Trip Overview

Pious Queen Isabela of Portugal first walked the Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela in the 13th century. Follow in her footsteps on this eight-day hike through the history and pastoral beauty of Portugal and Galicia with AdventureWomen!

The Portuguese Camino, less traveled but infinitely beautiful, is an ideal way to experience the Camino de Santiago: historic, picturesque, and full of charm. In Porto, Portugal, meet your guide and the women with whom you’ll be walking the Way, getting a taste of Portugal before the journey begins. Your hiking guide will be with you throughout the trip to teach you about the Camino, the history of St. James, and the meanings behind the symbols you’ll see along the way. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!

Visit Foz de Douro Lighthouse and walk the ramparts of the Fortress of Valença do Minho, an ancient river defense, try port wine tastings in the Ferreira Bodega (est. 1751), and then get to know each other over a lively welcome dinner.

With your Pilgrim’s Passport in hand, depart Porto on a route with an ambiance that’s conducive to friendly conversations with your fellow adventurers. You’ll feel like old friends by the time you arrive in Tui, Spain! Tui is a medieval border town and your entree to the Camino de Santiago. Stop to visit nearby Mos, a pretty, hilly hamlet of farms and vineyards which offers plenty of spots in which to dine and refresh on local wines, then continue past the beautiful Galician church of Santa Eulalia del Monte and the Pazo de los Marquis, then explore the castle of Soutomaior once owned by the early 1900s feminist Maria Vingals, a true Adventure Woman who loved to travel and was committed to women’s rights.

Continue your journey through medieval villages, exploring the preserved Roman quarter of Pontevedra along a detour unique to the Spiritual Way, which boasts the oldest roots of any of the pilgrimage paths. Enjoy a cooking class with a Galician chef before heading to coastal Cambados, the heart of Albariño, and a chance to sample some of these delicious Spanish wines! Explore the 16th-century Cistercian Monastery of Armenteira and walk the Armenteira River where 30 medieval grist mills still stand. From here, embark on a boat cruise taking the original path of a boat that bore the Apostle James’ remains, followed by a visit to the private palace of the Marquis Gonzalo Rivero de Aquilar, a knight of St. James.

The next day you reach the ultimate goal: the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela and the bestowing of your pilgrim’s Compostela certificate. You each may have had a different reason for hiking the Way, but everyone can agree that walking the Portuguese Camino together made this experience one for the ages.

Follow an ancient path to new friends and new memories on this unique hiking trip from Portugal to Spain on the Portuguese Camino to Santiago de Compostela.

Main Attractions

  • Hike each day on the Camino de Santiago through the beauty of the rural countryside in northern Portugal and southern Spain
  • Enjoy the best of Portugal’s and Spain’s vineyards as you learn about the local cuisine in this part of western Europe
  • Visit palaces, lighthouses, fortresses, and monasteries as you revisit history along this famous spiritual path
  • Triumph in your accomplishment as you gratefully accept your Compostela pilgrim’s certificate at the Cathedral at journey’s end

What You'll See and Do

  • Architecture
  • Cooking Class
  • Historical Sites
  • Local Delicacies
  • Sightseeing
  • Walking
  • Wine Tasting
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Porto
Welcome to Portugal and Spain! 2021 is a rare holy year on the Portuguese Way in Galicia, a portion of the historic Camino de Santiago route walked by centuries of pilgrims. Travel through the history and pastoral beauty of Galicia; this less traveled but infinitely beautiful route is the ideal way to experience the Camino de Santiago.

During your adventure, you’ll get to know your expert local guide versed in the history, culture, and cuisine of this sacred region. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way!

You will be met at the Porto Airport and transferred to your hotel. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times are available for an additional fee.

If you’d like to come in early, we can extend your stay at your hotel, but these hotels fill up early, so please ask us as soon as you can!

This afternoon, during a welcome drink, your group leader will give the outlines of the exciting adventure you are starting. Afterward, we will visit the Ferreira Bodega. The Ferreira Bodega is a Port winery founded in 1751. The tour has won awards as one of the best winery tours in the world. Enjoy the tastings!

Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman on your trip is excited to walk the Camino!

Dinner

Overnight: Carris Hotel Porto Ribeira

Day 2

Porto to the Portuguese Way

Take the morning to explore the town of Porto on your own. Take your time to discover the city’s hidden gems such as its train station, the Lello library, and its Cathedral OR head to the lighthouse in Foz de Douro for a spectacular view (accessible by tramway) over the ocean

After lunch on your own, head to the Fortress of Valença do Minho, whose walls and ramparts dominate the riverside and speak volumes about neighborly disagreements. The fortress has repelled innumerable Spanish and French invasions since the 13th century. Here we are starting our pilgrimage and you can get your first stamp (We can get the first Stamp in Valença do Minho)

Walk just under1.5 miles into the city of Tui, Spain. Arrive in Tui, check into your hotel.

After settling in at your hotel, enjoy an excursion to the town center to visit the cathedral, where you can stamp your credential.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Today’s Hike: 1.5 miles
Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Parador de Tui

Day 3

The Portuguese Way

Start your journey on the Portuguese Way from the beautiful town of Tui to O Porriño.  Walk through country roads and woodland paths along the Rio Louro valley to O Porriño.

Enjoy lunch on your own in O Porriño

Take a coach to Mos. Visit the Pazo Marqués Mos.

Drive back to Tui and have free time until dinner.

Have dinner this evening as a group. Share stories from the day’s hike and learn a bit more about each of the women on your trip.

Today’s Hike: 14 miles
Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Parador de Tui

Day 4

The Portuguese Way

Drive back to Mos. From Mos, we will have a long climb. Through the day we will have another long climb, as well as a steep descent, and the rest is milder ups and downs. We will be walking through little villages, oak forests, country roads as well as some stretches of the main road. We will have the opportunity to enjoy stunning views. Finally, we will reach the infamous bridge of Ponte Sampaio, where during the War of Independence, Napoleon’s army suffered one of its greatest defeats.

During the hike, you will have some free time in Redondela for lunch on your own.

After the hike visit the Fortress of Soutomaior this afternoon.

Transfer back to the hotel.

Today’s Hike: Around 12.5 miles

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Parador Pontevedra

Day 5

The Portuguese Way

After a 20-minute drive back to Ponte Sampaio, we will hike through beautiful forest paths and little villages until reaching the Chapel of Sta. Marta, where we will take the pleasant alternative route along the river which will take us into the city of Pontevedra which is traversed by el Camino. Enjoy some free time in the center of Pontevedra where you can explore and enjoy a coffee and lunch on your own before continuing your hike to Combarro.

After free time for lunch on your own in Pontevedra follow the inland Portuguese Camino for about an hour before reaching the separation point with the Spiritual Variant/the Maritime Way. This detour is relatively new – it was only accepted by the Pilgrim Office in 2013 but has the oldest origin of all Caminos. During the next two days, you will be following the detour toward Vilanova de Arousa, where you will board a LITTLE BOAT to follow the final journey of the Apostle.

In the afternoon our hike will take us up through quiet country roads and paths to the church of San Pedro de Campañó before descending towards the impressive Monastery of Poio.

Arrive in Poio and short visit the Monastery of Poio.  You will be picked up and transferred to Combarro. Free time in the beautiful town of Combarro, famous for its numerous Horreos (a typical granary on pillars).

Drive to the hotel

Enjoy a cooking class and dinner with a Galician chef.

Today’s Hike:  around 14 miles

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Parador Pontevedra

Day 6

The Portuguese Way

After a short drive to the Monastery of Armenteira, start the day with a visit to this 16th-century Cistercian Monastery, followed by a walk on the relaxing “Ruta da Pedra e da Auga” (the route of rocks and water) along the Armenteira river. This is a lovely section of trail in Galicia; follow a small river in the woodlands and pass more than 30 medieval water mills built to grind flour within two hours. Finish today’s hike at the 16th-century stone bridge of Pontearnelas.

Enjoy lunch on your own in Ribadumia.

Bus transfer from Ponte Arnelas to your hotel. Check into your hotel.

Cambados is considered to be the capital of Albariño, one of the best white wines in the world. Enjoy an Albariño wine tasting and visit a winery before enjoying dinner as a group at the hotel.

 

Today’s Hike: around 8.5 miles

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Parador de Cambados

Day 7

The Portuguese Way

Drive to the harbor in Vilanova de Arousa and board a Littele boat following the journey of the stone boat carrying the remains of the Apostle Saint James. You will sail toward Pontecesures next to Iria Flavia. Many miracles are said to have taken place during the crossing of the body of Saint James. Learn about the myths and legends of the region (including dragons, witches, and terrifying soul-seeking processions) from your guide.

Walk a short distance to the town of Padrón, where the stone boat is said to have moored with the body of the Apostle Saint James. The town is also famous for its mild green peppers, so be sure to order them for lunch!

Lunch is on your own today.

After a break in Padron, the Camino will bring you through streets and country roads to the charming Baroque sanctuary of A Esclavitude. The last part of the hike will take us through a pleasant forest walk to Pazo Faramello,  probably one of the most beautiful and important private palaces in Galicia. Hopefully, the Marquis Gonzalo Rivero de Aguilar is available to show you through his family home and beautiful camellia garden. If he is not, someone else in his family will do the honors of showing you around. Gonzalo is a knight of Saint James. Share a glass of his homemade Albariño before returning to your hotel for the night.

Dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel Gastronómico Casa Rosalía

Day 8

The Portuguese Way to Santiago de Compostela

After a short drive back to Faramello. The Camino will bring you to the Chapel of la Magdalena in the oak forest of San Martiño famous for its yearly country horse fair. Then, finally, from the hills of Agro dos Monteiros, you will get your first glimpse of Santiago de Compostela, which you will reach by following a pretty river path.

Enter the Old Town, and the Cathedral will present herself to you, beautiful and powerful from the Plaza del Obradoiro. Simply stop here to soak in the moment. Congratulations! You have finished the Camino de Santiago!

Enjoy lunch on your own in Santiago – there are many delightful restaurants nearby!

Check into your hotel.

Get ready for the Pilgrim mass in the Cathedral and afterward enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. The group leader will hand over the compostelas (pilgrimage certificates) and we will toast to celebrate the end of a spectacular adventure. We’re sure that the Camino has helped you find what you were looking for, or that you have found something unexpected along the way!

 

Today’s Hike: 10 miles
Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight: Hotel San Miguel

Day 9

Depart Spain

Say goodbye to your new AdventureWomen friends as you transfer to the airport for your flights home. One group transfer is included; private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

If you’d like to stay longer in Santiago, we can try to extend your hotel reservation, but please do not wait. 2021 is a Holy Year, and the hotels will fill up extremely early.
Breakfast

Please note: AdventureWomen will attempt to adhere to the itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, and cultural) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. AdventureWomen reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participants.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Traveling to Portugal and Spain



Arrival and Departure Information

May 2022 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Porto, Portugal (OPO) on May 7, 2022 before 12:00pm. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

Depart: Depart Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) on May 15, 2022 anytime. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

September 2022 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Porto, Portugal (OPO) on September 3, 2022 before 12:00pm. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

Depart: Depart Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) on September 11, 2022 anytime. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

October 2022 Departure:

Arrive: Arrive in Porto, Portugal (OPO) on October 1, 2022 before 12:00pm. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

Depart: Depart Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) on October 9, 2022 anytime. One group transfer is included (time TBD); private transfers at other times can be arranged for an additional fee.

 

We are happy to help you make your flight and travel arrangements. If you’d like to do anything prior to or following the AdventureWomen trip, we’d be delighted to help you arrange any trip extensions you’re interested in.

Note: The recent trend in travel is for travelers to finalize their plans much closer to departure time than was customary in the past. While we try to be as flexible as possible booking last-minute registrants, we must release hotel rooms two to three months prior to departure! Please keep this in mind when making your travel plans.

Passports and Visas

Citizens of the United States must have a passport valid for six months beyond their travel dates with at least two blank-facing pages. If you do not have a passport, please apply now!

Activity Level

We rate this trip as High Energy. Our High Energy adventures are designed for women who enjoy a physical challenge and crave being on the go! You should be prepared for itineraries that include (but are not limited to): a full day of biking on a rolling terrain, hiking 5-8 miles on moderate to steep trails, being active at high altitudes, whitewater rafting, or skiing. Please note that this is a general description of what you might encounter; for specific details about your trip, please consult the itinerary.

We recommend training before your trip (with your doctor’s permission!) to make the most of your adventure. We have a partnership with FitForTrips, a company that will design an individualized fitness plan for you with this itinerary in mind. Best of all, AdventureWomen guests get a 25% discount with the code FITWOMEN. Learn more on the FitForTrips website.

You should come with a flexible, adventurous, and enthusiastic spirit, and a wonderful sense of humor that adventure travel requires.

Health Considerations

Make an appointment with a travel clinic. There are no immunization requirements for travel to Portugal or Spain, however your local travel clinic may have recommendations for you based on your age, health, and past vaccination history.

For more health information, go to www.cdc.gov/travel and navigate to the pages about Portugal and Spain.

How to Register

Call the AdventureWomen office at (800) 804-8686 to determine space availability and register for this trip. We can complete your registration, including taking your credit card deposit over the phone.

If you prefer, you can register online by clicking “Sign Up for this Trip” on the trip page.

Please be sure to read the AdventureWomen policies before registering!

Preparation and Packing

Once you register for your adventure, we will send you a comprehensive preparation guide including weather information, gratuity suggestions, and a packing list.

As a reference, AdventureWomen typically suggests $200-250 for gratuities on most trips. Detailed information will be provided to you prior to departure.

Forms and Final Payment

The deposit for this trip is $800, and is nonrefundable and nontransferable. Once you book, you will need to fill out and return to AdventureWomen:

  • Information Form
  • Booking Conditions Form
  • Copy of Flight Information
  • Copy of Issuing Page of Passport (Photo Page)
  • Supplemental Release for COVID

Final payment is due to AdventureWomen in a cash form (check, money order, or wire transfer). A maximum of $1,500 per person can be put on a credit card, which includes your deposit.

May 2022 Departure Final Payment Due Date: February 6, 2022

September 2022 Departure Final Payment Due Date: June 5, 2022

October 2022 Departure Final Payment Due Date: July 3, 2022

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

What's Included

Included

  • Accommodations as per itinerary based on double occupancy
  • All meals as listed in the itinerary
  • All ground transportation
  • One group transfer on arrival and departure days
  • Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel
  • Fully-guided sightseeing as indicated in the itinerary
  • English-speaking hiking guide throughout the trip
  • Drinking water to refill personal bottles
  • Gratuities for baggage handling, waitstaff, hotel staff

Not Included

  • International airfare to Portugal and from Spain
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Alcoholic beverages (unless otherwise specified)
  • Fees for passport, visas, immunizations, or travel insurance
  • Cost of hospitalization or evacuation
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities for guides and drivers

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary

Accommodations

Carris Hotel Porto Ribeira

This renovated historic building in the Ribeira district of Porto offers a comfortable room to begin your Camino adventure. Enjoy exploring Porto on foot from this well-located hotel.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi available for a fee

Parador de Tui

The Parador is in the center of Tui and is a faithful reproduction of a Galician country house. The hotel is the perfect place to sit back, relax, and enjoy the view of the mountains and river. The décor creates an ideal atmosphere in which to relax and get away from it all.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi

Parador de Pontevedra

The Parador, once the residence of the counts of Maceda, is located in the old quarter of the magnificent city of Pontevedra. You will be welcomed by a stately carved stone staircase leading to comfortable guest rooms. The building combines regal, noble, and stately styles with charming rural elements.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi

Parador de Cambados

The Parador de Cambados is located in an old country house known as Bazán, an elegant ancestral mansion. It offers bright, comfortable guest rooms and a delightful interior courtyard with a terrace café, where you will enjoy the sound of water splashing in the stone fountain and the peaceful atmosphere.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi

Hotel Gastronómico Casa Rosalía

This 250-year-old farmhouse has been exquisitely renovated into a hotel blending historic charm with contemporary design. The Casa Rosalia is housed in a traditional wood and stone building and is surrounded by ancient houses and the picturesque green countryside of Galicia. Enjoy the well-preserved courtyard, take a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool, or simply sunbathe in the garden.

Amenities: Coming soon

Hotel Compostela

Hotel Compostela is in Galicia Square, union of both the old city with its historical center and the new city with its hustle and bustle. Close to the hotel you can find the Alameda, a park from which you can enjoy some of the better views of the cathedral. There is a public market nearby where you can see and purchase the best ingredients of Galician cuisine.

Amenities: Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair dryer; electricity; Wifi available for a fee

Please note that all amenities were current when written and are subject to change at any time.

If you're curious about this trip, we would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Call us ~ 1.800.804.8686
Email Us
Browse Detailed Itinerary

Download Extended Itinerary