30/06/2017
Camino Ignaciano (April 5 – 16, 2018)
Day01 – 05April – Manila / Istanbul / Bilbao
Depart Manila via Istanbul for Bilbao on Turkish Airline.
Day02 – 06April – Bilbao / Loyola (Lunch, Dinner)
Arrive Bilbao airport where you will be met and transfered to a restaurant for lunch. Then, transfer to Loyola to check in to your hotel to rest and freshen up. Time to explore the grounds and castle of Loyola on your own. There will be a briefing about the pilgrimage route with your tour es**rt before dinner. Overnight at Arrupe Hotel Loyola.
Day03 – 07April – Loyola / Zumarraga / Logrono (Breakfast. Lunch, Dinner)
Morning tour of the historic town of Azpeitia. Nestled among the hills of the Basque region is the home of one of Christianity’s most remarkable figures, St. Ignatius of Loyola. Ignatius was born in 1491 in the Casa Torre Gipuzkoa, a castle that still stands today. The interior of the castle has been converted to a museum. Make sure to spend time in the room (now a chapel) where Ignatius convalesced after his battle injury at Pamplona in 1521. This is also where he read a book about the life of the saints that inspired him to be of service to God. What can be more fitting than for your pilgrimage to start in this room. After your visit, register and collect the pilgrim’s credentials as you start your Camino.
Walking Stage 1: 17.5 Km Loyola - Zumarrage
On arrival in Zumarraga, visit Emita de Antigua where St. Ignatius prayed. Bus transfer to Aranzazu, to the Franciscan shrine to Our Lady who appeared to the shepherd Rodrigo de Balanzategui in 1468. St. Ignatius visited the sanctuary before he embarked on his pilgrimage toward a new life.
Last stop on today’s itinerary is Logrono, capital of La Rioja, where you can visit the various attractions such as the defensive wall, museums, the Parliament, Library and the Cathedral of Santa Maria de la Redonda. Dinner and overnight in Hotel NH Herencia Rioja in Logrono
Day04 – 08April – Logrono / Laguardia / Logrono (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
After breakfast, transfer by bus to Kripan to start your walk.
Walking Stage 2: 12 Km Kripan - Laguardia
This stage of the walk goes through La Rioja, a fertile region of farms and vineyards. It serves as a crossroad of ancient civilization and modern day pilgrims who all pass through the area. La Rioja was inhabited by Celtics, Romans, Visigoths and Muslims in ancient times and is now part of the renowned Camino Santiago. It is very common to see pilgrims along the way wearing the distinctive scallop shell symbolizing the pilgrimage to Santiago. On arrival in Laguardia, lunch will be served at a local restaurant. A visit has been arranged to Sta. Maria de los Reyes, a 12th century Gothic church, known for its facade of polychromatic stones.
Transfer by bus back to Logrono for overnight at Hotel NH Herencia Rioja.
Day05 – 09April – Logrono / Pamplona / Zaragoza (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Morning transfer by bus to Pamplona, famed for the San Fermin bull-running festival. Your sightseeing tour will include visits to the medieval cathedral, squares and the site where St. Ignatius’ leg was injured. Continue by bus to Javier Castle, home of St. Francis Xavier. The Javier Castle contains important works of art such as Spanish painting from the 15th to 20th centuries, 19th century Japanese kakemonos and an 18th century encaustic work representing the agony of St. Francis Xavier. After the visit, transfer by bus to Castejon to return to the Camino Ignaciano.
Walking Stage 3: 18.9 Km Castejon – Tudela
Castejon is in the Autonomous region of Navarra that boasts of the Iberian Peninsula’s most beautiful landscape. Navarra holds special significance to Jesuit history and spirituality being the birthplace of St. Francis Xavier, Ignatius’ closest companion and co-founder of the Society; and site of the most dramatic incident in Ignatius’ life.
Arrive in Zaragoza at the end of today’s walk. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Melia Zaragoza.
Day06 – 10April – Zaragoza / Alagon / Zaragoza (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Morning bus transfer to Luceni.
Walking Stage 4: 13 Km Luceni – Alagon
Today’s walking stage begins in Luceni of the Autonomous Community of Aragon, a region with an extraordinary history. The Ebro River, which transported various goods, people and cultures to this area in the past, will be your companion today. See Moorish style ornaments and architecture, influenced by North African Muslim culture, along the way. But Aragon is associated even more with the coming of Christianity to Spain. St. James the Apostle came through this region to evangelize Spain. Near Zaragoza, in a moment of discouragement, the Virgin Mary appeared to encourage him to continue with his mission. Perhaps you will find the same encouragement from Our Lady in your pilgrimage.
Bus transfer back to Zaragoza after the walk. On your return to the city, visit some of the most significant sights such as the Basilica of our Lady of the Pillar. Stroll through historic streets, squares and hidden spots waiting silently for visitors to discover them. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Melia Zaragoza.
Day07 – 11April – Zaragoza / Bujaraloz / Zaragoza (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Bus transfer to Bujaraloz.
Walking Stage 5: 11.4 Km Venta e Sta. Lucia – Bujaraloz
Still in the Aragon region, your walk today will go from Venta de Sta. Lucia to Bujaraloz to Candasnos. This is the last stage before reaching the region of Catalonia. While in Bujaraloz, visit the numerous natural and artistic monuments that abound in the city. Among them are the Church of St. James the Great, the Chapel of Mercy, the Torres Solanot Palace and various rafts which supplied water to the population in early times. There are also numerous places where the population mined and traded salt.
Return to Zaragoza for dinner and overnight at Hotel Melia Zaragoza.
Day08 – 12April – Zaragoza / Montserrat (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Bus to Lleida for city sightseeing. Lleida is one of the oldest towns in Catalonia, dating back to the Bronze Age. There are 2 cathedrals which you will visit in Lleida - Seu Vella and Seu Nova. Seu Vella was made a military fortress in the 18th century while Seu Nova was used since the Bourbon rule. Transfer to Bell Iloc d’ Urgell to start your walk.
Walking Stage 6: 9.7 Km Bell Iloc d’ Urgell – Palau d’ Anglesola
Catalonia is a region with a glorious history and rich culture, manifested in the vernacular language “Catalan”. In this area, you will see markers for the Camino Ignaciano throughout the province. On arrival in Palau d’ Anglesola, spend time to visit the façade of the 18th century manor “Cal Massot”, the Church of San Juan Bautista, the Hermitage of Santa Lucia and the building of Cooperativa del Camp by Cesar Martinelli.
Transfer by bus to Verdu, birthplace of St. Peter Claver, patron saint of slaves. St. Peter Claver was a Jesuit missionary to Cartagena (modern Colombia), the principle slave market of the New World. He dedicated himself until his death in 1654, to the service of Negro slaves and to the abolition of the slave trade.
Bus transfer to Montserrat, site of the Benedictine Abbey which hosts the Virgin of Montserrat. It was in Montserrat where St. Ignatius offered his sword to Our Lady, symbolizing the renunciation of his past courtly and military life for his new life as a servant of God. Dinner and overnight at Hotel Abat Cisneros in Montserrat.
Day09 – 13April – Montserrat / Manresa / Barcelona (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Bus transfer to Sant Cristofol to start walk.
Walking Stage 7: 15.6 Km Sant Cristofol – Manresa
Today is the last stage of the Ignatian Camino. After his stay in Montserrat, St. Ignatius headed to Manresa for a short rest before he would head for Barcelona to catch a ship to Rome. However, the detour to Manresa stretched to almost a year. It was a time of profound enlightenment and this was where he developed the core of his Spiritual Exercises. In many respects, Manresa is the cradle of Ignatian Spirituality. Visit the cave where Ignatius shut himself to pray and do penance from March 1522 to February 1523. It is also in this cave where the Spiritual Exercises was written. Tour of the town of Manresa where Ignatius would often visit and spend time in.
Transfer by bus to Barcelona. Dinner and overnight at Hotel HCC St. Mortiz Barcelona.
Day10 – 14Arpil – Barcelona (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Private half-day sightseeing tour in Barcelona. Visit La Sagrada Familia - Gaudi’s greatest work and Barcelona’s most iconic monument, Montjuic Hill, Passeig de Gracia, Gaudi’s Casa Batillo, Casa Mila and the Ignatian sights of Santa Maria del Mar – where St. Ignatius would beg for alms, and the Sagrat Cor church where the original sword of Ignatius is housed.
Balance of day free for more sightseeing or shopping. Dinner and overnight at Hotel HCC St. Mortiz.
Day11 – 15April – Barcelona (Breakfast)
Free day until time to transfer to the airport for your return flight.
Day12 – 16April – Manila Arrival.
FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
Manila / Istanbul 05Apr TK-085 21:45 / 05:10
Istanbul / Bilbao 06Apr TK-1315 08:45 / 12:00
S U R F A C E
Barcelona / Istanbul 15Apr TK-1856 18:55 / 23:20
Istanbul / Manila 16Apr TK-084 01:55 / 18:55
Package Includes:
- Round-trip Economy Class Airfare on Turkish Airline
- 9 Nights’ Accommodation on Half-twin basis at indicated 4 Star Hotels (except Loyola and Montserrat where no other hotels are available)
- Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
- 1 bottle of water per day
- English-speaking Tour Es**rt from Day 1 to Day 7
- Private motor coach throughout
- Entrance fees to attractions
- Jesuit Chaplain including stipend
- Local Tour Guide in Logrono, Pamplona, and Zaragoza
- Donation for Masses
- Porterage of 1 piece luggage per person
- Luggage transfer while on walk
- Service of a van accompanying the group while on walk
- All Local / City Taxes
- Pilgrim’s Passport and Credentials
Package Excludes:
- Tips for Tour Es**rt, Drivers and Tour Guides
- Personal Expenses
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary
- Airline Taxes – approx. $ 83
- Insurance – approx. $ 60
- Visa Fee – approx. $ 150
Package Prices:
Minimum of 15 Full paying passengers $ 4,280.00 / person
Single Supplement Additional: $ 560.00
Travel right with Caravan Travel and Tours. If you are looking for a well organized, systematized, a
