10-Nights Portugal & Spain El Camino Portugues Hiking from $7,295

Itinerary Details

MT Sobek: Portugal & Spain El Camino Portugues Hiking

Day 1 Arrive in Lisbon, Portugal’s Enchanting Capital
City walking tour
Arrive in Lisbon in the afternoon, and transfer from the airport to the hotel. Relax and refresh, then meet your guides and group in the lobby for introductions. Venture out to the city's historic district. Roam the maze of alleyways in the ancient quarter of Alfama, see the cathedral, and discover the elegant Chiado neighborhood. Marvel at the 12th-century Saint George's Castle, and take in the city panoramas from the iconic Santa Justa elevator. Return to the hotel for a welcome dinner.
Accommodation: The One Palacio da Anunciada
(D)

Day 2 Asseiceira and the Templar City of Tomar
1.5-hours private transfer
5 hours/8 miles hiking with 650’ elevation gain and 600’ elevation loss
Enjoy a scenic bus ride from Lisbon, heading north. Reach sleepy Atalaia, a town with a rich farming history that sits between two rivers, Targus and Almonda. Visit the Igreja Matriz de Atalaia, then start your day's hike from this charming village. Along the way, enjoy spotting colorful wildflowers and marvel at eucalyptus plantations planted where oak forests used to be. Stop for lunch in Asseiceira, then transfer to Tomar, the city that grew out of the 12th-century Templar stronghold, and home to the Convent of Christ which today towers over the town. Stroll through the town with your guides, from the Castle of Tomar to various monuments, arriving at the Praca da Republica and our hotel for the night.
Accommodation: Hotel Republica
(B, L, D)

Day 3 Take in the Conimbriga Roman Ruins
1-hour private transfer
6-7 hours/12.5 miles hiking with 620’ elevation gain and 1,180’ elevation loss
After a bus ride to Algorve, start off hiking through forests and small villages to the town of Conimbriga. Founded by the Celts, the town flourished in the 2nd century under Roman rule. Explore the wonderfully preserved Conimbriga Roman Ruins, including the fascinating villas and splendidly kept floor mosaics. Transfer from there to the historic university city of Coimbra.
Accommodation: Hotel Quinta das Lagrimas
(B, L, D)

Day 4 University of Coimbra, the Land of Port, and Fado Music
1.15-hours private transfer
4 hours/5 miles hiking with 590’ elevation gain and 580’ elevation loss
Visit Coimbra's landmark UNESCO-listed university, the oldest in Portugal, founded in 1290. Afterwards, transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto, capital of port wine and beloved by foodies for its wine, cheese, croquettes, and cod. Today's urban hike will include the Mosteiro da Serra do Pilar and its magnificent view of the Douro River, a walk along the river, a visit to a wine bodega, the Ponte Luis I bridge, the cathedral, Sao Bento station, the Clerigos Tower, and the Lello bookshop. After a rest at the hotel, enjoy dinner in a traditional restaurant accompanied by fado music.
Accommodation: InterContinental Porto Palacio das Cardosas
(B, L, D)

Day 5 Continue on to Beautiful Braga
55-minute private transfer
6-7 hours/12 miles hiking with 660’ elevation gain and 985’ elevation loss
After breakfast, transfer to Sao Pedro de Rates, a wonderful Roman-style church, for a visit before starting your hike from there. Trek between small villages along quiet pathways and sections of peaceful roads. Take time for lunch on the trail, then end the day in Barcelinhos and its gorgeous church, Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria Maior. From here, transfer to elegant Braga, famous for it religious festivals and Barqoue churches.
Accommodation: Vila Gale Collection Braga
(B, L, D)

Day 6 Travel to Ponte de Lima
40-minute private transfer
6-7 hours/12 miles hiking with 660’ feet elevation gain and 985’ elevation loss
Travel to Balugaes, the starting point of your hike to Ponte de Lima. As you walk this seven-mile section made up of dirt tracks, cobbled paths, and the occasional paved road, take in the vine-covered landscapes and small shrines along the way. On Rio Lima, you'll find the pretty Ponte de Lima, one of the oldest villages in the country with medieval houses, lovely flower gardens, pretty squares, and many ancient religious buildings.
Accommodation: Carmo's Boutique Hotel
(B, L, D)

Day 7 Hike the “Queen's Stage”
20-minute private transfer
7-8 hours/11 miles hiking with 1,800’ feet elevation gain and 820’ elevation loss
Start today's hike from Ponte de Lima, crossing the bridge over the Lima River. This is one of the most beautiful portions of the Portuguese Camino - the "Queen's Stage" - during which you will cross the hill of "the Witch" and hike up to Pilgrims Cross. Descend to the bus and return to Ponte de Lima for a second night.
Accommodation: Carmo's Boutique Hotel
(B, L, D)

Day 8 Venture on to the Final Portuguese City, Valenca
20-minute private transfer
7 hours/13 miles hiking with 1,575’ feet elevation gain and 1,050’ elevation loss
Transfer back to Rubiaes, where you ended yesterday's hike and start walking along an old Roman road, between forest and small villages. After lunch and more urban terrain, arrive in Valenca, the last Portuguese city on the route, with a wonderful citadel overlooking the Minho River, the natural border between Portugal and Spain. Once in Galicia in Spain, you will reach the hotel, where you will spend the night. If time and energy allow, visit the 12th-century Santa Maria Cathedral in the Old City of Tui.
Accommodation: Parador de Tui
(B, L, D)

Day 9 Cross the Verdugo River
40-minute private transfer
6 hours/9.5 miles hiking with 985’ feet elevation gain and 1,150’ elevation loss
In the morning, transfer to Arcade, where you begin your hike across the Verdugo River via the Pontesampaio Bridge. Walk through narrow streets and beautiful forest along the way. Prepare to be amazed by your arrival into Pontevedra and its old town.
Accommodation: Parador de Pontevedra
(B, L, D)

Day 10 Travel Through Galicia to the Ultimate Goal, Santiago
35-minute private transfer
7 hours/13 miles hiking with 1,575’ feet elevation gain and 1,050’ elevation loss
Transfer to Escravitude, near Padron, famous for Padron peppers, which you'll have opportunity to taste along the way, as well as for being the former Roman city where apostle Santiago's remains were brought from Jerusalem. As you hike along, notice the horreos, granaries built of wood or stone in Galicia and raised from the ground to keep out rodents. Finally, at long last, arrive in Santiago and visit the Cathedral in the wonderful town square. Spend the night in one of Spain's oldest hotels, the Parador de Santiago de Compostela.
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago de Compostela
(B, L, D)

Day 11 Bid Farewell to El Camino Portugues
With your Camino passport stamped, and your heart full, bid farewell to your fellow travelers and tour leaders. After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Santiago de Compostela for departures home.
Accommodation: Parador de Santiago de Compostela
(B)