You must be comfortable hiking up to 5-7 hours a day, with many steep uphill sections, uneven, rocky terrain and in unpredictable weather.

If you’re already a regular exerciser, it is a good idea to increase your activity.

If you’re not exercising so regularly (2-3 times a week), it’s important to start in the weeks leading up to your departure (4-6 weeks prior at least).

Your best choice would be to start walking regularly 2-3 times a week including at least one longer walk (up to 15 km).

It is also a good idea to practice walking with your day pack.

SSR X Intrepid travel adventures will take you beyond the everyday sights to see the hidden gems you might otherwise miss.

They will introduce you to the local people and culture at the heart of your trip.

It will be all about the hard-to-forget experiences in hard-to-find places.

You'll see all the highlights, but the real magic will happen off the beaten path, in the backstreet bodegas, local eateries, and other real-life experiences you won't find in a search engine. 

You'll enjoy your adventure with other like-minded women 45+, finding travel companions and friends that will last a lifetime.

We'll start our journey in the lovely historic city of Porto in Portugal.

We'll finish our adventure in the vibrant city of Santiago de Compostela, the heart of Galicia.

This city is famous as the final destination of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route and is believed to be the resting place of the biblical apostle St. James.

It’s a truly special place filled with history and culture!

You will be accompanied by a local Intrepid tour leader and an SSR leader.

The role of the local tour leader is to make your travels hassle-free and to ensure you have the best experience possible.

Intrepid local leaders don’t just show you a destination; they introduce you to the soul of a place.

They will provide information about the places you visit, suggest activities and sights, recommend excellent local dining options, and introduce you to their local friends.

You can expect them to possess a broad general knowledge of the locations visited, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects.

Accommodations are two twin beds with double occupancy in local guest houses and small local hotels. Ramblers can purchase a single occupancy add-on. If you pay for a single occupancy, you will have a single room throughout.

All rooms will have en-suite bathrooms and towels.

On some nights, the group may stay in two hotels next to each other.

The tour includes luggage transport from one destination to the next (what a great thing for this trip - not carrying your big bag).

However once in your destination you must carry luggage from the van to the hotel rooms and that at times that might bean carrying it for up to 30 minutes.

A pack will be best for this but an overnight bag with a shoulder strap will suffice.

For your main piece of luggage we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15 kg (33 lb).

You will have to carry your day pack with water and snacks. So, alongside your main piece of luggage, we recommend bringing a small to medium backpack (25-30 litres) for day walks.

A backpack with a waist strap will be the most comfortable option.

This trip includes an arrival transfer in the cost of the trip if you arrive the day before the trip starts.

The nearest international airport is in Porto, Portugal.

Once the tour reaches the minimum number of participants, Intrepid will send an email to all booked clients, informing them that the tour is now guaranteed and it's time to book your flights!

In that email, they will also provide information about when the included group arrival transfer will take guests from the airport to the hotel.

Anyone arriving outside of this scheduled time can either take a taxi, rent a car, or book a private transfer for a fee.

For those who have pre-booked an arrival transfer, the driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall, holding a sign with the Intrepid logo or your name.

In case of flight cancellations, changes, severe delays at immigration, baggage collection, or customs, or if you are unable to find your driver, you will be provided with a phone number to contact for assistance.

When you book Intrepid will take a deposit payment of $400 USD. The final balance will be due 70 days before departure.

You will have access to your own Intrepid portal, that you will be able to log in to and pay money when you want, before final balance is due.

Intrepid will send a payment link but if you prefer to speak to them you can call them.

You'll have the opportunity to experience a wide range of delicious foods unique to this region. Your group leader will recommend restaurants for you to try during your trip.

Not all meals are included in the trip price, giving you maximum flexibility in choosing where, what, and with whom to eat. This arrangement also allows for more budgeting options.

Generally, our groups prefer to dine together, so you can sample a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company.

Vegetarians might find the menu options in Europe less varied than what they are used to at home. Vegetarianism is less prevalent in this region, and the available choices are generally quite basic, often consisting of vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yogurt, and eggs.

Vegans and those following gluten-free diets may face additional challenges. They may need to supplement their meals with supplies from supermarkets and local markets. Whenever possible, we will accommodate dietary needs for included meals; however, there may be occasions when individuals with special requirements will need to provide their own food.

If you have any dietary requirements or food allergies, please inform the booking agent before your departure.

Intrepid Travel has always focused on balancing purpose with profit. In 2018, they formalized this commitment by becoming a certified B Corporation.

Certified B Corporations prioritize their employees, strive for a more inclusive supply chain, and elevate corporate social responsibility. This certification signifies their dedication to creating benefits for everyone.

Intrepid's official pledge is to utilize travel as a force for good in the world.

The following is not included in the price: flights, required visas, services not mentioned in the itinerary, late check-out at hotels, meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary, drinks with included lunches and dinners, tips for leaders, guide and driver, expenditure of personal nature, personal insurance and optional activities.

Intrepid is committed to ensuring that all its trips are safe for everyone involved, including travelers, local leaders, and the communities they visit.

Their health and safety policies align with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the World Travel & Tourism Council's Safe Travel protocols for tour operators.

Each itinerary undergoes a thorough risk assessment and audit, and both leaders and suppliers complete extensive health and safety training.

You will need to have a valid passport that doesn't expire for at least 6 months.

It is your responsibility to check and address visa requirements from your country of origin.