10-day walking trip | April/May/Sept 2026 | €970 p.p.
Stop postponing. Start living.
Sound familiar? You’ve been dreaming for years about the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. But something always gets in the way:
- “The uncertainty… where will I sleep, will I find my way?”
- “I don’t want to go completely alone”
- “What if I can’t handle it physically?”
Here’s your chance. Now.
Here’s your solution: Join a small group (max 7 pilgrims), with the freedom of a solo pilgrim and the security of professional guidance — the last 200 km of the Camino Francés.
In brief: What does the pilgrimage trip include?
- Flight to Santiago (book yourself, as well as overnight stay)
- Bus journey to Villafranca (approx. 4 hours). You stay overnight in a hostel (both included)
- Day 1, start of the pilgrimage
- Day 8, arrival in Santiago. End of pilgrimage. You stay overnight on this last day in a hostel (included)
- Return journey (book yourself)
Camino de Santiago Walking Trip: Guided Group Tour Small Group
This walking trip to Santiago de Compostela combines the authentic pilgrimage experience with professional guidance. Unlike large group tours (15+ people), you walk with a maximum of 7 fellow pilgrims on the Camino Francés, the best-known pilgrimage route to Santiago.
When we arrive in Santiago after 8 days, you are entitled to the Compostela because we cover 200 kilometres on this trip. In the evening we also attend the pilgrim mass, where you can close your pilgrimage in a fitting way. Here we have the chance to see the largest incense burner in the world, the botafumeiro, swing through the church.
This guided pilgrimage is ideal for those who:
- Don’t want to walk the Camino completely alone
- Do want the freedom of a solo pilgrim
- Seek security without a luxury tour feel
- Want to pilgrim authentically in hostels
🎯 The best of both worlds
The freedom of walking alone:
- Walk at your own pace
- Choose when you take a break
- Decide whether you want company or silence today
The security of a group:
- Guaranteed bed every evening (no stress at 1:00 PM!)
- WhatsApp group: you’re just one message away from help
- Experienced guide who has walked multiple Caminos and knows all the ins and outs
- Fellow pilgrims who understand what you’re going through
Walk the last 200 km of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Sign up right away for spring ’26!
🌟 What makes this guided walking trip special?
1. Small-scale & personal Maximum 7 pilgrims. No group of 20 where you get lost in the crowd. You are seen, heard, supported.
2. Proven guidance I walked the full Camino Francés (780 km) and know exactly what challenges lie ahead. From blisters to emotional moments, I’ll help you through them.
3. Worry-free organisation You only need to walk. I arrange the hostels, the transport to the starting point, your pilgrim passport. No hassle with reservations or second-guessing.
4. Authentic pilgrimage experience We sleep in real pilgrim hostels among other pilgrims. In the evenings you eat with people from all over the world. This is not a luxury tour, this is the Camino as it was meant to be.
What do others who hesitated say?
“I was afraid I wouldn’t manage it physically. But because of the small group I could keep my own pace. And when it got tough, an encouraging message or a cup of coffee with the group made a huge difference.”
— participant April 2025
“Knowing there was a bed waiting every evening made all the difference. No stress, just walking and enjoying. Jacomijn’s guidance was exactly what I needed: present, but never intrusive.”
— participant May 2024
“I thought: ‘I’m not fit enough’. But with the right preparation (I received tips in advance) and the calm along the way, I grew into it a little more each day. My Compostela now hangs proudly on the wall.”
— participant September 2023
Let Safe and Healthy Travel help you make that dream of a pilgrimage in Spain come true.
Claim your spot and walk the Camino with a small group!
Don’t put it off. Research shows that people regret the decisions they didn’t make. The decisions they did make, experiences they did pursue, only helped them discover what they truly wanted. Do you know Bronnie Ware and her research? Read about her work, very interesting.
The pilgrimage from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela has given me so much, and I want to share that with others. The only way to do that is to take you along on this extraordinary ancient pilgrimage through the Spanish landscape!
📅 Choose your date (spring 2026)
Reserve now with €270 deposit
Overview pilgrimage journey dates:
🌸 Spring 2026:
Trip April 15 to April 25, 2026 – 3 spots available (Guaranteed departure)
- April 15: flight to Santiago (book yourself, as well as accommodation)
- April 16: bus journey to Villafranca (approx. 4 hours). You stay overnight in a hostel (both included)
- April 17: day 1 start hiking trip
- April 24: day 8, arrival in Santiago. End of hiking trip. You stay overnight this last night in a hostel (included)
- April 25: return journey (book yourself)
Trip May 13 to May 23, 2026 – 5 spots available (Guaranteed departure)
- May 13: flight to Santiago (book yourself, as well as accommodation)
- May 14: bus journey to Villafranca (approx. 4 hours). You stay overnight in a hostel (both included)
- May 15: day 1 start hiking trip
- May 22: day 8, arrival in Santiago. End of hiking trip. You stay overnight this last night in a hostel (included)
- May 23: return journey (book yourself)
September ’26: 1 – 11 september 2026 → 1 spot available (Guaranteed departure)
- Sept 1 : flight to Santiago (book yourself, as well as accommodation)
- Sept 2 : bus journey to Villafranca (approx. 4 hours). You stay overnight in a hostel (both included)
- Sept 3 : day 1 start hiking trip
- Sept 10: day 8, arrival in Santiago. End of hiking trip. You stay overnight this last night in a hostel (included)
- Sept 11: return journey (book yourself)
September ’26: 18-28 september 2026 → 8 spots available
- Sept 18: flight to Santiago (book yourself, as well as accommodation)
- Sept 19: bus journey to Villafranca (approx. 4 hours). You stay overnight in a hostel (both included)
- Sept 20: day 1 start hiking trip
- Sept 27: day 8, arrival in Santiago. End of hiking trip. You stay overnight this last night in a hostel (included)
- Sept 28: return journey (book yourself)
💰 Investment: €970 (24/7 support)
What’s included:
✅ 9 nights in pilgrim hostels (incl. first and last night)
✅ Bus transfer Santiago → Villafranca del Bierzo
✅ Your pilgrim passport (credential)
✅ Personal guidance from an experienced guide
✅ WhatsApp group with fellow travelers
✅ Preparation: information, packing list, training tips
✅ Guaranteed bed every night (reserved in advance!)
What you arrange yourself:
- Personal expenses
- Flight to Spain (often around €150-200)
- Meals along the way (budget €25-30/day)
Reserve now with €270 deposit → Balance due 6 weeks before departure
Every day a new chapter:
- Sunrises that touch your heart
- Coffee with fellow pilgrims from around the world
- Evenings full of stories and connection
- The peace you can’t find at home
Can I actually do this?
“I’m not fit enough”
You don’t need to be an athlete. If you can walk for 2-3 hours, you can do this. I’ll send you in advance:
- A practical training schedule (8-12 weeks of preparation)
- Tips to toughen up your feet
- Advice on shoes, socks and backpack
The truth: On the Camino you have the entire afternoon and evening to recover. No household chores, no obligations. Just rest, eat, sleep. Your body adapts surprisingly quickly.
“What if I can’t walk one day?”
Then we find a solution together. Bus or taxi to the next stop (approximately €15-25). No stress, no shame. Everyone walks their own Camino. We stay overnight at the same places as a group, so you won’t lose anyone.
“Sometimes I want to walk alone, is that possible?”
Absolutely! That’s exactly the strength of this setup:
- Start together in the morning
- Walk at your own pace (alone or with others)
- Meet up again in the evening at the hostel
Some days you walk for hours in silence. Other days you have coffee along the way with fellow pilgrims. You decide.
I first set out on the pilgrimage myself in 2016. Read this account of the first 200 km I walked on the Camino Francés.
Stages to be walked on this trip
23.5 km = Villafranco del Bierzo – La Faba
26 km = La Faba – Triacastela
21 km = Triacastela – Sarria
22.4 km = Sarria – Portomarin
25 km = Portomarin – Palas de Rei
25.8 km = Palas de Rei – Ribadiso
22.1 km = Ribadiso – O Pedrouzo
20.1 km = O Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela
The 8 walking days in detail
Day 1: Villafranca del Bierzo → La Faba
23.5 km | Into the mountains, collecting your first stamps
The start of your adventure! We climb gradually upward toward the mountains. You collect your first stamps and feel it: this has really begun.
Day 2: La Faba → Triacastela
26 km | To O Cebreiro (iconic highlight!)
The most beautiful day according to many. You walk over the legendary O Cebreiro pass with breathtaking views. Old stone cottages, perhaps mist, pure magic.
Day 3: Triacastela → Sarria
21 km | A more relaxed pace, charming villages
A shorter day to recover. Through green valleys and small Galician villages. Time to soak in the surroundings.
Day 4: Sarria → Portomarín
22.4 km | It gets busier (100 km starting point)
In Sarria many pilgrims begin who are only walking the last 100 km. You see more people, but also feel the energy of the pilgrim flow.
Day 5: Portomarín → Palas de Rei
25 km | Through mystical Galician forests
Walking through eucalyptus forests and past farmland. The atmosphere grows more intense, Santiago is getting closer.
Day 6: Palas de Rei → Ribadiso
25.8 km | The excitement builds You are now truly in the final stretch.
Every kilometre brings you closer to your goal. In the evening you talk with fellow pilgrims about the arrival.
Day 7: Ribadiso → O Pedrouzo
22.1 km | Second to last day!
The tension rises. Tomorrow you reach Santiago. Some walk more slowly to delay it, others can’t wait.
Day 8: O Pedrouzo → Santiago de Compostela
20.1 km | Arrival at the cathedral 🎉
THE day! You walk into the city, see the cathedral, and realise: I did it. Tears, joy, pride. Unforgettable.
Each day we have:
- Flexible start time (usually 7:00-8:00 AM)
- Coffee breaks in villages
- Lunch whenever it suits you
- Arrival between 2:00-4:00 PM
- Evening meal together (or alone, your choice)
- Online there are many tips to find about training to walk the Camino de Santiago. Take a look for instance at the schedules from Adventure Element, Hillwalk Tours or REI. It’s different for everyone and you know yourself best. You know what you need as preparation for this pilgrimage journey.
Receiving your Compostela in Santiago de Compostela?
Before we start walking I make sure you have your credential, a pilgrim passport. You receive the Compostela once you have walked more than 100 km on the ancient Camino Francés. On this trip you cover more than 100 km, so you are entitled to the Compostela. When we arrive in Santiago de Compostela we will apply for it together.
Staying in the Albergues – pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela
In the hostel you receive a stamp in your pilgrim passport. The following morning the hostel must be vacated around 8:00 AM and we continue on our way.
- Read all about Why Collecting Stamps on the Santiago Route is So Special
From 12/1 PM onwards new pilgrims can check in to the hostels again. So if you finish before the afternoon you can check in early.
To sleep comfortably in the hostel it is important to bring a sleeping bag. This should be as light as possible, so I recommend a sleeping bag liner #ad We use private hostels and experience shows that every hostel provides blankets.
Terms and conditions for this pilgrimage You ensure that you have taken out your own travel and health insurance. You participate in this pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela at your own risk. If the trip is cancelled for any reason, you will need to turn to your own insurance in the first instance.
Zinvol Reizen is a member of GGTO (Guarantee Fund for Specialised Tour Operators) and the Dutch VVKR.
Should there be any unexpected circumstances (trip cancellation / having to return halfway) I am of course willing to think along in the process. My guidance beforehand and on location is non-refundable.
Packing list for this pilgrimage
Read what I brought on my pilgrimage: Packing list for pilgrims – Camino Francés
The packing list differs slightly for everyone. Everyone values different things. Make careful considerations about this. A great tip for your preparation while packing is the following: Everything you leave at home is a bonus.
Install the Buen Camino app or the Camino Ninja app on your phone. These can replace a travel guide. They show you the route, all tourist detours or alternative paths. They also tell you what there is to see along the way and in the villages. A very handy app to have with you on the road.
Reserve now with a €270 deposit
Also read the general travel conditions on my website Zinvol Reizen.
Read the frequently asked questions about this trip
Please note: fly to A Coruña or Vigo
Santiago de Compostela airport is temporarily closed during our travel dates, namely April 23 through May 27. Therefore book your flight to:
- A Coruña – half an hour from Santiago, or
- Vigo – just over an hour from Santiago
Both airports are easily accessible from the Netherlands — Vigo with direct flights (Transavia & KLM) and A Coruña (Vueling / Iberia) with a stopover. Both have train or bus connections to Santiago. The bus company I use most is ALSA, but Flixbus also runs several times a day.
Start preparing and order the guidebook #ad for the Camino Francés. I used this on my first pilgrimage and found it ideal. A very comprehensive little book with information on sights along the way, elevation profiles, hostels and more. Everything about the Spanish St. James’ route to Santiago de Compostela.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Camino de Santiago journey
- Do I have to book my own flight ticket? Yes, you book your own flight ticket to Santiago. This way you retain the freedom to stay an extra day afterwards in the interesting city of Santiago de Compostela. An ancient city that houses all kinds of historical treasures. Early in the season there are no direct flights to Santiago, in September there are.
- How about the first night in Santiago? You also book that in a hotel of your own choice. The next morning the journey to Villafranca del Bierzo by bus begins. You have plenty of choice in Santiago. Along the way we stay in hostels, especially for the pilgrim. So maybe you choose to sleep in a hotel the first night.
- Is the last night in Santiago included in the trip? Yes, we still spend the last night together in a hostel in Santiago de Compostela.
- How long is the taxi ride from Santiago to the airport? Santiago is just a small city and the taxi ride to and from the airport is only fifteen minutes.
- What do I need in the hostels? You need a silk liner with a pillowcase attached. In most hostels where we stay, blankets are available should it get a bit cooler.
- Can I also sleep in a hotel now and then? That’s possible. In most places, private rooms can be booked or a hotel in the area. These costs are at your own expense. (Sometimes Zinvol Reizen doesn’t get the money for the bed in the hostel back, if that’s the case you’ll get this money back)
P.S. Do you know someone who has been dreaming of the Camino for years but keeps putting it off? Share this page. Maybe you’ll walk together in 2026. ¡Buen Camino!