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