A Pilgrimage to El Camino de Santiago

with Notre Dame Alumni & Friends

September 8 - 17, 2024

About

Generations of pilgrims have traveled the Camino de Santiago, listening to God’s voice amid the Spanish countryside. Walking through small towns, sharing the journey with other pilgrims and reflecting on their lives as they log mile after mile. That same opportunity is waiting for you as a retreat from the pressures of modern life, a chance to become grounded in the earth around you, and a path of self-discovery. This walking pilgrimage begins in Sarria and concludes in Santiago, with each day including 10-14 miles of hiking. A pilgrimage with Notre Dame Alumni and Friends.

Please inquire at hello@versoministries.com if you are interested in joining this pilgrimage.

Trip Details

Group Type

Notre Dame Alumni & Friends, 30 pax

Activity Level

Difficult

Length

9 days, 8 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$5,332

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Camino Pilgrim Credentials and Shell
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Simple accommodations
Daily breakfast and 7 dinners, including wine at dinners
Vehicle support for any pilgrim who needs it
Gratuities for pilgrimage director, guide(s), driver(s), and meals

Itinerary

September 8
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
September 9
Sarria
  • Arrive in Santiago de Compostela Airport
  • Transfer to Sarria for hotel check-in
  • Opening Mass and Welcome Dinner
  • Overnight in Sarria
  • Meals included: Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Mar de Plata or similar
September 10
Sarria, Portomarín
  • Celebrate Mass
  • Begin walking, Sarria to Portomarín (23 km ~ 14.2 miles)
  • Overnight in Portomarín
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Villajardín or similar
September 11
Portomarín, Palas de Rei
  • Celebrate Mass
  • Walk from Portomarin to Palas de Rei (approx. 25 kms ~ 15.5 miles )
  • Visit to the Castle of Pambre
  • Overnight in Palas de Rei
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Balneario Río Pambre or similar
September 12
Palas de Rei, Melide
  • Celebrate Mass
  • Hike from Palas de Rei – Melide (15 km ~ 9.3 miles)
  • Overnight in Melide
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Carlos 96 or similar
September 13
Melide, Arzúa
  • Celebrate Mass
  • Hike from Melide to Arzúa (15 km ~ 9.3 miles)
  • Overnight in Arzúa
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Pensión Casa Teodora or similar
September 14
Arzúa, Rua
  • Celebrate Mass
  • Hike from Arzúa to Rua (20 km ~ 12.4 miles)
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Eurostars Araguaney or similar
September 15
Rua, Santiago de Compostela
  • Celebrate Mass
  • Hike from Rua to Santiago (20 km ~ 12.4 miles)
  • Free evening to explore Santiago, with lunch on your own
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Eurostars Araguaney or similar
September 16
Santiago de Compostela
  • Discover Santiago de Compostela, including guided visit in the Old Quarter
  • Pilgrim Mass at the Cathedral
  • Farewell Dinner in local restaurant
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
  • Accommodations: Hotel Eurostars Araguaney or similar
September 17
Departure
  • Transfer to airport and depart Santiago de Compostela (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$5,332

Package Cost (without savings)

$5,532

Trip Savings

Early bird (first 10 pilgrims to register)
Save $200/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$850/person
Travel protection
Quote provided after registration*

“As low as” price includes savings for early bird and pay balance by check.
Pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms and does not include airfare.
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited.

*Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. The University of Notre Dame will send you information regarding travel insurance.

Rates assume a minimum of 30 full-paying pilgrims.

 

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Passport, visa, or luggage fees
  • Any personal purchases
  • Meals while traveling, as well as 7 lunches
  • Drinks at meals, other than wine at dinners
  • Any required COVID tests or vaccinations
  • Recommended travel insurance (optional add-on)
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

Designated arrival and departures times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: September 9, 2024
    • Arrival time: By 2:00 p.m.
    • Arrival airport: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
    • Arrival transfer: Pilgrims will be transferred in groups according to arrival time from Santiago de Compostela Airport to the hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: September 17, 2024
    • Departure time: Anytime on September 17
    • Departure airport: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on September 17 will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.
  • Extension departure information
    • If you have elected to add on the Extension package, please arrange your departing flight plan according to the following information.
      • Depart on: September 19, 2024
      • Departure time: Anytime on September 19
      • Departure airport: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
      • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on September 19 will be transferred to the airport in groups according to departure time.

 

Want to arrive or depart outside of the designated times?

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designated times, private transfers (fee applies) can be arranged on your behalf. Airport transfers outside of the designated arrival/departure times are not included in the package pricing.
  • Private transfer information and pricing can be found in the Additional Information section below.
  • Need to book a private transfer? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

Want help arranging your flights?

Simple Accommodations
Lodging options along the Camino trail are very limited. Verso Ministries secures the best accommodations available, many of which are quaint, family-owned pilgrim houses with lots of history, character, and charm. All properties are vetted by our team and include private restrooms.

Need to get around? Private transfers

Arriving early or staying late? Pre-stay and post-stay options

There is no extension for this pilgrimage. For more information, contact hello@versoministries.com.

Deposit due upon registration – $500/person
Final balance due 120 days prior to departure – Final balance

Please note: Payment plans can be arranged if needed. Please contact us if you would like to pay in several installments.

Final package price is estimated. Prices are based on the exchange rate as of January 2023. Any drastic fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the final pilgrimage pricing. If you have any questions about pricing and when final pricing decisions will be communicated, please do not hesitate to contact us at any time.

 

Cancellation Policy

All cancellations must be submitted to Verso Ministries in written form and received via email or mail. Any refunds, as applicable, will be processed based on the date stamp of email or mail received. Cancellation fees are for individual pilgrims and fees will be charged per person per booking.

Cancellations are possible at any time, but refunds are subject to cancellation fees at the rates listed here.

  • Within 2 weeks of deposit: Free Cancellation*
  • 91 days or more from departure: Deposit is retained
  • 90-61 days prior to departure: 25% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 60-31 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost is non-refundable
  • 30 days or less prior to departure: 100% of trip cost is non-refundable

*Free cancellation (if deposit is made more than 180 days prior to departure)

Any cancellation charges incurred from other suppliers or vendors (flight, lodging, ground transportation, tickets, etc.) may come in addition to the administrative fees listed here. All group flight airline tickets, optional excursions, trip options, pre/post extensions, private transfers, and additional hotel nights are non-refundable 100 days or less prior to departure unless otherwise noted.

FAQ

The sooner you register for the pilgrimage, the better! Not only does registering early guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but you don’t want to miss out on available discounts, including the early bird savings (see “Trip Savings” in the Pricing section above more details). Also, there is no risk for 14-days after you register should you then have to cancel (must register 180 days or more prior to departure). So let’s say you register for a pilgrimage, but then realize you can no longer attend, as long as you cancel your pilgrimage within 14-days of registering and registered more than 180s days prior to the departure, then we will fully refund your deposit no questions asked. Just send us a written confirmation of your cancellation and we will take care of the rest. Plus, the sooner you register the sooner your journey begins. Register today!

There is no risk! Your deposit will be fully refunded as long as you cancel within 14-days of registering and you have registered more than 180 days or more prior to departure. With no risk, why wait? Get registered today!

Registration closes when the pilgrimage reaches the maximum number of pilgrims. If the pilgrimage is filled when you register, you will be added to our waiting list, and contacted in the event that space on the pilgrimage becomes available. Don’t miss your chance, register now and begin your journey.

Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. Travel insurance is not only for peace of mind, but helps protect you and those you are traveling with from unforeseen emergencies, which always seem to happen at the worst possible time. In the event of emergencies, both before and during your travels, as well other circumstances, like travel delay, lost baggage, missed connection(s), and much more, travel insurance can help. Upon registration, The University of Notre Dame will send you information regarding travel insurance. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company.

Including optional add-ons with your pilgrimage can really add to your experience whether it is one of the optional extension or arranging an extra night stay beforehand so you are rested when the pilgrimage begins. If you would to add on any optional arrangements, as listed above, please email us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396.

A pilgrimage, at its simplest, is a trip of faith. Which means a pilgrimage can be anything from a walk around your city to an encounter of Jesus in the Holy Land. For Catholics, it’s a trip of faith that people have been taking for hundreds or even thousands of years, many times in the same exact places you can visit today. It’s an opportunity to experience the spots God has made his presence known most in time and space, whether that’s where Jesus walked, where Mary appeared, or where the saints have lived and worked.

At Verso, we believe in crafting pilgrimages that offer you a view of God’s world and his work in it that you can’t get anywhere else. We believe everything from the holy sites, to the meals, to daily Mass, to your fellow pilgrims are ways God can speak to you, which means we’re intentional about it all. We also believe a pilgrimage isn’t just the days you travel, it’s how you prepare from the moment you sign up, to the days and weeks after you arrive home. Which means it’s our intention to shepherd you through the entire process — before, during, and after — so you can have the best, most transformative experience possible. We’re not just travel experts, we’re experts in Catholic pilgrimage.

We know from experience that preparing for a journey is just as important as the journey itself. Our goal is to make sure you’re physically, logistically, and spiritually ready for your pilgrimage. You’ll receive essential emails that will walk you through the process and give you ways to prepare your mind and heart for what you’ll encounter. A pre-trip webinar will make sure you are in touch with the Verso leader of the trip, can get trip-specific info, and can ask questions. We’ll send you a pilgrim kit that contains a comprehensive booklet for your trip along with some Verso swag (such as a bag, pen, and sticker) that you can bring along with you on your pilgrimage. And of course, we’re always available by phone or email if you have any questions or special needs.

Have a Question?

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Activity Level

Easy
This trip’s activity level is easy. It’s recommended that travelers be in good health to enjoy this itinerary and be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include half or full-day itineraries with 1-3 hours of leisurely walking per day on smooth or slightly inclined terrain. The pace is more relaxed, with opportunities to rest throughout the day.

Moderate
This trip’s activity level is moderate. Travelers must be in good health and be in good physical condition to enjoy this itinerary. Travelers must be able to walk and climb stairs on their own. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries of 3-5 hours of walking at a normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and hills. The pace is faster and more demanding, with some breaks throughout the day.

Difficult
This trip’s activity level is difficult. Travelers must be in good health and physically fit to enjoy this itinerary. Trips at this activity level may include full-day itineraries with up to 5-7 hours of walking at normal to brisk pace per day on varied terrain including uneven surfaces, stairs, and steep hills. The pace is vigorous and demanding, with little down time each day.

Accommodation Level

Simple
For the duration of your trip, enjoy a range of lodging accommodations — from quaint guesthouses to simple-styled hotels. Discover a newfound appreciation for each of these locations which often have a unique character of their own. With your private bathroom and sleeping quarters, these locations will provide you with a clean, comfortable, and cozy place to settle into during your journey.

Standard
Venues at this level will provide you with the best accommodations at a reasonable cost. Not only will you have access to modern amenities and services, but special care is taken to ensure hotels are located in close proximity to the area’s local attractions. Expect your stay at this level to provide you with an added feeling of comfortability and convenience as you experience your pilgrimage.

Premium
Your stay at the premium level will ensure that your travel involves the opportunity to experience some of the most unique and luxurious stays that a destination has to offer. You’ll find that traveling at this level will afford you the opportunity to optimize your experience at each spot. From fine dining to scenic views, anticipate that your pilgrimage will provide you with breathtaking experiences no other location could provide.

How will I know what my stay will be like?
Each of our pilgrimage locations come with their own unique accommodations. From simple to luxurious, you can know that the care and satisfaction of each pilgrim is our greatest priority. While specific amenities will vary, we are sure that each of these handpicked locations will leave you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for each day.

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