St James' Way self-guided bicycling tour - Cycle the Camino de Santiago on your own departing Léon

This is the best of self-guided bike tours for any bicyclist wanting a taste of the traditions and history of the "Camino de Santiago". For centuries, it has been used by pilgrims. One needs no religious beliefs, just curiosity and the wish to learn. On the route, the pilgrims are united by their course.

St James' pilgrimage Way or "Camino de Santiago" is listed as the main European Cultural Itinerary and scattered with delightful monuments such as old pilgrims' hospitals in Leon and Santiago de Compostela, we are constantly reminded that this route is the oldest, most celebrated and most frequented in Europe. It crosses the north of Spain beginning from the Pyrenees and provides views of breathtaking landscapes in the following regions of Navarra, Castile and León and Galicia, ancient monuments and most typical villages and cities from Pamplona to Burgos, Leon and to Santiago. Your accommodations are charming 2 and 3-star hotels, you may also choose some of the the highest quality: of three state-run Paradores on the bicycle route, two are very luxurious and the other hotels are of superior quality with a special charm. Savor the best of Spanish cuisine, traditional to the regions and accompanied by excellent wines from La Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions. Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel.

You will get to know Spain´s most spectacular landscapes, historical monuments and charming villages pedaling on a bike.

Bicycles pick-up in Madrid at the Bravo Bike office

WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE SELF-GUIDED TRIP:

Option A Price in 2&3-star hotels without luggage transport	7 days & 6 nights - EURO 840 person, in charming 2 & 3-star hotels, double occupancy. Single supplement EURO 145 OR 8 Days & 7 nights - EURO 930 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement EURO 165 Possibility to store your luggage at our office in Madrid
Option B Price in 2&3-star hotels luggage transport included	7 days & 6 nights - EURO 950 per person, in charming 2 & 3-star hotels, double occupancy. Single supplement EURO 145 OR 8 days & 7 nights - Euro 1040 per person in dbl occupancy. single supplement EURO 165 Luggage transport from hotel to hotel
Price in 4-star hotels & Paradores	7 days & 6 nights - EURO 1150 per person dbl occupancy Paradores & 4-star hotels. Single supplement EURO 255 OR 8 days & 7 nights - Euro 1240 per person in dbl occupancy. single supplement EURO 275. Paradores are at Léon & Santiago de Compostela or 5-star hotel if latter is not available. Early booking is recommended for the paradores in Léon and specially the one in Santiago.
Other options	The tour may be lengthened or shortened to suit your needs. Please contact us for further details. Optional: Flight back by Ryanair from Santiago de Compostela airport (SOQ) to Madrid Barajas (MAD) at own expense. There is a night train leaving Santiago for Madrid which allows transport of bicycles reserving a sleeping cabin. Cost of the sleeper train cabin for 2 people aprox. Euro 140 Bravo Bike also offers support and logistics for larger groups with a driver, there is availabilty of two vehicles. Two VW transporters seating eight passengers plus driver, and two trailers for the transport of bicycles & luggage
Departure dates	As this is a self-guided tour the departure date is up to you. However it is recommended that you travel between the months of April and October. The months of July and August are really crowded, also temperatures are high. The most recommendable bike season for this trail are the month of May, June, September and October.
Itinerary 7 days/6 nights	Day 1: Madrid -León by bus Day 2: León - Astorga 48 km (30 miles) Day 3: Astorga – Villafranca del Bierzo 75 km (46.5 miles). Day 4: Villafranca - Sarría 71.5 km (44.5 miles) Day 5: Sarría - Arzua 72.5 km (45 miles) Day 6: Arzua - Santiago de Compostela 38 km (24miles) Day 7: Santiago de Compostela – Madrid by bus
Itinerary 8 days/7 nights	Day 1: Madrid -León by bus Day 2: León - Astorga 48 km (30 miles) Day 3: Astorga – Ponferrada 51 km (32 miles) Day 4: Ponferrada - O´Cebreiro 55.5 km (34 miles) Day 5: O´Cebreiro - Sarria 45 km (28 miles) Day 6: Sarría - Arzua 69 km (43 miles) Day 7: Arzua - Santiago de Compostela 39 km (24 miles) Day 8: Santiago de Compostela - Madrid by bus
Difficulty level	B (Intermediate) and C (Advanced). From Léon 5 mixed routes mostly paved with some dirt tracks with no tecnical difficulty of 45-75 km rolling terrain with two quite demanding ascents (Cruz de Ferro and O Cebreiro in Galicia. (25 to 47 miles) Routes are also perfect for road bikers although roads are subject to much more traffic towards Santiago de Compostela.Important:NO BICYCLE LANES into Santiago de Compostela!!! at least up to now!
Included in the price	6 or 7 nights accommodation in 2 & 3-star hotels or inns All reinforced continental breakfasts (4-star hotels and paradores buffet breakfast) VAT taxes Transport with bike from Madrid to Léon (departure by bus to León from Moncloa district which is only 5 minutes away) and back from Santiago to Madrid with bus operator ALSA 27-gear mtb bicycle (Trek 4300) individually adapted important to know: a surety is required against theft of bikes on the form of a cash deposit or credit card imprint Bicycles are equipped with rack and panniers (15-20kg each) and front handlebar bag Tube repair kit, pump, locks, spare tube, multi tool and helmet (if required) Option A excess luggage may be left at Bravo Bike shop in Madrid Option B Luggage transport (1 bag, max. 20kg) from hotel to hotel Documentation & maps, hotel vouchers Bravo Bike welcome gifts Our fantastic and highly recommended 3-hour Madrid city tour either at the beginning or end of your tour if your time allows it
Not included	All lunches and diners Personal insurance Bike and travel insurance Mechanical support en route Transfers to and from airport and bus stations Extra days Bike hire at Euro 15 per day
Optional extras	SENDING the bicycles directly to the starting point and back to Madrid has an extra charge of EURO 55 one way
Extra nights	Madrid 4-star hotel Euro 75 pp* 3-star hotel Euro 55 pp* Santiago de Compostela 4-star hotel Euro 75 pp* 3-star hotel Euro 55 pp* *Price in dbl occupancy breakfast included. Please ask us we will offer you the best price/quality solution
Discounts	For larger groups please ask for discounts for bike tour and hotels
Bicycles pick-up	Office Bravo Bike S.L., calle Juan Alvarez Mendizabal, 19, E-28008 Madrid near Plaza de Espana (town center) Accommodation is available at our neighbour hotel Suites Viena aparthotel, calle Juan Alvarez Mendizabal, 17 for overnight stays.
How to get from the airport to theBravo Bike office	Metro line 10: Plaza de España or line 3: Ventura Rodriguez from the airport take line 8 to Nuevos Ministerios and then change to line 10 to Plaza de España (direction Puerta del Sur) New: Train connection C1 leaving from airport terminal 4 brings you to the city centre and Principe Pío train station, there you switch to metro line 10 to Plaza de España 1 stop. Takes about 35 minutes and costs Euro 2.50 You also can buy a transferable bonus of 10 metro tickets for Euro 10 Important advise: Be vigilant for pick-pocketing. Do not keep all your important belongings at the same spot. By taxi: Euro 35 approx. distance 20 km/14 miles
Recommended season	Best time of the year are the month of late April, May, June, September and October. During July and August the Camino gets extremly busy and temperatures are rather high. Further information about the Camino de Santiago can be found at St James'
Local advise	Should you need any information about anything concerning your stay/travel in Spain, please just send us a message

Sancti Jacobi the Compostela certificate