Trip Notes CAMINO DE SANTIAGO RIDE. Cycling conditions. No. of days cycling: 6.

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1 Trip Notes Trip Code: LSS Country: Spain Amended: July 2012 Edition No: CT Valid from: 01 Jan Dec 2013 CAMINO DE SANTIAGO RIDE HIGHLIGHTS Some of the most beautiful monasteries and cathedrals in Spain Ride this pilgrimage route at your own pace Time to enjoy Santiago de Compostela Collect your pilgrims stamps at each stage of your journey SUMMARY This ride has been very successful as a group holiday, so we are very excited to now offer it as a self-guided option. With the freedom of cycling the route on your own you will be able to take in each stage of the pilgrimage at your own pace. This area offers a range of riding from the mountains through to open plains. There are a couple of challenging climbs but these offer rewarding views and as you are your own leader you can tackle these at your pace. Travelling through small towns and villages on quiet lanes offers an ideal cycling environment. Your journey will undoubtedly become a very special experience as you feel the legacy of those that have gone before you and meet others en route. Each person will have their own story, whether it is seeking spiritual enlightenment, the time to think over a life decision, or simply a holiday in a spectacular location. Whatever your reason for choosing this journey you are sure to experience some great cycling, friendly locals and fascinating culture. The journey is steeped in history with more than a 1000 years of pilgrimage having gone before. Also known as the 'Way of St James' the journey originated in Galicia where the tomb of the Apostle James the Great was discovered in the 9th Century. People now start their pilgrimage from far away places, however, we have chosen to begin our own ride in Astorga. From here to Santiago we have chosen the section of the route which encompasses some of the most stunning cathedrals, mediaeval monasteries and spectacular countryside of the route. Our journey will end in Santiago de Compostela with some time to explore the city and reflect on your journey. IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? Cycling conditions This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodations, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next. It is important that you are happy reading maps and following route notes, we make these as accurate as possible and they are regularly checked. Where possible we stick to cycle tracks and quiet roads to make the journeys as pleasant as possible, however, on occasion we have to use busier routes. As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. Grade: B/C (Please see the introductory pages of the cycling holidays brochure or our website for more important information on classification and grading). Av. daily ride: 46km (29 miles). Please note that the average distance given here is the average of the given routes. You will be provided with maps and a road book and you have the freedom to modify the route as it suites you, you only need to make sure you get to your reserved accommodation in the evening. No. of days cycling: 6. Terrain and route: The suggested cycling mainly follows quiet tarmac roads past villages and vineyards across undulating terrain. The route is 70% on tarmac roads and 30% on tracks. There is a mixture of undulating riding and some more challenging sections. There are two challenging climbs so a good level of fitness is advised. Exodus Travels Ltd Grange Mills, Weir Road, London SW12 0NE Sales & Reservations: (44) Fax: (44) sales@exodus.co.uk

2 Day 6 Palas de Rei to Rua. Approx. 48km. Today you continue along these ancient paths and tracks connecting villages. You can breathe in the history along the way and can imagine how many thousands of people over the centuries have shaped the path as it is today. (B) Day 7 Rua to Santiago de Compostela. Approx. 19km. In the morning you will cycle the last 19kms. The Camino leads you into the very heart of Santiago de Compostela, into the Plaza de Obradoiro overlooking the Cathedral built in honour of Saint James. You will arrive with enough time to be able to get your Credencial, or Pilgrims Passport, as a momento of your journey. You can then spend the afternoon exploring this fascinating city. Santiago de Compostela has been a World Heritage Site since 1985, the entire historic centre is a huge museum. We recommend you visit the Tourist Information Centre in Rua do Vilar to make the most of your day. Don't miss a visit inside the Cathedral before you say goodbye to the Camino. (B) Day 8 End Santiago de Compostela. (B) LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner). Day 1 Start Astorga. On arrival in Astorga we recommend that you take some to explore as there is so much of interest to see. Astorga has been a place of importance for many centuries, it was once a Roman Capital where gold and silver from the nearby mountains was traded. Don't miss the Neogothic Episcopal Palace designed in 1889 by the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudi. Pilgrim's Passport: If you wish to get your pilgrim's passport so that you can get it stamped along the way and so that you can present it in Santiago to get your Credential to take home with you, you can get it at the Pilgrims Hostel 'Albergue de Peregrinos' in Plaza de San Francisco just opposite Hotel La Peseta. Day 2 Astorga to Molinaseca. Approx. 46km. Today's route will take you into the Maragateria area, a wooded and mountainous region where beautiful villages with large red stone houses, dot the landscape. You will climb to the highest point of the tour. The stone cross at 1510m, where traditionally each pilgrim leaves a stone they have carried all the way from their homeland. Later you will descend into the rich valley of the Bierzo. (B) Day 3 Molinaseca to O'Cebreiro. Approx. 59km. Today you will cycle through the flat cultivated landscapes of the Bierzo valley. This is a land of rich soils, water and a benign climate which produces excellent wines, fruit and vegetables. Around midday you will reach the mountains as you go through the historic town of Villafranca del Bierzo. You will then have to climb the famously steep O'Cebreiro mountain pass which separates the regions of Castilla and Gallicia. (B) Day 4 O'Cebreiro to Sarria. Approx. 50km. This morning sees you ride in a new region, with a very different climate, vegetation and people. Galicia is green Spain, Atlantic and not Mediterranean, wooded and mountainous. Today you will descend into the small town of Samos where one of the ancient monasteries of the Middle Ages still remains inhabited by monks, you will follow the rivers from the mountains to Sarria. Sarria is the largest town along the camino, between Ponferrada and Santiago with a long history of Jacobean Pilgrimage. The Old historic city centre, high on the hill, is decorated by traditional houses and 18th Century palaces, a 19th Century Church and the Temple of Salvador dating back to the 13th Century. (B) ACCOMMODATION 7 nights in rural hotels. In the smaller villages we use characterful family-run 'Casas Rurales' and in towns we use larger hotels. All have en suite facilities and are beside the actual Camino de Santiago. FOOD & TRANSPORT Food Thousands of people walk or cycle the Camino de Santiago each year and the services available to them along the way have grown a lot over the years. You will find many restaurants in each town where you stay overnight and bars and cafes on the side of the Camino itself to stop for lunch, a coffee or refreshment. Breakfasts - Breakfast is served in your hotels and is usually light, often consisting of coffee and some toast or a sweet bun. If you feel that this will not set you up for the day we suggest taking some cereal bars, however, there are many places en route where you can stop and gets snacks. Lunch - This is usually served late, after 2pm, but on the Camino, many cafes and restaurants will serve before that as they receive many overseas visitors. Dinner - again dinner is served late, from 9pm and is usually a lighter meal than lunch. However, it is always possible to get food earlier, you may just miss eating with the locals. Menu del Peregrino or Pilgrims Menu is a cheap and energy rich, traditional menu of the region, consisting of a starter, main course and dessert with wine included. Prices are around 10 per person. Transport Your luggage (1 bag per person) will be transported between the hotels by taxi or minibus. The hotels are often able to dispatch a taxi should you need it, but may wish to charge you for this service. You will be pedaling under your own steam but the emergency number for our local operator is in the trip notes if you need assistance. Day 5 Sarria to Palas de Rei. Approx. 54km. This is one of the most beautiful sections of the Camino in Galicia. You will cycle along narrow paths amongst woodland, going past tiny villages where people live off the land, as they have done for generations. (B) 2

3 WEATHER AND SEASONALITY in characterful, locally run hotels and the route notes will often give you hints and tips of local restaurants you can try, giving you a taste of the local cuisine while helping to support these establishments. Moreover, we encourage you to journey by train to minimise your carbon footprint. For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit: PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information offered below is to help you with that process. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects. In April and October expect temperatures in the 40-60F/ 5-15 degrees celcius with high chance of rain showers though it could also be simply partly cloudy and more temperate. Temperatures in May and September tend to be about 10F/5 degrees celcius warmer than April and October. Expect a combination of sun, showers and clouds. July and August are typically sunny and warm (60-80F/15-25 degrees celcius). JOINING THE TRIP IN ASTORGA 8 days, normally start Astorga Sat, end Santiago de Compostela Sat Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Astorga on the afternoon of Day 1 of the itinerary listed below. Hotel check-in times are normally from around 4pm. MADRID TO ASTORGA The bus company ALSA runs a daily service from Madrid to Astorga (most buses leave from Madrid south station, 'estacion sur', but some buses also leave from the airport, terminal 4). There are typically 5 buses each day and they take between 4 and 5 hours and cost 22 per person. LEON TO ASTORGA Several trains (RENFE) each afternoon taking 30mins and costing 10 per person. The bus company ALSA runs many buses to Astorga, taking 50mins and costing 4 per person. SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA TO ASTORGA RENFE run one early morning train (9:25) taking just over 5 hours and costing 32 per person. The bus company ALSA runs one early morning bus (8am) taking 6 hours and costing 27 per person. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. No visa required for British passport holders. Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required. Vaccinations and Health Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad. There are no specific health risks on this trip. The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information. Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip. Local Time GMT +1hr Electricity European Group, Staff and Support As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain a 24 hour emergency assistance telephone number. In emergency, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service. The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian. RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company. As a self-guided trip you will be pedalling under your own steam and at your own pace. You will not be part of a group so the impact of your visit on the landscape and communities you pass will be absolutely minimal. Our local operator works with local suppliers and hoteliers to ensure that we support the communities we visit, maximising the benefit to them and also our enjoyment of the region. We will stay 3

4 MONEY MATTERS Currency Information The national currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.26 to the UK and 0.8 to the US$. Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication. ATM availability/credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques There are cash points available in most towns along the route and most places take major credit cards, even though cash is generally easier. Extra Expenses and Spending Money All along the Camino Santiago there are restaurants offering set lunches and dinners for approximately specifically aimed at those travelling the route. We recommend you should allow about 130 overall, however this does depend on which restaurant you choose. - 1 bike lock - 1 repair kit which includes 1 spare inner tube, puncture repair kit, multi tool and a pump. - Speedometer - bottle cage (we recommend you bring your own bottle) On the morning of day 2 you will collect your bikes from the bike shop. Seat and handlebar heights will have been set up in advance from the heights you have given us on booking. However, when you receive your bike there will be the opportunity to test and adjust. If you arrive on a day or time when the shop is closed the bikes will be delivered to the hotel for you. Bike Repairs As you are riding unaccompanied, it is wise to know at least how to repair or change an inner tube before setting off on your bike. The bikes are serviced before being rented out so there should be no problems but there are emergency numbers provided in the Route Notes for more complex problems. WHAT TO TAKE Local Bike Hire: 21 speed Orbea Ravel hybrid bikes 75 (approx. US$130), paid on booking. Extra Bike Bits You may like to bring your own pedals and saddle (excluding the seat post) or gel saddle cover to fit to the hire bikes. We encourage this, if it is your preference. However, please note that you are responsible for your own equipment, and removing your saddle/pedals at the end of the trip. We cannot guarantee the return of any bike parts left behind. Exodus Policy on Cycling Helmets Helmets and safety: Exodus believes that all cyclists should wear helmets in the interests of personal safety, and our leaders are required to do so at all times on all trips. Customers must wear helmets at all times on any 'off-road' cycling holiday and certain 'road' cycling trip (where this is applicable it is clearly stated in these Trip Notes). On most road cycling holidays, wearing a helmet is strongly recommended, but we accept that some customers will want to exercise their own choice in this matter. Please note that not wearing a helmet may affect the validity of your insurance. Those who decide not to wear a helmet do so entirely at their own risk, and in the knowledge that some 'road' trips may include some 'off-road' sections. If wishing to use a helmet you must bring your own with you as they are not available for hire. Cycling of all kinds has its dangers and accidents can happen from time to time. Please ensure that you are properly prepared for the riding you are going to undertake. Essential Equipment and Clothing Personal Equipment On all Exodus cycling holidays you are required to bring the following personal items, which we view as crucial for the health and safety of our clients: A helmet, eye-protection (sunglasses), cycling gloves and waterbottles or hydration system (e.g. camelbak). Recommended Cycling Clothing Padded cycling shorts (with loose 'over-shorts' where recommended), breathable clothing, and a lightweight waterproof/windproof top. Shoes with relatively stiff soles are better for biking, but are not essential unless you are cycling long distances Optional items: Suncream is recommended, particularly in July and August. A warm jumper/fleece and a waterproof are also recommended should the temperatures be a bit cooler and for the mornings and evenings. You may also wish to bring some leggings to wear over your shorts in the mornings when the temperatures are a little cooler. Reading List: Cees Nooteboom (1997), Roads to Santiago If you are interested in any of these books then you can order them from our own Exodus shop, 'Exodus Travel Essentials', JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment. In the Compass Café forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition. To make full use of the Compass Café you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for? IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Most people want to carry certain items with them during the day while cycling, for this we recommend a large bum-bag or small closefitting daysack. Self-Guided Hire Bikes All bikes are supplied with: - 1 front bar bag with a plastic folder for your route notes and maps - 1 per 2 people (if you are travelling together) - 1 rear pannier 4 Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0) Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www. exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information? Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive

5 these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent. The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary. As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3. Complete your booking and payment When you re ready to book, go to for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay by cheque. Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected. 5