Find your true path with a pilgrimage to Santiago guided by a personal coach
Itinerary | Preparation | Dates | Inclusions | Price | FAQ | Testimonials | Guide
- Guided in Spanish -
Walk with a group of Spanish speakers from different regions of Spain, exposing you to a wide variety of accents, and experience a change in your level of Spanish while fully engaging with the rich culture and heritage of this historic pilgrimage
Itinerary | Preparation | Dates | Inclusions | Price | FAQ | Testimonials | Guide
CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
Like thousands of seekers from all corners of the world, you may consider embarking on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in search of clarity, healing, or purpose. However, without proper preparation, your journey may fall short of your expectations.
You might be aware of the need for physical training, but overlooking the importance of spiritual, mental, and emotional readiness can limit your potential for growth and transformation on this life-changing journey.
Without a deeper understanding of yourself and your goals, you may walk the pilgrimage without intention, struggle to hold onto the insights the journey will bring, or fail to integrate the learnings and findings to your daily life once you return home.
As a coach, I will be with you every step of the way to provide the guidance and support you need to make this experience truly transformative.
2024 DATES
JULY 2024:
AUGUST 2024:
SEPTEMBER 2024:
OCTOBER 2024:
Guided 7-day Pilgrimage (in-person)
4 incorporation sessions upon return (online)
The Camino has the power to bring about positive change in your life, but it's up to you to make it happen. That's where I come in.
As your coach, I'll be with you every step of this journey. Together, we'll go through the preparation process, setting intentions and providing accountability to keep you on track.
And as you walk the Camino, I'll be there to help you find the answers and positive changes you seek to facilitate your personal growth and transformation.
As a certified coach, with degrees in both psychology and leadership, I will provide you with the guidance and support to ensure that the benefits of your Camino experience stay with you long after the journey is over.
Don't let this opportunity to create real, lasting transformation pass you by. Join me on this Camino experience!
AS FEATURED IN
Connect with nature and feel a sense of oneness with the world around you as you embrace the heritage and natural beauty of the Camino way
Tap into a sense of adventure, embracing the challenges that come your way and being amazed at what you are capable of achieving
Strengthen your connection with your authentic self, gaining clarity about your next steps and feeling more motivated and fulfilled in your pursuits
Step out of the comfort zone of your daily routine and overcome your fears, becoming a more confident, self-assured version of yourself.
Walk the Camino and experience the rich culture, delicious cuisine and unique history of the Galicia region
Acquire new skills and abilities to make mindful choices that will bring about positive change in your life
Improve your mental and emotional well-being, feeling a deeper sense of peace and lasting inner calm
Unleash your creative potential and discover new ways of thinking and seeing the world
Heal any past wounds and be more compassionate with yourself and others
Build lasting friendships and connections with a supportive community of like-minded individuals
EMBRACE THE JOURNEY
Every year, more than 300,000 people from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, seeking transformation and self-discovery. Walking the Camino gives you the unique opportunity to be fully present in the moment, focusing only on the next step and enjoying the beautiful landscapes, the sights and sounds of Northern Spain, with time and space for connection and conversations along the way.
However, this isn't just an ordinary pilgrimage experience. By walking with a group of Spanish speakers, you immerse yourself in the language and culture, enhancing the authenticity of your journey. This immersive experience will expose you to a wide variety of Spanish accents, helping you improve your language skills while deepening your connection to the rich heritage of Spain and the Camino history.
You will be thoroughly guided along the way, providing support, and accountability as you embark on this journey of self-discovery. You'll have the chance to reflect on your life, afford yourself the space and time to gain clarity on your passions and purpose, set new intentions to integrate into the life you want to live, and connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals.
No two journeys are the same, and whether you're a seasoned pilgrim or taking your first steps, this immersive experience has the power to change your life.
Day1 - Travel from Santiago to Sarria
It is time to start your journey and travel to Sarria, the starting point of your Camino. Sarria is a small market town and the most popular starting point for the Camino de Santiago, as the distance from here (111kms) allows walkers to request the Compostela certificate.
Day2 - Walking from Sarria to Portomarín (22km)
Today you will walk 22kms from Sarria to Portomarín, entering rural Galicia, through one of the most wonderful oak woods (‘carballeiras’) on the route. It is a relatively easy stretch of the Camino trail, taking in forest tracks and quiet country roads, passing tiny hamlets and pretty Romanesque buildings such as Barbadelo Church before arriving in Portomarín.
Day3 - Walking from Portomarin to Palas de Rei (24km)
Today’s stage is 24kms long, leaving Portomarín and the river Miño behind and walking across the countryside to the town of Palas de Rei. There is some uphill walking to be done on your way to the beautiful Serra de Ligonde, the highest point of today’s stage. You will get to admire some of the wonderful churches, tiny villages, and scenery along the way. In Os Lameiros, you will get to admire its wonderful stone cross ‘cruceiro’, built in 1670 with one side depicting the crucifixion of Christ and the other side featuring an image of the Virgin.
Day4 - Walking from Palas de Rei to Arzua (29km)
At 29kms, the longest walking stage of the week awaits today, however, the path is downhill for most of the day with just a few ascents. The path begins through a forest track from Palas to San Xulián or San Xiao do Camino, a very pretty stretch and one of the most wonderful of the trail. San Xulián or San Xiao do Camino is a picturesque little hamlet with a wonderful Romanesque Church and a ‘cruceiro’ stone cross in the centre of the village. Halfway to Arzúa, you’ll find the market town of Melide, which is famous for its octopus restaurants known as ‘pulperias’ serving Galicia’s most traditional dish. A perfect place to stop for lunch. The second part of the day you will walk through lovely countryside and charming little hamlets such as Leboreiro with its traditional ‘cabazo’, Boente and Ribadiso by the medieval bridge over the River Iso. Once in Arzúa, you will have time to relax and explore for a bit, even try some of the local cheeses before dinner.
Day5 - Walking from Arzua to O Pedrouzo (19km)
Arzúa is the dairy capital of Galicia and home to some of its best cheeses. The group will leave the market town by the pretty Rua do Carmen street, with its wood-cladded dwellings. After the Fonte dos Franceses (the Fountain of the French) we leave the town behind, replacing the urban landscape with lush meadows and cows happily enjoying the green pastures. Wonderful forest tracks, quiet country roads and farmland make our Camino path for the day. Our finish line is the village of O Pedrouzo.
Day6 - Walking from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela (19km)
From O Pedrouzo, pilgrims continue the walk through the last great oak wood of this ancient Camino trail to the hamlets of Amenal before walking up the hill to Cimadevila. Next on the trail you will pass the village Lavacolla, a place where pilgrims used to stop to wash in the stream, hence its name. The path then continues on to Monte do Gozo, the Mount of Joy, where you will catch your first glimpse of the city and the spires of the cathedral. We are only about an hour away from Santiago Cathedral and as you approach the city, the quiet path and country roads give place to an excited atmosphere as the group enters the city outskirts. Walking down Rua de San Pedro and entering the Old Town, the excitement of all pilgrims is palpable. Walking down the steps under the archway and into Obradoiro Square, you will finally reach Santiago Cathedral and Praza do Obradoiro where the atmosphere of exhilaration and jubilation is something special, a memory that you will treasure forever. Enjoy and savour this moment, you have arrived!
Day7 – Departure
Enjoy exploring the city of Santiago de Compostela and discovering its magnificent UNESCO-listed Old Town before your departure time.
Pre-Travel Preparation
If you don't prepare beforehand, you may end up traveling with your 'home eyes' - viewing through the lens of your own cultural background and personal experiences. This can limit your ability to fully embrace the transformational power of your pilgrimage.
By priming your mind, body and soul to be in an optimal state ahead of the experience, you will be able to make the most of this journey, connect on a deeper level, achieve your goals with a sense of accomplishment, and enjoy a greater sense of emotional fulfilment.
This trip includes 4 online coaching sessions to help you set intentions, clear out old baggage and open yourself up to transformation:
1.: Physical Preparation
Priming your body with activities that will help you prepare for the physical demands of the journey.
2.: Mental Preparation
Cultivate the right mindset with information about the local culture, history, and customs, creating a deeper connection with the destination and the people who live there.
3.: Emotional Preparation
Building a positive emotional foundation that will help you approach the pilgrimage with a sense of wonder, curiosity, and openness by engaging in activities that inspire and uplift you.
4.: Spiritual Preparation
Strengthen your spiritual connection ahead of the journey, define your deeper intentions and meaning behind this trip to help you center yourself and connect more deeply with the true purpose of the pilgrimage.
Post-Travel Incorporation
Without taking time for reflection after your pilgrimage, you risk losing the benefits you gained and reverting back to your old ways of thinking and behaving once you return home.
Dedicating time to identify, process and internalise what you learned and experienced during your trip will help you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, your values, and your place in the world. By applying these newfound insights to your everyday experiences, you can make positive changes, and live a more fulfilling life.
This trip includes 4 online post-trip coaching sessions to reflect on your journey, process your experiences, and create a plan for implementing lasting change in your life:
1.: Self-Reflection
Setting relevant goals based on your insights and experiences to maintain the momentum and motivation for growth and transformation that you gained during your pilgrimage
2.: Plan of Action
Breaking down goals into manageable steps, making them less daunting, easier to achieve, helps with progress tracking, prioritisation, and resource allocation.
3.: Overcoming Obstacles
Identify potential obstacles that may prevent you from achieving your goals and how you can convert them to opportunities for growth and learning.
4.: Accountability
Having a system to support and encourage you to stay accountable and on track will make a big difference in achieving your goals.
7 days/6 nights accommodation (private room with ensuite bathroom)
Luggage transfer during the stages to have more freedom and flexibility to walk at your own pace
Support vehicle between stages at your disposition in case you can't keep walking for any reason.
Travel Insurance that will cover you the inconveniences that may arise during the Camino
Free scallop and pilgrim’s t-shirt to foster camaraderie and enrich your journey on the Camino
Pilgrim’s Credential as a tangible reminder you can keep after you have completed the Camino
4 online preparation sessions before the trip to help you set your intentions, clear out old baggage, and open yourself up to transformation
In-person guide during your pilgrimage to help you stay on track while providing an extra level of accountability and support as you navigate the challenges of the journey
4 online post-trip incorporation sessions to reflect on your journey, process your experiences, and create a plan for implementing lasting change in your life
Flights to/from Santiago de Compostela
Transfer to Sarria
Meals
To reserve your spot, a booking deposit €300/person is required. All sales are final and non-refundable. In the event that there are not enough participants, the company reserves the right to cancel the event. In such a case, refunds for reservations will be issued | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions
How long is the trip?
The trip is 7 days/6 nights, but the preparation starts before the trip and finishes well after the return.
How much walking experience do I need to have in order to participate in this pilgrimage?
You do not need to have any specific amount of walking experience in order to participate in this pilgrimage. However, it is important to be physically fit and able to walk for extended periods of time. If you can regularly walk for 10k - 15k at home, you should be well placed to walk the Camino where stages can be in the order of 20km/day. If you have any concerns about your physical ability to participate, it is recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional before signing up.
What kind of transformation can I expect from this journey?
The Camino has the power to bring about significant personal transformation, but the specific changes you experience will depend on your individual goals and intentions for the journey. With the coaching support and the guidance of the journey itself, you can expect to gain a greater sense of clarity, purpose, and self-awareness, as well as the tools and techniques to create lasting positive change in your life.
"My intention for the Camino was to come back and be OK that I don't know what's next, that I don't have control over the next step. I came back with a different perspective of what life's all about. I feel much more relaxed, connected and present. I am not so much in my head, I now notice everybody and I try to be kind to everyone. It makes a difference, it feels better."
— Marla.
"As each day went, I kept reminding myself I can do hard things, and I felt my strength growing emotionally and physically. Each day I felt emotionally and physically stronger. This is a gift that you really must give yourself. Particularly if you're in a place of transition, or you just want to move things to the next level."
— Carolyn.
"I was at a crossroads in my life when I decided to embark on the Camino. Despite initial worries about a loved one's health, I felt the Camino was calling me. Miraculously, their health issues were solved just the day before my journey. By pushing past my limits, this experience has given me purpose, clarity, and inner strength. Now, people see a different light in me, and I believe I can share that light with others"
— Ambra.
" The Camino found me in my darkest moments of despair after losing my spouse. Despite my uncertainties, I took a leap of faith and embarked on this journey. Through the Camino, I discovered a healing process that extended far beyond words, as it opened my heart to the kindness of strangers, transformed my introverted nature, and ignited a newfound appreciation for the power of human connection."
— Paul.
Sonia at the Cathedral of Santiago in one of her recent Camino trips
Sonia Cruz Oro is a psychologist and certified coach, creator of the Journeys of Self-discovery™ programme, which helps people to get the clarity and confidence to create a life that's more authentic and purposeful.
Having experienced her own transformation through travel, Sonia uses travel as a catalyst to help people explore their potential and connect with their inner wisdom in order to create a meaningful and exciting future.
In addition to her Primary Degree in Psychology, a Master’s Degree in Leadership, and certification as a neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) master practitioner, Sonia also brings to her practice more than 15 years’ experience coaching people internationally, from her former role as a manager in the corporate world.
Sonia is originally from Spain, but she currently lives in Ireland with her husband.
SONIA'S EXPERTISE HAS BEEN FEATURED IN
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