"The Pilgrims of Mars" Travel the Camino de Santiago: An Adventure of Inclusion and Improvement
Santiago de Compostela. The Camino de Santiago is witnessing yet another year a moving and powerful initiative: the journey of "The Pilgrims of Mars." Starting June 28, 2025, families with children and young people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), accompanied by family and Discamino volunteers, begin a five-day pilgrimage full of physical, psychological and spiritual challenges.
The group, which travels on adapted tricycles (except for the final stage), will complete its journey on July 2. That day, everyone—pilgrims, families and sponsors, led by the Association of Galician Doctors (ASOMEGA)— will complete the last kilometers on foot, from Milladoiro to the emblematic Plaza del Obradoiro in Santiago.
A Path Made in Company
"For all this, thinking about them, we do not want or desire to do this Camino de Santiago alone," he says. Mercedes Ancochea Bermúdez, lawyer and president of the Los Peregrinos de Marte Association, and mother of Santi. She extends an open invitation to society: "We want you to join us, to be excited about our achievements, to help us, to become volunteers, collaborators, sponsors and to be accomplices of this great project and experience the magic of the Camino de Santiago with our sons and daughters."
The Camino de Santiago offers a "double opportunity" to these families, allowing a valuable break from the stressful routine of ASD. For boys and girls, who train in spring, it is an opportunity to gain freedom and participate in a physical and mental activity like any other child. For families and caregivers, it is a respite, a space to come together and feel supported by society.
Humanism as the Engine of the Project
He Dr. Julio Ancochea Bermúdez, president of ASOMEGA, Santi's uncle and Mercedes' brother, highlights the fundamental role of solidarity in this project. «Asomega understands medicine as science, art, values and feelings. And the feeling involves vindicating the values that adorn our profession; among them, humanization, solidarity and generosity shine," he emphasizes. ASOMEGA's involvement seeks to ensure that these young people "feel deeply satisfied and continue dreaming about the beauty of their dreams."
The route of the Pilgrims of Mars includes daily stages of about 20 kilometers by tricycle, under the supervision of the Civil Guard: from Vigo to Baiona (21 km), from the Monastery of Armenteira to Villanueva de Arousa (25 km) and from Villanueva de Arousa to Pontecesures (20 km). The last day, 5 km on foot, from Milladoiro. In the afternoons, the group enjoys moments of recreation on the beach and resting in a hostel.
This trip not only strengthens the participants physically and psychologically, but also creates a united and supportive group. As Dr. Ancochea points out, the Camino offers a "therapeutic blessing", culminating in the spiritual aspect when you reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, where "the apostle Santiago will receive you with open arms."
The project has the key support of ABANCA, which finances most of the event and has committed to seeking more sponsors for the Camino de Santiago 2026. Various entities such as Supra Gamboa, Cebis sport, Hotel Madrid Río, CR Madrid, Naranjas Miguelito, Sasha Style, Loterías San Judas Tadeo, Carsmarobe, BH, Onirico and Cantabria Labs Spain, also collaborate in this inspiring initiative.
