The French way: the last 100 km form Sarria with Melide - 8 days/ 7 nights

This is the most popular walking tours of the Camino de Santiago.
Perfect for those who are looking to capture the essence of the Camino. A nice walk, good food and wine, discovering local customs, meeting fellow pilgrims and enjoying the unique atmosphere of it all.
The goal of the Camino is to enjoy the entire journey and not just the destination.
This itinerary covers the last 62 mi (100km) of the French Way. The minimum required to apply for your Compostela certificate.

- ITINERARY -
1st day: ARRIVAL IN SARRIA
2nd day: SARRIA - PORTOMARÍN (23 Km - 6h - difficulty 1/3)
3rd day: PORTOMARÍN - PALAS DE REI (25.6 Km - 6h15 - difficulty 2/3)
4th day: PALAS DE REI - MELIDE (15 Km - 3h30 - difficulty 2/3)
5th day: MELIDE - ARZÚA (14 Km - 3h45 - difficulty 2/3)
6th day: ARZÚA - RÚA (18.5 Km - 5h - difficulty 1/3)
7th day: RÚA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA  (18.5 km - 4h30 - difficulty 1/3)
8th day: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA


The Price Includes:
- 7 nights in handpicked hotels and inns, all with en-suite accommodation, on a bed and breakfast basis.
- Luggage transfer from hotel to hotel: 1 bag max. 20kg/ 44 lbs per person.
- Travel insurance.
- Credencial (Pilgrim's passport)
- Maps of the stages.
- Telephone assistance (English-speaking)

The Price does not include:
- Lunches and dinners.
- Flights or trains.
- Single room supplement: €250
- Dinners supplement: €180

PRICE PER PERSON BASED ON DOUBLE ROOM

DAILY DEPARTURES
 

-DAY BY DAY-
 

1st day: ARRIVAL IN SARRIA
Sarria is the main town between Ponferrada and Santiago de Compostela. The Romanesque Church of Our Saviour, with its Gothic façade, and the convent of Magdalena are well worth a visit, as are the Rua Maior main street and the ancient medieval castle tower.

2nd day: SARRIA - PORTOMARIN (23 Km - 6h - difficulty 1/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. Expect a peaceful walk in shady oak woods through pretty villages on quiet country roads.
The village of Barbadelo (580m) has a beautiful Romanesque church that is worth a visit. The village of Ferreiros is also on route.
When you arrive in Portomarín, you can chill out at one of the numerous outdoor cafés in the main square.

3rd day: PORTOMARIN - PALAS DE REI (25.6 Km - 6h15 - difficulty 2/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. The day starts by crossing over the Belesar dam footbridge, followed by a gradual climb ending in the village of Ligonde.
This stage runs mainly along andaderos (paths), next to the road, or in some cases along paved trails.
There are many signs indicating that we are on a pilgrim route, including the famous "cruceiros" (crucifixes). Check out the Cruceiro of Lameiros and the Monastery of Our Saviour of Vilar de Donas (2 km detour off the Camino).

4th day: PALAS DE REI - MELIDE (15 Km - 3h30 - difficulty 2/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage.  On this stage, you will move into the province of Corunna, where you will find expanses of eucalyptus and pine trees and numerous medieval bridges, such as those in Leboreiro and Furelos.
Melide, which is famous for its octopus, is an obligatory stop for pilgrims and lovers of good food.

5th day: MELIDE - ARZUA (14 Km - 3h30 - difficulty 2/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. Today the route is similar yesterday itinerary. You will find expanses of eucalyptus and pine trees and numerous medieval bridges, such as the most idyllic locations on the Camino in Ribadiso do Baixo near Arzua. Remember that it is a very long village.

6th day: ARZUA - RÚA (18.5 Km - 5h - difficulty 1/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. Today’s route is a nice and easy walk over gentle slopes and through woodland, alternating with stretches near the road, which we will have to cross sometimes, before ending in Rua (500 m before the village of Pedrouzo).
Don't miss the beautiful sculpture of Saint James the Pilgrim in the Church of the same name in Boente.

7th day: RÚA - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (18.5 km - 4h30 - difficulty 1/3)
Breakfast and start of the stage. The last stage on your Camino de Santiago. The proximity of your goal will bring mixed feelings. On one hand, you will be eager to reach the desired end of the journey, yet on the downside, the feeling that comes to every pilgrim is that the journey is over.
A stage of anxiety and joy, where distance does not matter, because you are “already there”.
The route today is flat, except for the climb to San Marcos, from Lavacolla, passing Monte do Gozo and down to Santiago de Compostela.
The entire city of Santiago de Compostela is magical, but especially its Cathedral, which deserves a special visit.

8th day: SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
After breakfast, go to exchange your pilgrim’s passport, if you haven’t already done it. Alternatively, we suggest you visit the cathedral and the surrounding areas or attend a pilgrim mass.