SPAIN

FROM PAU (France) to NOUVELLE-AQUITAINE

REF # 1601-COMP-ACC

COMPOSTELA BY MINIBUS AND BY FOOT

“THE COMPLETE” CAMINO FRANCÈS

ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL
SMALL GROUP: from 5 to 15 people

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE: from 5 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.

COMPOSTELA BY MINIBUS AND ON FOOT, THE COMPLETE CAMINO FRANCÈS, ACCOMPANIED TRIP

The “complete” CAMINO FRANCÈS, the historic Spanish path from the foot of the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela: a circuit halfway between a historical journey and a gentle hike, in the comfort of a guide/driver. On average, 3 to 5 hours of walking per day on the most beautiful sections of this mythical 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

En route to symbolic places on this path of nearly 800 km between the Pyrenees and Santiago: Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Puerto la Reina, Burgos, the “Meseta”, Leon, Astorga, the monastery of Samos and the arrival at the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela. To complete this exceptional journey, a detour to Cabo Fenestrera, the westernmost cape of Spain on the Atlantic coast with return via the Cantabrian coast: a glimpse of the Camino Del Norte – or Northern Way – another great Compostela route in Spain.

DEPARTURE DATES FROM

PAU (France)

TOUR DATES

Start of the Tour

A Sunday at 9 am

End of the Tour

A Saturday at 5 pm

First Departure

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Other Departure

April 30, 2023
May 7, 14 & 28, 2023
June 11, 2023
July 2 & 16, 2023
August 20, 2023
September 3, 17 & 24, 2023
October 15, 2023
October 29, 2023

AIRPORTS

Suggested airports of arrival and departure:

BORDEAUX or TOULOUSE, then by train to Pau (Approx. 2.5 hrs).
Please note: Direct flights to/from Canada to these destinations are only available on certain weekdays.

Or PARIS, then by train to Pau (Approx. 4.5 hours) – Direct daily return flights.

Book flights and transfers (trains) to and from PAU according to your choice of dates and destinations.

PROGRAM

FRIDAY – Departure from Montréal or other Canadian airport.

DAY 1 (SATURDAY) : PAU (France)
Arrival in Pau and to the hotel – The departure of the tour starting on Sunday morning, this night is essential to be ready for the departure of the next day at 9 am. Dinner not included.

DAY 2 (SUNDAY – Start of Tour): PAU (France) – RONCEVAUX (Espagne)
Meeting at 9 am at the PAU train station – Transfer then hike in a loop towards the Col de RONCEVEAUX and visit f its legendary Collegiate Church. Picnic on the way. Night at RONCEVEAUX. Dinner.
Transfer: 3 hrs / Hiking: 8 km

DAY 3 (MONDAY) : RONCEVAUX-PAMPLONA-PUENTE DE LA REINA
Descent along the path to PAMPLONA with a visit to the cathedral and the picturesque city center. Transfer and picnic en route. Supper and night in PUENTE DE LA REINA.
Transfer: 35 min / Hiking: 15 km

DAY 4 (TUESDAY): PUENTE DE LA REINA – ESTELLA
The walking path goes through the beautiful villages of MAÑERU and CIRAUQUI LORCA in the vast panoramas of Navarre. Picnic on the way. Dinner and accommodation in one of the most beautiful villages of the region: ESTELLA.
Transfer: 10 min / Hiking: 18 km

DAY 5 (WEDNESDAY): ESTELLA – SANTO DOMINGO DE LA CALZADA – BURGOS
Transfer to the RIOJA and visit of one of the most beautiful cathedrals of the region in SANTO DOMINGO de la Rioja, walk in the Montes de Oca to the church of SAN JUAN DE ORTEGA. Picnic on the way. At the end of the day, transfer to BURGOS, a masterpiece of world architecture. Dinner and accommodation in Burgos.
Transfer: 2.25 hrs / Hiking: 12 km

DAY 6 (THURSDAY): BURGOS – HONTANAS – CASTROJERIZ
Visit to Burgos, the city of the Cid and its famous gothic cathedral. Hike from HONTANAS to CASTROJERIZ, visit of this charming village of Romanesque structure, perched on a hill and dominated by its castle. Picnic on the way. Supper and night in Castrojeriz.
Transfer: 45 mins / Hiking: 10 km

DAY 7 (FRIDAY): CASTROJERIZ – BOADILLA DEL CAMINO – FROMISTA
Hike along the most interesting paths between CASTROJERIZ and FROMISTA or the entire route of this day (as chosen by each participant) in the Castilian Meseta, a rugged and beautiful landscape of the Land of the Cid. In FROMISTA, the church of St. Martin, a marvel of Romanesque art, is an exact replica of the cathedral of Jaca. Picnic on the way. Dinner and overnight stay in Fromista.
Transfer: 10 min / Hiking: 20 km (or less if desired)

DAY 8 (SATURDAY): FROMISTA – LÉON – ASTORGA
Transfer to LEON and visit its cathedral which is, similar to the one in BURGOS, one of the most important in Spain. Picnic on the way. Dinner and accommodation in ASTORGA, capital of the Margotera, with its cathedral, its episcopal palace and its Roman remains.
Transfer: 2 hrs

DAY 9 (SUNDAY): ASTORGA – VILLA FRANCA DEL BIERZO
Through the wild Montes de Leon, passing through amazing hamlets and mountain villages: a hike in one of the most symbolic places of the Camino Francès to the Iron Cross, Foncebadon, El Acebo and down to Molinaseca. Picnic on the way. Dinner and accommodation in VILLA FRANCA DEL BIERZO.
Transfer: 1.25 hrs / Hiking: 18 km

DAY 10 (MONDAY): VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO – O CEBREIRO – SAMOS (ou SARRIA)
The country of O’Bierzo and its famous villages with thatched roofs (pallozas), walk to the perched village of O’Cebreiro, then transfer to the elegant monastery of Samos (visit). Picnic on the way. Dinner and night in SAMOS or SARRIA.
Transfer: 1.25 hrs / Hiking: 13.5 km

DAY 11 (TUESDAY): SAMOS (ou SARRIA) – PORTOMARIN – LAVACOLLA
Walk through the deep Galicia: hamlets, granaries and oak forests. Passage to PORTOMARIN and visit of its church-fortress. Picnic on the way. Dinner and accommodation in LAVACOLLA.
Transfer: 2 hrs / Hiking: 22 km

DAY 12 (WEDNESDAY): LAVACOLLA – SANTIAGO
Short hike from LAVACOLLA to SANTIAGO passing by the “Monte del Gozo” or “Mountain of Joy” overlooking the city of SANTIAGO. We will have plenty of time to visit this beautiful city and its cathedral, the highest point of pilgrimages and a architectural jewel. Picnic on the way. Supper and night in SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA.
Hiking: 10 km

DAY 13 (THURSDAY): SANTIAGO – CAP FINISTERRE – SANTIAGO
Transfer to the legendary and most western cape of the Iberian Peninsula: CAPE FINISTERRA or “End of the Earth”, a place where pilgrims used to burn their clothes as a sign of purification. Picnic on the way. Dinner and overnight in SANTIAGO.

DAY 14 (FRIDAY): SANTIAGO – CÔTE ATLANTIQUE – COMILLAS OU ENVIRONS
Return to France following the Cantabrian coast, which allows us to have a glimpse of another Spanish path to Compostela: the CAMINO DEL NORTE. Picnic on the way. Supper and night on the road, in COMILLAS or surroundings.
Transfer: 5.25 hrs

DAY 15 (SATURDAY – End of Tour): ARRIVAL IN France (PAU)
Continuation of the return journey – arrival in PAU approximately 5 pm.

The arrival time of the end of the accompanied tour being approximate, night in Pau is unavoidable – Dinner on your own and accommodation.

DAY 16 (SUNDAY):
Return to Bordeaux, Toulouse or Paris, then to Canada.

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The departure of a group is guaranteed from 5 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 PAU to PAU at the foot of the Pyrenees.

From CAD $3,295 per person, double occupancy.
Single room supplement: on request and according to availability.

INCLUDED

Accommodation: In comfortable and welcoming 1*, 2** and 3*** regional hotels (15 nights). Rooms with private bath/shower and toilet during the whole trip (occasionally and according to availability, sharing of toilets on the floor).
15 breakfasts, 13 picnic lunches, 13 dinners.
Professional and certified guide, specializing in local culture.
French speaking guide, from Pau to Pau, 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 DEL NORTE

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

COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN: “THE COMPLETE” CAMINO FRANCÈS