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Camino Route Planning & Review Service

A more personal way to plan your Camino

Created by Colleen | Updated : 14 May 2026 | ,

You absolutely do not need a Camino planning service.

I read this advice over and over online and itโ€™s true. Many pilgrims do not need support. Many pilgrims do not need to plan every detail before they leave home. Thousands of people successfully walk the Camino every year by simply following the arrows, staying flexible and figuring things out as they go. And for many pilgrims, that works beautifully.

But the Camino is not one-size-fits-all, and neither are peopleโ€™s lives. Not everyone feels comfortable approaching the Camino with no real plan at all. Some pilgrims want a little more structure before they begin.

  • reassurance that their stages and timeframes are realistic
  • guidance choosing the right Camino route
  • help planning shorter walking days
  • advice about accommodation options
  • support balancing flexibility with practical realities
  • peace of mind that they are starting well prepared

For many pilgrims, there is only a small window of opportunity to walk. There may be return flights to catch, limited annual leave, health considerations, concerns about bunk beds or simply the desire to have certain details organised before leaving home.

And this is where my Camino Route Planning & Review Service can help you.

I am not offering package tours or fully managed itineraries because many pilgrims donโ€™t actually want that level of management. Instead, I work collaboratively with you.  Youโ€™re still planning your own independent Camino while still benefiting from experienced Camino guidance.

Together, we shape a realistic Camino plan that fits with your pace, your preferences and your priorities. I can guide and support the planning process, but you remain actively involved throughout.

And your involvement matters. Because understanding your own route, your own stages and your preferred options makes it much easier to adapt as your Camino unfolds.ย  And that leaves room for spontaneity, flexibility and discovery along the way.

a pilgrim following arrows along the camino de santiago

Why Ask Me To Help You Plan?

Iโ€™ve walked 24 Caminos and Iโ€™m already planning numbers 25 and 26.

Over the years Iโ€™ve:

  • volunteered in pilgrim hostels
  • worked in the pilgrim office
  • led Camino groups
  • hosted many Camino planning workshops
  • helped hundreds of pilgrims prepare for their first Camino

And most importantly, Iโ€™m a pilgrim myself.

I understand the excitement, uncertainty and endless questions that often come before a first Camino because Iโ€™ve been there. I know the kinds of concerns people have:

  • Which route should I choose?
  • How far should I realistically walk each day?
  • Should I book accommodation ahead?
  • How do I balance flexibility with practical planning?
  • How do I avoid the busiest stages while still enjoying the Camino experience?

And I also know that no two Caminos, or pilgrims, are ever the same. Some people want a slower Camino with shorter stages and private rooms. Others want flexibility and spontaneity. Some already have rough plans and simply want reassurance before booking. Others are starting with a completely blank page.

My role is not to make decisions for you but to help shape a realistic Camino plan that fits your own pace, priorities and walking style.ย  And this leaves space for discovery and adaptability along the way.

Who My Planning Service is For

This service may be a good fit if you:

  • Feel overwhelmed by Camino planning
  • Want help creating a realistic walking schedule
  • Prefer private rooms or specific accommodation styles
  • Want guidance from someone who knows the route
  • Already have a rough itinerary and would like it reviewed
  • Want to avoid common planning mistakes
  • Your life is too busy to do the deep dive research and youโ€™d like someone to review your plans
Then We Walking Club members walking from Terradillos de los Templarios to Moritanos in the early morning

How My Planning And Review Service Works

Iโ€™ve tried to make the process as simple and flexible as possible.

And just as every Camino is different, every planning service is slightly different too. Some pilgrims simply want reassurance and route refinement, while others need more detailed guidance before they begin.

To make sure the process feels right for both of us, we begin with a short discovery call.

Step 1 โ€” Camino Discovery Call

Complete the enquiry form below and weโ€™ll arrange a short discovery chat.

This gives us a chance to discuss your Camino plans, answer any initial questions and decide whether this service is the right fit for your needs.

We may discuss things such as:

  • your preferred Camino route
  • dates and timeframe
  • ideal daily distances
  • accommodation preferences
  • rest days
  • budget considerations
  • previous Camino experience
  • any concerns or worries you may have

Step 2 โ€” Planning Proposal & Booking

After our initial conversation, Iโ€™ll put together a simple outline of the support I feel would best suit your Camino plans, along with pricing and an estimated timeframe.

If you decide to move forward, youโ€™ll then receive:

  • payment details
  • a booking link for our first full planning session
  • confirmation of the next steps

Step 3 โ€” First Planning Session

This is where we begin shaping your Camino in more detail.

Weโ€™ll talk about:

  • the kind of experience you hope to have
  • your walking style and pace
  • practical considerations
  • accommodation preferences
  • priorities and concerns
  • the rhythm and feel you want your Camino to have

Iโ€™ll then use this information to begin creating your suggested Camino route plan.

Step 4 โ€” Draft Route Plan & Suggestions

Iโ€™ll create a simple working route outline which may include:

  • suggested stage breakdowns
  • overnight town recommendations
  • accommodation suggestions
  • alternative stage options
  • rest day ideas
  • practical notes from my own Camino experience

This is intentionally designed to remain practical and flexible rather than overly rigid or overplanned.

Step 5 โ€” Route Review Session

Weโ€™ll then meet again on Zoom to review the route together.

This is where we can:

  • adjust pacing
  • discuss accommodation strategies
  • explore alternatives
  • solve concerns
  • fine-tune the overall flow of your Camino

Most pilgrims find this the most valuable part of the process.

Step 6 โ€” Final Route Notes

After our final session, Iโ€™ll send you a revised version of the route notes including any agreed changes or recommendations.

At this point, youโ€™ll have a realistic Camino framework that you can confidently move forward with, while still leaving room for flexibility and discovery along the way.

two pilgrims walking up across the headland that takes you to Baiona

How my Pricing Structure Works

Every Camino is different, so pricing varies depending on:

  • route length
  • planning complexity
  • accommodation preferences
  • walking pace
  • and the level of support required

Shorter or simpler routes generally require far less planning than longer Caminos involving shorter stages, private room preferences, rest days or more detailed route refinement.

Simpler Camino Route Reviews

Starting from โ‚ฌ275

Suitable for:

  • shorter Camino sections such as the final 100 kilometres
  • more confident pilgrims who simply need clarity or reassurance
  • existing draft itineraries that need review or fine tuning

Full Camino Route Reviews

Typically โ‚ฌ375โ€“โ‚ฌ650

Suitable for:

  • longer routes such as the Camino Frances
  • slower-paced Caminos
  • first-time pilgrims looking for more comprehensive guidance
  • routes involving extensive rest day planning or special accommodation preferences

Final pricing is discussed after the initial discovery call once I better understand your Camino plans and the level of support required.

Important Notes

Please note that this is a collaborative Camino planning and review service rather than a travel agency or accommodation booking service.

Pilgrims book their own accommodation and retain flexibility throughout their Camino.

I cannot:

  • book accommodation (although Iโ€™m very happy to make suggestions)
  • arrange luggage transfer services (but I can explain how they work)
  • provide ongoing concierge-style support during your Camino
  • manage day-to-day logistics while you are walking

Additional review sessions or follow-up support can always be arranged separately if needed.

the route of the Arles Camino, just before reaching Somport on the Aragones

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Do you book accommodation for me?

No. This is a collaborative Camino planning and review service rather than a travel agency service.

Iโ€™ll happily suggest accommodation options and share my experience, but all bookings are made by you so that you retain flexibility and control over your Camino.

2. What if I want to change plans while walking?

Thatโ€™s completely normal on the Camino.

One of the benefits of being actively involved in the planning process is that youโ€™ll better understand your route, stages and alternatives before you begin, which often makes adapting plans along the way feel much less stressful.

3. What if an accommodation is fully booked?

This can occasionally happen, particularly on busy routes or busy times such as during a Holy Year.

Where possible, Iโ€™ll suggest alternative stage options, nearby towns or backup accommodation ideas as part of the planning process.

4. How long does the planning process take?

Most Camino planning and review services are completed within around two weeks from our first full planning session, although this can vary depending on route complexity and my own travel schedule.

Because I travel and walk frequently myself, I only take on a limited number of planning clients at any one time.

Camino de Santiago trail, looking at the snowy mountains just after the Cruz de Ferro

A More Personal Way To Plan

One of the things I love most about the Camino de Santiago is that every pilgrimage unfolds differently.

No spreadsheet can predict every magical encounter, or difficult days, or weather change or unexpected detour and thatโ€™s part of the beauty.

My role in this process is to help you begin your Camino feeling informed, prepared and realistic about the road ahead.  But we still leave room for the journey to unfold naturally.

If this sounds like the kind of Camino planning support youโ€™ve been looking for, complete the enquiry form below and we can arrange a short discovery chat. Iโ€™d love to be part of your journey.

Alto de Atapuera with a large cross on the hill and pilgrims walking towards it

Are You Ready to Get Started?

I travel extensively and walk the Camino a great deal, so my availability for planning walks is limited. My planning slots are offered on a first-come basis once payment has been received.

In the first instance, you can email me at colleen @ thenwewalked.com with the basics of what you need (or complete the form below).

Whatโ€™s it Like to Walk the Camino de Santiago? This is Colleen starting the Camino Frances at Roncesvalles

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Whenever you travel, you should have great travel and medical insurance.  None of us expect anything bad to happen, but in the event of an incident, you want to be sure that your insurance will cover you.

Iโ€™ve ended up in hospital in Peru, Indonesia, Portugal, Japan and Ireland. Every time my insurance took care of everything. I would never leave home without full and comprehensive insurance.

MondialCare : Due to increasing limitations, mainly due to age, we have recently switched to MondialCare for our travel insurance. We have taken an annual policy at a very reasonable cost that includes medical and other travel cover. There are no trip length limits and the upper age for cover is 84. For Camino walkers and travel in Europe they have a low cost Schengen policy with no age limit.

TrueTravellerย : We have used this policy and were very happy with the cover, especially considering our ages and pre-existing conditions.

Globelink: We have used and recommended Globelink for years and not heard of any issues. They are a great choice for European and UK Residents.

Genki : This is an EU based company offering long term policies for nomads and travellers. Their monthly rates are very competitive for longer trips too.

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Colleen in Salamanca on the Via de la Plata

Hey I’m Colleen. Iโ€™m married to Gerry, we’ve three fabulous kids and been living in France for almost two decades. I fell in love with Spain in the 1980s and I’ve walked 1000s of miles along the Camino de Santiago. Now we’re exploring and walking the world and I can’t wait to share what we’ve learned!

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