'A Taste of Pyrenees & Basque Country'
The Camino de Santiago - Camino Frances / French Way is the most traditional of all the pilgrims' ways to Santiago de Compostela and the best known internationally.
This Walking Holiday explores the 1st section of the Camino Frances / French Way. It starts in France at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Pamplona, the town famous for its Bull Run festival. At first it follows the 'Route Napoleon' over the Roncesvalles Pass (1500m), and then crosses the Basque country onto more gentle terrain.
Everyday, during the walk, you are guaranteed a high level of comfort and gastronomy. The Camino is clearly marked with the “Scallop Shell” showing you the way. This walk can be physically demanding and requires a reasonable level of fitness. However, it’s a highly rewarding walk that includes numerous cultural highlights.
Highlights:
♦ Roncesvalles - a small village at an altitude of 900 meters in the Pyrenees
♦ The Pyrenees Mountains - said to be "a wonderland to the holiday-maker"
♦ Pamplona – a city, famous worldwide for the San Fermín festival, in which the running of the bulls is one of the main attractions
The quoted price (to the right) is from price! Minor price adjusting can occur due to meals plan or/and accommodation.
Itinerary:
Day 1. Arrival - Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
You will be booked in a hotel in the heart of the small town. The rooms are en-suite.
Day 2. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Roncesvalles
This first day is considered the most difficult as the Camino crosses the Pyrenees. The "Camino Napoleon" kicks off with a steep climb, on through orchards and past country houses and then, later, through Alpine style meadows, before weaving its way alongside leafy beech woods towards the border and the descent into Roncesvalles.
Walking distance: approx. 8h, 24,3km, +1250m/ -540m.
Day 3. Roncesvalles - Zubiri
The Camino crosses two beautiful mountain passes and continues on through beech and oak woods and meadows before coming to Espinal, where the panoramic views of the countryside with the Pyrenees in the background are a sight to behold. The river Arga runs alongside this part of the Camino and continues its course all the way to Larrasoana.
Walking distance: approx. 7h, 21,2km, +90m/ -550m
Day 4. Zubiri - Pamplona
The Camino runs along the river Arga, at the foot of a group of hills covered in beech, oak and Scots pine. As we approach Pamplona, the landscape shows the obvious influence of civilisation; with its conifers, reafforestation and farmlands.
Walking distance: approx. 6h, 21,2km, +/-250m
Day 5. Pamplona
After breakfast we bid you farewell.
Luggage transportation: Luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel. The baggage allowance is one item (maximum 20kg) per person. If you need to add more bags please contact us in advance.
Good to know: If you would like to stay in Pamplona or Puente de la Reina during the Fiesta de San Fermin (6-14 July), there is an obligatory surcharge in the price.
How to get there?
♦ Fly in - We recommend to fly to France (Biarritz or Paris), then come back from Spain (Bilbao, Santander or Madrid). To Biarritz you can fly with Ryanair, easyJet, Air France (via Orly). Biarritz airport info: www.biarritz.aeroport.fr. To Paris you can fly with almost all companies.
♦ Fly out - From Bilbao you can fly out with EasyJet (daily flights from Bilbao to London Stansted Airport), Iberia (flights to Gatwick or Heathrow via Madrid) or AerLingus (operates out of Dublin). From Santander you have direct flights only with Ryanair (London Stansted, Dublin, Frankfurt, Milan and Rome, as well as Reus and Madrid in Spain), and internal flights with Iberia to Alicante, Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Seville and Valencia.
♦ Getting there - From Biarritz you can take a bus with STAB, line 6 to reach Bayonne train station (the ride takes 20 minutes and costs 1.20 Euro, you can see the timetable www.bus-stab.com). From Bayonne to Saint Jean Pied de Port there are direct trains (Depart at 6:13 pm, the journey takes 1.22 h, for prices see www.voyages-sncf.com). From Paris there is an everyday train to St-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The journey lasts 6.30 h, depart at 12.10 and arrive at 18:30.
♦ Getting back – To Bilbao there is a Bus with the Burundesa bus company, which links Pamplona with Bilbao (the ride takes 2 hours, and there are 10 departures a day). You can check prices and timetable: www.renfe.com. To Santander there is a bus with the Burundesa bus company, which links Pamplona with Santander (the journey is 2 hours, and there are 2 departures a day). As well as there is a direct city bus from the bus station in Santander to the airport, which takes 20 minutes and you can check prices and timetable here: www.renfe.com.
Gallery
Currency fluctuations might cause correction of price at any time.
Most of you, who are used to walking/cycling during a long weekend, will be in condition to cope with a tour of this level. You should be in a good health condition. We have successive days of longer and more difficult walking and days of lighter walking/cycling. Some parts of the day routes are done at a higher altitude. The paths are in good condition. We walk/cycle for 5/7h a day.
These tours include trekking which is a little harder, normally on a challenging terrain. We take it for granted that you are in good condition and fit. You should be physically prepared at home to get the maximum of the tour. Most of the trekking is done at a greater height (max 3000m).
Tour: Iraqi Kurdistan
★★★★★
My recent trip in Iraq organized by Penguin was excellent from start to end. Both Penguin tour guide (Nessi) and the local guide (Fahad) managed all topics efficiently and facilitated an amazing experience for the group. Now I dream about visiting the Northern part of the country, too.
Tour: Socotra Island Adventures (Yemen)
★★★★★
Thanks for everything in terms of your work and help with this trip to Yemen. It was an amazing experience - one I would recommend to almost anyone. By the numbers of people who travelled to the island, it is only going to get more exposure. The local company was very good - so you can have no problems with them at all. I was really lucky though - there were only 2 of us on the trip - and it was a really nice experience. I will continue to work with Penguin in getting ideas for great places to travel.
Tour: Caucasus Explorer
★★★★★
Interesting trip in a different part of the world. with a possibility to learn a lot. Visit to spectacular churches and monastries, museums, wine producers, nature and beautiful cities. This tour is recommended.
04.06.2023 10:00
Nestled in the heart of El Salvador, the picturesque town of Suchitoto beckons travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure. This colonial jewel, perched on the banks of Lake Suchitlán, offers a fascinating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. With its cobblestone streets, vibrant art scene, and warm hospitality, Suchitoto has emerged as a must-visit destination for those...
30.05.2023 13:30
Isfahan, a city steeped in rich history and unparalleled beauty, stands as a testament to the grandeur of Persian civilization. Located in central Iran, Isfahan boasts a mesmerizing blend of architectural marvels, vibrant bazaars, and serene gardens that have captivated travelers for centuries. With its UNESCO-listed landmarks, such as the majestic Imam Square and the stunning Shah Mosque,...
29.05.2023 14:55
Kenya, a land of breathtaking landscapes and diverse wildlife, holds an array of hidden gems for travelers seeking unforgettable experiences. Among these treasures lies the captivating Lake Nakuru, a mesmerizing waterbody nestled within the Great Rift Valley. Renowned for its abundant birdlife and stunning scenery, Lake Nakuru National Park offers a captivating blend of natural wonders and...
24.05.2023 16:26
Nestled in the heart of Yemen, the city of Shibam stands as a living testament to the ingenuity and architectural marvels of ancient civilizations. Renowned as "the Manhattan of the desert," Shibam boasts a skyline of towering mud-brick skyscrapers, capturing the essence of Yemen's rich history and cultural heritage. Shibam, located in the Wadi Hadramaut region, is a UNESCO World...