8 Nights Camino Challenge in aid of Irish Hospice Foundation
Duration:
8 Nights
From €1,485pp
27th September 2024
Winding your way through a beautiful landscape dotted with vineyards and villages
Admiring the many historic churches and monasteries along the way
Sampling delicious local dishes and Rioja and Ribera del Duero wines
Reflecting on your journey in the famous Cathedral of Burgos
Our route spans the second stage of the French Camino Starting in Estella, we will walk across the vineyards of La Rioja before entering the vast plateau known as La Meseta. Along the way, we will stay in Logroño, capital of La Rioja, where we will experience the vibrant atmosphere of its old town. We will walk through a beautiful landscape of plains and cropfields with some long walking stages. Some of the Camino’s most iconic places can be found along this route, such as San Juan de Ortega and Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Finally, we will spend two nights in Burgos, the second great city of the Camino, with its imposing Gothic Cathedral located in one of the most beautiful historic centres in Spain.
We will aim to stop for water and snacks along the route and you should carry some money to purchase these. We recommend that you carry
water/snacks/fruit/energy bars each day of the route. Breakfast is not provided on the day of outward travel. It is provided from day 2 onwards. Lunch is not provided on Day 1 or Day 7. Lunch will be provided on each day of walking. Dinner is provided each day from day 1-7 (inclusive). Special dietary requirements. We are only able to accommodate food allergies, specific diets i.e. vegetarian, vegan, and/or religious or medical dietary requirements. Personal preferences cannot be accommodated. Please remember to fill them in on the medical questionnaire which you will receive once you have registered. If any individual has particular snack preferences they should consider bringing a quantity with them on the trip.
The Camino is not supposed to be a boot camp but rather an enjoyable experience! You do not need to be in “world-class” shape, but we recommend you prepare yourself to be able to walk distances of approximately 25km per day. It is important to remember that nobody is expected to complete a day’s walking in one go. Each day will be split into two, with carefully selected breaks to allow participants to relax, get a drink or catch up with the rest of the group. We will also provide you with a training plan on registration and plan to host a training walk and information event for all participants in August.
Why Walk the Camino?
Walking the Camino can be incredibly rewarding and fun while also providing great exercise. It is an amazing journey full of culture, history and stunning landscapes. By joining Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF) Camino you will not only be embarking on a personal challenge, but you will also be supporting people nationwide who are facing death, dying and bereavement by helping to raise funds for the work and services of the IHF.
Accommodation is provided for every night of the trip. It is shared twin rooms. Please indicate anyone with whom you would like to share a room, on your registration form. Single rooms are available for an additional fee of €235. If you choose to stay on in Spain after the trip, you will be responsible for organising your own accommodation and flights once IHF’s Camino Walk has ended.
CaminoByTheWay are on hand to offer advice and support on training requirements. They also plan to host a pre-trip briefing and training walk open to all participants in August (date and time TBC). It is important that you consider the varied terrain of the Camino, the lengths of the walks and the challenges these present. It has to be recognised that strong legs and a good cardiovascular fitness are essential. They can provide you with the following support to help you train:
A professionally prepared training guide
An information session that includes a question and answer session with event staff.
Self-motivation is essential
You will be supported by trained and professional guides who will accompany the group through out the trip. An IHF staff member will also be present to provide support and back-up. You can be assured of receiving the following support:
Transferring your luggage from hotel to hotel.
First Aid support.
Guiding the route.
The weather at this time of year is usually pleasant and sunny with temperature not often exceeding 25°c, but you should come prepared for all weathers. Ensure you have packed waterproofs, sun hat and sun screen.
FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
The team of professional fundraisers at IHF will provide you with fundraising support including: Access to fundraising materials and IHF merchandise. An online sponsorship account so friends, family and colleagues can sponsor you online through your own personalised webpage. By taking on the IHF Camino challenge you will be supporting people all over Ireland that are facing end of life and bereavement.
Nurses for Night Care
Nurses for Night Care is our free, at-home night nursing service for patients diagnosed with non-cancer conditions. Nurses travel to patients’ homes to provide professional care for the final nights of their life. They bring comfort and relief and provide important respite and reassurance to relatives as they prepare for the final farewell and ultimately, their bereavement. In 2023, 2,800 nights of nursing care were delivered to 1,252 people across Ireland. The demand for Nurses for Night Care has doubled over the past five years and continues to grow. We estimate that over €1million is needed to fund this service in 2024.
Bereavement Support Line
The Bereavement Support Line, set up by Irish Hospice Foundation in partnership with the HSE, is a freephone service available Monday to Friday, 10am – 1pm. It provides a confidential safe space for those who have lost a loved one, friend or colleague, to talk about their loss and grief. It is designed to provide connection, comfort and support for those who are grieving as well as information on how to access counselling or community services if appropriate. In 2023, the Bereavement Support Line team answered 1,290 calls to the line.
Caru
Caru is a continuous learning programme developed by Irish Hospice Foundation and the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) in collaboration with the HSE. Caru is generously sponsored by Kingspan. The aim of Caru is to support and improve the delivery of compassionate, person-centred, palliative, end-of-life and bereavement care to residents and family members in nursing homes. Caru enables cultural change within nursing homes that encourages openness to talk about and plan for end-of-life care with residents, families and staff. It is an evidence-based programme that builds on the nursing homes’ existing capability to boost staff confidence with planning for and reviewing care given at end-of-life. This free quality improvement programme is available to public and private nursing homes in Ireland.
The Total Participation Fee is €2,885
Tour Cost of €1,485 - This cost covers your flights, baggage, transfers, accommodation, meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) guided walks and luggage transfer.
Fundraising of €1,400 - These funds will go directly to support end-of-life and bereavement care in Ireland.
This should be paid as follows:
Registration of €300 on sign up
Tour cost balance of €1,185 paid by 15th July 2024
Fundraising of €1,400 to be lodged to Irish Hospice Foundation prior to trip departure on 27th September 2024
Inclusions
Return flights
Checked Bags
Transfers
Luggage transfers
Guided walks
Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation
Exclusions
Travel insurance is not included and is mandatory. We can put you in touch with a company that can offer you insurance for the trip. Note: You will not be allowed participate in the trip without Travel Insurance.
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