SPAIN

DEPARTURE FROM SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ (France) to NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE

REF # 1602-COMP-ACC

COMPOSTELA BY MINIBUS AND BY FOOT

“THE COMPLETE” CAMINO DEL NORTE

ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL
SMALL GROUP: from 6 to 15 people

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE: from 6 participants
LENGTH: 16 days – 15 nights
15 breakfasts – 13 picnics – 13 dinners

HIKING LEVEL: EASY to MODERATE – The choice of the most beautiful hikes.

BY MINIBUS: From one hike to another.

LUGGAGE TRANSPORTED: Hiking with only a small day pack.

ALL INCLUSIVE tour accompanied by French speaking guides.

The complete CAMINO DEL NORTE, on the great Spanish path along the Cantabrian Coast and the Atlantic Ocean, from the foot of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela.

The “Complete” CAMINO DEL NORTE”, on this great Spanish path along the Cantabrian Coast and the Atlantic Ocean, from the foot of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela: a tour halfway between a historical journey and a moderate hike, in comfort of guide/driver. On average, 3 to 5 hours of walking per day on the most beautiful sections of this path with cultural and tourist visits. Whether you are a pilgrim or a hiker, COMPOSTELA – or THE PATH OF THE STARS – never leaves you indifferent. A unique and original journey.

HIGHLIGHTS

On the way to symbolic places on this path of almost 800 km between the Pyrenees and Santiago: crossing the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia, with the presence of the mountains and the ocean – The Cantabrian Coast: cliffs, traditional villages and small fishing ports. The prestigious city of Oviedo and the arrival in Santiago de Compostela and its cathedral. Return by the CAMINO FRANCÈS for a glimpse of this other great Spanish road to Compostela, also in the north of Spain.

DEPARTURE DATES FROM

ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ (France)

TOUR DATES

Start of the Tour

A Sunday at 9 am

End of the Tour

A Saturday at 11 pm

First Departure

Sunday April 23, 2023

Other Departure

May 7 & 21, 2023
June 11 & 25, 2023
July 9 & 23, 2023
August 13, 2023
Septembre 10 & 24, 2023
Octobre 8, 2023
October 22, 2023

AIRPORTS

Suggested airports of arrival and departure: [/su_column]

BORDEAUX, then by train to St-Jean-de-Luz (about 2.5 hrs).
Please note: Direct flights from/to Canada are only available on certain days of the week to this destination.

Or PARIS, then by train to St-Jean-de-Luz (about 4.5 hrs).
Daily direct return flights.

Reservations for flights and transfers (trains) to and from ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ according to your choice of dates and destinations.

PROGRAM

FRIDAY – Departure from Montréal or other Canadian airport.

DAY 1 (SATURDAY): ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ (France)
Arrival in St-Jean-de-Luz and drop off at hotel – The tour starts on Sunday morning, this night is essential to be ready for the departure of the next day at 9 am. Dinner is on your own.

DAY 2 (SUNDAY – Start of Tour) : ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ (France)– JAIZKIBEL – SAN SEBASTIAN (Spain)
Meeting at 9 am at the ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ train station. Short transfer to the border and then up a small road to the first mountain of the Pyrenees: the Jaizkibel mountain, which overlooks the ocean and is ideal for a magnificent warm-up walk. Drive to San Sebastian, a holiday resort where the church of St. Vincent (16th century) houses a beautiful Romanesque altarpiece. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging^.
Hiking: 4 hrs – Distance: 16 km

DAY 3 (MONDAY) : SAN SEBASTIAN – ZUMAIA – MARKINA XENEIM
Transfer to Zumaia and discovery of a surprising and wild coastline above the cliffs of Flysch between Zumaia and Deba where we will be able to admire in the church of Santa Maria la Real an impressive porch in the pure Basque Gothic style. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 5 hrs – Distance: 15 km

DAY 4 (TUESDAY) : MARKINA – BILBAO
Discovery of the bay of Urdabaï, then a little further on of the Hermitage of Gaztelugatxe: perched on its peninsula, it dominates the ocean like a mini Mont-Michel. Discovery of Bilbao, a city full of history: Santiago Cathedral, the typical old neighborhoods next to the ultra modern Guggenheim Museum and its surroundings. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 2.5 hrs – Distance: 10 km

DAY 5 (WEDNESDAY) : CASTRO URDIALES – LAREDO ou SANTONA
The historic port of CASTRO URDIALES, in Cantabria, is dominated by the imposing church of Santa Maria, worthy of a cathedral. Beyond it is the picturesque confrontation of the mountain and the ocean. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 3.5 hrs – Distance: 15 km

DAY 6 (THURSDAY) : >LAREDO (SANTONA) – SANTANDER – SANTILLANA del MAR – COMILLAS
Green spaces between Santander and Santillana Del Mar, near Altamira and its prehistoric caves. Walk from Cobreces to the legendary Comillas next to sometimes lush vegetation. Night in Comillas or around Santillana. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 3 hrs – Distance: 9 km

DAY 7 (FRIDAY) : COMILLAS (SANTILLANA) – SAN VINCENTE / BARQUERA – LlANES
Passage to San Vincente, a superb village-port along a “ria” with its hospital of the Concepcion and its church of the XVIIIth century then arrival in the charming city of Llanes, with an interesting defensive and religious heritage, also port and city of holiday with its small air of Venice and its arm of sea insinuating itself between the houses. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 3 hrs – Distance: 13 km

DAY 8 (SATURDAY) : LLANES – OVIEDO
Transfert le long de la Transfer along the coast to Oviedo to discover the monastery of Valdedios and the monumental city of Oviedo, capital of the kingdom of Asturias with its pre-Romanesque and religious buildings and palaces. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 4 hrs – Distance: 16 km

DAY 9 (SUNDAY) : OVIEDO ET SES ENVIRONS
Pre-Romanesque churches around Oviedo. Loop hike passing by the monastery of San Salvador. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 4 hrs – Distance: 15 km

DAY 10 (MONDAY) : OVIEDO -TINEO – POLA DE ALLENDE
Superb hike in the mountains from Tineo to El Fresno where a path through the woods takes us to the Piedratecha Pass and lovely little hamlets. Picnic on the way. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 3.5 hrs – Distance: 13 km

DAY 11 (TUESDAY) : POLA DE ALLENDE – LUGO
The highest point of the route is the Palo Pass and the descent to Lugo, a historical city with Roman walls Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 3.5 hrs – Distance: 13 km

DAY 12 (WEDNESDAY) : LUGO – MELIDE
A beautiful section between Ferreira and Vilouriz, then the junction with another Spanish path, that of the CAMINO FRANCÈS in Melide. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 3 hrs – Distance: 12 km

DAY 13 (THURSDAY) : MELIDE – SANTIAGO
Arrivée à St-Arrival in Santiago de Compostela: unique city, exceptional cathedral and unforgettable atmosphere. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Hiking: 1.25 hrs – Distance: 5 km

DAY 14 (FRIDAY) : SANTIAGO – VITTORIA DE GASTEIZ
Return to France by the CAMINO FRANCÈS, the other Spanish way to Compostela, passing by Leon and Burgos and with small stops according to the guide’s taste. Night in Vitoria-Gasteiz in the heart of the Basque Country. Picnic on the way. Dinner and lodging.
Transfer: 7 hrs

DAY 15 (SATURDAY – End of Tour) : VITTORIA DE GASTEIZ – ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ (France)
Continuing the road to France – Arrival in St-JEAN-DE-LUZ around 1 pm. The arrival time of the accompanied tour being approximate, night in St-Jean-de-Luz is unavoidable. Lunch and dinner on your own. Lodging.
Transfer: 2 hrs

DAY 16 (SUNDAY) : ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ
Return to Bordeaux or Paris, then to Canada.

NOTE: Depending on the flight schedule, additional night to be considered in one of these cities, before returning to Canada. Reservation on demand according to your choice of dates and airport.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The departure of a group is guaranteed from 6 participants.
Luggage transported: During the walking tours, you walk only with a small daypack.
French speaking tour guide.
The guide will sometimes let the group walk alone – on easy and frequented sections of the route – in order to ensure certain logistical aspects of this tour.
Depending on the size of the group (min. 5 participants, max. 15 participants), transfers can be made by bus, minibus or cab.

RATES

Land only program, from ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ à ST-JEAN-DE-LUZ, at the foot of the Pyrenees.

From CAD $3,355 per person, double occupancy.
Single room supplement: on request and according to availability.

INCLUDED

Accommodation: In local 1*, 2** and 3*** hotels (15 nights), comfortable and welcoming. All rooms with bath and/or shower, private toilets (occasionally and according to availability, sharing of toilets on the floor).
15 breakfasts, 13 picnic lunches on the way, 13 dinners.
Luggage transport (max. 2 pieces of luggage of 11-12 kg)
French-speaking guide (certified guide specializing in local culture) during the tour from day 2 to day 15.
All transfers indicated in the program.

NOT INCLUDED

International and/or domestic flights and return train transfers at the beginning and end of the tour (rates according to your choice of dates and destinations).
Lunch on day 15 and dinners on days 1 and 15.
Tickets for the tour visits.
Drinks, tips and personal expenses.
Travel insurance (recommended).

INFORMATION / RESERVATIONS :

www.nicolevoyage.com 450-455-0991 Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991
www.euro-rando.com 514-386-1704

Program (In French, PDF Format) (Acrobat Reader required)

RESERVE OR REQUEST A QUOTE

Other Tours – COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN

COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN: “THE COMPLETE” CAMINO FRANCÈS

COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN: THE “COMPLETE” DE LA VIA DE LA PLATA

COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN: “THE COMPLETE” CAMINO DEL NORTE