Is the Camino Calling You?

Then consider joining Jen Manglos on a guided pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela via the Camino Portuguese this Summer, June 23-July 2, 2024. This 100~ km route will be broken up into 8 days of walking, within an intimate group setting. Participant will meet and prepare together online in the months leading up to their pilgrimage, with an approach that integrates the practical and spiritual considerations of such an experience.

Trip Dates: June 23-July 2, 2024

Cost: $2,200 for shared room; $2,600 for a single room (limited availability).

Application Deadline: November 30, 2023.

See below for some frequently asked questions.

Fill out the form below to request information on upcoming trips.

Why Walk with Jen?

Jen most recently led a group of 8 on pilgrimage in August 2023. Read what participant’s had to say about their experience:

Jen brought both her practical wisdom for walking the Camino and also her spiritual wisdom in creating and making space for the Holy Spirit to affect each person and the group as a whole. 

– Monica G.

If one would want a Camino experience but not the whole 500 miles, this is the best way to do it. Not only does one get the benefit of a wonderful trip, but the added spiritual component as well as new friends for life, if done with a group in the way that Jen structured the trip.

– Candy W.

I believe that the Lord invited me into a new stage of my personal healing journey with Him. Jen made it feel safe to share this with the group by she herself being open and honest and vulnerable and real.

– Cathy C.

This pilgrimage showed me that it is possible for me to have an adventure, and more importantly an adventure with God and others. I often have experienced myself to be very limited in what I can do and what I can experience, but this trip showed me that this judgment that I had about myself is not true. The Christian walk is a great adventure and this pilgrimage opened my eyes to it. Jen was such an amazing guide on this whole trip. I always felt that I could depend on her. The way she cared for us and lead us was such a wonderful experience. 

– Brad V.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does the trip cost?

A: The trip is $2,200, which includes all training sessions with Jen, hotels for each night (shared with another group member), breakfast and dinner (dinner is not included on the first and last two evenings of the trip), insurance (see below for details on what’s included in the coverage), and bag transport. Participants are required to book their own airfare and make their way to Tui, Spain (nearest airports are Porto, Portugal or Santiago de Compostela, Spain). The cost for a single room is $2,600

Q: How should I prepare physically for the pilgrimage? 

A: Walking the Camino involves moving to different locations on foot each day. For eight consecutive days, we will walk 7 to 14 miles each day. This is a significant distance and it includes varying terrain (i.e. trails, asphalt, elevation changes). It is strongly recommended that pilgrims train their bodies at least four months in advance for the journey. Additionally, pilgrims must train using the boots or shoes they will wear on the journey. You do not want to break in new boots during your pilgrimage experience. As part of the experience, you will be advised on how to train and prepare.

Q: Where does the pilgrimage begin? How do I get there? 

A: We will meet at a hotel in Tui, Spain, in the afternoon on June 23 2024. We will provide the exact address and further details as we get closer to the start of the pilgrimage. Pilgrims will likely fly into nearby larger cities, such as Santiago, Porto, or Madrid. 

Pilgrims should fly from North America to Europe no later than 1 day before the trip begins to allow ample time to make the ground journey to Tui, Spain. Pilgrimage leaders are willing to discuss ways to get to the starting location in more detail with pilgrims. We will share travel details of the group in advance, and discuss arrival options during pre-pilgrimage virtual meetings. 

Q: Where does the pilgrimage end? How do I get home? 

A: The pilgrimage ends in Santiago de Compostela, Spain on July 2, 2024. Pilgrims should either make travel arrangements to fly home from Santiago anytime that day or continue their travels. We will likely be asked to be out of our hotel by 11:00 AM local time (will provide exact timing as we get closer to the pilgrimage). Formal programming will continue until 11:00 AM that day.

Q: What is the trip itinerary?

A: The trip itinerary is as follows (please note, some minor changes may occur depending upon hotel availability):

Day 1 – Arrival in Tui. Accommodation.

Day 2 – Tui – O Porriño (18 Kms/11.18 mi)

Day 3 – O Porriño – Redondela (16 Kms/9.94 mi)

Day 4 – O Porriño – Arcade (7 Kms/ 4.35 mi)

Day 5 – Arcade – Pontevedra (13 Kms/8.1 mi)

Day 6 – Pontevedra – Caldas de Reis (22 Kms/13.67 mi)

Day 7 – Caldas de Reis – Padrón (19 Kms/11.81)

Day 8 – Padrón – Parada de Francos (11 Kms/6.84 mi)

Day 9 – Parada de Francos – Santiago de Compostela (13 Kms/8.1mi)

Day 10 – Day in Santiago

Day 11 – Depart Santiago

Q: How much walking is it? 

A: Generally, we will be walking 7-10 miles per day for eight consecutive days (please note that the distance will increase beyond this average on two days, where the distance respectively is 11.5 and 14 miles). The route includes steep inclines and declines each day for some duration. We will begin walking between 7:30 and 8:30 AM. Pilgrims are not expected to walk as a group for each day’s journey, and different pilgrims may have different walking paces. Generally, pilgrims will arrive in the next lodging location before or around 3:00 PM (including a lunch stop). Pilgrims are advised to wear hiking socks (can be purchased at a sports store) to avoid blisters and to carry lamb’s wool, anti-blister pads and gels. If pilgrims experience difficulty and pain, they are welcome to make their own ground transportation arrangements to the next lodging location. 

Q: Do I have to carry all my things with me each day? 

A: No. The cost of the pilgrimage includes a service that will transport our baggage from lodging site to lodging site each day. Therefore, you only need to carry in your pack anything you would like to have during the day’s walk (water, snacks, journal, ID, cash, sunscreen, first aid supplies). Keep in mind, the baggage courier service only allows one bag per pilgrim. Therefore, pilgrims should plan to only have one piece of luggage and one backpack or day pack (which they will carry as they walk). Also note, the baggage courier service limits the weight of each suitcase to 20 kgs (44 lbs). 

Q: What about meals? 

A: Breakfast and most dinners are included in the cost of the pilgrimage and will be held as a group each day. European breakfasts tend to be very carb-heavy, but some hotels to offer some good protein options. Most dinners will offer a 3-course meal that includes a starter (ie. salad, soup or pasta), main dish (i.e., protein and french fries), dessert (cake, pastry or ice cream), and beverage (water, soda, wine or beer). Pilgrims will be responsible for the cost of all lunches. All of our hotels include breakfast, and we will eat before beginning our daily walk. Dinner in Spain happens later than many North Americans are accustomed to. We will likely have dinner right when restaurants open for the evening, between 7-8:30PM. Depending on the size of our group and the seating available, we may have to divide our group between two restaurant locations. Pilgrims can have lunch on their own. Some may choose to stop by a grocery store for a cheaper lunch option ($4-7 range) and others may stop by a cafe for a sit down lunch ($10-15 range). The path goes near many restaurant options during the day, many of which have special “pilgrim lunch” options. The whole group will not stop or meet together for lunch each day. 

Q: What’s the daily schedule like? 

A: We will follow a general daily rhythm (see below). It’s important to remember that exact timing will vary somewhat day-to-day and depend on factors that are hard to predict or plan on in advance. Pilgrimage leaders ask for flexibility from pilgrims and invite you to embrace a more relaxed approach to time. General Daily Rhythm:

o 7:15 – 8:30 AM: Breakfast, group meditation, and depart for the day. Baggage must be at the front desk of the lodging location by 7:30/8:00 AM each day for courier pickup. The exact timing of breakfast and our morning departure will vary because different lodging locations begin breakfast at different times. Some start at 7:00 AM and some don’t start until 8:00 AM. 

o 8:00 AM-Noon: Group walks the path. You may walk by yourself or with others at your own pace. 

o Noon – Pilgrims are welcome to stop wherever they would like for lunch. 

o 1:00 – 4:00 PM: Pilgrims likely will arrive at the next night’s lodging location in this timeframe.

o 3:00 – 6:00 PM: Free time. Pilgrims should get settled in the night’s lodging location and feel free to explore the town or take a nap. 

o 6:00 – 7:00/8:00 PM: The group will meet every evening before dinner for group sharing and processing. Pilgrimage leaders will provide the exact details during the pilgrimage. 

o 7:00/8:00 PM: Group meets for dinner.

o 8:30/9:00 PM: Dinner will likely be over by this time, and pilgrims are free to explore the town some more or head to bed.

Q: How much spending money should I bring?

A: Since breakfast and dinner is included on most of the days we are walking, you will only need to cover your lunch costs ($4-15, see question above on meals). However, you’ll be responsible for all meals before breakfast on the first day of walking and after breakfast on the final day. Some may decide to bring extra spending money for coffee, alcoholic beverages, snacks, and desserts. You may also want to bring extra spending money for any gifts or souvenirs you wish to purchase. Credit cards will work for some establishments, but you’ll also want to have Euros as the smaller restaurants and cafes are cash only. 

Q: Is there anything else important to know? 

A: The pilgrimage leader will begin holding 5-6 monthly meetings (via Zoom) beginning in Winter 2024 with the pilgrim community. These 90-minute orientation meetings will provide a space to check in on everyone’s physical preparation, offer important logistical information, and support the spiritual development of our pilgrim community.