From Sarria to Santiago

with Notre Dame Alumni and Friends

September 2 - 11, 2023

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.

Trip Details

Group Type & Size

Notre Dame Alumni and Friends, 20-45 pilgrims

Length

10 days, 9 nights

Accommodations

Standard

Cost

As low as

$5,419

Deposit:

$500

What's Included

Dedicated pilgrimage director, supplemented by local guides
Custom booklet for each pilgrim
Catholic Chaplain
Daily Mass
Accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes (single-occupancy rooms available on a limited basis)
All tickets and donations for included activities listed on itinerary
Standard accommodations
Breakfast daily 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 2
Depart U.S.
  • Depart U.S. (flights not included in the package)
September 3
Sarria
  • Arrive in Santiago de Compostela Airport
  • Transfer to
  • Sarria for hotel check-in
  • Opening Mass and Welcome Dinner
  • Overnight in Sarria
  • Accommodations: Hotel Alfonso IX or similar
  • Meals Included: Dinner
September 4
Sarria, Portomarín
  • Celebrate Mass at local church (pending availability)
  • Begin walking, Sarria to Portomarín (21.6 km ~ 13.5 miles)
  • Transfer back to Sarria
  • Overnight in Sarria
  • Accommodations: Hotel Alfonso IX or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 5
Portomarín, As Lamelas
  • Transfer from Sarria to Portomarín
  • Mass in local church (pending availability)
  • Hike from Portomarín to A Brea (22 km ~ 13.7 miles)
  • Transfer back to Sarria
  • Overnight in Sarria
  • Accommodations: Hotel Alfonso IX or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 6
As Lamelas, Melide
  • Transfer to A Brea
  • Mass in local church (pending availability)
  • Hike from A Brea to Melide (17 km ~ 10.6 miles)
  • Transfer back to Sarria
  • Overnight in Sarria
  • Accommodations: Hotel Alfonso IX or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 7
Melide, Arzúa
  • Transfer to Melida
  • Mass in local church (pending availability)
  • Hike from Melide to Arzúa (14.3 km ~ 8.9 miles)
  • Overnight in Arzúa
  • Accommodations: Hotel Suiza or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 8
Arzúa, Rua
  • Mass in local church (pending availability)
  • Hike from Arzúa to Rua (19.4 km ~ 12.1 miles)
  • Transfer to Arzúa
  • Overnight in Arzúa
  • Accommodations: Hotel Suiza or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 9
Rua, Santiago de Compostela
  • Transfer to Rua
  • Mass in local church (pending availability)
  • Hike from Rua to Santiago (19 km ~ 11.8 miles)
  • Free evening to explore Santiago, with dinner on your own
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Accommodations: Hotel Compostela or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast
September 10
Santiago de Compostela
  • Discover Santiago de Compostela, including guided visit in the Old Quarter
  • Attend the Pilgrim Mass
  • Farewell Dinner in a local restaurant
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Accommodations: Hotel Compostela or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
September 11
Departure
  • Depart Santiago de Compostela (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals Included: Breakfast
(extension)September 11
Finisterre, Costa da Morte
  • Explore the Ribeira Sacra region of Galicia, known for its vineyards and wine making, including a winery visit and tasting
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Accommodations: Hotel Compostela or similar
  • Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
(extension)September 12
Ribeira Sacra
  • Explore the Ribeira Sacra region of Galicia, known for its vineyards and wine making, including a winery wineyard visit and wine tasting
  • Overnight in Santiago de Compostela
  • Accommodations: Hotel Compostela or similar
  • Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
(extension)September 13
Departure
  • Depart Santiago de Compostela (flights not included in the package)
  • Meals Included: Breakfast

Pricing

As low as

$5,419

Package Cost (without savings)

$5,719

Trip Savings

Early bird (first 10 to register)
Save $200/person
Pay balance by check
Save $100/person

Optional Add-ons

Single room supplement (limited availability)
$952/person
Optional extension (September 11-13)
$2,102/person
Extension single room supplement (limited availability)
$564/person

This is a pilgrimage designed for Notre Dame Alumni and Friends.

“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.

*For your convenience, the Alumni Association has partnered with Travel Insurance Select (TIS) to provide travel insurance to travelers. We encourage you to call (800) 937-1387 or click here for details, coverage options, and to get a quote.

Rates assume a minimum of 30 full-paying pilgrims.

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

Designated Arrival and Departures Times

  • Arrival information
    • Arrive by: September 3, 2023
    • Arrival time: By 2:00 PM
    • 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 Sarria hotel.
  • Departure information
    • Depart on: September 11, 2023
    • Departure time: Anytime on September 11
    • Departure airport: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
    • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on September 11 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 13, 2023
      • Departure time: Anytime on September 13
      • Departure airport: Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
      • Departure transfer: Pilgrims departing on September 13 will be transferred 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?

Standard 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.

  • Sarria: Hotel Alfonso IX or similar
  • Arzúa: Hotel Suiza or similar
  • Santiago de Compostela: Hotel Compostela or similar

 

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designating times at the Santiago airport, 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.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

 

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

  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

Santiago de Compostela Extension
September 11-13, 2023 (3 days / 2 nights)

Price: $2,102/person in double occupancy room
Rates assume a minimum of 4 full-paying pilgrims; pricing listed per person in double-occupancy rooms.

Single room supplement: $564/person
The number of available single-occupancy rooms is limited. 

Premium Accommodations:
Santiago de Compostela: Hotel Compostela or similar

 

Extension includes:

  • 2 night premium accommodations in double-occupancy rooms, including taxes
  • Private transportation with guide
  • Winery vineyard visit and wine tasting
  • Breakfast and lunch daily

Extension does not include:

  • Gratuities for guide(s), driver(s), or meals
  • Dinners
  • Anything else not explicitly mentioned as included

 

Curious how this extension will affect your flight arrangements?

  • Please see the Flight Information section above for more information about flight arrangements.

Need to get around? Private transfers

  • Please note: If you arrive/depart outside of the designating times at the Santiago airport, 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.
  • Need to book? Contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at (574) 383-9396.

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

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 August 2022. 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 guarantee you a spot on the pilgrimage before the departure fills up, but if you are one of the first 20 pilgrims to register you will receive the early bird discount. 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 180 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.

We highly recommend that all pilgrims buy travel insurance. 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 you will receive a travel insurance quotation. If you have any questions regarding your quotation, please call the issuing company. If you need an updated or new quotation, please contact us at hello@versoministries.com or call us at 574-383-9396. We are happy to help!

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.

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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.