connorclan

Could anyone make recommendations on the tour companies to use? There are so many companies to choose by searching the web. I am interested in walking the last 100 km of the Camino route.

quokka

What do you need a tour company for?

connorclan

Someone to arrange hotels, transporting luggage, and dinners perhaps would be helpful. I am looking for a leisure/relaxed walking holiday. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

lincasanova

Just did this last summer. I have a report with some luggage transport info ( 3E a bag).. and several nice places to stay. There is a lot on the web.

Click on my name and look for my trip reports..

I also do not think you NEED a company, but if you feel more comfortable with others choosing your accommodations, etc... then go for it.

You can't get lost on the trail. It is very well marked and accommodations are all along it.

Depending on what time of year you come, you don't even need reservations. Just sleep where you get tired.

If you arrive at Madrid airport, you can take the public 200 Av America intercambiador bus ( 1E) straight to the underground bus station where buses to Pamplona and other northern points leave from.

Decide on how many kms you think you want to walk the first days.. and get yourself some nice reservations at a rural inn if you do not want to be in co-ed pensions for the "pilgrims".

After your first day you will have met so any people doing the same as you..

Sorry I have no "tour" info. Just trying to show you or anyone with the same idea that this is one of the EASIEST vacations to plan.

I think if I wanted a relaxed holiday, I would be afraid that the tour company may have a different schedule than I would like.

Such as.. you find a beautiful INN along the route and want to stay 2 days enjoying life and reading. ?? sorry.. up tomorrow at 7 and breakfast and 25 km everybody.

I have never done a tour but it MAY be like that...

I hope you get the info you want from someone.. as I know I haven't given you any you asked for!

Viajero2

I just used Follow the Camino (One Foot Abroad) to do the First Section (Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles) and this company was phenomenal! their price was reasonable, wonderful hotels, luggage transfers were very professional with no problems, the Walking Notes were detailed, the communications were clear, excellent customer service, all the deliverables arrived on time and in great condition. I recommend this company wholeheartedly. I am planning the next stage and this company gave me no reason to shop around.

Viajero2

To Clarify-- the first section was all the way to Pamplona-- the first DAY was SJPDP to Roncesvalles!!

I would had done it the "lincasanova" way if I had time at my disposal, but I had 5 days to this including getting into SJPDP and out of Pamplona. This worked out perfect for me.

Aduchamp1

One hunded K is enough to get a Compostela. My wife walked the entire Camino and you may not have much choice of accommodations in some towns. Your leisurely walk may be hastened by the need to find a place to sleep.

I strongly suggest you read about the walk including the refugios and albergues. Here are but two sites:

http://www.backpack45.com/camino2p2.html

http://www.americanpilgrims.com/

lincasanova

If you are not "into dorm style living, there are many lovely inns along the way but that does take a bit of research but not too horribly much.

For one.. one worry you have might be the following:

you decide not to walk the number of kms. you had calculated for th enext night's lodging. Just grab a taxi or bus to next town.You will not feel isolated and stranded. However, in high season, if you DO want to stay in the pilgrim's accommodations ( which , I am told, gives you the authentic experience of which the wimp, here, did not partake!) then you must get there very early to get a bed, or have made reservations at one of the FEW that allow that.

Not sure the OP is even around. With summer upon us, might help someone else.

Viajero2

lincasanova-- let me address the "Wimp factor" . When I was 19-20-even 25 years old I could see myself sleeping in a comunal dorm, showering in cold water in a comunal shower, etc...I am double that age today and have earned "my stripes" to a cozy, comfortable night sleep with some privacy and my dear spouse's snoring as a choice. Yes, I may be missing that element, but the experience of The Camino is so much bigger and more than that...and I am not missing the load on my back every day. The camaraderie along the Camino is wonderful and honestly, at the end of the day, we can ALL use a break from each other....

I also wanted to note that most of the accomodations coordinated at this Walking Tour companies are next door to Refugios (Pilgrim's accomodations) or nearby and are Half-Board (dinner the day of arrival and breakfast the morning you take off for the day walk). I was so pleased with my experience, highly recommend it.

lincasanova

I agree with you and have no desire to do the camino again any other way than they way we did.. very comfortably.

I say "wimp" because I have an acquaintance that really laid into us about "how we did the camino". Kind of turned me off.. as though her experience were better than ours.

Each to his own. I am just trying to be transparent as for MANY, unless you stay in the albergues and suffer unsolicited odors and nocturnal noises, you have not "suffered" enough or whatever.

I think a lot of people who don't know much about the camino think it has to be like that, and are leery to even attempt it.

I hope some of these comments encourage others to go up there, even for a few days and enjoy the views, retiring when they darn well feel like it!