Group Tours in Ireland Charity Challenges

How we can help make your charity trek a success:

• Tailored itineraries, including hotels
• Many different routes to choose from
• Airport and luggage transfers, meal and local guides included
• Marketing and promotion assistance
• Recruitment & information events
• Fitness advice & training days
• ‘Trek Pack’ material with detailed route information
• Gear discounts in selected outdoor stores

Breast Cancer Network Australia

28th April 2017 – Via Francigena across Tuscany
(Contact: beacon@bcna.org.au)

 

Southern Area Hospice

29th April 2017 – Camino de Santiago – French Way from Logroño to Burgos
(Contact: Lianne Redmond redmondl@southernareahospiceservices.org)

 

Simon Community

6th May 2017 – Camino  de Santiago – French Way from Sarria to Santiago
(Contact: Frank Nealis franknealis@simoncommunity.org)

 

National Breast Cancer Foundation Australia

7th May 2017 – Camino de Santiago – French Way from Sarria to Santiago
(Contact: info@nbcf.org.au)

 

Manuela Riedo Foundation

11th May 2017 – Portuguese Coastal Way from Baiona to Santiago
(Contact: grouptours@caminoways.com)

 

New Zealand Breast Cancer Foundation

14th May 2017 – Camino de Santiago – French Way from Sarria to Santiago
(Contact: fundraising@nzbcf.orgn.nz)

 

Ross Helping Hands Foundation

17th June 2017 – Camino de Santiago – French Way from Sarria to Santiago
(Contact: Linda Jacobs linda@eldeals.co.za)

 

Marie Keating Foundation

2nd September 2017 – Camino Frances from Sarria to Santiago
(Contact: lkeating@mariekeating.ie)

 

Cure Brain Cancer

7th September 2017 – Camino Portugues from Tui to Santiago
(Contact: info@curebraincancer.org.au)

 

Aware

16th September 2017 – Camino de Santiago – French Way from Sarria to Santiago
(Contact: fundraising@aware.ie)

 

Cancer Focus NI

16th October 2017 – Kilimanjaro Climb
(Contact: fundraising@cancerfocusni.org)

What type of groups do we work with?
We work with groups of all sizes, from all over the world, including hiking societies and walking clubs, parish groups, colleges and universities, school and student groups, charities, scout groups and families.  Some of our most popular group tours include the Camino de Santiago routes, trekking Tour du Mont Blanc, hiking Sierra Nevada in Spain and the Via Francigena in Tuscany… for the ultimate adventure, we can also organise groups to climb Kilimanjaro.

What are the best destinations for group tours?
The most popular routes for our group treks include Sierra Nevada in Spain which is a manageable trek for groups of all levels and if you are looking for something a little more challenging Tour du Mont Blanc is a great tour for groups looking to experience something special.

What do your group walking trip itineraries include?
Our itineraries include accommodation for your group, meals, airport transfers, luggage transfer between hotels on walking days, detailed walking notes and maps and an emergency contact number. We can also add day tours and sightseeing for your group.

What level of difficulty for your group?
The route that you choose will depend on the type of vacation that you are looking for. Trekkers, walking clubs and hiking clubs may choose some difficult hiking trails or you may be a group travelling together for fun and adventure. Both ways of experiencing an adventure holiday are equally enjoyable. Let us know what pace you want to go at and we will help you decide on the best trail to suit the group.

Can you provide tailored itineraries?
Yes, we can fully tailor and adapt your itinerary to suit the needs of your group.

Can we have a guide?
Yes, if you feel your group trip could be made better by the presence of a local guide we can provide one for you and your group. We recommend a guide for any group with 15 or more people.

Can you come to speak to my group?
Yes, if your group is based anywhere in Ireland we can come to visit you to discuss your group tour in more details. For groups based outside of Ireland we can arrange a Skype call. We also do regular webinars and can provide details for group organisers.

What meals are included?
For groups of 15+ we include both breakfasts and dinners. We do not provide lunches during your walking tour as good lunches can be found at the numerous cafes along the routes.

What are the hotels and rooms like?
Our standard tours include good quality 3 star hotels with friendly staff. We also offer 4 star and 5 star hotels if you would like to upgrade for some or all of your trip. All rooms are en-suite and we offer single rooms (1 single bed), twin sharing rooms (2 single beds in the room) or double sharing rooms (1 double bed).

How do luggage transfers work?
Once you confirm your trip we will send you luggage tags for your group which each person needs to place on their bag. Each morning before you begin your walk, you need to place your bag downstairs at reception in the hotel. The bag will be collected by the luggage transporter and brought to the next hotel while you enjoy your walk for the day.

Do you offer discounts for group tours?
As standard we offer a 12% discount for groups of more than 10 persons. Further discounts may also apply is your group is above 20 people.

How large can our group be?
We handle groups of between 10 and 120 persons.

Do you arrange airport transfers?
To make your group trip run more smoothly we can offer airport transfers.

How does payment work?
Once you have confirmed your trip, payments can either be made to us through the group leader or organisation, or members of your group can pay individually. Payment can be taken over the phone or using our online booking form. If paying individually, the deposit for most trips will be €180 per person (this may be a slightly bigger amount for longer tours). If the organisation or group leader is paying directly, the deposits will generally be 20% of the total trip cost.

Do you offer fitness advice to groups travelling on a trek?
We work with a fitness expert who provides us with top tips and fitness advice. All groups receive a free copy of our 6 month fitness guide.

These are some of the great charities we have worked with at CaminoWays.com:

Marie Keating Foundation

The Marie Keating Foundation team has walked both the French Way and the Portuguese Way, raising funds for their important cancer support services and awareness work. Their trek even featured in a RTE Documentary.

Mayo Roscommon Hospice

The Mayo Roscommon Hospice team has trekked many Camino routes over the years, including the Portuguese Way and the French Way.

World Vision Ireland

The trekkers at World Vision Ireland have tackled the famous Camino Frances route and they have more fundraising adventures coming up, both on the Camino and in Ireland.

Mainstay DRP

Mainstay DRP provides care and support for families affected by learning disabilities in County Down. Their fundraising treks have taken them to the Camino Frances, Portuguese Way and Finisterre.

CMRF Crumlin Childrens Hospital

The CMRF Crumlin team are also among our keenest adventurers, having trekked the Camino de Santiago and Sierra Nevada raising funds for Crumlin Childrens Hospital Dublin.

Camphill Communities

The Camphill Communities team has walked both the French Way and the Portuguese Coastal Way, raising funds for their work with people with intellectual disabilities.

Southern Area Hospice

The team at Southern Area Hospice from Northern Ireland are Camino experts at this stage, having walked many sections of the Camino de Santiago: across the Pyrenees, La Rioja and in Galicia.

Peter McVerry Trust

The team at Peter McVerry Trust are keen trekkers and have hiked Tour du Mont Blanc a few times. Their work focuses on reducing homelessness and social disadvantage in Dublin’s inner city.

Diabetes Ireland

Diabetes Ireland, the charity helping people living with diabetes, has taken to the Camino a few times, including the Portuguese and Portuguese Coastal routes.

MS Society Ireland

MS Society Ireland, the Multiple Sclerosis charity has trekked a few Camino de Santiago routes, including the Portuguese and French Way.

Simon Community

The Simon Community team works to prevent homelessness in Ireland. They have also walked the Camino Frances to Santiago.

St. James Hospital Dublin

The team of St James Hospital, a teaching hospital in Dublin city, has also hiked their namesake Way of St James as part of their fundraising activities.

Brain Tumour Research – Glenn McMahon Foundation

Wendy McMahon from the UK walked the Camino in memory of her husband Glenn and to raise funds for the foundation named after him: the Glenn McMahon Foundation.

Self Help Africa

Development agency Self Help Africa supports communities across rural Africa to eradicate hunger and poverty.

Cappagh Hospital Foundation

The Cappagh Hospital Foundation fundraising treks contribute to improve patient care as well as research, development and education at Dublin’s orthopedic hospital.

Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust

Based in Scotland, the Michelle Henderson Cervical Cancer Trust is a small charity supporting women affected by cervical cancer.

Beaumont Hospital Foundation

The Beaumont Hospital Foundation raises funds to constantly improve services for patients at Beaumont Hospital in North Dublin.

My Aware

My Aware have been working for 40 years to help people in the UK living with myasthenia, a sever muscle disease.

Foyle Hospice

Foyle Hospice provides care for cancer patients in the Derry/Londonderry area, in Northern Ireland.

Teenline Ireland

The Teenline Ireland team works to improve the well being of young people going through difficult times across Ireland.

Sophia Housing

The Sophia Housing team trekked the Via Francigena across Tuscany to raise funds for their housing programmes across Ireland.

Cardiac Risk in the Young CRY

CRY is an Irish charity supporting families affected by the loss of a loved one by sudden cardiac death. The team has trekked the Camino many times.