help with planning the trip

[BarbO]

Hello, my sister and I would like to walk the camino in Sept 2013, we only have 4 weeks..we are not really experienced walkers at all !..can anyone advise us on whether we should take an organised tour..I am not really keen on paying for something that we can organise ourselves..realistically how much can we really do in a month..? how do we get there? how much does it cost?..can we do some on horseback? I have seen a youtube advert for doing on the camino on horseback..we woud'nt mind doing a few days of this..how much money do we need to take with us..we need lots of info..anyone that can send me any info would be much appreciated..people have told us to be aware of the gypsies in Paris etc..we are 50 and 48 yrs..old thankyou for any info..Regards Barb

 

[tyrrek]

Hi Barb! Just browse the forum and pick up ideas. There are also books such as Silvia Nilsen's (not sure about spelling) that help you plan.

In a month you can do the whole Camino Frances from St Jean to Santiago. However it would take most inexperienced walkers a bit longer. Consider whether or not you want to continue to Finisterre/Muxia, whether or not you want a couple of rest days, or want to spend a couple of days enjoying Santiago.... Then you'll find a good starting point. Buen Camino!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Information on horses:

el-camino-frances/topic14237.html

 

[miguel_gp]

Sillydoll posted a useful, downloadable document with tips for first timers in this post

Good uck with your planning.
Mig

 

[Freetime]

Barb,
Sillydoll's post, that Miguel sent you to, contains a link. For me the link gave an error that basically says it couldn't find the download. Perhaps Ivar or one of the forum moderators can look into that if it was stored/linked here or maybe Sillydoll has it someplace else on the web that we may be able to get to.
Tony

 

[JohnnieWalker]

It works for me:

el-camino-frances/topic16108.html#p113990

 

[Freetime]

I don't know what's going on then... the link "within"Sillydoll's post (not the link "to" her post) still gives errors.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You need Microsoft Word to read it, and a fairly recent edition, I suspect!

 

[bklyntraveller]

Just a little heads up about the first week in May. 01May is a holiday in Spain and other European countries. Last year the Camino was very busy with my Spainards taking a long weekend to complete or continue their Camino. Book albergues where possible in advance so you don't have to walk a longer distance than you are capable of as you begin your Camino. Buen Camino-Brigid

 

[bklyntraveller]

Barb,

You have a number of questions that I am sure you will find the answers to here on this forum. I walked my first Camino last year. I had the opportunity to walk it in two parts beginning in St Jean in late April and walking (with some bus parts) to Leon. I then returned to the US for the hot and crowded summer months and continued my journey on Sept 11th in Leon to Santiago (again with some bus parts). The key to getting a Compestela is to walk from Sarria to Santiago which is the last 62 miles or 100 km. I am 65 years old and not in the best of shape nor an experienced hiker but I did it in 3 weeks from Leon to Santiago. Doing that part (Leon to Santiago) is really possible within a month. Allow yourselves time to get to your starting point giving time for adjusting to the time zone before you take on the challenge. I travelled to MADRID and then took a train to Leon. I walked probably 10-15 km a day. I don't think I ever did more than that. I recommend you take your Iphone or ipad like device with you (with the chip removed thus no roamming charges) to use in free wifi areas for communication and information. I did not encounter many on horseback but there is enough cow feces along the Camino in Galicia for walkers to avoid. I would also encourage you to listen to the advice of everyone about not taking too much stuff. I thought of myself as an efficient packer (22" carryon bag anywhere I went) but it is different when you have to carry your needs on your back all day everyday. The service offered for transporting the luggage is excellent, efficient and reasonably priced so don't let that stop you from enjoying this journey. Buen Camino

 

[tyrrek]

Doing that part (Leon to Santiago) is really possible within a month.

Yes, and typically would take significantly shorter, maybe a couple of weeks if you walk at a fairly average pace. I'd be looking at somewhere like Logrono/Burgos as a starting point for ease of access, distance, and flexibility. Buen Camino!