Choose your Summer 2026 Program!
| Trek the final 100 kilometers of the legendary French Way, traversing the emerald landscapes of Galicia to reach the historic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. From the ancient stone villages of Portomarín and Arzúa to the spiritual energy of the Monte del Gozo, our Camino program offers a staff-led, reflective journey for high school students aged 14-18.
The Camino de Santiago is a thousand-year-old tradition of discovery and resilience that began after the discovery of the remains of St. James the Apostle in 812 AD. On this Active Discovery program, students become peregrinos (pilgrims), trekking the final 100km of the Camino Francés to earn their official Compostela certificate. This journey moves through misty eucalyptus forests, medieval bridges, and rural Galician hamlets toward the historic heart of Santiago de Compostela. Led by expert directors who handle all logistics—from daily luggage transfers to secure private accommodations—students are free to focus on the rhythm of the trail, the history of the Way, and the bond of the cohort before concluding with a celebratory high-speed rail transition to Madrid.
Program Location: Camino de Santiago (Sarria to Santiago) & Madrid, Spain
Eligibility: 14-18 years of age
Group Size: Typical cohort of 5–7 participants (Min: 4 / Max: 10)
Focus: Hiking, Historical Discovery & Madrid Cultural Finale
Activity Level: High. Daily trekking of 10–15 miles over varied terrain; requires moderate physical fitness.
Accommodation: Private Albergues & Traditional Casas Rurales
Arrival & Departure Airport: MAD (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport)
Full-Board Meals | Accommodation | Onsite Director & 24/7 Support | All Ground Logistics & Airport Transfers | Private Rail Transfers | Guided Cultural Visits | International Medical Insurance
7:30 AM: A light "Pilgrim’s Breakfast" at the albergue.
8:30 AM: The Morning Trek: Set off while the air is cool, following the yellow arrows and shell icons through the Galician countryside.
11:00 AM: Mid-morning Break: Stop at a trail-side café to rest, hydrate, and collect a Credencial stamp at a local café or store.
1:30 PM: Trail Lunch: Enjoy fresh Galician empanada or a local bocadillo in a historic stone village.
3:30 PM: Daily Completion: Arrive at our next destination, check into the albergue, pilgrim's hostel and enjoy a well-earned shower.
5:00 PM: Reflection & Culture: Group meetup to discuss the day’s journey, followed by a local village orientation.
8:00 PM: Group Dinner: enjoy the "Menu de Peregrino" focused on Galician gastronomy and fellowship.
10:30 PM: Curfew and rest to prepare for the next leg of the journey.
Day 1: Arrival & The Northbound Rail: Meet your directors at Madrid-Barajas (MAD) for a staff-led, high-speed rail transfer across the Spanish heartland to Sarria, the gateway to the final 100km of the French Way.
Day 2: The Trek Begins: Embark on your first 22km leg to Portomarín. Cross the Minho River and wind through ancient oak forests and terraced farmland.
Day 3: Rolling Highlands: A 25km trek through the Galician countryside to Palas de Rei, passing Romanesque monuments and medieval stone bridges that have guided pilgrims for centuries.
Day 4: Eucalyptus & Hamlets: Journey 29km to Arzúa, the "Land of Cheese." Experience the distinct scent of Galician eucalyptus groves and refuel with world-class local fare.
Day 5: The Penultimate Stretch: A 19km hike to O Pedrouzo. The pace slows slightly as the cohort finds its rhythm, preparing for the final push into the holy city.
Day 6: The Grand Entry: Complete the final 20km trek to the Plaza del Obradoiro. Stand before the iconic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela to receive your official Compostela Certificate.
Day 7: Spirit of Santiago: A full day to decompress. Experience a private Guided Rooftop Tour of the Cathedral for a bird's-eye view of the city.
Day 8: Return to the Capital: Board the high-speed rail back to Madrid. Celebrate your 100km achievement with a Farewell Dinner and a guided tour of the capital's grand plazas.
Day 9: Departure: Morning transfer to Madrid-Barajas (MAD) for international flights home.
The heart of the Camino program is a physical and mental journey toward the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. By walking the final 100 kilometers of the Camino Francés, students complete the requirements for the official Compostela certificate. This is a high-support expedition where you rise to the challenge, meet fellow pilgrims from around the world, and discover the daily rhythm of the trail.
Pacing & Physical Resilience: Guided by Arcos staff, students navigate daily treks of 12–15 miles through the rolling hills and eucalyptus groves of Galicia. This is more than a hike; it is a lesson in pacing, hydration, and the mental grit required to find one’s rhythm on a long-distance expedition.
The Credencial Ritual: Students participate in the centuries-old tradition of the Credencial. By collecting stamps from local parish churches, medieval stone bridges, and family-run bakeries, they document their 100km journey and engage directly with the local culture of the Way.
The Compostela Achievement: The journey culminates in an emotional group entry into the Plaza del Obradoiro. Standing before the Cathedral’s iconic facade, the cohort reflects on their shared triumph before presenting their stamped passports at the Pilgrim’s Office to receive their official, hard-earned certification.
The journey reaches its peak at the Cathedral, but the discovery continues as we transition from the emerald hills of the north to the vibrant heart of the capital of Spain.
The Santiago Discovery: After the physical triumph of the walk, students explore the winding granite streets of Santiago de Compostela’s old city. We dive into the architectural layers of this UNESCO World Heritage site, witnessing the living history that has welcomed pilgrims for centuries.
Celtic Roots & Gastronomy: Galicia is the "Green Spain," culturally distinct from the rest of the country. Students experience this through the region's unique Celtic music and local flavors—tasting authentic empanada gallega and the famous tarta de Santiago—while reflecting on the deep heritage of the North.
The Madrid Transition: Following a comfortable private rail journey, the program concludes in Madrid. This transition allows students to shift from their rural pilgrimage to the cosmopolitan energy of Spain’s capital. From a final celebratory group dinner to exploring the grand plazas of the capital, it provides the perfect, high-energy final chapter before the journey home.
The Arcos 'Active' model ensures that while the trek is challenging, the logistics are effortless. We provide a full-service pilgrimage experience that allows students to focus on the trail and their personal journey.
Paq Mochila (Daily Luggage Transfer): To allow for an agile and focused trek, we utilize professional daily luggage transport. Students carry only a light daypack for essentials, while their main gear is moved ahead securely to each night’s destination.
The Albergue Guest House Experience: We stay in carefully selected albergues designed for the modern pilgrim. These guest house accommodations preserve our secure "Group Bubble" while keeping the students at the heart of the Camino’s vibrant social and cultural history.
Official Pilgrim Credentials: Every student receives an official Credencial del Peregrino (Pilgrim Passport). Arcos staff manages the logistics and coordinates the submission of these credentials in Santiago to secure the Compostela—the official Latin certificate of completion.
The Madrid Finale & Rail: The journey concludes with a staff-led transition to Madrid via high-speed rail. This includes a guided tour of the capital’s historic plazas and a final celebratory farewell dinner.
Full-Board Regional Meals: All meals are included, featuring hearty Galician gastronomy on the trail and a refined final dinner in the heart of Madrid.
The Camino Expedition is built on a foundation of professional trail safety and 24/7 supervision. Small group size fosters a tight-knit community and a secure environment for shared adventure. As our itinerary moves through rural Galician hamlets to the historic heart of Santiago and Madrid, we maintain a high-support "Group Bubble" model for the entire journey. This ensures students are guided by veteran Arcos directors and local specialists who understand the unique rhythm and safety requirements of the Way.
Our students reside together in hand-picked albergues and traditional guest houses that reflect the historic character of the Way. This "Group Bubble" model ensures 24/7 supervision by our veteran directors and fosters a tight-knit community of peregrinos. Along the trail, we utilize secure lodgings that offer dorms for our group and common areas for evening reflections; in Santiago and Madrid, we stay in boutique accommodations located within the safe, pedestrian-friendly historic centers.
The "Unburdened" Trek (Paq Mochila): To ensure students can focus on the landscape and the rhythm of the walk, we utilize professional daily luggage transfers. Each morning, main gear is collected and moved directly to our next destination, allowing students to trek with only a light daypack for essentials.
Curated Private Lodging: Our cohort stays in a hand-picked selection of private albergues and boutique hostels. These vetted, smaller-scale accommodations maintain our secure Group Bubble and offer a peaceful sanctuary after a day on the trail.
On-Trail Leadership: Students are supported 24/7 by Arcos Directors who serve as both logistical coordinators and cultural mentors. Our staff manages all check-ins, credencials, and regional meal arrangements, ensuring the cohort remains cohesive and supported from the first mile to the last.
Every student is covered by a premium international medical insurance policy with Cigna Global. While the Camino is a safe and historically well-traveled route, we maintain full emergency protocols. Our directors are trained in trail-specific first aid—including specialized foot care for long-distance trekking—and we maintain established links with local centros de salud and the major medical centers in both Santiago de Compostela and Madrid.
Our headquarters team and on-site Program Directors provide a seamless, high-support arrival and departure experience in Madrid. From real-time flight monitoring and professional airport greetings at MAD (Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas) to direct WhatsApp communication with parents, every aspect of the transition is supervised by our veteran staff. We coordinate the group’s high-speed rail transfer to the trail and manage the final departure logistics, ensuring a safe, supervised, and professional journey from the moment students land until their flight home.
Born in Andalusia and a veteran of global expeditions, Iván is a professional storyteller and educator. With a degree in journalism and a career as an audiovisual creator for the Discovery Channel, he brings a unique historical and artistic lens to the Camino de Santiago. Having led humanitarian projects in Tanzania and traveled extensively through Mexico, Iván deeply understands the resilience required for long-distance journeys. He views the Camino as a "moving classroom" where medieval bridges and Romanesque chapels reveal the layers of Spanish history. Iván is dedicated to helping students find the rhythm of the trail—balancing the physical challenge with laughter, community, and reflection—while ensuring a safe, expert-led experience from the first mile to the Cathedral.
"Walking the Camino was nothing like a typical summer trip. It was a challenge, for sure, but reaching the Plaza del Obradoiro and getting my Compostela was one of the proudest moments of my life. Our directors made sure we were safe and our bags were moved, so I could just focus on the scenery and the incredible people I met from all over the world." — Paul, 11th Grade, Sacred Heart School, Palo Alto, CA
"One of my favorite aspects of the camino was being able to put my regular life on hold to be really present in the moment. This program taught me more about myself than any classroom ever could." — Polly, 12th Grade, Hume-Fogg High School, Nashville, TN
"Finishing the 100km at the Cathedral was an incredible feeling of accomplishment. Arcos handled every detail—the luggage, meals and the albergues—which allowed me to just focus on the trail and my new friends." — Participant, 11th Grade, Denver, CO
No. To allow students to focus on the landscape and the "peregrino" experience, we utilize a professional Paq Mochila (luggage transfer) service. Students carry only a light daypack with daily essentials like water and rain gear, while their main gear is transported securely to our next private accommodation. We recommend that you prepare for the camino with moderate exercise, walking, and hiking starting at least 4 weeks before the program.
Safety and quality rest are our priorities. We stay together in carefully chosen albergues, hostels, and guest houses in dorms with bunk beds and hot water showers. Towels, pillows and sheets are provided. You may want to bring a sleep sack (lightweight sleeping bag) for extra comfort. These vetted accommodations ensure our "Group Bubble" remains secure and that students have a comfortable sanctuary to recover after a day on the trail.
Proper foot care is a daily ritual on the trail, and our directors are experts in blister prevention and first aid. Because the Camino is a highly developed route, we have a "no student left behind" safety net. If a student truly cannot finish a specific stage due to injury or extreme fatigue, our staff coordinates safe transport to that evening's accommodation to ensure they can rest and rejoin the group.
