EL CAMINO PRIMITIVO
09 Days Guided walk of the original pilgrims route to Santiago de Compostela
On request from May to October
The Pilgrims' Trail to Santiago de Compostela is one of the great historical 'walking journeys' in Europe. According to legend, it all began in the early 9th C in the year 813 when the long lost tomb of the apostle St. James, whose bones were recovered in Palestine by his followers in the 1st C, were discovered in a village in what is now Galicia. Word of this important religious discovery spread throughout the Christian world, reaching (among others) King Alfonso II of Asturias. He undertook the pilgrimage making the arduous journey through dark woods and over daunting mountains, from Oviedo to Santiago via Lugo and invited fellow monarchs and nobleman to follow in his footsteps.
This 'original' route or 'camino' became very popular in the early Middle Ages, when areas south of the Cantabrian Range were subject to persistent Moorish incursions. This route, walked by millions of pilgrims or 'peregrinos' over the centuries, reveals many beautiful natural settings, historical monuments, verdant rural farmland and authentic rural villages of Northern Spain. Near Lugo, the 'Camino Primitivo' joins the more popular French route, which is almost entirely paved. From here, we continue by bus to Santiago de Compostela, making the requisite stop at Monte del Gozo, the hilltop which affords a pilgrim's first glimpse of Santiago. There is an option of walking the last few kilometres to enter the city on foot.
Day 1 OVIEDO
Arrival in Oviedo, capital of Asturias. Visit of the Gothic Cathedral devoted to San Salvador, an important Saint for pilgrims to Santiago. Enjoy the lively atmosphere in the old town centre, with plenty of cafés, restaurants, bodegas and cider houses.
Day 2 OVIEDO - PUERMA - SALAS
(5,5hrs, 18,5km 220m ascent & 300m descent) 
We follow the Jacobean copper shells through the narrow lanes of the city centre and out into the green Asturian countryside. Tarmac lanes and old foot paths take us along quiet villages, some of which still have pilgrims hostals and historic inn's. From Puerma we continue by car to the Cornellana monastery (founded in 1024) and our castle-hotel in Salas.
Day 3 SALAS - SABLISMO - ALLANDE
(5,5-6hrs, 19km, 250 ascent and 350m descent)
To avoid heavy traffic, we first drive to El Pedregal, from where we walk the first 10km to Tineo to have lunch in the old centre. Then we make a side tour to the monastery of Obona, which was an important school and retreat for wise men in the Middle Ages. From there we walk another 9km along the Camino to Sablismo and continue by car to the friendly hotel in Pola de Allande, famous for its regional cuisine.
Day 4 ALLANDE - THE PALO PASS - ALLANDE
(5,5hrs, 15km, 450m ascent and 125m descent)
We drive back to Sablismo from where the original high "ruta de los hospitales" (Route of the hospitals) crosses the steep slopes toward the Puerto del Palo. Because of the extreme weather circumstances in winter, there were several pilgrim's hospitals on either side of the mountain pass. Superb views to enjoy before we drive back to our hotel in Pola de Allande. Option of walking (part way) down along the alternative Camino through the valley.
Day 5 BERDUCEDO - GRANDAS DE SALIME
(5hrs 16km, 250m ascent and 800m descent)
From Allande we drive to the hamlet of Berducedo from where we descend through the fields and woods to the village of Villapedre. Here a boatsman helps us to cross the lake of Salime (a reservoir of recent construction), which has blocked the original camino. In Grandas de Salime we visit the etnografic museum. We stay one night in a basic hotel in the centre of town. 
Day 6 GRANDAS DE SALIMA - O CADAVO
(6hrs, 18km, 300m ascent and descent)
Since the old camino has been covered by tarmac on its way from Grandas to Fonsagrada, we first drive into Galicia. At Paradanova we take the oldest trail, high across the green pastures and extensive heather fields towards the village of Póboa de Burón, which once had a castle and a large pilgrim's hospital, and finally end up at Paradavella. Short transfer to the nearest pilgrims' hotel in O Cadavo.
Day 7 O CADAVO - LUGO
(6,5hrs, 20km, 200m ascent and 450m descent)
On our last walking day we really enjoy the countryside of Galicia, following quiet tarmac lanes and dirt tracks from one hamlet to another, along the way admiring beautiful examples of traditional architecture. The 'Pazos' and 'Casas Grandes' are well preserved impressive buidlings made from stone and wood, that are often dedicated to tourism. From Gondar we drive to Lugo, where the Camino Primitivo merges with the classic French route. Here we stay in a comfortable hotel in the centre of town.
Day 8 LUGO - SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
(1hr, 5km, 100m descent)
To avoid walking along the main road to Santiago, we drive to the Monto del Gozo; the hill from where pilgrims first catch a glimpse of Santiago. From here we walk into town to share emotions with other pilgrims as we approach the St James Cathedral in the Plaza de Obradoiro the old centre of town. Free afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Santiago.
Day 9 SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA
Alas, the journey ends today!
Difficulty: Easy to moderate walks of 5 to 6 hrs with an average ascent and descent of 300m.
- Spain
- Tours
- Great Train Journeys
- Paradores
- Rustic and Rural
- Hotels
- Apartments
Land of Contrasts
Appropriately called the 'Bull's Hide' by Roman geographer Strabo in 29-27BC, the landmass of Spain with its 505,000 sq. km, provides the traveller with an opportunity to experience the great diversity within its borders, bounded by sea, except for Portugal to the west and France to the north-east.
Iberia has charmed travellers for centuries, but it was not until the early19th century that the first romantics brought Spain into world recognition. Richard Ford along with many others of his time, describing the country as a 'land of miracles, anomalies and contradictions'.
Spain today embodies all of the contrasts of yesteryear. With its rich and varied culture and language, Spain's 17 autonomous regions offer many unexpected architectural, geographical, cultural, gastronomic and climatic differences; all contributing to the many delights and pleasures of the visitor.
Once Spain was one of the most powerful nations on earth with far flung dominions wielding great influence on world political and commercial affairs. The Spain of today is an energetic member of the European Community with a population of 45 million and a universally appreciated culture, individuality and language.
Download our 2012 brochure!
Tours
Ranging from short Fully Escorted coach tours to Private itineraries with your own driver, we have a tour to suit your time frame and budget. Here are a few examples of some of our most popular touring options...
| Self Drive Tours: | A GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE IN NORTHERN SPAIN -- ROMANTIC ANDALUCIA -- WORLD HERITAGE ENCOUNTER |
| Fully Escorted Tours: | ANDALUCIA AND MEDITERRANEAN COAST -- ANDALUCIA AND MOROCCO -- ANDALUCIA AND TOLEDO -- CASTILLA, PORTUGAL AND ANDALUCIA -- GREEN SPAIN -- NORTH OF SPAIN -- SALAMANCA AND PORTUGAL |
| Small Group Tours: | GOURMET SPAIN |
| Tours with Private driver: | SEVILLA AND THE WHITE VILLAGES OF ANDALUCIA -- SEVILLA, CORDOBA AND GRANADA |
| Walking Tours: | EL CAMINO DEL NORTE -- EL CAMINO PRIMITIVO -- SHORT BREAK PICOS DE EUROPA -- THE ALPUJARRAS - MOORISH SPLENDOUR -- WALKING THE PICOS DE EUROPA |
| Unique Spain: | BARCELONA AND ORGANIC WINE IN THE PENEDÈS -- BARCELONA AND THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGES OF CATALONIA -- A GOURMET'S GRANADA -- BARCELONA AND THE GENIUS OF DALI -- GRANADA -ORIGINS OF FLAMENCO -- SEVILLA AND THE PUEBLOS BLANCOS - A CULINARY ENCOUNTER -- THE MOORISH LEGACY IN GRANADA |
The Great Train Journeys of Spain
IBERTOURS is the sole GSA in Australia and New Zealand for the Great Train Journeys of Spain. These marvellous journeys attend to the needs of the traveller who is keen to savour the travel delights of yesteryear and who is enticed by the notion of a special journey by rail.
"El Transcantabrico" explores the rugged mountains and seascape of the northern coast in an 08 day gastronomic adventure. There are 2 very special and itineraries to select.
The "Espreso de la Robla" takes one on an enjoyable 4 day regional rail experience between Bilbao and Leon, as well as Gijon and Santiago de Compostela.
The legendary "Al Andalus" returns in 2012 in a luxurious 6 day adventure through historical Andalucia, from Sevilla to Sevilla, visiting Cordoba, Granada and Jerez along the way.
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EL EXPRESO DE LA ROBLA | EL TRANSCANTABRICO - 8 DAY JOURNEY AL ANDALUS
Unique Historic Accommodation
IBERTOURS TRAVEL is the Official Representative of Paradores in Australia and New Zealand.
The concept of utilising these unique establishments as selected accommodation for tourism goes back to 1926, when the royal tourist commissioner, the Marques of Vega-Inclan, sought Royal Approval for the extraordinarily far sighted idea of setting up State run Paradores as lodgings for nature lovers and hunters around the country.
Rustic and Rural Spain with Rusticae
Rusticae is a network of boutique properties and guesthouses that are often old farms, mills and homes, transformed into small hotels. Rusticae has currently has over 160 hotels spread across Spain, Portugal, France and Argentina divided into two main types of accommodation, Metropoli and Tradition.
The Metropoli range incorporates a selection of small, boutique hotels inside major cities including Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, Palma de Mallorca and Bilbao.
The Tradition range is the most extensive and has a wide selection of hotels and manor houses located in small villages in the countryside.
There are around 140 of these properties in Spain alone and each possesses its own individual charm and style, reflecting the history and traditions of the region and its people.
Spanish Hotels
Stopovers can include 2 and 3 night packages in all major cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, and San Sebastian, plus many other smaller regional cities such as Granada, Toledo, Segovia, Salamanca, Santiago de Compostela and so on... In fact, with our extensive experience and contacts we can develop stopover packages for almost any city or town in the Iberian Triangle, for any length of time, to suit your requirements. Here are some examples...
View a selection of hotels by region:
Northern Spain and the Pyrenees / Madrid and Surrounds / Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha / Valencia / Andalucia / Balearic Islands /Canary Islands
Apartments
If you are planning a stay of 3 nights or more, why not consider an apartment? Live like the locals do in the centre of one of Spain's vibrant and emblematic cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, and others. Ideal for an extended stay, an apartment gives you the freedom and choice to shop with the locals at the market and cook up your own Spanish fusion! All we need to know is how many people, what city and when and we can find one perfect for you! Just ask us to add an apartment to your creative itinerary.