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Planning a
Camino Pilgrimage
A typical Camino de Santiago pilgrimage is 11 days and costs around $3,300 to $3,850 per person with a group of 16-25 pilgrims, plus airfare. The 11-day length allows time to walk the final 100 kilometers from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, enough to earn the Compostela, and to spend time in Santiago at the end. The best time to plan your Camino pilgrimage is April and May, or September to early November. Progressive Pilgrimage's prices include guides, hotels, ground transportation, luggage transfers, entry fees, all breakfasts, most dinners, and all gratuities.
The Camino de Santiago is the generalized name for numerous pilgrimage walking routes that end in Santiago de Compostela.
Every year, more than half a million pilgrims and hikers make their way along one of these ancient paths, arriving at the cathedral that, by tradition, holds the bones of St. James the Great. Progressive Pilgrimage offers Camino pilgrimages of various lengths with all levels of support, so that your group can craft the perfect walking pilgrimage.
When should we walk the Camino?
No matter what time of year you walk the Camino, you will find at least a few other pilgrims sharing your path. Our preferred times to travel are in early to mid-spring, from April until the end of May, and in the fall, from September to early November. Summer is warmer and drier, but the crowds are often significant.
Which Camino route should we do?
The most common Camino route is from the Spanish town of Sarria to Santiago de Compostela along the Camino Francés. In order to receive your Compostela, the certificate of completion, you must walk at least 100 kilometers ending in Santiago. For a group looking for the shortest possible trip, Sarria to Santiago is your best choice.
Many of our groups also enjoy the Camino Portugués, which travels up the coast of Portugal and Spain. This is typically a longer walk, with most itineraries covering 150 kilometers or 7-8 days of walking. Depending on your schedule, we can spend a few days in Santiago de Compostela at the end of our Camino, exploring the city and also making a day trip to Fisterra.
Other groups enjoy beginning or ending in Madrid or Barcelona for a little more traditional tourist time.
How do we worship on the Camino?
We begin our Camino pilgrimage, as we do all pilgrimages, with opening worship upon arrival.
Worship takes many forms while walking the Camino. We recommend beginning the day, before we all start off at our own pace, with a time for reflection, prayer, and thanksgiving for the day before and the day to come. Much of your time during the day will be spent alone, or in small groups that you share your walk with, so we encourage you to find the small blessings and gifts along the way. As our evening meal is taken together, it's a time for reflection and celebration of the day. Some groups like to gather a few evenings, after dinner, to pray or enjoy silent reflection.
Arriving in Santiago, we attend the Pilgrim's Mass at the Cathedral and also celebrate closing worship at St. Fiz Church.
While we can recommend some thoughtful and special times to worship, the ultimate decision on how often to worship and celebrate communion is made by the group leader.
How much does it cost to walk the Camino?
While budget and luxury accommodations are available, our groups tend to stay in mid-range hotels directly on the Camino route, and our pricing is based accordingly.
For a group of 16-25, expect a land cost of $300 to $350 per person per day, or about $3,300 to $3,850, plus airfare for an 11-day trip. Some groups desire to have a zero day with no walking, while others want to move as quickly as possible toward Santiago. These prices are averages, and the final price is determined by your exact itinerary.
Our prices are always transparent and inclusive of entry fees, all breakfasts, most dinners, all gratuities, ground transportation, and luggage transfers while on the Camino. There will be no hidden costs for your travelers.
It's difficult to estimate airfare since it can vary widely depending on your airport and departure date. Group airfare rates are generally not lower than what is available to individual travelers; however, group airfare allows a much higher level of flexibility. We can help you estimate your airfare during the planning process. The actual airfare prices cannot be quoted more than 11 months before your departure date.