Camino de Santiago de Compostela

[martind]

I am intending to walk the Via de la Plata next year, but have a weak back and would like to arrange for my baggage to be transferred each day. This is possible on some other pilgrim routes, but is there any organisation for baggage transfer on the Via de la Plata?

[JohnnieWalker]

Not that I know of and I'd be interested to find out if such exists - but I think it is unlikely to be honest.

[omar504]

I've been on the vdlp 3 times and never seen baggage transfer offered. I did see it offered and operating from Le Puy.

[sillydoll]

Many pilgrims on the Camino Frances use the local taxi services to have their baggage transported from one hotel to the next. Most pilgrim shelters don't accept pilgrims who use vehicle back up services but many of the new, private shelters don't mind. Perhaps you could try this on the vdlp? Even if your bag is transported 2 or 3 stages ahead you could then walk with a light day pack containing essentials only.

[JohnnieWalker]

Sil - that was in my mind but I wonder about costs. Taxis cost approximately 1 euro per kilometer so on average that would add 25 euros per day on to the costs. The other problem is that some of the vilages are in remote areas where it is a major exercise to get a taxi - but of course if these can be overcome it is perfectly feasible

[lynnejohn]

So if baggage transfer turns out to be unlikely on the VDLP, the option is pack extremely light with only the bare necessities using an ultra-light pack - you can keep <5K if you really try. This will be quite easy on your back.

lynne

[Margot Sharman]

We were able to send our luggage on each day for a cost of 3E each. We had prebooked our hotels and this I believe is the key. At each hotel, they gave us a luggage label to address to the next hotel. This system was very efficient and we found our bags had been stored very securely. A great service.

[JohnnieWalker]

Margot - on the Via de la Plata? Please tell us more - which company did you use?

[omar504]

On the VDLP!!!

[rlt]

Margot ,
We ( My hubby and I) plan to walk the Via de la Plata in April /May 2010. We are interested in baggage transfer and pre-booking of hotels. How did you do this?
Louise

[JohnnieWalker]

Margot

Unlike the Camino Frances there is no established luggage transfer system on the Via de la Plata. It will have to be organised by requesting each hotel you stay in to call a taxi to take your luggage forward to the next place - or as Lynn suggested perhaps two or three stages forward so you can walk with light day packs. There aren't hotels everywhere along the Via de la Plata and sometimes accommodation has to be in very small hostales or indeed albergues. But it is perfectly possible to do with careful planning. I'd advise you to consult Frank in the Camino Travel Centre and discuss your itinerary and needs with him.

http://www.caminotravelcenter.com/

Let us know how you get on please.

John

[sillydoll]

You can plan your daily stages using the Godesalco website planner:

http://www.godesalco.com/plan/plata

* How to use the http://www.godesalco.com/plan website to plan your daily schedule:

Once connected to the site click on English
Click on the route you are doing – Via de la Plata
Click on the circle to the left of the town where you are starting, eg: Seville
Scroll down to the town where you will finish, Santiago, and click on the right circle.
You can write your name in the space provided, then click on SEND THIS FORM

In the new page, the mileage between each village and town will be displayed. Click on each place where you would like to stay. If you are planning on walking 20km per day, click on the town closest to the 20km distance displayed to the left of the town.
Eg: Seville is ticked. Click on Guillena – 22,8km will be displayed.
Then click on Castilblanco de los Arroyos and 17.8km will be displayed.
Continue choosing your overnight stops until you have reached Santiago.
Enter the dates of your pilgrimage in the space provided at the bottom of the page.
Click on SEND THIS FORM
The next window will offer you different documents to download with your daily schedule, profile of the route etc.
Tip: Only use the 'Go Back' facility on the webpage. If you click on the BACK arrow you will lose the pages.

[FreerangerMartin]

The helpful LindaMar owners write: "I'm sure we can arrange for your rucksacks to be taken to Carnaveral and dropped off at hostal Malaga. It is our local village so if we aren't going for things for the hotel I'm sure someone will be."

Martin