School Tours
Moate CS - Their first day on the Camino (2020)
Ireland's first and only SPECIALIST Camino school tour company!
What does a Camino school tour involve?
Walk the final 100 km to Santiago de Compostela to complete the challenge that has faced pilgrims for over 1,000 years.
Today, the Camino is many things to many people; in 2019 alone, over 347,000 people received their Camino cert upon arriving in Santiago.
For your school tour, would you like an a tour that combines culture, fun, a history of pilgrimage, a physical challenge, time spent with old friends and making new ones, space for mental wellbeing and usually plenty of sun and fun thrown in? Then maybe the Camino is where your school needs to be!
What shape does my school tour take?
There are a few different ways in which a school can go about walking the 100km to Santiago along the Camino Francés. For full details on any of these options, contact us!
You also have the possibility of walking on the Camino Portugués or the Camino Finisterre; slightly more expensive in that you’ll be staying in ensuite rooms rather than hostels.
5 nights – the best value option
By walking 9km to Portomarin on the evening you arrive, it’s possible to complete the remainder of the 100km over 4 days.
6 nights option
Starting from Sarria the morning after you arrive, you complete 115km over 5 full days of walking.
Full week option
Similar to the 6 nights, but you also get a full free day in Santiago to explore the delights of its UNESCO World Heritage old town.
Large groups (40-50 +)
We have brought school groups of 100 people; we use a single albergue for the entire trip which has proven to be very popular!
What do we include as standard - why choose Camino Groups?
- A licensed and bonded company (licensed by the CAR in Ireland) – your booking is safe with us.
- Flights booked at cost.
- Airport transfers – to and from Santiago de Compostela airport.
- Accommodation is typically in hostels/albergues and then in Santiago you get the comfort of hotel rooms!
- Dorms are on the basis of boys/girls/teachers separated and not sharing with outsiders.
- Breakfasts and evening meals are included. Dinners are on a Menú del Día basis to give you a sense of everyday Camino life (an occasional pizza treat thrown in for good measure!).
- Pilgrim Passport: We supply each of you with the passport produced by Camino Society Ireland, the only officially-recognised Irish pilgrim passport!
- Bag transfers: Your bags are moved each day to your next accommodation.
- Travel insurance: We book a Premier Plus level of cover for all our schools – the highest level of cover offered by Blue Insurance.
- DPS (Direct Payment System): We take over the entire payment structure for you so students pay us directly.
- Teacher Incentive: Just a little something from us to say thank you for your time and work!
- Camino Groups is an Irish business through and through – Irish owned, located (in Clare!) and licensed.
Some of our Irish schools - a mix of Meath, Dublin, Donegal and Limerick!
And what do the schools say?......
A student’s opinion…..
“We went on our TY trip to do the Camino. It was one of the best weeks of my life. We met lots of different people along the way and made some class memories. Was very scenic and I would highly recommended to anyone to do it!!”
Lillie, Student, Ballinrobe Community School, walked the Camino in 2022.
“The Camino school tour is a wonderful way to experience Spain – the rural Spain, away from the beaten track, giving all involved a sense of responsibility, ownership, independence, guided freedom, challenge and achievement every day they walk.
Thank you for making the experience of organising the trip so easy.”
Loreto College, Letterkenny.
“The best, it has sent a huge positive vibe around the whole school. It is unbelievable the effect that this trip has had on our students and the positivity they have brought back with them.”
Confey College, Leixlip
“Compared to other school tours, it is totally different. And all the better for it. It’s a unique experience and experience is the key word. There are so many elements to this tour that you can’t get on an orthodox trip to Paris or Barcelona. The challenge is part of it – culturally, spiritually, physically – you are challenged and rewarded.”
Fingal College, Swords
“As this was our first TY Camino tour I was a little apprehensive but there was no need. Camino Groups were efficient, patient and extremely professional. We had a fantastic experience, the trip was organised extremely well and there was very little for me to do!
I would definitely recommend Camino Groups as the company to use for a Camino Tour. Thank you!”
The Teresian School, Stillorgan (taken from 2016 and they have been back every year since – just booked for 2023!)
“We have dealt with Camino Groups for the past two years and on both occasions we have been extremely happy with their professionalism and helpfulness in organising our trip.
Their knowledge for the Camino is second to none and we always know that Eoin will be on the other end of the phone whenever we need assistant or to offer advice.
We would highly recommend booking a trip through Camino Groups.”
Scoil Mhuire, Trim
