Trip ID :

French Way - Section 8 - Rustic - 7 Days/6 Nights - 111 km - From €530 -
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Our Camino Rustic walking holiday offers a unique chance to explore the Camino Frances / French Way to Santiago de Compostela in a more traditional way. You will stay in family-run "casas rurales" (rural guesthouses), often century-old buildings and tastefully renovated. It also gives you a chance to be closer to nature and make your journey to Saint-James even more authentic. Gastronomy is also a highlight on the Camino Rustic, with traditional meals cooked in our selected guesthouses.

The route begins in Sarria and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. Traverse the hilly landscapes of Galicia, certainly some of the most beautiful of all the caminos. Reward your efforts in Santiago de Compostela, the heart and hub of all pilgrimages on the Way of St. James.

French Way - Section 8 - Rustic - 7 Days/6 Nights - 111 km - From €530 -
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

Day 1 : Sarria
Day 2 : Sarria to Portomarin (22km)
Day 3 : Portomarín to Palas do Rei (25km)
Day 4 : Palas do Rei to Arzùa (29km)
Day 5 : Arzùa to Rùa-O Pino (18km)
Day 6 : Rúa to Santiago de Compostela (21km)
Day 7 : Santiago de Compostela, end of the walking holiday

View Camino Frances in a larger map

DAY BY DAY

DAY 1 - Sarria You will be booked in a hotel in the heart of the lively town of Sarria. The rooms are en-suite. Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities.   DAY 2 – Sarria to Portomarin (6h 22km +230m -300m) Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods, pretty villages and on quiet country roads. The village of Barbedelo (580m) has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. The next significant village is Ferreiros. When you arrive in Portomarin (550m), you can chill out on one of the numerous terraces of the main plaza. Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Half Board DAY 3 – Portomarín to Palace do Rei (6h15 25km +340m -140m) From the village, the Camino crosses the river Minho and climbs steadily uphill. On your way, you will be crossing Gonzar and passing the Romanesque Church of Santa María, Castromaior. The calm of the Galician Cemetery in Ligonde on a sunny day is a rest in itself. In Eirexe, the Romanesque portal of the church is a beauty and features a sculpture of Daniel and animals, as well as Santiago de Peregrino inside. You will then arrive in Palace do Rei (565m). Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Half Board DAY 4 – Palace do Rei to Arzùa (7h 29km +140m -340m) Today, the Camino continues slightly downhill, passing the village of Casanova and the charming village of Leboreiro. At Melide (454m), stop in one of the many restaurants to try some local specialties. Later today, the Camino will follow a forest track and cross several streams bringing you to the village of Boente with its church of Santiago. Then the medieval village of Ribadiso, and finally Arzùa (389m). This small town has 2 churches that you can visit, Santa María and La Magdalena. NOTE: If you wish to take your time, we can split this walking day in 2 (15km & 13km), staying overnight in the bustling market town of Melide. Here you will stay in a charming 2* hotel in front of the "Refugio de Peligrino", in the centre of the town. Please note this option is for self-guided tours only. Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Half Board

DAY 5 – Arzùa to Rùa-O Pino (5h15 18km +50m -130m) This shaded section of the Camino will pass through woods, along streams and through sleepy villages. Take your time and visit the chapel of Santa Irena, with its unique statues of Santiago. The rest of the way to Rua/Opino is on a good and quiet country road. Rua (310m) is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela. Town: ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Half Board DAY 6 –Rúa to Santiago de Compostela (5h20 21km +150m -186m) You are nearly there! The next stage will be Lavacolla where pilgrims traditionally washed in the river before reaching Santiago de Compostela. The tall eucalyptus trees line your way to Monte del Gozo (368m). From the "Mount of Joy" you can see your goal - the Cathedral of Santiago! After a descent to the city (264m, population 80000) you will be able to witness this UNESCO World Heritage Site up-close. Marvel at the architeture and relish the wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca. Town: Internet, ATM, shops, all facilities. Meals: Breakfast DAY 7 – Santiago de Compostela After breakfast we bid you farewell. If you wish to stay in the area, we recommend that you: - Take your time and visit the magnificent historic centre (read more). - Continue with us along the wild "Camino Fisterra" (Finisterre Way), and stay overnight at the 2* hotel in the light house! - or take a bus to Fisterra. (Bus to fisterra: 9am, 10am, bus back in Santiago 16:45 & 19:00. takes 3hours) - Visit the unspoilt sandy coves and beaches of the west coast. With very few tourists, you are guaranteed a very special experience. Ask us for more information. Meals: Breakfast

WEATHER

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French Way - Section 8 - Rustic - 7 Days/6 Nights - 111 km - From €530 -
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

 FLY IN AND OUT

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It is best to fly to Santiago de Compostela.

1)    FLY IN

• To Santiago

See with Ryanair, Iberia and Aer Lingus for flights from the UK :
- Ryanair : direct flights from Stansted, Nottingham East Midlands and Liverpool
- Aer Lingus : flights from Dublin.

Great choice of other connections with Iberia and Spanair from: Frankfurt, Paris, Rome, Barcelona, Bilbao, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madrid, Malaga, Palma, Seville, Tenerife and Valencia.

2)    FLY OUT

See above.

GETTING AROUND

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1)    GETTING THERE

• Direct way (direct bus)
  

Direct bus to Sarria :
- Departure from the Santiago Bus station (20mins from Santiago airport)
- Available from Mon to Fri
- Timetable : at 6pm only (See www.monbus.es and check "Horarios" on the left)
- 3 hours journey 

• Less direct way (2 buses to take, €15pp)

Bus 1: From Santiago airport to Lugo
- Timetable : 16h10, 18h40- 1hr45 journey
- See more info on timetable in English: www.empresafreire.com

Bus 2 : From Lugo to Sarria
- 30mins journey
- Many buses every day, until late
- See timetable : www.monbus.es (look for "Horarios" on the left)

2)    GETTING BACK

Shuttle buses :
- From Santiago city center to the airport
- 20mins journey

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FLIGHTS

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• www.skyscanner.net

Searches most Airlines for best available connections and prices

• www.spanish-airport-guide.com

French Way - Section 8 - Rustic - 7 Days/6 Nights - 111 km - From €530 -
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

HOTEL AND GUESTHOUSE GRADES – HOW WE CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION

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The Camino Rustic, is a part of the Camino where the accommodation has been carefully selected. The route you take is the usual route. The difference is the type of accommodation: the best way of doing the Way...It also gives you a chance to be closer to nature and make your journey to Saint-James even more authentic.

The accommodation we have selected on our Camino Rustic is the best in terms of authenticity, healthy food, tradition, peace of mind and comfort. You will stay in guesthouses of character, renovated by proud hosts ready to give you a personal and warm welcome.

From ancient pilgrim hospitals to 17th century farmhouses, often of typical Galician architecture and always wonderfully renovated, these "casas rurales" often built in stone or granite are all set in beautiful locations. Some grow their own vegetables or produce their own wine. As well as spacious gardens, some even have a swimming pool in which to relax after the walk!

The general standard of comfort throughout is significantly higher than the soulless hotel in a middle sized town, with en-suite rooms. The interior is tastefully decorated, with exposed beams and original furniture.

Dinner is served with the hosts, sometimes at their own table. This will enable precious contact with them and other guests. Dishes are traditional, prepared with regional and fresh products, typical of the area.

With our selected "rustic" accommodation, you will gain in character and peace of mind.   However, for this reason, guesthouses are often out of town (2-10km) with reduced access to the town centre. A short transfer is required to reach them. To organise this transfer, upon your arrival in the town at the end of your walking day, simply call the guesthouse which is expecting you, from your mobile phone.

If, for some reason, you cannot do this (lack of network, battery, no mobile phone, no credit, etc...), source a landline at a local hotel/shop/cafe/restaurant. Details of these facilities will be supplied to you. Our hosts may not all speak good English but they are expecting a call from you and you will be supplied with a Spanish survival kit.

These guesthouses have been carefully selected for their character, comfort, location, and friendliness, and are subject to availability. If the guesthouse described is not available we provide an alternative of the same standard of comfort and price.

French Way - Section 8 - Rustic - 7 Days/6 Nights - 111 km - From €530 -
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

French Way - Section 8 - Rustic - 7 Days/6 Nights - 111 km - From €530 -
From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela

 

 

LIST OF PRICES AND OPTIONS

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	Base Price (€)	Double/Twin Room (pps)	Single Room	Solo Departure
	High Season Apr, May, Jun, Sep	700	840	915
	Mid Season Jul, Aug, Oct	630	770	845
	Low Season Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec	530	670	745

 

Options	Picnic Lunches	€50 (per person )	Includes all walking days
	Airport Transfer 1 - 4 people	€130	Transport to Sarria from Santiago For information on transfers for more passengers or from other airports, please ask us.

 

 

	Extra nights (€) Sarria & Santiago	Double/Twin Room (pps)	Single Room
	2* Hotel B&B	44	60
	3* Hotel B&B	65	95
	5* Hotel - Parador de Santiago, B&B	€145 or upgrade last night + €110	€205 or upgrade last night + €110

 

INCLUDED Luggage transferred from hotel to hotel Rooms en-suite Half Board during the hike Detailed Walking Notes Map Pilgrim passport

NOT INCLUDED Flights Insurance (recommended) Drinks Dinner first and last nights Transfer from/to airport

 

If you have any questions about prices, please consult our FAQ's or Contact us.