Common Questions About Red Monkey Walking Trips
Who are these trips for?
These trips are for anyone who feels the need to slow down and gain some perspective on life. This is a chance for you to take care of you. If you are moving through a life transition, processing grief, or just want a chance to experience the nourishing calm and beauty of the French and Spanish countrysides, come join us! You will meet a tribe of other intrepid pilgrims who are moving through the world with grit and grace.
These trips are for anyone who feels the need to slow down and gain some perspective on life. This is a chance for you to take care of you. If you are moving through a life transition, processing grief, or just want a chance to experience the nourishing calm and beauty of the French and Spanish countrysides, come join us! You will meet a tribe of other intrepid pilgrims who are moving through the world with grit and grace.
Where are we staying? I've heard the Camino has terrible dorms…
No dorms. Our lodgings are hidden gems of family run bed and breakfasts, working farms, and restored 12th century farmhouses tucked throughout the countryside. You will find an unparalleled hospitality from the 1,000 year tradition of serving pilgrims along the Camino.
No dorms. Our lodgings are hidden gems of family run bed and breakfasts, working farms, and restored 12th century farmhouses tucked throughout the countryside. You will find an unparalleled hospitality from the 1,000 year tradition of serving pilgrims along the Camino.
A Spanish family run eco-
hotel.
This beautiful room is a restored 10th century tower outside of Pamplona.
|
Each night's accommodation is lovingly selected for the charm, beauty and care of the owners. Each night is like opening a present with its own unique atmosphere and nourishing delights.
We stay in 4-star hotels in the towns of Bilbao and Pamplona. The families that run our lodgings have been serving pilgrims for generations. They offer a hospitality that will open your heart and widen your view of what 'connecting with locals' during travel can look like. This is not your usual Camino stay! 
A beautiful country view for breakfast.
|
|
Is it really the best food in the world?
YES. Get ready for a culinary adventure! You’ll indulge in home-style French and Basque cuisine, as well as the best of Spanish tapas, seafood, cheeses, and pastries. Of course, there will also be artisan chocolate and wine. Dinners are mostly three courses of exquisite food, from farms and stores in the local region. We use organic and sustainable ingredients as much as possible. Vegetarian options are also available. |
|
How many miles a day will I be walking?
You'll walk 10-15 miles a day with many breaks to enjoy our surroundings. Each pilgrim can walk in accordance with their own body’s rhythm, so there's no pressure to "keep up" with anyone else on the trail. It sounds long, but is actually very doable even at a slow pace. Walking in the country is much less arduous than hiking. Most days there are small cafes with fabulous coffee and treats to keep you feeling great. If needed, there is also a taxi service available daily.
How fit do I need to be for this trip?
Pilgrims vary in ages from preteens to elders in their 80s. Walking the Camino is suitable for everyone in reasonably good shape. It helps to love up your body with exercise before you arrive, but everyone is sore the first few days. Blisters, sore muscles and other symptoms of long walks are common. After your body adjusts, the problem becomes never wanting to stop walking!
What does a typical day look like?
You'll walk 10-15 miles a day with many breaks to enjoy our surroundings. Each pilgrim can walk in accordance with their own body’s rhythm, so there's no pressure to "keep up" with anyone else on the trail. It sounds long, but is actually very doable even at a slow pace. Walking in the country is much less arduous than hiking. Most days there are small cafes with fabulous coffee and treats to keep you feeling great. If needed, there is also a taxi service available daily.
How fit do I need to be for this trip?
Pilgrims vary in ages from preteens to elders in their 80s. Walking the Camino is suitable for everyone in reasonably good shape. It helps to love up your body with exercise before you arrive, but everyone is sore the first few days. Blisters, sore muscles and other symptoms of long walks are common. After your body adjusts, the problem becomes never wanting to stop walking!
What does a typical day look like?
7:30 am – 8:00 am |
Breakfast is served at your lodging |
8:25 am |
Group huddle to discuss logistics, share a poem and our intentions for the day |
8:30 am |
Start walking |
Mid-am |
You'll take breaks as we encounter cafes, bridges, and scenic views |
Mid-day |
A group picnic lunch is shared together everywhere from peaceful olive groves to rustic hermitages |
Mid-pm |
Keep Walking! You’ll take breaks, according to your own rhythm |
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm |
You’ll arrive in our lodgings, get settled into rooms, and shower and perhaps enjoy a glass of wine or foot massage |
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm |
Dinner is a gorgeous three course meal with ample wines and fresh, local French or Spanish food. We’ll share our insights and observations from the day, in addition to meeting our hosts--and other pilgrims. |
9:00 pm |
After dinner is time for philosophy, singing, foot massages, reading, writing or just jumping into dream time! |
What is Walking Meditation anyway?
Walking quietly in nature brings out a meditative quality in pilgrims. As facilitators, we offer simple meditation instructions, but we let Nature do the teaching first. You will walk silently at your own pace for long chunks of time. But as a group, we tend to laugh a lot at meals and during breaks. Like with any retreat, the experience may bring up serious moments, as well as silly and lighthearted ones. Red Monkey guides meet you wherever you're at, and the group naturally bonds to hold each other. A day on the Camino without a major insight or discovery is rare, since the Camino has a serendipitous way of bringing pilgrims the exact guidance they need.
What can I expect to feel during this trip?
A lot of pilgrims report that walking the Camino helps them feel empowered, both in their bodies and lives. Walking is a gift that allows the space for you to feel, integrate life experiences, and envision a new future for yourself. The Camino gives pilgrims the time and structure to contemplate, have insights, and dream about your future.
If you feel like you need to clear out some old cobwebs and breath some fresh air into your psyche, walking the Camino with us is a brilliant start!
How big will my group be?
To offer a personalized experience, we limit groups to 12 pilgrims.
Walking quietly in nature brings out a meditative quality in pilgrims. As facilitators, we offer simple meditation instructions, but we let Nature do the teaching first. You will walk silently at your own pace for long chunks of time. But as a group, we tend to laugh a lot at meals and during breaks. Like with any retreat, the experience may bring up serious moments, as well as silly and lighthearted ones. Red Monkey guides meet you wherever you're at, and the group naturally bonds to hold each other. A day on the Camino without a major insight or discovery is rare, since the Camino has a serendipitous way of bringing pilgrims the exact guidance they need.
What can I expect to feel during this trip?
A lot of pilgrims report that walking the Camino helps them feel empowered, both in their bodies and lives. Walking is a gift that allows the space for you to feel, integrate life experiences, and envision a new future for yourself. The Camino gives pilgrims the time and structure to contemplate, have insights, and dream about your future.
If you feel like you need to clear out some old cobwebs and breath some fresh air into your psyche, walking the Camino with us is a brilliant start!
How big will my group be?
To offer a personalized experience, we limit groups to 12 pilgrims.
