Important Info

Trip Notes & Expectations

ACCOMMODATION

Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see “Single Travelers” below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are selected for safety, cleanliness, and convenient locations. While they are comfortable and well-suited for group travel, they are generally simple rather than luxury properties in order to keep the program affordable.

Comfort Note: Single room accommodations in European hotels are often smaller, and may not be to the same service level as double-occupancy rooms. Hotel rooms in Southern Europe may occasionally have drainage odors, particularly in warmer months, due to shallow plumbing infrastructure. Running water down drains often resolves the issue. If odors persist, notify the front desk or your tour leader and request a different room if needed.

ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE

This trip is a trekking trip from start to finish. Be prepared to hike an average of 6 to 10 hrs per day (10-15 miles per day), with some shorter and longer days along the way. While hiking, you will be carrying a daypack with your water, snacks, and any other items you might need.

PILGRIM PASSPORT: The Pilgrim Passport is included on this tour; this small stamp book can be used to obtain at least 2 stamps per day to prove they have done the final 100km of the Camino. If this is done, you will be eligible for a Compostela Certificate upon arrival at the cathedral in Santiago. Your tour leader will help arrange all of this during the journey.

OUTDOOR & TRAIL SAFETY

Trek only along designated Camino trails and follow all posted regional waymarks (yellow arrows and shell symbols). Carry a minimum of 1.5–2 liters of water daily, along with high-energy snacks. Weather conditions in Northern Spain change rapidly; ensure wet-weather gear and thermal layers remain accessible in your daypack. Wear broken-in footwear to prevent injuries, and carry a blister treatment kit.

Galicia enforces strict leave-no-trace regulations. Dispose of all waste in municipal bins inside towns; littering along rural trails is illegal and subject to local fines. Do not pick agricultural crops or disturb livestock grazing along trail borders. Wash and dry footwear thoroughly between hiking days to prevent tracking non-native soil pathogens across regional nature reserves.

CULTURAL ETIQUETTE

Respect quiet hours in rural villages and residential areas, particularly during afternoon siesta hours (2:00 PM – 5:00 PM) and after 10:00 PM. When entering active churches or the Santiago de Compostela Cathedral, cover shoulders and knees, remove hats, and keep mobile devices silenced. Photography is prohibited during religious services. Maintain courtesy toward fellow pilgrims and local residents on narrow footpaths.

LUGGAGE

A support vehicle is available on every day to carry your main luggage, so you will need to have a day pack large enough to fit whatever you require for each day while hiking. Please note that only one bag, which cannot exceed 45 lbs, is permitted per traveler.

If you are traveling with extra luggage from previous trips or continuing on your travels after the tour, you have the option of forwarding extra luggage to Santiago from León for a reasonable fee (approx. €10-30 EUR, depending on total weight). Please inquire with your Tour Leader on Day 1. There is also an option to transfer luggage daily to the next stop by taxi. This can be arranged with your Tour Leader and is an OPTIONAL service. The cost will be divided between those who choose to use this service.

RESERVE IN ADVANCE

If you would like to visit any of the sites below, we highly recommend booking in advance.
— Royal Palace (Madrid): patrimonionacional.es
— Prado, Reina Sofia & Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums (Madrid): Each official website, or Viator

GROUP LEADER

All GEEO programs are led by a G Adventures Chief Experience Officer (CEO), whose role is to take the hassle out of travel and help you get the most from your trip. They’ll share information about the places you visit, suggest activities and restaurants, and introduce you to our local friends. While not traditional guides, CEOs have broad knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and daily life. On some excursions, local guides are used for deeper insight.
 

Single Travelers

Traveling solo? You’re in good company—about half of our participants do the same.

Shared room by default. The program fee covers one person in a twin room. We’ll pair you with a roommate of the same gender if you don’t have a travel companion.

Want a private room? Most trips offer a “My Own Room” (single-supplement) upgrade. Check the price in the Add-Ons & Budgeting section, then email travel@geeo.org to reserve it. You pay the single-supplement only if you request it.
“My Own Room” Exception: Receive private accommodation every night except Night 7 in Arzúa.

Emergency Contacts

If you need urgent help during your trip, call the local G Adventures office first. If no one answers, leave a detailed message with your name and contact information so they can return your call as soon as possible.

EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS:
G Adventures Office London, United Kingdom
During Office hours (Weekdays, 9am-5:30pm Local Time): +44 20 7243 9870
For absolute emergencies after office hours please contact: +441858378000

If for any reason you are unable to reach the G Adventures local office, please call the numbers listed below to connect with their Sales team, who will happily assist you.

Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999

Packing List

See our blog post of staff-recommended gear to help you pack for your upcoming travels. You must be able to carry your own luggage—up stairs, on and off of transport, and during 15 to 20 minute walks. Bring one small or medium backpack or rolling bag (22-30lb) and one daypack for daily items. Space is limited on transportation, so oversized bags cannot travel.

As you prepare your packing list, we recommend checking average weather conditions for your destination.

Do not forget to pack a medical kit with extra Band-Aids. Blister kits are also available, and are a good idea to have with you. Please remember to bring and wear footwear that you know is comfortable and will not give you blisters. This is not the time to break in new boots or shoes!

*Laundry: Facilities are sometimes offered by the hotels. You can also use a local laundromat if need be. As mentioned in the checklist above, however, there will likely be little to no time to do laundry on this trip.

Passports and Visas

Travelers are responsible for securing all required travel documents and meeting the entry requirements for every country on their itinerary, including applicable transit/layover countries. 

 
PASSPORT 
All travelers must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your trip dates with enough blank pages for stamps. Need to apply or renew? Start here.

ENTRY/VISA REQUIREMENTS 
Visa rules change frequently—always verify the latest requirements on the U.S. State Department Country Information Pages. Non-U.S. passport holders should verify requirements with your country’s official government resources. You can also use Sherpa, a third-party service and trusted G Adventures partner to look up the latest requirements.

Money Exchange

Currency: Spain is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR). For current exchange rates, visit www.xe.com.

Credit/Debit Cards: Credit cards (especially Visa and Mastercard) are accepted at many hotels, shops, and restaurants, but not everywhere. Some vendors may also charge an international transaction fee, so check with your bank before you travel.

Cash: For small purchases, tipping, or places that don’t take cards, we recommend using ATMs to withdraw local currency while traveling. You will want small-denomination Euros for purchases in rural villages where cards may not be accepted. If you bring U.S. dollars to exchange, the bills must be new, unmarked, and in excellent condition—damaged or older notes are often rejected.

Emergency Funds: Bring at least $200 USD (or the equivalent in local currency) in cash for emergencies in case of ATM or card issues. Always carry more rather than less to avoid feeling short of funds while traveling.

For more advice, see our post, Smart Travel Finances: Your Guide to Money, ATMs, Fees, and Safety Abroad

Tipping

Tipping is optional but appreciated and goes a long way for the people who look after you on the trip. If you are happy with the service, use these ballpark amounts and adjust as you see fit:

– Service providers/Waiters: €1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of the bill.
– Local guides and drivers: €3-5 EUR per person per day.
– G Adventures tour leader (CEO): €6-8 EUR per person per day. (We suggest pooling contributions in an envelope and presenting it as a group)

Flights

Wait for official trip confirmation via email from GEEO before booking your flights. Prices tend to be lowest 90–120 days out, but that window varies by route and year. Neither GEEO nor G Adventures bears responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.

This program begins in Madrid and ends in Santiago de Compostela.

Check the itinerary for the required arrival date. Aim to arrive no later than mid-afternoon for the Day-1 welcome meeting, and consider arriving a day or two early to buffer flight delays. Several airlines have daily flights to Madrid (MAD) from Santiago–Rosalía de Castro Airport (SCQ), just outside of Santiago de Compostela. The hotel is located in the heart of the historical old town and is a 15-minute drive to the airport and a 10-minute ride to the bus station. Taxis to the airport charge a flat rate of €16 EUR. There are also several buses and trains that run on a daily basis from Santiago de Compostela to Madrid or other cities.

Plugs and Converters

Spain uses Type C and Type F plugs and the voltage is 220-240V. To use your electronics safely, you’ll need to consider:

1. Adapter (plug shape)
Adapts your U.S. plug to fit another type of socket. See our recommended all-in-one travel adapter in our Gear Recommendations post.

2. Converter / transformer (voltage)
Steps the outlet voltage down to 120V for U.S. appliances that can’t handle higher voltage.

Check what you need: Look on your device’s plug or power brick. “Input: 100-240V” works worldwide—you only need a plug adapter. Any range narrower (e.g., “110-120V” or “Input: 120V”) means you need an adapter and a voltage converter to avoid damage. Converters are inexpensive and available online or in travel stores.

Weather

July and August are the high season for the Camino de Santiago. It can be very warm in Spain during the summer, but the northern regions are usually cooler than the rest of the country. High temperatures average in the 70s and can climb into the 80s (or higher) during a heat wave. The weather is sunny most days, but there is a chance of rain, particularly in Sarria.