Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need singing experience?
No, singers of all abilities are welcome on Sing The Camino.
How do I get to the starting point of the Spanish Sing the Camino?
Via Madrid, our starting point Ponferrada is easily accessed by train or bus. You can buy a train ticket online at www.renfe.com but tickets will usually not be available for purchase until 4-8 weeks prior to travel. The departure station in Madrid is Madrid Chamartín - you’ll need this information when you’re booking. To view the website into English click the word welcome at the top of the page, however the page may revert to Spanish once you try to book a ticket. If you prefer to book your ticket on an English language site, try www.raileurope.com, however these tickets will be more expensive. You may need to change trains at Leon.
Via Barcelona you can get a connecting flight to the beautiful city of Leon and then it is approximately 1 hour by bus.
How do I get to the starting point of Sing the Camino Portuguese?
This tour starts at a beautiful casa rural, Quinta de Malta, near Barcelos, which is north of O Porto. Get there by train from Porto to Durraes station.
Should I use walking poles?
We recommend walking poles as they reduce the stress placed on your joints and can reduce the the risk of injury from falls. You might find the following website useful for more information Guide-to-trekking-poles.
What's the best footwear to use?
We recommend walking boots with ankle support. It's extremely important to thoroughly wear in whatever shoes you intend to walk in, in the months before the trip, to minimise the chances of blisters. Lightweight boots with Vibram soles are a good choice.
Do I need to train for the walk?
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. The more preparation you put in before you leave home the easier you will find the physical aspect of the journey.
How difficult is the walking?
The walking difficulty varies greatly on both of the routes. There are steep sections that are richly rewarded with magnificent views on clear days. Many people find the down hill stretches more challenging and for this we recommend using walking poles to reduce the stress on your joints. Much of the walking meanders through mildly undulating countryside on well formed paths while other sections are more rocky and uneven. The tracks also pass through historic centres with narrow winding streets, sections of forest, vineyards, towns and farmland.
What is the accommodation like?
We at Sing The Camino have endeavoured to book you the best accommodation available. When selecting your hotels we have aimed to seek out accommodation that balances your needs for comfort, atmosphere, culture, proximity to places of interest and affordability. Sometimes you will stay in hotels, other times pousadas or casa rurales, giving you the full range of Spanish and Portuguese experiences. Sometimes they are beautifully converted historic buildings, other times lovingly tended boutique guesthouses. It's important to note that you will be travelling through rural areas not geared towards regular tourism and as such five star hotels are not possible. Much of your accommodation is a short drive from the walking track, and transport is provided.
Traditionally, pilgrims stay in albergues which are usually big, simple dormitories with varying levels of cleanliness and comfort. Because albergues can not be booked in advance, are prone to bed bug infestation and do not offer the levels of privacy and comfort we prefer for our guests, Sing The Camino does not use albergue accommodation.
Do I need to walk the whole way?
Not necessarily, but in order to obtain your Compostela certificate you need to walk at least the last 100km which is equivalent to walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, or from O Porriño on the Camino Portuguese. The importance of the certificate is up to you personally. The walking days are an average of 22km/day and 20km/day on the Spanish and Portuguese route respectively. To have the most enjoyable and rewarding Camino experience, we strongly encourage participants to prepare to the best of their ability through regular training walks in the lead up to the tour. If due to unforeseen circumstances you are unable to complete any section, the support vehicle will be available to transport you. We can also accommodate participants who plan to walk shorter days. In order to enable smooth running of the tour, we can facilitate shorter days by offering some alternative starting points in the mornings, meaning your destination point for that day is the same as the rest of the group. Non-emergency transport in the support vehicle needs to be arranged to fit in with the other planned uses of the van on any given day (transporting guests between accommodation and the track, transporting luggage, etc). Of course any urgent matters always take immediate priority.
Is the route easy to find?
We will provide you with daily maps and track notes. The way is well marked with yellow arrows and scallop shell motifs.
Local people are familiar with the route and are generally very happy to help.
Are meals included?
We provide all breakfasts and most dinners (which also include wine). Lunch and snacks are easy to find along the day's route. This approach allows people the most freedom and flexibility to travel at their own pace during the day whilst being able to relax in the evenings and morning.
Do I need to learn Spanish or Portuguese?
No. Though, of course, it is a much appreciated courtesy as a visitor to any country to learn a few phrases. You will be provided with a phrase book that will ensure you can communicate the essentials. We recommend you learn as much as you can, it will enrich your experience. That said, the majority of people in service roles in these regions can speak english.
No, singers of all abilities are welcome on Sing The Camino.
How do I get to the starting point of the Spanish Sing the Camino?
Via Madrid, our starting point Ponferrada is easily accessed by train or bus. You can buy a train ticket online at www.renfe.com but tickets will usually not be available for purchase until 4-8 weeks prior to travel. The departure station in Madrid is Madrid Chamartín - you’ll need this information when you’re booking. To view the website into English click the word welcome at the top of the page, however the page may revert to Spanish once you try to book a ticket. If you prefer to book your ticket on an English language site, try www.raileurope.com, however these tickets will be more expensive. You may need to change trains at Leon.
Via Barcelona you can get a connecting flight to the beautiful city of Leon and then it is approximately 1 hour by bus.
How do I get to the starting point of Sing the Camino Portuguese?
This tour starts at a beautiful casa rural, Quinta de Malta, near Barcelos, which is north of O Porto. Get there by train from Porto to Durraes station.
Should I use walking poles?
We recommend walking poles as they reduce the stress placed on your joints and can reduce the the risk of injury from falls. You might find the following website useful for more information Guide-to-trekking-poles.
What's the best footwear to use?
We recommend walking boots with ankle support. It's extremely important to thoroughly wear in whatever shoes you intend to walk in, in the months before the trip, to minimise the chances of blisters. Lightweight boots with Vibram soles are a good choice.
Do I need to train for the walk?
A reasonable level of fitness is recommended. The more preparation you put in before you leave home the easier you will find the physical aspect of the journey.
How difficult is the walking?
The walking difficulty varies greatly on both of the routes. There are steep sections that are richly rewarded with magnificent views on clear days. Many people find the down hill stretches more challenging and for this we recommend using walking poles to reduce the stress on your joints. Much of the walking meanders through mildly undulating countryside on well formed paths while other sections are more rocky and uneven. The tracks also pass through historic centres with narrow winding streets, sections of forest, vineyards, towns and farmland.
What is the accommodation like?
We at Sing The Camino have endeavoured to book you the best accommodation available. When selecting your hotels we have aimed to seek out accommodation that balances your needs for comfort, atmosphere, culture, proximity to places of interest and affordability. Sometimes you will stay in hotels, other times pousadas or casa rurales, giving you the full range of Spanish and Portuguese experiences. Sometimes they are beautifully converted historic buildings, other times lovingly tended boutique guesthouses. It's important to note that you will be travelling through rural areas not geared towards regular tourism and as such five star hotels are not possible. Much of your accommodation is a short drive from the walking track, and transport is provided.
Traditionally, pilgrims stay in albergues which are usually big, simple dormitories with varying levels of cleanliness and comfort. Because albergues can not be booked in advance, are prone to bed bug infestation and do not offer the levels of privacy and comfort we prefer for our guests, Sing The Camino does not use albergue accommodation.
Do I need to walk the whole way?
Not necessarily, but in order to obtain your Compostela certificate you need to walk at least the last 100km which is equivalent to walking from Sarria to Santiago de Compostela, or from O Porriño on the Camino Portuguese. The importance of the certificate is up to you personally. The walking days are an average of 22km/day and 20km/day on the Spanish and Portuguese route respectively. To have the most enjoyable and rewarding Camino experience, we strongly encourage participants to prepare to the best of their ability through regular training walks in the lead up to the tour. If due to unforeseen circumstances you are unable to complete any section, the support vehicle will be available to transport you. We can also accommodate participants who plan to walk shorter days. In order to enable smooth running of the tour, we can facilitate shorter days by offering some alternative starting points in the mornings, meaning your destination point for that day is the same as the rest of the group. Non-emergency transport in the support vehicle needs to be arranged to fit in with the other planned uses of the van on any given day (transporting guests between accommodation and the track, transporting luggage, etc). Of course any urgent matters always take immediate priority.
Is the route easy to find?
We will provide you with daily maps and track notes. The way is well marked with yellow arrows and scallop shell motifs.
Local people are familiar with the route and are generally very happy to help.
Are meals included?
We provide all breakfasts and most dinners (which also include wine). Lunch and snacks are easy to find along the day's route. This approach allows people the most freedom and flexibility to travel at their own pace during the day whilst being able to relax in the evenings and morning.
Do I need to learn Spanish or Portuguese?
No. Though, of course, it is a much appreciated courtesy as a visitor to any country to learn a few phrases. You will be provided with a phrase book that will ensure you can communicate the essentials. We recommend you learn as much as you can, it will enrich your experience. That said, the majority of people in service roles in these regions can speak english.