Frequently Asked Questions

Planning a Camino pilgrimage for a church – or joining one as an individual – naturally raises a lot of practical and spiritual questions. This FAQ brings together the most common ones in one place.

For route-specific details (distances, daily rhythm, pricing), please also see the individual tour pages for The French Way, The Portuguese Way, The Silver Way (Easter) and The Explore the Camino.

1. General questions

What is Insider’s Camino? Who runs it?

Insider’s Camino offers tailored Camino de Santiago pilgrimages for churches and individual pilgrims who want a well-supported, spiritually sensitive way to walk the Way.

It sits within Insider’s Travel and is led by founder Joanna Wivell, together with operations lead Gerard McCullough and a small team of experienced Camino guides and hosts. The focus is on journeys that feel pastoral and personal rather than like a generic coach tour.

Joanna has lived in Spain for many years and has been walking Camino routes since 2004. From 2017 onwards she began designing dedicated pilgrimages for churches, drawing on her knowledge of Spanish culture, her relationships with local partners and clergy, and her experience of how groups actually feel and move on the Camino.

Who are these pilgrimages for?

Most of our pilgrimages are designed first and foremost for churches and Christian communities who want to travel together.

They work particularly well for Anglican and Episcopal churches, but we also host ecumenical groups and churches from other traditions. The itineraries are planned with group dynamics, worship and pastoral care in mind, not just sightseeing.

They are also deliberately shaped for mixed-ability groups. In a typical church group you might have keen walkers, people with ageing joints or health considerations, and a few who are nervous about the walking but deeply drawn to the idea of pilgrimage. Our routes, coach support and pace are designed so that these people can travel together without anyone feeling “left behind”.

On some departures there is also room for a small number of individual pilgrims to join a church group. This can be a good option for people whose own church is not planning a Camino but who would value travelling in a church context rather than going entirely alone.

What kinds of Camino routes do you offer?

We focus on four core itineraries that each offer a different balance of walking, culture and worship.

The French Way and the Portuguese Way are full walking pilgrimages, both covering roughly the final 100km, or 62 miles, into Santiago de Compostela. These routes are designed so that pilgrims who walk the required distance and collect stamps can normally receive the Compostela certificate on arrival in Santiago.

The Silver Way is our once-a-year, light-walking Easter pilgrimage from Seville to Santiago along stretches of the Vía de la Plata. It focuses on Holy Week and Easter services and processions, shorter optional walks, and time in cities such as Seville, Cáceres, Salamanca and Santiago. The French Way, Light is a “taster” Camino with shorter walking days, more coach support and more time in key cities such as Madrid and Santiago. It is ideal for mixed-mobility groups or churches wanting a gentler first experience of the Camino.

2. Planning & booking (for church leaders)

How far in advance should our church plan?

We recommend churches start planning their Camino pilgrimage twelve to eighteen months before they hope to travel.

This gives time to have a proper conversation about your aims, choose the route that fits your church, and secure the right hotels and coach arrangements. It also gives your leadership team enough time to present the idea to the congregation, answer questions and gather a committed group without rushing.

Shorter lead times are sometimes possible, especially outside of peak months, but Holy Week, Easter and popular spring and autumn dates often fill quickly. Starting early gives you more choice of dates and room types, and reduces pressure on everyone involved in the organisation.

Is there a minimum number of people needed to run a tour?

Yes, there is usually a minimum group size needed for a dedicated church departure to be viable.

In most cases we work with a minimum of around eighteen paid participants, with itineraries typically designed for groups of approximately sixteen to thirty people. This ensures that the cost per person remains reasonable while still allowing for the level of hosting, coaching and guiding that makes the trip feel cared-for.

If your church is likely to be smaller than this, we can sometimes look at options such as combining with another church, inviting individual pilgrims to join you, or steering you towards an already-scheduled pilgrimage that has space. Any minimum numbers and price assumptions will be clearly stated in your written proposal so you can make an informed decision.

Does the church leader pay?

In many cases the main church leader’s place is built into the group pricing rather than added as an extra cost.

This reflects the reality that clergy and key lay leaders are working before, during and after the pilgrimage: encouraging people to come, helping them prepare, leading worship and reflection on the Camino, and often continuing the journey back home.

The exact arrangement varies by church and by tour. Sometimes a single leader’s place is included once a minimum number of paid participants is reached; in other cases, a contribution is built in for both a clergy person and a lay leader. Whatever the arrangement, it is always spelled out in your proposal so that you can share it transparently with your church council or equivalent body.

Can our church help shape the itinerary?

Yes, within a tried-and-tested framework there is real room to shape the pilgrimage around your church’s needs.

Each route has a structure that works well in terms of walking distances, coach journeys and hotel availability, so we don’t reinvent from scratch every time. But within that structure we can adjust the emphasis: more or less free time, a slower pace, a particular visit you would value, or slightly different arrangements on worship and teaching.

We will usually begin with a conversation about the story and culture of your church, your reasons for wanting to do a Camino, and any particular themes you want to explore. From there, we’ll prepare a written proposal which you can review with your leadership team. Fine-tuning then happens in dialogue, so that everyone is clear and confident about what the pilgrimage will look and feel like.

Can we open our pilgrimage to people outside our church?

Often, yes, and many churches find this enriches the group.

Some churches prefer a completely “closed” pilgrimage for their own members only. Others are open to welcoming a small number of additional pilgrims who are travelling on their own, or who come from churches that are not organising a Camino themselves.

If you wish to open your pilgrimage, we can, by agreement, list it on the Insider’s Camino website and, where appropriate, share it with people on our mailing list who have expressed interest in joining a church group. We will always discuss this with you in advance so that expectations are clear about who is “hosting” the trip and how new people are welcomed into the group dynamic.

3. Money & pricing

How much do the pilgrimages cost?

The cost depends on the route, season, length of stay and level of accommodation, but most church pilgrimages fall into a similar overall range.

Most church Camino pilgrimages currently start from around $5,800 per person for a full-walking route in shared rooms, based on a typical group size. Prices vary depending on the route (French Way, Portuguese Way, Silver Way, etc.), time of year, hotel standard and the number of pilgrims in your group, and can move slightly with exchange rates.

When we talk on a call, we’ll give you a tailored price range for the itineraries that would fit your church, so you can see what’s realistic before you make any decisions.

What’s included in the price?

Each tour page gives a full “What’s included” list, and your proposal confirms the exact inclusions for your departure.

Typically, the price will cover accommodation in carefully chosen hotels, paradors and guesthouses; breakfast every day; most dinners and, on some itineraries, hosted lunches; private coach transport during the pilgrimage; and the services of your Insider’s Camino host and Camino guide.

It also usually includes guided visits and entrance fees mentioned in your final itinerary, such as cathedral tours, museum entries or special visits on routes like the Silver Way. All applicable local taxes are included, and for eligible routes a built-in donation, usually 200 US dollars per pilgrim, is made to the Friends of the Anglican Pilgrim Centre in Santiago as part of the tour cost.

Anything not mentioned as included in your itinerary – for example flights, airport transfers, some lunches, extra drinks, tips, personal spending and any optional activities you choose to add – should be treated as a separate cost and budgeted for individually.

How do deposits and final payments work?

Your proposal will set out a clear payment schedule, including the deposit amount, due dates and final balance deadline.

Deposits are non-refundable and are used to secure hotel rooms, coaches and local services, so they represent a real commitment to travel. Once enough deposits are received to confirm the tour, we proceed to firm up the arrangements and can give you more detailed pre-departure information.

The balance is usually due several weeks or months before departure, and payment terms if an individual needs to cancel are governed by both our Terms and Conditions and the conditions of local suppliers. All of this is spelled out in your documentation so that you, your church council and individual pilgrims can see clearly what they are agreeing to when they book.

Are there extra costs we should budget for?

Yes, there are a number of personal expenses that are not included in the tour price and should be budgeted for separately.

The main ones are international flights to and from Spain or Portugal, travel insurance, tips for guides and drivers, any meals not specified in the itinerary, and extra drinks, snacks or café stops along the way. Personal shopping, souvenirs, and any independent excursions before or after the pilgrimage are also at your own expense.

We can give you a rough sense of typical extra costs for your chosen itinerary when we speak. Many churches find it helpful to give their pilgrims a ballpark figure for lunches and incidental expenses per day, so that nobody is caught off guard once they arrive.

4. Walking & fitness

How fit do I need to be?

You do not need to be an athlete, but you do need a basic level of fitness and mobility to enjoy a Camino pilgrimage.

On our full walking routes, such as the French Way and the Portuguese Way, daily stages are often between 10 and 15 miles (16–24km). These are walked at a steady, unhurried pace with breaks for coffee, water, photos and stamping your pilgrim passport, but it still adds up to several hours of walking most days.

On our light-walking routes, such as the Silver Way and the French Way, Light, the walks are shorter and optional, usually between 4 and 6 miles (6–10km), and there are days with little or no walking built in. For all routes we recommend that pilgrims do some regular walking at home in the months before departure, and speak with their doctor if they have any underlying health conditions or concerns.

What if someone in our church can’t walk as far?

All of our itineraries are designed with mixed-ability church groups in mind, so there is built-in flexibility for those who cannot or do not wish to walk every stage.

A private coach normally accompanies the group, and we arrange meeting points where the coach can join or leave the walking route. This means that some pilgrims can start later, finish earlier, or skip the walking entirely on certain days and still be part of the shared experience.

In practice, this allows the group to stay together around meals, services and key moments, without everyone needing to complete exactly the same distance. For many churches this is one of the most important aspects of the way we design pilgrimages: people with different levels of mobility can travel together without anyone feeling like “the problem”.

Although the coach is available to support pilgrims who wish to skip certain sections during the main walking phase of the Camino, we do ask that everyone is able to walk up to around 3 miles / 5km per day during the pre-Camino days in Madrid or Porto and the post-Camino days in Santiago de Compostela. Taxis can sometimes be used on those city days, but their availability cannot be guaranteed at all times.

What’s the difference between walking and light-walking routes?

Walking routes are designed around covering the final 100 kilometres or so into Santiago on foot, while light-walking routes weave shorter walks into a broader, coach-based journey.

On walking itineraries, such as the French Way and Portuguese Way, the walking is central to the rhythm of the pilgrimage. The distances are planned so that, over several days, pilgrims who walk the required stages can normally qualify for the Compostela certificate. There is still flexibility and coach support, but walking is the main mode of travel between overnight stops.

On light-walking itineraries, such as the Silver Way and French Way, Light, the emphasis is different. The journey is shaped around Holy Week and Easter, city visits, sacred spaces and shared meals, with shorter optional walks added where they enhance the experience. These routes are ideal for churches with a wider range of ages and mobility, or for groups who want more time in cities and at key sites and less time focused on distance.

Will I receive the Compostela certificate?

On our full walking routes, usually yes if you complete the required distance; on our light-walking routes, generally no.

On walking routes such as the French Way and Portuguese Way, pilgrims who walk the required final distance (typically at least 100km / 62 miles), collect stamps in their pilgrim passport and arrive in Santiago can normally receive the Compostela certificate from the pilgrim office.

By contrast, our light-walking itineraries, including the Silver Way and the French Way, Light, are not designed to meet this distance requirement. They focus on shorter walks, coach travel and a broader Holy Week, Easter or “explore the Camino” experience, and therefore do not usually qualify for the Compostela. If receiving the certificate is important to you or your church, we will help you choose the route and daily pattern that gives you the best chance of achieving this comfortably.

5. Spiritual & pastoral questions

How “churchy” is an Insider’s Camino pilgrimage?

These are Christian pilgrimages designed with churches in mind, rather than ordinary sightseeing tours that just happen to pass a cathedral.

There is a natural rhythm of prayer, reflection and worship woven into each day, and routes are chosen not only for scenery but also for their spiritual and historical resonance. Church leaders are involved in shaping this rhythm, so that the pilgrimage fits their tradition and the needs of their congregation.

At the same time, we are very aware that people are in different places spiritually. Some come with deep, long-standing faith; others come with questions or a sense of seeking. We aim for an atmosphere that is hospitable, open and gentle rather than heavy-handed, where people are invited to participate and to reflect, but never pressured.

Is worship compulsory?

No, worship and times of prayer are a core part of the pilgrimage, but they are never imposed.

Most groups will have a simple pattern of worship – perhaps Morning Prayer, a short reflection on the path, or Compline at the end of the day – especially on Sundays or on key days such as Maundy Thursday and Good Friday on the Silver Way. These moments are offered to the whole group, and pilgrims are encouraged to join in as they feel able and comfortable.

We know that in any church group there will be people who are exploring faith, people coming back to church after a long time away, and people who find public worship difficult. The aim is to create space rather than obligation, so that the Camino can be a journey of discovery rather than a test of religious performance.

Can our clergy or leaders shape the teaching and worship?

Yes, the spiritual shape of the pilgrimage is designed collaboratively with your clergy or lay leaders.

Before you travel we will discuss what kind of worship pattern and teaching focus you have in mind. Some churches like to work with a particular theme or biblical book; others prefer to respond more spontaneously to the places and experiences of each day.

We can suggest natural touchpoints for worship and reflection – a chapel along the route, a quiet corner of a cloister, a viewpoint at the end of a walk – and make sure the daily schedule leaves enough time for these moments to be unhurried. Our role is to create the framework and give you the space and practical support to lead your own people.

Will there be time and space for quiet?

Yes, making room for quiet and reflection is a deliberate part of how these pilgrimages are planned.

Even on full days, the pace on the path is gentle, and there are natural pockets of silence and space. Many pilgrims find that some of the most important moments come while walking in companionable quiet, sitting in a side chapel, or pausing in a cloister or café to take stock of the journey.

We also avoid over-scheduling every hour, so that there is time to process conversations, write a journal, or simply sit in a square and watch the world go by. For many churches, this balance between structured time together and open space alone is one of the gifts of doing a Camino.

6. Practicalities & on-the-ground details

How do we travel from place to place on the tour?

The main way you travel during the pilgrimage is by private, chauffeur-driven coach that stays with the group.

The coach carries your main luggage between overnight stops, allows people to shorten or skip walking sections, and gives the group a familiar, shared base as you move through the landscape. Drivers are used to working with pilgrimage groups and are an important part of making the journey feel safe and smooth.

On some itineraries there may also be a high-speed train or internal flight, for example to link Madrid with the start of a Camino route. If this applies to your tour it will be clearly noted in both your proposal and your final itinerary, and we will explain how those elements work in practice.

Do you arrange flights?

No, flights are not included and you arrange your own travel to and from the start and end points of the pilgrimage.

This allows pilgrims to choose airlines, departure airports and connections that work best for them, and makes it easier for people to add personal time before or after the pilgrimage if they wish.

We will provide recommended arrival and departure windows, information about the nearest airports, and clear instructions about when and where the group meets at the start and finishes at the end. Many churches find it helpful to share these guidelines early so that pilgrims can begin exploring flight options in good time.

How do transfers work at the beginning and end of the Camino?

Most churches arrange their own flights to and from Europe. Once your dates are confirmed, we’ll advise you on the best airports to use, suggested arrival and departure windows, and where to meet the group at the start of the pilgrimage.

For many groups it works well to choose a recommended flight and encourage everyone to book the same one, so that you arrive and depart together. In some cases we can help arrange a private group transfer from the airport to the first hotel and from Santiago back to the airport at the end of the pilgrimage; if so, any transfer costs will be clearly shown in your proposal and final itinerary.

If pilgrims arrive or depart at different times, they may need to use taxis or public transport for those journeys. We’ll always give guidance on the simplest options.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, travel insurance is required for all pilgrims and is an important part of responsible trip planning.

We do not sell or arrange insurance ourselves, but we strongly recommend that you take out a policy that covers at least medical care and emergency assistance, trip cancellation or interruption, and baggage and personal possessions. Medical care in another country can be expensive, and insurance gives you and your church peace of mind.

It is important to make sure that your policy is suitable for the kind of travel you will be doing. For example, you should check that basic walking on marked paths is covered, and that any pre-existing medical conditions are declared in line with the insurer’s requirements.

How is luggage handled?

Your main suitcase travels with you on the coach between overnight stops, while you carry a smaller daypack during walks.

Your main luggage travels on the dedicated coach from hotel to hotel between overnight stops. On walking days you carry a smaller daypack.

We ask each pilgrim to bring one main suitcase within the weight specified in our Terms and Conditions, to make loading and unloading manageable and to fit coach capacity. Your suitcase will stay at the hotel during the day and move with the group as you change locations.

While walking, you carry only what you need for the day – typically water, a light layer, any medication and small personal items – in your daypack. Before departure you will receive guidance on what to pack and how to prepare so that you are comfortable on the path and in the evenings.

Can you cater for dietary requirements and accessibility needs?

In many cases, yes, as long as we know about your needs well in advance.

We regularly host pilgrims who are vegetarian, vegan or pescatarian, and many hotels and restaurants are now familiar with gluten-free, dairy-free and other medical dietary requirements. We will ask you to share this information before finalising rooming and meal lists so we can confirm what is realistically possible on your chosen route.

We also work with churches to support pilgrims with mobility considerations, such as a slower walking pace, the need for frequent breaks, or a preference to use the coach for some or all stages. While we cannot promise full accessibility in every historic building or village, we will be honest about what is and isn’t possible, and we will try to shape a pilgrimage that is as inclusive as the route and local infrastructure allow.

7. Routes & itineraries

Are the routes always the same, or can they be customised?

Each route has a clear backbone that has been tried and refined over time, but there is usually room for thoughtful adjustments.

We know from experience which distances, towns and timings work well for groups, so we keep those foundations. Within that framework, however, there is often scope to add or emphasise certain visits, adjust the balance between walking and coach time, or make small timing changes to suit your church.

Major changes, such as changing cities, altering the number of nights, or requesting a significantly different pattern, may affect price and feasibility and need to be considered carefully. These conversations happen at proposal stage so that you can see clearly what is possible and what impact any changes would have.

What is the simple difference between your main routes?

Each route offers a different way into Santiago and a different mix of landscapes, cities and spiritual focus.

The French Way is the classic walking Camino through Galician countryside and villages, with a strong sense of walking towards the cathedral with many other pilgrims. The Portuguese Way combines Portugal and Galicia, often with a rich food and wine element and a blend of coastal and inland scenery.

The Silver Way is an Easter-only, light-walking pilgrimage from Seville to Santiago along parts of the Vía de la Plata, with Holy Week and Easter processions, city stays and shorter optional walks. The French Way, Light offers shorter walking days on the French Way, more coach support and more time in key cities such as Madrid and Santiago, making it ideal as a first Camino or for groups with a wider range of fitness levels.

Do you ever offer other or bespoke routes?

Yes, in some cases we can design or adapt routes specifically for your church.

The four main routes on the website are our core, well-tested itineraries, but we occasionally create more tailored versions for churches with particular dates, themes or regions in mind. This might mean, for example, a stronger focus on a particular city, an emphasis on a saint or period of church history, or a combination of Camino walking with another part of Spain or Portugal.

Any bespoke itinerary involves more planning and may have different pricing or constraints, so it is best to start the conversation early. We will be honest about what is possible within the realities of the Camino, local infrastructure and your budget.

8. Still have questions?

How can we find out more or talk to someone?

If you still have questions or would like to explore a Camino for your church, the best next step is simply to get in touch.

You can use the form on this site to schedule a call, or email [email protected] with a few details about your church, your hoped-for dates and whether you are thinking about a walking or light-walking route.

From there we can talk through your hopes, explain the differences between the French Way, Portuguese Way, Silver Way and French Way, Light, and help you discern which pilgrimage might be the right fit for your people at this moment in your church’s life.