Travelers’ stories.

Our highlights with Pilgrims Compass include the gorgeous countryside with cows and broccoli, the outstanding lodging including a night in a castle, a monastery, and a tree house, and the original poetry by our talented professor Ryan. We were in very good hands!

The accommodations continually exceeded our expectations. The first night, we stayed in a monastery with stone floors and old wooden beams, we stayed in a castle with small slits in the thick walls for windows and a building that was begun in the 1400's by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand! How is that for historic! We slept in a tree house with a hot tub on the deck etc. All our accommodations were unique and comfortable, even luxurious. You are in for a treat, I promise ♥️.

Randy desired to ride the path instead of walking it. Ryan and Keri worked very hard to obtain bikes and vehicles able to transport those bikes. One day, Ryan even rode with him all day and they rode up some long uphill climbs! They both agreed the bikes were not worth the trouble. As for myself, they were flexible with how many, if any, miles I walked. There were days that I chose to walk zero miles, some days 6 miles, and some the full 12-13. This flexibility helped me feel in charge of my own experience on the Camino and I very much appreciated their flexibility.

My husband and I are 72 and did great with the flexibility of the walking. Ryan started us out with only 3-4 miles in a day. We slowly increased to 5, 6, 9, and in the end 12 miles in a day. Our confidence increased as our miles increased. The thing about walking is this . . . You just keep walking. So, if you have been young for a long time like us, this trip is for you.

I would say, don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture of the Camino de Santiago. The Spanish villages, small churches, and walking the path will enrich your life and set a higher standard for your future travel.

We went on a tour with Pilgrim’s Compass to Spain, France, and Italy and it was amazing. Ryan’s ability to converse with the locals, especially in Spain, is beyond comparison. His Spanish is amazing and everyone asks him which Latin American country he comes from. He was extremely knowledgeable not only in the Spanish language, but it felt like Spain was his second home knowing transportation, local places to eat, and the best sites to see! France and Italy were also so much fun and well planned, never feeling pressured to do anything, but all their recommendations were fantastic! I felt extremely comfortable knowing they had everything under control and we could just enjoy our trip!

Their ability to problem solve on the fly is what makes them truly special! We arrived at a city in the south of France and received notice our lodging was cancelled due to a flood. They quickly secured other lodging, which ultimately brought us to one of the most spectacular beaches I have ever visited.

They are incredibly funny and are some of the best people you can be around. We highly recommend Pilgrim’s Compass to anyone wanting to experience Europe in such a fun way!

Our group was a blend of avid outdoors people, history buffs, foodies, and bougie comfort seekers. With that blend of people, it's hard to find a trip that appeals equally to everyone. Ryan and Keri planned it out and found the perfect middle ground. They were experts in all the primary aspects of the trip. Fluent Spanish speakers, experienced travelers, versed in the history and culture of the area, and they spent enough time pre-trip with our group to know who we are and what we were looking for. The planning process was collaborative and ended up being the perfect fit.

We loved hiking through the hills of Northern Spain with travelers from all over the world. Experiencing the culture and history of the route and region with a small group of friends and family was amazing. I loved wandering through the small towns, touring the incredible cathedrals, eating the local food, and staying in the five-star Paradores. The accommodations were a highlight of our trip. We stayed in buildings full of history and local flavor. The other thing I really liked about the locations was the privacy that many of them gave to our group. After a long day of hiking with lots of visitors, it's nice to unwind in a more secluded spot at night.

One area where Ryan and Keri were able to really demonstrate their value to our group was how they responded to unexpected circumstances. We had several unanticipated issues with transportation that were out of our hands, a flight cancelled, rental car reservations switched, and seat changes last minute that Ryan and Keri were able to handle quickly and to our satisfaction. To the extent that we watched them personally sacrifice their time, comfort, and profits for their customers, this is what the best guides do.

Go with Pilgrim's Compass. Let them handle the stressful parts and show you the best parts.

I loved walking with friends, my spouse, and by myself occasionally, having moments to reflect, enjoy my surroundings, and learn a little bit more about myself. Along with the hiking, we spent time in beautiful locations while learning about the history, especially in places like Burgos and Leon

We could not have asked for better tour guides. They are troubleshooting experts who are both patient and accommodating! Not only did they speak language, but they were also very knowledgeable about how to navigate things like airports, roads, and trails, as they had done it before numerous times. They went to great lengths to find absolutely amazing hotels and some fine dining options, including a Michelin star restaurant. We enjoyed a singular experience with the accommodations that were set up for us by Pilgrim’s Compass. Everything from spending nights in beautiful old monasteries that were converted into hotels to treehouses with jacuzzi tubs.

Ryan is very good about making sure the experience is tailored for the individual. Being very interested in history, we would spend each day talking about the region, the history, the important past events and people of the places that we walk through.

Walking the Camino de Santiago with Pilgrim’s Compass was one of the best and most unique trips my wife and I have ever taken in our lives. We are looking forward to taking my family on this experience.

Ryan did an amazing job preparing for the trip so that I could enjoy the experience and not spend precious time on logistics throughout the trip. I was interested in both an intellectual and spiritual component to my trip. Ryan was knowledgeable in both areas and it was obvious he had spent years studying up on the route so he could provide historical and religious context along the journey. It contributed to an outstanding experience for me.

On the year I went on the Camino de Santiago with Ryan, dangerous wildfires were spreading along the route we were supposed to hike. Ryan quickly pivoted to keep our group out of danger and still have a great experience. He did it on the fly so our trip continued without interruption.

I have now been on excursions with Ryan in Peru, Spain, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic. Each trip was special and memorable and Ryan's dedication to ensuring I had an excellent time was obvious in his preparation and trip guidance. I would highly recommend taking a trip hosted by Ryan. If Pilgrim's Compass opens up more trip opportunities, let me know and I'm in.

Our trek through the Andes to Machu Picchu with Pilgrim’s Compass was amazing. Ryan took care of all the logistics from Lima to Cusco, to the trailhead, and ultimately Machu Picchu. We trekked up and over Salkantay Pass at 15,000 feet elevation, where there were snowflakes in the air, through the jungle that was filled with banana plants and avocados, and then up to Machu Picchu, the spectacular Incan city in the clouds.

Ryan is practically a native, which is incredibly helpful when it comes to getting around, where to eat, and details of traveling in Peru. But even more impressive is his knowledge of the people, culture, and history. He made us feel connected not only within our group, but also to the people and places we visited, sharing historical insights as we explored Cusco, offering reassurance as shuttle drivers navigated seemingly treacherous mountain passes, and providing insights into local culture, like why many Andean women wear Bowler hats. Pilgrim's Compass gave us a true adventure!

10 out of 10, A+, whatever the highest rating is! I’m signed up for my next adventure on the Camino de Santiago.

My greatest highlights of my trip to Peru with Pilgrim’s Compass were walking where those of more ancient descent actually walked. Seeing what they saw and the beauty of that land was unforgettable and breathtaking. I saw maybe the most beautiful scene in nature one night as snow covered mountains were lit up by a full moon. Never could I see that anywhere else.

At one point I was sick from the altitude and Ryan figured out an alternative way to get me to the top of a specific peak so that I would not miss out on the rest of the excursion. He never made me feel like it was a burden for him and treated me as someone who deserved to get all the same experiences as those who were more physically able at that moment.

One day as we arrived at our stopping point Ryan could tell that we were probably going to get rain and we were scheduled to sleep in tents that evening. Ryan found someone who had an empty home that we could sleep in so that we were out of the elements and made that evening so much more comfortable while it was raining on so many others.

Be prepared to do and try new things. Going to a new place gives an individual a chance to live life as others live and have that once in a lifetime experience you will always remember and cherish.

Ryan took us through areas that were less traveled but historically significant and even more beautiful than what the average tourist would see; from hiking though small villages and stopping to eat home-cooked cuisine with a local family to hot springs and local festivities along the way. He understood the significance of the ancient architecture and was able to share insights into these sacred locations. His Spanish language skills are equally impressive and most Spanish speakers assumed he was native. Ryan seemed to know everything about the food, the culture, the customs, the language, and the people. It was like he had lived in each location for many years.

Ryan also helped plan an adventure for our family in the Dominican Republic. Every detail from transportation to local food prepped in our home for every meal was impeccable. He removed all the stress that can come from vacations to remote places and foreign languages and made it one of the most enjoyable experiences our family has ever had.

In a hike to a beautiful and remote waterfall and after some time swimming in the crystal clear water, my brother-in-law lost his GoPro in the deep pool under the falls. All his recorded memories from the trip were lost and despite our best efforts, we could not recover the camera. Ryan was able to recruit a few locals that could dive deeper and they found the camera. It felt like a miracle, but Ryan seems to do these types of things over and over again.

Do not hesitate to book this trip with Pilgrim’s Compass. You will have the best time ever and create incredible memories. He will curate the trip based on your strengths and what you want to do and allow you to just enjoy the journey. I have now taken multiple trips with Pilgrim's Compass and look forward to my next one.