French Way with a dog from Sarria in 6 stages

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will I be able to feed my dog at the accommodation?

  Yes, but you'll need to bring your own food and your dog's own bowl. You'll also need to bring a water bowl.

• What documentation should I bring to do the Camino de Santiago with my dog?

  Carrying the veterinary card or canine passport is mandatory. Additionally, it's recommended to attach a tag with your name and phone number to your pet's collar.

  Before embarking on your journey, ensure your dog has received a minimum of two doses of the following vaccinations: trivalent parvovirus (distemper, hepatitis, and leptospirosis), as well as the rabies vaccination administered at least 20 days prior. Regarding leishmaniasis, it is a disease prevalent in Galicia, so it is strongly advised that the dog is protected either through vaccination or by using a reliable collar.

   

• Where do I get the Canine Credential?

  Once you have made your reservation, we will send the credentials and luggage transport labels to your home, or you can collect them at your first accommodation before starting the Camino.

  They can also be requested on the APACA website, the Association for the Protection of Animals on the Camino.

• Will my dog sleep in the room with me?

  You and your dog will comfortably share the same room for sleeping without any issues.

• What is included in the Camino de Santiago package for me and my dog?

  arrangements for each leg of the journey covers the following services:

  • Accommodation arrangements for each leg of the journey
  • Luggage transport for both your luggage and your pet's belongings
  • A comprehensive dossier containing information about the various stages of the journey
  • Pilgrim's credential
  • Canine credential
  • On-the-road helpline for any assistance required during the journey
  • Travel insurance coverage for added security and peace of mind

  Additionally, you have the option to tailor your trip by including the following optional services:

  • Additional nights at the start or end of each stage
  • Private transfers from Santiago de Compostela to either the beginning or end of each stage.

  You WIL NOT be able to include:

  • Breakfast or half-board options. Dining areas are shared with other pilgrims who may not be comfortable with dogs or could have allergies. However, you can inquire about this option at each accommodation and arrange it directly with them. Additionally, we'll provide you with a guide featuring advice, including places where you can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with your pet.

  Unlike group tours, there won't be a bus service, guide, or support vehicle provided between stages. However, you'll have access to a 24-hour hotline where you can reach us in case of any issues or unexpected events.

• Will my pet also have luggage transport service?

  Yes, of course. On trips with your dog, the transport of one bag of up to 15 kg for your pet is included throughout the Camino.

  Our pilgrims usually bring the pet carrier and pack the food, bed and toys inside it.

• Does making the Camino de Santiago from Sarria entitle you to the Compostela?

  Yes, as long as you walk the whole route. From Sarria to Santiago it is just over 110 km, above the 100 km that the Pilgrim's Office requires to be walked (200 km by bicycle) to obtain the Compostela. That is why Sarria is the most popular starting point: it is the closest start that meets the requirement.

• What is the difference between completing the Camino from Sarria in 5 or 6 stages?

  The 6-stage version breaks the longest days (the area of Palas de Rei – Melide – Arzúa) into shorter sections, with days ranging from 14 to 25 km. It is ideal if you walk at a leisurely pace, travel with family, with seniors, or if it is your first Camino. The 5-stage version is slightly more demanding but equally manageable.

• Why do the Camino from Sarria in 6 stages if you are travelling with a dog?

  Because it spreads the effort better for both of you. It is the same 116 km route, but the 29 km stage between Palas de Rei and Arzúa is split into two days of 15 and 14 km, with a night in Melide, so no day is longer than 25 km. It is the ideal choice if your dog is not used to walking for many hours in a row or if you are travelling in hot weather, when its paws suffer most.

• Can I do the Camino from Sarria with more than one dog?

  Yes, but let us know when you book. As a general rule, each booking includes one dog, and the accommodation only accepts one per room, whatever its size. If you are travelling with two or more, you will need one person per room and dog, because several pets cannot sleep in the same room. With that information we arrange dog-friendly accommodation at every stop from Sarria to Santiago.

• Can I take my dog into the pulperías in Melide?

  It depends on each place, so ask before going in. The Camino from Sarria is increasingly dog-friendly, but not every bar and restaurant allows dogs inside. On the stage ending in Melide, the capital of pulpo á feira, you will have plenty of pulperías to choose from, and the usual thing is to ask place by place. Remember that you bring your dog's food and bowl.

• What is the best time of year to do the Camino from Sarria with a dog?

  If you can, avoid periods of extreme heat and heavy rain: dogs can take a lot, but in the heat their paws suffer more. If your dates are not flexible, get your dog good gear, with boots and a raincoat. In high summer, the 6-stage format from Sarria helps, because no day is longer than 25 km.