In Spring everything is green, the wildflowers are spectacular and the
European stork have babies in their huge nests on towers and steeples.
European stork have babies in their huge nests on towers and steeples.
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Walk shorter stages on the the Camino Frances, Camino Ingles, Camino Aragones, or
the Via Francigena from Siena to Rome, and in the
Swiss and Italian Alps with our accompanied groups in 2026
People have been choosing amaWalkers Camino since 2010.
Are you drawn to the idea of a pilgrimage but can't spare 5-8 weeks for routes in Spain, France, or Italy? Perhaps you're hesitant about long stages, crowded dormitories, or walking alone, yet you don't want the expense of tour guides, luxury hotels, gourmet meals, or air-conditioned buses.
amaWalkers Camino, founded in 2010 by experienced pilgrims Sylvia Nilsen and Pam Stern, bridges the gap between self-guided tours, solo treks and high-end guided tours by offering accompanied walks that let you:
- Walk shorter stages than those in popular guidebooks
- Set your own pace
- Travel with like-minded people
- Stay in carefully selected private, en-suite rooms in pensions, inns, and rural houses
- Benefit from experienced group leaders who handle the logistics so that all you have to do is walk!
Over the years, our pilgrims have forged lifelong friendships while sharing the wonders, challenges, and beauty of our diverse trails. Many return to explore new routes with us, testament to the transformative power of our journeys.
If this is the kind of pilgrimage you would like to do please send us an email [email protected] or complete the contact form at the end of this page. Experience the Caminos and Via Francigena your way, with amaWalkers Camino.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you
didn't do than by the ones you did do." H. Jackson Brown Jnr
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Camino Frances
18 days St Jean to Santiago May 2026 Dates to be confirmed From €1895 sharing €495 single room supplement 
Camino Ingles
10 days Ferrol to Santiago Dates to be confirmed From €995 sharing - €350 single supplement 
Camino Aragones
Dates to be confirmed From €995 sharing - €350 single supplement 
La Via Francigena
17 days from Siena to Rome Dates to be confirmed From €1895 sharing €520 single room supplement 
Via Francigena Alps
10 days La Douay to Pont St Martin in the Swiss & italian Alps Dates to be confirmed From €1699 sharing (€520 single room supplement ) 
9 - 27 September 2025 : Camino Portuguese from Porto to Santiago de Compostela €1800 sharing, single supplement €688
By popular request we have added a 19-day walk on the Caminho Portuguese, following the scenic Senda Litoral you’ll enjoy the Coastal Route along the breathtaking Atlantic coastline, picturesque fishing villages, and golden beaches. On the Central Route you will explore the heart of northern Portugal, passing through historic towns and lush countryside. The lesser-known Espiritual Variant was recently recognized by the Cathedral in Santiago as an authentic and ancient path. You’ll enjoy the refreshing 'Water Route' - the Ruta del Agua - with its rivers, streams, and waterfalls. ONLY 2 SPACES AVAILABLE |
The Camino Frances (click for more info)
We yearned to walk from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago but didn’t want to walk alone and couldn’t spare 5-8 weeks. amaWalkers offered us a tailor-made itinerary where we could experience the most iconic highlights of the Camino Frances in just 18 days! We walked from St. Jean Pied de Port, visiting Pamplona, Burgos, Leon, and Astorga. Hiking in the Montes de Leon and leaving our stones at the Cruz de Ferro, visiting O Cebreiro and walking the last 120km to Santiago to earn a Compostela. Our experienced group leader handled all the logistics, ensuring a seamless and unforgettable experience. We enjoyed breathtaking scenery, historic cities and quaint villages with the camaraderie of like-minded pilgrims staying in ensuite accommodations, private bus transportation between cities, and luggage transfers. Our advice to other Camino dreamers? Don’t miss the opportunity to embark on this life-changing adventure. Join amaWalkers and create cherished memories on the Camino Frances. All you have to do is lace up your shoes and embrace the journey.
The Camino Ingles (click for more info)
You have a choice - walking the Camino Ingles on our shorter stages for 9 days. Pilgrims from Britain and other countries often sailed to A Coruna in the middle ages and started walking to Santiago de Compostela from there. On the way they met with locals walking from their front doors in Ferrol and other towns in the north. This walk qualifies for the Compostela certificate. Or, you can combine the Ingles with another 8 days to the End of the World at Fisterra and to Muxia. You will qualify for both the Finisterrana and Muxiana certifcates. After breakfast a shuttle will take you back to Santiago de Compostela for a night to celebrate having completed the three routes!
The Camino Aragones
The Camino Aragones is a stunningly beautiful route, especially if you start in the pilgrimage town of Lourdes in the South of France. It was written about in the 12th c Codex Calixtinus as part of the two routes over the Pyrenees into Spain. Many people would like to walk it but it is a fairly lonely route with few pilgrims, not many places to stop for a coffee break, and quite long stages through remote countryside. Only a few tour companies offers guided walks on the Camino Aragones but amaWalkers will be taking their 5th group in late June next year. We have cut down on the stages, found good accommodation and the whole walk fits neatly into 16-days from Lourdes to Puente la Reina. The VF to Rome (click for more info)
Tuscany is located in the heart of Italy and offers the most pleasant temperatures in the months of May and June with very little rain and mild temperatures. Tuscany has many hot water springs, known and used for curative purposes since Etruscan and Roman times. You will visit a few on your way to Rome. In Lazio you will stay at Bolsena, on the shores of the largest volcanic lake in Europe. You'll will walk on ancient Roman Roads, through hazelnut orchards past pre-Roman Etruscan ruins. On the aproach to Rome, you will have a steady climb up one of the 'Seven Hills of Rome' to Mons Gaudi and as you crest the top we should see the Eternal City laid out before you with the huge dome of St Peter's dominating the picture. VF - SWISS & ITALIAN ALPS (click for more info)
Some of the most spectacular scenery on the historic Via Francigena is in the Swiss and Italian Alps, especially in Spring when the Pass at the Gr St Bernard is open to walkers. We meet at the quaint Le Catogne Gite in La Douay on the slopes of the Swiss Alps. Accessible by train from Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey or Montreux. We'll walk for 9 days on sections of Roman Roads through stunning scenery, staying at the Great St Bernard Pass where you can visit the famous St Bernard rescue dogs. We then descend into the Aosta Valley with amazing landscapes of the surrounding mountains and valleys staying at small towns and villages steeped in history. Our Journey ends in Pont St Martin with easy access to Milan or Turin for your onward journey *** Possibility of walking 6 days - from La Douay to Aosta Apply for reduced cost registration form. NB: Although hiking poles are used by some, there is no technical mountaineering scrambling or climbing on this route
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Please read all the pages on this website, including the Booking Conditions, What is Included,
Frequently Asked Questions - many of your questions might already have been answered, Accommodation etc.
Frequently Asked Questions - many of your questions might already have been answered, Accommodation etc.
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What is included
- An experienced Group Leader accompanies the group, making all land arrangements including taxis to train and bus stations, to and from hotels, accommodation, private coaches when required and luggage transfers.
- Orientation get-together: Your group leader will meet you at the hotel in the afternoon when you arrive at your start. She will welcome the group at an orientation get-together where you will receive a Pilgrim Pack containing a credencial (Pilgrim's passport) a Michelin map guide book (for Spain), walking notes with an itinerary, details of all your accommodation, luggage tags and a few other goodies. From time to time she will call for an evening get-together to confirm travel arrangements for the following day
- Luggage Transfers between overnight accommodation.
- Accommodation is provided in small hotels, inns, rural houses and apartments. We can arrange for extra nights at the start and at the end of your walk. We do not stay in pilgrim dormitories, nor do we stay in 5 star hotels. NB: Only a few single rooms can be booked but if the group is large and more than 4 people want single rooms, we might have to split you from the group at occasional places and book rooms in a different establishment. This is not always possible in rural areas or in the Alps, so you might have to share a few nights.
- In Spain, Switzerland and Italy many places have en-suite bathrooms in double rooms while single rooms might share a bathroom, so if you want a single room with en-suite bathroom every night you will need to pay for a single occupancy in a double room. In a couple of villages (mostly on the Via Francigena) we might stay in a rural homes (agriturismo) or apartments where bathrooms are shared by the group
- Meals - some accommodation includes breakfast but they rarely include dinner. Your group leader will arrange for meals to be offered in remote locations if required.
Chateaubriand said, “There never was a pilgrim who did not come back to his village
with one less prejudice and one more idea.”
with one less prejudice and one more idea.”
Disclaimer: amaWalkers Camino (Pty) Ltd is not a travel agency or tour operator. We do not make flight or transport reservations. We don't offer self-guided tours or luggage transfers for individuals or other groups. We only offer accommodation and luggage transfers for our accompanied groups. PLEASE read all the pages on this website, including the Booking Conditions so that you have all the information about the walk
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2025 Reviews:
Good day Sylvia. I think it is fair to promote amaWalkers for the stunning job they are doing with each and every walk. You are really going out of your way to make things comfortable for us, and we adore our special leader, Dojema. Priscilla and I are becoming streetwise when it comes to international travel, and this is because of you and your team, so thank you. Just for the record, it is our third year in a row with amaWalkers, with five caminos under the belt, and the Portuguese one waiting for September. It says alot about your service and that is why we keep on using your organization. You go amaWalkers David and Priscilla - South Africa (Camino Ingles & Fistera-Muxia - 2025) Helllloo and greetings from warm sunny Spain
I have to take this opportunity to say thank you for another wonderful Camino put together by Amawalkers. We’re loving Dojema and the group seems to have “gelled “ rather well. I have such admiration for you Syl and I especially will always be greatful to you and your Amawalkers And, In case I didn’t say it enough .. Dojema is just wonderful and a beautiful human being. Gwen - South Africa (Camino Ingles 2025) Hi Sylvia, What an absolutely wonderful wonderful experience this Via Francigena was. Awesome, awesome walk and perfect weather gods. The way you designed the stages and choice of hotels and B and Bs was just fantastic. I am hugely grateful to have been able to do it at last and that we had the delight that Marizanne is as a leader. She really had our interests at heart and went above and beyond her duty. At times I wished for more freedom to be alone in the universe but was happy when she was there popping up when places were hard to find at the end of a day. J and J and I went round and round Capranica with google maps always landing up needing us to leap over the city wall to get to the apartment until Marizanne saw us and rescued us. She really had boundless energy! The three Js and I took a wrong turn coming into Bolsena, but between Jeremy on Google and me on Sloways we got into Bolsena by the less scenic route ahead of the others. All the accommodation was just right and I was always totally happy but I've used a big range to really distinguish the stellar accommodation and what a treat it was. Thank you. (I wish my grandmother had left me more Linn Ware that I could sell and pay for another trip!) Sally - South Africa (VF to Rome 2025) |
Dear Sylvia,
It was a most enjoyable trip, far exceeded what I had imagined. Kathy was a wonderful leader - thoughtful, knowledgeable, observant, good-humoured, very organised, decisive when needed, the glue that kept us on the trail and brought us, Irish, safely to Aosta and our American friends to Pont St Martin. She watched out for those who were finding particulars days difficult and supported them. I could not praise her more. Everything worked like clockwork - trains, tickets, hotel rooms, meals, lunches and of course we were blessed with wonderful weather (certainly up to Aosta) and very nice walking companions. The only suggestions I have are minor things. Being used to hotels providing soap, shampoo etc, I didn’t bring any and Swiss country hotels don’t necessarily provide them! However my fellow walkers inundated me with little bars of soap, so I survived! Maybe mention that in the newsletters?? (Perhaps you did and I didn’t notice!) It would seem that all hotels (not just the ones mentioned) may provide picnic lunches if you simply ask. I did so at Étroubles and there was no problem - cost €12. I thought the whole trip was very good value for money. The pre-trip newsletters and info were very helpful in preparing. The Alps are serious mountains with demanding ascents and descents, so preparation is key. Many thanks to you and all of your team for a trip I shall remember for a long time. With very best wishes, Seán - Ireland (VF Alps 2025) Hi Sylvia,
I am thanking you again for planning such an amazing Camino. We just loved it all, the spectacular scenery, the company, the lodging, and our fearless leader, Kathy. Parts were very challenging, difficult even, like the second to last day. The heat made it harder, but we made it! The Crabun hotel is lovely, and we enjoyed and needed a rest day there. The owner, Alessio, was so helpful to everyone who had transportation questions. He even drove us to the bus stop on our last day. All the accommodations were very nice. It was a wonderful, memorable walk. You did an amazing job, as did Kathy. Hugs from afar, Linda - Canada (VF Alps 2025) Hi Sylvia, We are so enjoying being on the VF. Marizanne is such a good leader, so calm, excellent preparation and really good company. Transport all good and everything running smoothly. We have just had the most amazing meal at Albergo Toscana - real Cordon Bleu food, and far too much! Thanks for all the thought you have put in to this!
Jeremy - South Africa (VF to Rome 2025) |
amaWalkers Camino (Pty) Limited -2010 Registered in terms of Section 14 of the Companies Act 2008. Registered Company number 2012/073214/07 Reg Address: 35 Broadway Rd, Westville, South Africa.
Protection of Personal Information : amaWalkers Camino adheres to the national legislation and regulations pertaining to the safeguarding of data privacy and shall use information provided by you to perform our services. We undertake not to disclose your personal information unless it is legally or contractually required to do so. We agree to use all reasonable efforts to ensure your personal information in our possession is kept confidential, stored in a secure manner and processed in terms of POPI.
amawalkerscamino.com [email protected]
Protection of Personal Information : amaWalkers Camino adheres to the national legislation and regulations pertaining to the safeguarding of data privacy and shall use information provided by you to perform our services. We undertake not to disclose your personal information unless it is legally or contractually required to do so. We agree to use all reasonable efforts to ensure your personal information in our possession is kept confidential, stored in a secure manner and processed in terms of POPI.
amawalkerscamino.com [email protected]
