The Primitive Way & Arde Lucus

Premium Tour

Guided Camino

LENGTH

11 Days

DIFICULTY

Moderate

START & END

Lugo - Lugo

DISTANCE

100 Km

GROUP SIZE

Min 8 Max 16

LODGING

Historic Hotels

From 2.550€ / per person
4.5/5
LENGTH

13 Days

DIFICULTY

Moderate

START & END

Lugo - Lugo

DISTANCE

120 Km

GROUP SIZE

Min 8 - Max 16

ACCOMMODATION

Historic Hotels

From 2.550€ / per person
4.5/5

OVERVIEW

This special outing, organized by The Way Tours, combines the walking of the last 100 kilometers of the Camino Primitivo with the spectacular festival of "ARDE LUCUS". This festival draws the city of Lugo back to its Roman origins, to embrace its imperial past.

On this Camino, we will begin by experiencing the everyday Lugo; the quiet provincial capital which possesses three World Heritage Sites (the Cathedral, the Roman Walls and the Camino de Santiago Primitivo). We will then walk the Camino to Santiago de Compostela. Finally, we will return to Lugo to discover that it has been transformed into an authentic Roman city, with its inhabitants participating in this unique festival in Europe.

AVE CESAR !!! THOSE WHO ARE GOING TO WALK GREET YOU !!!

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Arde Lucus Festival
  • World Heritage
  • Medieval route
  • Unspoilt traditional villages
  • Delicious food
  • Local producers
  • Exclusive accommodations
  • Roman Walls
  • International tourist interest festival

ITINERARY

We will meet together at 4:00 p.m. in the reception of our 4 **** hotel where we will have the tour presentation where we will explain all the details and dynamics of our trip. We will then get to know each other over a welcome cocktail. After this, we will take a walking tour of the historic center of Lugo, to take in its famous Roman Walls, the Cathedral, its Plaza Mayor and its lively pedestrian streets, through which the Primitive Way runs. After our walk, we will enjoy a welcome dinner in one of the best restaurants in the city…our first contact with another of the great heritages of Lugo, gastronomy. Accommodation in Lugo.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars


Meals:
 Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
After breakfast, we will start the first stage of our Camino. We do not have to pack our suitcases today, as we will be returning to our hotel for another night. We leave Lugo from the Cathedral, crossing the walls through the Puerta de Santiago (St James’ Door) and descending to the Roman Bridge of Lugo, which crosses the River Miño. We leave Lugo behind and continue through local roads and sections of trails, crossing several villages, without great difficulties or slopes, until we reach San Roman da Retorta, the end of our stage. In San Roman we will enjoy lunch (not included) before taking our transport back to Lugo. On the way back to the hotel, we will make a brief stop to visit the Church of Santa Eulalia da Boveda. This monument is classified “Unicum“, that is, there is no other like it. This 3rd century Roman temple was converted into a church but its original paintings and the original structure, as it was when it was dedicated to the Goddess Cibeles, was preserved. We want to share the experience of being in this unique space, that has known different expressions of worship over the centuries. Return to Lugo and free time to rest in the hotel’s SPA. Dinner at the hotel. Night in Lugo.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
After breakfast, our private transport will take us back to San Romao to start the second stage of our Camino Primitivo. Today we have a simple stage, on level, even paths, following an old Roman road and crossing the Roman bridge of Ferreira. We will walk through charming villages, until we reach our accommodation. Tonight, we will stay in a beautifully restored farmhouse, which sits in an idyllic setting, allowing us to enjoy the beauty of the Galician countryside and to relax until it is time for our magnificent dinner incorporating local products and wines. Dinner and accommodation in As Seixas.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
This morning we start our walk from our accommodation, in a gentle climb towards the hill of the Sierra de Careon, which is the border between the provinces of Lugo and A Coruña. We will enjoy beautiful views from these heights before starting a gentle descent towards Melide. It is here that the Camino Primitivo connects with the Camino Frances. Famous for their octopus, we cannot pass through Melide without stopping for lunch at one of its most famous Pulperias to taste this Galician specialty (Lunch included, with more options available for those who do not like octopus). After renewing our strength, we continue our walk along a beautiful section of the Camino Frances, through Boente and Castañeda, which will take us to our accommodation. Today we stay in a restored Galician Pazo (palace) where the relaxation of its gardens, swimming pool and the possibility of enjoying a well-deserved massage awaits us. This stone house, with 500 years of history, will be our castle for one night. Dinner and accommodation in Castañeda.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
Our first full stage on the Camino Frances begins with some ups and downs, passing over the beautiful bridge of Ribadiso, to the town of Arzua. This large town is famous for its cheese which has designation of origin status. Passing by the Church of Santiago, we leave Arzua to walk along tracks and paths, through forests and past some special villages that will catch our attention. Another very beautiful stage where we will begin to notice the larger numbers of pilgrims walking along the Camino Frances. Today we will again walk to our accommodation in Salceda, which is another old house, beautifully restored, surrounded by gardens and a swimming pool where you can rest after another day on the way. Dinner and accommodation in Salceda.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
We are going to enjoy our last “long“ stage on the Camino, which takes us up to the gates of Santiago. Again, we will alternate between trails and local roads, crossing through small villages and rural places with both cultivated eucalyptus forests and native Galician woodlands. After skirting the airport and passing by the Church of San Paio we will arrive at Lavacolla, a beautiful spot to rest before concluding our stage in Villamaior, less than 6 miles from our goal. Another stage to enjoy the company of our fellow pilgrims and those friends that we will undoubtedly have met on previous days. We will walk to our accommodation, another charming rural house on the outskirts of Santiago, where we will enjoy a fantastic dinner in its well-known restaurant that specialises in traditional Galician cuisine. Dinner and accommodation in Villamaior. Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
The big day has finally arrived! Our efforts will have brought us to the holy city of Santiago de Compostela! Not long after starting our days walk, we will reach the so-called Monte del Gozo (Mount of joy). It is from here that we will have our first view of the towers of the Cathedral. As we experience the joy that so many millions of pilgrims have felt for more than a thousand years, we will understand its name. Entering the outskirts of the city, walking together, and crossing the Porta do Camiño we will soon arrive at the splendid Plaza del Obradoiro. Here we will share emotions and sensations with all the pilgrims that we will find there; pilgrims who have come from all the Caminos, countries and distances that we can imagine…all adopted into one big Pilgrim Family !!!! From the Plaza we will head into the Cathedral to attend the Pilgrim’s Mass. It is celebrated every day at 12 o’clock. Undoubtedly, there will be moments of great significance and emotion. After mass, the guide will accompany us to our accommodation, close to the Cathedral. Free afternoon to eat in the lively restaurants and taverns and to shop and stroll through its historic streets until it is time to meet again to enjoy an unforgettable farewell dinner in Santiago. This will be a very special dinner, in a very special place, full of surprises and emotions. It is here that you will receive your Compostela, the certificate issued by the Cathedral, certifying your pilgrimage on foot to Santiago de Compostela. Dinner and accommodation in Santiago.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
Today, the long days of walking are over, but our Way is not… In the morning we will take a guided tour of the historic center of Santiago accompanied by an expert local guide. They will tell us all the secrets and stories that this world heritage city has accumulated over the centuries. The climax of this tour, will be our private visit to the Portico de la Gloria (Glory Gate). This gate is the pinnacle of European Romanesque work and it has been the main entrance to the Cathedral since its construction in the 13th century. We will be able to see the image of Santiago and the column where millions of pilgrims have left their mark as they prostrated themselves, entering the Cathedral. A very special visit where we will marvel at the portico after the recent deep restoration. At the end of the visit, we will take our transport to follow again in the footsteps of thousands of pilgrims who continue their Way to Finisterre, the end of the world, as named by the Romans. We will visit its well-known lighthouse and its zero kilometer marker for the Camino de Santiago. It’s a magical place, by the sea, where, according to tradition, the pilgrims burned their old clothes as a symbol of regeneration. We will enjoy a delicious seafood lunch in the port of Finisterre before continuing our excursion to Muxia, another special place in Jacobean history. Here tradition tells us that the Virgin Mary appeared to Santiago, who was going through a moment of weakness in his preaching in Roman Hispania. She appeared on a stone boat encouraging him to continue his evangelical work. We will visit the Santuario da Virxe da Barca, the church that commemorates this appearance, which faces the rough waters of the Costa de la Muerte (Death Coast). An unforgettable epilogue for our tour of the Camino de Santiago. Return to Compostela and free time for dinner (Not included) Night in Santiago.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
After breakfast, a private transfer will take us back to the city of Lugo. But on this visit we found a completely different city. It seems that we have traveled back to the Roman Empire times, as all Lugo is “invaded” by people from the past. Roman soldiers, patrician nobles, elegant ladies, all dressed with theat period costumes plus the former local people from the old local tribes called “Castrexos”. All this together with spectacles, street markets and many activities that recreate the atmosphere of this former roman city 2.000 years ago. Our customs, of course, will be waiting at our hotel located right in the city center. So be ready to dress as a roman or “castrexo” and join the festival. Wellcome lunch in a local restaurant with our guide that will explain all the activities, shows and places that you can’t miss in your visit to this amazing festival. In the afternoon, we will walk the main streets and monuments of the old town in order to understand all the aspects of the history and traditions of this roman settlement. Night in Lugo.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
Full day in Lugo to enjoy the multiple activities of the Arde Lucus “Lugo in Flames” Gladiators fights, traditional street markets and food, military parades, concerts, street theater and many other cultural activities that will bring us a lot of fun for sure. An unforgettable time in a very authentic atmosphere. Our guide will be around to help you with any request you may have and to help you to optimize your time in the city. Lunch and dinner not included.

Accommodation: Hotel 4 stars

Meals: Breakfast an dinner

Included Activities:  wine tasting
Breakfast and end of ours services

TOUR GUIDE

INCLUSIONS

INCLUDED
  • Transportation by private Minibus 
  • Meal services as detailed in the itinerary (Drinks included)
  • Accommodation in  Historic hotels  
  • Expert English speaking guide
  • Snacks and fruit, as well as water throughout the tour.
  • Pilgrim’s kit (Backpack included)
  • Informational program and route map
  • Visits with local guides
  • Tickets to monuments and particular sights.
  • Management of the “Compostela” certificate at the Santiago Pilgrims Office
  • Travel insurance. 
  • Photos of your camino
  • Farewell dinner 
  • Private transfer from Santiago to the airport or train station.
EXCLUDED
  • Flights/trains
  • Extra drinks
  • Single supplement 1.390€
OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS
  • Extra nights
  • Day trips

DATES & PRICES 2024

Starting / Ending

June, 2024 / June, 2024

Avaiability / Prices From

Available / Eur €2,250

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • This trip has an activity rating of moderate; travelers should be experienced hikers, physically fit, and prepared for multiple hours of activity each day, as well as some full-day hikes. Hikes range from 3 to 6 hours (5 to 13 miles) on good trails with moderate to steep grades. Vehicle support is provided at various points along the way.
  • Accommodations
    We will stay 10 nights in historic  comfortable hotels that are ideally located and reflect Spanish charm.
  • Expedition Team
    One or two seasoned adventure guides will lead this trip, often accompanied by local guides.

MAP

REVIEWS

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PAYMENT METHODS

E-mail : info@thewaytours.com

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Phone : + 34 633 317 697

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