Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our general FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.

Resources to Learn & Teach about the Camino de Santiago

Visit our recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have lesson plans and Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.

Terms and Conditions

It is very important for you to visit our Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.

GEEO Program Confirmation Process

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

Cancellation policy

All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

1. This trip is a trekking trip from start to finish. Be prepared to hike an average of 6 to 10 hrs per day, with some shorter and longer days along the way.
2. 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.
3. LUGGAGE FORWARDING OPTION: 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.
4. 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.

Group Leader Description

All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure’s group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEOs). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.

Fitness Level

You must be prepared to hike an average of 6-10 hrs per day, approx. 10-15 miles per day, with some shorter and longer days along the way.

Single Travelers

Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org to request a single room.

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., during which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details. If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. The program starts in Sarria. You will probably want to fly into Santiago de Compostela, Coruna, or Madrid. Santiago de Compostela and Coruna are closer, but Madrid will have cheaper flights. Trains run daily to Sarria from Santiago de Compostela (usually via Orense-Empalme), and take about 3.5 hours. Tickets & timetables can be found on http://www.renfe.com/ Alternatively, to get to Sarria via bus from Santiago de Compostela, they still must go via Lugo. So, Between Santiago de Compostela and Lugo, there is a direct bus that runs 5 times per day taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes. More information found at www.movelia.es, www.empresafreire.com & tmg.xunta.gal From Lugo to Sarria, Buses take about 40 minutes & there are about 5 per day. More information found at www.empresafreire.com & monbus.es The Hotel Albergue Turistico La Casona is a 5 minute walk from the train station and a 10 minute walk from the bus station. Arriving in Santiago de Compostela? Pre-book a private transfer with G Adventures from Santiago de Compostela to start your tour in Sarria. The transfer is approximately 1 h 30 mins by car and roughly 75.5.miles. More information can be found at www.movelia.es and www.empresafreire.com. If those websites give you trouble, try https://www.rome2rio.com/

Emergency Contacts

Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information, so they may return your call and assist you 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

Please read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. We recommend using a backpack for your convenience, or a medium-sized suitcase if you prefer. A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person. You will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. You must be prepared to carry your luggage up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels (max 15-20 mins.) 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 a trip to break in new boots or shoes on. Health & Safety

• N95/KN95 face masks (at least a few just in case there is an outbreak within your group)
• Hand sanitizer
• Rapid Covid tests/antigen tests (at least 3)

Suggested Checklist

• Comfortable daypack for hiking
• Personal clothing for hot weather – expect daytime highs to be in the 70s, but possibly warmer. There will probably be no time for laundry
• Comfortable waterproof (Gortex) hiking boots/shoes – you will be walking a lot
• Trekking socks – wool or synthetic, not cotton
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Sunblock
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• Water bottle (you can refill it often along the trail with clean water)
• Watch or alarm clock
• Toiletries – Important: some hotels do not give you soap and shampoo
• Camera
• First-aid kit, including lip salve, Aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, Dramamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking
• Moleskin for blisters

Optional Checklist

• Hiking poles
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well converters/adapters, if needed
• AirTags or Tile trackers
• Packing cubes
• Flip-flops/sandals
• Earplugs
• Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; you can buy snacks when you get there too, so don’t go crazy here
• Ziplock bags
• Reading/writing material
• Hand sanitizer/baby wipes

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Airline tickets (with photocopies)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

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

All GEEO trips require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching here. U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Spain. Non-American participants should check with their government or nearest Spanish Embassy to find out if they need a visa.

Money Exchange

Spain is part of the Eurozone and uses the common currency, the euro (EUR). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.

Tipping

It is customary in Europe to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service (€1-2 EUR for snacks or 10% of a meal bill). Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels. There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Recommendations for tipping local guides and drivers range from €3-5 EUR per person per day, depending on the quality and length of the service. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, €30-40 USD per person per week would be appropriate.

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed. The program starts in Sarria. See joining instructions for more information about recommend airports. The program ends in Santiago de Compostela. Several airlines have flights daily to Madrid from Lavacolla Airport, 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

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S. Spain has type C outlets for two circular prongs, and the voltage is 220-240V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.

Expectations

Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury as we are trying to keep these trips as inexpensive as possible. Sometimes the accommodation is not air-conditioned.
• You will be hiking 4-10 hrs per day.
• While hiking, you will be carrying a daypack with your water, snacks, and any other items you might need.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

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.