Day 1-2 — Depart Home / Arrive in Burgos, Spain

Following an overnight flight, arrive in Madrid and transfer north to the medieval city of Burgos, located on the Camino Francés, or French Way, of the Camino de Santiago. Meet your trip leader and fellow travelers this evening for a welcome briefing and dinner. (D)

Day 3 — Villafranca Montes de Oca / San Juan de Ortega / Burgos

After breakfast, drive east to your starting point at the village of Villafranca Montes de Oca. From here, make your way back toward Burgos, following a trail that winds through oak forests and meadows bursting with wildflowers. Reach the remote village of San Juan de Ortega—stage 11 of the Camino Francés. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and visit the monastery, built by the village’s namesake to house pilgrims in the 12th century. Drive back to Burgos in the afternoon, and take a guided walking tour that includes the town’s World Heritage-listed cathedral, a superb example of Gothic architecture filled with art. Burgos is the capital of the old Kingdom of Castilla. This gorgeous city was the birthplace of El Cid Campeador, one of the most important soldiers who took part in the Spanish Reconquest in the XI century. The remainder of the day is yours to spend as you wish. (B,L)

Walking: 5 miles, forests and fields, 150-200 feet of elevation gain, 500 feet of gentle descent. 

Walking: 2-hour Burgos walking tour in the late afternoon.

Day 4 — Castrojeriz / Itero de la Vega / León

Visit Monasterio de San Antón, a church and convent established in the 12th century to care for pilgrims who fell ill while traveling along the Camino Francés. Walk through impressive medieval ruins, dotted with elements of Gothic architecture and Christian iconography. Begin the day's hike just outside the village of Castrojeriz, through partially steep terrain that unfolds into verdant plains and agricultural fields surrounded by undulating hills. The morning’s destination is Itero de la Vega, where you’ll stop for lunch.  Continue by vehicle to León and check into your hotel. Then head out on a guided walking tour of the historic monuments of this captivating town, once considered a capital of Christianity in Spain. Visit the 13th-century cathedral of León, celebrated for its stained-glass windows, which cover nearly 18,000 square feet of the building’s walls. Enjoy an evening at leisure to discover more of León. (B,L)

Hiking: 5-6 miles, paths and fields, 400-500 ft of gentle descent.

Walking: 1-2-hour León walking tour in the afternoon.

Day 5 – León / Sarria

Drive through the countryside to the Palacio de Canedo, a rustic 18th-century palace nestled among vineyards and forested hills. Visit the property’s winery, where wines have been produced since 1730, and set out on a hike through the vineyards and surrounding hills. After a lunch with local wine pairings, travel to Villafranca del Bierzo. Stop by the Church of Santa María de Cluniaco, which began as a Benedictine monastery that housed pilgrims on the trail. Drive into the mountains of Galicia, ascending to the ancient village of O Cebreiro. Inside Santa María la Real, a 9th-century church considered the oldest on the Camino Francés, see the famous Galician Holy Grail. Continue to the charming town of Sarria for an orientation walk and an evening on your own. (B,L)

Walking: 2-3 miles, vineyard walk, mostly flat.

Day 6 – Sesmonde / Portomarin / Sarria

Transfer to Sesmonde and hike along forest trails and country roads, finally crossing the River Miño into Portomarín. Take some time to explore and have lunch on your own. The town was moved to higher ground when a nearby dam was built in the mid-20th century, flooding the original streets.  Historic monuments such as the Romanesque church of San Pedro and the church fortress of San Nicolás were rescued and rebuilt stone by stone. When the water levels are low, the arches of a 2nd-century Roman bridge appear, rising out of the river.  Drive back to Sarria and enjoy free time to discover more of the town before meeting with the group for dinner. (B,D)

Hiking: 4 miles, forests and fields, 800 feet of gentle descent.

Day 7 – Palas de Rei / Melide / Arzúa Countryside

Travel to today’s starting point at Palas de Rei and set off into the eucalyptus forests of Galicia, hiking from one village to the next and witnessing everyday rural life along the Camino. In Melide, stop for lunch featuring pulpo a feira, a traditional Galician octopus dish typically served on wooden plates. Stroll through the historic quarter to visit the lovely Romanesque Iglesia of Santa María de Melide. Later, check into a charming 16th-century farmhouse, which has been converted into a modern, boutique hotel. (B,L,D) 

Walking: 6 miles, paths with gentle grade, mostly flat.   

Day 8 – Melide / Amenal / Arzúa Countryside

Return to Melide to pick up where you left off the day before, and follow forest trails and country roads to Iglesia de Santiago de Boente. From here, drive to the small village of Amenal and take a short orientation walk with your Trip Leader. Continue by vehicle to Arzúa, stage 31 of the Camino Francés and the last significant town before Santiago de Compostela. Enjoy lunch on your own and consider trying a pilgrim’s menu, a fixed menu with three courses. Take advantage of a free afternoon to enjoy an additional walk in the countryside. Transfer back to your hotel and meet up with the group for dinner. (B,D)

Walking: 4-5 miles, gentle terrain, mostly flat.

Day 9 – Lavacolla / Santiago de Compostela

After breakfast, travel to Lavacolla to begin the final stretch of the trail to Santiago, which winds its way up Monte del Gozo, or Mount of Joy. At the summit, a view of Santiago de Compostela unfolds before you. Descend into the city, following in the steps of millions of pilgrims over the centuries as you make your way to Praza de Obradoiro in the heart of the World Heritage-listed Old Town.  Step inside the Cathedral, home to the tomb of St. James the Apostle, whose remains are said to have been discovered here in the 9th century. Enjoy a pilgrim’s menu lunch to celebrate your arrival. Step inside the Cathedral, home to the tomb of St. James the Apostle, whose remains are said to have been discovered here in the 9th century. Enjoy free time this afternoon to experience the city as you choose. Later, take a walk to admire the historic center and the Praza del Obradoiro lit up at night. Dinner is on your own. (B,L)

Hiking: 6 miles, villages and fields, 200 feet elevation gain.

Walking: Afternoon 1-hour orientation walk in Santiago. 

Day 10 – Cape Finisterre / Santiago de Compostela

This morning, travel to Cape Finisterre, set on the tip of a narrow peninsula at Galicia’s western edge—and a pilgrimage site long before the Christian era. Your final hike traces the rugged Atlantic coast,  crossing beaches and rocky headlands, and finishing at the Cape’s historic lighthouse and the final pilgrimage point. Enjoy lunch on your own in the quaint fishing village of Fisterra before returning to Santiago for an afternoon at leisure. Tonight, celebrate your Camino experience at a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. (B,D)

Hiking: 4-5 miles, rocky, coastal terrain, 300-350 feet of elevation gain.

Day 11 – Return Home

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to catch your flight home. (B)