SARRIA TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email and invitation to schedule a video chat with Piper. December 1st, you'll get access to the training plan, packing list, travel tips, logistics, food guidance, Camino history, and more. One month before our trip, you’ll also be invited to join the group WhatsApp chat for updates and community connection. If you have questions, Piper is happy to hop on a call—can’t wait to have you join us!

The trip starts and finishes in Madrid. Please arrive by 3 PM on the first day of your trip so you can check into the hotel and meet us at the opening ceremony at 4 PM at Hotel Chamartín The ONE. We recommend flying out after 5 PM on the last day of our trip or staying another night in Madrid and flying out the following day.

Our trips welcome all genders and ages over 18! They’re for people who are committed to training beforehand and can consistently walk at a pace of 22 minutes per mile or faster on flat ground. Come ready to challenge yourself, connect with others, and enjoy the journey. 

Most of our travelers are women in their 50s and 60s, but we welcome people of all ages and genders who meet the trip’s physical requirements.

Participants must arrive prepared to walk the full daily distances listed in the itinerary, on consecutive days, while maintaining the required group pace. This includes hills, uneven terrain, and carrying your daypack. Our typical walking pace is 19–22 minutes per mile on flat terrain and approximately 25–28 minutes per mile on steep uphill sections, adjusted by guides for conditions. These are moving paces, excluding scheduled breaks. 

If you consistently require more than 22 minutes per mile on flat ground, you do not meet this trip’s pace requirement.

Training is required. Participants are expected to follow the provided three-month training plan, attend a personalized 1:1 preparation call with Piper, and build the endurance needed for the itinerary’s distances and consecutive hiking days. Arriving without adequate preparation affects your experience, guide availability, and the entire group’s schedule. You may enjoy conversation or quiet walking time within the guides’ instructions, but everyone must meet designated departure times, checkpoints, and arrival windows. Guides support the group as a whole; continuous individual support or a dedicated guide for a slower walking pace is not provided.

If injury or a safety concern prevents you from continuing, guides will assess the situation and help arrange transportation where available. Taxis are not a substitute for training, are not guaranteed to be available, and are paid for by the participant. If you repeatedly cannot meet the required pace or complete the daily distances within the planned timeframe, guides may require you to discontinue the hiking portion of the trip for your safety and the group’s ability to continue as scheduled. Piper provides a training plan, a personalized preparation call, and support before departure. Completing the training and arriving adequately prepared are each participant’s responsibility.

How do I train for the Camino de Santiago?

The best preparation is walking regularly and gradually building toward the demands of your itinerary. Focus on these key areas:

• Build distance and time on your feet. Start with walks you can comfortably complete, then gradually extend them. Practice sustaining the required walking pace as your distances increase.
• Train on hills and varied terrain. Include uphill climbs, downhill walking, and uneven surfaces to prepare for more than flat pavement.
• Practice consecutive walking days. Build toward longer walks on back-to-back days so you become familiar with walking on tired legs.
• Use your Camino gear. Train in the shoes and socks you’ll wear on the trip, and gradually add your daypack with the weight you expect to carry. Address fit issues and hot spots during training.
• Include strength and balance work. Exercises such as step-ups, squats, calf raises, and controlled step-downs can complement your walking preparation.
• Practice your daily routine. Use longer training walks to learn how to eat, drink, manage your feet, and take breaks while staying on schedule.

Running, cycling, swimming, and gym workouts can support your fitness, but your preparation should include substantial walking. The goal is to arrive accustomed to covering long distances, managing hills, and getting up the next morning ready to walk again.

If an injury or safety concern prevents you from continuing, our guides will assess the situation and help coordinate appropriate next steps. This may include arranging a taxi to the next accommodation where available. Additional transportation and medical expenses are your responsibility. Taxi availability and immediate pickup cannot be guaranteed.

Guides support the group as a whole and cannot provide a dedicated guide or ongoing individual support for participants who cannot maintain the required pace. Everyone must arrive trained and prepared to complete the published daily distances. Transportation is a contingency for injury or safety concerns—not an alternative to adequate preparation.

If you repeatedly cannot meet the walking requirements, guides may require you to discontinue the hiking portion of the trip for your safety and to keep the group on schedule.

Unsure whether this trip matches your current abilities? Please book a call with Piper via the contact page before registering so you can discuss the demands and preparation involved. Click on the contact page to book your call.

You can use the toilets where we stop for breakfast and lunch, as well as at cafés along the way. If you stop between our planned stops, be prepared to purchase something small, such as a coffee or snack, to support the local businesses. During your training call, Piper will show you how to find cafés along the route. If bathroom access is a particular concern, book a complimentary chat with Piper before the trip so you can discuss your needs and what to expect.

We’ll enjoy authentic Spanish meals at local cafés along the way. Most dinners will be the pilgrims meal which is a multi-course experience and a tradition on the Camino. Most mornings we’ll hike for about an hour before stopping for a traditional Spanish breakfast of fresh orange juice, coffee, and a pastry or tortilla. Lunch is at cafés on the trail, dinner is together as a group each evening called the pilgrim's menu. It is simple, typically chicken or hake with a side of fries and a salad. 

Participants must be comfortable eating the local meals provided. Extensive dietary restrictions, highly restrictive food preferences, and severe food allergies cannot be accommodated on this trip. If your dietary needs prevent you from eating these types of meals, this trip is not a suitable fit. All meals are included except dinner on Day 4 in Palas de Rei, when you’ll have the evening free to explore and dine at your own expense. Piper will share restaurant recommendations to help you enjoy the local dining scene. If you have questions before booking, you can schedule a free chat to discuss your situation. 

Snacks! You’ll be well fed with delicious Galician food, and there are cafés and shops along the route if you need something extra. Bring your preferred electrolytes but save space by leaving heavy snacks and large stashes at home!

We depart together each morning, generally between 5 AM and 8 AM, depending on the day’s distance, terrain, weather, and itinerary. Guides will let you know the departure time the evening before. Everyone must be ready to leave at the designated time, with transported luggage packed and placed at the collection point. Individual earlier or later departures are not permitted.

Each accommodation is unique. We stay in hotels, apartments, and have one glamping night. You do not need to bring a sleeping bag or sleep sack. The accommodations are of Spanish style so you will get quite a memorable experience each night, giving you a well-rounded Camino experience. You will share a room with one person on our trip. All accommodations have a private bathroom except 1 night in apartments with our group and 1 glamping night. We don't stay in hostels with other hikers. 

The trip cost is based on double occupancy, which means you will have 1 roommate for the trip. You can travel with someone else and let us know when you register you want to room together. If you are a solo traveler, you roommate will be someone of the same gender, female, male or non-binary. If you are traveling with another person and would like to room together, you can let us know upon registering or via email. You'll make great friends with your fellow travelers and enjoy the authentic Camino experience this way. There are no private rooms available on this trip.

Just a light daypack with essentials like water, snacks, your wallet, passport, sunscreen, hat, and an extra layer. Your luggage will be transported daily to the next stop. Piper will give you a full packing list, tips, and advice before the trip. 

After a fun day of hiking, we'll check into our accommodations for the evening. You can shower, hang out at a local cafe, journal, nap, meet other travelers, and get an authentic Camino experience by exploring the town.

The trip starts and finishes in Madrid. Most people fly in and out of Madrid. We will take a train to Sarria together. After we finish the hike, we are taking a train from Santiago to Madrid. Hotel check in starts at 1pm on the first day of the trip. We recommend flying out after 5PM on the last day of the trip out of Madrid, or book a hotel in Madrid upon our return to fly out the following day. Need advice now? Book a free Q&A chat.

You’ll be supported by Piper and a second experienced guide throughout the trip. Piper is a Spanish speaker, nine-time Camino pilgrim, certified Wilderness First Responder, and certified nutrition coach. Together, your guides provide daily briefings, route guidance, logistical coordination, and general on-trail support. Guides support the group as a whole, with their positions on the trail changing according to conditions and group needs. 

There will be 2 guides and 16 hikers. This trip sells out quickly so don't miss out! 

Some travelers use mouth tape to reduce snoring. You can also try sleeping on your side, using nasal strips, or managing allergies. For those with CPAP machines, accommodations  have outlets, and it’s a good idea to bring a travel adapter. If you’re concerned about snoring, bring earplugs and consider noise-canceling headphones to ensure a peaceful night for all.

The total trip cost of $5,200 is split into two payments. Half, $2,600 is due upon registration to secure your spot, and the remaining balance is due six months before the trip. 

Cancellation, Changes, Transfers & Participation Policies

Please review these policies before registering. They explain your responsibilities and how cancellations, changes, and transfers are handled. Nothing in these policies limits rights or remedies that cannot legally be excluded.

Cancellation by a Participant

Cancellation requests must be emailed to Hello@PiperRuiz.com. Your cancellation takes effect on the date we receive your written notice.

Bookings are sold on a non-refundable basis, except where applicable law requires a refund or limits the cancellation charges we may retain. This applies to cancellations for personal reasons, including illness, injury, changes in availability, inadequate preparation, or inability to obtain required medical clearance or travel documents.

Where legally required, cancellation charges will reflect the timing of cancellation, costs incurred, costs saved, and revenue recovered through rebooking. Any refund due will be calculated and paid within the applicable legal deadline.

Missed Activities, Early Departures & No-Shows

No refund or credit is ordinarily provided for voluntarily missed meals, accommodations, activities, walking days, late arrivals, early departures, or no-shows. This does not affect any refund or other remedy required by law, including where we fail to provide contracted services.

Cancellation by Run Your Life Corporation

If we cancel the trip before departure, we will notify you promptly and refund payments for the canceled trip as required by applicable law.

We may offer an alternative departure or future trip credit, but you will not be required to accept credit instead of a refund to which you are legally entitled. Please consider cancellation risks before purchasing separate flights or other travel arrangements. Responsibility for expenses booked independently will be determined by applicable law and the circumstances of the cancellation.

Extraordinary Circumstances & Itinerary Changes

Severe weather, natural disasters, government restrictions, security concerns, transportation disruptions, or other circumstances beyond our reasonable control may require changes or cancellation.

We may make reasonable itinerary adjustments, including changes to routes, accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities. Where practicable, replacement services will be of comparable quality.

If a significant change occurs before departure, we will explain the change and any options available to you, including cancellation and refund rights where required by law. If the trip is interrupted after departure, we will provide appropriate assistance and any alternatives, refunds, or other remedies required by law. Extraordinary circumstances do not automatically eliminate your refund rights.

Required Personal International Travel Insurance

Personal international travel insurance is required and not included in the trip price. Your policy must cover the trip’s dates, destinations, and planned hiking activities, including emergency medical care and emergency evacuation. Before departure, you must provide Piper with your insurance provider’s name, policy number, and proof of coverage showing these requirements are met. Participation is contingent on providing this documentation.

Review cancellation and interruption coverage carefully, including exclusions and purchase deadlines. Insurance does not cover every circumstance, and purchasing a policy does not guarantee reimbursement. Your insurance does not replace any obligations we have under applicable law.

Deferrals

Participant-requested deferrals to a future trip are not offered. If you cannot attend, the cancellation and transfer provisions apply. This does not limit options or remedies available when we cancel or materially change the trip, or where otherwise required by law.

Transfer to Another Person

You may request to transfer your booking to another eligible participant by emailing Hello@PiperRuiz.com. Please submit requests at least 30 days before departure. Later requests will be considered where feasible or required by law.

The replacement participant must meet the trip’s participation requirements, complete all registration documents, and accept the booking’s terms, rooming arrangements, and meal provisions. Any required supplier changes must also be confirmed.

A $250 administration fee ordinarily applies, but will be reduced where applicable law limits transfer charges to reasonable, actual costs. Any additional permitted supplier charges will be disclosed before the transfer is completed.

We will confirm in writing when the transfer is complete and explain how payments and any outstanding balance will be handled.

Health, Preparation & Required Medical Clearance

Every participant must submit written medical clearance from a licensed physician no later than 90 days before departure. This requirement applies to all registrants, regardless of age, fitness level, or previous hiking experience. For registrations accepted within 90 days of departure, clearance must be submitted by the deadline provided in your booking confirmation and before participation.

Your physician must review the trip’s itinerary and physical demands, including daily walking distances, required pace, consecutive hiking days, hills, uneven terrain, and carrying a daypack. The letter must confirm that you are medically able to participate and identify any relevant activity restrictions or accommodations needed. Please discuss any required accommodations with Piper before registering.

If your health changes after you submit clearance—including a new illness, injury, or change in an existing condition that could affect your participation—you must notify Piper promptly and submit updated written clearance from your physician before participating. If a change occurs during the trip, further participation may be paused pending medical assessment and updated clearance.

Participation is contingent on providing the required clearance and meeting the trip’s published participation requirements. Medical clearance does not replace adequate training or guarantee that you can safely complete the trip.

If you cannot obtain clearance or your physician advises against participation, the cancellation and transfer policies apply, subject to any rights provided by applicable law. Participants remain responsible for their prescriptions, personal medical supplies, and medical expenses, subject to applicable insurance coverage and legal rights.

Participant Conduct & Safety

Participants must follow reasonable guide instructions concerning safety, routes, group departures, checkpoints, and meeting times. Individual earlier or later departures are not permitted. Guides support the group as a whole. A dedicated back-of-pack guide or continuous individual accompaniment is not provided. If a participant’s conduct creates a serious safety risk, materially disrupts the trip, or involves repeated disregard of reasonable instructions, we may restrict activities or end that participant’s participation. Where appropriate and safe, we will explain the concern and provide an opportunity to correct it; immediate action may be necessary in urgent situations. Removal does not automatically entitle a participant to a refund. Any refund, additional costs, assistance, or other obligations will be determined under the booking terms and applicable law. We may also decline future bookings.

Required Phone Service & Communication

Participants must have a working mobile phone with calls, texts, and mobile data service in Spain throughout the trip. WhatsApp is required, and Wi-Fi access alone is insufficient. Your phone must be charged and available for group communications during walking hours.

Mobile coverage can vary along the route. Participants must also follow the guides’ instructions for meeting points and communication when service is unavailable.

Contact

For cancellations, transfer requests, or questions, email:

Piper Ruiz | Run Your Life Corporation
Hello@PiperRuiz.com