This is the essential practical documentation that we offer you for your Camino de Santiago.
What to take in your backpack
If it is your first time on the Camino de Santiago, it is normal that you do not have a clear vision of those things that are really essential to carry out this adventure, or on the contrary you make the mistake of filling your backpack with many other things that are totally dispensable.
Therefore, depending on the route you choose, as well as other characteristics such as the time of the year or even personal needs, we will send you a detailed list to prepare your pilgrim’s luggage so that you don’t forget anything.
How to get to the start of the route
Once we have decided the route we are going to do, we have to move to the starting point, something that sometimes is not easy at all.
Most of the trips start from small towns or even villages, where communications are neither frequent nor direct, sometimes even non-existent.
Depending on whether you are coming from one country or another, from Andalusia, Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia or any other autonomous community, we will help and advise you on the best way to get to the starting point. To do so, we will evaluate the use of our own vehicles, planes, trains, buses or even small local and/or provincial companies that hardly have discretionary services.
Maps and tracks
Although the Camino de Santiago is generally well signposted, it is logical to want to have a map and be forewarned. We will provide you with a GPS application that will show you where you are going at all times without the need to use mobile data, perfect for those stretches where there is no coverage.
Our GPX routes can also be used in those points where we do not have coverage, for this you will have to download the track and activate it with a tracking app. In it you can also be aware of the slopes and geographical difficulties of each area.
Where to eat
You will have at your disposal the best recommendations of bars and restaurants along the Camino de Santiago, typical dishes that you must try as well as refreshment points where you can stop and get your strength back.
To do this, we will send you a complete dossier, structured by stages, where you can also consult the locations of each of our recommendations.
Points of interest
The Camino de Santiago is also tourism, visiting the most representative monuments of the Jacobean towns, knowing the history, culture and legends of each town. So you will have at your fingertips a list of points of interest that will be a must on your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Documentation on the Camino de Santiago
-
What aspects should schools and institutes consider when planning a trip to the Camino de Santiago?
When planning a school trip to the Camino de Santiago, schools and institutes should consider:- Stages adapted to the age and physical capacity of the students.
- Safe and comfortable accommodation in hostels or guesthouses.
- Luggage transport for greater comfort.
- Monitors and guides with experience in school groups.
- Educational and recreational activities along the route.
- Travel insurancefor all participants.
- Necessary permits and documentation and ensuring that students' papers are in order.
- Daily communication with parents and guardians about the itinerary and any changes.
- Weather preparation and appropriate equipment, ensuring that students have appropriate clothing and equipment for the climate of the Camino.
-
What is included in a package for school trips on the Camino de Santiago?
A package for school trips on the Camino de Santiago generally includes:- Planning of stages adapted to the age of the students.
- 7 days / 6 nights accommodation
- Luggage transfer during the stages
- Complete documentation
- Pilgrim's credential
- Pilgrim's T-shirt as a gift
- Travel insurance
- 1 free teacher for every 20 students
- PM (Breakfast and dinner)
-
What documents do I need to walk the Camino de Santiago?
To walk the Camino de Santiago, it's essential to carry the Pilgrim's Credential, which allows you to obtain the Compostela upon completing the route in Santiago, and also grants access to public hostels and other services, as well as possible discounts in museums, etc. Additionally, you'll need a form of identification (ID or passport) to check into accommodations and other establishments. If you're a foreigner, make sure your visa is in order if required by your country of origin. -
What should I take with me?
As we always say, less is more. In your luggage you should include the clothes and shoes you will need to walk for 5 days, as well as their respective changes of clothes. Bear in mind that you will be able to wash your clothes at the end of the stages, which can lighten your luggage. Don't forget to include your toilet bag, a small first aid kit and sandals for the end of the stage. And for walking, comfortable clothes, used hiking shoes and a hiking jacket. With a small backpack with a rain jacket, your phone, personal documentation, water and some snacks you will be more than prepared. -
What does each package include?
Our Organised Group Travel packages include:- 6 nights' accommodation in private hostels or in hostels and guesthouses.
- Luggage transport between stages (1 piece of luggage of 15 kg.). If you need more, let us know.
- Pilgrim's credential.
- Complete dossier and documentation.
- Travel insurance.
- Support vehicle between stages.
-
What should I carry in my backpack for the Camino de Santiago?
For the Camino de Santiago, make sure to pack weather-appropriate clothing, including quick-drying pants, a technical t-shirt, a sweatshirt, and suitable footwear.
Also, bring a sleeping bag for hostels, extra clothes, waterproof layers, comfortable shoes for resting, toiletries, sunscreen, a basic first aid kit, your phone charger, an extra battery, important documents like your health card, and the pilgrim's credential. Keep your backpack weight under 10% of your body weight.
-
What do I do if my dog can no longer walk?
If during the Camino de Santiago you have any incident with your pet and it makes it impossible to continue walking, we have a transfer service from any point of the Camino. In addition to the documentation provided upon reservation, you'll have access to a helpline while on the road for assistance. Don't hesitate to reach out to us!
-
What documentation should I bring to do the Camino de Santiago with my dog?
Carrying the veterinary card or canine passport is mandatory. Additionally, it's recommended to attach a tag with your name and phone number to your pet's collar.Before embarking on your journey, ensure your dog has received a minimum of two doses of the following vaccinations: trivalent parvovirus (distemper, hepatitis, and leptospirosis), as well as the rabies vaccination administered at least 20 days prior. Regarding leishmaniasis, it is a disease prevalent in Galicia, so it is strongly advised that the dog is protected either through vaccination or by using a reliable collar. -
Where do I return the bicycle at the end of my Camino de Santiago?
If you finish your Camino in Santiago de Compostela, you'll need to return the bicycle to the address provided with your trip documentation. If your journey concludes at a different point along the Camino, we'll handle the pick-up for you. -
What is on-the-road telephone assistance?
In your travel documents, you'll find an emergency telephone number where we're accessible while you're on the road. This ensures you'll journey with peace of mind, knowin our team members will assist you with any problems, incidents, or questions you encounter along your Camino de Santiago.
-
What is travel insurance?
It is the guarantee that you can enjoy your Camino in a safe way. In our trips you already have an insurance included with your trip to be protected during the Camino de Santiago. We will send you the insurance policy along with all the documentation of your trip, so you will have everything you need to enjoy the Camino with peace of mind. Walk without worries! -
When will I know the names of my accommodations?
We will send you the names of the accommodations along with your travel documents. If you are going to do the Camino de Santiago on your own, you will receive the documentation by email a few days after making your reservation. If you make your reservation well in advance, it may take us a little longer to send it to you in high season, as we give priority to reservations made with less time in advance. If it has been a few weeks since you made your booking and you have not received your documentation, you can contact us. If you are going to do the Camino de Santiago in a group, you will receive your documentation approximately one month before the start of the trip, when we close the group. -
Where are the accommodations located?
In your travel documents, you will find the names of the accommodations assigned to you, as well as their contact telephone number and location. As a general rule, all accommodation are located in the centre of the different towns along the Pilgrims' Route to Santiago de Compostela, without the need to deviate too far from the route. But sometimes, due to lack of availability, it is possible that some accommodation may be a little far from the village or even in neighbouring towns. For all the accommodations that are at a considerable distance from the route of the Camino, we will provide you with a free taxi service that you can use to get to your accommodation and return to the Camino the next morning. In any case, these are exceptions that we will inform you at the time of booking. -
Should I print the documents you have sent me?
It is not compulsory to print it, but it is advisable as this way you will be able to consult it whenever you need it. You can also carry the downloaded documentation on your phone. -
When will I receive my booking documents?
It will depend on the contracted modality: If you are going to do the Camino de Santiago on your own, you will receive the documentation by email a few days after making your reservation. If you make your reservation well in advance, it may take us a little longer to send it to you in high season, as we give priority to reservations made with less time in advance. If it has been a few weeks since you made your booking and you have not received your documentation, you can contact us. If you are going to do the Camino de Santiago in a group, you will receive your documentation approximately one month before the start of the trip, when we close the group. -
How does the Camino de Santiago work in a group?
The operation of the Camino de Santiago in group is very simple. Picture an incredible journey among friends - that's precisely the vibe. About a month before the trip, we'll finalize the group and send you detailed trip documentation, including accommodation names, details about the welcome meeting, a dossier with recommendations, and the insurance policy. Once everyone has gathered in Sarria, our guides will host a welcome meeting to introduce everyone, explain the trip dynamics, and address any questions. You'll also receive your credentials, luggage transport stickers, a T-shirt, and a pilgrim's scallop. On this first day, we won't walk; instead, we'll have the chance to grab a drink, mingle, and explore the village. Over the course of a week, we'll cover the 110 kilometers from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela. We'll walk an average of 20 kilometers per day over five stages, allowing everyone to go at their own pace. We'll also set up a WhatsApp group where the guide will suggest rest stops and points of interest along the way. Once we arrive at the end of the stage, your luggage will be waiting for you at the reception of your assigned accommodation. After freshening up and taking a break, the guide will suggest a place to have lunch , and those interested can join in to share experience. If possible, we'll also organize activities like concerts or queimadas to enjoy with our fellow pilgrims in the afternoon. It's a journey of camaraderie, where strong bonds inevitably form among group members. We love to see how once we arrive in Santiago, those people who a week ago were strangers, end up being friends for life. -
What services are included in the Camino de Santiago in group?
The Camino de Santiago in group includes the following services.- 7 days / 6 nights in the chosen accommodation
- Support vehicle between stages
- 24 hour accompanying monitor
- Luggage transfer during the stages
- Complete documentation with practical information about the trip
- Pilgrim's credential
- Scallop and T-shirt
- Travel insurance
- Breakfast or half board
- Private transfers to the start of the stage from Santiago de Compostela or from the airport.
- Extra night at the beginning or end of the stage