The Camino, a Walking Journey for the Soul (5390)

11 Day Tour from Madrid to Madrid

2025 Tour Details View 2024 Tour Details »

The history of the Camino de Santiago goes back to the 9th Century, when the tomb of the evangelical apostle St. James was discovered in what is today Santiago de Compostela. Since then, pilgrims from all over the world have walked St. James' Way, originally seeking forgiveness for their sins, and nowadays often just to spend time on a journey of personal growth. This is a challenging experience as it involves a significant physical effort as you walk through forests and along busy roads for many miles each day for a total of approximately 71 miles.

Your rewards will be intangible, but priceless: an opportunity to enjoy nature, meditate, search for answers, and challenge your limits, discover beautiful rural areas of northern Spain, and make friends with whom you’ll have shared one of the most significant experiences of your life. At the end of your journey, relax on an excursion by coach to Finisterre and Muxia and a guided tour of Santiago de Compostela. You will receive the Compostela Certificate upon completion of the entire route on foot.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Cosmos offers Small-Group Discoveries on select faith-based dates. A Small-Group Discovery is limited to an average of just 24 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery trip is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Your walking and spiritual experience is best enjoyed in small groups, and therefore the group size is limited to a maximum of 20 participants per departure and, of course, your Tour Director who will assist along the way.

Hiking is much easier without luggage; one piece of luggage per person, not exceeding 20 kg/44 lbs., will be transferred during your walk, from the lobby of your overnight hotel to the next overnight accommodation.

To make this itinerary more sustainable, transfers from Madrid to Sarria and from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid are by train. The only transportation by coach will be transfers between hotel and railway station and vice versa in Madrid and Sarria and the included excursion to discover Finisterre and Muxia or the occasional short transfer by car to any hotels that are not located directly on the Camino. Most of the itinerary will be on foot, enjoying the hike through the green Galician region. Daily distances are listed in the day-by-day itinerary.

Mass services are available every evening at each overnight town/village. In Santiago de Compostela, celebrate your personal achievement attending the Pilgrim Mass.

Special departures:
Departure July 16 arrives in Santiago on St James' Festive day

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
The Camino, a Walking Journey for the Soul map

 Photo Highlights

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Buffet breakfasts daily, 8 dinners


Notes:

Small groups (maximum 20)

This tour is largely completed on foot, requiring a good level of physical fitness, and some physical training prior to departure is highly recommended.

This itinerary is not accessible by wheelchair or other ambulatory devices due to some uneven and unpaved paths.

If unable to complete any of the stages on foot, transportation by taxi will be arranged at an extra cost. One piece of luggage per person, not exceeding 20 kg/44 lbs will be transported daily during the walk from the lobby of your overnight hotel to the next overnight hotel. You will need to pack a backpack containing essentials for the day (such as water, raincoat, essential medication, money, sunblock, etc.) that you will carry during the walk.

Mass services may be in local language and venues are subject to change.

Hotel accommodation is of simple standards, often with no elevators, and porterage at the hotels is not provided.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE IN MADRID, SPAIN

Check into your hotel and, if you have time, start exploring this bustling city on your own with the help of the CosmosGO app. Later, meet your tour companions during the included welcome dinner at your hotel. Your Tour Director will explain the dos and don’ts of the walk and give you some important advice.

DinnerDinner

Day 2 MADRID–SARRIA

Transfer to the train station to board the train to Sarria (you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage). On arrival, check in at the hotel and spend the evening at leisure, or spend free time to see the early-Gothic Church of O Salvador on the Main Street, the 13th- century Convent of the Magdalena at the outskirts of the old town, or enjoy a drink with your fellow pilgrims on the river walk next to the hotel.
Today’s distance (by train): 313mi / 504 km

Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 3 SARRIA–PORTOMARIN

Approximately 23 km/14.3 mi – Average 6 hrs – Difficulty 3/3).
This is the real start of the journey. May every step be a thought on peace and an extension of loving kindness. Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak forest and through pretty villages on quiet country roads. The village of Barbadelo has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. You will also pass through the village of Ferreiros. On arrival in Portomarín, relax at one of the many outdoor cafes in the main square.

Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 4 PORTOMARIN–LESTEDO

Approximately 20 km/12.5 mi – Average 4.5 hrs – Difficulty 2/3.
Let your mind wander and the feet follow. Begin the day by crossing over the Belesar dam footbridge, then start a gradual climb to the village of Ligonde. This stage mainly runs along andanderos (paths) next to the road or, in some cases, along paved trails. There are many signs indicating the pilgrim route, including the famous cruceiros (crucifixes). Check out the Cruceiro of Lameiros and the Monastery of Our Saviour of Vilar de Donas (2 km/1.2 mi detour off the Camino). Overnight in Lestedo.

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Day 5 LESTEDO–MELIDE

Approximately 18 km/11.2 mi – Average 4 hrs – Difficulty 2/3.
Keep an open mind and heart, let go of expectations, and enjoy the feeling of freedom along this ancient pilgrim path. The Camino takes you into the province of Coruña, with its fine eucalyptus and pine expanses, and numerous medieval bridges, such as the ones in Leboreiro and Furelos. Melide is an obligatory stop for food lovers; the best-known local delicacy here is octopus.

Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 6 MELIDE–ARZUA

Approximately 14 km/8.7 mi – Average 3.30 hrs – Difficulty 2/3.
The Camino can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. Today’s landscapes are similar to the previous day’s, with some idyllic locations such as the Camino in Ribadiso da Baixo near Arzúa. Arzúa is where the modern town with its bars, restaurants and the Church of St James overshadow the Medieval center.

Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 7 ARZUA–AMENAL

Approximately 25 km/15.5 mi – Average 6 hrs–Difficulty 2/3.
Finding the courage to face our fears and stepping outside our comfort zone can lead us to self-discovery. The route today is a nice and leisurely walk over gentle slopes and through woodland, combined with some stretches along the road, which you will have to cross on occasions.

Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 8 AMENAL–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

Approximately 15 km/9.5 mi – Average 4 hrs – Difficulty 2/3.
Our experiences and encounters are waymarks to the inner path. This is the last stage of your Camino de Santiago. Today, distance will not matter. There is a climb to San Marcos, from Lavacolla, passing Monte do Gozo before descending to Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations, you made it! If you have walked all stages of the Camino, you will receive your Pilgrim Certificate. Give thanks by attending the MassMass Pilgrim Mass in the magnificent Cathedral.

Breakfast Breakfast
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Day 9 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–FINISTERRE–MUXIA–SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

You have reached your goal; now reach the end of the world. Complete the experience with a morning excursion by coach to the stunning Cape Finisterre peninsula, on the Atlantic Ocean, believed in Roman times to be the end of the world. Stop in Muxia, a small town on the coast, and visit the Sanctuary of our Lady of the Boat. This very scenic region not only offers wild beauty, but also delicious seafood and interesting legends. Return to Santiago in the early afternoon and meet your Local Guide for a guided walking sightseeing tour of the magical old city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today's Distance by coach: 117 mi / 187 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 10 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA–MADRID

Take the spiritual growth and appreciation for simple things back home with you. This is your most important souvenir of the Camino. Today we transfer to the Santiago train station to catch a train to Madrid (you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage). Your Tour Director will be at hand for any assistance or suggestions on how to spend the last night in the Spanish capital.
Today’s Distance by train: 373 mi / 600 km

Breakfast Breakfast

Day 11 MADRID

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning

Breakfast Breakfast

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)

No Excursions are available at this time.

 Private Touring

Private Touring: Cosmos European Private Touring enables you to experience all of the attractions, sights and highlights of your selected Cosmos tour as a private experience - delivered just for you and your traveling party. With Private Touring, you'll have your own dedicated Tour Director, your own private transportation and driver, and your own professional local guides. All with greater flexibility in pace and your experience. For your selected tour, there will be additional per-person cost for the size of your party - from 1 to 24. This additional supplement is reduced with each traveler you add to your party. Here's a sample of the additional cost:

6 guests in a party: $637*
14 guests in a party: $33*

Contact Cosmos or your preferred travel agent for pricing for your specific party size as well as any other information on Cosmos Private Touring.

*Supplement pricing is per person (USD) and will be added to the standard published price for your given departure date and is based on availability. Supplement price is valid for 2021 travel year. Occasionally some included and optional activities & excursions may be operated with other guests. Additional restrictions may apply. Not applicable for custom groups. No Group allowances or promotions are available on Private Touring. Published itineraries only. Note that blackout dates may exist where the Private Touring option is not available.


The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).