This 9-night spiritual retreat on the Camino Primitivo will introduce spiritual formation practices that will deepen your connection with God. A typical day will look like this:
Morning: Pilgrims usually rise shortly after daybreak to enjoy the crisp morning air. Breakfast will then be on your own, based on your own needs and desired departure time. The morning will be spent walking, with rests and lunch along the way. A self-guided devotional will be provided for your use throughout the day.
Afternoon: After walking 4-6 hours (averaging 25 km each day), you will arrive at your overnight destination sometime in early to mid-afternoon. Everyone is permitted to walk at their own pace, with or without a companion. Afternoons will be spent showering, resting, journaling or doing laundry. Before dinner, you will have the opportunity to debrief the day with the group over drinks and tapas, if desired.
Evening: You may choose to eat dinner with our cohort, a smaller group, or on your own. Dinner in Spain is typically much later than in other countries (after 8pm). However, due to the rigorous exercise of the Camino, most albergues will require lights out at 10:00 pm. So, we will aim to eat dinner on the earlier side.
The program above describes a typical day and the opportunities that will be available to you. While we hope you will participate in some of the group sessions to enrich the experience of others, it is not required because we realize that every person’s pilgrimage is unique. Each person comes with different questions, hopes and needs. We want to respect and honor where each person is at. The intent of the program is to provide a basic rhythm that pilgrims can follow as desired.
Steve Saavedra’s ancestral roots are in Galicia, home to Saint James’ remains. Having visited over 50 countries, he is an experienced bilingual (English/Spanish) traveler but always loves returning to Spain to share the experience with others. With a degree in Christian Education and a certificate from Renovare Institute’s two-year program in Christian spiritual formation, his passion is participating first-hand in developmental and transformational processes. He loves to engage in meaningful conversations and is a keen listener. As an executive at several international non-profit organizations, he has had many opportunities to lead workshops and retreats around the world. He understands at a deeply personal level the challenges of leadership, including burnout, but also knows the life-giving possibilities of retreat. Steve enjoys an active, outdoor lifestyle and lives in Ecuador with his family.Camino Primitivo 9-Night Spiritual Retreat – Oviedo to Lugo
One of the beauties of the Camino Primitivo is that it veers away from populated routes and offers a more solitary opportunity for spiritual retreat. You will begin your journey at the Cathedral of Oviedo where one of the most important relics of Christianity is guarded – the Shroud of Oviedo. It is believed to be a cloth which was wrapped around Jesus’ head after his death.
The Camino Primitivo will take you across green rolling hills, tumbling creeks and awe-inspiring mountains. And while this leg is more physically challenging than others, it is the most rewarding with the right footwear and level of fitness. It has a rich rural heritage, with original and small batch wines and cider accompanied by flavorful artisanal cheeses.
After connecting with God through new spiritual formation practices during this 9 night pilgrimage, you will finish the journey in the city of Lugo, the only city in the world to be surrounded by completely intact Roman walls ringed with 71 towers. These third century walls are protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
This is a guided spiritual retreat. Please read the tabs to the left for details about what is included.
