Camino Classic, the French Way Gently Daily Itinerary
Day 0: Thursday, October 10 – Arrival in Lugo
Arrival in Lugo and check in hotel.
Day 1: Friday, October 11 – Sarria – Barbadelo – Portomarin
Meet in our designated hotel in Lugo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and generously walled ancient city, and begin with a gentle walking tour. Afterwards we board our private van for the 40-minute ride to a small village outside of Sarria where we will begin our pilgrimage through the green scape of Galicia. 11 miles/18 km. Dinner included.
Day 2: Saturday, October 12 – Portmarin – Airexe
Starting in Portomarin located on the Rio Miño, we walk through woodlands, forests and lovely small villages of the Sierra Ligonde, climbing gradually until we reach Airexe, a petite village where we stop for the day. Our driver will take us from Airexe to our countryside hotel for the evening. 10.5 miles/ 17 km. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 3: Saturday, October 13 – Airexe – O Coto
Beginning in town of Palas de Rei, or Palace of the King, named after an 8th-century Visigoth king, we walk along stopping perhaps for a frothy coffee or fresh-squeezed OJ and a chat with your Camino buddies and new friends along the path. The route undulates and eventually drops us in San Xulian, a classic Camino village with a 12th-century church worth admiring.
Our pilgrim group will continue onward, traversing forested trails and two river valleys.
In Leboreiro, we’ll meet up with our driver and be driven to our hotel for a well-earned dinner and a good night’s rest. 10 miles/16 km. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 4: Sunday, October 14 – O Coto – Arzua
After a hearty breakfast, we start our walk in the charming hamlet of Leboreiro, walking to the medieval village of Furelos, with an impressive Roman bridge. From there we walk to Melide, where we lunch at a local pulperia to sample one of Galicia’s specialties—pulpo Gallego steamed octopus. After lunch, we ascend and descend, traversing quaint hamlets and eucalyptus forests to end our walk in Arzua, a charming town where you can sample local artisanal organic cheese or Casa Frade, home-made Galician wine in china saucers. 10.5 miles/17 km. Breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 5: Monday, October 15 – Full Rest Day
Sleep in, journal, linger over a steamy cup of café con leche, enjoy a leisurely lunch, or explore the countryside. You choose. Breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 6: Tuesday, October 16 – Arzua to Alto de Santa Irene
We continue onward, through small hamlets, eucalyptus forests, along moss-covered stone walls and ancient Roman roads, ending the day in the quiet hamlet of Alto de Santa Irene, with its 17th century chapel and hermitage of St. Irene and its baroque fountain whose water is said to have curative properties. 11.8 miles/19 km. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 7: Wednesday, October 17 – Alto de Santa Irene – Lavacolla
Today’s stage takes us mainly through wooded areas and forests until we reach Lavacolla, the place where the purification ritual needed to arrive in Santiago was performed in ancient times. Afterward we drive to our family run pazo (palace) for our penultimate evening together. 10.5 miles/17 km. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 8: Thursday, October 18 – Lavacolla – Santiago de Compostela
Today is our journey’s most exciting day!
On our final full day on El Camino, we climb from Lavacolla until we reach the Monte do Gozo (Mount of Joy) where we can enjoy a marvelous panoramic view of Santiago in which we will be able to see our final destination: Santiago de Compostela’s Cathedral. An exhilarating and emotional end to our Camino is at the steps of the Cathedral, and afterwards, we gather for a celebratory dinner. 6.8 miles/11 km. Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 9: Friday, October 19 – Santiago de Compostela
To culminate our Camino, a guided two-hour walking tour in Santiago awaits us in the morning, through the old city, its main monuments and squares.
Your Camino through life begins!
Breakfast included.
Private Van Support & Guides
Our fully supported private van is loaded with healthy snacks, water, medicine, and first aid kits is available during the entire pilgrimage route to assist you, to transport luggage, and to address any other needs. This means you can enjoy the scenery and not worry about the unexpected!
With checkpoints along the way, our support vehicle and guide is waiting with healthy snacks and cold drinks, or other assistance. If you do not want to keep walking for any reason, you can hop on the support vehicle at the next checkpoint.
In this customized pilgrimage, our ground support has signals in places where some people take the wrong turn to ensure you’re on the right path. After the daily walk, and after you’ve had lunch you’ll return to the hotel for a hot shower, freshen up, enjoy well-deserved rest, reflect on the day, and savor a delicious-regionally sourced dinner.
Walk at Your Own Pace
Everyone walks at their own pace and you will be met by our guides and support vehicle at various checkpoints along each stage. At the checkpoints you can enjoy a snack, fruit and cold beverages and our guides will assist you in case you need anything else. We also offer assistance for any emergencies or simply to relieve muscular pain or cure blisters. If for any reason you do not want to continue walking, our support vehicle is at your disposal.
Luggage Support
Luggage is transferred from one hotel to the next using the support vehicle. You need only carry a small/medium backpack for your essentials and leave the rest to us!
Regional-Delicious & Healthy Cuisine
Traditionally prepared hearty breakfasts and most locally-sourced and delicious dinners with local wines served with exceptional hospitality and ambiance are included in your Camino. Lunches are not included to provide more flexibility during your walk to sample local foods in the quaint towns at the end of the daily stage. Vegetarians, vegans, or those with a special diet (e.g. gluten-free) can always find suitable options.
Charming Accommodations
Carefully selected accommodations vary from rural charming farmhouses on the heart of El Camino. All lodgings are well known for outstanding hospitality and service with private en-suite bathrooms.
*All hotels are subject to change and depend on availability
Price Includes:
– Guided preparation and facilitation before, during, and after pilgrimage
– Comprehensive pre-pilgrimage preparation, including customized training schedule, newsletters, and resource guide
– Private Vehicle Support fully stocked with supplies and healthy snacks
– English-speaking guide assistance
– All transfers
– All breakfasts
– Six dinners, including celebratory farewell dinner
– Carefully selected en-suite charming accommodations
– Pilgrims’ Kit, a small backpack loaded with resources
– Pilgrim’s Passport & Credentials
– Informational program and route map
– Farewell dinner
– Rest day in Arzua
Price Does Not Include:
– Airfare
– Lunches
– Cancellation Insurance (recommended)
– Tips for Guides
Cost, Registration & Payment Schedule:
Cost: $6300.00/person, double-occupancy
(Single occupancy supplement: +$1,000.00)
To secure your spot:
1) Click above to register and
2) Pay your initial deposit.
Payment Instructions
To pay your initial $1500 deposit and hold your spot–and for future installation payments:
– Pay by check: please make checks out to: Lead Smart Coaching, LLC and mail to 95 Old York Road | New Hope, PA 18938. DO NOT MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO VALERIE BROWN.
– Pay by Venmo: @Valerie-Brown-140 (security code -9978)
Payment Schedule:
Payments for double occupancy are scheduled as follows:
– Initial deposit due with signed registration form: $1500.00
– Payment #2: $2400.00 due by April 2, 2024
– Payment #3: $2400.00 due by July 2, 2024
Payments for single occupancy are scheduled as follows:
– Initial deposit due with signed registration: $1500.00
– Payment #2: $2900.00 due by April 2, 2024
– Payment #3: $2900.00 due by July 2, 2024
Cancellation Policy:
Please see our Terms and Policies page for full information on cancellations, liability and other policies.
Individual Cancellation Fees and Refunds. Notice of cancellation must be signed, dated, and received in writing via e-mail to Valerie Brown/Lead Smart Coaching, LLC. Valerie Brown will refund your payment for services not received by you, minus applicable cancellation fees, according to the following schedule:
– Before April 2, 2024: the cancellation fee is $2500.00 (this fee covers the amount of the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit, plus administrative expenses);
– After July 2, 2024 (when the final payment is due): there are no refunds.
– Please see the Cancellation Policy
– Questions? Contact Valerie Brown
COVID-19 Policy & Protocol for Walk in Beauty Pilgrimages »
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