Hi all,
Wondering if any of you have had experience with using a Camino de Santiago tour operator for hiking the Camino. I understand they will trek the majority of your luggage for you from night to night. We will be a group of 60-70 year old women - good walkers, but we are concerned about carrying everything on our backs and still enjoying the walk. We want to do a 21 day trip in September 2020 and will probably start in Leon or Burgos. Would love any advice I can get!
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7160 posts
A friends of my wife’s talked us into a 5 day walk from Sarria to Santiago later this year. Her friend is going through MacsAdventure. It’s website is www.macsadventure.com.
It will arrange transport for your bag from one hotel to the next, as well as arrange accommodations if you want to stay at hotels rather than the pilgrim albergues. I know there are other companies out there, so a dedicated Camino forum could provide other operators.
Posted by
Frankfurt, Germany
9221 posts
There is no need to pay extra money to a tour company. You can have your bags transferred every day for about 5€. Every hotel, every albergue, every pension has information about this. Are you on any of the Camino forums? Like this one? Full of valuable information for you. One of the cons about having a tour company plan your day/night is that you are tied into their schedule for you and not one that takes into consideration injuries, illness, bad weather, or just stopping for the day when you see a place you like.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/
How many of you are in the group? There are a lot of albergues that offer dbl rooms at a great price. Anywhere from 25-45€ for the night. Meals run about 10€ p.p. for the pilgrim menu.
Many women of 60-70 actually carry their own packs. If they fit well and don't have more than 10% of your body weight, they aren't a problem. I am going back this fall for my 4th Camino walk and will be 64. Made it over the Pyrenees last Sept. carrying my pack.
Another recommended site would be a Camino FB page just for women, called Camigas. Very helpful in answering any questions you might have.
Message me if you have any questions. Love talking about the Camino! Am rather addicted.
Posted by
262 posts
Macs Adventures worked well for us a couple of years ago. Its a somewhat different experience than using just a transfer service and doing Alburgues tho....
Posted by
8 posts
I agree with everything Ms. Jo says.
You don't need a tour. Depending on the size of your group you might want to book several days in advance. There are many good resources to find interesting places to stay. Booking can usually be done by email - hospitaleros tend to be very responsive to email and you/they can use translation tools when necessary. At least one person in your group should have a local SIM card (I have had good luck with Orange) or a good international plan.
September is a great time of the year on the Camino. If you have time, consider walking to Finistere also. I walked from France to Finistere, then did the Spiritual Variant of the Portuguese route last September / October and had a fantastic time. ¡Buen Camino!