Proposed Pilgrimage Itinerary *

Day 1 - Wednesday 26th June Depart Dublin
Check - in at Dublin Airport for a direct Aer Lingus flight to Santiago de Compostela, on arrival you will be met by your guide and transferred to your accommodation in Sarria for 2 nights with dinner and breakfast.

Day 2 - Thursday 27th June | Sarria to Portomarin 23km
After breakfast we begin our walk at the bottom of A Escaleira da Fonte, built in the middle of the 19th century it provides a direct access to the historical area of the town, passing by Iglesia de Santa Marina, with its pilgrim mural, at the top of Rua Maior is Iglesia del Salvador with its tympanum of Christ in Majesty and the Tree of Life. The Camino continues to Monasterio da la Magdalena with fine plateresque fa�ade, The Camino makes it way down to the medieval bridge Ponte Aspera over the Rio Celeriro and out of the town of Sarria. The majority of today stage is on lovely woodland paths and gravel tracks, apart from the bare flanks around the high point on the Pena do Cervo at Momientos (above Portomarin) much of the remainder is along forest paths and tree - lined lanes, so we have good shade from the sun and shelter from the rain. We will pass through many small hamlets that seem to blend seamlessly one into the next. Several new cafes offer refreshments stops along the way. On arriving in Portomarin you will time to explore the village. Coach transfer (30 min) back to accommodation in Sarria for evening meal.

Day 3 - Friday 28th June | Portomarin to Palas de Rei 25km
Enjoy your breakfast at your hotel and board the coach for the short trip to Portomarin before the start of today's walk. To leave Portomarin todays walk takes you over the Rio Torres by the footbridge once on the other side you turn right along a peaceful woodland path lined with heather and gorse to join the pilgrim path alongside the main road. A day of varied terrain as we start climbing up a peaceful woodland path on the Camino, the route joins the main road which we must cross on several occasions before leaving it to climb around Castromaior descending to Portos which offers us the detour to Vilar de Donas. Then comes the gentler climb around the side of Rosary Heights Alto Rosario to drop down finally to Palas de Rei. Time to look around the village before boarding your coach for the 30 minute drive to Arzua and stay in the 2 Hotel Suiza for the next 3 nights.

Day 4 - Saturday 29th June | Palas de Rei to Arzua 29km
After breakfast in Hotel we transfer back to Palas de Rei for The start point for today's walk at the Town Hall in the main square Plaza do Concello you continue down rua do Peregrino past the pilgrim monument. Today we cross 6 shallow river valleys and � on pathway mostly through delightful woodland that helps stifle the noise from the busy road which we cross and re-cross all the way to Arz�a. This busy town is where the northern route Camino del norte joins the Camino franc�s and the route gets even busier as we approach Santiago. At the end of the day, you will reach Arz�a, where you should take some time to try the renowned cheese varieties from this region (Arz�a-Ulloa) before continuing on to the hotel in where you can enjoy your evening.

Day 5. Sunday 30th June | Arzua to O Pedrouza 20km
After breakfast we start our walk and walk through the main street of Arzua. Over half this stage is on natural pathways with good shade offered by the ubiquitous eucalyptus and ends with a gentle around the alto de Santa Irene, in between we have a largely level path with just 3 shallow river valleys. You will be met by your guide on entering O Pedrouzo. After exploring the town you will be transferred to Santiago (20 min) for 2 nights.

Day 6. Monday 31st June | O Pedrouzo to Santiago 20km
We depart our hotel in Santiago for a 20 min drive to the start point for today's walk which is outside The Concello building in O Pedrouzo, the first part of the final stage is through the dense ever-present eucalyptus. Make the most of the shade and the peace they exude. As we get nearer the city, asphalt and crowds begin to take over. There will be 14km walking through roads, roundabouts, townhouses until we get to Monte de Gozo, where you we will have the first sight of the city of Santiago de Compostela. the Camino enters Santiago to reach its imposing cathedral. Here you can enjoy your achievement and witness the newly restored Cathedral in the Plaza del Obradoiro. Walk to our accommodation.

Day 7. Sunday 1st July | Day trip to Finisterre
After breakfast we leave for the Atlantic coast to�the fishing village of Muxia, then on to Finisterre which was once believed to be the �Edge of the World�. Here we will sample a taste of the route by taking the shorth walk from the village to the lighthouse percked on the edge of the Atlantic coast.

Day 8 - Wednesday 2nd June | Day of Departure
Free morning in Santiago before leaving the hotel at lunch time for transfer to Santiago Airport for the return flight to Dublin.