Institute pilgrimages

Is it time?

Do you desire reflective time to consider your life purpose and direction, want to walk in beautiful places, and have deeper connections with others? For centuries, people all over the world have chosen to walk as a way to see the world and themselves with new eyes.

Our specially designed 9-day pilgrimages in Europe immerse you in two journeys which happen on the same path.

We hope you’ll give yourself the gift of being on a stunning walk with plenty of reflective time, and the opportunity to meet a small band of like-minded souls who know that getting away from it all is a powerful way to gain perspective and make decisions about the next period of your life.

If you're interested in joining us, please get in touch and we'll make sure you're the first to know when applications open.

Announcing our 2023 pilgrimage to the Channel Islands!

We have all the preparation done for our 2023 Pilgrimage to the Channel Islands off the coast of France. It will be our only pilgrimage in 2023. We'll stay a few days each on the Isle's of Guernsey, Jersey, and Sark, taking short ferry rides between each and walking a stunning combination of beach and woodland with a few surprises added along the way. The Channel Islands/Jersey airport is VERY inexpensive and easy to get to, with short connecting flights from several UK airports. You can also get to Jersey from Paris with a combination of train and ferry, although it is more expensive and time-consuming.

Pilgrimage guide

Bruce Anderson

Dates

Depart US/Canada

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Depart Jersey (JER)

Monday, September 11, 2023 

“The combination of elements on this journey, both along the trail and internally, hit on something really big. I get what I’m here to do at a whole other level. Something profound happened by walking every day with a small group of fellow curious folks that I couldn’t anticipate. The time to reflect on what matters most, while surrounded by nature, made me feel more alive and clear than I have in years.”

Danae Johnson, executive coach, British Columbia

Our Itinerary

Saturday, September 2

Depart USA/Canada

It’s time to start! You’ll depart your home on Saturday and arrive Sunday on Isle of Jersey. Don’t forget, most of us will lose a day crossing the ocean because of time changes! (Note: your lodging is covered beginning on September 3 through the night of September 10.) 

Sunday, September 3

Arriving on the Isle of Jersey is a beautiful experience. If you approach by air, you’ll be able to see the famous golden sands and clear blue waters of St. Brelade’s Bay, and a glimpse of the historic Elizabeth Castle on a small island off the coast, close to St. Helier, the Islands capital.  You’ll meet fellow Pilgrims upon your arrival in the mid-afternoon. We will coordinate with each of you to be sure you know how to get to our Inn, where to meet up with everyone, and what to do if there are any travel glitches. We are prepared for most anything since we’ve done this more than 25 times on various routes in Europe! Depending on when you arrive, you’ll have some time to relax, rest up, and wander around the village. Once everyone has arrived, we’ll meet up for our initial orientation, trade a few stories, and share our first dinner together.

Monday, September 4

We know you’ll appreciate NOT having to pack your stuff and lug it to the taxi before breakfast. Yes, we’re staying in our same Inn on Monday night. There are so many paths on Jersey to explore! We’ve chosen a couple connected paths, part of the Jersey Coastal Path, that give us a variety of views of the seacoast, villages, and inland paths. We’ll be walking mid-morning through late afternoon and arrive back at our inn to put our feet up, share a beverage, and reflect on our day before dinner.

Tuesday, September 5

It’s up for an early breakfast and then to the docks for our first ferry ride. We’re going to the Isle of Guernsey. It’s a short ride, so we’ll be there by 10:30. After touching in at the hotel, we’ll be off for a walk around the island on a combination of ocean paths and narrow lanes typical of the islands. We’ll be back in the late afternoon in time to rest a bit before our evening reflection time and then dinner.

Wednesday, September 6

YES, we’re going to stay a second night in this Inn. No rushing, no packing, just a leisurely breakfast and then walking a different part of the Isle of Guernsey. We wonder if it’s possible to see too many Guernsey cows? Or waves crashing against ocean cliffs? Or stone cottages in picturesque valleys that say, “Come live here!”

Thursday, September 7

It’s up for breakfast and catching the 10am ferry to the Isle of Sark, an hour or so voyage. Sark is known for the banning of auto’s (except tractors!) so it has developed its own sense of ancient charm over the years. Much smaller than Guernsey or Jersey, it has a surprising number of natural elements unique to the Islands. We’ll have lunch after our arrival and then we have a special and very unique event planned for the afternoon hours that is sure to please. Then back at our hotel, as usual, for our reflective time together and shared meal.

Friday, September 8

We’re waking up on the Isle of Sark, refreshed after not hearing any vehicles driving by our windows during the night. We’ll explore Sark’s many natural wonders, rugged coastline and historic landmarks including the Sark Windmill and the La Seigneurie Gardens as we walk the perimeter of the Island. Sark has been designated a Dark Sky Island, which means it has very limited light pollution, offering some of the best views of the night sky in the world.

Saturday, September 9

It’s up and off to the close-by ferry dock for a short ride back to Isle of Guernsey. Back to Guernsey? Why? Isn’t it “been there, done that?” Oh, not at all. Guernsey is the largest of the Islands we are visiting and there is a beautiful part of the Island with some of the most stunning sites we’ve saved for our last day on Guernsey.

Sunday, September 10

This morning, we’ll hop on the ferry to Jersey. Coming full circle from our first day, we’ll savor the last ferry ride of our time together. Gazing out the window at the incredible beauty, recognizing places on the shoreline we’ve walked over the last days, and beginning to deeply appreciate the miles we’ve walked together, the friendships, and the reflective time each of us have had. We will take in our last walk together, seeing a different part of the Island, and then celebrate our final night together with our closing ritual and, of course, another of our wonderful meals.

Monday, September 11

You’ll wake up in your hotel and begin to make your way to wherever you are headed. Some will leave early for the airport and home, others may extend their stay by taking a ferry and then the train to Paris, others might spend an extra few days in the Islands. Whatever your plans are, you can be sure the beauty and positive energy of this time together will still be with you for days to come. Pilgrims know that there is a part of a pilgrimage that never ends, becoming part of the story of you.

Please note: This is our planned and reserved itinerary. Circumstances beyond our control may force slight changes along our route. Pilgrims are flexible!

Cost:

$2,500 USD

$500 deposit at time of Registration, refundable till June 15, 2023

Two payment options for balance of $2,000.00:

Option One: Pay full balance by July 5, 2023.

Option Two: We offer a payment plan of $250 per month for eight months with zero percent interest beginning July 1, 2023.

Both payment options for the balance of $2,000 will be available in the shopping cart on July 1, 2023. 

Includes:

• Double-occupancy lodging
• Baggage daily transportation between lodging
• Breakfasts and some planned lunches
• All entry fees to planned visitor attractions along the route
• All ferry and auto transportation along the route
• Facilitation of evening dialogues
• Guides along our route
• Surprise experiences and guides along our route

Does not include:

Transportation to and from Jersey Island.

Dinners and some lunches.

Special Covid Note:

There is currently no Covid testing requirement for entering the Channel Islands or returning to Canada or US. If that changes:

1. Participants are responsible for securing proof of negative-Covid test for arrival in Jersey if it is required at time of departure. We will inform you if required.

2. We will set up Covid testing at the conclusion of our pilgrimage if it is required for re-entry into your country of origin. Participants will be responsible for testing fee.

Channel Islands Information:

Browse these links to get more information about where we are going!

Jersey Island

https://www.britannica.com/place/Saint-Helier

Sark Island

https://www.britannica.com/place/Sark

Guernsey Island

https://www.britannica.com/place/Guernsey-island-and-bailiwick-Channel-Islands-English-Channels

Frequently asked questions

What will the weather be like?

We recommend Googling "Channel Islands, France" and add “average temperature.” A monthly average temperature chart will come up, and you can gauge the weather we’ll have based on that. 

Will I need to get a lot of special gear?

No. You’ll need some layered clothing, lite rain-gear, some sturdy walking shoes or trail-runners, and a few other things. Once registered, we’ll send you a standard detailed packing list.

What language is used in the Channel Islands?

Both English and French are used throughout the islands. 

Will I be carrying a heavy pack?

No. Your luggage will be transported each day by courier to our destination for that night. You will be bringing a small daypack to carry your snacks, rain-gear, and whatever else you might need for the day’s walk.

What is the age range?

Adults over 30 are welcome to apply.

Is this going to be physically demanding?

This is a walk, not an endurance test. We have a saying, "The faster you walk, the less you see." Participants are generally tired at the end of the day, but not exhausted. We want you to still have energy at the end of the day so we can meet for our evening sessions without you falling asleep!

How many miles do we walk each day?

The daily mileage varies from 5-12 miles. We generally are walking between 9:00am-4pm, take frequent breaks, so we can cover the miles without feeling like we are rushed. Past experience says we generally walk about 2 mph during the trek. This is the average speed of somebody walking down the street in your town.

What about the ferry's?

Yes, we will be taking several ferry trips during our stay in the Islands. All the trips are between 1-2 hours on large boats that traverse the Islands daily. The scenery is fantastic!!!

I need to make my travel plans. When do I need to be there?

Plan on arriving on the Isle of Jersey (JER airport) in the afternoon on September 3 and departing Jersey (JER) anytime on September 11. Your lodging is from September 3 thru September 10.

When you say average fitness, what do you mean?

The primary determiner for you should be whether or not you experience physical symptoms that would make daily walking uncomfortable or unsafe. Certainly, if you have current heart, joint, other serious medical conditions or your weight makes it very difficult for you to walk most of a day, you should not apply. If you are not a regular exercise walker, we recommend you download a walking app and take walks of different lengths to gauge your fitness level. We have never had a participant who was unable to complete the journey due to physical demands.

How large is our group?

We limit the group size to 8-9 participants and 1-2 guides depending on the location of the Pilgrimage. We’ve found this is the perfect size group for great conversation, not being too cumbersome to move on the paths, and perfect for filling up a B&B!

What happens during the evening sessions?

We will meet most evenings for 1 - 1.5 hours, either right before or right after dinner. The sessions are designed to help you reflect on who you are, your hopes for the next period of your life, and commitments you want to make involving activities, careers, relationships, and personal development. They are designed with a variety of short activities including telling stories, writing short reflections, silence, and sharing ideas. This is not therapy! This is not forced sharing of stories you are not comfortable telling the world! We want you to look forward to gathering with other participants and getting and giving inspiration.

What other costs might I have beyond the registration fee?

We cover accommodations, in-country travel which is part of our itinerary, admissions to special events, breakfasts, guides, and evening facilitation. The registration fee does not include your airfare. We provide breakfast each day, but you will be responsible for most lunches and all of your dinners. Walkers often bring a little extra money to purchase souvenirs along the way.

What is the "route transportation" you refer to?

Our route involves us taking several short van and boat rides. Previous participants have told us they enjoy these rides as another way to see the countryside, meet locals, and rest your legs for a short while!

Is it possible for us to get lost?

We are not in remote wilderness. We are walking between towns on established trails, country lanes, or beaches.

Will my health insurance cover me overseas?

Many health plans cover travelers going outside the US, but you should check with your specific provider for coverages and what to do in case of illness or accident in order for your insurance to cover the costs. The organizers of this trek do not provide health or personal effects insurance of any type for participants. 

What are the accommodations?

We are staying in a variety of different hotels and inns, all of them average quality. This is not a luxury tour! The registration fee is based on double-occupancy. We try to switch roommates, when it’s agreeable to participants, so each night so you have the opportunity to get to know each other.

What about getting money when I am walking?

The Channel Islands have their own currency, Pound Sterling. It is not used or transferrable to other countries in Europe. We encourage Pilgrims to visit an ATM upon arrival and get a small amount of local currency for incidentals, and to keep getting small amounts as needed. Our groups often pool our money for dinners as a courtesy so the staff don't have to issue 10 different checks, so having a small amounts of cash is necessary! But you will also use debit and credit cards for some meals and all your other purchases. There is easy access to ATM machines in the Islands, and credit or debit cards are widely used. Don’t forget to notify your bank prior to departure.

What about bringing electronic gadgets?

There is no right answer to this. Most walkers come on trips specifically to get away from the demands of staying connected all the time, and believe bringing a cell phone offers the basic contact, email, and emergency connecting they need. Other walkers can’t imagine leaving home without their laptop or iPad. Be aware that you will have very limited time to be connected, usually only early morning and after the evening sessions are completed. We discourage cell use during the day, except in emergency, since we are in the midst of nature and it’s hard to focus when bells and whistles are going off around you!

What about getting work done while I am on this trip?

We strongly recommend you NOT plan on getting significant work done while on this trip. You will not have the available time, and experience tells us it usually interrupts a participant’s ability to really be present with others and the magnificent beauty we will be surrounded by. Many participants do some brief checking in with home or work in the evening to catch up with important details.

If I choose not to bring electronics, what about emergencies?

The guides have cell phones with international calling plans and emergency numbers that you can use if you need to.

Do you have recommendations for setting up my cell phone calling plan for this trip?

Most all of the places we will stay at have internet access, although it is often slower than the speeds we are used to. Some, but not all, have cell phone signal. Many participants download WhatsApp so they can use wi-fi for their phone calls. Many walkers add unlimited international texting to their phone plan, since the cost is low to do that. Most cell providers now have a $10 per day unlimited phone and text option you can sign up for prior to leaving for the trip. 

“Walking with the Core Gift Institute gave me a whole new confidence in myself and my abilities to succeed physically, socially, and mentally.”

Juanita, pilgrimage participant