LOURDES TO PAMPLONA
VIA TOLOSANA AND CAMINO ARAGONES
20 May - 4 June 2018
 25 May - 9 June  2018
Two groups - 20 May to 4 June
​25 May to 9 June
NB:  This route requires a higher level of fitness than the Camino routes.
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​We are thrilled to be able to offer this stunningly beautiful walk  - a route less travelled through majestic landscapes and historic villages. 

We will meet in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes in the south of France, visiting the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, the shrine of Bernadette, and take part in a candlelight procession.

 We will walk to Betharram, Arudy and Oloron Ste Marie on the Via Tolosana, after which we turn south to Sarrance, Borce and the Somport Pass. [1640m ]
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Camino Aragones
This is one of the most ruggedly beautiful Camino routes in Spain. From Pyrenean grandeur at the 1 640 m Col du Somport the path drops sharply to 400 m in 7.5 km, into an ancient, crumpled valley formed by a shallow sea that covered Aragon some 100 million years ago. In places, the lunar landscape is spectacular with ingrained fossils of marine micro-organisms in the grey rocks. Long before Charlemagne led his third expedition across the Pyrenees in the 8th century to become Master of Spain, the ‘Summus Portus’ was traversed by Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Arabs and merchants.
It is ± 165 km from Somport through Jaca to Puente la Reina where it joins the Camino Frances and is well supplied with pilgrim shelters but has fewer  hotels or accommodation for groups.  This means sharing rooms and in one or two places, dormitory accommodation.
In the official guide books some stages are over 30km but we have tweaked the mileages to keep them close to or even under 20km per day.  This is a more rugged route than the Camino Frances with not many opportunities to stop for a coffee and few pilgrims.
From Jaca we will visit the mystical monastery of San Juan de la Pena, tucked into the mountain under an enormous overhanging rock.  This was the home of the Holy Grail until it was transferred to Valencia in the 15th century.
We spend a night in Leyre where we can visit the Monastery,  one of the most attractive and enchanting monuments in Navarre. It is the tomb of many ancient monarchs of Navarre.


OUR WALK INFORMATION

Limited to 12 people
Group accommodation is limited, therefore we might have to share twin rooms in some of the places. Although we walk to Artieda in Spain,  we will taxi the group to Leyre (on the alternative route) and will spend a night there. The next day we will walk to Sanguesa. 

The walk starts with welcome and orientation get together in Lourdes.  This group will be accompanied by a Group Leader for the duration of the walk. 

Cost:  from €1295 (2017 price - if any hotels increase prices or tax in January 2018 we will have to pass this on).
It includes 15 nights accommodation in shared rooms, visits to the famous station at Canfrance de Estacion and by taxi to San Juan de la Pena; a Spanish credencial, luggage tags, and amaWalkers guide book.
If you want a single room [where they are available] a single supplement will be charged.

Luggage transfers are optional - approximately €105.

Not included:

Flights to Europe:  Your flights to France or Spain. Getting to the start, travel  insurance (essential), food and drinks.

Daily spending:   You can budget on €30 - €40 per day for food, drinks, snacks, entrance to museums etc. 
Allow ± €25 per day for food:  €3 - €5 for breakfast, €5 - €10 for lunch and €12 - €15 for dinner and a drink (wine, water and bread is generally provided with a meal). If you choose the A La Carte menu, your meals could cost more.  
Allow ± €10 per day for incidentals such as entrance fees to museums or cathedrals, alcoholic beverages and snacks.  
Taxis usually charge €1 to €1.2 per km.  
Getting there: 
From the UK, fly to Lourdes
From other countries, fly to Toulouse or Pau.   Train to Lourdes.

From South Africa: 
Fly Iberia Johannesburg to Toulouse, returning from Madrid to Johannesburg. (Approx. R9500)

PROVISIONAL STAGES
Lourdes to Bertharram     17 km
Arudy                                23.4km
Oloron Ste Marie              23.5 km
Sarrance                           22 km
Borce                                 22 km
Somport Pass                   16.4km
Villanua                             23 km
Jaca                                  15  km
Santa Cruz                       15.2 km
Puente la Jaca                  13km
Artieda                               21.7 km
[taxi to Leyre]
Sangüesa                           17 km
Abinzano                            17 km
Guerendiáin                       17 km
Puente la Reina                  22 km
Bus to Pamplona
Total km   290



To go on the waiting list, please send us the contact form below

    LOURDES TO PAMPLONA

As we have to work in Euros, but pay from our South African Rand (ZAR), all costs are listed in Euros.  Rate of exchange is €/ZAR
Click on each photograph below for large views