Camino Walk

A spiritual pilgrimage for yourself and others exploring faith, life and meaning

Duration
13
Departure
12 October 2024
Price from
3,925

INFORMATION SESSIONS

If you missed the information session, please email us at [email protected] for a copy of the recording.
City Location Date Time Booking Link
Zoom Online meeting April 27, 2023 7:30 pm RSVP

OVERVIEW

The Camino Walk in Northern Spain has been a spiritual journey since the Middle Ages. Back then it was believed that if a pilgrim took the journey their sins would be forgiven! The walk ends in the town of Santiago de Compostela, where it is believed the remains of the apostle James are held in the crypt under the Cathedral. For this reason, the walk is known as the Way of Saint James (even though his remains came by boat!).The scallop shell, found on the shores in Galicia, has long been the symbol of the Camino de Santiago, and is a common signpost along the path to guide pilgrims in the direction of Santiago.

Today the walk attracts people from all over the world, searching for purpose and meaning. As a group of Christians, this is an intentional walk, for your own faith, to grow and come away spiritually refreshed, but also you’ll find yourself wanting to engage with others along The Way. And we want to give them an opportunity to find out more. Whatever your reason for walking, you will be inspired by the beauty of God’s creation as you walk, you will encounter different people along the way and you will have Selah moments with God as you connect with Him on your walk.

“Fun, fellowship, food, faith; The Camino with Selah will remain one of my special life moments. The quiet contemplation of walking, the food and fun at the end of the day, vistas too glorious to imagine, from hills to valleys, farmland and villages, with always a welcome “cafe con leche” along the way. And the arrival at the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela; the pinnacle of the trip. A truly fabulous experience, not to be missed!”  Judi Bancroft, VIC.

 

Julie-anne Laird is your spiritual leader for the Camino. Julie-anne is married to Andrew and they have 4 adult children. She enjoys bike riding and catching up with friends. She has worked for AFES (Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students) at Melbourne Uni  for the last 20 years, helping people work out their faith. She now works for City to City Australia and works with Churches around Missional Engagement.

Julie-anne will be accompanied by a local Spanish tour guide for the walk component on the trip to translate and commentate on local sights.

ITINERARY

We will be making a group booking (need min of 10 people) to fly together from Australia to Madrid.
Exact schedule & pricing will be out in late November 2023.

Included Meals: None

On arrival in Madrid we will be met and transferred to our hotel.
Time to recover and meet the group and our tour guide for dinner.

Hotel: Hotel Ganivet, Madrid (or similar)

Included Meals:

D
Today is free for you to explore Madrid!
Why not grab a hop on hop off bus pass (own expense) and do the sights!
Places to visit include the Plaza Major, the Reina Museum (amazing Picasso), San Miguel Market or La Latina which is a 2 minute walk from the hotel.

Hotel: Hotel Ganivet, Madrid (or similar)

Included Meals:

B
D
After breakfast we farewell Madrid at 8.30am, check out and travel by bus to Sarria. Time to sit back and relax and enjoy the Spanish countryside. We arrive around 2.30pm and after check in we will do our first walk of the Camino! We will walk approximately 9km s from Sarria to Mouzos. We will then meet the bus who will return us to Sarria. Dinner and overnight in Sarria.

Hotel: Alfonso IX Hotel, Sarria

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we commence our walk along the Way of St James. Check out from the hotel in Sarria and drive to Mouzos where we finsihed our walk yesterday. Enjoy the walk to Portomarin via Barbaderlo and Ferreiros. This walk is really picturesque walking through meadows, fields and forests. You pass a number of Romanesque remnants, several Jacobean enclaves, rustic walkways and a medieval bridge. The walk is simple, with achievable kilometres and moderate slopes, and only in heavy rain, mud generated on dirt trails, may cause some sections to become difficult to pass.

On arrival in Portomarin, check in to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Hotel: Hotel Ferromenteiro, Portomarin

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we check out of our hotel & walk from Portomarin to Palas de Rei, a distance of approximately 22 kms.
Along the way we see the Cruceiro of Lameiros (Wayside Crucifx) which was built in the 17th century. One side depicts the crucified Christ. The opposite side appears to have Mary holding the baby Jesus. The base of the crucifix depicts the tools of the crucifixion.
Continue on and you will see the Monstery of Our Saviour of Vilar de Donas. A Romanesque church originally a Monastery for Nuns; the name of the village as 'donas' means ladies. Several prominent knights of the Order of Santiago are buried in the church; also visible are the remains of a Gothic portico adjacent to a highly decorated Romanesque portal. Inside there is a impressive 15th century stone altarpiece; and recently revealed frescoes surviving from 15th century Galicia.

Hotel: Pensione Palas, Palas de Rei

Included Meals:

B
D
Check out of the pension. Today's walk is a leisurely 12 kms. Today's path takes you through little villages and woodlands.
Melide has 3 main churches to explore. Melide is most famous for its octopus (pulpo), so a visit to a pulperia is a must!

Hotel: Hotel Lux, Melide

Included Meals:

B
D
Today is yours to relax. Feel free to sleep in, enjoy the town of Melide and put your feet up!

Hotel: Hotel Lux, Melide

Included Meals:

B
Today is a leisurely walk from Melide to Arzua passing through Boente and Casteneda before stopping for a lunch break in Ribadise da Bixo. The walk is pretty through woodlands and well pathed.
We stay tonight in Arzua, so again you can take as long as you like to walk today. Your guide will introduce you to the Church of St James in Arzua.

Hotel: Hotel Suiza, Arzua

Included Meals:

B
D
Ok today is a BIG day of walking! You can start when you like and at a leisurely pace the walk should take around 7 hours to complete.
We are overnighting in Lavacolla. There are many theories in relation to the origin of the place name Lavacolla (wash neck). One of the theories claims the name Lavacolla comes from the fact that pilgrims in the Middle Ages used to wash in the stream that crosses Lavacolla to arrive clean in Santiago.

Hotel: Hotel Ruta Jacobea, Lavacolla

Included Meals:

B
D
Our last walk today is a 'short' one as we approach the city of Santiago de Compostela. Make your triumphant entry into Santiago. If you arrive before noon, then be sure to attend the daily Pilgrim's Mass at the Santiago Cathedral.
In the afternoon you will have a guided walk of the Old Quarter & Cathedral before check in to your hotel for a 2 night stay in a nice hotel!

Hotel: Hotel Compostela, Santiago

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we take a day trip out of Santiago to the coastal towns of Muxia and Finisterre (means "end of the earth"). This is often considered the last point on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. In Finisterre we will enjoy a seafood lunch to celebrate our walking achievements.
Return to Santiago for dinner & overnight.

Hotel: Hotel Compostela, Santiago

Included Meals:

B
L
Today we farewell Santiago and Galicia and take the coach back to Madrid. Enjoy our last night together as a group.

Hotel: Hotel Ganivet, Madrid

Included Meals:

B
D
After breakfast we will check out of the hotel with a transfer to the airport for our group flights.

Included Meals:

B

Included Meals: None

After breakfast, check out of our hotel. We will fly early afternoon on a domestic flight to Barcelona (exact time TBC).
On arrival we will be met and board our coach for a panoramic tour of Barcelona.
Check in to our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day/evening free.
There are so many great places to eat in Barcelona, so dinner is not included.

Included Meals:

B
After breakfast, we will meet the local guide & bus and enjoy a more comprehensive tour of Barcelona including time at Las Ramblas and Barrio Gótico including the Cathedral.
Free time for lunch before we visit Gaudi's masterpiece Sagrada Familia, the church that has been under construction for almost 100 years and still not finished!
Return to the hotel and you have the night free for dinner and entertainment.

Included Meals:

B
Today we will enjoy a "Paella Experience" where you will be taught how to make an authentic paella, then sit down and enjoy your cooking with a wine, beer or soft drink.
The remainder of the day free for you to enjoy some of the sites in your own time. Check out La Bocqueria market or visit some of the other epic Gaudi sites such as Park Guell.
We will meet at the end of the day for a special final night out together (think Flamenco) to celebrate an amazing time in Espana.

Included Meals:

B
D
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. One transfer to the airport will be offered (TBC)

Included Meals: None

Highlights

  • Madrid
  • Walk the Camino de Santiago from Sarria to Santiago (approx 100 kms)
  • Enjoy the great outdoors mixing and meeting intentionally with others
  • Pilgrims Mass in Santiago and see the relic of the apostle James
  • Celebratory seafood lunch in Finisterre
  • Optional 3 day extension to Barcelona

Map

Destinations

TOUR INCLUDES

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Travel with
like-minded people

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Christian
Tour Leaders

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Option of land
only package

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Option of upgrading
to single room

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Meals

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Sights and entry
fees listed

OUR PRICING

Pricing

Category Description Triple PP Twin PP Single
Tour only (no airfare) Earlybird book in 2023 price $3,925.00 $4,115.00 $5,110.00
Barcelona extension incl flight Santiago-Barcelona n/a $1,884.00 $2,380.00

This tour is now SOLD OUT.

Inclusions
Exclusions
Departure Date Booking
12 October 2024 BOOK NOW

FAQ