Camino de Santiago – Escorted
Legend has it that a bright star led a monk of Iria Flavia to the forgotten tomb of St James in 813, and in 829 Alfonso II of Asturias ordered a church to be built to house the remains. Since then the shrine of St James has been the destination of millions of pilgrims. The Camino de Santiago was probably the busiest road in Europe during the 12 to 13th centuries – the age of pilgrimage – when millions of people walked along the Camino to Santiago de Compostela.
By walking the most unspoilt sections of the route, our itinerary recreates as closely as possible the experience of the medieval traveller. However, the hotels we stay in are now considerably more comfortable than those experienced by a real-life pilgrim!
We see Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments including three of Spain’s greatest cathedrals, as well as countless other monuments linked to the pilgrimage.
Duration: 15 days
Trip dates:
23 May - 06 Jun 2026
Itinerary
From Bilbao, we travel by road (2.5 hours) to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the historic meeting place for travellers crossing the Pyrenees. We stay at the centrally located 4* Hôtel Les Pyrénées, with its excellent restaurant (* in the Guide Michelin).
Elegant, former coach inn, in lovely setting
We walk up through meadows to the Col de Lepoeder (1,398m / 4,585ft), then down into Spain and the monastery of Roncesvalles, where we stay at the adjacent hotel, renowned for its restaurant (16.3 miles, 8 hours).
Comfortable 17th century inn adjacent to monastery.
We travel the Camino by road to the Romanesque church of St Mary of Eunate, before continuing on foot to Puente la Reina (3 miles, 1.5 hours). After a transfer we then walk towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and visit the cathedral of Santo Domingo, with its live cockerel and hen. We stay at the 12th century former hospital adjacent to the cathedral, now the 4* Parador de Santo Domingo (4.5 miles, 2.5 hours).
Formerly a 12th century hospital giving shelter to pilgrims, next to cathedral
After a brief transfer we walk to the pilgrim church of San Juan de Ortega. After lunch we continue on foot to the quaint village of Agés, before transferring to Burgos, where our hotel, the Mesón del Cid, is on the cathedral square (10 miles, 5 hours).
Traditional hotel overlooking the cathedral square
Free day in Burgos, to visit the magnificent cathedral etc.
Traditional hotel overlooking the cathedral square
We drive to Hornillos, then walk to the monastery of San Antón, before continuing to Fromista and the delightful Romanesque church of San Martín, before continuing by road to León (11.3 miles, 6 hours).
Modern hotel with spa and pool, in historical centre
We visit León’s superb cathedral etc. then drive to the bridge at Órbigo, famous for its association with Cervantes ‘Don Quixote’, before continuing to Astorga with its Roman walls, cathedral and Gaudí Bishop’s Palace. In the evening we experience an historic Maragato dinner at the picturesque village of Castrillo de los Polvazares.
Comfortable modern hotel in centre of old town. Nearby sister hotel has spa facilities
We walk across the Montes de León and down to the village of Molinaseca. Then after driving beyond Ponferrada, we follow paths through vineyards leading to the isolated church of Santiago with its historic Puerta del Perdón, from where we walk on to Villafranca (14.3 miles, 7 hours).
Characterful hotel in historcal centre
We walk from the Valcárcel up to a ridge with panoramic views across Galicia, and to the village of O Cebreiro, with its Neolithic pallozas (round thatched houses) (10 miles, 5 hours).
Simple, traditional guesthouses
Walk along a mountain ridge, with extensive views and down to the village of Triacastela, from where we drive a short distance to Samos, where we visit the vast monastery, and stay nearby (13 miles, 6.5 hours).
Quiet, modern hotel on outskirts of town
From Sarria, we walk through farmland and stone-walled pastures, past the Romanesque church of Barbadelo, where pilgrims would be accosted by agents of innkeepers in Santiago – still a week’s walk away, and continue through farmland and stone-walled pastures, before descending to the River Minho, and crossing the ancient bridge to the village of Portomarín (14.3 miles, 7 hours).
Modern hotel with outdoor pool
We drive to Santa Eulalia de Bóveda with its pagan temple, then walk along the original Jacobean way of the Camino del Norte to Vilar de Donas and its frescoed church (12 miles, 6 hours). We then drive on to Rua de Arca.
Charming hotel with restaurant serving traditional Galician cuisine
Walk through eucalyptus woods following the historic approach, via San Marcos, Monte do Gozo and finally into Santiago de Compostela. We stay at the historic 5* Parador dos Reis Católicos superbly situated on the cathedral square (13 miles, 6.5 hours).
Free day to explore Santiago de Compostela.
Transfer to Santiago de Compostela airport (20 mins).
Trip Planner
Walking & Terrain
Moderate to challenging walking. This is a 15-day tour, with walking offered on 10 days. The length of each day varies from 3 hours to a maximum of 8 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas. The days are long and full, with the first half of the trip being more cultural and the second week involving more walking.
We walk across open plains, orchards and vineyards, through woods, and across mountain ridges. The paths we use are well- made and well sign-posted throughout the trip. There is a limited amount of steep uphill and downhill. There are no vertiginous walks.
On certain days our walk takes us into high hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support and that you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing regardless of season. Some of our walks are very weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
Walking & Terrain
Moderate to challenging walking. This is a 15-day tour, with walking offered on 10 days. The length of each day varies from 3 hours to a maximum of 8 hours walking. Hours of walking, which may vary from group to group, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing, rests or siestas. The days are long and full, with the first half of the trip being more cultural and the second week involving more walking.
We walk across open plains, orchards and vineyards, through woods, and across mountain ridges. The paths we use are well- made and well sign-posted throughout the trip. There is a limited amount of steep uphill and downhill. There are no vertiginous walks.
On certain days our walk takes us into high hills where the paths cross a more rugged terrain – please make sure that your footwear provides sufficient ankle support and that you have sufficient warm and waterproof clothing regardless of season. Some of our walks are very weather sensitive. If it is not possible to do a walk due to inclement weather, an alternative will be organised. Any such decision is at the discretion of the Tour Leader.
Our support vehicles allow you the flexibility to walk 'as much or as little as you like', with drop-offs and pick-ups appropriate to the given day's itinerary. The Tour Leader will tell you each evening about the following day's walking options.
Your Personal ATG Route Manager
Route Book
The ATG Route Book is a detailed, day-to-day guide. The book anticipates your needs with easy-to-follow instructions, maps, plans and other information that will guide you to discover the best that the area has to offer and is the key to the success of an independent holiday with us.
Walking App
Your Route Manager can provide you with a link to download an app to your smartphone. This app provides the GPS track for your route on your phone. You can use this digital support to find your position and navigate the route, even without an internet connection or mobile phone reception.
Accommodation & Meals
The hotels we stay in are characteristic of the area and the towns we visit.
All evening meals are included and are taken either in the hotel or in local restaurants. At dinner, the Tour Manager will tell you about each evening’s menu and if there is anything else that you would prefer, you only have to ask. There are no particular dress requirements in the restaurants we use, although some are obviously smarter than others.
Each day the Tour Manager will meet you with one of ATG’s celebrated picnic lunches. You will be greeted with mineral water and a starter followed by wine and an abundant lunch of local organic produce and specialities. Picnics are colourful, varied and nutritious. Buffet-style, there is a choice of meats, cheeses, substantial salads, bread and fruit…and pudding. If it is cold there will be a hot dish.
Food & Wine
This trip features Basque, Castilian and Galician cooking. The cuisine of the Basque country is vigorous and hearty. Caught, gathered or hunted in the wilds, the food’s piquant seasoning distinguishes it from other areas. The charcuterie for which the region is famous is highly flavoured with aromatic herbs, garlic and delicately piquant espelette peppers. Basque cuisine also includes plenty of fresh fish from the Atlantic.
The Castilians are fond of sumptuous soups and stews prepared with fresh meat, sausages and vegetables which are full-bodied, wholesome and filling but never compromise on flavour.
Galician food is simple, using good local ingredients to complement the robust wines of the region. It is seasonal food, usually prepared with home-grown ingredients. Whilst it is a traditional cuisine, it is not a poor one – meat, game and seafood feature strongly alongside the more simple dishes, e.g. Caldo Gallego.
The Galicians have a sweet tooth, producing a variety of almond cakes and light biscuits and are a dairy-producing people, providing a varied and interesting cheeseboard which contrasts the sheep and goat cheeses of Castile and the Basque Country.
This trip passes through several wine regions of note, not least La Rioja and Navarra. We try the best of the wines of these regions.
We aim to match the wines to the style of the restaurant and the cuisine provided and to sample local wines whenever possible. Local wines are provided with the picnic lunch but you will probably find that in view of the walking you will appreciate the water more than the wine and therefore the better wines will be served in the evening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Escorted trips are accompanied by two of ATG’s fully trained Tour Consultants, from the moment they welcome you at the airport, through to the end-of trip airport transfer. The Tour Manager looks after the practical side of the trip – luggage transport, hotels, food and drink. The Tour Leader will lead each day’s walk, and after dinner each evening will tell you about the following day’s itinerary. Both Tour Consultants will explain their role, and how the trip will run, on the first evening at dinner.
Please let us know about any dietary restrictions or allergies in advance so that our Tour Consultants can ensure that you are catered for during your holiday. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our trips and the Tour Manager can discuss your requirements in more detail with you at the start of your trip.
The walks are graded according to difficulty but you can walk as much or as little as you like.
Easy: walking along well-established paths and tracks with some short ascents/descents. These trips are suitable for most people who enjoy occasional exercise.
Easy to Moderate: walking along well-established paths and tracks. Occasional loose (gravel) surfaces. Ascents/descents up to 1 hour. These trips are suitable for most people who have a reasonable level of fitness.
Moderate: walking along a variety of paths and tracks. Occasional uneven areas. Ascents/descents 1-2 hours. These trips are suitable for those who have a reasonable to good level of fitness.
Moderate to Challenging: walking along varied paths and surfaces, occasionally challenging, with ascents/descents of 2-3 hours. These trips are suitable for more experienced walkers who have a good level of fitness.
Single travellers will be booked into a double room which will carry a single occupancy supplement.
Flights are not included in the price of your ATG holiday and should be booked independently. We will advise you of the group meeting time at the destination airport and return transfer time to the airport at the end of your trip to enable you to book compatible flights.
Yes. All of our escorted trips can be booked privately, you can book a set departure or a date to suit you (subject to availability). In most instances if the group is 13-16 clients we will offer the trip at the published price. For 12 or fewer clients we would provide a bespoke costing.
On escorted trips everything is included (per the published itinerary) apart from items of a personal nature and snacks or drinks outside of the set meals.
We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension hotel booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.
ATG does not provide any form of insurance cover. However, it is a condition of booking that you have fully comprehensive insurance cover, including:
Cancellation/curtailment up to the cost of the holiday (preferably including flights)
Medical emergencies and repatriation
Travel delay / missed departure
Lost or stolen personal belongings
Personal liability
Legal expenses
Natural Disasters
Although most credit card companies offer travel insurance as something that is included when paying the balance with the card, it may be advisable to check that the cover offered is what you expect it to be. Very few companies include cancellation and curtailment or medical expenses. Whatever the insurance policy you have taken out, please read the documentation carefully. Please ensure also that you take it with you on your trip and refer to it in the case of any claim or emergency.
Yes, please click here for what to bring. A packing checklist is also included with your booking confirmation.
Sustainability
ATG was founded on principles of conservation and sustainable development. It was the first company to win the tourism industry’s two top awards: Tourism for Tomorrow (UK) and the World Legacy Award (National Geographic and Conservation International USA) and also the first to have an accredited Environmental Management System.
Everyone who walks with ATG contributes to the ATG Trust, which funds projects that benefit local communities in the regions visited. By supporting these initiatives, ATG promotes sustainable tourism. Past projects have included heritage restoration projects, environmental conservation and educational projects.
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