SECTION II: Burgos to Astorga, Spain — September 16 - 30, 2026
Camino de Santiago - The Inner & Outer Journey
Experience this pilgrimage journey with women who value connection and clarity. The Work of Byron Katie offers space for truth, healing, and inspiring community.
“‘The Work’ challenges me to experiment with who I'd be without the thoughts and the turnarounds that provide the opportunity to practice and live from a different perspective.
Honest Heart Journey Camino Sisters hold a safe, open environment to discover who I am, which allows me to meet myself and grow."
- Mindy
Trip Overview
The Camino de Santiago is a world-renowned pilgrimage trod by spiritual seekers for more than 1,000 years. With its stunning landscapes, medieval villages, castles and Roman ruins, walking the Way of St. James offers a unique opportunity to connect with ancient culture and meet like-minded people from around the world — all while experiencing a meaningful inner journey, offering space for spiritual growth, deep connection with fellow women, and a renewed sense of self.
The middle section — from Burgos to Ponferrada — is often called the “spiritual heart” of The Way. Here, the pilgrimage shifts into a deeper inner journey, carried along by wide skies, ancient stones, and the quiet rhythm of walking day after day.
Your path of 150 miles through the regions of Castile and Leon begins in Burgos, home to one of Spain’s greatest Gothic cathedrals, and unfolds across the vast plains of the Meseta. This landscape of wheat fields, Roman roads, and endless horizons strips away distractions and offers space for pilgrims to listen — to their hearts, their companions, and to the silence.
Daily walking, camaraderie with like-minded women, and the opportunity to question your stressful thoughts with The Work of Byron Katie offer a unique chance to reconnect with yourself and rediscover your inner freedom.
Immerse yourself for 14 days, far from the responsibilities of daily life — with a single focus to reach a destination — and you will find your mind quiets, allowing inner wisdom to surface.
We encourage you to invite a traveling partner, or come alone and meet wonderful new friends. Join us for this empowering, enriching experience designed to nourish the body, mind and soul.
Highlights
The Heart of the Camino
This stretch from Burgos to Astorga carries you across the wide-open plains of the Meseta, through timeless villages, Roman roads, and grand cathedrals. It is the Camino at its most contemplative — a landscape of stillness and sky that invites you inward even as it carries you forward.
The Inner Work
Throughout the Camino, practice The Work of Byron Katie with daily reflections and prompts from A Thousand Names for Joy. Explore thoughts about the body, stress, relationships and limiting beliefs, and open up to acceptance, gratitude, and clarity.
A Community of Belonging
Form natural bonds with your Camino sisters, meet pilgrims from around the world, and experience the warm welcome of Spanish hosts. Shared meals, trail-side conversations, and group reflections create a true sense of sisterhood and belonging.
Read our Itinerary — A Journey Within and Beyond
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Pre-Trip
Growth is at the heart of our journey together. We invite you to read A Thousand Names for Joy by Byron Katie, a beautiful foundation for reflection and meaningful conversation along ‘The Way’.
Before departure, we’ll gather on Zoom to connect, review logistics, and share intentions. You’re also invited to join Camino host and Certified Facilitator of ‘The Work’, Aileen Cheatham, for an optional three-session online workshop — included with your trip — to explore the book, practice ‘The Work’, and prepare for the journey ahead.
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September 16-17 – Arrival & Welcome
Travel through the European city of your choice (we recommend Madrid) and take a train to Burgos, Spain. This historic Castilian city, famed for its Gothic cathedral, medieval streets, and deep ties to the Camino de Santiago, is where our journey begins.
On the 17th, you’ll have time to acclimate before we gather for a group welcome and dinner later that evening.
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September 18-29 – Walk 'The Way'
Key highlights along this middle route include:
- Hornillos del Camino & Castrojeriz — timeless villages that feel lifted straight from medieval Spain.
- The town of Frómista, where the Romanesque Church of San Martín welcomes travelers with its simple beauty.
- Carrión de los Condes, once a center of monastic learning and hospitality, hosts us for a night in its monastery.
- Sahagún, known as the “Cradle of Mudéjar,” where Christian and Moorish artistry meet.
- The grand arrival into León, its soaring cathedral windows filling the sanctuary with radiant light. We include a day off in this city so you can take it all in!
- Astorga, a city of Roman origins crowned by Gaudí’s Episcopal Palace — a fitting end to this chapter of the Camino.
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September 30 – Departure
After breakfast, you may relax with a hotel massage and explore Astorga’s cathedral and Gaudí Palace before departing by train.
Or continue on with us for another three days to Ponferrada!
Wherever your journey ends, take with you memories of new friends, breathtaking landscapes, and the insights gained along ‘The Way’ — your Life Camino has just begun!
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Sept 30-Oct 3 – ADD ON Optional 3-Days
Enjoy this breathtaking walk through Rabanal, up and over the Cruz de Ferro — the Camino’s highest pass — to the charming riverside town of Molinaseca, then onward to Ponferrada. You’ll have time to explore Ponferrada’s Templar castle before departing by train on October 3rd.
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Continued Community
We will host a group reunion to share highlights and further reflection after we get home. There will also be opportunities to continue to practice The Work of Byron Katie and to stay in touch through the new Honest Heart Journeys Community hosted online.
The adventure doesn’t end here—there’s more to discover, explore, and grow into together. We hope you’ll join your Honest Heart sisters on a future trip!
The Experience
We Host Your Journey
We’ll take care of your accommodations and luggage transfers and offer helpful guidance along the way, while you enjoy the freedom to make your own choices. Stay attuned to yourself—choosing your pace, route, companions, and pauses as you wish. Each day invites you to plan as much or as little as you like—or simply follow the yellow arrows, trusting the freedom and magic of the Camino to guide you.
Our Trip Book
A Thousand Names for Joy, is a book by Byron Katie (with Stephen Mitchell) that illustrates her teachings drawing inspiration from passages from the Tao Te Ching. It offers a series of reflections, real-life stories, and dialogues that illustrate how questioning stressful thoughts leads to inner peace and freedom. Through everyday examples — parenting, illness, conflict, relationships — Katie shows how life becomes joyful and effortless when we stop arguing with reality and meet the present moment with acceptance and love.
Activities
Participants should have a good level of fitness. Expect to walk between 12–15 miles each day at your own pace. Take time to pause for rest, enjoy a café con leche, or simply delight in the way. The rhythm of the Camino offers you the freedom to balance challenge with moments of reflection, self-care, and contemplation. If ever needed, transfers to the next town are available. Remember – walking will be your main activity on the Camino, and you have all day to accomplish it!
Gathering in Sisterhood
Each pilgrim receives a workbook and blank journal for daily reflection, exercises, and guided inquiry. Optional gatherings throughout the journey provide space to share insights, realizations, and support one another’s process. Pre-trip and follow-up workshops will offer additional guidance in using ‘The Work’ on the Camino.
Accommodations
We stay in small hotels or country homes selected for comfort and local character. Luggage transfers are provided, and a local English-speaking operator supports any urgent needs along the way.
Cuisine
The Spanish love to eat well! Restaurants along the way often offer farm-to-table options and local desserts. Every town offers a hearty 3-course ‘pilgrim’s fare’ dinner. Our trip includes breakfast everyday and 4 dinners. You are free to plan your own lunches and the rest of your meals. There will be opportunities to pack a sandwich or snack at breakfast to tuck into your day pack. You can also purchase lunch, snacks or coffee in stores along ‘The Way’.
*Recommended budget 30–40USD per day.
Weather
September is a beautiful month on the Camino, with mild, pleasant temperatures (high 60s to low 80s °F). The trails are a little calmer after the summer rush, yet still filled with the vibrant energy of pilgrims from across the globe.
Packing Tips
Keep comfort in mind. Pack light hiking boots or trail runners, wool or synthetic socks, rain gear, quick-dry clothing, and a small day pack.
Luggage transfers are included for one small or medium suitcase (45 lbs max).
*A detailed packing guide will be provided.
Your Hosts
Camino Trip Host
Aileen Cheatham
Founder & Trip Host
Jennifer Dale
What’s Included?
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Optional pre-trip workshop on The Work of Byron Katie
14 nights of lodging including a hearty breakfast
Four group dinners
Luggage transfers between lodging
Curriculum workshop booklet
HHJ blank journal & pen
Pilgrim Passport
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Transportation to Burgos, Spain
Transportation from Astorga or Ponferrada, Spain
Trip insurance (travel medical required)
Formal, private facilitation with Aileen
All lunches and some dinners (for your flexibility). Please budget $30-40/day for lunch and incidentals
Alcohol
Camino de Santiago - Inner & Outer Journey
Walk the Camino from Burgos to Astorga — combining pilgrimage, community, and The Work of Byron Katie.
All pricing is per person.
Book Your Spot
Burgos to Astorga — Sept 16-30
Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy
3875 USD
4725 USD
Deposit: 50% USD
3-day Add-On
Astorga to Ponferrada — Sept 30-Oct 3
Double Occupancy
Single Occupancy
445 USD
575 USD
Camino de Santiago Map
FAQS
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Reserve your spot through our website, which links you to our WeTravel registration platform. We require a $500 minimum deposit with full payment due 180 days prior to the departure date. We welcome payments via credit card or debit with a flexible payment schedule.
Please keep your WeTravel reservation confirmation email to access your individual account information any time through the ‘Manage Your Booking’ button at the bottom. Everything regarding your trip – guest survey, waiver forms, visa/passport uploads, planning guide, etc. – lives here.
If you have ANY questions, we'd love to talk with you! Reach out any time through our Contact page.
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A 50% deposit is due at registration, and balances are due 180 days before departure. If a cancellation is made prior to 180 days before the trip date, the entire deposit will be refunded no less than a $500 per person service charge. Cancellations that are less than 179 days prior to the departure date will be charged in full. Payment plans are available upon request.
Itineraries are subject to change depending on weather, availability of activities, unforeseen circumstances, emergencies, etc. It is highly unlikely that we will cancel a trip, but we do reserve the right to cancel due to weather, natural disasters, emergencies or a lack of sufficient reservations. If we cancel a trip, a full refund of the trip deposit and any final payment will be given.
Notification of cancellation must be received in writing via email to info@honestheartjourneys.com.
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HHJ requires that you obtain travel insurance in case of unexpected medical circumstances. We also highly recommend you obtain cancellation insurance.
We want you to make a decision that meets your needs. If you don’t already have your own insurance source, you can now book insurance directly on WeTravel registration platform.
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Once your registration is complete and your trip is paid in full, you’ll receive a detailed Planning Guide designed to support your preparation. This includes:
A complete day-by-day Itinerary
A curated Packing List tailored to your destination
Hotel and Lodging information
Important Travel Tips and Logistics
An introduction to our selected Trip Book and related resources
Additional materials to help you feel confident and prepared
At this time, we’ll also collect your emergency contact details, travel insurance information, and require signed release forms to ensure your safety and the smooth coordination of our journey together.
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This year’s Camino journey along the French Way begins in Burgos, Spain and concludes in either Astorga or Ponferrada. We recommend flying into Madrid and taking the Renfe train to Burgos for your arrival. After the trip, you can easily book your return train to Madrid through Renfe from either Astorga or Ponferrada.
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Please check your passport well in advance of your departure date to ensure:
It was issued within the last 10 years
It remains valid for at least three months after your planned departure from the destination (six months recommended)
No visa is required for U.S. passport holders traveling to this destination.