Samos to Santiago, Spain: 2026 Group Travel Experience Details

This trip is sold out, but don’t stress, click here to join the waitlist!

Join us on a life-changing journey as we walk the final, most scenic stretch of the Camino de Santiago—starting in the peaceful monastery town of Samos and ending at the mystical shores of Finisterre, once thought to be the “end of the world.” Our group pilgrimage follows the historic Camino Francés, winding through the vibrant Galician villages of northern Spain. 

The trip itself is the perfect blend of what we are best known for – walking and getting to know the area and food where we travel. You will have seven walking days, a day to explore Santiago de Compostela, a day to enjoy the peaceful seaside village of Finisterre, and an optional second day to explore Santiago further before returning to the reality of home.

If you want to see our videos from our 2025 group, click here.
If you want to see our videos from the last 100 kms (the section our group walks) from our 2023 Camino, click here.

July 6, 2026, Day 1: Fly into Madrid and Travel to Samos
We will arrange your travel from Madrid (the city you should fly into) to Samos, the town that will be our home base for the first couple of days. We will spend the evening getting to know each other, preparing for the adventure ahead, and adjusting to the time change.

We will be taking photos/videos throughout the trip, posting them to our social media channels for the ultimate memory book of your trip.

July 7, 2026, Day 2: A Rest Day in Samos
We will begin in the tranquil embrace of the Benedictine Monastery of Samos, where pilgrims have found rest and meaning for centuries. We’ll set intentions and gather for a communal welcome. This is where we will officially begin our walk and have our shell ceremony. Everyone will receive their pilgrim credential and shell on this day. We will enjoy a tour of the monastery, wander through the quiet village to settle our minds, and enjoy our first pilgrim dinner before the labor of walking begins tomorrow.

July 8, 2026, Day 3: Samos to Sarria
The most popular starting point for the Camino, this bustling town brings fresh energy as we join pilgrims from all over the world walking the final 100 km to Santiago. Most groups who are only walking 100 km begin here, but after today, you will quickly realize why we chose to start in Samos.
Mileage: 14.5 kilometers

July 9, 2026, Day 4: Sarria to Portomarín
This will be one of two challenging days. This will be your hilliest day, with tomorrow being your longest day. Today’s walk will be filled with people, shops, and plenty of snacks! At the end of the day, we will cross the Miño River into a picturesque town rebuilt stone by stone after the old village was flooded. We’ll relax over a hearty Galician meal and take in views from the church square.
Mileage: 22.1 kilometers

July 10, 2026, Day 5: Portomarín to Palas de Rei
This is your longest day (but don’t worry, you will have the option to taxi ahead if needed), and it’s definitely less hilly than yesterday. This area is the rural heartland of Galicia with ancient Roman roots. We’ll enjoy scenic woodland paths and the ruins of Castro Castromaior. This is a small detour on the route, and we will help ensure you don’t miss it!
Mileage: 24.5 kilometers

July 11, 2026, Day 6: Palas de Rei to Melide
After two longer walking days, the next two days will be quite a trip as we slow back down to take in the scenery! Melide is a lively town known as the pulpo (octopus) capital of Galicia. We’ll encourage you to gather at a local pulpería at lunch for an unforgettable shared meal.
Mileage: 15 kilometers

July 12, 2026, Day 7: Melide to Arzua
Today, we encourage everyone to pack snacks and sit down at one of the many picnic benches along the walk to watch the pilgrims go by. Shortly before Arzua, we will encourage everyone to dip their feet in the water under the last Roman bridge of the Camino. Famous for its creamy cheese and rolling landscapes, Arzúa offers quiet countryside paths and cozy evening reflections. Tonight we will enjoy pizza at one of our favorite spots in Arzua.
Mileage: 13.9 kilometers

July 13, 2026, Day 8: Arzua to O Pedrouzo
The final stop before Santiago, where anticipation builds, and we’ll take time to honor the journey and prepare for the emotional arrival.
Mileage: 19.1 kilometers

July 14, 2026, Day 9: O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Walk together into the grand Plaza del Obradoiro, where the majestic cathedral welcomes pilgrims with open arms. Celebrate your accomplishment, attend the Pilgrim’s Mass, and explore this vibrant, spiritual city. If we’re lucky, we will see the famous Botofumeira swing at Mass!
Mileage: 20 kilometers

July 15, 2026, Day 10: Rest Day in Santiago de Compostela
This will be a busy “rest day” with much to see and do. We will start our day getting our compostelas, then head over to hear the stories at the Portal of Glory, followed by a rooftop tour of the cathedral. There is a mass at noon for pilgrims, where you can stick around afterwards to tour the inside of the cathedral. Tonight will be dinner and a show as we witness a demonstration of a traditional Galician dinner and listen to a presentation about the history of the region and its relationship with the Camino by a local expert. After dinner, we will enjoy a traditional Quimnada ceremony and find the shadow pilgrim who only comes out after dark. This will be a late night as it’s still light out at 10:00 p.m.!

The Zero Kilometer Marker at Cape Finisterre

July 16, 2026, Day 11-12: A Bus Trip to the Seaside Village of Finisterre
To complete our pilgrimage, we travel west by bus to the Atlantic coast and the legendary Cape Finisterre. Here, pilgrims have long come to burn old clothes, reflect, and symbolically begin anew at the edge of the world. But please don’t burn your clothes as it’s illegal now! We will hunt for scallop shells on the beach and enjoy some shopping in the village. At 5:30 p.m., we will walk together the final 3 kilometers to the lighthouse to see the zero-kilometer marker and enjoy a final meal together. After dinner, we will watch the sunset and then walk the 3 kilometers back to the village. Tomorrow we will transport you back to Santiago, where you can enjoy one more day of tourism and shopping, or you can catch a flight home. We will arrive in Santiago at about noon.

July 17, 2026, Day 12: Supplemental Day in Santiago de Compostela ($250 supplemental)
We will arrive back in Santiago at about noon, where we will arrange your transportation to either the train station, airport, or hotel. If you want to spend one final day in Santiago with us, it’s going to be a good one! Tonight is the first night of the festival, so there will be lots of parties in the park and the various plazas. If you didn’t see the Botafumeira swing at the pilgrims’ Mass, it’s likely to swing tonight, as it’s the first night of the festival. Today, we will explore Abastos Market (the traditional fresh market and features Michelin-rated restaurants), tour the pilgrims museum (on your own), have more time to tour the cathedral museums, and enjoy a tapas dinner.

This journey is more than a walk—it’s a shared experience of connection, contemplation, and discovery. Whether you’re walking for personal growth, spiritual renewal, or adventure, this group pilgrimage offers space for all. Come with your questions, your hopes, your stories—and leave with something deeper.

What’s Included in the Trip:
– Transportation to the start of our walk and back to the airport at the end of our trip.
– Lodging in private rooms of two people per room with private bathrooms (though if we stay in a house, you may share bathrooms with other members of our group). Check-in is typically about 3 p.m. You can expect a range of lodging experiences from us. We will place you in accommodations close to the action so you won’t spend your time traveling or walking into the city. We cannot ever guarantee air conditioning, and even when it’s included, we cannot ensure its quality. It’s Europe where air conditioning is not the standard.
– All breakfasts, which are pretty simple in Europe, typically include a pastry, coffee, and juice.
– All dinners with multiple courses. Water and wine are included with dinner. A typical European dinner begins at 8 p.m. and typically takes about two hours. We encourage you to eat a late lunch, enjoy a restful siesta, and have an afternoon snack.
– The optional opportunity to attend mass every day.
– Daily luggage transfer. Luggage is limited to 30 pounds and a bag/suitcase no larger than 25″ tall. You will receive a document with a suggested packing list and will be encouraged to hand-wash your laundry throughout the trip. Washing machines are rarely available.
– Taxi transfer on any day you are struggling and need to move ahead to walk fewer kilometers. Plans for the taxi are made the night before by 8 p.m.
– A local expert to talk about the region and the significance of the Camino de Santiago.
– Your pilgrim shell (the symbol of this pilgrimage) and your credential.
– Your Compostela at the end of your pilgrimage.
– Participation in a food demonstration class in Santiago.
– Tour the Museum, Portal of Glory, and enjoy a rooftop tour in Santiago.
– A special gift from us.
– Three Zoom sessions with your group, help with securing your airfare, and on-demand phone or Zoom calls with us.
– We will be filming both video and photos throughout the trip so loved ones can follow you on our social media channels. You will receive a Google Drive link after the trip with all the pictures and videos we took.

What’s Not Included in the Trip:
– Airfare
– Lunch and snacks throughout the day

Cost of the Trip:
– $2700 per person in a double occupancy room with a $200 discount if you sign up before October 1, 2025
– After the early bird discount, you can get a $100 discount for referring a friend (that is $100 off for you and $100 off for your friend).
– Payment plans will be arranged and agreed upon, with the final payment due by April 1, 2026
– This trip is capped at twelve people.

To Secure Your Spot:
If you are interested in this trip, the first step is to please complete our group travel interest form. 
Once we have ensured you are a good fit for our group travel experiences, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required.

Would you like to see the other trip we are offering in 2026? Please read about our June trip as we walk in Italy from Greccio to Rome, by clicking here.

Group Trip to Spain – Walking the Camino de Santiago

If you read our blog earlier this week, you learned we have moved up our date to begin leading group experiences*. If you missed the blog, it’s a great story; you can read it by clicking here. We are taking our first group to walk on the Camino de Santiago this July 7-18, 2025. Below are details about what to expect on the trip, followed by the total costs for singles, doubles, and singles in shared rooms, the registration deadline, and what is not included. If this doesn’t work for you this year, we will have a trip for you next year, which is summarized at the end of the blog.

As of March 24, 2025 – The trip is SOLD OUT. Please subscribe to see what trips we will be adding in the future!

What to expect:

  • You can walk every day on the Camino Frances from Samos to Santiago de Compostela, covering 132 kilometers or 82 miles over seven days.
  • You don’t have to walk at all. There will be plenty to do for people of varying physical abilities.
  • Light continental breakfast, typically coffee and a pastry
  • Have a communal dinner with your group every night, including multiple courses and wine. These will not typically be your average “pilgrim” dinner – when you are Cruisin’ with the Colemans, you are with foodies!
  • Private or semi-private (with another group member) rooms that fit your needs
  • Daily luggage transfer: all you have to carry is a light pack with just your snacks and water
  • Transfer to/from Santiago airport at the start of the trip
  • Daytime transfer if you need to skip a part of the walk 
  • Begin in the small village of Samos to explore the Monastery of San Xulián de Samos, built in the sixth century
  • Rest day near the end of the trip in Santiago de Compostela with guided or not guided time in the old town
  • On the rest day in Santiago, we will explore the Cathedral and the museum and do a rooftop tour of the church. A botafumeiro is not guaranteed during mass (this is a $3000 expense)
  • Enjoy a traditional guiemada ceremony as a group after dinner in Santiago de Compostela
  • Group bus trip to Finisterre to enjoy the beach, shop, take the 2.5 km walk to the lighthouse for sunset, and celebrate with a group dinner
  • Transfer back to Santiago de Compostela for the end of the trip
  • Advance support for planning your trip 
  • Camino 101 Zoom sessions to get ready and get familiar with those you will be traveling with
  • Help to make travel arrangements to/from Spain, including suggested flights from the US to Spain
  • Credential, pilgrim shell, and travel wallet to carry your pilgrim credential and passport
  • Thumb drive of photos and completed summary videos of your trip

The Cost Breakdown of the Trip:

  • For those who are traveling as a couple, your cost for all of the above will be $4,350 total
  • For those who are traveling solo but are willing to share a room with another member of the group, your cost for all of the above will be $2,600

To secure your spot on the trip, a $500 non-refundable deposit is due immediately. The remainder is due by June 1. Payment plans are encouraged.

Deadline to Sign Up: The registration deadline is April 1st or as soon as we reach 12 people.

What is Not Included: Your only remaining expenses are your gear, daily lunch and snacks, and airfare from your hometown to Santiago de Compostela airport or Sarria train station. We will have a car ready to pick you up and take you to our starting point. If you need assistance, we can help you plan your flight. Most people fly into Madrid and then take a connecting flight or a train to Santiago de Compostela.

Can’t make it this year but want to go Cruisin’ with the Colemans next year? As of February 2025, we plan to offer much more group travel! In 2026, we are looking at a walking tour in Italy; in 2027, we are walking the Camino Portuguese from Porto to Santiago. We are also looking at future caravan opportunities for our RV friends! 

*We are not certified travel agents, but we are experienced travelers and educators with over 25 years of leading group experiences. We organize travel experiences to destinations we know well from our own journeys. However, we do not claim to be experts on the various cultures or locations we visit. If available, we may hire a local expert to enhance your travel experience.

 

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★ 25 years guiding ★ 48 U.S. states ★ 10 countries ★ 3,000+ Camino miles