Camino - French Route F8 Galicia Spain This Camino explores the eighth and final section of the Camino Frances, the French Way, is the most traditional of all pilgrims’ ways to Santiago de Compostela, and is the best-known route internationally. The route begins in Sarria and finishes in Santiago de Compostela, traversing the hilly landscapes of Galicia. Reward your efforts in Santiago de Compostela, the heart and hub of all pilgrimages on the Way of St James. Everyday, during your Camino walk, you’re guaranteed a high level of comfort and gastronomy. The Camino de Santiago is clearly marked with the scallop shell, showing you the way. This walk can be physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding route that includes numerous cultural highlights and a tremendous feeling of achievement when you receive your Compostela, your Latin certificate of completion, at the Camino de Santiago Pilgrimage Certificate. Walking Tour Meeting: Sarria Airport:   Santiago de Compostella Transfer: Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Guided trip options for Section 8 in 2012:
May 5, June 9, July 14, Aug 6, Sept 10

Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes

On our trips you are guaranteed a high level of comforts and gastronomy. The Camino is clearly marked with the “Scallop Shell” showing you the way. The walking can be physically demanding and will require a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding venture that includes numerous cultural highlights along the way!

French Route 8/8 - From Sarria to Santiago de Compostela - 115km

Day 1: Sarria – Start of your journey
Make your way to your hotel in Sarria in time to enjoy your first evening meal.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Sarria

Day 2: Sarria to Portomarin
Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods and pretty villages on quiet country roads. The village of Barbadelo (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 relax on one of the numerous terraces of the main plaza.
Distance: 22km  / approx. 6 hours (ascent: 230 m / descent: 300 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Portomarin

Day 3: Portomarín to Palas de Rei
From the village, the Camino crosses the river Minho and climbs steadily uphill. On your way, you’ll 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, featuring a sculpture of Daniel and animals, as well as a statue of Santiago de Peregrino. You will then arrive in Palas de Rei (565m).
Distance: 25km  / approx. 6 hours (ascent: 340 m / descent: 140 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Palas de Rei

Day 4: Palas de Rei to Arzua
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, you’ll encounter the medieval village of Ribadiso, and finally Arzua (389m). This small town has two churches that you can visit, Santa María and La Magdalena.
Distance: 29km  / approx. 8 hours (ascent: 140 m / descent: 340 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Arzua

Day 5: Arzua to Rua-O Pino
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-O Pino is on a quiet country road. Rua (310m) is one of the less crowded stopping points before Santiago de Compostela.
Distance: 18km  / approx. 5 hours (ascent: 50 m / descent: 130 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Rua

Day 6: Rua to Santiago de Compostela
You’re 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), or Mount of Joy. From here, you can see your goal – the Cathedral of Santiago! After a descent to the city (264m, population 80,000) you’ll be able to witness this UNESCO World Heritage Site up-close. Marvel at the architecture and relish the wonderful atmosphere in this cultural and spiritual mecca.
Distance: 20km  / approx. 5.5 hours (ascent: 150 m / descent: 186 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Santiago de Compostela

Day 7: Santiago de Compostela, end of the Camino!
After breakfast, we bid you farewell.
Meals included: Breakfast

                                                    Sarria area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	49	52	57	59	64	70	74	76	72	64	55	51
Average Low Temperature (°F)	35	35	37	39	44	49	53	53	49	45	40	37
Average High Temperature (°C)	10	11	14	15	18	21	24	24	22	18	13	10
Average Low Temperature (°C)	2	2	3	4	7	10	12	11	10	7	4	3
Average Precipitation (days of rain)	13	12	11	12	11	6	4	4	7	12	13	13

Source: NOAA


Seasons
The French Way in its entirety stretches from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela, and is divided into eight sections. Some of the most popular cities along the route include Pamplona, Leon, and Sarria. All sections of the Camino Frances stretch across the northern region of Spain, creating very seasonal weather.

Summer
Like most countries in the Western Hemisphere, Spain in summer can be very warm. In fact, from June to August the temperatures in this region average at around 27°C (80°F). The sun is shining for a majority of the days every month. However, in Sarria in particular, there is a higher chance of rain.

Fall
When the season turns to fall, the temperature on the Camino shifts as well. Temperatures cool to around 23°C (73°F) in September, 18°C (64°F) in October, and 13°C (55°F) in November. As the temperatures drop, there is also a higher chance of rain along the route. Like before, in Sarria specifically, there are more predicted rainy days than sunny days.

Winter
As winter hits the region, the temperatures drop drastically. Averaging around 9°C (48°F) or 10°C (50°F), the weather in the northern region of Spain is typically rainier.

Spring
In March, April and May, the temperatures slowly get warmer. With temperatures increasing from 13°C (55°F) in March to 18°C (64°F) in May, the days still have a tendency to be half rainy and half sunny.

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Accommodations
Our accommodation is selected based on a number of criteria, including location, comfort, services, price and character.
Please note, in case of non-availability of the below mentioned Hotels on the requested dates, similar ones will be used.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Hotel in Sarria
Night 2: Hotel in Portomarin
Night 3: Hotel in Palas de Rei
Night 4: Guesthouse in Arzua
Night 5: Hotel in Rua
Night 6: Hotel in Santiago de Compostela



Sarria - Alfonso IX
Hotel Alfonso IX is a modern hotel in the center of the town of Sarria, on the popular Camino de Santiago. The hotel has its own fitness center and pool. Surrounded by gardens and close to the river, this well-equipped hotel features a lovely natural setting.
The hotel has a total of 57 rooms, 2 Junior Suites and 1 Luxury Suite, spread over 3 floors. All rooms feature internet access, air conditioning / heating, ensuite bathroom with hairdryer, safety box, TV and a phone.

Portomarin - Pousada De Portomarin
The Hotel Pousada de Portomarín is the oldest hotel in Portomarín. It is an old Parador de Turismo built in 1962, enlarged, reformed and reconverted in the year 1992 in a Hotel.
The 32 bedrooms are equipped with full bathroom (with bathtub and hairdryer), minibar, digital TV, telephone, safe, central heating.
Free WiFi and a 24-hour front desk are offered.

Palas de Rei - Complejo La Cabana
La Cabaña is a cozy accommodation totally built in wood. It is located on a large estate surrounded by gardens, pine trees and chestnut trees. The accommodations consists of three buildings, two of them housing 30 rooms with bathroom, telephone, television, hair dryer and heating, and a third building that houses the self-service restaurant with capacity for 200 diners. The hotel also has Wi-Fi network in common areas and laundry.

Arzua - Casa Brandariz
The home, dating back from 1553, is built on an abrupt terrain and adapts perfectly to the rural and natural environment that surrounds it. This restored country-style house offers 7 rooms (6 doubles and 1 simple) with a bathroom, a balcony and views across the surrounding landscape.
Guests can relax in Casa Brandariz's lounge area, where there is a TV and small library. There is also a springwater fountain in the lounge.
Free Wi-Fi is available.

Rua - Casa De Acivro
The rural hotel brings to this accommodation a touch of modern that bumps with the natural surroundings in which it is situated. Each one of the rooms has its private bathroom, heating, air conditioned, TV and free WIFI. The thematic of each room is different.

Santiago de Compostela - Hotel Pombal
Just 300 m from Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, Hotel Pombal is opposite Alameda Park and has free WiFi. The stylish rooms offer views of the old town, and satellite TV. The bathroom comes with bath or shower.



Meals
Breakfasts and 4 or 5 dinners (depending on the package) are included. Breakfast are eaten at the hotels and evening meals in the restaurant’s hotel or a restaurant nearby. It is usually a set menu.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can only request dietary requirements to our suppliers for the following diets:
– Diabetic - Suitable for reduced sugar, hyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and carbohydrate controlled meal requests.
– Gluten Intolerant/Celiac also known as low gliadin, non-tropical sprue, Celiac disease, low wheat, wheat free, gluten restricted diet. A Gluten Intolerant Meal eliminates all foods prepared with wheat, rye, barley and oats.
– Vegetarian  (No meat – no fish). Nuts may be used as a protein substitute.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		--
Horses:		--
Pace:		5-8.5 hours per day, 115 km total
Level:		(2 to 3 out of 5)    Moderate
Riders:		Min 1	Max 16

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Passports held by EU nationals need only be valid upon entry to and exit from Spain. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.

Passport Note

Spain is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by nationals of EU countries regardless of purpose and/or length of stay; 2. not required by nationals of other countries referred to in the chart above for stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements