Portuguese Way Of Saint James – Camino De Santiago

DAY 1
OPORTO AIRPORT
Today at the appropriate time, an Eco Trilha representative will be met you at the airport to assist and transfer you to your hotel. There are no activities planned for this day. Overnight in Porto.

DAY 2
PORTO
Elected Best European Destination 2012 by the European citizens, Porto, is history, architecture, culture, gastronomy, trade, encounters and discoveries. Walking tours in Porto, visits to the city’s historical centre of world heritage and monuments of Porto. Itinerary: Torre dos Clérigos, Livraria Lello e Irmão, Avenida dos Aliados, Estação de S. Bento, Ponte Luís I, Sé Catedral, Bairro da Sé and Ribeira. Brief presentation of the olive oil sector in Portugal with technical proof of three Portuguese olive oils. Overnight in Porto.

DAY 3
WALKING IN CASTELO DE PAIVA
Our day starts at “Monte São Domingos da Serra”, a place of unique beauty, with a magnificent view over the mouth of both Arda and Douro rivers. After enjoying the view it is time to start our way until “Fojo” shaft, the first place connected to the mining industry. After a short stop it is time to follow the ancient coal mine line and discover some remains of that time. Along our walk we will be able to see Arda River and discover some wonderful landscapes until we reach the centennial “Pedorido” bridge. Our walk ends at the mines with a small snack. Difficulty: Easy / Moderate. Distance: 9km – 5 miles. Duration: 1/2 day. Overnight in Porto.

DAY 4
WALKING IN GONDOMAR
Our day starts at “Areja”, Lomba with a magnificent view over Douro River. After some information it is time to start our discovering some of the most beautiful landscapes of the region. Our first stop is at “lomba” beach, a place famous for its water sports. After a short break it is time to go through the village of “Lomba” until we reach “Pé de Moura”, where we will be able to see some of the typical boats used to fish. On our way back there will be time to enjoy some wonderful landscapes and a small snack at the end. Difficulty: Easy / Moderate. Distance: 9km – 5 miles. Duration: 1/2 day. Overnight in Porto.

DAY 5
WALKING IN DOURO
Our challenge for the day is to join us and discover some of the most beautiful treasures the Douro has to offer… After a journey of about one and a half hour the day starts at Samodães, with an excellent view over Douro River and Régua town. It is time to start our descent until the river, going along the vineyards, olive and fig trees. Our walk continues until we reach Régua town where we will have lunch. After lunch it is time to go along some of the most beautiful paths of the region until Pinhão, where we will visit the train station, famous for its tiles. To finish the day we will visit a wine estate and taste the famous port wine.
An excellent way to know the Douro region, World Heritage… Difficulty: Easy / Moderate. Distance: 9km – 5 miles. Duration: 1 day.
Overnight in Porto.

DAY 6
BRAGA – GUIMARÃES
Guided tour in the city of Braga, known as the “Portuguese Rome”, for its concentration of religious architecture, as the oldest Cathedral of the country. Founded in Roman times, with the name of Bracara Augusta, this city has over 2000 years of history. We will visit The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro and Bom Jesus.
On the afternoon we visit Guimarães. A historic town, exceptionally well-preserved and an authentic example of the evolution of a medieval settlement into a modern town. (Optional: visit the museums and monuments). Overnight in Braga.

DAY 7
PÓVOA DE VARZIM
The last day of the trip we have a beautiful walk on the beach. A walk with lesser degree of difficulty, which will serve to appreciate the landscape, learn the fisher community of Póvoa de Varzim and smell the sea air. Overnight in Braga.

DAY 8
BRAGA – REDONDELA – PONTEVEDRA • 18KM
Today you join part of the Portuguese Way of Saint James. Reaching the historic site of Ponte Sampaio, the Camino crosses the Verdugo River. During the War of Independence, Napoleon’s army suffered one of its greatest defeats in Galicia at this bridge, at the hands of the armed populace. Heading up a cobbled footpath we come to the 13th Century church of Santa Maria. Overnight em Pontevedra.

DAY 9
PONTEVEDRA – CALDAS DE REIS • 23KM
Most of this stage is through woodland and countryside along gentle river valleys with virtually no climbing. Closer to Caldas de Reis the route crosses the N550 and follows this road for short sections. Located between the Umia and Bermana rivers, the town of Caldas developed as a result of its thermal waters and continues to be a major health spa. The botanical gardens next to the river are lovely for some respite from the walk. Overnight Caldas de Reis.

DAY 10
CALDAS DE REIS – PADRON • 19KM
Exiting the town, we take a bridge over the river Umia that leads us to a fountain of hot spring water that has lent the town its name since Roman times. Entering the woods once more, the Camino make its way gently uphill to the hamlet of Santa Marina. Going downhill, we then cross the river Fontenlo. Finally, following a Camino lined with pine trees, we catch up again with the river as we arrive in Padron. Padron is famous for being the first land sighted by the ship bearing the body of Saint James. Overnight Padron.

DAY 11
PADRON – SANTIAGO • 25KM
The Camino passes through many small villages and hamlets before arriving at the Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. On a hilltop to the left stands the mysterious, abandoned ruins of the hillfort Castro Lupario, and couple of kilometres later, we come to the oldest wayside crosses in Galicia. As we near Agro dos Monteiros, it is now possible to see the towers of the cathedral. Finally the Camino passes by the ruins of a castle known as A Rocha Vella, before entering the city of the Apostle. Overnight em Santiago de Compostela.

DAY 12
SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA TO PORTUGAL
Transfer to Portugal after the mass. Overnight no Porto.

DAY 13
TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT (OPORTO AIRPORT)
End of the program. There are no activities planned for this day.

HOTELS
Hotel Trindade Porto or similar
Hotel Mercure Braga Centro or similar
Hotel Rías Bajas (Pontevedra) or similar
Sena Hotel (Caldas del Reis) or similar
Scala Hotel (Padron) or similar
Hotel Universal (Santiago de Compostela) or similar
Twin rooms.

Notes:
Please note that while we operate successful trips in this region throughout the year, some changes may occur in our itineraries due to inclement weather and common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route.
Note: We reserve the right to change hotels based on availability and pricing.
Minimum of 2 persons. Maximum of 12 persons.
Don’t forget your hiking boots.
Insurance:
We recommend that you take out appropriate holiday insurance covering you against illness, injury, and loss or damage to luggage. This insurance should also cover the possibility of having to cancel your holiday for any reason.

Departure Dates:
31-August-2018 to 12-September-2018