- Highlights of 2 main Northern Camino trails, the Camino Frances and the Camino del Norte plus Camino Vadiniense and Lebaniego and the best walking possible
- Dedicated local support driver/guide and additional support person in Spain
- 12 night’s accommodation with an emphasis on authenticity and comfort, including 4 star hotels.
- A real Camino experience but without the Camino Francois crowds
- The Basque country including the Basque Pyrenees, Pamplona, La Rioja, Atapuerca, Tierra de Campos, Leon, Picos de Europa, Cantabrian mountains and coast, Santo Toribio de Liebana, Llanes, Oviedo, Astorga, Galicia and Sarria and Santiago de Compostela among other places.
- Importantly there’s also unique access to a diverse range of regional wine regions and cuisines. Sample wines rarely seen beyond the shores of Spain
- Confidence of travelling with a self guided walking company with nearly 30 years experience
- Enjoy the cultural, culinary and scenic highlights of the Camino de Santiago at your own pace
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
PRIVATE BESPOKE CAMINO WITHOUT THE CROWDS
WHAT SETS THIS TRIP APART
Avoid the hassle of dealing with the overcrowding on the Camino de Santiago by travelling by private transfer, both on and off the track. This unique tour allows us to sample the best of the walking on three of the Northern Camino Pilgrimages whilst not having to wait for transport or walking on busy roads through the outskirts of towns. When we designed this trip we always had in mind an immersive relaxed experience for groups of 4 or more, reflected in the price of $3,995 per person when group numbers are 4 or more.
Explore the most significant and inspiring sites and landscapes by combining the two main routes using the old connection between them along the Caminos Vadiniense and Lebaniego; the detours often taken by pilgrims to visit the important relics hidden in the depths of the Picos de Europa valleys or in the Cathedral of Oviedo.
There’s a big contrast of landscapes between the drier central plateau and the lush green pastures by the Cantabrian coast and between the flatlands of Castile and Leon and the craggy peaks of the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa. But what makes this journey even more special, are the pilgrims. Conversations are easy to strike up and stories are shared with remarkable openness, tales that inevitably reflect an improved sense of wellbeing and a better understanding of the world we’re in.
Highlights
WALK OVERVIEW
TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
13 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate 
Grade 3 – Moderate
Short, steep hill sections. Moderate active lifestyle and some walking experience recommended.PRICE FROM
$ 3995
per person twin/double share
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 995
Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.
per person
ITINERARY
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Pack-free walking
-
25+ years experience
-
Customised
-
Eco Travel
- 12 nights’ accommodation, rooms with ensuites, handpicked hotels and guesthouses, staying in authentic Spanish villages in excellent locations
- 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 2 evening meals
- Highlights of 2 main Northern Camino trails, the Camino Frances and the Camino del Norte plus walks on the Camino Vadiniense and Lebaniego
- The best walking possible away from the crowds
- Meet and greet at the beginning of the walk and private tours on some days
- Comprehensive set of walk notes with detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips in our notes (where to get the freshest produce, the best restaurants, the best wine). We also supply a walking map app to use on the track.
- Private transport on and off the track and luggage transfers
- Dedicated 24/7 local support driver/guide and additional support person in Spain for reassurance. Travelling this way means that if you wish you can also increase or decrease the walk lengths if need be.
ACCOMMODATION & DINING
OVERVIEW
The accommodation on this journey has been handpicked to reflect the character and history of Spain and the Camino. They’re always very comfortable, always with an en suite, and always with lots of personality and warmth. Although star ratings are not particularly helpful when it comes to small hotels in more rustic environments, you should expect 3 and a 1/2 star standard with some 4 star upgrades along the way.
FOR EACH DAY
Night 1
Pamplona, Catedral HotelAfter a short briefing by our local guide set off walking onto your first stretch of Camino, through pastures, forests, and pretty villages, stopping for lunch at a local inn where Hemingway use to spend his days fishing. Tonight’s hotel is located in the heart of Pamplona in a former 10th Century Convent , completely restored into a luxurious 4 star hotel. It is located right next to the pilgrims entrance to the city, surrounded by the walls of Pamplona only metres from the Cathedral. It is an ideal starting place to begin the walk and a great place to get the feel and pulse of the Spain, its’ history and its people.
Night 2
La Rioja, Santo Domingo de la CalzadaThe Molino de Floren, is an old mill in the city Santo Domingo de La Calzada dating from the nineteenth century, restored and converted into rural accommodation. The Molino de Floren is located centrally in the heart of La Rioja region, a region with its own language. The city is one of the most renowned stops on the Way of St. James on the Camino de Santiago. The city was settled and grew as a result of the pilgrim’s hospital founded by the Saint around the second half of the 12th century.
Night 3
Burgos Hotel, Rice Palacio de los BlasonesIn the old town of Burgos you can find an emblematic building that was once a palace for the Rodríguez de Salamanca and Gil Delgado noble families, the counts of Berberana. This 4-star hotel has been magnificently renovated in keeping with the elegance of the original palace.
Located 150 yards from the cathedral and in the middle of the Way of St. James. The hotel is surrounded by an area filled with tapas bars, next to the main shopping street in Burgos.
Night 4
Leon, The Sercotel Alfonso V HotelThe Sercotel Alfonso V Hotel is an excellent 4-star hotel located in the centre of León. It is situated right in the commercial and financial centre, only steps from the Old Town.
Its central location makes this hotel an ideal spot for exploring the Castilian capital and its incredibly rich history not to mention its unique cultural elements. It’s also a must see stopover for pilgrims travelling to Santiago because it has been a transit hub for the walk since the middle ages. The Catherdral of San Marcos and San Isodoro and the numerous other historical buildings ands palaces are well worth exploring, as are the lively tapas bars and nightlife.
Nights 5 and 6
Picos de Europa, Fuente DeThis Warm and cozy modern mountain hotel in the region of Liébana is located at the base of the cable car that goes up to the summit of Áliva, known for its traditional homemade Cantabrian cuisine , such as cocido lebaniego or sirloin with Tresviso cheese, a great way to regain strength when returning from your excursions in the area.
Night 7
Llanes, Hotel Don PacoThe Asturias region is said to be a natural Paradise. The Hotel Don Paco de Llanes is located in the majestic 17 century baroque convent of La Encarnación in the middle of it. The hotel is central and quiet as it is surrounded by the gardens of Posada Herrera. It is also only 350 metres from Sablon beach( not part of the northern Camino but well worth a visit on a hot day) San Pedro Promenade and the historical-Basilica and the wall of the old town.
Night 8
Oviedo, Hotel CampoamorThe hotel is located centrally the beautiful city of Oviedo, right next to the Campoamor Theater and the Plaza de la Escandalera. From the hotel you’ll have quick and easy access to the stunning historic centre of the city, as well as the main tourist attractions of the Oviedo. Restored to its former glory it’s a great place to explore this medieval town including its’ 9th Century church among other things.
Night 9
AstorgaIt’s a change up tonight. This modern hotel was built in 2011, however on a very prestigious site atop the stone of the convent of San Francisco. It is equipped with a complete spa and is located centrally. Astorga is at the crossroads of the Camino de Santiago pilgrims’ route and the Roman Silver Road, and known for its medieval walled Old Town and Gaudi’s Episcopal Palace among many other historical places of interest. it is no wonder as its history dates back some 200,000 years.
Night 10
Sarria, Hotel NovoaLocated in Sarria (Lugo), within the French Way of the Santiago route, the Hotel Novoa provides excellent central accommodation, with a garden and a terrace. Close to Magdalena’s Monastery and the lookout it a great place to rest from today’s walk on the Camino trail.
Nights 11 and 12
Santiago de Compostela Hotel Virxe da CercaThe 4 star Hotel Virxe da Cerca is a perfect ending to your pilgrimage along the best northern routes of the Camino all the way to Santiago de Compostela. This hotel is in a central location within walking distance of the Mercado de Abastos de Santiago. It is also close to the outstanding Sacred Art Museum, Belvis Par, Church of San Paio de Antealtares.
We will do our best to provide these accommodations listed, however on the odd occasion we may have to replace accommodation/s with one of equal or better quality.
FOOD AND WINE
It’s important to point out just how good the food and wine is along this journey. It is remarkable on this trip just how many different D.O. (denominated origin) regions you travel through. You will be able to sample wines which are rarely seen beyond the shores of Spain. Navarra has some fantastic wines, Rioja everyone knows, but Ribera de Duero is perhaps less well known despite having some of Spain’s finest wines. The very little known Bierzo, Arlanza and Cigales wines will all show up during your journey. Moving into Galicia and you find the fresh white wines of Rias Baixas, Ribeiro and Valdeorras all of which pair beautifully with the seafood for which the area is so famous. With the changes in wines, so the food varies by region. From the splendid beef of Navarra through to the lamb of the plains and the seafood of Galicia, each part of Spain has its own cuisine of which people are intensely protective and proud.
You often have the freedom to make you own choice of where to eat as there are many restaurant choices in the bigger towns. In the notes we will include a dossier with handpicked real local recommendations for evening meals in restaurants where the locals like to eat when its better off you choose.
Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
GENERAL INFO
AVAILABILITY
End of March to the beginning of November. At Easter there may be some difficulty getting accommodation in Santiago de Compostela.
ACCESS
Ask us for our transfer information file, but in short it is very easy to get to Bilbao from anywhere in Europe by plane or by train. International visitors may need a connecting flight. You can check the train timings at Trainline. The general rule is to book ahead for only the longer train journeys. Skyscanner and Webjet are just 2 of the many flight aggregators that might be useful in booking flights.
WALKING
We walk the most emblematic and most beautiful stretches of the Camino Frances between the Pyrenees and Santiago de Compostela as well as some sections of the Camino Vadiniense, Lebaniego and Norte. We also feel that the walks chosen convey most succinctly the changing landscapes and culture as you move along the Camino. The way the trip works is that you travel some distance by road to be dropped off at the start of a section, you are then picked up at the end of the walk with a private transfer and driven to your next hotel. By and large these road transfers take between 30 minutes and an hour. By doing this it allows you to walk just the best bits and stay in way superior accommodations in less crowded locations. You walk seven stages over the course of this trip, each varies somewhat in length, but on average you will be walking around 15 km, with options most days to increase the day´s walks if you wish.
Walking through the outskirts of cities for instance, is never a lovely prospect, nor are the hundreds of kilometres of the plains of Castille. The nature of the walking depends on the region you are passing through, but by and large, it is on very good, wide paths and tracks. On one of the days the walk is almost entirely uphill as you cross into Galicia but the gradient is steady. For details of daily walking distances and height gains see the itinerary.
WEATHER
Since you are travelling essentially the width of northern Spain over the course of this trip, the weather will change from day to day. During the months we run this trip, we expect the weather to be basically dry until you get into Galicia where rain is much more common. Temperatures at the very start and very end of the trip should be around 10°- 20°, as you travel across the plains of Castile, things can get warmer with daytime highs of around 25°- 30°. We also time the walks to avoid the heat. Shoulder season, spring and autumn, is by far the best time as the weather is perfect for walking and the added advantage of being less crowded in the villages and towns.
See the weather average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy for travel overseas, as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. We want to help make insurance more affordable by offering you a discount on policies purchased through NIB Insurance. This applies to any NIB policies issued via this link. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
Overview
OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW
PRIVATE BESPOKE CAMINO WITHOUT THE CROWDS
WHAT SETS THIS TRIP APART
Avoid the hassle of dealing with the overcrowding on the Camino de Santiago by travelling by private transfer, both on and off the track. This unique tour allows us to sample the best of the walking on three of the Northern Camino Pilgrimages whilst not having to wait for transport or walking on busy roads through the outskirts of towns. When we designed this trip we always had in mind an immersive relaxed experience for groups of 4 or more, reflected in the price of $3,995 per person when group numbers are 4 or more.
Explore the most significant and inspiring sites and landscapes by combining the two main routes using the old connection between them along the Caminos Vadiniense and Lebaniego; the detours often taken by pilgrims to visit the important relics hidden in the depths of the Picos de Europa valleys or in the Cathedral of Oviedo.
There’s a big contrast of landscapes between the drier central plateau and the lush green pastures by the Cantabrian coast and between the flatlands of Castile and Leon and the craggy peaks of the Pyrenees and the Picos de Europa. But what makes this journey even more special, are the pilgrims. Conversations are easy to strike up and stories are shared with remarkable openness, tales that inevitably reflect an improved sense of wellbeing and a better understanding of the world we’re in.
Highlights
- Highlights of 2 main Northern Camino trails, the Camino Frances and the Camino del Norte plus Camino Vadiniense and Lebaniego and the best walking possible
- Dedicated local support driver/guide and additional support person in Spain
- 12 night’s accommodation with an emphasis on authenticity and comfort, including 4 star hotels.
- A real Camino experience but without the Camino Francois crowds
- The Basque country including the Basque Pyrenees, Pamplona, La Rioja, Atapuerca, Tierra de Campos, Leon, Picos de Europa, Cantabrian mountains and coast, Santo Toribio de Liebana, Llanes, Oviedo, Astorga, Galicia and Sarria and Santiago de Compostela among other places.
- Importantly there’s also unique access to a diverse range of regional wine regions and cuisines. Sample wines rarely seen beyond the shores of Spain
- Confidence of travelling with a self guided walking company with nearly 30 years experience
- Enjoy the cultural, culinary and scenic highlights of the Camino de Santiago at your own pace
WALK OVERVIEW
TYPE OF WALK
SELF GUIDED
TRIP LENGTH
13 DAYS
WALK GRADE
Moderate
Grade 3 – Moderate
Short, steep hill sections. Moderate active lifestyle and some walking experience recommended.PRICE FROM
$ 3995
per person twin/double share
SINGLE OCCUPANCY
$ 995
Accommodations charge the same price per room regardless of whether there are one or two people occupying it. To cover the cost of the accommodation when occupied by one person we need to charge the single occupancy fee.
per person
Itinerary
ITINERARY
What’s Included
WHAT’S INCLUDED
-
Pack-free walking
-
25+ years experience
-
Customised
-
Eco Travel
- 12 nights’ accommodation, rooms with ensuites, handpicked hotels and guesthouses, staying in authentic Spanish villages in excellent locations
- 12 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 2 evening meals
- Highlights of 2 main Northern Camino trails, the Camino Frances and the Camino del Norte plus walks on the Camino Vadiniense and Lebaniego
- The best walking possible away from the crowds
- Meet and greet at the beginning of the walk and private tours on some days
- Comprehensive set of walk notes with detailed walking itineraries, integrated maps and insider tips in our notes (where to get the freshest produce, the best restaurants, the best wine). We also supply a walking map app to use on the track.
- Private transport on and off the track and luggage transfers
- Dedicated 24/7 local support driver/guide and additional support person in Spain for reassurance. Travelling this way means that if you wish you can also increase or decrease the walk lengths if need be.
Accommodation & Dining
ACCOMMODATION & DINING
OVERVIEW
The accommodation on this journey has been handpicked to reflect the character and history of Spain and the Camino. They’re always very comfortable, always with an en suite, and always with lots of personality and warmth. Although star ratings are not particularly helpful when it comes to small hotels in more rustic environments, you should expect 3 and a 1/2 star standard with some 4 star upgrades along the way.
FOR EACH DAY
Night 1
Pamplona, Catedral HotelAfter a short briefing by our local guide set off walking onto your first stretch of Camino, through pastures, forests, and pretty villages, stopping for lunch at a local inn where Hemingway use to spend his days fishing. Tonight’s hotel is located in the heart of Pamplona in a former 10th Century Convent , completely restored into a luxurious 4 star hotel. It is located right next to the pilgrims entrance to the city, surrounded by the walls of Pamplona only metres from the Cathedral. It is an ideal starting place to begin the walk and a great place to get the feel and pulse of the Spain, its’ history and its people.
Night 2
La Rioja, Santo Domingo de la CalzadaThe Molino de Floren, is an old mill in the city Santo Domingo de La Calzada dating from the nineteenth century, restored and converted into rural accommodation. The Molino de Floren is located centrally in the heart of La Rioja region, a region with its own language. The city is one of the most renowned stops on the Way of St. James on the Camino de Santiago. The city was settled and grew as a result of the pilgrim’s hospital founded by the Saint around the second half of the 12th century.
Night 3
Burgos Hotel, Rice Palacio de los BlasonesIn the old town of Burgos you can find an emblematic building that was once a palace for the Rodríguez de Salamanca and Gil Delgado noble families, the counts of Berberana. This 4-star hotel has been magnificently renovated in keeping with the elegance of the original palace.
Located 150 yards from the cathedral and in the middle of the Way of St. James. The hotel is surrounded by an area filled with tapas bars, next to the main shopping street in Burgos.
Night 4
Leon, The Sercotel Alfonso V HotelThe Sercotel Alfonso V Hotel is an excellent 4-star hotel located in the centre of León. It is situated right in the commercial and financial centre, only steps from the Old Town.
Its central location makes this hotel an ideal spot for exploring the Castilian capital and its incredibly rich history not to mention its unique cultural elements. It’s also a must see stopover for pilgrims travelling to Santiago because it has been a transit hub for the walk since the middle ages. The Catherdral of San Marcos and San Isodoro and the numerous other historical buildings ands palaces are well worth exploring, as are the lively tapas bars and nightlife.
Nights 5 and 6
Picos de Europa, Fuente DeThis Warm and cozy modern mountain hotel in the region of Liébana is located at the base of the cable car that goes up to the summit of Áliva, known for its traditional homemade Cantabrian cuisine , such as cocido lebaniego or sirloin with Tresviso cheese, a great way to regain strength when returning from your excursions in the area.
Night 7
Llanes, Hotel Don PacoThe Asturias region is said to be a natural Paradise. The Hotel Don Paco de Llanes is located in the majestic 17 century baroque convent of La Encarnación in the middle of it. The hotel is central and quiet as it is surrounded by the gardens of Posada Herrera. It is also only 350 metres from Sablon beach( not part of the northern Camino but well worth a visit on a hot day) San Pedro Promenade and the historical-Basilica and the wall of the old town.
Night 8
Oviedo, Hotel CampoamorThe hotel is located centrally the beautiful city of Oviedo, right next to the Campoamor Theater and the Plaza de la Escandalera. From the hotel you’ll have quick and easy access to the stunning historic centre of the city, as well as the main tourist attractions of the Oviedo. Restored to its former glory it’s a great place to explore this medieval town including its’ 9th Century church among other things.
Night 9
AstorgaIt’s a change up tonight. This modern hotel was built in 2011, however on a very prestigious site atop the stone of the convent of San Francisco. It is equipped with a complete spa and is located centrally. Astorga is at the crossroads of the Camino de Santiago pilgrims’ route and the Roman Silver Road, and known for its medieval walled Old Town and Gaudi’s Episcopal Palace among many other historical places of interest. it is no wonder as its history dates back some 200,000 years.
Night 10
Sarria, Hotel NovoaLocated in Sarria (Lugo), within the French Way of the Santiago route, the Hotel Novoa provides excellent central accommodation, with a garden and a terrace. Close to Magdalena’s Monastery and the lookout it a great place to rest from today’s walk on the Camino trail.
Nights 11 and 12
Santiago de Compostela Hotel Virxe da CercaThe 4 star Hotel Virxe da Cerca is a perfect ending to your pilgrimage along the best northern routes of the Camino all the way to Santiago de Compostela. This hotel is in a central location within walking distance of the Mercado de Abastos de Santiago. It is also close to the outstanding Sacred Art Museum, Belvis Par, Church of San Paio de Antealtares.
We will do our best to provide these accommodations listed, however on the odd occasion we may have to replace accommodation/s with one of equal or better quality.
FOOD AND WINE
It’s important to point out just how good the food and wine is along this journey. It is remarkable on this trip just how many different D.O. (denominated origin) regions you travel through. You will be able to sample wines which are rarely seen beyond the shores of Spain. Navarra has some fantastic wines, Rioja everyone knows, but Ribera de Duero is perhaps less well known despite having some of Spain’s finest wines. The very little known Bierzo, Arlanza and Cigales wines will all show up during your journey. Moving into Galicia and you find the fresh white wines of Rias Baixas, Ribeiro and Valdeorras all of which pair beautifully with the seafood for which the area is so famous. With the changes in wines, so the food varies by region. From the splendid beef of Navarra through to the lamb of the plains and the seafood of Galicia, each part of Spain has its own cuisine of which people are intensely protective and proud.
You often have the freedom to make you own choice of where to eat as there are many restaurant choices in the bigger towns. In the notes we will include a dossier with handpicked real local recommendations for evening meals in restaurants where the locals like to eat when its better off you choose.
Alcohol or drinks with meals are not included (except tea/coffee and juice with breakfast).
General Info
GENERAL INFO
AVAILABILITY
End of March to the beginning of November. At Easter there may be some difficulty getting accommodation in Santiago de Compostela.
ACCESS
Ask us for our transfer information file, but in short it is very easy to get to Bilbao from anywhere in Europe by plane or by train. International visitors may need a connecting flight. You can check the train timings at Trainline. The general rule is to book ahead for only the longer train journeys. Skyscanner and Webjet are just 2 of the many flight aggregators that might be useful in booking flights.
WALKING
We walk the most emblematic and most beautiful stretches of the Camino Frances between the Pyrenees and Santiago de Compostela as well as some sections of the Camino Vadiniense, Lebaniego and Norte. We also feel that the walks chosen convey most succinctly the changing landscapes and culture as you move along the Camino. The way the trip works is that you travel some distance by road to be dropped off at the start of a section, you are then picked up at the end of the walk with a private transfer and driven to your next hotel. By and large these road transfers take between 30 minutes and an hour. By doing this it allows you to walk just the best bits and stay in way superior accommodations in less crowded locations. You walk seven stages over the course of this trip, each varies somewhat in length, but on average you will be walking around 15 km, with options most days to increase the day´s walks if you wish.
Walking through the outskirts of cities for instance, is never a lovely prospect, nor are the hundreds of kilometres of the plains of Castille. The nature of the walking depends on the region you are passing through, but by and large, it is on very good, wide paths and tracks. On one of the days the walk is almost entirely uphill as you cross into Galicia but the gradient is steady. For details of daily walking distances and height gains see the itinerary.
WEATHER
Since you are travelling essentially the width of northern Spain over the course of this trip, the weather will change from day to day. During the months we run this trip, we expect the weather to be basically dry until you get into Galicia where rain is much more common. Temperatures at the very start and very end of the trip should be around 10°- 20°, as you travel across the plains of Castile, things can get warmer with daytime highs of around 25°- 30°. We also time the walks to avoid the heat. Shoulder season, spring and autumn, is by far the best time as the weather is perfect for walking and the added advantage of being less crowded in the villages and towns.
See the weather average temperatures and rainfall at different times of the year.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend purchasing a travel insurance policy for travel overseas, as we charge a cancellation fee if you cancel your walking holiday after we have confirmed it. We want to help make insurance more affordable by offering you a discount on policies purchased through NIB Insurance. This applies to any NIB policies issued via this link. Get an instant quote and purchase online now.
INFORMATION PACK
For nearly 30 years we have taken pride in providing seamlessly organised walking holidays, but we know, even with that in mind, that you’ll have many more questions. You will receive a very detailed information pack and itinerary approximately 6 weeks out from departure outlining all the fine detail and much more.
CONTACT
If you have any questions, feel free to ask one of our destination consultants or to speak with one of our guides. You can get in touch with us via our contact form, email us at info@auswalk.com.au, or call us on +61 3 9597 9767.
blog
ENQUIRE NOW
If you’re looking for further information on any of our walking holidays please fill out the enquiry form and we’ll be in touch.