Spain's Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela Inn-to-Inn Trail
2007 Itinerary
Day 1: Collection at airport
Riders are collected with their luggage at 3 pm at the airport of Santiago in the arrival hall. You will travel by car to the small village of O Cebreiro. Your guide will meet you in the important pilgrim's town of O Cebreiro around 6 pm. O Cebreiro is located on the border of the provinces of Lugo and Leon, and about 125 miles to the east of Santiago de Compostella. It is famous for its Chapel where an important miracle occurred, and its Pallozas, Celtic buildings of the old times. It is set on a hilltop overlooking impressive landscapes of mountains and lowlands. You will have dinner and will sleep in mountain chalets with comfortable rooms. Dinner will be a typical specialty of the area, served in an informal mountain lodge where you will enjoy your meal in the presence of many other travelers and pilgrims, on their way to Santiago de Compostella.
Day 2: O Cebreiro to Samos
After breakfast in O Cebreiro you will pack your bags for the start of the ride. In the meantime the horses will have arrived, saddled and ready to go! You will ride through rolling hills and woods to the town of Samos where you will arrive after about 7 hours of riding. Of course the group stops regularly at local bars and restaurants for rest and refreshments (not included). Lunch will be a typical Spanish three course meal served in a local restaurant in the town of Triacastella. In the early evening you arrive in the town of Samos, famous for its medieval monastery. The group will stable the horses and be transported to the hotel. After a short rest the group will meet for a late dinner with specialties of the area.
Day 3: Samos to Portomarin
After breakfast you will collect the horses and start today's ride. You will ride by the ancient town of Sarria where a stop for refreshments is planned, and if time permits a visit to the ancient monastery as well. You will then continue riding until lunchtime, which is at a typical Galician farm, famous for its country lunches prepared on an open barbecue. You then continue on the trail to the town of Portomarin where you will arrive in the early evening hours. The horses are stabled for the night at the old stables of the Spanish national police and you will spend the night in the Posada of Portomarin, a hotel of high international standards. Portomarin is situated on a large man made lake and is famous among pilgrims from all over the world. Those who wish can attend mass or visit and socialize with the many pilgrims who will spend the night in this typical Spanish village. You can also go for a swim, as dinner will be served later in the evening.
Day 4: Portomarin to Palaz del Rey
After breakfast you collect the horses once again and start the day's trip that will ultimately lead you to Palaz del Rey. The trail follows the river for awhile. After a coffee break you then cross a hill offering a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside. In the afternoon lunch will be enjoyed in a small simple family restaurant, where you will be served a typical local lunch, a great treat as you will have worked up an appetite! After some rest for both horses and riders you will continue the trip to Palaz del Rey, where you will get a chance to visit the ancient headquarters and monastery of the Knights of Santiago. Dinner will be served in the later evening hours.
Day 5: Palaz del Rey to Arzua
After breakfast you mount up and follow the road to Arzua. The road follows the ancient trail and takes you via old Roman roads and bridges to the town of Melide. Here you can meet with many other pilgrims and enjoy a special pilgrims lunch. If time permits you can visit the local cathedral and the headquarters of the Order of Knights and Ladies of the Order of the Road to Santiago. You will then follow the road through forests and over hills to the town of Arzua, famous for its famous Spanish cheeses and hams. If time permits you can visit a traditional Spanish saddle maker and tack shop. The group will spend the night in a comfortable three star hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6: Arzua to Santiago
After a well deserved rest you continue the trip to the final destination the city of Santiago de Compostella. The road will be crowded with pilgrims of all nationalities on their final day's trip. You can imagine everybody shall be full of expectations and joy to finally arrive at their destination. You will follow the medieval trail through dense forests and wooded lots. After a stop for coffee and refreshments the group will arrive in the afternoon near your lunch destination close to Santiago Lavacollos. After a festive lunch you will continue your trip on horseback in the early afternoon to Santiago Monte del Gozo, where you visit the monument and can see the town of Santiago for the first time.
Since traffic density and safety concerns do not allow riders to enter the city center of Santiago on horseback the group will dismount here and thank the horses for their companionship. You continue the trip from here with a guided visit to Santiago. You will visit the cathedral and if you wish, your guide can accompany you to the Roman Catholic Bishops office to obtain your Compostella, an official document of the Roman Catholic Church stating in Latin that you have accomplished your pilgrimage. You are then transferred to your hotel near the airport for dinner.
Day 7: Santiago
After breakfast, you can spend the day at your leisure. Or you can leave Santiago for the airport after breakfast, to start your trip home. However we suggest spending some more hours in the historic town of Santiago, visiting the Pilgrims mass in the Cathedral or just socializing with other pilgrims and visitors and exchange stories and adventures.
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