Camino de Santiago 8 Day Bike Tour

The Camino de Santiago 8 Day bike tour offers a more condensed journey if you want to experience the major highlights of the Camino pilgrimage but just don't have the time for more.

For a thousand years, since the bones of Saint James were reputedly discovered in Santiago, common people, bishops, priests, kings, popes and saints have made this famous pilgrimage. Our bicycle tour will echo their footsteps following the first guide book ever written, by a monk in the 12th century, the Codex Calixtinus.

Our guided journey starts at the one-time capital of Spain and one of its most beautiful cities, Leon. From there we follow the ancient Camino Francés pilgrimage route across the beautiful unspoiled north of Spain passing countless pilgrim stops, steeped in wonders and miracles, along the way. As we approach Santiago, the scenery changes to the verdant slendour of Galicia.

Our lodgings include luxurious monasteries, ancient pilgrim inns and small hotels. Dine in restaurants, famous for their regional cuisine and atmosphere, serving up regional specialties you simply can't find elsewhere.

• Join pilgrims from all over the world to ride one of the oldest pilgrimage paths in history.
• Visit the remarkable cathedral of Leon with its astounding stained glass windows.
• Visit countless ancient monuments that date back to the beginning of Christian times.
• Stay in luxurious monasteries & village inns.
• Trade camino stories with other pilgrims along the way.
• Take part in a “queimada” in the the ancient misty village of O Cebreiro.
• Reward your challenge with a triumphal arrival at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and earn your Certificate.

Itinerary

DAY 1 - Léon

Our tour starts at the one-time capital of Spain and one of its most beautiful cities - the cathedral town of León. Traces of past civilizations are everywhere - even the restaurant where we’ll eat tomorrow night, has one wall that's Roman! Our hotel is right in the heart of León, within a stone’s throw of all the major sights and in the heart of the shopping district - so rest and enjoy yourself!

DAY 2 - Léon to Astorga

Léon to Astorga - Ride of 61km / 38m.

Today's first stop of interest will be Hospital de Órbigo where a famous medieval bridge exists. Our ride then takes us into the beautiful region known as La Maragatería - home of the Maragatos, a curious subculture of mysterious origin thought to be the descendants of Phoenician slaves. They still keep very much to themselves and were the first in Spain to see the future in chocolate after it was introduced to Hermán Cortes and his crew in the New World.

DAY 3 - Astorga to Cacabelos

Astorga to Cacabelos - Ride of 74km / 46m.

Leaving Astorga, we'll get a peek at Maragatan life. The way is dotted with many small hamlets containing the ruins of pilgrim hospitals, churches and monasteries. They are almost unchanged since the Middle Ages and it's here that the "feeling" of the Camino is at its strongest. Along the way, we pass one of the most ancient monuments along the Camino, El Cruz de Hierro. From here we ride on to the medieval town of Cacabelos, staying at the most stunning old country estate

DAY 4 - Cacabelos to O Cebreiro

Cacabelos to O Cebreiro - Ride of 43km / 27m.

Today we head northwest for beautiful green Galícia with its timless legends. Onward, along a stretch of the Camino, infamous in medieval times for its bandidos, we have a long climb into the Montes of Galícia before reaching our night's destination, the charming little thatched hamlet of O Cebreiro, just inside the Galician border. The fiery Quemada served after dinner will keep you safe through the night!

DAY 5 - O Cebreiro to Portomarín

O Cebreiro to Portomarín - Ride of 70km / 43m.

We're now in the gentle misty country of Galícians - a Celtic people with their own language. Their music, culture and even countryside are more reminiscent of Ireland than Spain. Riding along stonewalled roads lined with lush green meadows we'll stop to visit the sprawling great 6th century Monastery of Samos before riding on to Portomarín high above the Miño River. Our accommodations are in a comfortable inn with lovely views out over the Galician hills. Dinner together.

DAY 6 - Portomarín to Arzua

Portomarín to Arzua - Ride of 62km / 28m.

Almost there! Today we spend our last night on the Camino near the little town of Arzúa. Along the way, we'll visit one of the most outstanding Romanesque churches along the Camino in the hamlet of Vilar de Donas. The church is especially evocative of the Middle Ages, adorned with carvings and tombs of the Knights of Santiago. Through forests and meadow we follow the actual Camin on to our night's accommodation - a Galician country manor house. Dinner together.

DAY 7 - Arzua to Santiago

Arzua to Santiago - Ride of 50km / 30m.

The last day's ride brings us to our hard-earned goal - the beautiful cathedral town of Santiago. We'll be accompanied by other pilgrims - all eager to reach their goal. In Santiago, we head to our monastic hotel only a block from the Cathedral. There'll be time to collect your Compostela (pilgrim certificate) before going to the Cathedral for a guided visit. Farewell Feast tonight at one of Santiago's most renown restaurants to celebrate our achievement.

DAY 8 - Farewell

After a breakfast, we can offer an AM shuttle to the airport, bus or train station.

 

Included

• Hybrid or Road bicycle hire for the tour duration (e-bikes or race bikes available as optional extras).
• Daily breakfasts, 4 lunches, 7 dinners, and en route snacks available at all times from the van.
• Carefully selected local wine or beer with every delicious meal.
  
• Expert guides with extensive local knowledge, who go above and beyond to cater to your every need.
• Entrance fees to all scheduled historic sites, museums, and scenic natural parks.
  
• Pick up and drop off before and after your tour from convenient locations.