The Camino de Santiago French Way Walk From Leon to Santiago 11D10N, Self Guided

From $2,378.21 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Experience a 11-day self-guided journey from León to Santiago, perfect for those seeking to dive into the warm camaraderie of the Camino Francés, The French Way. This journey invites you to walk in the footsteps of centuries of pilgrims, joining a global mosaic of travelers as you traverse one of Spain’s most revered routes. Experience the diverse cultures of Castile, León, and Galicia while savouring the iconic final 100 kilometers to Santiago. Earn a profound sense of achievement and a treasured Pilgrim Passport, all while walking at your own pace and connecting deeply with the journey’s historic and spiritual essence.

Your journey begins in Leon with a visit to León’s Cathedral, renowned for its breathtaking stained glass, earning it the name “House of Light.” After marvelling at this Gothic masterpiece, explore ...

Trip Highlights

  • Climb Monte do Gozo, where pilgrims first saw Santiago’s majestic spires
  • Follow one of the most ancient pilgrimage routes in the world —the legendary Camino de Santiago
  • Discover the ghostly remnants of old Portomarín beneath the serene Belesar Reservoir, a haunting echo of history
  • Wander through Galicia’s heather-cloaked villages and timeless stone cottages, a dreamscape of ageless charm
  • Experience a walk into the warm camaraderie of the Camino Francés, The French Way, as you join a global tapestry of pilgrims sharing stories and footsteps
  • Indulge in Melide's lively pulperías, where the local octopus is a culinary treasure
  • Reach Portomarín’s stunning viewpoint for panoramic vistas that will take your breath away
  • Collect stamps on your Pilgrim Passport, each one a serene reflection and a tangible link to your timeless journey
  • Stroll along the Torres stream, flanked by golden cornfields and cheerful daisies in a pastoral paradise
  • Stay in an astonishingly diverse range of properties including restored parish houses, converted water mills and stylish farmhouses- all of them packed with period features

What's Included

  • 10 nights’ accommodation in comfortable hotels on a twin-share basis
  • Meals as specified
  • Pilgrim Passport and certificate
  • Route notes
  • Walking and luggage transfers that are included in this tour are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on the departure. A supplement (payable in advance) to cover these transfers and sole occupancy of a room will apply if only 1 person is travelling on any departure date.
  • Transfers after breakfast on the first three walking days, after which you’ll walk all the way to Santiago

Itinerary

DAY 1 EMBARKATION IN LEON
Posada Regia Hotel, Leon or similar
None
DAY 2 EXPLORE LEON’S TREASURES & SCENIC CRUISE TO THE HIGHEST POINT ON THE CAMINO
Casa El Palacio Molinaseca or similar
Breakfast
DAY 3 DEPART MOLINASECA, ASCENDING THE RIO VALCARCE VALLEY TO O CEBREIRO
Paraiso del Bierzo, Las Herrerias de Valcarce, or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 4 WALK THROUGH VILLAGES OVERLOOKING MONASTERY OF SAMOS TO SARRIA
Hotel Alfonso IX, Sarria or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 5 ASCEND THE CELERIO VALLEY AND THEN DESCEND INTO PORTOMARIN
Pousada de Portomarin, Portomarin or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 6 DISCOVER PORTOMARIN’S HISTORIC CHURCH & TORRES VALLEY TO LESTEDO
Casa Roan, Lugo or Rectoral de Lestedo, Lestedo
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 WANDER THROUGH PALAS DE REI’S VINEYARD-LINED LANDSCAPES TO O’COTO
Casa de los Somoza, O Coto
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 SAVOUR GALICIAN DELICACIES IN MELIDE AND JOURNEY TO ARZÚA
1930 Boutique Hotel or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 UNEARTH ARZUA’S RURAL CHARM & FOLLOW A SCENIC ROUTE TO RUA
Hotel O'Acivro, Rua or similar
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 FINAL STRETCH OF YOUR PILGRIMAGE WALK FROM MONTE DO GOZO TO SANTIAGO
Hotel Virxe da Cerca, Santiago or similar
Breakfast
DAY 11 FAREWELL SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
None
Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.

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How To Get There

- The departure point is Leon, France

- The finish point is Santiago de Compostela, Spain

- The closest airport to León is León Airport (Aeropuerto de León), located approximately 6 kilometers (about 4 miles) from the city center. It serves both domestic and limited international flights. For more international flight options, you might consider flying into Valladolid Airport (Aeropuerto de Valladolid), which is about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from León, or Asturias Airport (Aeropuerto de Asturias), around 140 kilometers (87 miles) away.

- Arrival transfers are not included. However, these journeys are only a short taxi ride (paid locally). The tour itself begins at the start hotel in Leon on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary, please purchase your rail tickets from Madrid Chamartin to Leon (payable locally) at the suggested times below.

 Standard Rail Times: Rail from Madrid Chamartin to Leon departs 14:40 arrives 17:40.

Weather & Climate

In April and October expect temperatures in the 40-60°F/5-15°C with high chance of rain showers though it could also be simply partly cloudy and more temperate. Temperatures in May, June and September tend to be about 10°F/5°C warmer than April and October. Expect a combination of sun, showers and clouds. July and August are typically sunny and warm (60-80°F/15-25°C). Occasionally in summer there can be hot days so it is always important to make sure you have enough water.

Walking Levels

The walking level on this trip is rated Level 3 Moderate.

Level 1 Leisurely: Experience is not necessary; anyone fit and healthy enough to complete a weekend walk will thrive. Walks are often optional. Trails are seldom flat, so expect a reasonable number of ascents and descents. You normally walk for two to five hours per day; daily ascents will likely be around 985ft to 1,640ft (300m to 500m), perhaps with the odd day around 1,970ft (600m).

Level 3 Moderate: Expect easy, medium-length walks or harder, shorter walks. Some experience is useful, but not essential. Good health and reasonable fitness are important. There will be walks at higher altitudes and some longer, harder days. Generally, though, the underfoot conditions will be fair. A walking day is normally five to seven hours; daily ascents will likely be around 1,640ft to 2,625ft (500m to 800m), perhaps with the odd day around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m).

Level 5 Challenging: Fitness is vital with extended walking in mountainous terrain. You might also experience high altitude, challenging climates and remote locations. Trekking experience is desirable, but not vital if you are confident in your physical condition. Walking days are usually between six and eight hours, although they may be longer for passes or peaks. Daily ascents can be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Level 7 Tough: Trekking experience is essential and preferably at altitude. You need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. You may encounter extreme altitude and weather conditions and may need to use ice axes and crampons. Stamina is essential as walking days last six to nine hours (sometimes more on occasions). Daily ascents will likely be around 2,955ft to 3,280ft (900m to 1,000m), perhaps with the odd day around 3,610ft to 3,940ft (1,100m to 1,200m).

Split and optional grades: Where a trip falls between two grades, an intermediate or ‘split’ grade is used. For example, Level 2 (Leisurely/Moderate). Occasionally there are optional ascents available; in this case, the grade will be highlighted.

 

Other Information

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 90 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 90 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 90 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 90 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
In the genuine spirit of expedition travel, we encourage exploration and adventure offering flexibility in challenging environments. This itinerary is only a guide and is subject to change due to weather, sea and other conditions beyond our control.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

Product Code : EFRLENCSW11