£ 2275

Volcanoes, Colonial Cities and Coast

A fantastic tailor made adventure that allows you to see the spectacular diversity Nicaragua has to offer.  From conical, smoldering volcanoes, a wild jungle river with a historic castle to beautifully restored colonial cities and dramatic coast lines. The breadth of wild landscapes are as diverse and fascinating as its population and history (ancient and modern) All this  provides for an unforgettable experience in one of Central America´s most  beautiful countries. It includes a great combination of activities, relaxation in some of Nicaragua´s top destinations. There're plenty of guided activities, also giving you time to explore the towns independently – choosing many of your own restaurants . This trip is suitable for all  ages.

Price £2,275 / $2,845

Price based on a 2 per person. Excludes international flights.

Price based on 4  per person  £1990  $2450

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Day by Day

You arrive at Managua Airport, after customs procedures, our representative welcomes you and provides you a welcome package including the information you need for your trip.

Later you are transferred to your hotel in Granada. Con Corazon  Breakfast included

Transfer: Managua Airport - Granada - Distance: 46 km. - Road is in very good condition. Average travel time: l:00h

Destination Info: Granada

Perfect for a self guided tour by foot or cycle.
Granada, or the "Gran Sultana", is one of Latin Americas most beautiful cities, and is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Founded in 7524 on the shores of vast Lake Nicaragua, this ancient town is full of history and Spanish colonial charm, and is famed as one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. Amongst the narrow streets and glorious architecture, you'll find some excellent hotels, fine restaurants and plenty of interesting sites and museums to fill your days.

The city also makes a great base for exploring the surrounding area, with volcanos, beaches, national parks and the incredible waterworld of Las lsletas de Granada all within easy reach.

Hotel Con Corazon or similar  Breakfast included

On this day you can optionally go exploring the nearby volcanoes in Granada such as the Mombacho Volcano during the day or the Masaya Volcano in the evening.

*closure of Masaya Volcano subject to potential volcanic activity,

OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES

16:00 Masaya Volcano - Lava Night Tour
Masaya Volcano National Park is one of the most famous volcanoes in the pacific region of Nicaragua due to its constant activity, and was known to the Spanish at the "Mouth of Hell". It offers the unique experience of seeing an active volcano up close, and watching as molten lava glows in crater just meters away from you. It's an awe-inspiring experience allowing visitors to experience a phenomenon once sacred to the pre-Columbian Nicaraguans, who were inspired by the raw power and beauty of nature.

Hotel Con Corazon - breakfast included

Transfer from Managua to San Carlos by ground transportation, the port is the regional hub to travel the Rfo San Juan area. Once there, you board your public boat for a scenic journey to your hotel in El Castillo.

Transfer: 09:00 - Granada - San Carlos - Distance: 376 km. - Road is in good condition. Average travel time: 5:00h
Boat: 15:00 - San Carlos - El Castillo (Public Boat Fast) - Distance: 50 km. Average travel time: 2:30h

Destination Info: Rio San Juan
The Rfo San Juan flows from the vast Lake Nicaragua into the Caribbean Sea. Its path cuts through thick jungle along the border with Costa Rica, passing tiny villages and through the vast Indio Maiz Biosphere Reserve, home to diverse wildlife such as toucans, eagles, caiman, turtles, tropical frogs and a variety of monkeys. For a wild and authentic Nicaraguan experience, this region should not be missed.

Hotel Victoria  Breakfast included

Near to the center of the town, this friendly hotel offers clean, spacious rooms with wooden interiors, looking out over the Rio San Juan. It makes a comfortable and convenient base for your time in El Castillo. The adjoining Dona Victoria restaurant offers fresh fish caught in the San Juan River, as well as their specialty, the Giant River Shrimp.

After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel to go on an exciting excursion to Indio Mafz. Discover the beauty of the Bartola Trail and enjoy a scenic boat ride along the river. In the afternoon, immerse into the local culture with a visit to the town's cacao plantations, learning about their history and significance.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

08:00 El Castillo - Indio Maiz: Bartola trail
From El Castillo you ride down San Juan river for about 45 minutes until you reach the Indio Maiz Reserve. The Indio Maiz Reserve is home to numerous animal pecies, among which are deer, wild boars, pumas, sloths, jaguars, manatees, howler Monkeys, white­ faced monkeys, spider monkeys, poison dart frogs, snakes, crocodiles, turtles, and iguanas.

You have a 2 hour hike in the rain forest, after which you jump back in the boat to witness wildlife.

After hike we take the boat and going to explore Bartola river, where you have chance for swimming in the middle of the forest.

 

 

14:00 El Castillo - Cacao Cooperative Encounter
The tour starts with a boat ride that takes you to one of the farms of the Cooperative, during the ride you will be able to admire the Flora and Fauna of the area. Once you get to the farm, enjoy a walk across the cacao plantations while your guide explains about the harvest and production. Continue to the cooperative, where you learn about the cacao fermentation and drying. The tour ends with a chocolate workshop at one of the houses of the community, where you will also share with the cacao producers and their families.

Hotel Victoria B

Traveling to Leon

Today, you early boat to San Carlos, then you continue to your hotel in the university city of Le6n.Boat: 07:00 - El Castillo - San Carlos (Public Boat Fast) - Distance: 50 km. Average travel time: 2:30h
Transfer: 09:00 - San Carlos - Le6n - Distance: 337 km. - Road is in good condition. Average travel time: 6:30h

Destination Info: Leon

Seen by many as the intellectual center of Nicaragua, Le6n offers energy and beauty in equal measure. A picturesque colonial town dating back to the 7600's, it has grown into a city full of political spirit, art, great food and buzzing nightlife.

The city has a fascinating history, having been relocated from its original location at Leon Viejo, which you can still visit today. The historic center of Leon is filled with stunning colonial architecture and museums, whilst nearby you'll find fantastic beaches and volcanic landscapes which are perfect for adventure seekers.

Hotel Austria breakfast included

Hotel Austria is in an ideal base for tourists who are visiting Leon. To admire its churches and colonial buildings you only have to walk 2 minutes. Because of its central location, this hotel is perfect if you only have limited time to see the city.

The hotel has 35 clean and comfortable rooms, equipped with modern comforts such as cable TV, hot water, and air­ conditioning. The hotel proudly promotes renewable energy by using solar power to provide its customers with hot water. It is also a top spot for the business traveler due to its proximity to Leon's universities and the financial and commercial centers. In the year 2009 Hotel Austria received a national award for maintaining the cleanest operations of the hotel industry.

Rooms: Double Room - Standard +breakfast

Breakfast and private transfer to the coastal estuary wildlife refuge of Juan Venado, navigating the wetlands and mangrove forest in kayak to observe numerous wading birds like the Roseate Spoonbill and Boat-billed Heron.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

07:30 Le6n - Juan Venado Island Kayak Tour
Juan Venado Island is a nature reserve situated 25 minutes from Leon and located to the south of the beaches of Las Penitas and Poneloya. The best way to discover its impressive mangrove sanctuary is by kayak.

The edge of Juan Venado Island that faces into the Pacific Ocean possesses a fine estuary and is also a vital nesting site for Olive Ridley sea turtles between August and January. The estuary of Juan Venado Island itself is inhabited by water birds, caimans, crocodiles, iguanas, crustaceans and more. Bird watching enthusiasts will find the island a real treat as it is home to 106 bird species.

You are transferred to the Pacific bay of Las Penitas from where you kayak towards the island. Lined with mangrove forest between the island and coast, your guide will find the perfect route through the curvy waterway to the secluded Pacific beach side of the island. Here we take you for a walk and if you like, you can have a refreshing dive into the Pacific Ocean.

This morning, take a walking tour of Le6n to discover its rich history, colonial architecture, and vibrant street art, including the Cathedral of Le6n and local markets. Learn about the murals of the city and the history behind them.

INCLUDED EXPERIENCES

14:00 Leon - City Walking Tour & Muralism
Explore the gorgeous historic centre of Leon along with a local guide, learning about the city's past and its stunning colonial architecture. You'll see a number of Leon's famous churches, as well the mighty Leon Cathedral - the largest in Central America. On route you'll also visit Ortiz Gurdian museum, which houses the works of renowned classic and contemporary artists, and see daily life unfold in the local fruit and vegetable market. The tour ends with remarkable views from the cathedral's picturesque rooftop.

Hotel Austria or similar

Today you continue to Rivas and San Jorge port, we travel to Ometepe Island, the largest island in Lake Nicaragua and home to two volcanoes, Concepcion and Maderas.

Transfer: 09:00 - Leon - San Jorge - Distance: 787 km. Average travel time: 3:00h
Ferry: 13:00 - San Jorge - Moyogalpa - Distance: 25 km. Average travel time: l:00h
Transfer: 14:15 - Moyogalpa - San Jose de! Sur - Distance: 73 km. - Road is in good condition. Average travel time: 30 minutes

Once thought to have been the promised land by Aztec explorers, Isla de Ometepe is made up of two imposing volcanic cones rising out of western Lake Nicaragua. Ometepe has been inhabited for thousands of years due to its fertile volcanic soils, and evidence of its past can be found in archeologic sites dotted all around the island. Most travelers come here for the sandy beaches, clean waters, diverse wildlife and stunning scenery, with numerous forests, waterfalls and springs in the island's center. Ometepe is beautiful, unique and one of Nicaragua's lesser-known highlights.

Hotel Villa Parafso or similar  breakfast imcluded

Situated on the isthmus between Concepcion and Maderas, Hotel Villa Parafso has a spot located right on Santo Domingo Beach. Often considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches on Ometepe Island, Santo Domingo beach encompasses over 7 km of white sand and imposing natural beauty.

The hotel, which is comprised of private cabins overlooking the beach, is richly decorated and well-maintained. All cabins come equipped with air-conditioning, warm water, and satellite TV. A swimming pool is located next to the beach. The hotel's restaurant specializes in seafood and Lake Nicaragua fish.

Rooms: Double Room - View lake

Self guided day - Day at leisure

On this day on your own, you can choose among the optional experiences available we can assist you to arrange. For instance, Visit the Charco Verde Nature Reserve: Start your day early at this beautiful reserve. Take a walk along the trails to spot wildlife, enjoy the views of the lake, and perhaps go birdwatching.

Overnight hotel Paraiso

Today you will be picked up at your hotel and transfer to the port for your ferry to San Jorge. Continue your journey to the sun-kissed shores of San Juan del Sur, a coastal gem renowned for its laid-back vibe and world-class surf breaks.

Transfer: 11:30 - San Jose del Sur - Moyogalpa - Distance: 72 km. - Road is in good condition. Average travel time: 30 minutes
Ferry: 12:30 - Moyogalpa - San Jorge - Distance: 25 km. Average travel time: 7:00h

Transfer: 13:30 - San Jorge - San Juan del Sur - Distance: 33 km. Average travel time: 45 minutes

Destination Info: San Juan del Sur
Once a quiet fishing village, San Juan del Sur has grown into one of the most popular beach destinations on Nicaragua's southern Pacific Coast. Happily, the town has maintained much of the charm and laid-back atmosphere which made it famous, and the surrounding area remains as beautiful and wild as ever. The picturesque half-moon bay is ideal for swimming, and there are some lovely hotels and restaurants along the waterfront. The town is an excellent base for exploring other less known beaches in the region, some of which are great for surfing almost year-round. Other activities, some seasonal, include snorkeling, diving, sailing, whale-watching and zip-lining.

Hotel Victoriano

Housed in a Victorian mansion constructed by a wealthy British migrant in the year 7902, Hotel Victoriano brings some old-world style to the Pacific coast. This fabulous hotel, constructed out of precious wood, is located just steps away from the beach in the pristine bay of San Juan del Sur. The hotel has a swimming pool and Jacuzzi, a bar and restaurant, and a beautiful courtyard with a fountain. The 27 rooms of the hotel are all in Victorian style, with modern amenities and a private bathroom.

Rooms: Double Room - Standard  B

Self guided day- Day at leisure

Spend your day at leisure by embracing the surf culture as you ride the waves at Playa Maderas or unwind on the pristine sands of Playa Hermosa.

Optional tours available.

Today you have to leave Nicaragua already, with a direct private transfer to Managua International Airport. We hope - but are pretty sure - that you have enjoyed Nicaragua!
Transfer: San Juan del Sur - Managua Airport - Distance: 740 km. - Road is in good condition. Average travel time: 3:00h

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