Pamplona - Fiesta San Fermin 'running of the bulls'!

FIESTA SAN FERMIN ‘running of the bulls’ is one of the greatest festivals on earth and is a once in a lifetime experience not to be missed! For 9 days every July the small city of Pamplona, Spain turns into a sea of red and white as hundreds of thousands of people gather to celebrate the Fiestas San Fermin. Richly diverse in culture, music, sporting contests, and of course celebration - this festival is such a favourite and got to be on most peoples ‘wish-list’ of what to do during the big OE! A true Spanish tradition every day from the 6th - 14th July is fuelled by 24 hours of drinking, eating, dancing parades and amazing fireworks display.

KEEN TO GO?

MORE ABOUT THE FESTIVAL …

The festivals are kick-started by the opening ceremony on the 6th July, which will ultimately become on of your greatest travel memories!

The FIESTAS SAN FERMIN or “The Running of the Bulls” as it is more commonly known, runs for 9 days with the opening ceremony of the festival always on the 6th July and the first bull run always on the 7th of July. The bull running has become the most famous aspect of the festival since the publication of Hemingway's novel “The Sun Also Rises”.

EL ENCIERRO - THE BULL RUNNING starts at 8.00am on the 7th day of the 7th month. The bulls that face the matadors in the evening's bullfights are run through the streets from the holding pens to the bullring. The local boys originally tested their courage by running in front of these bulls and so laid the foundations of the fiesta. Later these activities were combined with celebrations for SAN FERMIN – (the patron saint of religious societies, of wineskin makers, wineskin merchants & bakers) and so the FIESTAS SAN FERMIN was born.

To add to the bull running, the festival is richly diverse with non-stop parties, traditional sporting contests and a seemingly endless celebration of local music and culture. The opening ceremony begins at midday on July 6th, when the Mayor of Pamplona fires a rocket into the air above the town hall to start the party. The days that follow are an incredible experience and certainly a major highlight in the travelling calendar!

STAFFING

There is security provided by the campground, and in addition we take down a professional security team to oversee the campsite. As well as your tour leader, we have our own ground crew staff, on hand to assist you in any way they can. We also staff a small shop to assist those who don't get the chance to get into town before the ceremony and buy their own bubbly and running whites as well as the usual essentials; disposable cameras & sunglasses!

We are most renowned for our fully operational party campsite and management of it. To maintain this great reputation we annually take a staff of over 100 crew to deck out the campsite; provide security through the night; assist passengers 24-7 and of course, our London DJ's keep the masses entertained by the poolside with chill out sessions in the afternoon and rocking on the dance floor through the night!

COACH INFO

All coaches that we use for the Pamplona tours are executive models with toilets, videos/DVD players and stereos. We make regular refreshment and toilet stops and have two drivers and a tour leader per coach to look after your needs. The total travelling time to Pamplona is approx. 22 hours including the ferry crossing. Drinking is permitted on the coaches so please feel free to BYO, but we do ask that you respect your fellow travellers and the coach. During the festival period we operate a regular, free shuttle service between Pamplona to the campsite for our tour passengers. The first shuttles of the day go out in time for the opening ceremony and bull runs, with the last returning at midnight after the fireworks that mark the end of the day's official program.

Our coach tours depart from Goldhawk Road, Stamford Brook, London, which is right beside the Stamford Brook tube station on the District Line.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

IS IT OKAY IF I TRAVEL ALONE?

Yes! Lots of our travellers travel alone, so don’t be afraid to turn up solo – you will certainly leave with a stack of new-found friends! As most of our accommodation is either camping, dormitories or cabins we will match you up with another same-sex traveller so you won’t get nabbed with that unwelcome, pesky ‘single-supplement’ to pay!

WHICH CAMPSITE DO GOBUS USE?

All of our passengers stay at the El MOLINO campsite. We are lucky enough to use this excellent site located on the banks of a river and below the village of Mendigorria. This campsite has easily the best facilities and atmosphere to be found and El Molino is just a short 25-minute bus ride from the centre of the town. I guess you’re wondering how you’ll get in and out of town? Well, we provide free shuttles in and out of Pamplona for all our passengers during the festival period, with the last shuttles departing town at midnight. The campsite has a restaurant, camp shop, a huge swimming pool, football fields, 2 large and very lively bars (indoors and out) which stay open late late late with the aid of some of London’s very best DJs keeping the party going! And if that’s not quite your bag and you fancy getting out of the campsite and going for a wander then just a five minute walk away is the exquisite village of Mendigorria, typical of villages in the region with its cobbled streets, old church and small friendly bars. You’ll be pleased to know that there are also lots of showers and toilets throughout the campsite that are serviced by a 24hour cleaning crew. At El Molino there are bunk beds in the dormitories, or pre-erected dome tents (bring a sleeping mat) and for both, you will require a sleeping bag.

NOTE: For those wanting the campsite party but with a little luxury, all passengers are given the opportunity to upgrade to bungalow accommodation.

Unfortunately all bungalows have sold out. Please contact our office to find out about other accommodation available.

WHAT ABOUT FOOD?

Breakfast (or brunch!) is included everyday which comprises of cereal, fresh rolls with cheese and ham, fruit juice, tea & coffee. Lunch & dinner can either be purchased in town at one of the many local restaurants or you may choose to eat at the restaurant back at the campsite.

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BUDGET FOR?

€50 - €60 per day – depending on how much you’re planning to drink!

WHAT SHALL I BRING?

Pre-erected dome tents are provided by us but you should bring a roll-mat if camping and your own sleeping bag for either camping or staying in the dorms. Additionally the weather in July is hot so just bring your party gear and the obligatory ‘sense of humour and fun attitude’!

DO GOBUS CHARGE A LOCAL PAYMENT?

No.

WHEN & HOW SHOULD I BOOK MY PAMPS TOUR?

This is one of the most popular festivals we offer and there is a capacity limit … in other words we will sell out! So, if Pamps is on your wish-list this year then don’t delay - call us up and get your seat secured and we will do the rest! Don’t forget that if you are purchasing ‘Accommodation only’ then you will need to book your own flights!

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

VISAS - Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada can stay in Spain for up to 90-days without a visa. South Africans must obtain a visa in advance.
VOLTAGE - Standard voltage is 220V AC, 50 Hz. Sockets require European plug with a small diameter prong (two round pins). Pack a power adaptor
MONEY: Spain use the EURO.
TIME: Like most European countries Spain is 1 hour ahead of GMT.
STANDARD TIME: GMT+1 and Summer Time = GMT+2
HEALTH ADVICE: There are no recommended vaccinations for Spain.
CLIMATE: Prepare yourself for the extreme heat – temperatures could easily be in the 40s.
FOOD: Reset your stomach’s clock in Spain if you don’t want to eat alone! Generally Spaniards eat lunch between 1.30 and 4pm and dinner as late as 10 or 11pm. Tapas are the order of the day – lots of dishes that vary from chorizo sausage, calamari rings, prawn croquettes, cheese tortilla to potato bravas - all tasty, nutritious and delicious saucer-sized mini-snacks.

ESSENTIAL INFO

Two weeks before departure, a pre departure fact file, filled with tips, tricks and info, will be available for you to download online, be sure to know before you go!