Itinerary

This is the itinerary for a previous El Camino trek - details will change for the 2009 trek, but it gives an idea of what to expect on the trek.

Day 1 - 7 June 2009: Arrive to Ponferrada

Today our walk coordinator will conduct an orientation meeting. After the meeting you will have the opportunity to explore the city of Ponferrada.

Ponferrada boasts the Templar Castle. A castle that Fernando the Second of Spain donated to the city to protect pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela. For centuries this castle housed and protected travelers just like you.

Please note: For those walkers who would like to ease their jet lag we recommend they arrive early. Please note early accommodation costs are not included in the total cost but our trek coordinator will be happy to make accommodation arrangements for you.

Day 2 - 8 June 2009

Today we will begin our walk from the breathtaking village of Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo.

In the center of this town we find the church of Santiago. This 12th Century Romanesque Temple would house and care for any pilgrims that fell sick along their journey. If a pilgrim was too ill to continue they could receive the same absolution at the temple of Villa Franca del Bierzo as they would have at Santiago de Compostela.

Tonight we shall eat our first group meal together as we rest in preparation for the next 8 days of walking through the Spanish country side.

Walk Ponferrada to Villa Franca del Bierzo (23 kms), Sleep Villa Franca del Bierzo

Day 3 - 9 June 2009

The mountain top town of O'Cebreiro is a beautiful city where we are rewarded with the breath-taking views of the valleys below. Before our home cooked dinner, we visit the tiny church of Santa Maria and are introduced to the first of many miracles that we will learn are linked to the Camino de Santiago.

Walk Villafranca del Bierzo to O'Cebreiro (28 kms), Sleep O'Cebreiro

Day 4 - 10 June 2009

With our boots and scallop shells on, we head out the front door of our hotel and get our first glimpses of the green Galician countryside. Our day starts with a steady climb to the Alto do Poio, the highest point of the Camino de Santiago in Galicia. After a stamp and a coffee, we start our decent (make sure your toenails are trimmed!) down to the town of Triacastela, named after the 3 castles that once stood watch over the village.

After we finish our walk for the day we hop into the van to reach our accommodation for the evening.

Walk O'Cebreiro to Triacastela (21 kms), Sleep Triacastela

Day 5 - 11 June 2009

Today the Camino de Santiago has 2 paths to reach Sarria - go up along the ridge through San Xil or walk an extra 5 kms and visit the ancient monastery of Samos. As one of Spain's oldest, the Benedictine monastery of Samos is not to be missed! The extra km's are well worth it. We finish our day in the busy market town of Sarria, where pilgrim essentials, form internet to moleskin, can be found!

Walk Triacastela to Sarria (24 kms), Sleep Sarria.

Day 6 - 12 June 2009

Leaving Sarria, we should take in the views from atop of the city and keep an eye out for the ruins of Celtic Castros hiding in the vegetation along the Camino de Santiago. On our way to Porto Marin, we walk by the 100km marker, a milestone (or kmstone!) for the millions of pilgrims who have traversed this same spot during the last millennium. As we approach Porto Marin, we see the 12th-century Church of San Juan, an interesting fortified church that stands guard over the banks of the River Miño.

Walk Sarria to Porto Marin (22 kms), Sleep Porto Marin

Day 7 - 13 June 2009

We start our day with a gentle climb out of the river valley and pass through typical Galician villages, decorated with their raised corncribs and the occasional carved granite cross that marks the way to Santiago. Continuing west, we walk through the first of many eucalyptus forests along the Camino de Santiago and work our way into Palas de Rei. We've finished a long day, and what better way to reward ourselves than a glass of Galician's light Albariño white wine!

Walk Porto Marin to Palas de Rei (25 kms), Sleep Palas de Rei.

Day 8 - 14 June 2009

Following the now very familiar yellow arrows, we ramble up and down gentle rolling hills along quiet footpaths. Little has changed in this quiet corner of Spain, and the peaceful rural environment of local farmers tending to their lazy cattle in stone houses accompanies us back to another time. We quickly arrive back to the present in the bustling market town of Melide, where tender octopus, pulpo, is still boiled in large copper kettles on the street. We continue on small country roads and wind our way across the Galician countryside. Along the way, our journey is filled with tiny churches dating back to the 12th and 14th-century dedicated to Santiago and Santa Maria. Once in Arzua, we should take advantage to try some of the famous local cow cheese or perhaps a bit of empanada, a light crusty pastry filled with either beef or tuna.

Walk Palas de Rei to Arzua (30 kms), Sleep Arzua

Day 9 - 15 June 2009

Today we continue to enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Galician countryside and charming atmosphere of tiny 3-house villages. Get a feel for the people and greet a local villager with a "Buenos Dias" or "Hola". You'll see how these quiet and reserved people quickly wish you well on your journey to Santiago. On this trek, you are no longer a tourist but a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago! Almost there...

Walk Arzua to Arca (19 kms), Sleep Arca

Day 10 - 16 June 2009

9 days, 200 kilometers, and we have arrived to Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! You are going to love this magical city filled with fantastic monuments and with a lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets. After performing the traditional pilgrim rituals in the Cathedral, we will head to our hotel and get ready for dinner!

Walk Arca to Santiago de Compostela (19 KMs), Sleep Santiago

Day 11 - 17 June 2009

After breakfast, our local historian gives us a closer look at the amazing Cathedral that has seen so many transformations since the original chapel built in the 9th-century. After the tour, we sadly say our last "Buen Camino" as we leave you at the Cathedral in time for the pilgrims' mass at noon.

You will have the rest of the day to enjoy Santiago's café's, 12 renowned museums, the famed Mercada de Abastos or any of its world renowned restaurants.

This evening the entire group will sit down for one large celebratory dinner.

Day 12 - 18 June 2009

Today we shall wake early to catch our connecting flight to Madrid and then from Madrid to Bucharest, Romania. This evening we shall stay in the Ibis Hotel Gara De Nord in Bucharest, Romania.

Flight Santiago de Compostela/Madrid/Bucharest. Arrive Bucharest and stay the night.

Day 13 - 19 June 2009

Today we shall take the train and then a bus to our partner's location. About 4 hours outside of Bucharest our partner's directors, and the orphans in their care, will be thrilled to see us.

When we arrive the teams shall be split among our partner's group homes and taken to their accommodation. Please note we will share space with GVN volunteers and the orphans. We will sleep on cots within our partner's homes for the next two nights.

Transfer to Romania Partner (in Galati). Stay our Romania partner.

Day 14 - 20 June 2009

This morning we shall wake early to spend time with the kids. Today we will assist our partner directors and GVN volunteers with a 'Special Olympics' for the kids. Today you will have the opportunity to get to know the kids who your funds will directly assist.

This evening we will have our final farewell dinner. Saying goodbye after a trip of this magnitude is always difficult but you will leave knowing you have completed one of the world's most renowned treks, you will leave knowing you have directly assisted many very special kids in Romania and you will leave with many new friendships.

Day 15 - 21 June 2009

Today we will take the train/bus back to Bucharest where participants will catch their return flights to Madrid and/or home late that evening.