Pilgrimage Route to Santiago: the sea route

Day 1

ITALY / VIGO (-/-/D)
Pick-up from Santiago de Compostela airport or from the train station (arrival by 3:00 pm required) and meeting with the guides. Transfer to Vigo for dinner and overnight.

Day 2

VIGO / PONTEVEDRA (B/L/D)
Transfer to Soutomaior, where the horses will be waiting for us. Later we will reach Pontevedra for dinner and overnight.

Day 3

PONTEVEDRA / CAMBADOS (B/L/D)
Leaving Pontevedra, we overlook the coasts of Sanxenxo and the island of Ons, protected since it was declared a natural area. We admire the O Grove peninsula and A Toxa island, some of the most famous spots in the region. The route then crosses many vineyards before reaching Cambados, a town made up of the historic cores of Cambados, Fefiñans, and Santo Tomé do Mar. It offers a significant number of historical and artistic monuments, such as Cortegada.

Day 4

CAMBADOS / VILAGARCÍA (B/L/D)
We leave Cambados and, at the entrance to the Ría de Arousa, we can see the coast of the island of Sálvora. We continue north, passing by A Illa de Arousa. This island, located in the middle of the Arousa estuary, is the largest in the ria, with its rugged coastline and numerous beaches.

Day 5

VILAGARCÍA / PADRÓN (B/L/D)
Today's itinerary follows the course of the Ulla River, towards Pontecesures and the old river port of Iria Flavia in the Padron area. Soon, along both riverbanks, appear the lands of Valga and Dodro. Valga has a remarkable complex of Romanesque churches (12th century), such as the church of Xanza (renovated in the 17th–18th centuries), Campaña, and Cordeiro. Near the chapel of Os Martores (“martyrs”) there is a necropolis where it is believed that Priscillian and his disciples may have been buried, their bodies brought to Galicia from Trier (Germany). From Pontecesures we continue until we reach Padron.

Day 6

PADRÓN / SANTIAGO (B/L/D)
We ride towards the baroque sanctuary of Nosa Señora da Escravitude, through the woods, up to Castro Lupario. We finally arrive at the famous Gothic crossroads of Cala (15th century), one of the oldest in Galicia, near the gates of Compostela, the end point of all western pilgrimage routes. Overnight in Santiago.

Day 7

SANTIAGO / ITALY (B/-/-)
Breakfast, visit of the cathedral, and transfer to Santiago airport or the train station.

Note:
The itinerary described above is indicative. It may be subject to changes depending on weather conditions or circumstances beyond our control. Itineraries of 5, 6, 8, and 9 nights are available.

(B/L/D): B = breakfast; L = lunch; D = dinner
Difficulty level: From ° to °°°°°
DURATION: varies depending on the selected program
DIFFICULTY: °°° (INTERMEDIATE)
ACCOMMODATION: hostels and small hotels
EQUIPMENT: English saddle, Spanish saddle
HORSES: Andalusians, Arab-Spanish, Arabs, Anglo-Arabs – well-balanced and well-trained, with good temperament and used to the routes and terrain.
PACE: 6 to 7 hours per day in the saddle. All three paces are used, but the main one is the walk. Terrain is not particularly challenging, but good physical condition is required due to the many hours riding each day.
WHAT TO BRING: comfortable riding clothing suitable for long hours in the saddle, including waterproof gear; protective helmet; water bottle; waist pouch; sunscreen; insect repellent; basic first-aid medicines.
TYPE: itinerant route with overnight stays in hostels

ACCOMMODATION:
Small hotels, guesthouses, hostels. Mostly with private bathrooms.
Breakfast, lunch (picnic), and dinner included.

Guaranteed shared departure dates:
25/04 – 01/05 SEA ROUTE from PONTEVEDRA  7 days / 6 nights
12/07 – 17/07 ATLANTIC COAST SEA ROUTE   6 days / 5 nights

Additional departure dates available on request year-round with a minimum of 4 participants.
PARTICIPANTS: MIN 4 – MAX 20