Camino Frances: Pilgrimage & Cellars

Welcome to Pamplona!!! The vibrant starting point of your El Camino Frances: Pilgrimage & Cellars journey! This historic city is where pilgrims find their stride, and centuries-old tradition fills the streets with life.

Your tour director, who will guide you throughout this El Camino experience, will meet you upon arrival and transfer you to your hotel. During a brief orientation, you will learn how to fully enjoy this spectacular pilgrimage, exploring ancient traditions, mountain landscapes of Northern Spain, and the renowned gastronomy of Navarra and Northern Spain.

• Accommodation: Boutique Luxury Hotel 

On our first day, we will travel to Roncesvalles, the iconic starting point of the Camino Frances in Spain. Nestled at the foothills of the Pyrenees, before beginning our walk, we will visit the crypt containing the remains of the Kings of Navarra, a site rich in history and tradition.

Our first steps on El Camino Frances: Pilgrimage & Cellars will take us through charming Pyrenean villages, including Burguete, famously known as the place that inspired Ernest Hemingway while writing The Sun Also Rises.

After a short break and light lunch, we will continue to Pamplona, where you can rest and recharge before reuniting for a guided walking tour of the old town, discovering the city’s vibrant streets and sampling the best tapas bars.

• Meals: Breakfast & Tapas Dinner
• Activities: Roncsesvalles & Burguete Guided Tour 
• Today’s Walk: Roncesvalles - Bizkarreta (11Km)
• Accommodation: Boutique Luxury Hotel

On this day, we will explore Pamplona and uncover many of its hidden secrets.

In the morning, enjoy a private guided tour of the city led by a professional guide with a degree in Art History. We will stroll through the historic old town, learn about the city’s fascinating past, its world-famous running of the bulls, and visit the Navarra Museum to dive deeper into local culture.

In the mid-afternoon, we will get hands-on with a local cooking class in an authentic gastronomic social club, a long-standing tradition in the region. Of course, we will savor our own creations along with other culinary delights from Navarra, experiencing the rich flavors and gastronomy of Northern Spain firsthand.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Activities: Pamplona Full Guided Tour & Navarra Museum (Tickets Included)
• Cooking Class: at a Private Gastronomy Club
• Accommodation: Boutique Luxury Hotel
  

Early in the morning, after a hearty breakfast, we will begin our walk, leaving behind the city of Pamplona.

As we leave the urban landscape, we will immerse ourselves in the Navarrese plains, enjoying their stunning vistas and open countryside. Our route will take us to the Alto del Perdon, famous for its metal sculptures and panoramic views of the Navarre valley.

After a well-deserved break to recharge, we will transfer to the charming town of Viana. Here, we will take a stroll through the historic streets and plazas before resuming the Camino towards today’s final destination: Logroño.

For dinner, we will gather along the renowned Calle Laurel, sampling traditional tapas and tasting the first Rioja wines of our journey, experiencing the rich gastronomy of La Rioja.

• Meals: Breakfast & Tapas Dinner
• Today’s Walk: Pamplona - Alto del Perdon (12Km) & Viana - Logroño (10 Km)
• Accommodation: Boutique Luxury Hotel 
  
  

On this day in El Camino Frances: Pilgrimage & Cellars, we will dedicate ourselves exclusively to exploring La Rioja, Spain’s premier wine region, for an unforgettable guided wine experience.

From Logroño, we head to Laguardia, a stunning medieval walled village in the heart of Rioja Alavesa, where we will wander its cobbled streets, explore underground wine cellars, and enjoy breathtaking views over endless vineyards.

Our route continues through charming wine villages such as Lapuebla de Labarca and Fuenmayor, before arriving in Elciego, home to the world-renowned Marqués de Riscal Winery, designed by Frank Gehry. Named Best Winery in the World in 2024, it offers an unforgettable guided tour of its avant-garde architecture, traditional winemaking heritage, and a premium wine tasting experience capturing the essence of Rioja wines.

We will then take a scenic drive toward Briones, with the option to stop in San Vicente de la Sonsierra, a picturesque village crowned by a medieval castle. Finally, we will arrive in Briones by mid-afternoon.

The day concludes at the exclusive Hotel Santa María Briones, where we will indulge in a Michelin-starred gastronomic journey, savoring a carefully curated dinner menu that highlights the flavors of the region.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Activities:  La Rioja Guided Tour & Elciego Winery (Visit + Tasting) 
• Accommodation: Santa Maria Briones Winery Hotel 
  

We resume El Camino Frances for a new stage, but not before spending time in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a historic and spiritual stop on the Camino de Santiago. We will visit the cathedral and explore the medieval old town, soaking in its centuries-old architecture and pilgrim heritage.

Our walk will cover approximately 5,30 / 6 hours along a symbolic and natural section of the Camino, leading us to Belorado, where a transfer will take us to our accommodation.

We will spend the night in a charming rural boutique hotel, where a seasonal local cuisine menu awaits, allowing us to experience the authentic flavors of the region.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Activities: Sto Domingo de la Calzada Guided Tour 
• Today’s Walk: Sto Domingo de la Calzada - Belorado (22Km)
• Accommodation: Boutique Rural Hotel
  

Today we will travel to Atapuerca, the iconic starting point of our Camino de Santiago journey. Before setting off on the trail, we visit the Atapuerca Interpretation Center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where we will uncover the secrets of its archaeological sites and see some of the oldest human remains in Europe.

From the center, we will begin walking through golden fields and charming Castilian villages. Midway along the route, before reaching Burgos, we will stop for lunch in a traditional village bar, sampling authentic local flavors. Gradually, we will reach the Arlanzon River greenway, a peaceful and scenic walking route that leads directly into Burgos.

In Burgos, we will stay in a charming boutique hotel set in a 16th-century monastery, combining historic charm with modern comfort. After a well-deserved rest, we will explore the city and enjoy Castilian tapas in the lively Barrio Humedo, experiencing the authentic Pilgrimage & Cellars spirit of Burgos.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Tapas Dinner
• Activities: Atapuerca Interpretation Center Guided Visit 
• Today’s Walk: Atapuerca - Burgos (20 Km)
• Accommodation: 16th-century Boutique Monastery Hotel
  

On the last day of our El Camino Frances: Pilgrimage & Cellars we will enjoy a full guided tour of Burgos, led by a knowledgeable local expert.

We begin with a comprehensive visit to the Burgos Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a true Gothic masterpiece. Wander through its majestic chapels, admire the intricate stained glass windows, and learn about the tomb of El Cid, the legendary Spanish knight and national hero.

Next, we will continue exploring Burgos with visits to key landmarks, including the Monasterio de las Huelgas, the Casa del Cordon, and the Paseo del Espolon, a picturesque promenade lined with sculptures and historic façades.

The rest of the afternoon will be free to relax and explore at your own pace before our farewell dinner, where we will savor authentic local gastronomy one last time and share memories and anecdotes from this incredible journey.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Activities: Burgos Full Guided Tour (Tickets Included)
• Accommodation: 16th-century Boutique Monastery Hotel

After enjoying a relaxed breakfast, we’ll arrange your private transfer to the train station or nearest airport, making sure your departure is easy and stress-free as you continue your journey.