Silent Walking Retreat on the Camino
Walk El Camino in Noble Silence
Galicia, Spain | Sept 24 - Oct 2, 2024
In the summer of 2023, I took a long-planned, and many times rescheduled, trip to walk the Camino. This trip was intended to celebrate my 50th birthday and a dear friend's 70th birthday. COVID happened and you know the rest. By the time this trip was replanned and tickets were purchased it was spring of 23’ and I was feeling personal and professional burnout. I let my friend know I would need to walk in silence each day until noon. Within the first hour of the first day, I realized my pilgrimage would require me to be silent ALL DAY while walking. I had no idea at that moment how healing and restorative this silent walk would be for me. And now I want to offer this gift to you.
This isn't just a trip to Spain or a sightseeing tour—it's a transformative exploration of the self, a chance to delve deep into your life, words, thoughts, and actions while allowing the Camino to guide you toward a profound sense of self-awareness and renewal.
The Camino isn't just a route; it's a gateway to self-discovery. This pilgrimage provides everything you need to uncover the layers of your being and embrace your true essence. Each step is an opportunity for growth and renewal, inviting you to embrace courage and a willingness to be changed while peeling back old ways of being to make room for the peace that lives within you.
We would be honored to have you join us on this soulful adventure.
Not sure if this trip is for you or have questions?
Please take a moment to view our recent Q&A.
Passcode: 5j!jXnyW
“Buen Camino”
“Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise.” Carrie Latet
In the Middle Ages, people began walking the Camino de Santiago (aka The Way. The Way of St. James, the Camino) to “reduce the punishment of their sins.” They crawled, hiked, and walked their way along 1 of the 4 routes that all culminate in Santiago de Compostela. People who walk the Way are called Pilgrims or Peregrinos. Pilgrims are on a journey of self-discovery. They have an outer journey—a test of stamina, fitness, and physical strength as they navigate their way to Santiago. They also have an inner journey—discovering who they are, a chance to challenge their beliefs, experiencing the simplicity of their needs, and feeling their way into changes they are ready to make in their life.
Our Days.
Experience the transformative power of walking the Camino in noble silence where each step becomes a meditation and journey inward. Nature in silence has a reparative power to help us feel our wholeness and the grandness of this life as our breath merges with the gentle cadence of our footsteps.
We will take time each day for personal contemplation through journaling, movement practices and group discussions.
As we embark on this journey each day, we will each walk our own path, yet we will form a sangha (community) with our group that will extend to embrace all those sharing this sacred passage. Discover the profound joy of simply being, as we walk through charming villages, meadows, and rolling hills. It is a walk that is unidirectional, with an ability to look back yet only move forward.
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Day 1-2
Our journey begins in the picturesque village of Sarria, nestled amidst the serene countryside of Galicia in northwestern Spain.
We will gather here for two days of gentle integration and rejuvenation. It's a time to pause, allowing our bodies to rest after travel and to create connections within our sangha before beginning our journey.
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Day 3
Sarria to Portomarin
14.9 miles/24 km
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Day 4
Portomarin to Palas De Rei
14.9 miles/24 km
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Day 5
Pals de Rei to Arzua
18.5 miles/29 km
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Day 6
Arzua to O Pedrouzo
13 miles/20 km
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Day 7
O Pedrouza to Santiago de Compostela
13 miles/20 km
Celebratory Off Property Dinner
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Day 8
Santiago de Compostela
Day of Exploration
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Day 9
Departures
Inclusions.
Connect with your fellow travelers through our private Camino Facebook page which will include.
Six professional training videos created by trainer Jed Glass at Boulder Strength to prepare yourself both mentally and physically for your Camino Pilgrimage.
Two live and recorded Zoom calls to connect with the Humanity Shared Leaders and our pilgrimage community. Time to get your questions answered and receive all of the information you need for a successful journey.
Comprehensive packing list and tips from our seasoned travelers who will be leading your pilgrimage.
Orientation to the Camino
Welcome dinner (Night 1 + 2)
Hand-made pilgrimage journals
Movement practices to prepare and keep your body supple
Opportunity to meet and connect with your fellow pilgrims
European lodging with private bathrooms- 8 Nights (Primarily shared rooms with twin beds)
European breakfast- 8 mornings
24-hour Camino support
Evening movement practice and check-in
Celebratory dinner in Santiago with a stay at a lovely hotel in St James Square a mere steps from the historic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Not included
Round Trip Airfare from your departure city
Shuttle from Airport to arrival point in Sarria
Shuttle to Airport upon departure
Mid-day snacks or meals
Five Dinners on the Camino
Personal Insurance
Travel Insurance
Optional Fees
Bag portage
Shuttle arrangement from any point on the Camino to lodging
Last day open to explore Santiago or do a day trip to Finisterre or Muxia
Additional Details
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$2,900 per person
A $1,000 deposit is due to secure your registration. THIS $1,000 DEPOSIT IS NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE UNDER ANY AND ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.
Final and full payment is due June 30, 2024. You will receive your retreat confirmation update with additional information needed for trip preparation prior to your departure.
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CANCELLATIONS OF ANY KIND WILL RESULT IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF YOUR $1,000 DEPOSIT. Please note that there will be no refunds or discounts for arriving late, leaving early, flight cancellations, travel delays or illness. If you cancel your participation in a retreat for any reason, the cancellation policy described here will apply, with no exceptions.
We wish we could compensate people for unforeseen circumstances (injury, illness, work issues, family emergency, etc.), however we have costs already incurred when reserving our retreat centers, in addition to the high level of work required within the retreat planning process. We have designed our cancellation policy to be as flexible as possible in the case that your plans change.
All retreat payments are NON-REFUNDABLE as we are obliged to fulfill our reservations with the resort the moment you reserve with us.
If you find a guest to fill your spot, we will refund you minus the $1000 deposit and an administration fee.
Naturally, no one books with the intention of canceling or postponing their retreat, but unexpected things do happen, we recommend you purchase travel cancellation insurance. Please refer to our Travel Insurance page for details.
If you cancel your retreat we do not offer refunds for any reason.
Any cancellation will result in the TOTAL LOSS of your $1,000 deposit.
CANCELLATION MORE THAN 90 DAYS BEFORE YOUR RETREAT START DATE:
No Refund, option to transfer payment balance to (LESS THE $1,000 non-refundable deposit) another Humanity Shared retreat within ONE calendar year of retreat you registered for.
CANCELLATION LESS THAN 90 DAYS BEFORE YOUR RETREAT START DATE: 0% refund on retreat payment.
Exceptions to our policy CANNOT be made for any reason, including weather, injury, illness or personal emergencies.
If Humanity Shared cancels or changes your retreat, you may transfer your full retreat payment to another retreat, or you may request a refund of your payments to us. Taylor White Moffitt is not responsible for your expenses incurred in preparation for any canceled retreat, such as airline tickets, loss of work, and/or other costs associated with preparing for your trip. Taylor White Moffitt reserves the right to cancel a retreat due to low participation.
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Once you have paid your deposit you will receive detailed information regarding travel.
FLIGHTS TO SPAIN
ARRIVAL DATE: Sept 24, 2024
DEPARTURE DATE: October 2, 2024
Each guest is responsible for travel from their arrival airport to Sarria where retreat begins with a Welcome Dinner and Orientation
RECOMMENDED Arrival Airport- Santiago de Castro Airport (small airport)
Santiago to Sarria- There are two different transfer options from Santiago de Compostela Airport to Sarria; taking a taxi or the bus. Taking a Santiago de Compostela Airport taxi will take just 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach Sarria and will cost around €165. The public buses, on the other hand, aren’t direct, so will take closer to 3 hours and will cost €12.65 per person.
Additional Airport Option- Madrid (International Airport)
Madrid to Sarria- Many pilgrims, especially foreigners, fly to Madrid and from there take transport to reach Sarria and start the Camino de Santiago.
To go from Madrid to Sarria it is not necessary to pass Santiago de Compostela if you are traveling by train, if you want to travel by bus you will have to transfer in Santiago de Compostela.
Madrid to Sarria by train- To get to Sarria, from Madrid, by train there is a direct train from Chamartin Station. There are two daily departures. One at 13:00h, lasting 6 hours; and another overnight train that departs from Madrid at 22:14h and arrives in Sarria at 6:42h in the morning.
There are also several trains connecting the capital of Madrid with Santiago de Compostela and Lugo. From both cities you can get to Sarria, as explained in the previous sections.
Other options from Madrid to Sarria- There are also several buses connecting Madrid with Santiago de Compostela or Lugo, both from the city centre and from the airport. Another option is to take a flight to Santiago de Compostela, from Madrid, and then go to Sarria. Iberia and Ryanair connect both cities with several daily flights, approximately 70 minutes long.
Another alternative is to travel by private car, from Madrid to Sarria. To do this you must leave the capital by the A-6, towards A Coruña. Once in the province of Lugo, and without leaving that highway, you will have to take exit 479, heading to the national road N-VI of Castroverde.
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We highly recommend that all participants purchase travel insurance through your travel agent, or visit the following website to compare insurers: https://www.insuremytrip.comtrip.com
Taylor White Moffitt will not be responsible for any and all costs associated with your retreat travel.
Depending on the policy and conditions, travel cancellation insurance will pay for some or all cancellation fees. With most agencies, insurance must be purchased within 14 days of making your reservation.
None of us can predict unexpected events in our lives: illness, family emergencies, work conflicts, etc. By investing in a comprehensive plan at the time you commit to your retreat, you will ensure being covered in full should you need to cancel for any reason.
It is not advisable to wait to purchase your coverage!
Below is a reputable company you may opt to use:
Travelex Travel Insurance
Tel. (800) 228-9792
Email: customersolutions@travelexinsurance.com
Should you elect to not purchase travel insurance, you are agreeing that you will be assuming 100% of any costs incurred for trip cancellation or trip interruption. Be sure to understand the fine print of the policy you select to ensure you know exactly what is and isn’t covered.
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We will be hosting 2 live and recorded calls to give you the opportunity to connect with other retreat guests and get your questions answered.
Our request is that you please write down any questions you may have so that we may address them with the group.
