Compostela Classical Way – Walking with your God

Walk the classic route of Compostela from August 27 to September 18, 2023 (23 days / 21 nights)

Experience a spiritual walking experience in a small group on the classic Way of St. James in the fall of 2023!

THIS JOURNEY IS GUIDED IN FRENCH

3,699.00$4,049.00$

Type : Aux sources de la foi
badge Programme officiel certifié
Profil : Détente et ressourcement

RELAXATION AND REJUVENATION

Profils : Marche spirituelle

SPIRITUAL WALK

Profil : Marche difficile

HARD

Description

Spiritours offers you the opportunity to experience a spiritual hike along the historical path of the Way of St. James. Live this experience of physical, mental and spiritual endurance in the traditional way: sleeping in a pilgrim’s hut, walking with your backpack (on average 20 km per day). A great classic to offer yourself at least once in your life!

Highlights

  • Walk in silence in the contemplation of beautiful landscapes
  • Dinners and times of group sharing in a friendly atmosphere
  • Obtaining the Compostela (pilgrim’s certificate) at the end of your stay

The plus

  • Experienced Quebec tour guide who speaks Spanish
  • Booking simple, clean accommodations for an authentic experience with no bad surprises
  • Walk at your own pace
  • Marilyne Arpin

    Marilyne Arpin

    At the age of 20, it was with an open plane ticket to Europe that the very first Path for Marilyne was registered. With a thirst for self-discovery, the Camino has transformed her for years to come.From 2008 to 2012, she accompanied groups of pilgrims 7 times to transmit the essence of the Way. “Isolated from all the distractions of daily life, Compostela allows us to reconnect with ourselves and empty ourselves from the hustle and bustle of life by allowing us to fill ourselves with the silence that the Way offers.”After completing her studies in social work, Marilyne continued her backpacking trips where hiking continued to be at the heart of her destinations. Feeling again the call of the apostle James, it is with enthusiasm that she wishes to accompany pilgrims in order to lead them in this journey to the meeting of their Being. Ultreïa!! (always higher, always further!)

  • DAY 1 ǀ SUNDAY 27 AUGUST 2023 | DEPARTURE FROM MONTREAL

    Departure from Montreal at P.E. Trudeau airport. Flight to Madrid with stopover. Dinner and night on board.

  • DAY 2 ǀ MONDAY 28 AUGUST 2023 | MADRID

    Breakfast on board. At your arrival transfer by cab to your hotel. Installation and free visit of Madrid. In the evening, a group meeting to introduce oneself, to express one’s projects and goals. Then, synthesis of the journey and overview of the main lines of the pilgrimage. Dinner and night.

  • DAY 3 ǀ TUESDAY 29 AUGUST 2023 | MADRID – BURGOS

    After breakfast, you will take a train to Burgos (4 hours). If you wish, you can attend the mass of blessing of the pilgrims. City tour, dinner and overnight at the hotel.

  • DAY 4 ǀ WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST 2023 | BURGOS – HORNILLOS DEL CAMINO (19.1 KM)

    After breakfast, walk to Hornillos Del Camino. Installation and night in a pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 5 ǀ THURSDAY AUGUST 31 2023 | HORNILLOS DEL CAMINO-CASTROJERIZ (19.7KM)

    Hike. In Castrojeriz you will be greeted by the ruins of the San Anton convent and if you have time, you can also visit those of the Castrojeriz castle. Installation and overnight stay in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 6 ǀ FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2023 | CASTROJERIZ – BOADILLA DEL CAMINO (18 KM)

    Hike – Installation and overnight stay in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 7 ǀ SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2023 | BOADILLA DEL CAMINO – FROMISTA – LÉON (5.9 KM)

    Walk to Fromista where you will take the train to Leon (via Palencia). Visit the city of Leon where you can discover its Cathedral which has the most important stained glass windows in Europe after Chartres. You will also see the wall from Roman times. Installation in a pilgrims’ refuge, dinner and night.

  • DAY 8 ǀ SUNDAY 3 SEPTEMBER 2023 | LÉON – PONFERRADA

    Transfer by bus from Leon to Ponferrada, installation and overnight stay in a pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 9 ǀ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2023 | PONFERRADA – VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO (24.7KM)

    Hike. You will complete the first week of physical adaptation and you will begin the second more mental stage. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 10 ǀ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 | VILLAFRANCA DEL BIERZO – VEGA DE VALCARCE (16 KM)

    Hike. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 11 ǀ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2023 | VEGA DE VALCARCE – EL CEBREIRO (12 KM)

    Walk to El Cebreiro, located at 1300m of altitude. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 12 ǀ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 | EL CEBREIRO – TRIACASTELA (21.1 KM)

    Hike. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 13 ǀ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 | TRIACASTELA- SARRIA (18.5 KM)

    Walk – Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge

  • DAY 14 ǀ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2023 | SARRIA

    Rest day that marks the end of the mental stage. From tomorrow, you will begin the more spiritual stage. Night.

  • DAY 15 ǀ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2023 | SARRIA – PORTOMARIN (22.6 KM)

    Walk to Portomarin, a town that was frequently flooded, and was rebuilt stone by stone a little further on. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 16 ǀ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 | PORTOMARIN – PALAS DEL REI (25.1 KM)

    Hike. Bravo!!!!! You have passed the 100km mark. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 17 ǀ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2023 | PALAS DEL REI – MELIDE (15 KM)

    Hike. Arrival in Melide where we suggest you to taste the pulpa, local specialty. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 18 ǀ WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 | MELIDE – ARZUA (15 KM)

    Hike. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 19 ǀ THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 | ARZUA – ARCA (19 KM)

    Hike. Installation and night in a private pilgrims’ refuge.

  • DAY 20 ǀ FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 | ARCA – SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA (19 KM)

    Hike. Your guide will offer you a departure before dusk. You will live the experience of walking with your headlamp and seeing nature awake. Bonus: this will allow you to arrive in Santiago for lunch, visit the pilgrims’ reception office and receive your Compostela. Free visit of the city rich in palaces, churches and old houses. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

  • DAY 21 ǀ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 | SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

    After breakfast, free time. Night at the hotel.

  • DAY 22 ǀ SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 | SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA – PORTO

    After breakfast, walk to the train station. Train to Porto. Rest of the day free in the city. Take advantage of this free time to visit its monuments, store for souvenirs and gifts or take a moment on a terrace! Installation, dinner and night at the hotel.

  • DAY 23 ǀ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 | PORTO – MONTREAL

    After breakfast, cab to Porto airport for your return flight to Montreal.** Itinerary subject to change – Exclusive tour, all rights reserved **

  • MAP

PRICE

  • Book early : 3 599 $ / pers. (in double occupancy). Book early discount of $100 if registered before April 27, 2023.
  • Regular price : 3 699 $ / pers. (in double occupancy)
  • Single room supplement : +350 $ / pers.

*Spiritours offers the possibility of twinning. If we are unable to match you, Spiritours will assume the additional costs for registrations made more than 60 days prior to departure, but reserves the right to match you even during the trip if necessary.

* All prices are based on the exchange rate in effect on September 1, 2022

THE PACKAGE INCLUDES

  • Flights outbound flight Montreal-Madrid and return flight Porto-Montreal
  • 5 nights in budget category hotels
  • 16 nights in pilgrim huts (dormitories)
  • 5 breakfasts, 5 dinners
  • All transfers by train, bus and cab
  • The services of a guide
  • 2 preparatory meetings
  • All taxes

THE PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE

  • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • The beverages
  • Travel insurance (see registration form)
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • Contribution to the Travel Agents’ Customer Compensation Fund (FICAV): $3.50 per $1000

REGISTRATION

Registration deadline: June 27, 2023 (60 days before departure or when the maximum number of passengers is reached). Possibility to register after this date, additional fees may apply.

To register: you can register on our website (see top of the trip webpage, on the right) or download and fill out the PDF form and send it to us with your $750 deposit. Please register as soon as possible as space is limited. Please include a photocopy of your passport and proof of travel insurance with your registration.

Travel insurance: for travel insurance, contact us to find out your rate.

Nb of participants: Minimum 10 – Maximum 15

N.B.: Please note that there is a possibility of 2 groups depending on the number of people registered.

Required documentation: all Canadian travellers to Spain must be in possession of a passport that is still valid three months after the expected date of return to the country.

For more information please contact:

Claire Calsina (514) 374-7965, ext. 207 claire.calsina@spiritours.com

Do I need to be in good physical health?

Yes, this trip requires good preparation and physical fitness as we walk an average of 20-25 kilometers per day with our backpack. However, it is not a question of age; people of all ages make this pilgrimage. It is not a question of strength either, but of stamina, as everyone walks at their own pace. Each morning, the guide explains the path to follow and sets a meeting point, often a refuge, where everyone meets at the end of the day. It is important to prepare yourself physically as soon as you plan to walk the Camino de Compostela. Start exercising at least 60 minutes two to three times a week. At least 3 months before departure, start training for walking and gradually increase the distance from 5 to 20 km per day.

Can I have my luggage carried?

This service is not included in the package. However, a luggage transport service can be arranged in most of the places where we stop, information available in the lodges. The guide will be able to help you arrange this transportation, but it would be better to arrange it yourself if you can communicate in Spanish.

Who is this trip for?

People who are open to spirituality and to a group experience. To anyone who wishes to live this experience, regardless of gender, age, race or religious belief. However, it is clear that this pilgrimage is of Christian tradition.

What does a pilgrim shelter look like?

There are establishments of all categories, clean and welcoming, with kitchen and dining room for several people (if you want to prepare your own meal); in some cases, there is a restaurant service, simple and inexpensive. The resting places are dormitory type, with shared toilets and showers.

How do you eat on the Camino?

In many places, there are grocery stores where you can buy food for the road, for dinner or for the next day. You can also choose to eat at a restaurant where they usually offer a pilgrim’s menu (in the evening) for 12 or 15 Euros, including wine. Occasionally, you can stop at a bar (café) to have a bite to eat.

What are the advantages of joining Spiritours for this pilgrimage?

The itinerary is well organized by experienced specialists. You will benefit from the supervision of a competent guide who knows the Camino and who will encourage exchanges and reflection. You will also share the experience with a small group of pilgrims, eager to surpass themselves and to make an inner journey. Moreover, thanks to the information and preparation meetings, you will benefit from judicious advice to prepare yourself well, both physically and mentally.

“I chose Spiritours for the challenge and to live a real Compostela journey, with all the difficulties and efforts that this implies. What I got out of it was a true reconciliation with the human being and a deepening of my spirituality.”

– Jean-François B. , Anjou, Qc

“Good choice of itinerary, wonderful scenery! I enjoyed the hike and the company of the group. A beautiful encounter with myself and a surpassing of myself. I loved my experience and will recommend Spiritours to my friends.”

– Karine T. , Ste-Thérèse, Qc

Travel SAFELY

Travel insurance is undoubtedly a PEACE OF MIND that allows you to live and fully enjoy your trip. It allows you to deal with the unexpected without finding yourself with a financial burden. Travel insurance allows you to travel in complete SAFETY. Did you know that when you take a group trip with Spiritours, you automatically get a 10% discount on your insurance? Check with your agent for more information, or click below to shop for an individual insurance premium with Blue Cross.

N’oubliez pas vos achats! / Don't forget your shopping!

Avant de partir, n’oubliez pas de vérifier votre panier d’achats, réserver le voyage de ressourcement de vos rêves aujourd’hui avant qu’il n’y ait plus de place. / Before you leave, don't forget to check your shopping cart, book your dream retreat today before it sells out.