Sending Pack Ahead on Camino Portugese: Tips and Concerns

[SoulDesire]

I am starting my first Camino (Portugese) in April, and I intend to send my pack on as and when required, using Pilbeo. I have a few questions for those who have sent their packs ahead:

• Are the albergues/hostels, etc, open to receive the backpacks if they arrive before they are officially open for peregrinos?
• How far ahead do you need to book for the accommodations that are on Pilbeo’s list? What I mean is, do they need a lot of forward bookings, or can it be done ad hoc – day by day?
• Finally, what do the male peregrinos pack in their day-pack? I guess I’m packing a fear, that my main pack might be lost or delivered to the wrong accommodation. Does this happen?

 

[henrythedog]

I am starting my first Camino (Portugese) in April, and I intend to send my pack on as and when required, using Pilbeo. I have a few questions for those who have sent their packs ahead:

• Are the albergues/hostels, etc, open to receive the backpacks if they arrive before they are officially open for peregrinos?
• How far ahead do you need to book for the accommodations that are on Pilbeo’s list? What I mean is, do they need a lot of forward bookings, or can it be done ad hoc – day by day?
• Finally, what do the male peregrinos pack in their day-pack? I guess I’m packing a fear, that my main pack might be lost or delivered to the wrong accommodation. Does this happen?

Sometimes: although it’s not uncommon to find your pack outside an albergue or delivered to a local bar - at least on the Frances.
I don’t know
It’s rare. Carry anything valuable and your toothbrush.

 

[TerBear]

Jesus at Pilbeo is excellent to work with on day to day basis

 

[David Tallan]

I am starting my first Camino (Portugese) in April, and I intend to send my pack on as and when required, using Pilbeo. I have a few questions for those who have sent their packs ahead:

• Are the albergues/hostels, etc, open to receive the backpacks if they arrive before they are officially open for peregrinos?
• How far ahead do you need to book for the accommodations that are on Pilbeo’s list? What I mean is, do they need a lot of forward bookings, or can it be done ad hoc – day by day?
• Finally, what do the male peregrinos pack in their day-pack? I guess I’m packing a fear, that my main pack might be lost or delivered to the wrong accommodation. Does this happen?

It really depends on the albergue. I have vividly memories of the albergue not only refusing to receive a backpack shipped ahead, but refusing to accommodate the pilgrims who had shipped it (this was in 2018).

My advice is only to ship your backpack to an albergue where you have a reservation and confirm what their policies are about accepting shipped backpacks when making the reservation.

I can't answer the questions about Pilbeo's list or daypacks, because I'm not aware of the list nor do I tend to ship my backpack. But generally, I would expect your daypack to include: valuables, water, snacks, first aid items, camera equipment (if you bring it), weather-related items (rain jacket if wet weather is threatened, sun hat if you don't always wear one, etc.). In general, the things you might want during the walk as opposed to at the end of the day when you arrive. If you are considering putting anything in your daypack that you think you might really need overall, not just during the walk, then you might as well make it your regular pack and not ship. Because you shouldn't be bringing anything with you that you don't think you will really need.

 

[SoulDesire]

It really depends on the albergue. I have vividly memories of the albergue not only refusing to receive a backpack shipped ahead, but refusing to accommodate the pilgrims who had shipped it (this was in 2018).

My advice is only to ship your backpack to an albergue where you have a reservation and confirm what their policies are about accepting shipped backpacks when making the reservation.

I can't answer the questions about Pilbeo's list or daypacks, because I'm not aware of the list nor do I tend to ship my backpack. But generally, I would expect your daypack to include: valuables, water, snacks, first aid items, camera equipment (if you bring it), weather-related items (rain jacket if wet weather is threatened, sun hat if you don't always wear one, etc.). In general, the things you might want during the walk as opposed to at the end of the day when you arrive. If you are considering putting anything in your daypack that you think you might really need overall, not just during the walk, then you might as well make it your regular pack and not ship. Because you shouldn't be bringing anything with you that you don't think you will really need.

Pilbeo's web site, for any camino, have a route plan per stage, and if you click on the "villages" in that stage, it displays a list of the accommodations that Pilbeo pick up from and deliver to. One would assume that there would be no problem with them refusing a pack - it's just whether they would be open to receive it.

 

[henrythedog]

The carrier is unlikely to offer an option of delivery of a bag to a destination which will not accept it.

In any case the question might be better addressed to the carrier than some random folk on the internet.

 

[Tincatinker]

It really depends on the albergue. I have vividly memories of the albergue not only refusing to receive a backpack shipped ahead, but refusing to accommodate the pilgrims who had shipped it (this was in 2018).

My advice is only to ship your backpack to an albergue where you have a reservation and confirm what their policies are about accepting shipped backpacks when making the reservation.

I can't answer the questions about Pilbeo's list or daypacks, because I'm not aware of the list nor do I tend to ship my backpack. But generally, I would expect your daypack to include: valuables, water, snacks, first aid items, camera equipment (if you bring it), weather-related items (rain jacket if wet weather is threatened, sun hat if you don't always wear one, etc.). In general, the things you might want during the walk as opposed to at the end of the day when you arrive. If you are considering putting anything in your daypack that you think you might really need overall, not just during the walk, then you might as well make it your regular pack and not ship. Because you shouldn't be bringing anything with you that you don't think you will really need.

@David Tallan I like your list, though you seem to be implying that the pack that anyone forwards will contain nightwear, a change of underpants and perhaps a teddy-bear. They’ll need to carry everything else they might need on Camino

 

[David Tallan]

@David Tallan I like your list, though you seem to be implying that the pack that anyone forwards will contain nightwear, a change of underpants and perhaps a teddy-bear. They’ll need to carry everything else they might need on Camino

I like to bring three changes of clothes on my Caminos (wear one and carry two). So, with my list, were I to forward my pack it would contain: two sets of clothes, toiletries, towel, sleep sack, possibly a fleece or puffy jacket and/or rain jacket or poncho (depending on weather), pair of sandals, charger for my phone. A not insubstantial portion of what I am bringing.

 

[JacquelineA]

Due to injury I used Pilbeo 3 times.The first time I called the night before to arrange transfer. The other two times I just send a whatsapp the night before and they responded very quickly.
A lot of accomodation is on their list, if it’s not often there’s a central drop off/pickup point, just ask.