A Kinder Fresco Start 115 km Tour

Private Bed & Bath

We understand that people do want to walk the Camino, but would rather not sleep in albergues, the communal dormitories available along the trail. Some pilgrims enjoy having their own bedrooms with a door, an en-suite bathroom, and plenty of hot water!

Freedom From Your Bags

Our self-guided clients do not want or cannot carry all their belongings with them. In fact, they enjoy being able to add some extra weight to their load and have some creature comforts, such as that Ipad!

Meals with Friends, IF you wish

Independence can be great when traveling, but it is also nice to have some occasional companions to share those tales from the trail and a meal or two!

A Live Person to Help

Are you nervous and scared? Coming to a foreign country to walk for a couple of weeks is daunting no matter how many books and web forums you’ve read. You want more than just an Orientation Packet sent to you in the mail – you want a LIVE person to answer your questions and help you take those first steps on your journey.

La Compostela

Our itinerary qualifies you for the Compostela certificate upon your arrival to Santiago.

Benefits of scheduled departures

Our Fresco Start tours offer guaranteed set departure dates and hotel reservations. This small-group experience gives you the choice to connect with others or enjoy your journey independently. For departures with five or more participants, a Fresco Tours representative will greet you at the beginning, provide an orientation, give you your welcome pack, and take you to dinner. The next morning, they accompany you out of town to introduce Camino signage before you continue on your own.

Day 1

Sarria

Accommodations: Sarria (D)

Meeting time: 7:30pm

At 7:30PM, we meet the group in the market town of Sarria, where many pilgrims begin their journey to Compostela. Your Fresco Tours guide will hand out your Orientation Packets and review all the materials to get you ready for your Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago! Afterwards, we'll take you to get your first stamp in your Pilgrim's Passport before dinner, where we will continue to answer your questions in a more informal atmosphere – and with a glass of wine!

Day 2

Sarria to Morgade

Accommodations: Morgade (B)

Distance: 12 km / 7 mi

With our boots and scallop shells on, your Fresco Tours guide escorts you out of town indicating the various Camino markers and the famous yellow arrows. You stroll through the countryside on a combination of tiny backroads and country footpaths for the millions of pilgrims who have traversed this same spot during the last millennium. This evening you stop at an inn in the farming village of Morgade, all set with beautiful surroundings and espresso coffee!

Day 3

Morgade to Portomarín

Accommodations: Portomarín (B)

Distance: 10 km / 6 mi

Leaving Morgade you will soon pass by the 100 kilometer marker. This is the minimum required distance to walk to be able to request tour Compostela Certificate. Onward you continue to Portomarín, where you see the 12th century Church of San Juan, a fortified church, standing guard over the River Miño.

Day 4

Portomarín to Ventas de Narón

Accommodations: Ventas de Narón (B)

Distance: 13 km / 8 mi

Leaving Portomarin the walk begins with a gentle climb out of the river valley and through typical Galician villages, decorated with hórreos, raised corncribs, and the occasional carved granite cross that marks the way to Santiago. Look out for the 2000-year-old Celtic remains that are found just off the Camino. The ruins are well worth the extra 200 yards to explore them. This evening, settle down to another magical sunset in rural Galicia.

Day 5

Ventas de Narón to Palas de Rei

Accommodations: Palas de Rei (B)

Distance: 11.7 km / 7 mi

One of today’s highlight is without doubt the 17th century Cross showing the Crucifixion of Christ at the hamlet of Lameiros. The cross has surely seen quitre a few piulgrims walk by! As you work your way into Palas de Rei, you will begin to notice the many eucalyptus forests of Galicia. Sadly, Palas de Rei no longer boasts a Palace (palas) or a King (rei), but it does have a pretty church and Pilgrim’s Mass in the evenings.

Day 6

Palas de Rei to Melide

Accommodations: Melide (B)

Distance: 14.5 km / 9 mi

Following the yellow arrows, you continue to ramble up and down gentle rolling hills along quiet forest paths. Little has changed in this quiet corner of Spain, and the peaceful rural environment of local farmers in stone houses accompanies us back to another time. You quickly arrive to the present-day at the bustling market town of Melide, where octopus (pulpo) is boiled in large copper kettles next to the street!On the outskirts of Melide, stop to admire the 12th century church of Santa Maria, a gem of the Romanesque period.

Day 7

Melide to Arzúa

Accommodations: Arzúa (B)

Distance: 14 km / 9 mi

Following the Camino through eucalyptus forests, you quickly come into Boente, whose tiny Santiago Church has a simple, but lovely wooden altarpiece. Get a feel for the people and greet a local villager with a “Buenos dias” or “Hola”. You will see how these quiet and reserved people quickly wish you well on your journey to Santiago. On this trek, you’re no longer a tourist, but a pilgrim on the Camino de Santiago! Tonight you sleep in Arzúa, famous for its cheese, and which supplies the cheese for most of Galicia.

Day 8

Arzúa to Salceda

Accommodations: Salceda (B)

Distance: 11 km / 7 mi

After breakfast, we continue our journey west, through mostly wooded dirt trails and the odd glimpse of a local dairy farm. Arzúa requires lots of milk to meet the demand for its delicious cheese! At Preguntoño, along the way, don’t forget to maintain the bygone tradition of asking a local if this was the way to Compostela - hence the name of the hamlet: Preguntar means To Ask.

Day 9

Salceda to Lavacolla

Accommodations: Lavacolla (B)

Distance: 18 km / 11 mi

Today’s walk brings us almost to the gates of Santiago de Compostela. And, although the magic of rural Galicia doesn’t disappear, you will encounter the security perimeter of the Lavacolla Airport of Santiago, which may be using at a future date. In the evening, why not find a stream and perform the ritual ablutions pilgrims of bygone ages used to perform at Lavacolla. Or perhaps, simply a hot shower is enough...

Day 10

Lavacolla to Compostela

Accommodations: Santiago de Compostela (B)

Distance: 10 km / 6 mi

Ten days, 115 kilometers, and you have arrived in Santiago de Compostela. Congratulations! Head to the Pilgrims' Office for your last stamp in your passport and request that well-deserved certificate, the Compostela, for having walked to Santiago. You are going to love this magical city filled with fantastic monuments and with the lively buzz from the international pilgrims and university students that fill its medieval streets.

Day 11

Santiago de Compostela & the Cathedral

Accommodations: Itinerary ends (B)

Enjoy your guided visit of the cathedral. We hope to see you back soon!

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to slight modifications due to hotel availability, weather, festivals, and other occurences.

Orientation Meeting

A Fresco Tour guide will hand deliver your Orientation Packet and give you a detailed meeting on the first night in Sarria. Your Welcome Packet is filled with all the materials you’ll need to transform into a pilgrim: Your credentials (Pilgrim’s Passport), a scallop shell, daily maps of the route, a guide book with historical information of the villages that you will pass through, and a few other goodies for the trail! We’ll answer any questions that you have before starting your journey to Santiago and on the next morning lead you out on The Way! The minimum required number of people for this service is 5.

Accommodations

10 nights in a combination of 3 & 4 star hotels, restored manor homes, and small inns located on the Camino. All rooms have their own bathrooms. We’ve chosen places for their hospitality, comfort, and location.
*Keep in mind that you will be walking specific distances through rural countryside; therefore, 3- and 4-star hotels are not always available along the route.

Meals

All breakfasts are included with your hotels. We have arranged that they will be supplemented from the standard Spanish breakfast of coffee & toast. The first night of the itinerary, our guide will take you for dinner at one of our favorite places in Sarria – wine and beer included. Afterwards, we will provide you with a list of places along the Camino with food recommendations. Let us know if you have any dietary restrictions and we can ask our hotels to accommodate for those as well!

Limited Group Size

Although this tour is Self-Guided, we’ve limited the size of each departure to 16 participants. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.

Luggage Transport

We will arrange for the transfer of 1 suitcase / piece of luggage (20 kg / 45 lbs MAX) per person between your hotels on your walk along the Camino. If the weight of your bag exceeds the limit, you will need to divide it into 2 pieces. Please contact us for details for rates for extra bags.

Guided Visit

In Santiago, our local art historian will provide you with a guided visit of the Cathedral and the surrounding squares. Minimum of 5 people for this service to be provided.

Additional Services

We are here to help! Need assistance with hotels prior to or after your trip? Questions about what to wear? Need a taxi while on the trail?

Based in Spain, we are here to make sure that your trip runs smooth as can be – we are available!

* Please note that any additional services purchased will have the following conditions:
Hotel reservations/Private transfers – can be cancelled up to 1 week before arrival without penalty.
Extra luggage – can be cancelled up to 7 days before without penalty.

General FAQ for all tours

Getting There & Back

How do I get to A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

Sarria, Spain, is the official starting point of A Fresco Start 115 km Camino Tour and can be reached via train or plane, depending on your departure city. If you are traveling from Madrid, the direct RENFE trains that run twice a day are the easiest way to arrive. The quickest way to get to Sarria (but not the cheapest) is to fly from Madrid to Santiago (Ryanair & Iberia airlines: 1 hour), and then take a taxi from Santiago to Sarria (1:30h).

For an example of prices and timetables, please see:

RENFE Train – Madrid to Sarria

How can I purchase my bus or train tickets beforehand?

Train tickets can be purchased online through RENFE. Some routes cannot be purchased until 3-4 weeks prior to departure – please be patient. Please note that the site tends to run slowly on weekends due to heavy demand.

If you would like information on trains in Spain (different types of fares, security, food on board, etc.), Trainline is a wonderful resource. You can also buy your tickets on this site if you find the RENFE site to be confusing (just remember that tickets are not available until 3-4 weeks before departure).

How do I get from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid and other cities?

There are several fast trains a day between Santiago and Madrid (approximately 3-4 hours). Traveling by train is the most convenient way, especially if you are planning to do some sightseeing in Madrid, as it takes you straight to the city center. If you are looking to fly, there are multiple domestic flights a day between Santiago and Madrid, as well as other major Spanish cities.

How do I get from Madrid Airport to the city center?

You can easily find taxis as you exit the terminal. It takes about 25-30 minutes to get to the city center (or the Atocha or Chamartin train stations) and the price is around €35.

On the Road

What is the weather like on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

A Fresco Start 115 km Tour covers the last 115 km of the Camino in the northwest region called Galicia. Here you will enjoy a more temperate climate, as it is generally cooler than other parts of the Camino de Santiago and Spain in the summer.

Visit this link for current and average monthly temperatures in Santiago de Compostela.

What is the terrain like on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

In Galicia, the region where you will walk, the terrain is rolling green hills – there are neither steep climbs nor treacherous descents. The trail itself is a combination of very well-maintained compact dirt and stone footpaths and small country roads.

What is the change in elevation on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

You will be walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, the last 115 km of the Camino de Santiago. For a detailed map of the distances between towns along the Camino and their respective altitudes, please click here.

How many kilometers are walked each day on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

The number of kilometers scheduled for each day varies on average from 14 to 22 km (9 to 14 miles). We have designed this tour to include the last 100 km stretch to Santiago, which is required by the Church if you are going to ask for the Compostela Certificate.

Before You Go / Preparing

What type of shoes do I need to walk A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

Footwear is a very personal question – depending on how active you are and how much support you need. Since we will be walking the Camino de Santiago every day, comfort is key – you do not want to get blisters. You probably won’t need a full high-cut boot that covers your ankle (unless you need this support), but rather light trail walkers or even running shoes if you are used to walking. Keep in mind that there may be mud and water along the trail. Most importantly: Make sure that your shoes are well broken in!

What sort of conditioning do I need to undertake before A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

We encourage you to start walking before you arrive, so that you can enjoy your experience more fully. As you will be walking from inn to inn, you should be prepared to cover the day’s full stage. They say your Camino begins the moment you decide to do it, so embrace your “training” walks and get those km’s in before you arrive to Spain. As a bit of insurance, we will also provide you will a list of taxi numbers…just in case!

General FAQ for all tours

Booking a Tour

Thank you for choosing to travel with Fresco Tours! We are very excited for you to join the ranks of our Happy Customers. If at any moment you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you again and we look forward to sharing memories of a lifetime with you.

Reservations and Payments

To join us on a Fresco Tour, please visit our Secure Online Reservation Form or download and print a PDF version of the Reservation Form, one for each participant. To guarantee your spot and reserve space on a tour, a 15% deposit per person is required and payment should be made via credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), bank transfer or via Wise transfer. The balance of your tour payment is due 60 days prior to the departure date. If the tour that you selected begins within 60 days of booking, final payment is due at that time. Failure to receive the remainder of your trip balance by the due date will be considered a cancellation.

Confirmation

Once Fresco Tours has received your registration form and tour deposit, we will send you an email with an invoice of payments received and your remaining balance, a copy of our Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and a link to your Guest Questionnaire. These last 2 items must be returned 60 days prior to the start of tour. In addition, we will send you a Confirmation Packet with information regarding suggestions on preparation, a packing and reading list and other tips to get you excited and prepared for your Fresco Tour.

Final Registration

Once we have received final payment, the signed Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and Guest Questionnaire, you will be sent a receipt and final details regarding your tour, including a detailed itinerary and the hotel contact list.

Single Supplement Fee

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, there are a limited number of single rooms available. Requests for these rooms are based on availability. Please see the tour itinerary for the cost of this fee. In some cases, it may imply a room smaller in size than a standard double room. If you are traveling alone, and would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a same-gender roommate.

Cancellation / Refund Policies

All cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be issued due to late arrival, early departure, or any unused portion of a tour. The Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver form must be signed and received 60 days prior to tour departure or the reservation will also be treated as a cancellation. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance to offset the chance you may need to cancel.

Time	Price
Cancellations received 121 or more days prior to trip start	10% of trip price
Cancellations received 120 – 61 days prior to trip start	15% of trip price
Cancellations received 60 – 31 days prior to trip start	50% of trip price
Cancellations received 30 days or less prior to trip start	100% of trip price

*Please note that cancellation terms for Spain-taneous Private Tours may vary. For more details, please contact your tour organizer.

Fresco Tours reserves the right to change, modify, or cancel a tour prior to departure for any reason, including lack of participants (tour minimum: 3 passengers) or acts of nature and/or circumstances beyond our control. In this case, any payments received will be refunded in full, and this will constitute full settlement. In this case, any payments received will be refunded in full, and this will constitute full settlement. Fresco Tours is not responsible for any additional expenses due to a canceled tour, such as the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets.

Fresco Tours reserves the right to accept, refuse, or decline any tour member’s participation at any time for any reason. In such a case, Fresco Tour’s liability is limited to the actual cost of the unused services.

Changing Tour Dates

If we are notified of a change to your scheduled tour date 6 months prior, you can apply your tour deposit to another departure date without penalty. This change can be up to 1 calendar year in advance and is subject to availability. Otherwise, the above Cancellation Fees will be applied.

As Spain-taneous Private Tours are custom built and created with specific dates in mind, any modifications will incur a 15% surcharge.

Insurance

In accordance with Spanish law and for the duration of your tour with Fresco Tours, you are covered by a basic insurance provided by Intermundial. We strongly advise the purchase of a more comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation / interruption. You may also want to look into a Cancel For Any Reason add-on. We suggest using Travelinsurance.com, which allows you to compare and assess top insurance provider policies and their different coverage plans. Keep in mind that some travel insurance policies must be purchased within a specific time frame—often within a few weeks of booking your tour.

Traveling Responsibly

Traveling sustainably is at the heart of Fresco Tours. We travel “slow,” walking the marked trails of the Camino de Santiago. This means no disruptions to natural habitats and a low carbon footprint. We always aim for the rich flavors of locally sourced food whenever possible. We have strong reliable relationships with our regional partners (accommodations, guides, bus drivers) – and we ourselves are a Spanish company! This means we have the local knowledge of Spanish culture (traditions, social norms, heritage) because it’s our home.

A Kinder Fresco Start 115 km Tour

Private Bed & Bath

Freedom From Your Bags

Meals with Friends, IF you wish

A Live Person to Help

La Compostela

Benefits of scheduled departures

Sarria

Sarria to Morgade

Morgade to Portomarín

Portomarín to Ventas de Narón

Ventas de Narón to Palas de Rei

Palas de Rei to Melide

Melide to Arzúa

Arzúa to Salceda

Salceda to Lavacolla

Lavacolla to Compostela

Santiago de Compostela & the Cathedral

Orientation Meeting

Accommodations

Meals

Limited Group Size

Luggage Transport

Guided Visit

Additional Services

Table of Contents

Getting There & Back

How do I get to A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

How can I purchase my bus or train tickets beforehand?

How do I get from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid and other cities?

How do I get from Madrid Airport to the city center?

On the Road

What is the weather like on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

What is the terrain like on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

What is the change in elevation on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

How many kilometers are walked each day on A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

Before You Go / Preparing

What type of shoes do I need to walk A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

What sort of conditioning do I need to undertake before A Fresco Start 115 km Tour?

Booking a Tour

Reservations and Payments

Confirmation

Final Registration

Single Supplement Fee

Cancellation / Refund Policies

Changing Tour Dates

Insurance

Traveling Responsibly

1550 €

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