Make your way to your local airport where you will board your overnight flight(s). Your meals will be served on board.

Upon arrival in Madrid, you will collect your luggage in the baggage claim area and continue to the Arrival's Hall where you will be greeted by your driver. Transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon walk to the Cathedral of Almudena. Following Mass, we visit the Cathedral. We will continue our walking tour of Madrid to include the exterior of the Royal Palace. Walk through the Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol and we make a stop at the Church of Saint James. Return to your hotel. We will enjoy a nice meal before having a restful overnight in Madrid before your walking tour begins!

This morning, you will enjoy breakfast and transfer to Sarria. Sarria is located in the northwest of Spain and is noted for being the entry point to the oriental side of the region, Galicia. Your transfer will end and you will begin on foot from Foncebadon. In the eleventh century, this village was a common resting place for pilgrims on El Camino due to its hospitals, hospice, and church. Currently, the structures that have served so many are now in ruins. While in Foncebadon, you will walk to view the "Iron Cross." This Cross is a common pausing place for pilgrims as they leave a stone at the foot of the cross to symbolize a sin or burden that they are leaving behind. Your tour continues as you leave your burdens behind and continue onward to the village nestled in the mountains, O Cebreiro. Many pilgrims pause at this site due to the Eucharistic Miracle that occurred in the year 1300. Additionally, be sure to have your cameras ready as this village is suspended 1,300 meters in the air and provides a breathtaking panoramic view. Your first walking day culminates with a delicious meal and an overnight in Sarria.

After breakfast, transfer to the outskirts of Sarria, at Mouzos, to walk the Camino to Portomarin. Along the Way today you have the beautiful Romanesque portal on the Church of Santiago at Barbadela. At Marzan, you'll pass a Molino/Mill. The village of Brea is mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus. You'll pass the ruins of the Monastery at Loio, seat of the Knights of Santiago in the 12th century. When you reach Portomarin, you cross the River Mino on a Roman bridge and then ascend to the 12th c village, moved stone by stone when the river was diverted to flood the plain. San Nicolas Church stands as a 13th c fortress, and belonged to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. Meet your guide at the inn, unless you need a transfer earlier. Relax over dinner at Pousada Portomarin.

After leaving Portomarin, a town that dates back to the Romans which was an important stop along the route in the Middle Ages, you will set out on foot for Palas de Rei. This stage will take you through the region of Monterroso and Palas de Rei, crossing renowned villages like Gonzar, Castromaior and Ligonde. The first half of the stage goes right by the main road and the second over roads paved specifically for the pilgrims. Still path is equally impressive as far as the landscape goes. Additionally, you will see a prominent characteristic of Galician Landscape, Los Cruceiros. These wayside crosses depict Christ and the Virgin Mary. Dinner and enjoy a restful overnight in Palas de Rei.

Today, after breakfast, we prepare for our walk that takes us from Palas de Rei to Melide. Along the way we will see the Church of St. Maria of Leboreiro, the building that used to be the pilgrim hospital named "La Casa de la Enfermeria" founded by the noble Ulloa family, whose coat of arms can be seen on the wall. On the top of its entrance you will see the image of St. Maria. Opposite to the church, there is a traditional Cabaceiro (a very big basket that, like Horreos, was used to preserve the corn, letting it dry and preventing it from being eaten by animals). We also see the The Furelos Bridge that dates from the 12th century. The history of Melide, since its foundation in the 10th century, is deeply linked with the pilgrimage to Santiago as it is on the path of the Camino. In 1320 Melide obtained from the Archbishop of Santiago the privilege of building up a castle, fortressing the village, and charging taxes. In 1467 "os irmandinos" opposed the Archbishop and started a series of fights against its power. During this riot the walls of the village were destroyed as well as the castle. After this, the Catholic Monarchs banned the construction of any fortress in the village. Melide is very well-known for being the village located in the interior that serves the best Galician Octopus, probably the most traditional dish in Galicia. The village is also famous for its sweets. Transfer to Arzua and enjoy dinner and restful overnight.

Following breakfast we transfer to Melide to begin our walk from Melide to Arzua. Today our forests of oak and chestnut change to eucalyptus and pine as we walk through the area of traditional farms, filled with "Blond Cows" known for their fine veal. Because Melide and Arzua connect with the Primitive and North Caminos, we will see more pilgrims from now on. As you cross the River Iso, watch for the ancient hospital, so welcome to medieval pilgrims. In Arzua you will visit the Church of Santa Maria Magdalena which dates from the 14th century and is located near the ruins of an ancient convent. We will celebrate Mass at Church of Santiago. At the end of the day enjoy dinner and restful overnight in Arzua Hotel.

Your journey is almost over as you walk to the largest community before Santiago! Upon walking this route, you will immerse yourselves in the fragrant eucalyptus groves and experience the breathtaking scenery. At a point throughout your walk, you will stop and enjoy a picnic lunch. Following lunch, you will continue your journey and arrive in O Empalme. As you explore this village, you will notice joy etched on the faces of the pilgrims. Although they have traveled a long distance, they are not weary. With God and St. James guiding their paths, excitement and anticipation continues for their arrival in Santiago.

Following breakfast the route continues to the small village of Lavacolla, in the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela and one of the last stops for pilgrims. Lavacolla is where traditionally pilgrims used to cleanse themselves before the final walk into Santiago.There are many theories in relation to the origin of the place name Lavacolla. One of the theories claims the name Lavacolla comes from the fact that pilgrims in the Middle Ages used to wash in the stream that crosses Lavacolla to arrive clean in Santiago. This is one of the theories you might hear from the guides of the Cathedral in Santiago de Compostela if you take a rooftop tour of the cathedral. This theory implies the name Lava-colla could come from the words 'lavar' (to wash) and 'cuello' (neck), meaning 'to wash the neck'.Another theory would refer to pre-pilgrimage times and would have more to do with the geography of the place: the name Lava (low pasture or field) and Colla (hill) would mean the low pasture by the hill. Whatever the origin of its name, Lavacolla still sees thousands of pilgrims walking by every year, getting closer to their Camino final point: Santiago de Compostela. Dinner and overnight in Lavacolla.

Today, you will culminate the walking portion of your journey! Before arriving at your final destination, you will first stop for Mass on Mount Joy (Monte del Gozo). You will know that you are approaching Santiago because, at this point, you will be able to see the spires of the Cathedral. Following lunch, you will complete your walking journey and arrive at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Upon arrival, feel free to say a small prayer in thanksgiving to Our Lord for keeping you safe throughout the walking pilgrimage. At this time, you will check-in to your hotel and enjoy free time to explore Galicia's capital, Santiago. This evening you will enjoy a marvelous dinner, followed by a very restful overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

This morning, after a good night's sleep and breakfast, we enjoy a guided tour of Santiago. Santiago is the third major site visited by pilgrims and visitors, after Jerusalem and Rome. We delight in our walking tour through the labyrinthine cobbled streets of this medieval city, virtually intact since no human or natural upheaval has damaged the city, a true national monument with its buildings built of almost indestructible granite stone. We visit the Plaza del Obradoiro and the great Cathedral that dominates the town. The main entrance to the church is two stories above the plaza, and from above the statue of St. James smiles benignly down. The towers soar into the sky. The Portico de la Gloria, designed by Maestro Mateo and completed in 1188, is one of the finest examples of Romanesque sculpture. Inside the Cathedral we see more priceless architecture, statues and religious treasures. Behind the silver and gold main altar are the sarcophagi of St. James and two of his disciples, and a statue of St. James stands above surrounded by an elaborate display of drapery and sculpture. We attend the Pilgrims Mass then complete our visit by kissing the hem of the jeweled cloak that drapes the statue. Afternoon will be free to spend at your leisure until a final dinner with your group. You will spend a final overnight in Santiago de Compostela.

Your last day in Spain will begin with breakfast at your hotel, followed by a transfer to the Santiago Airport for your return flight(s) home. You will say 'hasta luego' (see you later) to your new friends made on this journey.