The Best of Nicaragua

Airfare is not included on this tour, so you are responsible for getting to and from Nicaragua on your own. You must arrive at the hotel in Managua during the day/evening. There is no common arrangement on this day, as all participants will arrive at different times. We will send out information about which hotel we will be staying at a little closer to departure.

We eat breakfast at the hotel and meet the whole group with our guide for a little get-to-know-you round. After checking out, we get a little sightseeing in the capital, Managua, which is also Nicaragua's largest city. The city is located on Lake Managua and has a population of close to 1.5 million, making it one of the largest cities in Central America. We visit the historical district of the city and have lunch before continuing our trip north to León. León is considered by many to be the intellectual center of Nicaragua. The city is known for safeguarding its artistic beauty and intellectual capacity in equal measure. A picturesque colonial town from the 17th century, which today is known for its political involvement, art, gastronomy, as well as a bustling nightlife. Our hotel is located in the historic center close to the beautiful baroque church "La Recollección". The hotel also houses a part of the city wall from the colonial era, which is preserved behind glass. After check-in, we get a walking city tour and get to know the city where we will stay for 2 nights.

Today we are going up the very first volcano of the trip and we start with Telica, Nicaragua's most active volcano, located around 30 km north of León. We are driven to the starting point where we begin the ascent. Here, the landscape is characterized by cornfields and beautiful nature, and we are distinctly aware of being far off the beaten track. After a couple of hours walk, we reach the foot of the volcano. The climb is not particularly demanding and we reach the crater in a couple more hours hike. From here we enjoy a beautiful sunset where we get a completely unique view where we see several silhouettes of active volcanoes in a row, some with columns of smoke billowing from their tops, and others laying dormant. It is special moment to experience an active volcanic crater after dark where we both hear, see and smell the activity in the crater and the lava that glows in the depths, approx. 120 meters further below. Although the last eruption of this volcano was in 2011, Telica continues to show signs of volcanic life with fairly constant seismic activity, spewing of smoke and liquid magma. We take a different route down from the mountain, on more demanding terrain of lava and volcanic rock. We recommend hiking boots and a headlamp for the descent.

Today we participate in one of Nicaragua's most iconic and unique experiences as you go "sand surfing " down the side of an active volcano! We spend just under 1.5 hours hiking up to the top of Cerro Negro, which is 728 meters above sea level. Here, we gain insights into the region's unique geology, receive safety instructions, and undergo practical training before surfing this fiery giant. Experience is not necessary! After "sandboarding", we return to León for a shower and a change of clothes before continuing our trip north of the country, towards the border with Honduras and Somoto Canyon where we will stay for 2 nights. The drive from Leon to Somoto takes approx. 4 hours, so we prepare for an afternoon by bus.

Today we will explore this canyon, or large valley gorge, by means of canyoneering, swimming and rappelling. We start at the entrance of "The Canyon" with its impressive rock formations and move in the direction of the Coco River. The rock formations in this area are some of the oldest in all of Central America. For those adrenaline seekers in the group, it is possible to rappel down to the river, but there is also the option of walking down to the riverbank. We then walk a short distance along the riverbank before starting into the gorge itself, where we swim through the clean and refreshing water. We are equipped with helmets and life jackets and the experience is a wonderful and pleasant nature experience more than demanding canyoneering. We expect that the vast majority will delight in floating downstream, with magnificent blue Morpho butterflies fluttering above us, and the tranquil surroundings all to ourselves. This activity is suitable for everyone, regardless of prior experience.

After breakfast, we start the drive to Nicaragua's most famous city, the colonial city of Granada, where we will stay for the next 3 nights. In the afternoon we join our guide on a tour of Granada to get to know the city and its main attractions. Granada or "The Gran Sultana" is one of the most beautiful cities in Latin America and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1524 on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. This ancient city is full of historical charm, and in the city's narrow streets there is great architecture, historic hotels, great restaurants and several historical memorials and museums. In the evening we have a pleasant dinner together.

The area around the city of Granada offers great nature experiences, both on the water and in the mountains. Today we start with a kayak trip on Las Isletas, which is an island kingdom consisting of 365 small islands on the huge lake, Lake Nicaragua. Here we can see various bird species in the mythical misty forest that characterizes this area, breath taking villas along the shore and local fishermen looking for the catch of the day. After the kayak trip, drive back to the hotel for a quick change of clothes before lunch. After lunch, we will visit Volcano Mombacho, which is a forested volcano in the cloud forest. Here, the climate and vegetation are very different from the volcanoes we climbed in León in the north, and perhaps we will have encounters with different types of monkeys and other wild animals. We will go on a relatively short hike around the crater, and will be driven in 4x4 off-road vehicles to the starting point for the hike.

We have the morning on our own and meet first for lunch. Perhaps there is a museum or a part of the city that you would like to visit on your own or wander a bit in the old town? We meet in the middle of the day and head straight to the White Villages outside the center of Granada. Traditional arts and crafts are still made here, and we visit a workshop and learn about techniques that are handed down from generation to generation. We pass by impressive pottery displays, locals weaving traditional baskets and finally a large market that has a good selection of souvenirs and handicrafts. After dark, we drive up the volcano Masaya where we walk the last bit up to the crater rim. This volcano is currently active, with molten lava flowing, and we plan our visit for the evening to witness the mesmerizing sight of red-hot lava glowing in the crater.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave Granada and drive south along Lake Nicaragua to the small town of San Jorge. Here we take the ferry over to the island of Ometepe, which means "two mountains". Both culture, food traditions and way of life are slightly different on Ometepe than mainland Nicaragua and the islanders are proud of their island. Ometepe is created by two volcanic craters, and the island has been inhabited for thousands of years due to the lush volcanic soil. Evidence of the past appears everywhere on the island. This is a very beautiful and lush island, and is one of Nicaragua's lesser known attractions. At Ometepe we will stay 3 nights at the homes of the locals, so-called homestays, via an organization called Puesta del Sol, which is run by women in the local community. Most families are engaged in traditional agriculture. Today they welcome tourists and visitors to show green alternative ways of developing society with an emphasis on sustainability and nature conservation. You will get a room with one, two or three beds, a private bathroom and breakfast will be served with the people you are staying with. All the houses we use are within walking distance of each other and there is a common area down by the lake which becomes a natural gathering point.

After an early breakfast, we head to the foot of the impressive and active volcano Concepcion. This is the toughest day of the trip to the mountains and we expect to spend between 8 and 10 hours climbing the 1,600 meter high volcano. We start walking from approx. 130 m above sea level, and after a couple of relatively flat kilometers the climb begins where we pass coffee and banana plantations in a hot and humid climate. At 1300 m. we come out of the dense vegetation and above the tree line. The view from here is beautiful! Those who wish, continue to climb the last 300 meters of altitude to the top, where you walk a lot in loose sand and on volcanic rock. It is necessary to climb over larger rocks at the end, as the path becomes more demanding. From the top we have glorious views and usually strong winds, and it is a powerful experience to see and smell the sulfur seeping out of the active crater.

We will experience more of Ometepe and today we will let our legs recover after yesterday's steep day in the mountains. With minibuses we tour the island and visit a nature reserve, the beautiful beaches and end the day with a fantastic swim in a natural water source surrounded by green vegetation, bird life and monkeys. A proper natural oasis on Ometepe.

We leave Ometepe in the same way as we arrived by ferry over to the mainland. There will be a minibus waiting for us to take us to San Juan del Sur, a coastal town on the Pacific Ocean, where we will spend the last two nights. San Juan del Sur was originally a sleepy fishing village, but with its tropical climate and stable waves, it has become a favorite spot for surfers from all over the world. Tourism has now taken over as the main activity for the local population and we will enjoy the last part of the trip right here, by the Pacific Ocean.

Indulge in a full day of personalized activities tailored to your desires! Whether you fancy booking a surfing lesson, embarking on a scenic boat trip, or casting your line on a fishing adventure, the possibilities are endless along the picturesque Pacific coast. Nestled in San Juan del Sur's charming downtown, our superb hotel offers convenient access to stunning beaches and boasts a refreshing pool just steps from the shore. With everything within walking distance, the day is yours to savor as you please!

We enjoy one last morning at the coast before we start the return to the capital Managua after lunch. In Managua, we arrange a joint farewell dinner to round off our diverse tour of this exciting country.

Following breakfast, the program concludes, and it's time to bid farewell to our guide and all the new friends we have made along the way. You are at liberty to arrange your onward travels home or continue your journey as desired. Should you wish to extend your stay, please don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance.