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A Guided Trip – 12 Days & 11 Nights. 9 days walking.
The oldest of all the Ways to Santiago is the “Camino Primitivo” – the route taken in the early 9th century by the reigning Christian monarch Alfonso II to visit the Apostle’s recently discovered tomb. The “Camino del Norte” along Iberia’s northern coast came into use shortly thereafter and was used by many pilgrims to link up with the Camino Primitivo.
Our exclusive itinerary starts with 4 days of hiking the most beautiful stages of the Camino in Asturias, with 2 days of spectacular trails on the “Camino del Norte” along the rugged Atlantic coast, before heading inland for 2 days on the wonderful forest and mountain paths of the “Camino Primitivo”.
On reaching the Galician city of Lugo, we spend our last 5 days walking the final 100 km of the Camino Primitivo to Santiago in order meet the requirement to qualify for “la Compostela” – the official pilgrim’s certificate on arrival at the holy city.
IBERIAN ADVENTURES has been running trips on this fabulous Camino route since the late 1990′s. NOBODY knows this route like we do. Join us and we’ll show you some of the many secrets of this oldest of all the Caminos!
12 – 23 May , 2020
9 – 20 June, 2020
Other dates available for private groups of 2 or more. Ask us!
12 Days, 11 Nights
Bilbao
Several daily connections from Madrid and Barcelona by air, rail or bus
Santiago de Compostela
Several daily connections to Madrid, Barcelona and certain European cities by air, as well as rail connections to Madrid and other cities.
B+ / C- (Easy to Moderate)
The ground underfoot is quite easy with mostly gently rolling terrain & occasional steep ascents. Surfaces range from hard-packed earthen paths and dirt or muddy farm tracks to ancient paved trails and quiet asphalted backroads.
14.5 – 24.5 km / 9 – 15 miles.
Most days are about 5 to 6 hours of walking. Daily distances might seem challenging, but be assured that completing this itinerary is well within reach of anyone who maintains a moderate level of fitness!
In Bilbao, Oviedo, Lugo and Santiago we use quality 4* hotels in great locations in the pedestrian-only zones of the old cities. In rural areas, we use mostly 3* or equivalent, small family-run hotels and inns. All properties have en-suite bathrooms and are personally chosen for their comfort, character, location and overall quality, with a preference for stylishly restored historic buildings.
Custom dates can be arranged for groups of 3 or more people: mid-April to early July, June, and September to late October.
Minimum 4 Maximum 14
MAY & OCTOBER DEPARTURES
3050 euros per person in a twin or double bedded room
415 euros single room supplement
JUNE & SEPTEMBER DEPARTURES
3150 euros per person in a twin or double bedded room
435 euros single room supplement
EXTRA NIGHTS IN BILBAO:
May & October: 80 euros per person in a twin or double bedded room. 50 euros single supplement.
June & September: 95 euros per person in a twin or double bedded room. 50 euros single supplement.
EXTRA NIGHTS IN SANTIAGO (all year)
80 euros per person in a twin or double bedded room. 70 euros single supplement.
Extra night prices include breakfast and taxes.
11 nights in quality accommodations
11 breakfasts, 4 picnic or tapas lunches, 6 evening meals with house wine and bottled water. Other meals you’re free to explore on your own (suggestions provided!)
Full-time support vehicle and luggage transfer
Experienced bilingual trip leader
Walking tours with local expert government-licensed guides in Bilbao, Oviedo, Lugo and Santiago
Entrance fees to scheduled historic sites, including prehistoric cave art site, cathedrals etc
Bilbao: this dynamic port city has become a global model for excellence in urban renewal, and a showcase for some of the world’s best architects, crowned by Frank Gehry’s fantastic Guggenheim Museum building.
Oviedo: declared the “cleanest city in Spain”, with a beautifully conserved, pedestrian-only old quarter, and a cathedral containing relics that made it Spain’s second most important pilgrimage site after Santiago de Compostela.
Lugo: very important in the history of the Camino, the world’s best preserved Roman walls encircling the old town and its impressive cathedral with the Holy Sacrament on permanent display combine to merit its UNESCO World Heritage.
Coastal Camino Trails: this trip features 2 days of hikes on the coast of Asturias, some of the most beautiful walking terrain in all of Europe. Scenic paths, beautiful sandy beaches, rocky coves, green pastures and gorse and heather clad clifftops.
Asturias: a “principality” within Spain, this is the peninsula’s most mountainous region and the Camino traverses its most rural and isolated corner, home to western Europe’s largest populations of wolves and brown bears. Here, traditional lifestyles prevail, and the people are fiercely proud of their Celtic legacy and indomitable spirit – the Christian Reconquest of Iberia from the Moors began here with the 1st major defeat of the Moors at the Battle of Covadonga in 792.
Fewer pilgrims, wilder terrain and more authenticity: the first part of this Camino covers mountainous, remote and wild landscapes with relatively few towns and villages, chapels, churches and pilgrim’s refuges. The more challenging terrain and relative scarcity of services results in noticeably fewer pilgrims and a sense of authenticity often lacking on the much busier French Way.
Santiago de Compostela: one of the world’s great historic cities, its ancient granite-clad old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Home to Galicia’s regional government, one of Europe’s oldest universities and the magnificent cathedral that has drawn millions over the centuries like a magnet, it virtually buzzes with a unique energy and is a fascinating place to explore.
