Join other alumni on the Camino de Santiago in Spain!
Alumni trips are an opportunity to reconnect with life on the mission field and join fellow alumni to serve. In addition to this being a short term trip for alumni, it’s also an opportunity to share life on the mission field with your home community. You can invite a friend, your family, or maybe someone from church. This could be a life changing experience for someone you know.
On El Camino de Santiago (The Way of Saint James) in Northern Spain, you will embark on the journey of a lifetime as you take what you have learned from serving in countless countries over the past few years to a new level.
El Camino de Santiago is the pilgrimage to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, where legend has it that the remains of the Apostle James lie. The Camino has existed as a Christian pilgrimage for well over 1,000 years. Throughout the medieval period it was one of the three most important Christian pilgrimages undertaken. Indeed, it was only these pilgrimages—to Jerusalem, to Rome, and to Santiago de Compostela—which could result in a plenary indulgence, which frees a person from the penance due for sins.
On the Camino, you will be part of a traveling village. You’ll see other pilgrims at cafes along the Way and will share in community dinners every night. You’ll get to know their stories and share your own.
You will find that people choose to hike the Camino for a multitude of reasons, but they are all searching for something more.
You may encounter pilgrims who have lost their families in tragic accidents, some who are escaping from the pain of divorce, others looking for freedom from addiction, some who feel they have failed everything in life, and those looking for love.
The Camino attracts people from all walks of life. Many are searching for answers, hungry for a spiritual experience. All around, you’ll find people who are hungry for more, looking for answers and purpose.
We believe we have what they are searching for: Jesus.
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Begin each morning prayer walking with your team as you seek out what God has for you and those surrounding you each day.
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Meet and develop deep relationships with a number of pilgrims from around the world.
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Intentionally invite pilgrims to dinner with you and your team to get to know them more and minister to them with the Gospel of Jesus, leading to spiritual fruit.
You will take the French Way, beginning in Leon and ending in Santiago de Compostela. Here is your tentative route.
- Day 1 – Arrive at Airport (TBD) and Travel to Leon/Hostel (if arriving in Leon)
- Day 2 – Leon – Villar de Mazarife – 21.8km
- Day 3 – Villar de Mazarife to Astorga is 29.3km
- Day 4 – Astorga – Rabanal del Camino – 20.2km
- Day 5 – Rabanal del Camino to Ponferrada – 32.7km
- Day 6 – Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo – 23.3km
- Day 7 – Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro – 30.3km
- Day 8 – O Cebreiro to Triacastela – 20.3km
- Day 9 – Triacastela to Sarria – 25km
- Day 10 – Sarria to Portomarin – 23.1km
- Day 11 – Portomarin to Palas de Rei – 24.7km
- Day 12 – Palas de Rei to Arzua – 28.5km
- Day 13 – Arzua to Santiago de Compostela – 38.7km
- Day 14 – Extra Night in Santiago de Compostela
- Day 15 – Onward Travel (Home or elsewhere)
Whose ready for another journey?
**This trip is not for everyone. You’ll be walking a total of 200 miles over the course of 15 days without any rest days. All participants must be able to walk for extended periods of time with a full pack.*
