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It's my understandind that self guided tours basically give you a list of place to sleep each night where a bed is waiting for you and arrange for luggage transportation. what else do they do that I am not aware of and that could help in case of a twisted ankle or having something stolen? They don't have reps crisscrossing the Camino checking up on people, ready to step up in case you need help, so ....Is it more expensive to do it that way? Yes
Is it necessary to do it that way? No
Does it make things simpler to do it that way? Yes
We each need to decide how we choose to do our own travels, and which of those questions above take priority. I hope you enjoy your journey!
It's my understandind that self guided tours basically give you a list of place to sleep each night where a bed is waiting for you and arrange for luggage transportation. what else do they do that I am not aware of and that could help in case of a twisted ankle or having something stolen? They don't have reps crisscrossing the Camino checking up on people, ready to step up in case you need help, so ....
We have an OP that is a new member and is posting for the first time. In the spirit of what I believe this forum is about, I was simply trying to be helpful and answer the question posed: Best Tour Companies For The Last Stage. I am not going to enter into a debate here about whether tour companies need or need not be used. We can all make our own decisions in that regard. You are certainly entitled to your view, which I respect. IMHO the main thing here is that someone is planning to do a Camino, and should be commended for it.
I would like to do the last part of El Camino next year but for my own peace of mind and safety, I would like to be on some sort of organized tour. I am most after some peace of mind and help in case an emergency strikes - luggage being stolen, twisted ankle, perhaps a scary criminal incident. I'd like directions, not carting my bags, etc. I do not want to be coddled however. I am intrigued by the fact that there are self-guided Caminos through various tour companies but I have no idea which is a good tour company. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions. Thanks!
I fully agree with every word above Doogman. I have to say that I was quite surprised and somewhat disappointed with a couple of the rather critical and, INMHO unthinking responses above. Would also like to say, that, for some of us, this may well not be the PCT or any other trail quoted, but, it most definitely cannot be classed as and I quote: "it's a day after day stroll from village to village on path that is tranvelled by bus loads of people, and taxi loads as well. You will never be alone, you should be so lucky." Also, Buses and taxis were not in evidence, criss crossing the Camino when I walked it in 2013 and 2014. SusanaweeWe have an OP that is a new member and is posting for the first time. In the spirit of what I believe this forum is about, I was simply trying to be helpful and answer the question posed: Best Tour Companies For The Last Stage. I am not going to enter into a debate here about whether tour companies need or need not be used. We can all make our own decisions in that regard. You are certainly entitled to your view, which I respect. IMHO the main thing here is that someone is planning to do a Camino, and should be commended for it.
... I am most after some peace of mind and help in case an emergency strikes - luggage being stolen, twisted ankle, perhaps a scary criminal incident. I'd like directions, not carting my bags, etc. I do not want to be coddled however. ...
I would like to do the last part of El Camino next year but for my own peace of mind and safety, I would like to be on some sort of organized tour. ... I am intrigued by the fact that there are self-guided Caminos through various tour companies but I have no idea which is a good tour company. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions. Thanks!
....SNIP.... I am from South Africa so can deal with that and my husband and his school friend will be with me but it's not the type of experience we are interested in. Having said that I need to know - how did you go about accomodation? Just simply walk and pitch up or was it preplanned - prebooking - prepaid? The camino companies sound like sharks to me and I have been chatting to them and realise that it's opening the door to massive exploitation but I have to convince my walking partners we can walk without prebooking accomodation. Please no nasty comments - I am genuinly seeking advice.
From what you say, I would strongly recommend that you simply avoid May through September, and do not make any reservations except perhaps your first night. Once you get on the road, you can reserve a day ahead, if you want that certainty. October-November and March-April are great times to walk and you will have plenty of selection of all types of accommodation. The camino is generally a very safe place. Unless you are a very uncertain traveler, I think the tour groups add very little value.I am also trying to deciding to book my accomodation ahead or not.
.... 50% of the people who arrive to Santiago do so from Sarria, that is a whole lot of people on those 100km...
One can work out all sorts of percentages. You were probably thinking of this relationship (for 2015): according to the PO, about 67,000 in total started from Sarria and about 170,000 in total walked the Frances (the timeframe is not mentioned, however).What ever. Anyone can access the data from the PO site. What was the point being made?
I would like to do the last part of El Camino next year but for my own peace of mind and safety, I would like to be on some sort of organized tour. I am most after some peace of mind and help in case an emergency strikes - luggage being stolen, twisted ankle, perhaps a scary criminal incident. I'd like directions, not carting my bags, etc. I do not want to be coddled however. I am intrigued by the fact that there are self-guided Caminos through various tour companies but I have no idea which is a good tour company. I was hoping that I could get some suggestions. Thanks!
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