+44 203 1294634Find your perfect trip
Camino Primitivo group tour
- Gothic cathedrals of Oviedo and Santiago. And in between: intimate chapels, pilgrims' hospitals, Medieval towns, rural architecture and numerous testimonies of true devotion.
- Authentic rural landscapes, vast wooded areas, high pasture grounds and steep canyons.
- Small, charming and comfortable accommodations in rural settings or centrally-located hotels in town centres.
- UNESCO World Heritage monuments in Oviedo (Pre-Romanesque buildings) and Lugo (Roman walls).Bilingual tour guide and vehicle support (van or small touring car).
- Bilingual tour guide and vehicle support for the duration of the trip.
- Multi-cultural group atmosphere, participants from different countries
From: 1465 €
Tripcode: ESGW011
3 Comfort
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 1 - EN:
Simple accommodation, often with multiple rooms like huts, cottages or guesthouses. Sometimes with bunk beds and often with shared bathrooms. All camping trips fall into this category.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 2:
Simple to good inns, small family hotels, B&Bs and agriturismo (farmsteads), generaly with private bathroom. Often chosen for their excellent location in relation to the itinerary.
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 3:
Good hotels, inns, B&B, agriturismo (farmstead) with ensuite private bathroom, often wel located and serving good meals
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
Level 4:
Special hotel with excellent food, ambiance and service. Accommodations with a special touch.
:
:
3 Difficulty
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 1:
Walking levels:
Trips with short walks of generally three to four hours (excluding breaks) and/or optional day excursions; flat or slightly hilly terrain using well kept paths.
Cycling levels:
Easy biking in nearly flat landscape; also possible for people with little or no bicycle experience. The daily distances are approximately 30-50 km in general. Bicycles with up to 3 gears can do the job. All our adult rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 2:
Walking levels:
Moderate day walks, 4-5 hours per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths.
Cycling levels:
Biking on gently undulating terrain, you may encounter short climbs from time to time. The daily distances vary between 30 and 65 km. A bicycle with minimum 7 gears will do. All our rental bikes have at least 21 gears.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 3:
Walking levels:
Trips with strenuous day walks or trekking in mountainous areas. 5 to 7 hours walking maximum per day, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for one night; height differences between 500 & 1000 m. per day
Cycling levels:
Strenuous biking trips in areas where you cannot avoid steep slopes. Some bicycle experience in short trips is needed. The daily distances range from 30 up to 75 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
Level 4:
Walking levels:
Trips with heavy excursions in high mountains, sometimes carrying backpacks with stuff for several nights. 6 to 8 hours maximum per day; height differences up to 1200 meters per day; only for participants with an excellent condition and without fear of heights.
Cycling levels:
Serious and strenuous biking trips in mountainous area, the slopes are longer and/or steeper than at the previous category. Requires a good physical condition, a broad cycling experience and adequate mountain climbing bicycle. The daily distances range between 30 and 80 km.
:
:
Duration: 9 days
Details
Camino de Santiago group tour
The Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela is one of the great historical long-distance footpaths through Europe. And it all began with the Camino Primitivo! According to legend, the 9th century saw the bones of apostle St. James, murdered in Palestine, miraculously appear in a village in modern-day Galicia. Word spread round the Christian world, reaching (among others) King Alfonso II of Asturias. He undertook the pilgrimage - journeying through dark woods and daunting mountains, from Oviedo via Lugo to Santiago - and invited fellow kings and nobleman to follow in his footsteps. This 'original' route became very popular in the early Middle Ages, when areas south of the Cantabrian Range were continuously at war. This itinerary, walked by millions of peregrinos over the centuries, reveals the beautiful natural settings, captivating historical monuments, gorgeous rural farmland and authentically friendly villages of Northern Spain. Near Lugo, the Camino Primitivo joins the more popular French route, which is almost entirely paved. From here, we continue by bus to Santiago de Compostela, making the requisite stop at Monte del Gozo, the hilltop which affords a pilgrim's first glimpse of Santiago. Option of walking the last few kilometres to enter the city on foot.
Itinerary
Expand itinerary Collapse itineraryDay 1: Arrival in Oviedo (Asturias)
Visit of the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, an important Saint for pilgrims to Santiago. Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the historical city centre, with plenty of cafés, restaurants, bodegas and cider houses.
Challenge: Arrival in Asturias
Villages along the way: Oviedo
Day 2: Form Oviedo to Puerma & Salas
We follow Jacobean copper shells through narrow lanes, then out into the green Asturian countryside. Tarmac lanes and ancient foot paths take us to quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims hostels and historic inns. From Puerma we continue by car to Cornellana Monastery, founded in 1024, and our hotel, a renovated historic castle in Salas.
Challenge: 5,5hrs, 18,5km 220m ascent & 300m descent
Day 3: From Salas to Tineo. Obona monastery
To avoid traffic, and the motorway under construction, we first drive to El Pedregal then walk the first part of the day 10km to Tineo and have lunch in the old town centre. In the second part, we make a detour to the monastery of Obona, important centre for learning and retreat for scholars in the Middle Ages. We can be picked up here on at Villaluz, to go back to Tineo, to our beautiful hotel; a restored Reinassance palace.
Challenge: 5.5-6hrs, 19km, 250 ascent and 350m descent
Day 4: From Borres to El Palo Pass
This morning we drive to Borres, where we start our route following the original high "ruta de los hospitales" crosses steep slopes toward Puerto el Palo. Due to extreme winter weather, several pilgrims' hospitals were built on either side of this challenging mountain pass. Superb views before along the ridge that takes us to Puerto del Palo, were we will be picked up to drive to our hotel in Pola de Allande. If the weather conditions are back (stormy, cold or heavy rain) there is an option of walking on the alternate valley variant of the Camino, that goes up to Lavadoira pass and down to Pola de Allande.
Challenge: 5.5hrs, 15km, 450m ascent and 125m descent
Day 5: From Berducedo to Grandas de Salime
From Allande we drive to the hamlet of Berducedo, to then descend through fields and woods to the village of Villapedre. Here a boatman will help us to cross Lake Salime, a recently-constructed reservoir which has cut off access to parts of the original Camino. In Grandas de Salime, we visit the interesting ethnographic museum. Overnight stay in a simple hotel in the centre of town.
Challenge: 5hrs 16km, 250m ascent and 800m descent
Day 6: From Grandas to Castroverde
Since this section of the camino has been surfaced, and is now tarmac from Grandas to Fonsagrada, we start off the day with a short drive. Once in Galicia, from Paradanova we pick up an ancient trail, which takes us through green pastures and fields of heather to Póboa de Burón, village which once had a castle and large pilgrims' hospital. We end our walk in Paradavella. Short transfer to a nice rural accommodation near Castroverde.
Challenge: 6hrs, 18km, 300m ascent and descent
Day 7: From Castroverde to Lugo
Our last day of walking is a delight, as we enjoy the pastoral Galician countryside following quiet tarmac lanes and rural tracks from one hamlet to the next. Beautiful examples of traditional architecture such as the well-preserved 'pazos' and 'casas grandes', impressive buildings in stone and wood often turned into modern-day hotels. From Gondar, we drive to Lugo where the Camino Primitivo merges with the classic French Route. Here we stay in a comfortable hotel in the city centre.
Challenge: 6,5hrs, 20km, 200m ascent and 450m descent
Day 8: From Lugo to Santiago de Compostela
To avoid walking along the main road to Santiago, we drive to Monte del Gozo, hilltop which affords a pilgrim's first glimpse of Santiago. From here we walk onward, entering the city on foot amidst emotions and excitement as we approach St James' Cathedral in the historical city centre. Afternoon free to explore Santiago de Compostela.
Challenge: 1hr, 5km, 100m descent
Day 9: End of Program
Our pilgrimage comes to an end today after breakfast. Departure from Santiago de Compostela. OR, if you've booked an extra night(s), you can extend your stay at hotels in Santiago, Lugo, Oviedo or Bilbao.
Practical info
Included:
- Breakfast and dinner
- Luggage transport from day 2 to day 7, according to program
- Transfers according to program by van or small touring car (When possible, we bypass sections with traffic and avoid extended walking on tarmac roads)
- Bilingual tour guide and van support throughout
Not Included:
- Lunches
- Personal expenses such as drinks, phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
- Any items not specifically mentioned in the program
Optional Services:
- Extra nights in Oviedo, Lugo or Santiago
- Extension of 3 days' cycling along the French Route (Camino Francés) between Lugo and Santiago
Extra Overnight:
Extra nights can be booked at any of the standard accommodations or at a city hotel in Madrid.
Reviews
Start: Oviedo
Finish: Santiago de Compostela
Dates & prices
Trip availability: In April, May, June & September 2013
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in double room: | 1465 €/person |
| in single room: | 1685 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in double room: | 1465 €/person |
| in single room: | 1685 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in double room: | 1465 €/person |
| in single room: | 1685 €/person |
| Dates of the trip | Price |
|---|---|
| in double room: | 1465 €/person |
| in single room: | 1685 €/person |
Other prices
The group departing on 25 May has been cancelled.