8 day Camino Portuguese Pack Free Walk
A Pack Free guided 8 day walk from Porto
This Camino walk has been specifically designed for Australians with limited time, that wants to experience the Camino track from Portugal. On this 8 day Pack Free walk, we follow the pilgrim route from the Portuguese town of Porto to the end of the camino in Spain at Santiago de Compostela. As this walk includes the last 100kms into Santiago de Compostela, guests are entitled to receive the pilgrim certificate – the Compostela. We have specifically chosen the traditional inland camino route over the Coastal Portuguese Camino, as we believe it is a better route showcasing gentle hills and forests, past quaint villages and historic towns as well as the pretty countryside. We have hand-picked our accommodation in each region ensuring you will enjoy the best accommodation available many with historical significance. Plus you’ll indulge in high-quality local cuisine accompanied by fine wines.
Explore the Pilgrim Trail of the Portuguese Camino
Pack Free Walking Holiday
This walk is designed as a Pack Free walking allowing our guests to enjoy the landscapes they walk, without the burden of carrying a heavy pack. After all, walks should be enjoyed not endured. Each day our guests will walk with a small day pack big enough to carry your lunch, water and camera and your bags will be transported to your accommodation each day.
The best hand-picked hotels in each region
In each region we have walked we have handpicked the best accommodation in each area to ensure we provide a superb experience for our guests. We spend 4 nights in the exclusive Parador Hotels, these grand hotels offer the utmost in comfort and luxury as well as a superior dining experience. Whilst in Ponte De Lima we have a feature stay at the elegant Hotel Paco de Vitorino a 16th-century mansion.
Superb Guides and Support
Guides are essential in delivering the ultimate walking experience. You’ll be accompanied by a local guide who has a passion and enthusiasm for the area and a second host guide one of our experienced Senior Guides from Australia who will accompany you for the entire trip ensuring we deliver a world-class walk. We don’t outsource our operations, all tours are created and run by us, with staff on hand in Portugal and Spain to offer all the support you require.
Fabulous meals featuring local produce
When you are travelling in another country, discovering the local cuisine is one of the delights of travelling. The Parador hotels are renowned for having the best restaurant in town featuring high quality and creative cuisine. During your stay at these hotels, you’ll enjoy fine a la carte dining accompanied by local wines. Whilst in Barcelos we will dine at a local restaurant featuring fresh produce of the region.
Flexible walks
The traditional Portuguese camino covers 230kms. Our walks cover a maximum of 131kms with the flexibility to walk less by opting for shorter walking days if desired or to take a break from walking and enjoy a free day to explore the main town or city at your own pace.
Personalised Tours
All tours are small and intimate with a maximum group size of 12 people. However, if you have a bigger group please contact us for details.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Why Choose Us
8 Day Portuguese Camino walk Inclusions
Your 8 day walking holiday includes:
- Pack Free fully supported walk with no heavy packs to carry
- 1 night accommodation in the heart of the town at the quirky Art’Otel Barcelos
- 1 night accommodation at the superb Hotel Paco De Vitorino
- 1 night accommodation at the historic Parador de Tui
- 2 nights accommodation at the superb Parador de Pontevedra
- 1 night accommodation at the historic Hotel Pazo de Lestrove
- 1 night accommodation at the superb Parador de Santiago de Compostela
- 6 delicious lunches
- 7 x Dinners every evening featuring local produce
- Complimentary wines with evening meals
- 8 x Hot and cold breakfasts
- Professional and passionate guides
- Transfers to the trail
- Pickups in Porto, Portugal day 1
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Tour Itinerary
Walk Arcos to Barcelos
Guests will need to organise their own flights to Porto in Portugal the day prior to the tour. Direct flights to Porto operate throughout the day from many locations including Lisbon (1 hour flight), Madrid (1 hour 15 min flight), London (2 hour 25 min flight) and many other European ports.
Meet your guide at 7.30am in the foyer of the NH Collection Hotel, Porto. This morning we transfer from Porto to Arcos (35 mins). Today’s walk takes us from the town of Arcos to Barcelos. During this first stage of the Portuguese Way, we will walk through gentle hills and forests, past rural areas of fields of corn bordered by grapes and passing through small villages. Before reaching the pretty town of Barcelos, we must first cross an old stone bridge, Ponte Medieval de Barcelos.
The city of Barcelos is situated in the heart of Minho, and more than 700 years of history are present in the artistic and cultural heritage of the historical city centre. Home of the elegant and colourful ceramic rooster, according to local legend the rooster saved the life of a traveller that was wrongly accused of theft by crowing his innocence. This evening we spend the evening at the quirky Art’Otel, Barcelos. Situated in the heart of the town, this hotel has shops and cafes on your doorstep. Tonight enjoy dinner in a local restaurant enjoying traditional Portuguese cuisine accompanied with local wines.
Easier Option: For those after an easier walking option today, travel with the second guide to Barcelos for some free time. At lunchtime, the guide will transport you to the town of Pedra Furada where you will meet the group and walk from Pedra Furada to Barcelos.
Transfer times:
Morning transfer to start of the walk. 35 mins
Afternoon: walk directly into your hotel.
Walk Lugar do Corgo to Ponte De Lima
We enjoy breakfast at the hotel before setting out on the day’s walk. Today our walk takes us from Lugar do Corgo to the historic town of Ponte De Lima. We will walk through pretty rural areas passing through olive groves, vineyards and fields. We travel along both trails and Roman cobblestone roads, passing through small villages with their active locals. The route today takes us gradually closer to the valley of the Lima River, where the village of Ponte da Lima is located, the oldest in Portugal. The cobblestoned streets are a delight to walk through and there are many points of interest including museums, historic houses and a prison tower. The medieval bridge spanning the Lima River has Roman foundations but was rebuilt in 1368. After some free time in Ponte de Lima we have a short transfer to our accommodation Hotel Paco de Vitorino. This 16th-century mansion has been transformed into an elegant hotel with a swimming pool to enjoy after our day’s walk. When we arrive we enjoy a tour of this historic place including the coach house and wine-making cellar. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel served with fine wines.
Easier Option: Guests after an easier walking day can walk 9.5kms from Facha to Ponte De Lima. Enjoy a free morning in Ponte de Lima before travelling with the guide to Facha to join the group. Alternatively, enjoy a full day at leisure in Ponte de Lima to explore this historic town.
Transfer times:
Morning transfer to start of the walk. 27 mins
Afternoon: transfer to your accommodation: 12 mins
Walk O Porrino to Redondela
We enjoy breakfast before departing the hotel. During this morning’s transfer, we will cross into Galicia, Spain near Tui. The walking route today takes us on the last 100kms of the Camino from O Porriño to Redondela. We walk though pretty countryside of grapevines and past local Spanish houses. Then head towards the villages of Sanguiñeda and Mos. Leaving the Pazo dos Marqueses behind, we start climbing the Rúa dos Cabaleiros up to the cross of “Cruceiro dos Cabaleiros”, which is thus called because of the horse fair that is held here. It is also called “Cruceiro da Vitoria” to signal the victory over Napoleon’s troops. We continue climbing towards the heights of Inxerto e Infesta, the highest point being at the chapel of Santiaguiño de Anta, where you can see several Camino-related motifs such as the Apostle or the Cross. We continue walking until we reach Redondela, with its two notable viaducts. Afterwards, we head to our accommodation at the superb Parador de Tui. This superb accommodation overlooks the town of Tui and the river. Designed like a Spanish castle the accommodation features a swimming pool and stylish restaurant and bar areas. Tonight we enjoy a superb dinner in the restaurant featuring local delicacies and wines.
Easier Option: Guests after an easier day can enjoy a free day in the historic town of Tui with its museums and shops.
Transfer times:
Morning transfer to start of the walk. 45 mins
Afternoon: transfer to your accommodation: 29 mins
Walk Redondela to Pontevedra
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the trail. Today’s walk takes us from Redondela to Pontevedra, much of the day will be spent walking along forest paths and through rural areas. There are many vineyards in this area, as well as citrus trees along our route, with beautiful views in the distance of the mountain ranges. We cross the Verdugo River in Ponte Sampaio, on this bridge Napoleon’s army suffered their greatest defeat in Galicia. From Ponte Sampaio we will continue on our way along a paved road that will take us to the Church of Santa Maria from the 13th century. From here we can take in breathtaking views of the Vigo Bay while en route to the historic city of Pontevedra. Distinguished by its Historical Centre, Pontevedra is one of the best-preserved cities in the Euro-region, boasting charming squares, such as the Plaza de la Leña with its stone crucifix, the Plaza del Teucro with its beautiful shields cut in stone and the Plaza de la Herrería with its characteristic atriums. The next two nights we spend the evening at the magnificent Parador de Pontevedra, a 16th century Renaissance Palace located in the heart of the city. This building is decorated with stately antiques, classic furniture and a grand carved stone staircase. The hotel’s restaurant is the best in the city with a magnificent menu of fine local cuisine. Dinner will be accompanied by local wines.
Easier Option: Guests after an easier day can enjoy a free day in the historic town of Pontevedra with its magnificent historic buildings.
Transfer times:
Morning transfer to start of the walk. 29 mins
Afternoon: walk directly into the hotel
Walk Pontevedra to Caldas De Reis
After breakfast at the hotel, we transfer to the trail. Today we walk from Pontevedra to Calais De Reis. Along our route we will pass through the villages of Alaba with the beautiful romanesque church of Santa Maria de Alba, as well as the villages of A Portel and Briallos. We eventually cross the Agra river and reach the town of Calais de Reis a town well known for its hot springs. Due to the remoteness of this area and lack of suitable accommodation, we transfer the short distance back to the Parador Pontevedra. Tonight we enjoy dinner in the restaurant enjoying fresh local produce and regional wines.
Easier Option: Guests after an easier day can enjoy a free day in the historic town of Pontevedra to explore its shops, museums, cafes and historic buildings or a shorter walking option of around 10kms.
Transfer times:
Morning: walk directly from the hotel.
Afternoon: transfer to your accommodation: 21 mins
Walk Caldas De Reis to Padron
After breakfast, we transfer back to the trail. This is another short and easy section and is a very beautiful stage overall. There are plenty of facilities today, you will not walk more than 5 kilometers without encountering a bar at least. The first one can be found in O Cruceiro. At this stage we will leave the province of Pontevedra and enter the province of A Coruna when crossing the bridge over the Ulla River in Pontecesures.
The most interesting stop for today will be our destination, Padrón. This town with over 8,000 inhabitants is the place where the famous Padrón peppers originate. Even today, these peppers are cultivated in this area in large numbers, yearly 15 tons are produced here.
The church of Santiago de Padron is also a very important stop for pilgrims. Inside the church, under the altar, we can find the Padrón, a granite block that was tied to the boat that carried apostle St James. The current church dates back to the 19th century and it was built over two Romanesque churches. Tonight we stay at the 16th century Hotel Pazo de Lestrove, a recreational mansion that belonged to Compostela’s archbishops. Later we will dine in a local restaurant featuring local produce and regional wines.
Transfer times:
Morning: transfer to the start of the walk: 21 mins
Afternoon: walk directly into your hotel
Easier option: Easier walking option of approximately 10-12kms available today.
Walk Padron to Santiago de Compostela
Our route from Padrón to Santiago de Compostela will pass through several small towns until we reach the historic sanctuary of A Esclavitud. From there we can see the imposing Castro Lupario fortress. We will see many crosses all along the route as we continue on our way. From Agros dos Monteiros we can see the towers of the Cathedral of Compostela. We will then walk by the ruined Castle of A Rocha Vella. Today we arrive and complete our journey right on the Square of Santiago de Compostela to admire its rich local architecture and let ourselves be captivated by its historic centre. The city of Santiago de Compostela was founded in the IX Century after the recent discovery of the tomb of Saint James. It was initially just a simple sanctuary which soon developed into a city due to the influx of pilgrims who came to pay homage. Over time it has become one of the three major cities of Christianity along with Jerusalem and Rome. Guests have the options to join the 6.30pm pilgrims service in Santiago’s cathedral. Our exclusive hotel the Parador Santiago is located in prime position in the main square overlooking the cathedral. Built in 1499 to house the walkers who were on the camino pilgrimage to Santiago this elegant hotel has been transformed into a luxury hotel offering stunning views. Tonight we dine in the vault restaurant of the hotel enjoying a celebratory a la carte meal with local wines.
Easier option: Easier walking option of approximately 10kms available today.
Transfer times:
Morning: Walk directly from your hotel
Afternoon: Walk directly into your hotel
Departure day
After breakfast our tour ends. Farewell new found friends. The end of a remarkable journey.
Flights will need to be booked today from Santiago de Compostela to your onward destination. Direct flights operate from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid (1 hour 15 min flight) and Barcelona (1 hours 40 mins).
Tour Accommodation
Art'Otel Barcelos
Night One
Situated in the centre of the charming town of Barcelos is our accommodation at the Art’Otel. This quirky boutique hotel blends stylish modern cuisine with the buildings rich stone historic walls. Each room features its own distinctive style and personality featuring custom made pieces. Room feature ensuites as well as the choice of Queen, twin beds or triple beds. This hotel is ideally located with the township on its doorstep, to enjoy strolling around the shops or visiting the local monuments.
Hotel Paco de Vitorino
Night Two
Situated near Pont De Lima lies the superb Hotel Paco de Vitorino. This 16th-century mansion has been superbly restored to create a sophisticated and elegant hotel. Be amazed by the rich history of this building when we take a tour on arrival to see the old stables with a coach, archaeological sites, cellars and even old granite tanks where wines were once made the traditional way. Set amongst baroque gardens, the property features a swimming pool to cool off after a day’s walk. Rooms feature King or twin bed configurations.
Parador de Tui
Night Three
Situated on the border of Portugal and Spain, lies the historic city of Tui. The superb Parador de Tui is a grand castle-like hotel with stunning views over the river and town. Evening meals will be enjoyed in the restaurant offering fine cuisine featuring local produce and fine wines. All rooms feature stylish decor, ensuites and king or twin beds.
Parador de Pontevedra
Night Four and Five
Situated in the historic centre of Pontevedra lies the magnificent Parador de Pontevedra, a 16th century Renaissance Palace. This building is decorated with stately antiques, classic furniture and a grand carved stone staircase. From the hotel, you can stroll through the historic town centre with its gothic Basilica or relax in a local cafe. All rooms feature an ensuite and choice of king or twin beds. In the evening we will dine in the hotel’s superb restaurant with a magnificent menu of fine local cuisine accompanied with local wines overlooking the courtyard and gardens.
Hotel de Pazo de Lestrove, Padron
Night Six
In the town of Padron, we stay at the 16th century Hotel Pazo de Lestrove, a recreational mansion that belonged to Compostela’s archbishops. Set on 50,000 square metres of gardens and woodland this hotel features both modern and traditional decor. This classic accommodation has a swimming pool, and its own chapel. Guests will stay in superior rooms with ensuites, with queen or twin beds
Parador de Santiago de Compostela
Night Seven
In the main square of Santiago de Compostela overlooking the cathedral lies the Parador de Santiago de Compostela also known as the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos. Considered the oldest hotel in the world, in 1499 this building was a Royal hospital to house the walkers who were on the camino pilgrimage to Santiago. These days this accommodation is now an elegant hotel with the best location in the city offering a truly unique and exclusive place to stay.
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Tour Availability
We run regularly tours from May to September every year. Dates are listed below however availability changes by the hour – to see real-time availability click on the monthly calendar at the bottom of the page and select the month you require. We will also consider opening up a new departure date if we have enough demand. Email us at walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
SPECIALS
Check below to see if your preferred departure has a Specials savings. Conditions apply see pricing page.
| Departures | Availability | Special /Offers |
|---|---|---|
| 21 May 2020 | Available | Earlybird Savings |
| 18 June 2020 | Available | Earlybird Savings |
| 16 July 2020 | Available | Earlybird Savings |
| 13 August 2020 | Available | Earlybird Savings |
| 10 September 2020 | Available | Earlybird Savings |
| 8 October 2020 | Available | Earlybird Savings |
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PRIVATE GROUPS:
Date of your choice is available for groups of 8 -12 people. Subject to availability. Free Group T’shirts also available – see details.
Please contact us for more details on (02) 9975 4553 or email: walks@lifesanadventure.com.au
To find out more click on any of the below links:
Tour Prices
|
Earlybirds
$
4195
/p
Prices for those doing their first walk with us. |
|
Prices in Australian Dollars EARLYBIRD PRICES NORMAL PRICES |
|
Past Passenger Earlybirds
$
4095
/p
For guests that have travelled with us before |
|
Prices in Australian Dollars Special prices for passengers who have travelled with us before. PAST PASSENGER EARLYBIRD SAVE $300 per person NORMAL PRICES Email us for your special discount promo code. |
|
PRIVATE GROUPS
$
4145
/p
Your own Private Group of 10-12 guests. |
|
Prices in Australian Dollars PRIVATE GROUPS NORMAL PRICES PAST PASSENGER GROUPS |
ROOM UPGRADES:
Singles wanting their own room. Add $812
Subject to availability at time of booking.
Discount Information
PAST PASSENGER DISCOUNT: In order to receive the $100 Past Passenger Discount, you must state on your booking each tour you have been on with Life’s An Adventure and what year, so we can cross check these details for each client. Please note our Reservation staff will apply this discount manually, so select “Deposit Only” at the booking checkout stage (even if choosing a Super Earlybird price) and will send you a payment link for the remaining payment once the discount is applied.
EARLYBIRD CANCELLATIONS: Cancellations are not permitted for Earlybird Deals or Spot Specials, however, transfers to another date are permitted 12 weeks or more prior to departure. We advise taking out travel insurance, in case unexpected circumstances prior to the trip, prevent you from joining this tour. Early bird or Spot Special discounts cannot be used in conjunction with another offer. To receive these special discounts, full payment must be made at the time of initial booking.
Travel Insurance
We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum nmbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc. We have organised through NIB Insurance for you to purchase travel insurance directly with them – please click here for details.
Booking Conditions
- Prices are per person in Australian dollars and include GST.
- A deposit of $250 per person is required to secure your booking. (unless taking advantage of Earlybird or Spot Specials in which full payment is required at time of booking).
- Note: If you are booking within 12 weeks of your departure date – we will require full payment at the time of booking
- Prices are based on twin share of rooms. If you are travelling solo you may be required to share with someone of the same gender. If this is not suitable you can request to pay a single supplement, however, limited single rooms are available per trip so are on a request basis.
- Payments must be made online via our NAB (National Australia Bank) secure payment page via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) or over the phone.
- NO Credit Card fee applies.
- We advise taking our Travel Insurance to cover items such as cancellation of tour due to minimum numbers not met, or adverse weather conditions, injury, evacuation, delayed flights, illness, etc.
- Where a tour is altered due to unsuitable weather conditions, our guides will provide the best alternative itinerary possible.
Cancellation Policy and Conditions of Travel
Click here to view Cancellation Policy and Conditions of Travel.
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