Walking the Camino de Santiago from Sarria, shorter stages
Discover the unique and unforgettable experience of walking an ancient pilgrim route, the Unesco World Heritage Way of Saint James,'Camino de Santiago'.
"We had a wonderful Camino experience..."
From 756 € per person
Difficulty:Moderate
Details ...
Duration:7 nights, 8 days
Dates:April to 31st October
Start:Any day of the week
Undulating or hilly terrain with perhaps three ascents per day.
Average daily distance / climb:12 miles (20 km) / 1181 ft (360 m).
Description
The Camino de Santiago is an ancient pilgrimage of great historical, cultural and spiritual significance which continues to be shared by pilgrims from all walks of life. It is the only long-distance route to have been awarded World Heritage recognition.
- Walk the 6 final stages of the Camino from the Galician town of Sarria to Santiago de Compostela covering the last 113kms of this long distance trail.
- Reliable luggage transport will mean that your bag will always be at your next hotel when you get there. Leave all the details to us!
- We have divided this tour into smaller daily stages to make them more manageable for everyone.
- Our telephone support means that if you get too tired or if you want to skip a day´s walk, you can just call us and we´ll arrange a taxi for you.
- A hearty meal will be waiting for you at the end of each day to replenish your energy and a comfortable bed each night will ensure you are ready for the next day.
- Experience the elation as you wak into the main square of Santiago de Compostela with its awe-inspiring cathedral, shrouded in centuries of myths and legends.
... The Camino is more than a journey across the Spanish landscape. It is a personal journey which unites people from many parts of the globe, all of whom decide to undertake this unique pilgrimage.
The Finisterre extension:
You can also walk on to Finisterre, the "End of the Earth", an additional five days, reputedly the landing site for the remains of Saint James, Jesus' apostle and where traditionally the pilgrim takes a last cleansing dip in the sea!
Ask us for more details and prices.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival to Sarria
Arrival at the Galician town of Sarria, the starting point for all pilgrims wishing to complete the last 113 kms of the Camino.
Day 2: Sarria to Portomarin
Distance: 13 miles (21.5 km). Climb: 1385 ft (422 m).
Today you set off on the Camino walking through ancient oak, birch and chestnut forests and later through many hamlets dotted around areas of cultivated land and grazing pastures along quiet country lanes and natural pathways. Enjoy the peace and tranquility as you walk through a part of rural Spain that seems to be caught in a time warp!
Day 3: Portomarin to Lestedo
Distance: 12 miles (19.1 km). Climb: 1480 ft (451 m).
Pine forests, corn fields, meadows and leafy green woodland accompanies you on this strech of the Camino. You will also cross a number of small villages full of rural character, with ancient stone-built houses in age-old villages that reflect the simpler pace of life of a bygone era.
Day 4: Lestedo to Melide
Distance: 12 miles (19.6 km). Climb: 968 ft (295 m).
Today you will cross several beautiful river valleys as you follow secluded pathways through mature woodland. The area is full of medieval castles as well as Romanesque churches and ancient settlements.
Day 5: Melide to Arzua
Distance: 9 miles (14.1 km). Climb: 863 ft (263 m).
A short stage day to give your legs a rest! You will walk amongst woodland, meadows and small orchards which surround the many small villages you go through. You'll be tempted to stop and savour each one you encounter!
Day 6: Arzua to O Pino/O Pedrouzo
Distance: 12 miles (19 km). Climb: 1024 ft (312 m).
This part of the Camino weaves its way towards Santiago through ondulating fields and tiny villages, each one a hidden gem with stone-built houses, narrow streets and seemingly standing still in time. You can breathe the history along the way and can only imagine how many thousands of people over the centuries have shaped this legendary route.
Day 7: O Pino/O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Distance: 13 miles (20.8 km). Climb: 1368 ft (417 m).
Time to relish the last remaining kilometres of your adventure. Today the Camino leads you into the very heart of the unique city of pilgrims, Santiago de Compostela, into the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the Cathedral built in honour of Saint James. A city shrouded in centuries of legends, you will arrive elated to the echos of the pilgrims who have gone before you! This is a truly spiritual and uplifting experience! With a buzz of satisfation and a smile on your face you will arrive with enough time to get your “Compostelana” or Pilgrim’s Passport. This singular city offers many important landmarks for you to enjoy, every corner imbued with history and atmosphere. You won't want to say goodbye!
Day 8: Return or extra nights in Santiago
Departure or why not linger in Santiago a few days to rest and enjoy. How about a touch of Luxury in the 5 star Parador?Travel
Frequent questions:
- Which airport should I fly to?
- Santiago International Airport.
- How do I get to the Starting Point?
- You can book our private taxi airport transfer to Sarria (1h:30m approx).
Public transport: Bus from Santiago to Sarria: Monday to Friday, 18:00-21:00; Weekends, Santiago to Lugo and Lugo to Sarria, (buses every couple of hours). We recommend you double check all times and prices.
Useful links:
Hotels
Our hotels are conveniently positioned near or on the Camino. They are typically of 2 or 3 star grading. All rooms are en-suite. Here are some descriptions and photos of hotels we use:
Night 1: Sarria
Simple rooms in an informal 1930s hotel offering a popular country-style restaurant with a bar & a terrace.
Night 2: Portomarín
A relaxed hotel with views of the Miño River only a few minutes walk from the Church of San Xoán and the centre of town and its many restaurants.
Night 3: Lestedo
Small, modern hotel in a rural and secluded location. This hotel provides comfortable accommodation and very pleasant gardens for the weary walker.
Night 4: Melide
A casual, family run hotel on the very heart of the Camino, this hotel features a typical galician restaurant and bar.
Night 5: Arzúa
Lovely small modern hotel on main street. Very helpful staff, good food, bright clean comfortable rooms.
Night 6: O Pino/O Pedrouzo
Small and charming rural hotel offering carefully decorated and bright rooms. Traditional Galician cooking using the best products of land and sea.
Night 7: Santiago de Compostela
Located in the center of Santiago de Compostela, just 450 metres from the cathedral. It offers elegant rooms with air-conditioning and a private bathroom.
Prices
Basic price:
Per person in double or twin room756 €
This includes:
- 7 nights' accommodation. 7 breakfasts.
- PILGRIM'S PASSPORT.
- Luggage transfers (1 item per person, up to 20kg)
- Detailed printed/digital maps with your trail clearly marked.
- Itinerary description, full of recommendations for things to do and places to visit, advice and suggestions and information about your accommodation, etc.
- GPS tracks and Navigation App to follow the itinerary on your phone.
- (NB Some route notes and navigation materials are digital ONLY. Check with us for details)
- Emergency support.
- Activity insurance.
Single room supplement
269 €
Extras:
Extra item of luggage37 €
Transfers:
Taxi Santiago Airport to Sarria (1-4 persons)
161 €
Transfer La Coruña airport to Sarria175 €
Transfer Santiago to La Coruña airport98 €
Other options:(Prices on request)
Upgraded Hotel in Santiago
Extra night(s) in Santiago
If interested, please contact us with your plans, requirements and queries,
or simply use the next "Get a quote" section, which we would recommend.
Please note
An extra fee may be applicable in specific dates coinciding with bank holidays, local holidays or other events taking place.
Get a quote
Reviews
- Mary and I, two ladies in our mid-seventies, had an amazing trip on the Camino, and it more than lived up to our expectations.
Mary and I, two ladies in our mid-seventies, had an amazing trip on the Camino, and it more than lived up to our expectations.
We were extremely impressed with all the accommodation and food, and all the information provided for the route- it was impossible to get lost!
As there were only 2 of us, we were able to use the little trajectories on the map which were quieter than the main route and it gave us a broader view of the lovely Galician countryside.
Arriving at Santiago at the end of Camino with our completed stamped passports enabled us to get our certificates without a problem.
All in all, thanks to Away from the crowds and your helpful staff during the booking process, we had a wonderful time.
Many thanks, Pam & Mary, Yorkshire, UK
Thanks for your lovely feedback, Pam and Mary. We hope you'll come back and travel with us again soon!
Gaynor, Aftc
- great - high marks
We had a great trip! The hotels were excellent, trip information and preparation well done, luggage transfers worked well.
But you earned high marks for helping me when I was stranded before your part of the trip.
Pat Jacobsen, Vancouver, Canada
- Thank you so much for make such a special vacation possible for us,
My wife and I had a fantastic time and really appreciate all AFTC did for us. Everyone was very helpful!
Of the places you arranged for us to stay, we really enjoyed the hotel in Sarria, Marcela was AMAZING! The hotel in Porto Marina, and Marco, the son, made us feel as we were honored guests in his house. The view was amazing and attention outstanding. And the Rectoral was by far the nicest place we stayed and a very welcome stop. All of the staff ware very friendly! and the hotel in Santiago was close enough to the Cathedral, but not too close. Very nice accommodations!
After talking with other's on the Camino, both my wife and I thought it would be an interesting option to stay at a monastery and maybe a hostel. At least maybe offer them as options.. We felt it might have made for an ever greater experience (but probably a real challenge for you to create)!
One other thing that we experienced was the community table for breakfast that Marcela laid out in Sarria our first morning. We were able to talk to several other people who were walking the Camino and their experiences. This was a fantastic experience. We had a LOT of wonderful meals, both the ones you arranged and the ones we got in the middle of the day.
We had a fantastic time and will definitely encourage all of our friends to use your service as will we in the future!
Thank you so much for make such a special vacation possible for us,
Victor & Ann Treat, Houston, Texas, UAS
Thanks for all your suggestions Victor and Ann, we'll look into them! We're delighted you enjoyed your camino experience with us!
Aftc
- great job
You and your team did a great job. I organised the Camino for 9 friends and former colleagues aged from 55 to 65+. I can say to a man everyone enjoyed the holiday immensely.
All of the accommodation (well fitted out and most important immaculately clean) and meals (great local cooking with local wine) were great. Even the vegetarian had good things to eat! I still think he missed out on some lovely dishes especially the octopus.
The hotel staff were very good in all places. It was actually good that no one really spoke much English as it made us try harder to speak Spanish. The staff at all hotels were very helpful and very patient with us.
Transportation was on time and good. The countryside, little villages, small towns and most of all the people we met made this a great time for all.
Most of us had been to the 'costas' for the beach holiday but Galicia is quite something else. I think everyone will be back at some point in the future and bring their wives that time.
Thanks again for your continued help and patience.
Stephen Ferguson, UK.
- a truly unforgettable experience
The holiday was a truly unforgettable experience and we enjoyed it very much.
Everything you organised went very smoothly, the accommodation was good and our baggage always arrived safely!
Thank you very much.
Sue Birchall, UK.
- natural community - natural beauty
We had a wonderful Camino experience that was in large part due to your good work in securing our lodging and arranging for the transporting of our bags.
All went well and we have such wonderful memories of our time on the Camino.
In the end, it is the natural community that forms on the Camino as well as the natural beauty of the countryside and cities that made this a once in lifetime experience.
Martha Whitney, USA.
CO₂ footprint offsetting
This holiday produces a carbon footprint of 0,356 tonnes of CO₂. This includes taxis, luggage transfers and accommodation for every traveller.
We will compensate the CO₂ footprint for each booking through tropical reforestation projects in collaboration with the CeroCO₂ platform.
Additionally, you can also offset your own flight emissions by visiting myclimate. See the link below.
