I know I want to do the Camino de Santiago, it’s been a goal of mine for many years and this is the year I am going to make it happen. But I have one big question, am I going to do it on my own or am I going with a group as part of a guided tour?
Deloras McGovern, Balintore.
There is no single answer to this Deloras, it really depends on one’s personality, one’s mood for the anticipated challenge and equally what exactly one wants from the whole experience.
There are merits and restrictions to each. For example with the guided tour you are going to experience the Camino with a group of pilgrims, you will be picked up from the airport and brought to your hotel, you will share hotels and possible eat together. That is not to say you cannot part with the group or guide along the way, you can. The guide is there for any support you might need, difficulty along the way or some local history or cultural knowledge. Our guides are all local so they know the area well.
Our self-guided tours on the other hand offer a similar but more flexible package. You are not restricted to particular dates as the guided tours need a certain amount of members for it to be feasible. Also if you want to travel with family or friends we’d recommend self-guided or work something out to have a guide for this particular group. Also with the guided there needs to be an agreed timetable for all members of the group the self-guided have more freedom in this respect.
I hope this helps, if you would like further information why not send Richard an email info@caminoways.com, he would only be too happy to help.
Comparative Table: Guided or Self-Guided?
| Guided Tours (Certified and Knowledgeable English Speaking Guide) | Self-Guided Tours ( Comprehensive maps and info) |
| Luggage transfer included | Luggage transfer included |
| Airport transfer included | Airport transfer NOT included |
| Holiday pack included | Holiday pack included |
| Restricted to dates (see table above) | Any date year-round |
| Generally cheaper | Slightly more expensive |
| All breakfast and dinners included | All breakfast and dinners* included (*dinners are not included at the first and last stop of the tour). |
Comments
Hi Carmen, thank you for your message. Great to hear that you are planning your Camino. Yes, it is possible to do a section of the way guided. We have a number of guided tours on the most popular routes that leave on specific dates. See the link here for 2017 guided tours: http://caminoways.com/our-services/camino-de-santiago-guided-tours I am going to send your details to our travel team so that they can give you all of the information you need and suggest the best itinerary based on the time that you have available. Kindest regards, Lisa.
Hello,
I would like help in planning my Camino. Tentatively looking to do Camino Frances. I’m a newbie, therefore, I’m tempted to do a guided package, to start.
Is there an option to do a section of the way guided, followed by other sections, self guided, once I’m acquainted and comfortable? I would have up to four to five weeks to complete.
Would love to speak with someone to design my package.
Thank you.
Carmen
Hi Bonnie, at the moment we offer the Arles Way Camino route from Montpellier, see full itinerary here: http://caminoways.com/ways/arles-way-chemin-arles/arles-way-full-walk
Do you have information on a self guided tour of the French way that starts at Arles in France at the church Eglise Saint Honorat at Les Alyscamps, the medieval graveyard?
Hi Bao, thank you for your questions. To do the last section of the Camino Frances over 10 days it would work out at approximately 12km per day walking. I will get the Customer Care team to get in touch with you. Kind regards, Lisa.
Hi, my friends & I planning to do a 10 day, last 100km walk, Camino Frances route, and plan to do May/June 2016. If we decide to do a tour guide, how many miles per day and how much for the whole trip guided tour vs. self tour? thank you
Hi Elke
We don’t have any guided tours scheduled on the Northern Way for September 2015, but you can choose any of the sections for a self-guided tour any time of the year. Would you like our team to email you a proposal? Are you looking to do a specific section or the whole route? Here’s an overview of the Camino Inglés: http://caminoways.com/ways/northern-way-camino-del-norte, let us know if you need any additional information. Kind regards.
Hi,
I am interested in walking the camino del norte, if possible in September 2015.
I am not sure, if I shall join a group or not. I have a lot of travel experience and if there are only couples in the group, the dynamic is different to a group of singles, where I belong to.
regards,
Elke
Hi Trina, thank you for your note. The Customer Care team will be in touch with an itinerary. Are you looking to do the whole trail or a section? See more information about the route here: http://caminoways.com/ways/via-de-la-plata-camino-mozarabe
I am interested in Camino de Plata for 5 people in late May of 2016.