Reconnect with Nature and Transform Your Life on this world-famous Ancient Pilgrimage Route (Now taking Bookings for 2025 Retreats)
Feeling Drained, Overwhelmed, and desperately in Need of a Break?
Escape the Burnout Cycle and Rediscover Inner Peace
If you’re constantly juggling responsibilities, feeling the weight of endless demands, and longing for a break, this retreat is for you. The 5-day Camino de Santiago hiking retreat offers a complete escape from the everyday hustle and bustle, allowing you to recharge your batteries and reconnect with what matters most.
Step Off the Treadmill and Take Time for Self-Reflection
Do you feel “stuck” or unsure about your next step in life? Walking the Camino in the sun-soaked countryside of southwest France offers a powerful way to find clarity. Here, in the heart of nature, free from distractions, you can gain fresh perspectives, solutions, and answers you may have been seeking for years.
Experience the Healing Power of Nature—No Screens, Just Serenity
Many of us feel the need to disconnect from digital screens and constant city noise, but rarely get the chance. On this retreat, you’ll immerse yourself in serene landscapes, from lush vineyards to picturesque villages, while breathing in fresh country air. It’s a complete reset, nourishing both mind and body.
Nourish Your Body, Quiet Your Mind, and Reclaim Your Health
Stress and exhaustion can weigh down both body and mind, but this retreat is designed to revive you. With delicious, wholesome meals, comfortable lodging, and daily walks to get your body moving, you’ll return home feeling restored, healthier, and more at peace.
Feel as if You have lost Your Way?
Embark on a Journey of Self-discovery…
…and let Nature be your Compass
Walking the Camino de Santiago can literally change your life – you can find solutions to problems, answers to questions and clarity on the way forward – just as thousands of hikers have before you, for the last 800 years.
Hundreds of thousands (over 200,000 in 2022) of people from all walks of life make their way to Santiago de Compostela via one of the pilgrims’ routes each year. For most, it is an unforgettable and life-enhancing experience.
But Why Should You Choose this 5-Day Camino de Santiago Hiking Adventure?
Uncover Life-Changing Insights
Walking the Camino de Santiago is a time-honoured path to spiritual renewal and insight. During the retreat, you’ll have the space to disconnect from daily stresses, embrace the beauty of nature, and reconnect with your inner self. The Camino has helped thousands find clarity on their life’s journey, offering a unique environment where answers often reveal themselves naturally. Expect to leave with a renewed perspective and a deeper understanding of your path forward.
Follow A Carefully Curated Itinerary
The thoughtfully planned three-day walking itinerary leads you through some of the most serene and picturesque landscapes in the southwest of France. You’ll walk through peaceful vineyards, rolling meadows, and medieval villages, all while immersing in the rich cultural history of the Camino. These carefully selected routes are designed to invigorate your body and calm your mind, while offering plenty of opportunities to stop, reflect, and mindfully take in your surroundings.
Indulge in Effortless Comfort
This retreat is about replenishing both body and soul, which is why your host, dr Margaretha Montagu, aims to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience. Instead of the traditional Camino setup that requires carrying a heavy pack and staying at a new location each night, you’ll enjoy the comfort of returning to the same cozy and comfortable bedroom every evening. Your meals are lovingly prepared with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, showcasing the region’s flavours and nourishing you for each day’s walk. It’s an experience designed to help you unwind and reset in every possible way.
Experience Total Peace of Mind
From transportation to and from the Camino to trail logistics, your knowledgeable host handles all the details so you don’t have to. With all the essentials taken care of, you’re free to focus entirely on the experience and what it means for you. Whether you need time for reflection, to make a fresh start, or simply a break from routine, this retreat provides the foundation—you just need to be open to the transformation.
Introduction
In 5 days, reconnect with your authentic self, with your present, past and future, and with nature while walking the Camino de Santiago in the south of France. Coming to a Camino de Santiago walking retreat here in this unspoiled and mostly undiscovered region in the southwest of France will enable you to get away from the hustle, bustle, and never-ending demands of everyday life, and allow you to recharge your batteries, reconnect with nature, unwind and declutter your mind, and increase your physical fitness.
Everything will be taken care of for you.
You will sleep in the same bed each night, you do not have to carry a heavy backpack with you, and you will eat healthy, home-grown and homemade food – all you have to do is concentrate on experiencing everything that walking the Camino has to offer.
You will also learn more about walking and writing meditation as a stress management strategy and will have the opportunity to taste some of the region’s excellent wines.
On Saturday, Day 1, you arrive in the sun-blessed south of France in time for dinner, walk the Camino on days 2, 3, and 4 and leave after breakfast on Day 5.
The easiest way to get here is to fly to Toulouse, take the train to Auch, and visit the glorious cathedral with its exceptional hand-carved choir – the Camino de Santiago goes through Auch and many walkers stop at this famous cathedral. You can check your luggage into temporary storage at the station. When you have had a scrumptious lunch at one of the sidewalk bistros on the square in front of the cathedral, you take the bus to Nogaro, where you’ll be picked up and transferred to the retreat. The bus station is right next to the train station.
The most effortless way to get here is to rent a car, or take a taxi and the most entertaining and cheapest way to get here is by getting a lift from the carpooling site, BlaBlaCar(dot)fr.
A warm welcome awaits you at this 200-year-old authentic Landaise farmhouse amidst the Armagnac and Cotes de Gascogne vineyards in the sun-blessed southwest of France!
Walking retreats start on Saturdays at 18h00 and end on Wednesdays at 11h00, every third Saturday from March to November.
Testimonials
I booked the 5-day Camino walking retreat with a friend, to escape city life and reset. It totally exceeded my expectations. Margaretha is the perfect host. Her house is so peaceful and welcoming. We had lovely food, great conversations and loved being around all the animals. The walking part is great itinerary taking you through some breathtakingly beautiful scenery while also leaving a bit of time to relax at the end of the day. It’s a chance to really get into nature while also exploring some of the local towns which all have their charm. I cannot recommend this retreat highly enough, and I will be going back! Nikki S.
Loads more testimonials
Walking Retreat Program
Day 1: Arrive after 18h00, in time for a scrumptious welcome dinner
Day 2: On the first day, guests walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostella from EAUZE to MANCIET. This section is about 11 km long and takes about 2,5 – 4 hours to walk. The walk meanders through woods, vineyards, meadows, orchards and sunflower fields from the Roman and cathedral city of Eauze towards Manciet, a small market town with a beautifully preserved lavoir.
Day 3: On the second day, guests walk from MANCIET to NOGARO. The route continues past an ancient church that once belonged to the Order of the Knights of Malta and an 18th-century milestone with a Maltese cross to Nogaro or Nogarium, which means ‘a place planted with walnut trees.’ This small town was established in the 11th century and has a fine Romanesque church. The walk takes about 2,5-4 hours to walk and is about 10km.
Day 4: The third day’s walk is from NOGARO to AIRE SUR ADOUR. The full walk is (28 km) but guests can opt for a shorter walk (19 km) if they prefer. The shorter walk takes 4-6 hours to walk, the longer walk 6-8 hours. The walk is fairly flat: Nogaro is at 100m above sea level and Aire is at 80m above sea level. The path passes by several ancient farmhouses, along the vineyards towards Lanne-Soubiran and onwards towards Barcellone-du-Gers, a small town adjacent to Aire. From Barcellone the scenery changes, The vineyards give way to trees: oaks, pines and chestnuts until one finally arrives in the beautiful town of Aire-sur-Adour, on the mighty Adour river. From Aire-sur-Adour hikers take the bus back from Aire to Nogaro at the end of the walk.
Day 5: Leave after brunch, before 11h.
Distances are approximate. The program is not set in stone and may be altered according to circumstances ex. inclement weather.
Food
Esprit Meraki’s food is simple but delicious and we aim to give your digestive tract as much of a rest as the rest of you while feeding your body as well and as generously as your mind.
This is a celebration of the wonderful variety of fresh local produce available from our garden as well as from the local weekly fresh food markets.
In the morning we serve you a scrumptious brunch buffet, consisting of cereal, fruit, bread, confiture, honey, milk, yoghurt, typical cheeses and patés of the region. Tea and coffee are available from early, and throughout the day. You can also make sandwiches and take some fruit/yoghurt with you, to eat during your walk.
Dinner is served early and consists of a homemade soup (hot/cold depending on the season,) a healthy and hearty main course, often vegetarian and often heavily influenced by the cuisine of our Spanish neighbours, followed by something sweet, if required. Only water is served at the table.
Dinner on day 4 we have at a local restaurant to help regenerate the local economy post-COVID. The cost of this meal is not included – usually 15-30 euros, depending on your choices.
We cater for most diets (Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low fat, Sugar conscious, Egg-free, and Dairy-free but we do not cater for Vegans.) if you have any intolerances, allergies or dislike some ingredient or food, please let me know during your booking, at the latest two weeks before your arrival. Complicated diet requirements may incur an additional fee.
What’s Included In this Package
- 4 nights accommodation in an authentic half-timbered landaise farmhouse
- Wholesome brunches, and delicious dinners (except dinner on day 4.) You can also make sandwiches and take some fruit/yoghurt with you, to eat during your walk.
- 3 unforgettable days walking the Camino de Santiago
- Introduction to Walking and Writing Meditation
- Introduction to the Meraki Morning Program
- Transport to and from the starting and end points of the Camino on each walking day
What’s Not Included In this Package
- Transport costs to local airports (flights)
- Transport from local airports to local train stations (ex. Auch) to Nogaro
- Personal Health Insurance and/or Travel Insurance (we highly recommend insurance cover in case you need to cancel)
- Additional activities not included in the itinerary
- Personal or Group Life Transition coaching (might be available at an additional fee)
- Dinner on days 4 ~ we have this meal at restaurants nearby to support local small business owners (15-30€, depending on your choices)
- Alcoholic beverages
When can you come to a Reconnect with Nature: 5-day Life-Changing Camino de Santiago Walking Retreat?
I’d love to welcome you to my little part of paradise here in the sun-blessed southwest of France on the first or third Saturday of every month from March to December. The retreat starts at 18h on Saturdays and ends at 11h on Wednesdays.
How much does a Reconnect with Nature: 5-day Life-Changing Camino de Santiago Walking Retreat cost?
Are you ready to step out of the chaos and into an experience that renews, refreshes, and realigns you? Join us on this retreat—the time to recharge is now.
| This potentially life-changing 5-day 4-night retreat includes accommodation, meals, transport to and from the Caminoo and costs 949€ for a single bedroom and €I799 for 2 people in a double bedroom. (2 people travelling together) Please read the Cancellation Policy and Terms and Conditions before booking. Full payment is due 30 days before the retreat starts |
👉 Send an email to welcome2gascony@gmail to claim your spot. Only 3 spots are available per retreat starting date. Retreats start on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Act now to secure your place!
Prepare to be a different person by the time you have to tear yourself away from this profoundly restful and peaceful haven to return home.
In only a few other places you will find all the ingredients of a perfect holiday combined with such abundance as in Gascony: fabulous food, outstanding wine, generous people and the breathtaking beauty of mountains, rivers, lakes and medieval villages perched on hilltops.
So seize this exceptional opportunity to spend a few nights here NOW…a warm welcome awaits you amidst the Armagnac and Cotes de Gascogne vineyards in the sun-blessed southwest of France.
Are you ready for an unforgettable retreat that will leave you feeling vibrantly alive, full of joie de vivre, deliciously indulged and profoundly relaxed from the top of your head to the tips of your toes? Contact me at welcome2gascony@gmail.com to inquire about availability and to pay your deposit to secure your spot.
Imagine how different your life will be in a year’s time if you decide to change your life by attending this retreat.
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©MMontagu Description frequently updated.