Our cyclists should also check out:

Overview

Dates 2010:
May 9 / June 6 and September 9
Itinerary: Burgos - Santiago de Compostela
Duration: 8 Days and 7 Nights
Kilometers: Total cycling distance of the tour is 322 kms (201 miles)
Difficulty level: B (Intermediate) and C (Advanced)
Accommodation: Our accommodation is of the highest quality: of three state-run Paradores on the bicycle route, two are very luxurious and the other hotels are of superior quality with a special charm. Savor the best of Spanish cuisine, traditional to the regions and accompanied by excellent wines from La Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. The mini bus will transport us to the starting points of each stage of our tour and we will cycle through the most interesting parts of our route.

2010 A HOLY YEAR starting any day of the year. Nevertheless, we recommend the months of late April, May, June, early July, late August (July & August are overcrowded with pilgrims), September and October. 2010 will be a Holy Year as St. James festivities fall on Sunday July 25th 2010. Early booking needed

*Groups of minimum 5 people can request any date as long as our calender permits it.

*We also offer the route starting from Roncesvalles (11 days/10 nights) upon request.

Stages

You will get to know Spain´s most spectacular landscapes, historical monuments and charming villages pedaling on a bike.

1st Day: Burgos.
Our clients will be greeted at the airport or hotel at the agreed time. From there we travel by minibus to Burgos - transit time approximately 2 1/2 hours. Overnight stay at the NH Palacio Merced Hotel. Pause for a light lunch on the way to Burgos. Upon arrival there will be time for a stroll around the city, visiting the cathedral and collect our Pilgrim's Passports by bike. Supper in town at the well-known restaurant "Pancho" - serving tapas and typical Castillian cuisine, accompanied by a glass of good regional wine.

2º Day: Carrión de los Condes.
86kms (53 miles) flat & rolling terrain.
Following a solid buffet breakfast, we leave Burgos cycling towards the villages of Hontanas, Castrojeriz and Boadilla del Camino. We pass the famous 12th century bridge of Fitero crossing the river Pisuerga. After lunch in Hontanas we continue cycling to Frómista with its church dedicated to San Martin and one of the finest examples of the Spanish Romanesque style. We pass through more charming villages before arriving in Carrión. Here, we spend the night and have supper in the Hotel Real Monasterio de San Zoilo, associated with the order of Cluny.

3º Day: León.
48 kms (30 miles) flat and rolling terrain.
Bicycling start after breakfast, we head for Sahagún, pausing at some small villages along the way. After lunching there, we take the minibus to arrive at the mediaeval city of Leon - founded in the year 68 a.d. - staying at the magnificent Hotel Parador Hostal San Marcos, with its splendid Renaissance facade, a convent and pilgrims' hospital dating back to the 16th century.

4º Day: Villafranca del Bierzo.
65-85kms (40-53 miles) uphill and descent.
Morning departure by minibus towards Astorga, the point of confluence of two original Pilgrim routes, the Camino Francés, and the Vía de la Plata (the Roman route). Here, we visit the cathedral, the pilgrim´s hospital and A. Gaudi´s Episcopal Palace which is a pilgrims museum. From Astorga, we drive on to Rabanal where we remount our cycles and begin an uphill climb, to reach the Cruz de Ferro (Iron Cross) followed by a long descent towards the territory known as El Bierzo, stopping for a hearty farmhouse lunch at El Acebo, a charming mountain village.

5º Day: Portomarín.
60-80kms (38-50 miles). A long descent and rolling terrain.
From our hotel we will cycle approx. 18 miles to "La Herrería" where we decide whether we want to tackle the steepest climb on the "Camino" to O'Cebreiro. This is a real challenge, but for those who prefer, our minibus is there to take care of you. At the summit, we will enjoy exceptional views into Galicia accompanied by a a hearty lunch of regional specialities. Our cycling route will start some miles further on at Monte de Poio, taking us through Atlantic forests, scattered with small villages, finally stopping in the village of Sarría. From there, we will take the minibus along the Miño valley and arrive at the day's end at Portomarín.

6º Day: Santiago de Compostela
40kms (28 miles) rolling terrain
The minibus will provide our transportation as far as Arzúa, where we will be bicycling the last 28 miles. These are the hardest, as we are faced with repeated, but modest uphill climbs. but they are also the miles we bicycle in the spirit of completion of a journey that so many pilgrims have followed in the past, and will continue follwing in the future. The “Façade of Glory” – Pórtico de la Gloria- awaits us. Crossing the Plaza de Obradoiro we dismount our bicycles, and shake hands and embrace each other to celebrate our journey`s completion and adventures. It's time to pay homage to St James and get our final passport stamps at the pilgrimage office to obtain the "La Compostelana" certificate. Our accommodation is at the 5 star hotel Palacio del Carmen or at the Parador Hostal Reyes Católicos, and we dine later at the Parador restaurant.

7º Day: Madrid.
After breakfast, we returm to Madrid by minibus, pausing for lunch around mid-day. The approximate transit time is 7 hours. Our Evening on arrival at Madrid is free.

8º Day: Madrid.
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to airport.

Price and what it includes

Price: 1.805 Euro (Double Room)
*Supplement for individual room is 245 Euro

The price includes:

• Transfer Madrid- Burgos/ Santiago to Madrid
• Support vehicle during the entire way with trailer
• All transfers during the Way
• Accommodation
• All buffet breaksfasts
• All de lunches (menu)
• 4 Dinners
• Daily refreshments
• Documentation
• Guide assistance
• Entrance to monuments
• CD photo album
• Welcome gifts
• Medical Insurance for the entire period of the Tour

Apply

To apply for this tour or for any further questions please fill out our Application Form and don't hesitate to contact us on the Contact Us page.

Important: Due to the high demans this Holy Year (2010), reservations must be made at least one month before the starting date of the program/tour.

Note: Marly Tours can additionally provide accommodation and transfer services that are not included in the program to the pilgrims that need it.

<<< Back to Tours