Getting There & Back
How do I get to the Camino Horizons Tour starting point?
Bilbao, Spain is the official starting point of the Camino Horizons tour and can be reached via plane, train, or bus. Bilbao International Airport has service throughout Europe. For those looking to fly into Bilbao, please see the following link for all airports serviced. Traveling from Madrid, one can choose between the train (RENFE) or the bus (ALSA). For a sample of prices and timetables, please see:
RENFE Train – Madrid to Bilbao
ALSA Bus – Madrid to Bilbao
How can I purchase my bus or train tickets beforehand?
Train tickets can be purchased online on Spain’s leading rail provider, RENFE. Keep in mind that the sale of train tickets depends on RENFE’s scheduling and some routes cannot be purchased until approximately 30 to 60 days prior to departure – please be patient. Schedules and availability are also subject to change based on train maintenance needs.
For bus tickets, these can be purchased on ALSA .
Both of these websites have an English language option that accept most major credit cards. Tickets are issued as PDFs and are sent to the email address used to purchase the tickets.
How do I get from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid and other cities?
There are now RENFE trains that will get you from Santiago to Madrid in less than 6 hours. While routes and availability may vary upon time of booking, there are several daily trains from Santiago to Madrid. The direct trains are listed as Alvia. If you are looking to fly, there are excellent internal flights that fly Santiago to Madrid.
How do I get from Bilbao Airport to the city center?
From the airport, you can take Bizkai Bus #3247, which connects the airport with the center of town. There are buses every 30 minutes (from 6:20am to 00:00am). For complete details, please click here.
On the Road
What is the weather like in Spain?
The Camino Horizons Tour crosses Northern Spain as it makes its way from the French border to the most western coast of Spain. The weather will vary across these 500 miles, especially as we will be passing through two different mountain ranges. We highly recommend dressing in layers, especially while you are walking along the Camino.
As an example, please visit the following link for average monthly temperatures of some cities that we will be staying in:
Bilbao, Pamplona, León and Santiago de Compostela
What is a typical day like on the Camino Horizons Tour?
After breakfast and on the days we are walking, we lace up and get the blood going with a walk for a couple hours finishing for lunch at one of our gourmet picnics prepared with the freshest local ingredients. On the days we do not hike, the activities are those described in the itinerary. This tour is designed to get a taste of the different sections of the Camino across Spain.
In the afternoon, we go to our hotels, where we take a shower, siesta and just relax! We finish our day with a glass of tinto and a feast of the local gastronomy. We then retire for the night and get ready to do it again! On some afternoons, we have planned excursions, such as a visit to an ancient monastery or perhaps a massage!
What is the terrain like on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
The Camino de Santiago terrain is extremely varied across Spain . The trail itself is a combination of very well-maintained compact dirt and stone footpaths and small country roads.
What is the change in elevation on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
The elevation gain will vary greatly as we explore the different sections of the Camino. However, there are no stages that require intense training and preparation.
How many kilometers are walked each day on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
The number of kilometers scheduled for each day varies from 6 km to 11 km. We have designed this tour to allow the possibility to walk the most scenic sections of the whole Camino. All the walks are accompanied by a support vehicle and options for less (or more!) km’s are possible on a daily basis. We can tailor the Camino to suit your needs!
Will I be able to do laundry on the Camino de Santiago Tour?
Some hotels will have the capability to do laundry on the premises or you can use local laundromats whenever you’d like. We also recommend that you bring quick-drying clothes that you can handwash and dry overnight at the hotel if all else fails!
Before You Go / Preparing
What type of shoes do I need for the Camino Horizons Tour?
Footwear is a very personal question – depending on how active you are and how much support you will need. However, we suggest comfortable shoes for urban exploring and light trail walkers or even running shoes for the short walks. As we will not be engaging in any strenuous hiking and the trails are well groomed, state of the art hiking footwear may not be necessary. Remember that in the spring, there may be mud and water along the trail, so please keep that in mind. Most important: Make sure that you are comfortable with your footwear and that they are well broken in!
What sort of conditioning do I need for the Camino Horizons Tour?
Camino Horizons is a tour designed for everyone. If you are an avid walker, then you will enjoy the sections we do on foot. If, on the other hand, your circumstances do not allow you to walk as far as you’d like, be assured that the hikes have been chosen with this in mind, that they can be tailored to you and there is even the option of opting out of a hike or two. Furthermore, during your walk, one of the two guides will be on the trail with the group to ensure that all is well.