Day 1 Manila – Istanbul
Fly to Istanbul in the evening.
Day 2 Istanbul – Bilbao.
Upon arrival in Istanbul, take the connecting flight to Bilbao. Welcome meeting in Bilbao and transfer to Loyola in our private vehicle. On our way up to Loyola we will stop at the picturesque fishing town of Guetaria so you can explore and enjoy a delicious pintxos lunch. Arrival at Loyola in time for guided visit to the house and shrine of St. Ignatius in the afternoon.
Night in Loyola
Day 3 Loyola – Zumárraga
17.5 km / 10.9 mi
The Camino begins! Morning welcome Mass at San Ignatius’ house at 8:30 am, after which we will begin our walk. We start our journey with a very easy and beautiful stage following in the footsteps of St. Ignatius. The route goes along the Urola River until we arrive in Zumárraga, from where we will be transferred to the town of Oñati.
Night in Oñati
Day 4 Arantzazu – Araia
17.7 km / 11 mi
We start in the beautiful Sanctuary of Arántzazu, site where the Virgin Mary once appeared before a local shepherd, and has since become a center of Marian devotion and pilgrimage site. We will also be able to see the famous Posada Goiko-Benta, which is one of the places St. Ignatius stayed during his pilgrimage. This is one of the most beautiful stages of the journey as it includes the unforgettable mountain scenery of the Aizkorri-Artz National Park.
Night in Argómaniz
Day 5 Alda – Santa Cruz de Campezo
13.3 km / 8.3 mi
On this relaxed stage we will enjoy walking through lovely towns like San Vicente de Aranda, Orbiso and Santa Cruz de Campezo as we walk through Basque plains set amidst breathtaking mountain ranges.
Night in Argómaniz
Day 6 Genevilla – Kripan
15.5 km / 9.6 mi
On this interesting stage we can marvel at the abrupt change from the mountainous landscape of the Basque Country to the wide vineyard-dotted plains of La Rioja. We will enjoy magnificent views of both landscapes. We will finish the stage in Kripan, from where we will be transferred to the beautiful town of Laguardia.
Night in Laguardia
Day 7 Rest Day in Laguardia
Visit Marques de Riscal
We will enjoy a visit to the famous Marques de Riscal wineries and enjoy lunch in their exquisite restaurant to make the best of our free day!
Night in Laguardia
Day 8 Laguardia – Navarrete
13.3 km / 9.6 mi
Today’s stage starts in the beautiful walled village of Laguardia. The stage passes through the vineyards of the region of La Rioja, crossing the Ebro River and reaching the beautiful village of Navarrete, famous for its pottery and ceramics. From here we will be transferred to the city of Tudela where we will have free time to explore the city.
Night in Tudela
Day 9 Luceni – Alagón
13 km / 8 mi
From Tudela we will travel to the town of Luceni, where today’s stage begins. We will continue our walk along the Ebro as we walk through villages with Moorish and Roman architecture such as Alcalá de Ebro and the village of Alagón. From here we will be transferred to Zaragoza to enjoy its historical and cultural treasures.
Night in Zaragoza
Day 10 Alagón – Mozalbarba
18.4 km / 11.4 mi
Today’s stage continues along the Ebro River, passing through many wonderful towns where we can see the best examples of the Mudejar style in the region. We finish the stage in the town of Mozalbarba and head back to Zaragoza to explore this stunning city founded in 14 B.C.. Its impressive Basilica del Pilar has the privilege of being the center of Christendom’s oldest Marian tradition and housing the image of the Virgin of the Pillar, which commemorates the passing of the Apostle Santiago through Spanish lands.
Night in Zaragoza
Day 11 Venta de Sta. Lucía – Bujaraloz
11.4 km / 7 mi
We say goodbye to Zaragoza and the Ebro River, and travel to the village of Ventas de Sta. Lucía. Here we will walk through the most arid and deserted area of the region known as the plateau of the Monegros to enjoy its unique and beautiful landscape. After the walk we will travel to the town of Lleida. This city, with its four centuries of Muslim influence, houses stunning sites like the Seu Nova square and Cathedral and the remains of a ninth-century Moorish fortress.
Night in Lleida
Day 12 Castellnou de Seana – Verdú
16.7 km / 10.4 mi
In the morning we will be transferred to the town of Castellnou de Seana, starting point of today’s stage, the first one in Cataluña. Today’s walk is short and relatively easy, passing through small villages, olive groves, vineyards and fields of grain. The stage ends when we reach Verdú, famous for being the hometown of San Pedro Claver, holy defender of the black slaves of Colombia. After the stage we will be transferred back to Lleida to enjoy the afternoon in the city.
Night in Lleida
Day 13 Verdú – Cervera
16 km / 9.9 mi
Today’s stage is not very long so it will allow us to enjoy the town of Verdú and the old university town of Cervera. We will again be walking through olive groves, vineyards, fields of grain and towns like Tarrega. After the stage we will ride to the majestic Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat, which houses the famous Moreneta or “Black Madonna”, patron saint of Catalonia. We will have the afternoon free to visit the Monastery and its beautiful surroundings
Night in Jorba
Day 14 St. Pau de la Guardia – Monastery of Montserrat
11.4 km / 7 mi
In the morning we will be transferred to the town of Castellolí. We will start today’s challenging stage with a steep climb to the Coll de Can Massana and then continue the ascent to the Monastery of Montserrat. The physical effort is well worth it for the unique beauty of the landscape and the reward of visiting this Monastery so closely linked to St. Ignatius’ life
Night in Montserrat
Day 15 Monastery of Montserrat – Manresa
9 km / 5.6 mi
Today is the last stage on our pilgrimage. We will walk the final kilometers through beautiful fields enjoying breathtaking views of the sacred mountain of Montserrat until we reach Manresa. We will be rewarded with “La Ignaciana”, the document which certifies that we have completed the Ignatian Way.
In the afternoon we will enjoy a guided tour of Manresa including its stone bridge and the hospital of St. Lucia, then celebrate our arrival with a wonderful farewell dinner.
Night in Manresa
Day 16 Manresa – Barcelona – Istanbul
Transfer to Barcelona in the morning in our private vehicle, where we will enjoy a private guided visit. Our tour comes to an end. Your Camino through life begin. At 2:00 pm, transfer to Barcelona Airport for your flight to Istanbul or you may opt to extend your stay in Barcelona. Note: Barcelona package available upon request.
Day 17 Istanbul – Manila.
Take the early morning flight back to Manila to arrive in the early evening.
