2019 Wilderness Travel Catalog of Adventures

Pilgrim’s Way ANCIENT TRAILS AND PARADORS OF NORTHERN SPAIN’S CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Be part of a thousand-year-old pilgrimage—El Camino de Santiago—across a landscape alive with legends. Our specially designed journey showcases the very best landscapes and villages along this famous trail—and we bring you all the way to Finisterre, mythical Kilometer 0 on the trail, to make the traditional barefoot walk on the beach, as pilgrims have done for centuries. En route, we are welcomed in our carefully selected hotels, including two nights at the acclaimed Parador dos Reis Católicos in Santiago. Our expert Trip Leaders bring the history and heritage of El Camino alive with every step, right down to introducing you to the delicious specialties of each region you travel through. Buen camino!

shepherds tend their herds—are on our hike to the whitewashed village of Portomarín.

Days 1-2 Burgos / Léon / Astorga We meet in medieval Burgos, then join other pilgrims as we hike El Camino de Santiago from Hornillos del Camino to the remote village of Hontanas. A journey across the sun-splashed plains of Castile brings us to the engaging city of Léon, and we explore its leafy squares before heading to the walled city of Astorga. Days 3-5 Cruz de Hierro / O Cebreiro / Portomarín Entering rural Galicia, we hike one of the most historic parts of El Camino, enjoying interactions with the many pilgrims along the trail en route to the Cruz de Hierro, a towering iron cross where for a thousand years, pilgrims have carried a single stone from home to make a wish (be sure to bring yours!). In the mountaintop village of O Cebreiro, we visit a small church whose chalice is linked in legend with the Holy Grail. Some of the most beautiful stretches of the entire pilgrim trail—jewel-green fields, ancient stone walls, and meadows where

Days 6-9 Galician Countryside / Santiago de Compostela / Finisterre Following trails through hamlets and farms flanked by ancient grain silos, we arrive in Santiago, a beautiful medieval city of golden granite. We explore this sacred site, and in the extraordinary twin-towered limestone cathedral that reputedly contains the remains of St. James, we attend the noon mass with a jostling crowd of pilgrims from around the world. We complete our pilgrimage with a hike to Finisterre, following tradition by walking the last part of the trail barefoot along the beach. Depart on Day 9. ON OUR WEBSITE SOUTHERN SPAIN TO MOROCCO Explore Córdoba, Seville, Ronda, and Grazalema, ferry to Morocco to visit Tangier, Chefchaouen, and medieval Fez. Apr 30-May 11, 2019. From $6195.

HIGHLIGHTS • With decades of experience on El Camino, we have honed this itinerary to perfection! • Complete the final hike at Finisterre, walking the sands barefoot in true pilgrim tradition • Enjoy Trip Leaders who ensure the traditions of El Camino are very much a part of your journey • Stay in historic hotels, including the 5-star Parador dos Reis Católicos, a 15th century monastery in Santiago’s main square DETAILS • 9-day trip begins in Burgos and ends in Santiago de Compostela • 8 nights inns, manor houses, and paradors • All meals included except 1 dinner

We’ve carefully designed this itinerary so that in just nine days, you can enjoy the very best portions of northern Spain’s famous El Camino. PHOTO: REINHARD SCHMID

DATES May 7-15, 2019 May 28-Jun 5

Sep 6-14

Sep 24-Oct 2

Jun 12-20

TRIP COST $4495 (10-15 members) $4995 (4-9 members) Single supplement: $420

TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 7 hiking days on easy to moderate trails, some steep sections, 3-8 hours a day, van support

KATHLEEN NORRIS COOK

SEE WHY WT’S PILGRIM’S WAY IS THE BEST: WILDTRAV.COM/WT/CAMINO-DE-SANTIAGO 55