Tour operators

[Chase]

Hello,

My wife and I are planning to celebrate our 50th bday by walking the last 115km of the Camino and would like to invite family & friends various ages and abilities..to make our thing efficient and to get 20 or so people on the same page we thought it using a tour operator would be good.. Does anyone have any good recommendations? much appreciated..

Chase & Gigi

 

[CaptBuddy]

I did not use a tour company. But I think this is typical of what you'll find for the last 100+ km of the CF.
http://www.pilgrimroutes.com/the-walks/sarria-santiago.aspx

I've met folks who were on tours that offered part of the day walking, and part by bus. All lodging and food arrangements were done for them.
There are many options.
Have a great adventure. Buen Camino.

 

[Juno]

Hello,

My wife and I are planning to celebrate our 50th bday by walking the last 115km of the Camino and would like to invite family & friends various ages and abilities..to make our thing efficient and to get 20 or so people on the same page we thought it using a tour operator would be good.. Does anyone have any good recommendations? much appreciated..

Chase & Gigi

Hi Chase & Gigi, there are lots of Camino Agencies on the web, several in Dublin, Ireland. It's a good idea to find out what they all offer in terms of costs, quality of accommodation & support on the Camino. I just put Camino de Santiago travel agencies on the web browser and it came up with at least five agencies. Good luck and happy planning.

 

[jsalt]

Hi Chase & Gigi, if you like to do things in style I can highly recommend http://www.inntravel.co.uk/
Unfortunately, they do not appear to have jumped on the Camino bandwagon, but they do have other walking holidays in Spain. Jill

 

[Chase]

Thank you so much.. i have found a few and looking for some feedback on some - i realize the folks on this site dont use the tour operators but i thought i would give it a shot.. much thanks

I am playing with idea of planning it myself but can't find any real ratings on the accommodation and see there are alot of places that are not on the Camino and then there are options to take a taxi to hotels each day and not sure about those options. I'm already feeling a bit self consious about not carrying my own bag and doing taxis everyday just seems too much ... anyway,
thanks for responses..

Buen Camino

 

[Wiebmer]

We're 1/2 way through the Camino Frances and Camino Ways out of Dublin has done a wonderful job. Lovely hotels, great transport of our luggage -- very professional. You're going to love the Camino! We do.... Ning

 

[jirit]

I can recommend Fresco Tours. You can say to Alex from me.

You won't be disappointed

https://www.frescotours.com

 

[Bala]

I can give a second-hand referral: I flew back from Madrid last fall seated across from a couple who had booked their Camino through Camino Ways. They had only good things to say about them. Their arrangements had gone smoothly and they loved the variety and charm of places they'd stayed. They were a party of 4, and had started in Sarria, much as you seem to be planning. Incidentally, once I identified myself as a future peregrino, they talked pretty much non-stop for 6 hours about their experience, even changing seats so they could each do some sharing. I'd say they enjoyed their Camino.

I'd second the above suggestions of checking with a few companies, compare prices and service and see which you like best. Good luck!

 

[DurhamParish]

I went with a group of people (including my wife) on a guided tour from Sarria to Santiago just this past April. This tour took care of everything. If you have any people in the group who are "doubtful" as to whether they would be able to complete the walk, this organized tour would be one to consider. They have full van support; they have an experienced guide to care for your every need; posh places to stay; they meet you three or four times a day at appropriate stopping points to ensure that you are doing okay and provide you with snacks and water; provide you with cell phones; ensure a botafumiero swing at your Pilgrim Mass; and more that I can't think of right now.

Our group were all over 60 (except for me, and it won't be too much longer till I am) and we had varying abilities to walk, but each and every one made it and were very proud of themselves. The tour group operator is:

http://marlycamino.com/

The specific tour we took was:

http://marlycamino.com/camino/buen-camino/

They can also do custom tours if you contact them. I can recommend them without hesitation.

 

[Chase]

Thank you so much for your responses. I will focus on these for now - Galicia Roots, follow the Camino & Walks in Spain. thanks again
Chase & Gigi

 

[esmess]

Hey chase
I'm a new member too and just finished my own camino, short version of sarria to santiago. I did use a tour operator and I have to say I kind of regret it.
I was going alone and felt I needed that support but I feel like some of the accomodation they arranged took me right off the path and out of the vibe of the Camino .
Whoever you go with just make sure you really check out the accomodation arranged.
I realise now I cd have easily find it alone but then again I probably never wd have gone without that support.
I feel like I'll def go again, but no tour companies next time!
But I completely understand the feeling of needing one when you've never done such s thing before - as I hadn't either!
I still really loved it but thonk I missed out on some yhings
Buen Camino!

 

[SYates]

Hi @esmess I think the main point why the OP is looking into tour operators is that he is planning to go with a group of around 20 people. SY

 

[esmess]

Heh heh yeah I really should have read thd whole post! That makes sense then to use s tour operator !

 

[Chase]

Thanks esmess, as SYates mentioned - i have a group and just can't carry the expectations of everyone..otherwise i would do it alone.. If you dont mind , could you tell me what company you use and the accommodations and what you thought of them? please send in private message . I appreciate the feedback and am actually thinking now of doing the Camino alone with my wife then meet up with everyone in Sarria with tour operator..
thanks

chase

 

[VNwalking]

This year a friend and I did a 'fusion Camino:' I'd been walking alone since SJPP, and she joined me in Fromista. The arrangements after that were not simple, as one of us could carry a pack and one of us could not. But Rayo Travel arranged all manner of things for her, and we couldn't have been happier. They were very helpful, flexible, and very professional--and they know the Camino.
https://rayotravel.com/

 

[esmess]

Thanks esmess, as SYates mentioned - i have a group and just can't carry the expectations of everyone..otherwise i would do it alone.. If you dont mind , could you tell me what company you use and the accommodations and what you thought of them? please send in private message . I appreciate the feedback and am actually thinking now of doing the Camino alone with my wife then meet up with everyone in Sarria with tour operator..
thanks

chase

I'm happy to do that! I'm not sure how to send a private message though! If you send me one I'll reply