Efrén Gonzáles guided tour 2023

[Richard of York]

Everyone's favourite Camino vlogger, Efrén Gonzáles, is looking for people to accompany him in May/June on the Camino francés.

https://www.youtube.com/@Efren./community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4496011317168974/permalink/4922674984502603/

 

[OzAnnie]

That could be a sight
He’s very popular. It could look like a Conga line with Efren as the pied piper.

 

[woody66]

He’s very popular. It could look like a Congo line with Efren as the pied piper.

I arrive SJPP on the 2nd leave on the 4th; but by Valcarlos would be nice to say hi to Efren in SJPP!
Already booked the early stages as advised up to Estrella (as wanted to stay in a couple of specific accommodations) and hope to wing it from there to Fisterre.

I am not looking forward to the conga line from Sarria; so wouldn't want to walk the whole way in one
Although i expect Efren will be a font of knowledge and a joy to walk with.
Woody

 

[VNwalking]

Who wants to be in Efren's vlog, raise your hand.

Sorry, no thanks.

 

[wisepilgrim]

‘Looking for people to accompany him’ is a clever bit of marketing. Why not just call it what it is?

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Who wants to be in Efren's vlog, raise your hand.

Sorry, no thanks.

I wouldn't want to be in any vlog, but if I "had" to be in one, I'd pick Efren's every time; I enjoy his upbeat, fun personality.

 

[WayWalker]

That could be a sight
He’s very popular. It could look like a Congo line with Efren as the pied piper.

I think he is limiting the amount of people.

 

[WayWalker]

And of course it is not free. He's trying out guiding just like other Camino tour companies which he is well equipped by now to do. If it's your thing it could be fun.

 

[David and Theresa]

It won't be for us slow strollers, lol

 

[Bob K (Phoenix)]

That could be a sight
He’s very popular. It could look like a Congo line with Efren as the pied piper.

FYI - it's a Conga Line . And following the Pied Piper was not a good thing. I do like Efren's vlogs, but this is not for me I think.

 

[Traveller44]

‘Looking for people to accompany him’ is a clever bit of marketing. Why not just call it what it is?

Wow, without the usual nicks and cuts of a blade

 

[trecile]

For those who want to avoid this group the itinerary starts May 4th from St Jean, and appears to follow Brierley stages with rest days in Burgos and León.

 

[Bob from L.A. !]

That could be a sight
He’s very popular. It could look like a Congo line with Efren as the pied piper.

Like the scene from the movie "Forest Gump"

 

[OzAnnie]

‘Looking for people to accompany him’ is a clever bit of marketing. Why not just call it what it is?

I must say - when I read the opening post ; I hadn’t clicked to the marketing aspect … rather dense of me . I was thinking he was just wanting a camino family but we know that can get big without planning.. I rather prefer a quiet walk .

And of course it is not free. He's trying out guiding just like other Camino tour companies which he is well equipped by now to do.

This does make sense - I wish him the best.

For those who want to avoid this group the itinerary starts May 4th from St Jean, and appears to follow Brierley stages with rest days in Burgos and León.

Thanks @trecile for adding the start date from SJPdP. That could help a lot of pilgrims who don’t want problems finding accommodation on their respective camino.

‘To each, his own ‘
Buen camino.

 

[Madamjoy]

Why do I feel manipulated? The post could say something like ‘tour guide available June blah blah blah.. let me know if you’re interested in joining a guided tour. Gracias

 

[trecile]

Why do I feel manipulated? The post could say something like ‘tour guide available June blah blah blah.. let me know if you’re interested in joining a guided tour. Gracias

@Richard of York was just passing on information he found. I think that he probably thought that some here might be interested.

 

[Richard of York]

‘Looking for people to accompany him’ is a clever bit of marketing. Why not just call it what it is?

Those are my words, not his. I'm merely passing on info I found on Youtube that people on the Camino forum might find interesting, and tried to make it as unjudgmental as possible, but clearly I failed.

 

[wisepilgrim]

Those are my words, not his. I'm merely passing on info I found on Youtube that people on the Camino forum might find interesting, and tried to make it as unjudgmental as possible, but clearly I failed.

No harm intended for the messager! Nor for the message itself. Perhaps in the brevity of my earlier comment I left a bit too much for the imagination.

I don't object in any way at all to Efren's undertaking only to the way it was presented (by him and re-conveyed by others). It is what it is and there is no need to pretend otherwise, on the contrary.

Caveat emptor; companies that offer guided tours in Spain are generally bonded for good reason. There are a dozen ways a guided tour can go wrong. When and if they do the organizer ought to have a way to make good on the arrangement. I have not read the fine print of his invitation so I don't know if this applies here.

 

[Richard of York]

I take it as being (1) he wants to make another camino video, he's running out of caminos so needs an interesting new twist, and (2) this is a trial run for a potential new commercial venture, in that order.

I don't know where this falls as far as insurance is concerned. Is it a tour or just a group of people walking together for a video? I guess those who get involved should ask those questions.

 

[trecile]

Caveat emptor; companies that offer guided tours in Spain are generally bonded for good reason. There are a dozen ways a guided tour can go wrong. When and if they do the organizer ought to have a way to make good on the arrangement. I have not read the fine print of his invitation so I don't know if this applies here.

It seems that he is planning to be a tour operator - this is what it says on the form that he is asking people to fill out:

What’s included in the guided tour? Logistics and bookings of all accommodations, a guide (me), car rental, and a driver for the group if we all agree, pilgrim passports, Compostela (free), and a scallop shell. Flights, meals, laundromats, tips, and hiking gear are not included.

Are tour operators in Spain required to be bonded or licensed?

 

[wisepilgrim]

Are tour operators in Spain required to be bonded or licensed?

Yes

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I take it as being (1) he wants to make another camino video, he's running out of caminos so needs an interesting new twist, and (2) this is a trial run for a potential new commercial venture, in that order.

I don't know where this falls as far as insurance is concerned. Is it a tour or just a group of people walking together for a video? I guess those who get involved should ask those questions.

Efren's walks are not only related to caminos; I have recently watched videos on his newest hikes. I've seen his walk in South America; the Annapurna base camp hike, and now I'm watching his newest on the Mont Saint Blanc tour; his next adventure is walking a famous pilgrimage in Japan. I don't think he is running out of ideas; I just think he is looking at ways to increase his livelihood and why not?...others do, even here.
I doubt he is purposely trying to mislead. It was mentioned renting a car, so I'm sure it would seem that his plan must be to take a very small group; hardly a conga line....but possibly a driving tour?

Rick Steve's, after years of some success with his European travel videos began offering bus tours, and I don't think he was personally leading most of them himself.

@Anniesantiago and Joe have taken numerous small groups on the Camino. She has talked about the issue of purchasing group insurance and would be a good one to weigh in on the potential pitfalls.

Edited to correct typos.

 

[trecile]

I doubt he is purposely trying to mislead. It was mentioned renting a car, so I'm sure it would seem that his plan must be to take a very small group; hardly a conga line....but possibly a driving tour?

The ininerary he has laid out is definitely a walking tour following Brierley stages. I would guess that the possibility of the car would be for group members who couldn't walk on certain days for whatever reason.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

The ininerary he has laid out is definitely a walking tour following Brierley stages. I would guess that the possibility of the car would be for group members who couldn't walk on certain days for whatever reason.

Yes, I already knew that! My driving tour comment was only a joke.
Yes, I've occasinally seen tour company vans on the Frances waiting at times to pick up tired or injured pilgrims.

 

[WayWalker]

Everyone's favourite Camino vlogger, Efrén Gonzáles, is looking for people to accompany him in May/June on the Camino francés.

https://www.youtube.com/@Efren./community
https://www.facebook.com/groups/4496011317168974/permalink/4922674984502603/

Dear fellow Peregrinos, I have been following Efrèn almost since the beginning he is an excellent vlogger. One of the best out there in my opinion. I am familiar, because I read his posts, with this new idea he is embarking on trying, in mind. He explained that he would limit it to ten people. I don't believe you will need to compromise or recreate your travel plans around this group. Buen Camino!

 

[Atlas Traveler]

I've led groups before and always purchase insurance for the group. Not only does it protect the travelers but limits my liability as well. I'm able to sleep better If the group I'm traveling with doesn't have a group policy, then I will purchase an individual plan.

 

[trecile]

Efrén posted this today on FB and YouTube:

I'm currently in talks to collaborate with an established Camino tour company that operates in Spain.

 

[trecile]

And now we know - it will cost 3236 Euros for 36 nights in dorms to walk from SJPdP to Finisterre with Efrén (no meals or pack transport included).
But for that price you do get a credential, scallop shell, and a guidebook too.

Walk with Efrén González in 2023 on the Camino de Santiago - Pilgrim Paths

"Hello pilgrims, my name is Efrén González and I’m a travel adventure vlogger. I would like to invite you to join me on a pilgrimage along the legendary Camino de Santiago de Compostela. I will show you the beauty of northern Spain, the food, the culture, and the sites. We’ll walk through...

pilgrimpaths.org