectacular 16th-century building.
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                    [Travel_Type] => 2.25-hour private bus transfer
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                    [Headline] => Day Trip to Finisterre & Tour Santiago de Compostela
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Today enjoy a guided excursion to the coastal village of Finisterre ("the end of the Earth"), 51 miles from Santiago de Compostela. It is a tradition for pilgrims to end their journey by burning their clothes or boots here at the westernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula. In the afternoon, return to Santiago for a guided historical tour of the old city and the cathedral, then rest up for a special farewell dinner.
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                    [Headline] => Depart from Santiago de Compostela
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Today say adios to Spain. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Santiago de Compostela for departures home.
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    [ActivityHighlight] => This is a strenuous hiking trip with average hikes of 10 miles per day.  There is only significant elevation gain on two days (Day 2 & 8).  The terrain and trails are in good condition with some sections of paved roads as we cross through villages from time to time.  You need to be in good condition to be comfortable on this trip.
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Accommodations

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Revamped medieval monasteries and historic buildings offer standard to high-class amenities, comfort, and warm hospitality.

Hotel Les Pyrenees-Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France

Comfortable Hotel

Hotel Les Pyrenees in the charming town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a stellar base for exploring Basque Country. This family-run hotel offers warm, inviting guest rooms that are simple but contemporary. The grounds are lovely, with a courtyard and a pool, and the restaurant on the property serves delicious gourmet fare.

Hotel Roncesvalles-Roncesvalles, Spain

Comfortable Hotel

A welcome respite after walking the Camino de Santiago, Hotel Roncesvalles features well-appointed, modern rooms in a restored medieval monastery that retains much of its original character. Amenities include private bathrooms, TVs, hair dryers, and free Wi-Fi. The restaurant offers hearty breakfasts to fuel up hikers.

Hotel Tres Reyes-Pamplona, Spain

Comfortable Hotel

Ideally located only a short distance from the city center, the upscale Hotel Tres Reyes is a perfect homebase for exploring Pamplona. Spacious, modern rooms come equipped with private bathrooms, minibars, LED televisions, telephones, safes, A/C, and free Wi-Fi. The hotel boasts a bar, cafe, restaurant, swimming pool, and fitness center.

NH Collection Palacio de Burgos-Burgos, Spain

Comfortable Hotel

This elegant hotel, housed in a Gothic church erected in the 16th and 17th centuries, sits at the heart of Burgos. Guests are only a short walk from the UNESCO-protected Burgos cathedral as well as the city's other attractions and restaurants. Modern amenities abound at this historic property, including a fitness center, sauna, rooftop terrace, and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Monasterio San Zoilo-Carrion de los Condes, Spain

Comfortable Hotel

Set in a spectacular 10th-century monastery, the sophisticated Hotel Monasterio San Zoilo is a short walk from Rio Carrion. The individually decorated rooms seamlessly blend historic details, like exposed brick and original archways, with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi. The hotel features a charming bar and a Castilian restaurant, as well as a beautiful cloister and peaceful gardens.

Hotel Real Colegiata de San Isidoro-Leon, Spain

Comfortable Hotel

Located in the heart of León's historic quarter, the Hotel Real Colegiata San Isidoro consistently wows guests. As a converted monastery, built in to the city's Roman walls, the hotel oozes Romanesque elegance with its brick walls, frescoes, and cloistered corridors. Its comfortable rooms are stylish and clean, with modern amenities and private bathrooms. The hotel also has a royal pantheon, museum, and collegiate library.

Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo-Villafranca del Bierzo, Spain

Comfortable Hotel

Framed by the Ancares Mountains, Parador de Villafranca del Bierzo offers modern accommodations in the El Bierzo district. Its Galician-style exterior, clad in stone and slate, is offset by lovely flower-filled grounds — which provide unobstructed views of the verdant mountains. The parador also has indoor and outdoor pools and an ice fountain.

Parador de Santiago de Compostela-Santiago de Compostela, Spain

Luxury Hotel

Travel back in history with a stay in this grand hotel — originally a royal hospital built in the 15th century — in the center of Obradoiro Square. Four-poster beds, brocade linens, warm woods, and rich velvets adorn the comfortable rooms. The restaurant serves a delicious menu of Galician-style food, although endless culinary delights await outside the hotel.

Parador Nacional de Monforte de Lemos

Comfortable Hotel

Set in a beautiful 17th-century, neoclassical building that was once a monastery, this parador is ideally located in historic Lugo. Enjoy a stroll around the property's tranquil cloister with elegant carved stonework. Comfortable rooms offer air conditioning, free Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs. Other amenities include laundry service, a hot tub, fitness center and an outdoor pool.

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