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

SPAIN

FROM PAU (France) to Nouvelle-Aquitaine

REF # 1603-COMP-ACC

COMPOSTELA BY MINIBUS AND WALKING

THE COMPLETE ROUTE VIA DE LA PLATA

ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL
SMALL GROUP: from 6 to 15 people

GUARANTEED DEPARTURE: from 6 participants
LENGTH: 17 days – 16 nights
16 breakfasts – 15 picnics – 14 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” Via de la Plata, one of the great Spanish pilgrimage routes, still little visited and linking Seville in the south to Santiago de Compostela in the northwest: a circuit halfway between a historical journey and gentle hiking, in comfort with 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

An extraordinary journey in an unsuspected Spain, from Andalusia to Galicia. Discover a remarkable heritage by following the Roman way from Seville through monumental cities such as Zafra, Mérida and Salamanca, an itinerary lined with cities and villages that are often part of the world heritage, through green hills and sierras. Still “unknown but in the making” and attracting more and more walkers, the Via de la Plata offers a great journey with all the diversity of its landscape, natural, cultural and historical riches. Still “unknown but in the making” and attracting more and more walkers, the Via de la Plata offers a great journey with all the diversity of its landscape, natural, cultural and historical riches.


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
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Other Departures
May 6, 2023
June 3, 2023
Septembre 9, 2023
October 21, 2023

AIRPORTS

Suggested airports of arrival and departure:

  • BORDEAUX orTOULOUSE, 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

THURSDAY – Departure from Montréal or other Canadian airport.

DAY 1 (FRIDAY): PAU (France)
Arrival in Pau and drop off at hotel. The departure of the tour being on Saturday 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 (SATURDAY – Start of Tour): PAU (France) – ARANJUEZ (Espagne)
Meeting at 9 am at the train station in PAU – Transfer to the Madrid area. Dinner and lodging in Aranjuez or surroundings.
Transfer: 7 hrs (Interspersed with breaks along the way)

DAY 3 (SUNDAY): ARANJUEZ – SÉVILLE
Arrival in Seville in the afternoon. First approach and visit of the city. Dinner and lodging.
Transfer: 5 hrs (Interspersed with breaks along the way) – Hiking: 1 hr

DAY 4 (MONDAY): SÉVILLE – CASTILBLANCO
Continuation of the visit to Seville and hike among olive and orange trees in the hills approaching the Andalusian sierras. Dinner and accommodation in the village of Castilblanco – the “white castle”, founded on an ancient Muslim fortress.
Transfer: 1 hr / Hiking 12 km – Duration: 3 to 4 hrs

DAY 5 (TUESDAY): CASTILBLANCO – ZAFRA
Through the beautiful and peaceful sierras of Seville, the green landscapes are surprising and the typical Andalusian villages are full of history. Passage from Andalusia to Extremadura. Dinner and accommodation in the monumental city of Zafra.
Transfer: 1.5 hrs / Hiking: 13 km – Duration: 3.5 hrs to 4 hrs

DAY 6 (WEDNESDAY): ZAFRA – MÉRIDA
Hike through vineyards and orchards and then enter Merida, the ancient Roman capital of “Lusitania”, via the impressive Roman bridge over the Rio Guadania. World Heritage Site, its “Roman city” welcomes you with its theaters, amphitheaters, aqueducts, temples and incredibly well preserved remains. Dinner and accommodation in Merida.
Transfer: 45 mins / Hiking: 14 km – Duration: 3 to 4 hrs

DAY 7 (THURSDAY): MÉRIDA – CACERES
Between vineyards, clear cork oak forests and undergrowth pastures, we continue crossing Extremadura, the most rural region of Spain. Arrival in Caceres, a monumental and historic city, with its old quarter surrounded by Arab walls, its cobbled streets and stately homes: a marvel declared a World Heritage Site. Dinner and accommodation in Caceres.
Transfer: 45 mins / Hiking: 13 km – Duration: 3.5 to 4 hrs

DAY 8 (FRIDAY): CACERES – BAÑOS DE MONTEMAYOR
Passing near the Lake of Alcantara, then Galisteo and its fortified town. Milliaries and Roman remains, churches and chapels line this route, in the heart of Extremadura. Dinner and accommodation in Baños de Montemayor, a renowned spa since the Roman period.
Transfer: 1 hr / Hiking: 12 km – Duration: 3.5 hrs

DAY 9 (SATURDAY): BAÑOS DE MONTEMAYOR – SALAMANCA
Entering Castile on the ancient Roman road through the amazing Sierra de Bejar. The crossing of an old Roman bridge gives access to the extraordinary city of Salamanca, also belonging to the “heritage of humanity”. This oldest university in Spain has preserved its old monumental quarter. Dinner and accommodation in Salamanca.
Transfer: 1 hr / Hiking: 14 km – Duration: 4 hrs

DAY 10 (SUNDAY): SALAMANCA – ZAMORA
Calzada de Valdurciel and its beautiful church – El Cubo de la Tierra del Vino and a walk along the Roman road. Arrival in Zamora, the most important Romanesque architectural complex in Spain with its cathedral, twenty-four churches, castle and walls. Dinner and accommodation.
Transfer: 45 mins / Hiking: 14 km – Duration: 3.5 to 4 hrs

DAY 11 (MONDAY): ZAMORA – RIBADELAGO
Incursion into the wild Sierra de la Culebra and the mountainous landscape of oak and chestnut trees of the Tera river valley, with its typical villages and the ancient fortress of the Templars of Monbuey. Dinner and accommodation in the charming village of Puebla de Sanabria.
Transfer: 1.5 hrs / Hiking: 18 km – Duration: 4.5 hrs

DAY 12 (TUESDAY): RIBADELAGO – XUNQUEIRA DE AMBIA
Entering Galicia and discovering this beautiful and magical rural region and its undulating and mountainous landscapes. We will pass through many picturesque hamlets and villages with their silos, chapels and crosses along the way. Dinner and accommodation in the vicinity of Vilar de Barrio.
Transfer: 1.5 hrs / Hiking: 20 km – Duration: 5 hrs to 5.5 hrs

DAY 13 (WEDNESDAY): XUNQUEIRA DE AMBIA – LALIN
Discovery of the imposing monastery of Oseira and continuation through the hamlets, fields and forests of Galicia. Dinner and accommodation in Lalin.
Transfer: 1 hrs / Hiking: 17 km – Duration: 5 hrs

DAY 14 (THURSDAY): LALIN – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELLA
Short hike from Susana to Santiago de Compostela and entry into the city through the Camino Real. Visit its exceptional heritage and the cathedral, a masterpiece of universal architecture.
Transfer: 30 mins / Hiking: 8 km – Duration: 2.5 hrs

DAY 15 (FRIDAY): SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – SANTILLANA DEL MAR
Return to France with a few stops on the Camino del Norte, the Spanish northern route linking Santiago to the foot of the Pyrenees along the Atlantic and the Cantabrian coast. Dinner and accommodation near Santillana des Mar.

DAY 16 (SATURDAY): SANTILLANA DEL MAR – PAU (France)
Continuation of the return route – Arrival in PAU around 5 pm.
The time of arrival of the end of the accompanied tour being approximate, night in Pau is unavoidable – Free dinner and accommodation.

DAY 17 (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 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. 6 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 $3,945 per person, double occupancy.*
  • Single room supplement: on request and according to availability.

INCLUDED

  • Accommodation : In regional 1*, 2** or bed and breakfast hotels (16 nights) comfortable and welcoming. Rooms with private bath/shower and toilet during the whole trip (occasionally and according to availability, sharing of toilets on the floor).
  • 16 breakfasts, 15 picnic lunches, 14 dinners.
  • Professional and certified guide, specializing in local culture.
  • French speaking guide, from Pau to Pau, from day 2 to day 16.
  • 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).
  • Dinners on days 1 and 16.
  • 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)

 


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 Call Center: (450) 455-0991
Total: 3 945 $ From 3 945 $ /person