highlights of the camino primitivo

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1 At UTracks, it s all about u + the tracks you want to explore, be it walking the scenic tracks of the Austrian Alps, a leisurely cycle along the backroads of Tuscany, or trekking the famous Compostela Trail. We are specialists in active walking, cycling, barge & bike, walk or cycle and sail, winter trekking and snowshoeing tours throughout Europe and Morocco, with creative itineraries that feature the best of each region at the greatest possible value to you. There are more than 200 different self guided and small group guided itineraries on offer, lasting as few as four days or as many as 15 days throughout France, Germany, Portugal, Iceland, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, England, Romania, Belgium, Czech Republic, Holland, Spain, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Greece, Turkey, Sweden, Montenegro, Italy, Scotland, Ireland and Morocco. The physical demands of the tours range from introductory to challenging yet all offer unique opportunities to discover the untrodden Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries old culture, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. In short, they re flexible, unique adventures of undiscovered corners that offer you a great deal of independence yet provide support when you need it. Best of all, they start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want. Compare the price and you will see that we offer great value active programs that are virtually all inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the wonders you ve come to experience. explore europe your way TRIP COST Joining Oviedo low season: 670 Trip Concludes: Lugo All prices are per person OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS H - high season surcharge: 34 single supplement: 240 TRIP NAME: TRIP CODE: TRIP DURATION: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CAMINO PRIMITIVO UPV 9 DAYS GRADE: MODERATE 3 ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED WALKING ACCOMMODATION: FARMHOUSE B&BS / HOTELS / GUESTHOUSES Lugo Oviedo Santiago de Compostela Portugal Spain Madrid As the trip price is based on twinshare, a single supplement is payable if a single room is required or a single traveller supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for costs or ask our office for details. Note regarding single rooms The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. *The single traveller surcharge is only available on trips deemed suitable for solo travellers. It is usually more expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage transfers and organisation. IMPORTANT NOTES H - High Season DN1 - A high season supplement applies for all departures from 15 Jul to 7 Sep. DN2 - This trip can be easily combined with the Sarria to Santiago walk. DN3 - This trip is not suitable for solo travellers. Please contact our team for alternate tour suggestions. This tour will NOT entitle you to the Compostelana, since the official DATE DETAILS: DAILY FROM 1 MAY TO 31 OCT highlights Walking sections of the original route to Santiago de Compostela Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims Visiting the fabulous cities and towns of Lugo, Oviedo and Santiago with their wealth of religious and historic treasures Staying at friendly, family run hotels and eating at hotels and restaurants with delicious local dishes the trip The pilgrim s trail to Santiago de Compostela is one of the great historical long distance footpaths through Europe. According to legend, it all began in the 9th century when the bones of the apostle St James, beheaded in Palestine, miraculously appeared in a village in what is now Galicia. Word spread around the Christian world, reaching (among others) King Alfonso II of Asturias. He undertook the pilgrimage, travelling through dark woods and daunting mountains, from Oviedo to Lugo to Santiago and invited fellow kings and noblemen to follow in his footsteps. The original route became very popular in the early Middle Ages when areas south of the Cantabrian mountains were continuously at war. Walked by millions of peregrinos over the centuries, this self guided walk reveals the beautiful natural settings, captivating historical monuments, gorgeous rural farmland and authentically friendly villages of northern Spain. Near Lugo, the Camino Primitivo joins the more popular French route World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/8/ :25:40 AM Page 1

2 pilgrimage certificate requires pilgrims to complete the last 100km on foot (or 200km by bike). If you are intent on getting your certificate, you can extend the 9-day Camino Primitivo tour with a 4-day pilgrimage walk from Lugo to Santiago (no taxi transfers). Though your luggage will be transported separately, you yourself will have to walk from hotel to hotel and get your pilgrims passport stamped regularly. highlights of the camino primitivo itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive Oviedo Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 detailed itinerary Through the countryside to Premono then Grado and transfer to Sama de Grado (22km) Transfer to La Espina and walk to Tineo (11km) Cross forests and woodlands to Campiello (14km) Walk the High Route from La Mortera to El Palo and Berducedo (8km) Descend via woodlands and a dam to Grandas de Salime (15km) Transfer to Fonsagrada in Galicia, walk Poboa to Paradavella (15km) Walk through quintessential Galician countryside and transfer to Lugo (18km) Trip concludes Note: This trip can be easily combined with our Sarria to Santiago Camino walk. If you would like to continue your pilgrimage with us please see our website for details or speak to your UTracks consultant. DAY 1 Arrive Oviedo Today you will make your own way to Oviedo and the first hotel. If you arrive early in the afternoon, be sure to visit the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, which is the historic holy site where the Camino begins. This evening you can enjoy the city s lively atmosphere, and explore the charming lanes in the old town and traditional cider houses around the corner from your comfortable hotel. meals: NIL DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 Through the countryside to Premono then Grado and transfer to Sama de Grado (22km) This morning you will start walking from the cathedral, and you will follow the brass Camino shells through the city centre into the green Asturian countryside. Quiet lanes and ancient footpaths take you past peaceful villages, some with historic pilgrims hostels and inns. From Premono you will follow the main road to Grado. From there, it s just a short transfer to your charming rural hotel. Overnight in Sama de Grado. Transfer to La Espina and walk to Tineo (11km) Today s route starts with a transfer to La Espina to avoid road works on the most recent Camino, a new motorway! There will be a short section walking on tarmac before you move into more serene landscapes on the way to Tineo, the capital of dairy production in Asturias. Overnight in Tineo. Cross forests and woodlands to Campiello (14km) From Tineo you traverse forested terrain to reach the monastery at Obona, the region s first School of Latin and a retreat for scholars in the Middle Ages. From there, you follow woodland tracks and quiet tarmac lanes to reach the village of Campiello and your overnight accommodation World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/8/ :25:40 AM Page 2

3 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9 Walk the High Route from La Mortera to El Palo and Berducedo (8km) From La Mortera, you begin a tough ascent on the High Route - la Ruta de los Hospitales - traversing steep slopes on barren mountainsides to reach the pass at Puerto del Palo. This section has always been one of the most treacherous, due to extreme winter weather, and you ll see ruins of centuries-old pilgrims hospitals on either side of the pass. Enjoy the superb views from the top before you start walking the last section, on tarmac, to your hotel. Overnight in Berducedo. Descend via woodlands and a dam to Grandas de Salime (15km) After Berducedo the pilgrimage route makes a slight detour, to skirt a modern-day reservoir which effectively erased the historic Camino in the mid-20th century. You follow a steep path down through lovely woodlands, then cross the dam to Grandas. Overnight in Grandas de Salime. Transfer to Fonsagrada in Galicia, walk Poboa to Paradavella (15km) Today starts with a 30 minute transfer to avoid a long section on tarmac. As you drive to Fonsagrada, you cross over the border and into Galicia. You will start walking in Poboa and the route will take you past the old pilgrims hospital at Montouto, to Paradavella. There will be a short transfer to your accommodation. Walk through quintessential Galician countryside and transfer to Lugo (18km) Today s walk is from Castroverde to Gondar and is a celebration of quintessential Galician countryside. Continue along quiet country lanes and farming tracks, from one hamlet to the next past gorgeous examples of traditional architecture, from stone barns to historic pazos. From Gondar, there s a short transfer into Lugo s historic town centre, where you will stay overnight. meals: B Trip concludes Trip concludes after breakfast. meals: B inclusions 8 breakfasts, 6 dinners: Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices. Dinner will consist of 3 courses, usually starting with a salad, followed by chicken, red meat, fish or a pasta dish & finishing with a dessert of fruit or cakes. 8 nights in a combination of quality hotels, farmhouse B&Bs and guesthouses generally with private facilities 1 walking guidebook, 1 map holder, 1 detailed day by day description of the itinerary for each room booked Luggage transfer (max 20kgs per person) Visitor tax Emergency hotline items not included Travel to Oviedo and from Lugo Drinks, 2 dinners and lunches Items of a personal nature Entrance fees Guide this is a self guided tour Transfers Travel insurance 2011 World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 10/8/ :25:40 AM Page 3

4 getting there BY CAR BY TRAIN BY AIR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: com Oviedo has regular services from points throughout Spain. Go to the website horarios.renfe.es/hir/ingles.html for more information. From Madrid to Oviedo takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on train and there are several services daily. From Lugo a local train network adif has services to Madrid, A CORUÑA and other locations. There is also a bus network which connects Lugo with Santiago. see php The closest international airport is Oviedo/Asturias EasyJet and Air Berlin have regular services to points throughout Europe. From the airport you can take an ALSA bus to the centre of the city or take a taxi directly to the hotel. From Lugo bus station at Plaza de la Constitution located just outside of the city walls, you can get a bus directly to the airport at Santiago. The journey takes around 2 hours. If you are planning to continue on the Camino from Sarria to Santiago you can take a bus to Sarria (35 minutes) see monbus.es trip grading - moderate The walking is graded moderate (3). Daily walks are between 8 and 22 km on well marked trails over diverse terrain from relatively flat to mountainous. The trip is graded moderate as it is mainly on well defined trails, with a few off path sections only. There are many ups and downs and walking poles are definitely a good idea. A good level of fitness is required. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure. equipment provided dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. Page 4

5 a note on our self guided adventures Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again. joining instructions On confirmation of your booking you will receive details of the hotel and joining instructions. Just before you leave you will receive your hotel list. On arrival at your first hotel you will receive all the necessary documentation for your tour. This will include: Detailed route notes Maps the region The walk takes you through the Spanish regions of Asturias and Galicia. Asturias is renowned for its rugged coastlines and its mountainous interior. Asturias is home to the Picos de Europa National Park. Galicia is known as green Spain, due to its lush green countryside. Located in the northwest Iberian Peninsula, the region is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the bay of Biscay to the north, Portugal in the south and Asturias in the east. Galicia is made up of four different provinces, la Coruña, Pontevedra, Ourense and Lugo, and its capital is Santiago de Compostela. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED VISAS Spain Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www. schengenvisainfo.com/schengen visa countries list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements. CLIMATE Both Asturias and Galicia are both wet regions of Spain. Average temperatures range between 12 and 20 degrees Celsius. Although temperatures aren t as hot as other areas in Spain during summer, it can be humid. This itinerary also comprises some mountainous stages: it can always be windy and cold. MIN GROUP SIZE 2 MAX GROUP SIZE 15 SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Wet weather gear, sunscreen, good walking boots / shoes, sun hat and walking poles. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre departure information provided on booking. Page 5

6 special notes TRAIL CERTIFICATE: As this trip does not include more than 100km in successive walking it does not qualify for the certificate. However, a great souvenir of the pilgrimage is the pilgrim passport collected at the commencement of the trip which is stamped in the towns along the way. MEALS: Breakfast is served from 8am which is not always conducive to an early start, particularly required in the summer months. You may choose to skip breakfast and take a bread roll and cheese from the breakfast buffet. Dinner is served late in traditional Spanish style starting from 9 9:30pm. An afternoon siesta may be required! how to book To book a UTRACKS trip, complete our booking form which is found at the back of our brochure or can be downloaded from our website On completion, fax or post the form to your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office along with full payment by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges apply for credit card payments). World Expeditions/UTRACKS has access to competitive airfares to Europe. Call your nearest UTRACKS/World Expeditions office or travel agent for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation. follow us There s even more tips and ideas on our blog at slide shows UTracks invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel slide shows. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers. Ask our staff for a slide show schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, com or contact our office. IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY, AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office. Page 6

7 AUSTRALIA UTracks / World Expeditions Level 5, 71 York St Sydney NSW 2000 T: (02) F: (02) Toll free: info@utracks.com.au Feel free to visit our World Expeditions offices in:- Melbourne Perth Brisbane Adelaide (Thor Travel) Our staff will be happy to assist with your enquiries. For address and office phone numbers see our website at NEW ZEALAND World Expeditions Level 1, High St Auckland CBD PO Box Auckland City 1143 T: (09) F: (09) Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.co.nz CANADA - OTTAWA World Expeditions 47 William St Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1N 6Z9 T: F: Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.com UNITED KINGDOM World Expeditions 1B Osiers Road Wandsworth London SW18 1NL T: F: T: (Ireland) info@utracks.com Page 7