Full Portuguese Camino Cycle

What's Included

• Accommodation
  15 nights in hotels

• 15 breakfasts - Breakfasts are usually continental inclusive of breads, cheese, ham, tea, coffee & juices.

• 15 nights in a combination of 3-4 star hotels & farmhouse B&Bs on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities

• Mountain bike (MTB) rental (standard model) with helmet, repair kit, lock, panniers, water bottle & pump. Bike options available on request: Trekking (non-MTB) bike, or with supplement: Premium MTB or electric MTB or e-Trekking bike. Equipment available:

• Luggage Transfer, 1 piece maximum 20kg, supplement applies for excess

• Digital information pack with route notes & GPX

• Pilgrim passport

• Emergency hotline

• Travel to Lisbon and from Santiago

• Meals not listed as included, drinks

• A 4 night dinner package is available on request, supplement applies. Dinners in Arcos, Ponte de Lima, Tui & Padron. These will usually consist of 3 courses, starting with a salad, followed by a chicken, red meat, fish or pasta dish & finishing with a des

• Travel insurance - mandatory

• Guide – this is a self guided cycling holiday

• A supplement will apply if you are travelling solo or book a single room

• Bike upgrade models, helmet purchase (if you prefer not to use the rental helmet provided) - supplement applies

• Entrance fees not listed as included

• Transfers not listed as included

• Transfers (optional transfers are available on request from Lisbon and Azambuja and Porto to Arcos - additional costs apply)

• Transfers by taxi or public transport if you need to skip a stage

• Excess luggage

• We recommend bringing a handlebar phone holder – to follow the route more easily using the GPX files

• Hotel taxes if applicable – payable directly to the hotel

• Items of a personal nature

What's Not Included

• Travel to Lisbon and from Santiago

  Travel arrangements to the starting point and from the ending point are not included.
  
  

• Meals not listed as included

  Lunches, drinks, and dinners are not included.
  
  

• Travel insurance

  Mandatory travel insurance is not included.
  
  

• Guide

  This is a self-guided cycling holiday.
  
  

• Transfers not listed as included

  Optional transfers between Lisbon and Villa Franca de Xira, and Porto to Arcos are available at additional costs.
  
  

• Entrance fees not listed as included

  Entrance fees to attractions are not included unless specified.
  
  

• Excess luggage

  Supplement applies for excess luggage beyond the 20kg limit.
  
  

• Handlebar phone holder

  Available for purchase to follow the route more easily using the GPX files.
  
  

• Hotel taxes if applicable

  Payable directly to the hotel.
  
  

• Items of a personal nature

  Personal expenses are not included.
  
  

Grading

GRADE 4
The cycling is moderate to challenging (4) grade with daily cycling distances from 26 to 64km /25 to 40mi over diverse terrain – from relatively flat to hilly and at times there are steep slopes. There will be some dirt roads as well as the occasional rocky path used during this tour. Parts of the Camino have poor tread, stones and gravel which require greater skill with the bike. At times you may need to walk your bike to get around obstacles. Early in the trip there are 3-4 railway bridges to cross (using lifts, or cycling around if the e-MTB is large).
It is important to be in good physical shape to fully enjoy this trip. It is considered suitable for cyclists with a good to high level of fitness and who have a strong cycling technique. Minor roads with reduced traffic are customary on this trip and we recommend that you familiarise yourself with road cycling in light traffic in order to participate. *For safety & legal* reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list or provided with bike on request. *Helmets are mandatory in Portugal & Spain on all roads and paths.
CYCLING THE CAMINO - All Camino cycling routes have some demanding parts requiring some technical skills and physical preparation. Some have signposted detours for cyclists but in the main cyclists continue along the Camino, having to get off bikes to avoid obstacles and walkers. The Portuguese 'Central' route is more demanding than the Portuguese Coastal route and in Spain - mainly due to signposting (it's not as well prepared for cyclists as in Spain) and the terrain is more marked.

What You Carry

During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water.

Mode of Transport

Travel includes mountain bike rental with helmet, repair kit, lock, panniers, water bottle, and pump. Optional transfers are available between Lisbon and Villa Franca de Xira, and Porto to Arcos at additional costs.

Accommodation

Enjoy 15 nights in a combination of 3-4 star hotels and farmhouse B&Bs, all on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities, providing comfort and local charm throughout your journey.