CAMINO PORTUGUÉS CAMINO PORTUGUÉS - A PILGRIMAGE TO SANTIAGO Follow the Camino Portugués from Lisbon to the cathedral of Santiago de. This pilgrimage is a quieter, less strenuous alternative to the Camino Frances, the better known pilgrims route to Santiago, which also gives you a fascinating insight into the less travelled parts of Portugal. SUMMARY The Camino Portugués in general is quite flat and easy to navigate and with the route being a road less travelled, you will find it a lot quieter than the Camino Frances, but no less inspiring. Starting in the vibrant Portuguese capital of Lisbon, the route is dotted with ancient towns, rich in history and replete with culture. The proud university town of Coimbra, the UNESCO world heritage site of Porto and the Templar city of Tomar are cities of sheer wonder, but each town and village on the route has something special to offer. From the smells of cooking from the Churrascaria, the swell of emotion from your first sight of Santiago de and the warmth and friendliness of the local people, you can be sure that your Camino will stay in your memories for ever. We offer the Camino Portugués in five sections of roughly a week each. You can choose to walk just one section, perhaps the last km to Santiago which you must complete to earn your compostela, or combine two or more sections for a longer pilgrimage. The full km of the Camino Portugués is a magnificent achievement and the month that it takes to walk will provide enough memories to last a lifetime. We are experts in self guided tours on the Camino. Our Camino packages include pre-booked accommodation in comfortable hotels and guesthouses, a detailed guidebook and maps, a comprehensive information pack and emergency support from our local representatives. Baggage transfer is also available as an option if you would prefer not to walk with a heavy bag. HIGHLIGHTS Experiencing a sense of timelessness and freedom amongst the ever changing landscape Discovering the historical towns that form the backbone of the route Enjoying a Pastel de Nata and coffee in Coimbra Sipping ruby port in the UNESCO heritage city of Porto Completing a unique and rewarding journey and gaining your in Santiago WHY CHOOSE A SELF GUIDED WALK ON THE CAMINO PORTUGUÉS WITH US? Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. Our involvement with the Camino began in when a close friend walked the Camino Frances and was enthralled by the experience of the pilgrimage but less so with the basic accommodation and food in the hostels and refuges. We decided to use our long experience of organising unforgettable walking holidays with carefully selected accommodation to offer the outstanding alternatives to the Camino Frances, with hand-picked accommodation for those walkers who prefer a little more comfort. Tour: Camino Portugués Code: WPSCP- Type: Self-Guided Walking Holiday Price: See Website Single Supplement: See Website Dates: March to October Walking Days: - Nights: Start: Lisbon Finish: Santiago de Distance: 9- Km Is the Camino Portuguese For Me? The Camino Portugués is a fantastic alternative to the more popular Camino Frances. The walking is much easier, the route a lot quieter and you can collect a whole new Pilgrims Passport full of stamps. WHAT S INCLUDED? Accommodation: A mixture of * hotels, small hotels and guesthouses, all in private rooms with ensuite WC. Meals: A simple breakfast is included which normally consists of coffee and bread. Lunch and dinner not included but always available at accommodation or nearby. Baggage Transfer: Available as an extra option. Information Pack: Guide Book, detailed maps and Info Pack.
THE CAMINO PORTUGUÉS At km long, the Camino Portuguese can be split into shorter stages. You can walk each of the stages individually over a period of months or years or combine them to walk the entire route in one push over walking days. STAGE LISBON TO SANTARÉM Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Description: This first stage is relatively flat and easy going apart from the short climb up to Santarém at the very end of the section. Starting off in the vibrant city of Lisbon you walk north and eventually escape the urban sprawl to arrive in the Garden of Portugal. For much of the trip you will be walking by the tranquil Tejo river until you arrive in the gothic city of Santarém. ITINERARY: WPSCP Walk to Santa Iria de Azoia Walk to Vila Franca de Xira Walk to Azambuja Walk to Santarém Total Distance 9 ITINERARY: WPSCP STAGE SANTARÉM TO COIMBRA Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Description: Starting off with a day of relatively flat walking, you are soon out amongst the rolling hills as the week progresses. This section has of the most amazing cities on the trip, the gothic Santarém, the Templar city of Tomar and the beautiful University town of Coimbra. Following Roman roads and farm tracks through olive groves and the rolling serras (hills) this is a truly spectacular section of the walk. Arrive Santarém Walk to Golega Walk to Tomar Walk to Alvaiazere Walk to Alvorge (include an extra km onto your accommodation at the end of the day) Walk to the ruins of Conimbriga and order a taxi to take you onto your hotel in Condeixa Order a taxi to take you back to the ruins of Conimbriga to continue your walk onto Coimbra 9 9 Total Distance ITINERARY: WPSCP STAGE COIMBRA TO PORTO Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Arrive Coimbra Walk to Mealhada Walk to Agueda Walk to Albergaria a Velha Walk to Oliveira de Azemeis Walk to Malaposta Walk to Porto Total Distance Description: This section takes you from Coimbra up to the northern capital of Porto. During the course of the week you will walk through vineyards, valleys and woodlands as you head out towards the Atlantic coast before swinging round into the beautiful UNESCO city of Porto, where you might be tempted to try some of the famous local produce.
ITINERARY: WPSCP ITINERARY: WPSCP ITINERARY: WPSCP& STAGE PORTO TO TUI Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Description: On this trip you cross the Arrive Porto Walk to Vilar do Pinheiro (transfer to Arcos for overnight) Transfer back to Vilar do Pinheiro and walk to Arcos Walk to Barcelos Walk to Ponte da Lima Walk to San Pedro de Rubiaes Walk to Tui border from Portugal into Spain when crossing the international bridge over the Minho river. During the course of the trip you will pass through a wide variety of landscapes, from the urban sprawl of Porto to rolling green hills and stretches of quiet coastline. As ever, the towns along the way are dotted with spectacular baroque churches and are rife with history. 9 Total Distance STAGE TUI TO SANTIAGO DE Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Description: This section covers the last km of the route which is the minimum required to get your certificate in Santiago. It takes you through the friendly region Arrive Tui Walk to O Porrino Walk to Arcade Walk to Pontevedra Walk to Caldas de Reis Walk to Padron Walk to Santiago de Total Distance of Galicia in Northern Spain until you reach your final destination, Santiago de. Following quiet country roads and woodland paths you go through wooded valleys, follow gentle rivers and walk by the coast. Galicia welcomes you with its relaxed pace of life and draws you gradually towards your destination, the glorious Santiago de. STAGE & LISBON TO COIMBRA Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Description: Combining the first two sections of the Camino Portugés means that you 9 Walk to Santa Iria de Azoia Walk to Vila Franca de Xira Walk to Azambuja Walk to Santarém Walk to Golega Walk to Tomar Walk to Alvaiazere Walk to Alvorge Walk to Condeixa Walk to Coimbra are getting to visit many of Portugal s most important, historic cities as well as walking through some of its most beautiful scenery through the Garden of Portugal. The walking on these two sections is mainly flat, so you are able to cover a great deal of distance in a relatively short time. 9 9 Total Distance
ITINERARY: WPSCPS& ITINERARY: WPSCPFULL the Cathedral in Santiago de, where pilgrims from all around the world congregate. With a mixture of coastal, forest and open field walking along side some of Portugal s best historic sites, this is a perfect way to finish the Camino Portugués. nights along the walk either as a rest day or simply to do some extra sightseeing. If you are walking the whole route solo try not to add too many extra nights along the way as you will lose touch with those you have met. We would definitely recommend an extra night or in Santiago to attend Pilgrims Mass and walk about this beautiful city. STAGE & PORTO TO SANTIAGO DE Walking Days: Nights: Average Daily Distance: km 9 Arrive Porto Walk to Vilar do Pinheiro (transfer to Arcos for overnight) Transfer back to Vilar do Pinheiro and walk to Arcos Walk to Barcelos Walk to Ponte da Lima Walk to San Pedro de Rubiaes Walk to Tui Walk to O Porrino Walk to Arcade Walk to Pontevedra Walk to Caldas de Reis Walk to Padron Walk to Santiago de Description: This trip gets to started from the easily accessible, World Heritage site of Porto to 9 Total Distance STAGE & PORTO TO SANTIAGO DE Walking Days: Arrive in Santiago de Additional Night in Santiago Total Distance INFORMATION Nights: Average Daily Distance: km Description: Walking the full Camino Portugués is an amazing achievement and the best way to get a feel for this lesser travelled part of Portugal. We include a rest day in Porto and an extra day at the end in Santiago so that you have time to take the midday mass at the Cathedral to welcome the pilgrims to the city. Additional Nights There is so much to see and do along the route that many of our clients choose to add extra Accommodation The accommodation is a mixture of small family run hotels, guesthouses and larger hotels in the big cities. All with private rooms and en-suite bathrooms and all offer a warm welcome to walkers, traditional hospitality and delicious local food. We do recommend that you book this trip early as the area is always popular and the hotels and inns do fill up early. Single Rooms/Solo Walkers The Camino is available to solo walkers at a supplement. Single rooms are available although a single supplement is payable. /Pilgrims Passport The Pilgrims Passport is available in any church/ pilgrim office on the route and these are clearly marked in your guidebook. You need to get the passport stamped in churches, restaurants and hotels along the way. At the end of the walk in Santiago you can obtain your Certificate (only if you have walked the last km). For the other sections of the trail, the passport is used as a souvenir with all the colourful stamps you will receive. NAVIGATION This route is waymarked and easy to follow. Wooden posts with a yellow shell symbol show the way and yellow arrows painted on many walls, wooden posts and tracks are there to follow.
Meals A local breakfast is included each morning which usually consists of a coffee and bread with jams. Lunch and dinner are not included as standard so you are free to choose from the available options. Baggage Transfer (Optional) We can arrange for your bags will be transferred DATES & PRICES from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight accommodation. This is an additional cost and is an option as part of the booking process. The maximum weight of a piece of luggage is kg. Equipment Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, lightweight clothes, waterproofs and a day pack. Availability The Camino is best enjoyed from March to October but you can walk at any time of year. You can start on any date that suits your travel plans and you will find up to date availability on our website. Price Please see our Website for a current list of prices. Included Accommodation in small rural hotels and hostels, with en-suite. A detailed information pack for the group TRAVEL INFORMATION leader including route notes, maps, local information. Emergency support from our local and UK offices in the event of a problem. Excluded Return travel to Portugal/Spain. Lunches, dinners, snacks or drinks. Travel Insurance. Personal Equipment. Taxi transfers or public transport. By Air: All the start points on the route can be accessed by flying into Lisbon, Porto or Santiago. Porto Ryanair fly here from London Stansted and Liverpool Lisbon Easyjet fly from London Luton, Bristol, Liverpool and Edinburgh Santiago de Ryanair fly from London Stansted. You can get to all of these places with Iberia, TAP and British Airways from London. Once on the ground there are an extensive network of buses and trains to take you exactly where you need to be. Visas Please check your visa requirements with the foreign office before travelling to Portugal www.fco.gov.uk. UK passport holders do not need a visa if they are staying for less than months. Travellers to Spain now need to supply their airline their date of birth, nationality and passport number before flying. Language It is highly recommended to know some of the Portuguese/Spanish language before you set off on the Camino. Not many people speak English in rural Portugal and you will find it difficult if you can t communicate. Responsible Travel Macs Adventure have a responsible travel policy which focuses on the main points BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE Minimise Impact & Maximise Benefit Action & Advocacy Carbon and Communities Sensitive & Sustainable Once you have read all the information in this factsheet or our website and decided on your preferred itinerary, visit our website or give us a call to confirm availability. You can then book securely online at www.macsadventure.com by phone: + (), Fax/Post: Download or request a booking form and post it to Macs Adventure Ltd, Speirs Wharf, Glasgow, G 9TH, UK or fax it to + (). Financial Security In accordance with "The Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations99" all passengers booking with Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all monies paid to us, including repatriation if required (this insurance will not cover repatriation to the country of origin for the passengers outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or curtailment of your travel arrangements due to the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd There is no requirement for Financial Protection of day trips, and none is provided. This insurance is only valid for packages booked that DO NOT include flights. "Book with Confidence. We are a member of ABTA which means you have the benefit of ABTA s assistance and Code of Conduct. We provide full financial protection for your money."