Ready to hit the Camino trail! |  <i>Allie Peden</i> The shells and arrows that mark the Way can be found everywhere on the Camino |  <i>Sue Finn</i> Cycling the Camino de Compostela allows you to complete it in less time |  <i>Erin Williams</i> Walking along the Camino de Santiago trail in Galicia |  <i>@timcharody</i>
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11 Benefits of an Organised Camino Tour

Should your Camino de Santiago tour be organised or independent?

You’ve been wanting to walk the Camino de Santiago for ages and are finally getting around to start planning your Camino pilgrimage. One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you choose to travel the Camino independently or to use a Camino tour company like UTracks. 

As the world’s leading Camino travel company, we have been honing our services for over a decade now and know how to enhance your Camino experience. You can be assured to have a life changing and meaningful journey with UTracks.

See below for 11 top benefits of walking or cycling the Camino de Santiago on an organised tour. Whether you choose a small group guided tour, or a self guided trip, you’ll undoubtedly have a great time on the Camino with UTracks.


1. Comfortable Accommodation

Don’t want your Camino experience ruined by sleepless nights in dormitories as your bunkmates snore and leave their smelly socks out to dry? All of our Camino tours stay in private hotel accommodation where you can expect hot showers, comfortable beds and an undisturbed rest to re-energise you for the next days walk. 

Plus, as it’s all booked in advance there’s no concern about failing to find a bed in your destination, saving you from having unexpected extra distances to walk!

Read more about UTracks’ excellent Camino Accommodation here

Hotel near San Gimignano on the Via Francigena |  <i>Tim Charody</i>

2. Daily Departures

On UTracks’ self guided Camino tours we offer daily departures to best fit into your travel schedule. Start your Camino holiday whenever you want, all year round. For firsthand advice about when is the best time to walk the Camino, speak to our friendly staff. They’ll be able to give you tips regarding weather, crowds, and more.

Waiking along El Camino des Archduke |  <i>John Millen</i>

3. Delicious Regional Food

Start each day right with a breakfast at your accommodation, included in all self guided and guided Camino tours. As is typical in Europe, breakfasts are usually continental and have bread, eggs, cheese, yoghurt, meats, fruit as well as coffee and tea.

When there are included dinners, these generally consist of a few courses to appease any pilgrim’s hunger. Dinner may start with a soup, rice or pasta; mains could be a chicken, fish or red meat dish; and you’ll finish with a dessert such as crème caramel or fruit. Naturally, a hearty amount of wine is on offer as well.

For a Camino experience with an even greater focus on cuisine, be sure to view our Food Lover’s walking tours. These special trips combine gastronomic delights with the Camino highlights of France, Italy and Spain.

Andreas Holland, Food Lover's Spanish Camino escort, walking with group in Galicia Spain |  <i>Andreas Holland</i>

4. Flexible Itineraries

The beauty of a self guided Camino tour is that you can tailor it to your own trip desires. If you want to spend an extra night somewhere (to explore, to rest, whatever!) our staff can create a personalised itinerary. Best of all, because our staff have great experience walking the Camino themselves, they can provide personal advice on which towns are worth adding another night in (editors note: after reaching Santiago de Compostela, add on the Finisterre section. Basically you continue walking until you reach the edge of Spain against the Atlantic Ocean – feels like a remarkable accomplishment!).


Cape Finisterre, Galicia Spain |  <i>Marissa Ward</i>

5. Local Support

While UTracks has international offices to help you plan your Camino trip, once you’re in Europe you can rely on our local team to give you support and back up.

On our guided tours, of course you’ll have your local guide to provide information and help with any issues that arise. There’s also the convenience of having a support vehicle should you need to hitch a ride to your destination.

On our self guided Camino tours, all travellers have a contact phone number to our local team. There’s great peace of mind knowing that an English-speaking local is only a phone call away, and that they can offer advice or organise a taxi for you if the need arises. 

Exploring Alto Del Perdón while walking the Camino Trail |  <i>Scott Kirchner</i>

6. Luggage Transfers

All of our Camino experiences include a daily luggage transfer service. Only carry what you need for the day’s walk and leave the bulk of your bags at your hotel in the morning. Our luggage transfer service will then collect your belongings and drive them to your next destination. Your bags will be waiting for you in your hotel room.

On a self guided trip, your luggage is transferred for you, leaving you to walk with just a daypack |  <i>Kate Baker</i>

7. Plan your Camino with Experts

 UTracks has offices around the globe in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane), Canada (Ottawa), New Zealand (Auckland) and the United Kingdom (London). Click here to contact your nearest office. We’re an active tour company comprised of passionate travellers who have most likely completed the trip you have your heart set on. Our team can offer firsthand advice, from the Camino route that suits your needs best to what shoes to wear to avoid blisters.

Walkers taking pleasure in the Piazza del Campo in Siena |  <i>Allie Peden</i>


8. Genuine Experiences

Having all the logistics of your Camino tour taken care of allows you to have more time to focus on your journey. Take the time to explore the fresh farmer’s markets, admire the stained glass of the churches you pass, and to sit and enjoy a café con leche (coffee with milk) on a street side bar.

Arriving in the beautiful city of Santiago de Compostela after completing the Camino Trail |  <i>Edwina Parsons</i>


9. Camino Experts Since 2006

UTracks have been operating Camino tours since 2006 and are continually refining our services to ensure our travellers have the most enriching experiences possible. We’ve helped many, many pilgrims reach Santiago and earn their Compostela certificate so you can complete your Camino with assurance.

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela on the final day |  <i>Sue Finn</i>

10. Comprehensive Range of Camino Tours

Every year UTracks adds to the repertoire of Camino offerings to satiate the demand for more Camino trips. For a first time Camino pilgrim still in the planning stages you may not yet understand, but once you’ve walked one the Camino travel bug bites well and truly hard. 

There are obscure Camino trails in Sicily (the Magna Via Francigena), the Kerry Camino in Ireland, the Camino Sanabres (Ourense to Santiago in Spain), the Via Degli Dei (Bologna to Florence in Italy), and many more. Plus specialty Camino holidays like our beloved Food Lover’s Camino tours, the Pilgrims and Paradors tour (featuring luxurious historic accommodation) and Rambler tours that provide additional days to complete Camino stages so you can walk at a gentler pace.
Idyllic walking along the Camino Sanabres in Spain

 

11. Peace of Mind & Convenience

With all the logistics of walking the Camino de Santiago taken care of, all you need to focus on is to do the walking! Walk soundly with the knowledge that your bags are being safely looked after, you have a reserved comfortable bed to rest your weary head in, and have the peace of mind knowing that if you need a helping hand it’s just a phone call away.

Very happy Camino walkers in France |  <i>Allie Peden</i>
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