Join Ludus Tours for the experience of a lifetime as you attend the San Fermines Festival in Pamplona, Spain. It takes place in the region of Navarra in Pamplona annually between July 6-14. As part of our package, you will enjoy:
The bull run is the most well known act of the Sanfermines and the reason why so many travelers make their way to Pamplona every July. Runners race along certain stretches of the streets which have been previously walled off. The bulls go from the Santo Domingo corrals to the Bull Ring where, later that afternoon, these same bulls are part of the bullfight. A total of six bulls run through the streets every morning along with steers into the bull arena. The route measures 825 meters (about half a mile).
The run or "encierro" occurs every morning between the 6th and 14th of July, at 8.00 a.m., although the runners usually have to be there at least an hour before. A few minutes before the race is started the runners entrust themselves to San Fermín and sing three times before the St. Fermin statue, which is decorated with the scarves of the peñas (social groups). The statue is located on the Cuesta de Santo Domingo at the beginning of the route. "We ask San Fermín, as our Patron, to guide us through the Bull Run and give us his blessing" is how the song goes.
At 8:00 a.m. sharp the first rocket is launched, announcing the opening of the gates of the small corrals' of Santo Domingo, while the firing of the second indicates that all the bulls have left the gates! From then on the animals run along the following course: they go up the Santo Domingo rise and cross the Town Hall Square in order to run in line down the Calle Mercaderes. A closed curve leads into the Calle Estafeta, the longest part of the route which is followed by a small part of the Calle Duque de Ahumada, also known as the Telefónica stretch, which gives access to the dead end street which leads to the Bull Ring. Once all the bulls have entered the taurine enclosure a third rocket goes up while the fourth indicates that the beasts have gone into the bullpens and the Bull Run is over.
The run lasts for three minutes on average, which are prolonged if any of the bulls should get separated from its brothers. Although all the stretches are dangerous, the curve of the Calle Mercaderes and the stretch between the Calle Estafeta and the Bull Ring are those which hold the most risk.
All sections of the route are looked over by a large number of security guards and first aid assistants. However, the danger of the run has meant that since 1924 a total of 14 people have died and more than 200 been injured by the bulls. Nobody has died since 1995.
Our 3 or 4 Night Packages Include:
• 3 or 4 nights hotel in Central Pamplona (3 STAR)
• Meet and greet orientation of Pamplona with tapas
• Traditional Spanish Welcome Dinner (a few courses with wine)
• Tickets to a Bullfight in Pamplona
• Entrance to VIP Balcony to watch the Running of the Bulls one morning
• Tour Guide Assistance
• Lots of Fun!
<b> Tour Itinerary <b>
July 5th - 8th Sample Itinerary
July 5th
Arrival into Pamplona
P.M.: Orientation of Pamplona city and San Fermin, including tapas
July 6th
Watch the Pamplona Opening Ceremony (known as the Chupinazo); starts at 12 p.m. (balcony not included on this day and no bulls run on this day)
PM: Traditional Spanish Welcome Dinner with local wine, tapas, etc.
July 7th
A.M. Watch the Running of the Bulls from our VIP balcony right on the bull route!
P.M. Attend a real Bullfight at the Pamplona stadium
July 8th
Departure from Pamplona
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
What's Included:
• 3 or 4 nights hotel in Central Pamplona (3 STAR)
• Meet and greet orientation of Pamplona with tapas
• Traditional Spanish Welcome Dinner
• Tickets to a Bullfight in Pamplona
• Entrance to VIP Balcony to watch the Running of the Bulls one morning
• Tour Guide Assistance
Please note that airfare is not included.
Also see tour packages in:
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Spain
Festival Tours
Food & Wine
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