HIGHLIGHTS ON THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO #1 AUGUST 31 SEPTEMBER 9, 2017 TRIP SUMMARY Walking hotel to hotel with no transfers, so you have the satisfaction of covering the entire distance Learning the history and practicing the traditions of the Road Receiving your Pilgrim passport at the beginning and the Compostela certificate at the end Enjoying the local food: hearty "caldo gallego" soup, almond cake, cheese, octopus, and empanadas and tasting the regional white wines Phone: 877-439-4042 Outside the US: 410-435-1965 Fax: 410-435-3084 Email: info@goodadventure.com
TRIP AT A GLANCE Dates: August 31 Sept 8, 2017 Location: Madrid, Spain Cost: $2,895.00 Activities: Hiking Arrive: Arrive anytime before 5pm on August 31 Depart: Our trip ends after breakfast on September 9 in Santiago TRIP OVERVIEW The Road of St James (El Camino de Santiago) has many traditions. In addition to being a pilgrimage route for Christians wanting to visit the tomb of St James, many experts believe that pre-christian people traveled it into the setting sun to the "end of the earth". There are also Celtic traditions, Goddess traditions, even traditions having to do with the lost city of Atlantis. This intertwining of traditions is one of the most interesting aspects of the Road: there is something there for almost everyone, but not always what people expect at the outset of their journey. Pilgrimage lore says that while a pilgrimage of any sort is by nature an intensely personal experience, the best way to complete this journey is in a small group of like-minded people. (Please note: this trip starts in Madrid and ends in Santiago) Maximum group size: 10 RATING This trip is designed for women who are interested in traveling a traditional pilgrimage route on foot, who are able to enjoy walking four to six hours each day on consecutive days. No previous hiking experience is required. Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5 WHAT'S INCLUDED A local English-speaking guide and an Adventures in Good Company Group Leader Nine nights lodging in twin/double rooms with private toilet and shower All dinners and breakfasts from dinner on June 1 to breakfast on June 10 Your Pilgrim passport and shell Luggage transfer during the walk Public transportation from Madrid to Ponferrada Not included: International airfare to Madrid, transportation from Santiago back to Madrid, guide gratuities, beverages, lunches, trip insurance. Most lunches will be at cafes where you can order a sandwich or eat your own picnic bought the day before.
OUR ITINERARY Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests. DAY 1 AUGUST 31, THURSDAY Arrive Madrid...Our trip starts at 5pm when we meet at our hotel in Madrid. We'll start getting to know each other as we enjoy the first of many dinners together (fortunately this hotel can accommodate what is considered an unreasonably early dinner in Spain!). We will also have a trip briefing that is as detailed as our jet lag allows us to stay awake for; fortunately we can always finish up the next morning. D DAY 2 SEPTEMBER 1, FRIDAY Transfer from Madrid to Ponferrada and part way up Cebriero Pass...We leave Madrid on the public bus this morning, bound for Ponferrada and the beginning of our trip. The Cebreiro pass, which is the gateway to Galicia, is the last big climb on the Road for pilgrims who are coming from France. Our private bus will meet us at the depot and transfer us partway up, allowing us a warm up walk for the last 3-4 miles as we enjoy the green hills and views back down the valley. At the top of the pass our guide will recount the the legend of Cebreiro's church and see the "pallozas", a Celtic style stone and thatch dwelling almost unchanged for more than two thousand years. We then transfer to Sarria where we have our first dinner and night on the road. B, D DAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2, SATURDAY Sarria to Portomarin We're going to start today with our only bus transfer, a short one that will have us start walking at the 103 kilometer marker. Walking the last 100 kms (62 miles) and stamping our pilgrim passport entitles us to an official pilgrim certificate at the end of the trip. Today we'll walk through tiny stone hamlets with slate roofs, often following lanes between stone drywalls that thread their way through oak and chestnut forests. Our destination is Portomarin: when the original town was flooded by water from a newly built reservoir, the entire town, including one of the original churches, was relocated to the top of a hill above the water. Approx 9.5 miles walking, more down than up. B, D
DAY 4 SEPTEMBER 3, SUNDAY Portomarin to Palas. Again today we pass through small stone villages where time seems to have stopped. Some of the older people still wear traditional clothes and we may be greeted with "Buen Camino" (Good Road), the traditional greeting for pilgrims on the Road. We will start seeing eucalyptus trees today. While not native, they were introduced more than 100 years ago and now look like part of the landscape. Approx 15 miles walking, rolling terrain with some ascents. B, D DAY 5 SEPTEMBER 4, MONDAY Palas to Melide Today we leave the province of Lugo and enter Coruna province. The change is apparent in the use of tile on the roofs (instead of slate) and more eucalyptus and pine; the oak and chestnut trees almost disappear. After we finish our walk, you have the opportunity to try octopus, a Galician specialty! Typically it's washed down with local white wine sipped from ceramic cups. Sleep in Melide. About 9.5 miles, more down than up. B, D DAY 6 SEPTEMBER 5, TUESDAY Melide to Ribadiso (just outside of Arzua) On the outskirts of Melide we pass a pretty church and, not far from that, a fun stepping-stone bridge. Then our road becomes a series of ups and downs through forest and farmland to Castaneda. This is where medieval kilns burned the limestone that long-ago pilgrims brought from near Cebreiro, their way of contributing to the construction of the Cathedral. After Castaneda a steep descent takes us to Paradise Bridge, a play on the name of the Iso river. Our hotel is in a rural setting by a pretty stream. You will have a chance dabble your feet or catch up your journal. About 8 miles. B, D
DAY 7 SEPTEMBER 6, WEDNESDAY Arzua to Rua We start with a climb to Arzua, the biggest town in the area and known for a delicious smooth cow cheese. After Arzua the trail is mostly forested and rolling, though lots of tiny towns. We pass two memorials to pilgrims who died on the Road just a day from Santiago; some pilgrims leave a pebble, a flower, or even a note. With any luck we ll have another chance for Arzua s cheese at a factory shop just off the Road. We ll ascend a small pass and take a rest stop at the top before our last descent. About 13 miles walking, rolling with a moderately big up and down towards the end. B, D DAY 8 SEPTEMBER 7, THURSDAY Rua to Lavacolla Many pilgrims walk directly from Rua to Santiago, but we ll take it easy the last two days so we have time to enjoy the scenery and not feel rushed on our way into Santiago. Today includes a forest where you might feel that magical creatures are hiding behind the trees, even if you cannot really see anything specific. We ascend our last real hill and go around the runway of the Santiago airport, inexplicably built on top of the ancient route. In medieval times, pilgrims washed in a stream in Lavacolla, perhaps for the first time since they started their journey (somehow the name in Spanish is explicit without being naughty). About 7.5 miles, rolling with a moderate ascent. B, D DAY 9 SEPTEMBER 8, FRIDAY Lavacolla to Santiago At Monte del Gozo we get our first sight of Santiago and fulfill our last pilgrim traditions before reaching the city (bring a stone from your home for one of these traditions). After our time in the countryside, it is quite a shock to return to a city - but soon we are in the medieval quarter, following the traditional route to the Cathedral square and the end of the Road right in front of the Cathedral. After celebrating our arrival with photos and hugs, we'll get our pilgrim certificates then have most of the afternoon to wander. The old part of Santiago is great for strolling or people watching, with a lot of sidewalk cafes and gift shops. Don't miss the traditional jet, silver, or enamel jewelry, often with Celtic symbols. We will probably see other pilgrims we have met during our journey, all with different reactions about having reached their destination. It's traditional though certainly not obligatory to attend mass - we might get to see the huge botafumeiro incense burner swing in front of the main altar, almost touching the roof on both sides. At night, a celebration dinner full of memories and maybe plans to return to Santiago someday. About 7 miles, gently rolling, part on city streets. B, D
DAY 10 SEPTEMBER 9, SATURDAY Home or on to your next adventure: You are free to leave anytime today. There are a number of options from here. If you have to return home, then the easiest way to get back to Madrid is by train or plane. But if you have time for more adventures, the Santiago airport offers flights to other European cities. Or perhaps you want to continue walking - some pilgrims continue on to the sea and then up the coast, a route that has fewer people and is also full of historical significance. B ADDITIONAL TRIP INFORMATION GETTING THERE You will be flying into the Madrid (MAD) Airport. The best option for getting into the city center is to take the Commuter train (Renfe). Detailed instructions for exactly how to do this will be included in the PreTrip letter. The trip ends in Santiago. If you are returning to Madrid, you have 2 options: The train from Santiago to Madrid takes anywhere from 5.5 to almost 11 hours, including an overnight option. This website has train schedules: http://www.renfe.com/en/viajeros/horarios.html. If you are looking too far in the future, your date may not show up on schedules now but this will give you an idea, understanding it may change. If you are choosing the train, do not make flight arrangements until after 6 pm on June 10 (you will still need to get from the train station to the airport) at the earliest. Even better choose to spend a night or two in Mad City (aka Madrid). Your other choice is flying from the Santiago airport. The airport is about 20 minutes from the city and the flight takes about 50 minutes. Both Iberia and RyanAir have flights from Santiago (SCQ) to Madrid (MAD). The best website for looking at your options is http://www.skyscanner.com. A word of warning about RyanAir- they have a terrible reputation for nickel and diming you for everything and for not being friendly- but they re cheap!! If you would like help with any travel plans we recommend our travel agent Sara Schuitemaker at sara@scaneastwest.com or call 800/727-2157
ACCOMMODATIONS We will be staying in double occupancy rooms with ensuite bathrooms in different types of accommodation, typically midrange family-run hotels that are chosen for their hospitality or proximity to the path. Madrid - Hotel Moderno - Tel 34 915 310 900 Sarria - Hotel Oca Villa de Sarria - Tel 34 982 533 873 Portomarin- Hotel Villajardin - Tel 34 982 545 054 Palas del Rei- Casa Benilde - Tel 34 982 380 717 Ribadiso - Pension Ribadiso Tel: 34 981 500 703 Lavacolla - Hostal San Paio - Tel: 34 981 888 205 Santiago de Compostela - Miradoiro de Belvis - Tel: 34 981 554 340 WEATHER The weather this time of year in Spain is typically very nice, daily highs range from the 70's to lower 80's and lows range from 60F. The mornings have a tendency to be cloudy and with clearing in the afternoon. Of course, you must also be prepared for rain. TRAVEL INSURANCE WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION/TRIP INTERRUPTION INSURANCE, WHICH COVERS YOUR COST IF YOU NEED TO CANCEL OR INTERRUPT YOUR TRIP for medical reasons, trip delay, lost baggage, and other unforeseen emergencies. Adventures in Good Company will send you information about travel insurance with your registration information, or you may purchase coverage through your own insurance company. In order to avoid disappointment and expense in the event that you must cancel your trip we strongly urge you to purchase some type of insurance coverage. You can also sign up for it online at Travelex Insurance. To get the best rates, use 20-0016 as your location number on the Get A Quote page.
PACKING LIST FOOTWEAR 1 pair of lightweight or midweight hiking boots: boots; they should be well broken in and comfortable 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes, such as athletic shoes or Teva sandals 3-4 pairs of socks (2 should be wool/synthetic and quick drying) Short gaiters CLOTHING 1-2 pairs of comfortable long pants 2-3 pairs of shorts: one pair could be a quick-drying nylon 1-2 lightweight, light-colored, long-sleeved shirt to protect you from the sun 2-3 T-shirts or sleeveless shirts 1 polar fleece jacket or wool sweater 1 rain jacket or poncho Underwear/nightwear 1 wide-brimmed hat for sun and high fashion (very important) 1or 2 casual skirts/sundresses(optional-some women prefer a skirt when going out to dinner) Lightweight hat or ear band (optional but Galicia can be chilly in June) Vest for layering (fleece, or nylon, optional) EQUIPMENT/ESSENTIALS 1 daypack, 1 pack cover or large plastic bag to line backpack for waterproofing Trekking Poles with tip covers (highly recommended for this trip) 2 liters water carrying capacity (water bottle or hydration system) Passport and a photocopy of your passport Sunscreen and lip block with SPF of at least 15 small stone from home (ritual) Sunglasses (100% UV blocking) and retention strap headlamp/small flashlight watch, travel alarm small sandwich container 220V three tier converter TOILETRIES (small everything) Toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, shampoo, contact lens paraphernalia (bring extras), sanitary supplies, soap, shampoo, washcloths (these are often not provided in Europe) Sunscreen and lip protection with sunblock of at least SPF 15 (absolutely essential) Personal medications, if any. If you re taking a prescription drug, bring a copy of the prescription or its generic name Small first aid kit with familiar medicine you might need for personal use, ESPECIALLY blister or foot remedies like toe tubes, moleskin, gelskin, blister bandages or similiar; these are not available in smaller towns. The amount and kind you bring will depend on your tendency to blister but many people get blisters on the Road. Other suggestions: remedies for respiratory ailments? Stomach ailments? Sore muscles or joints? We will have a first aid kit too, but if you already know what works for you it s better to have it with you than experiment on a trip. NOTE: Individuals allergic to insect bites must bring an anaphylactic kit. Please consult your personal physician. OPTIONAL (not required, personal preference) Camera (extra battery) and film 10 ft light cord and 4-6 clothespins, detergent Book, notebook, journal, pencil/pen 1 or 2 bandannas Folding umbrella Washcloth, conditioner and lotion (these are not available at all hotels) Earplugs and eye mask (for plane and in case of street noise at some hotels)
NOTES ON PACKING Adventures in Good Company's packing list covers everything you need to assure your safety and comfort. Because we stay indoors every night, you may be tempted to skimp on the warm clothes. Don't. Weather in the mountains can be quite variable. It may be warm and sunny, cool and drizzly, or both. It is essential that you have the rain gear and clothes to stay warm during the day when you are out on the trail. You may not use everything you bring; however, you need to come prepared for all possible weather conditions. Packing in a duffel bag or soft-sided suitcase, rather than a hard-sided suitcase, will make packing our van easier. Please do not bring more than one duffel or suitcase. Daypacks: You will need a daypack that is large enough to hold the following items: 1 2 liters of water, rain gear, lunch/snacks (for the day), warm layer (fleece pullover or vest), lightweight gloves, warm hat and any other desired personal items such as camera, journal, etc. We recommend a daypack with a capacity of between 1800 and 2400 cubic inches and preferably with a hip belt, padded shoulder straps and lifters. Please note: A fanny-pack is not large enough to hold all of the items you will need for the day. Pack Cover: These are waterproof, usually elasticized covers designed to go over your daypack and keep both the pack and its contents dry in case of inclement weather. Pack covers are sized. If you are purchasing a pack cover be sure to either take your pack with you or know the size cover you need. Many daypacks do come with built in pack covers. An alternative to purchasing a pack cover is to use a heavy-duty, plastic bag to line your pack to protect the contents from rain. Footwear: Well-fitting, hiking boots are very important to your safety and enjoyment. If you plan to buy new boots, break them in by wearing them as much as possible and taking some short hikes before your trip. For general trekking/hiking there are many choices in both materials and styles of boots. Your choice will depend on the environment you will be hiking as well as your personal preferences and physical condition of your feet and ankles. Boots can be made of leather, nubuck leather, synthetic materials or a combination and come in low, mid or ankle cut styles. For general trekking/hiking we recommend low/mid-height height, lightweight/midweight hiking boots/shoes with Vibram type soles. Please note: If you have weaker ankles or are recovering from an ankle injury consider either the mid-height or the ankle height boots. More information regarding choosing a hiking boot is available upon request. Remember to waterproof your boots before the trip. (Even boots billed as waterproof still need to be treated with a waterproofing product it s the interior lining that is actually the waterproof part of the boot, not the exterior.) Personal First Aid Kit: We recommend bringing a small first aid kit with the following items: blister and/or foot remedies for blisters, hot spots, etc. (band aids/compeed/moleskin/personal choice), personal prescription medications, over the counter medications for common ailments (respiratory/colds, stomach issues, sore muscles/joints). Your AGC guide will have a first aid kit as well but if you already know what works for you it s best to have that with you rather than experiment on a trip. Clothing: All clothing for active wear should be made from synthetic/synthetic blends, down/down blends or wool/wool blends. NO COTTON for your active wear. The clothing listed on the packing list has been chosen for your specific trip conditions and for its versatility for layering. Layering is the most practical and efficient method of insulating the body. Several layers of varied weight materials provide better insulation than one thick layer of clothing. Also, adding or subtracting layers allows you to adjust to the temperature at your particular level of activity. Rain Gear: You will need a parka or jacket made of a coated nylon or a waterproof/breathable fabric like Gore-tex, HellyTech, Membrane, H2No, or Ultrex. Be sure it keeps water out. Before making this important purchase, be sure that it fits you properly. It should be large enough to fit over all your layers. In particular, the hood needs to be effective. It should shield your face from the rain and turn with your head. Movement of your arms must not interfere with the hood. Put on your daypack; can you still raise your arms? Lastly, the wind/rain pants. They should be comfortable, allow enough room for your layers, and permit free movement of your legs (for example, can you crouch comfortably?). Partial or full-length leg zippers are useful for easily putting your pants on over your boots.
Hydration: It is very important to your safety and enjoyment to have an independent ability for accessing your water to facilitate drinking frequently. One method is to have a water bottle attached to your waist strap. Another option is to use a HYDRATION SYSTEM such as an MSR, CamelBak or Platypus type bladder system. These systems are simply collapsible water bags with a hose attachment that you drink from. These fit inside/outside your pack with the hose positioned over your shoulder where you can access your water without the use of your hands. Bladder bags traditionally come in 1, 2, and 3 Liter sizes. We recommend a 2 Liter size. Trekking Poles: Trekking poles are a recommended for this trip. Trekking poles contribute to your safety by improving your balance and stability, and to your health by saving stress on your hips and knees. In addition they help conserve your energy by transferring some of the work to your arms and chest. If you are not familiar with trekking poles we have written a blog spot that addresses the most commonly asked questions about trekking poles. You can find that at: http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/154714/trekking-poles-for-hiking-trips-the-4-mostcommon-questions If you will be purchasing trekking poles for your trip please make sure they meet the following guidelines: 1. Height of the poles can be adjusted 2. They have an upright (as opposed to cane-like) handle 3. Have wrist straps that can be adjusted. For a detailed description of considerations when purchasing a pair of trekking poles please see: http://blog.adventuresingoodcompany.com/blog-women-travel/bid/153280/choosing-trekking-poles-for-your- Next-Hiking-Trip Please note: Trekking poles can be an expensive equipment purchase. If this is new to you we suggest purchasing an inexpensive pair (EBay, or some of the big box stores can be a good source) or borrow a pair from a friend. During your trip you will have the opportunity to learn the correct technique to use them, practice with them and also see what others may have chosen. Once you ve gained a bit of experience and you know that hiking is going to be a regular part of your life, you can make a more informed decision about whether you want to invest in the perfect pair of poles