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Available as a 7, 9 or 14 days semi-escorted tour
For more than a thousand years people from different parts of Europe have travelled to the grave of Saint James in the north western Spanish Santiago de Compostela. The cultural path has not lost its attraction as every year many pilgrims set out on this journey to Santiago to experience the unique coexistence of culture and nature along the way. We offer you a chance to travel this exceptional path by bike. You cycle from Pamplona in Navarre to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia.
The tour is organised in such a way that a guide with a vehicle is at your disposal throughout the journey. We organise accommodation, luggage transport, and rental bike. With our detailed information package (maps, route descriptions etc.) you can plan the easy daily stages individually.
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DAY TO DAY ITINERARY
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Day 1: Individual arrival in Pamplona
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Make your way to your start hotel in Pamplona today, where you will meet your guide and be given your rental bike. Transfers are available from the nearest airport in Bilbao.
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Day 2: Pamplona - Estella (45 km)
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This morning we take a cycle city tour of Pamplona, famous for its Running of the Bulls festival, before heading through Puente la Reina to Estella.
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Day 3: Estella - Logrono (50 km)
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Today we cycle thrugh the heart of La Rioja wine country to the town of Logrono.
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| Day 4: Logrono - Burgos (60 km) |
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Rolling vineyards line the Pilgrims route to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, then onwards to the city of Burgos, one of the most important rest stops along the ancient trail.
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Day 5: Burgos - Castrojeriz (65 km)
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Time to explore Burgos this morning before cycling through the rolling countryside to the small town of Castrojeriz.
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Day 6: Castrojeriz - Carrion de los Condes/Leon (50 km)
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Today you cycle through the lovely village of Fromista, before reaching Carrion de los Condesi for lunch. This afternoon cycle onwards to the historic city of Leon, famous for its many cathedrals.
Note: 9 day-itinerary starts today with your arrival in Leon.
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Day 7: Leon - Astorga (50 km)
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Today you cycle to Astorga , remember to keep looking behind you as there are many vantage points with great views over Leon. You will pass through the villages of La Virgen , San Miguel and Villadangos with a climb of around 120m, from here it is pretty flat. You should stop at Hospital de Orbigo and relax by the river before completing the last stretch to Astorga. Astorga has a Roman heritage with some wonderful buildings to see.
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Day 8: Astorga - Molinaseca (50 km)
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Today you cycle up towards Cruz de Ferro from 870m to 1520m before dropping to 600m at Molinaseca. On this stage you see some wonderful mountain scenery.
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Day 9: Molinaseca - Sarria (45-90 km)
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Today you ride out across the valley to Villafranca del Bierzo where it is wise to stop and take a look around this lovely town. Cycle onwards or take the van to Sarria.
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Day 10: Sarria - Palas de Rei (65 km)
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Cycle through the green hills, till you reach Portarmarin. Portamarin has an association with Grappa or Orujo. The church San Nicholas has numbers on each of the stones as it was once moved from the old town to its current place due to flooding. Continue onwards to Palas de Rei, cycling mostly downhill.
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Day 11: Palas de Rei - Arzua (45 km)
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A chance today for a general downhill day , only one climb of 400m as you leave town.
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Day 12: Arzua - Santiago de Compostela (35 km)
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Today is the final cycling day, your Pilgrim along the St James Way is nearly complete. Just the last few climbs, not so high before your final descent into Santiago and a well earned rest.
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Day 13: Free day in Santiago
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La Compostela : This is a certificate issued by the Catholic Church to all Pilgrims who have completed the cycle tour . We give you a passport which needs to be stamped each day and then you can receive the certificate from the Cathedral before your departure.
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Day 14: End of the tour
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After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.
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PRICE & DETAILS
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| Price & Schedule |
DEPARTURE DATES:
9 day tour: May 3rd, 17th June 21st, July 20th August 9th Oct 5th
14 day tour: April 28th May 5th June 16th, July 15th August 4th Sept 30th
| Price per person, double occ. |
9 days |
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$1495 |
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14 days |
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$2280 |
| Single room surcharge |
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$50 / night |
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| Included |
- 7 nights accommodation in a double room with private facilities. The hotels we use on this tour are family run guesthouses and B&B's of 2.5 & 3 star standard.
- Breakfast daily.
- Accommodation in selection of three star hotels and local guesthouses, in a double room with private facilities
- Breakfast each day
- 1 dinner in Arzua
- Rental hybrid or mountain bike (21 gears) + pannier. Repair service enroute.
- Luggage transport between hotels
- Accompanying minibus with a skilled and trained, multi-lingual travel guide who knows about the country, present during the whole tour
(you can travel in the bus anytime you like)
- Detailed tour information and daily route talk.
- Road maps and tour information in English
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| Rate |
MODERATE TO INTERMEDIATE: A few hills to negotiate! Most of the time you can choose between cycling on asphalt roads or on the actual hiking path. A good level of fitness is required for this tour as altitude changes of up to 450m per day will be encountered.
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| Airport / Transfers |
Fly into Pamplona and depart from Santiago de Campostela. Regular airport shuttles are available from/to each city centre.
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Tours 
