Experiential Grief Skills on the Camino
Walking Through Grief: An Experiential Journey of Attachment, Loss & Meaning

September 14-22, 2027 - Departing From Porto, Portugal

Camino de Santiago: An Experiential Grief Skills Retreat

This 9-day, 8-night Experiential Grief Skills Retreat invites you to journey 107 km along the Portuguese Camino, exploring three distinct and meaningful routes: the Coastal, Spiritual, and Variant routes. This unique pilgrimage combines breathtaking coastal landscapes, historic villages, forested trails, and a very special maritime experience, where we will travel a portion of the traditional pilgrim route by boat.

The Camino is more than a physical journey. Each day invites endurance, presence, reflection, and a willingness to move beyond our comfort zones. The combination of walking, time in nature, and shared experiences creates space to step away from the demands of everyday life and explore the deeper layers of grief, attachment, identity, life transitions, and mortality. The journey itself becomes part of the learning, offering a powerful opportunity to experience resilience, acceptance, and personal growth firsthand.

Designed as an immersive professional development experience, this retreat integrates 10 CEUs with experiential grief exercises, grief movement, guided reflection, meaningful conversations, and opportunities for both personal and professional exploration. As therapists, we spend so much of our time supporting others through life's challenges. This experience offers an opportunity to turn some of that attention inward, deepen our understanding of grief and loss, and consider how our own lived experiences influence the work we do with clients.

Throughout the pilgrimage, we will embrace the traditional Camino experience, staying in pilgrim accommodations and sharing the simple rhythms of walking, eating, resting, and connecting. The addition of the Coastal, Spiritual, and Variant routes, including our memorable pilgrim boat journey, offers a different perspective on this historic pilgrimage and the many ways we navigate change, uncertainty, and transition.

You will return home having walked 107 km of the Camino and travelled 28km by boat for a total of 135km on the camino. Alongside continuing education credits, new professional and personal connections, a stronger body and mind, and a deeper appreciation for the relationship between movement, grief, resilience, and the human experience.

This is an opportunity to invest in yourself, challenge yourself physically, and experience the Camino in a way that brings together adventure, professional learning, and meaningful personal reflection.

Sentiments from last year’s camino therapist pilgrims:

“We spend so much of our lives walking alongside others through their grief. Sometimes, we need a journey that allows us to reconnect with ourselves.”

“The Camino isn't just about the distance you walk. It's about what you discover, what you carry, and what you're ready to leave behind.”

“Grief is woven into the experience of being human. The Camino gives us space to explore our losses, honour our attachments, and reflect on the paths ahead.”

“SO MANY kilometres. Countless conversations. New friendships. A different perspective on what matters most.”

Is This Walk for You?

Choosing a retreat, especially one that involves walking the Camino, is a meaningful commitment. This experience blends movement, reflection, shared connection, and personal space, and it won’t feel the same for everyone. Taking a moment to check in with yourself can help you decide whether this journey feels aligned for you right now.

This retreat might not be the right fit if:

• You strongly dislike walking or spending extended time outdoors.

• You prefer a highly structured, rigid schedule rather than following a natural rhythm and trusting your own pace.

• Shared group experiences feel uncomfortable or draining for you right now.

• Spending time alone in reflection feels difficult or stressful.

But it may be exactly right for you if:

• You’re ready to challenge yourself gently, even if it feels a little outside your comfort zone, knowing you’ll have support along the way.

• You want to bring more mindfulness and presence into your daily life in a grounded, practical way.

• You’re curious about other cultures and believe that a little adventure can deepen connection.

• You’ve dreamed about walking the Camino but would prefer not to do it alone.

• You’re excited about fresh air, laughter, movement, and meaningful moments, without having to plan every detail yourself.

• You feel drawn to exploring the spiritual dimension of your life and work, in whatever way feels authentic to you.

If you’re looking for a retreat that balances personal reflection, community, movement, and meaning, this walk may be a powerful step on your path.

Retreat Includes:

• 8 nights shared accommodation along the Portuguese Camino, including a mix of small local hotels, guesthouses, and the traditional albergue (pilgrim hostel) experience

• Supported walking across Northwest Portugal and Spain, following the Portuguese Camino route (Coastal, Spiritual and Variant Routes)

• Pilgrim Passport (Credencial) required for the Camino journey

• Detailed walking stages, including elevation profiles, terrain information, and daily route guidance

• Group shuttle transportation from Porto Airport to the starting point of the Camino

• 2X 1-hour virtual pre-trip gathering to meet one another, review logistics, and answer packing or travel questions

• Experiential & Grief Movement workshops integrating grief theory, attachment work, and embodied process

• Facilitated reflection practices designed to deepen both personal insight and clinical integration

• Guided integration conversations woven naturally into the walking days

• 2 group breakfasts - several other light breakfasts are provided with our accommodation

• 3 shared group dinners together along the journey

Sample Schedule

Walking Days (Portugal → Spain)

6:30am–8:00am Coffee / Light Breakfast Available at most Albergues
7:00–9:00am Pilgrims Depart at Their Own Pace

Participants are encouraged to walk in silence, in pairs, or in small groups — moving at a rhythm that supports reflection and physical capacity.

11:30–1:00pm Designated Meeting Point in Village
(Rest, refuel, connect informally)

2:30–4:00pm Arrival Window at Albergue / Accommodation
(Rest, showers, personal downtime, journaling)

4:00pm–5:00pm Personal Downtime & Journalling

5:00–6:30pm Experiential Grief Skills Session
(Attachment themes, living losses, integration practices, group process)

7:00pm Group Dinner
(Evening connection, reflection, explore local town)

9:00pm Optional Evening Contemplative Practice
(Silent walk, guided reflection, or peer dialogue)

Lights out varies — rest is essential.

Registration

Registration for our Camino de Santiago Experiential Grief Skills Retreat is $3,400 CAD.

To begin the registration process, we invite you to complete our Expression of Interest Form. Because this is an intimate, shared experience that involves both physical challenges and meaningful personal and professional reflection, we want to ensure the retreat is a good fit for everyone attending.

Once your expression of interest has been reviewed and your participation confirmed, a $750 CAD non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot.

We understand that investing in professional development and personal growth requires planning, so we offer flexible payment plans of up to five instalments to help make the experience more accessible.

Spaces are limited to maintain a small, connected group throughout our journey. We look forward to learning more about you and hopefully welcoming you to the Camino!

Transportation

We recommend booking your flight into Porto, Portugal (OPO) and arriving on the evening of the 21st, the night before the retreat officially begins. Arriving a day early allows time to rest, adjust to the time change, and begin the pilgrimage grounded and unrushed.

Participants are responsible for arranging their own flights and overnight accommodation in Porto on the 21st. On the morning of the 22nd, a group shuttle will transport participants from the Porto Airport to the official Camino starting location. Specific meeting details and shuttle timing will be provided prior to departure.

Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.

At the conclusion of the pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela, guidance will be provided for airport transfers and onward travel. Participants may choose to depart from Santiago Airport (SCQ) or arrange return travel to Porto depending on flight preferences.

We strongly encourage booking flexible flights and travel insurance, as walking 100+km across Portugal and Spain requires adaptability and care for the unexpected.

Travel Insurance

All participants of our retreat must secure appropriate travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance should include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and personal liability. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own travel insurance and should ensure that the coverage meets their individual needs and requirements. Please review your insurance policy carefully and contact your insurance provider for any specific questions or concerns regarding coverage.

Other Details

Not included: flights/associated travel costs, travel insurance, gratuities and select meal on own and any additional excursions or outings on own. Closer to date, detailed information including a suggested packing list will be provided. This is a wellness retreat, not psychotherapeutic in nature. 

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

We are proud to offer a range of Continuing Education (CE) credits and opportunities. The availability and accreditation of CE credits depend on the background, nationality, and training of the facilitators leading each workshop. Please note who is facilitating and which countries they are from, to explore eligibility of the CEs for your clinical governing body.

It is important to note that within Canada, both provincial and national associations have their own unique regulations and requirements for CE recognition. While we strive to offer high-quality training that aligns with professional standards, we encourage participants to consult with their respective governing or clinical bodies prior to registration. This step will ensure that the CEs provided are recognized as accredited training in accordance with your specific professional guidelines.

We are here to answer any questions and support you in making the most of your retreat experience.

Cancellation Policy

This retreat includes extensive planning whereby we prepay for spaces to gather, therefore all payments are non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation even in the case of force majeure. We are often waitlisted and do our very best to try and replace a cancelled spot with another participant if ample notice is provided in writing. Upon that being successful, funds are returned except for the initial deposit and administration fee. It is important to understand that by purchasing a ticket for the retreat, you are agreeing to abide by our cancellation policy. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. 

FACILITATORS & HOSTS

Workshops led by and co-presented by experienced therapists, Nicole Ripley, MC, RCC and Sarah Poole, RCC (Sarah is also the Lead Guide for the walk).