Nicaragua, has been re-discovered as a destination for nature, history, culture and adventure tourism.
The country borders Honduras in the north and Costa Rica in the south and has extensive coastlines along both the Pacific and Caribbean waters. For nature lovers, Nicaragua has several excellent parks and reserves with a solid infrastructure to support visitors comfortably. Several volcano reserves with montane and cloud forest topography offer a rich diversity of plants and animals. The San Juan River is a major eco-tourism region where one can journey along 124 miles of tropical rain forest to the Caribbean Sea. The Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge shelters more than 60% of the countries bird species and in Lake Nicaragua numerous islands including the Solentiname Archipelago are fascinating and rewarding. The countries rich heritage can be experienced in the colonial cities of Granada and Leon with historic buildings dating back to the 15th century. The blend of Spanish and Indian cultures contributes to a variety of music, handcrafts and cuisine. Join our 14 day program or adjust the itinerary to create a personalized journey to this remarkable Central American nation.
2012 Departure Dates & Cost
Departures daily based on 2 persons
$ 2,925 USD per person
We also offer customized tours to Nicaragua for individuals on a daily basis or sample the country in combination with Costa Rica. Call 1 (800) 690.7887.
Itinerary
DAY 1 Arrive Managua (B,D)
Arrive Managua where you will be met in the arrival area after clearing customs. Transfer to the Montibelli Reserve, Ticuantepe for 2 nights, only 30 minutes from Managua.
DAY 2 Montibelli, Ticuantepe (B,L,D)
6:00 am bird and wildlife tour with guide. Lunch is in Montibelli. Afternoon is at Chocoyero section of the reserve. The huge, rich natural reserve of Montibelli is a private reserve that measures more than 160 hectares. The reserve lies on Managua's sierra and its altitude ranges from 360 to 720 meters above sea level. Most of the area is covered with tropical dry forest, and many different types of animals and plants inhabit the reserve. Montibelli has a very rich birdlife. Not only can you find woodpeckers, hummingbirds, parrots, vultures, hawks, golden orioles, and motmots (the national bird); the reserve is also inhabited by an impression population of trogons. During the raining season millions of butterflies flutter about. The reserve has its own fruit and vegetable production. Pineapple, passion fruit, cactus fruit (Pitahaya), lemon, bananas, and other food is grown ecologically within the reserve. The 6 rooms are practically new (Dec 2006) and were done with taste without affecting the environment. All of them have private bath, a little terrace, fan and all rooms are fitted with mosquito nets over the beds.
DAY 3 Montibelli - Jaguar Reserve, Jinotega (B,L,D)
Transfer to Jaguar Reserve with stops enroute. 3 nights at the Jaguar Reserve in the Apartment "Tucancillo Verde".
DAY 4 Jaguar Reserve (B,L,D)
Full day at the reserve. Bird & wildlife viewing with your guide. El Jaguar is a private, family-run farm that produces high quality organic coffee, in perfect harmony with the community and the surrounding ecosystem. The giant oak and fern trees within the forest provide perfect shelter for a large diversity of plant and animal life.
70 acres of protected cloud forest and 35 acres of managed woods surround the farm. Within these woods can be found rare orchids and giant ferns trees dating back to Jurassic times. Although the main goal is to produce high quality environmental friendly coffee, they have the farm open to visitors that are interested in the organic coffee production, and also in the environment protection. A biological station and a log cabin with two apartments to lodge eco tourists and researchers are located here and there are 6 different trails to walk through the reserve. There are more than 200 bird species in this reserve. DAY 5 Jaguar Reserve (B,L,D)
Full day with guide and tours
DAY 6 Jaguar Reserve - Patio del Malinche, Granada (B,L)
Transfer to Granada with stops enroute. 2 nights Patio del Malinche Hotel, Granada. Lunch enroute. The Patio of the Malinche is a hotel in the historic center of Granada. It is close to all the interesting places of the city.
DAY 7 Granada (Masaya) (B,L)
Discoveries of Granada Colonial Town & the Islets with the Best of Masaya - Volcano & Artisan Market. The colonial city of Granada was founded by Captain Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in the year 1524. It was built next to the Mombacho volcano and the great lake of Nicaragua. Named after the city of Granada in Spain, this city has plenty of colonial churches, narrow streets and large homes with beautiful indoor patios, tiled roofs and pretty colonial colors.
Upon arrival, we will have a sightseeing tour and later arrive at the main plaza for our walking tour of the surrounding area. We will see La Merced church, the house of the Zamora family, the famous Casa de Los Tres Mundos and the San Francisco convent. Here, we will have the opportunity to see and take pictures of mysterious idols made by our ancestors. This is an impressive collection of genuine pre-Columbian sculptures in human and animal shapes. We will continue to Lake Nicaragua for a relaxing boat ride around some of the islands formed by the impressive Mombacho volcano; see the volcanic evidence and influences of the area; enjoy great landscape views and wildlife and of course have a chance to take pictures.
We will visit the first national park in the country that was established in 1979. The park includes a beautiful volcanic lake known as the Masaya lagoon. Upon arrival, we will witness all the influence that volcanic activities have had in the shaping of the zone. Only ten minutes from the entrance we will be able to visit the environmental center, a museum where we can see a model of the park and also see paintings of Nicaraguan artists relating to the history of the volcano. We will learn about the tectonic plates and volcanic regions of the planet and get to know about the flora and fauna of this wildlife refuge. We will continue our trip to the summit of the volcano, where we exit our vehicle and walk the few steps to see the Santiago crater, active since 1946. Just fifteen minutes away we will visit the Masaya arts and crafts market for local ceramics, hammocks, wood and leather souvenirs.
DAY 8 Mombacho Natural Reserve/Managua (B,L)
Morning visit to The Mombacho Volcano, a natural reserve founded in 1999 by Cocibolca Foundation, a group of local investors concerned about the conservation of nature environments helped by the British government.
The Mombacho Volcano is an evergreen tropical cloud forest characterized by a high incidence of low-level cloud cover that usually keeps the development of an abundance of vascular epiphytes and a big variety of orchids. It is located 10 km away from Granada City. It has around 50 species of mammals, 174 species of birds, 30 of reptiles and 750 species of flora. Temperature varies in between 15 º C and 23 º C. It has some endemic specie of flora and fauna: Salamander (Bolitoglossa mombachoensis) Orchid (Maxillaria mombachoensis). Butterfly (Napeogenes tolossa mombachoensis).
The last eruption of this volcano was in 1570 causing the avalanche of the northeast side of the crater and the formation of the 365 small volcanic island, well known as Isletas on Lake Nicaragua. It is 1344 meters high. The Nature Reserve is one of 78 protected areas of Nicaragua. The trail is almost completely 45 degree inclines and declines for about two miles. It is a challenging hike definitely worth the effort. You see different types of forest and the views are great. Several platforms give you superb views and make you feel the strong wind on the volcano.
Overnight Los Robles Hotel, Managua. The hotel is ideally located in a residential area, a few minutes away from Managua's financial and commercial centre. All the furniture and antique items have been made with precious tropical woods, cotton bedspreads have been crocheted by hand, forged ironworks can be appreciated throughout the hotel and many other details have created a distinguished and unique atmosphere. 
DAY 9 Managua/Solentiname Archipelago (B,L,D)
Transfer from the hotel to the airport for a domestic flight to San Carlos.
On arrival you will be met and transferred to the pier for a boat journey through the Selentiname Archipelago. Stop at San Fernando Island. Overnight Cabanas Paraiso 2 nights.
Cabañas Paraiso - Solentiname. A family business located in the San Fernando Island -- one of the 37 islands that are part of the Solentiname Archipelago. The hotel opened its doors in February 2006 and has remarkable service with a friendly environment. 8 rooms, private bathrooms & fan.
DAY 10 Solentiname Archipelago (B,L,D)
Am tour the Los Guatuzos wildlife refuge. Tour the archipelago and visit the Musas Museum. Lunch & dinner at the hotel.
DAY 11 Transfer to San Juan (B,L,D)
Transfer at 8:00 am from the Solentiname Archpelago/San Carlos Pier and to El Castillo Pier. 9:00 am boat transfer from the San Carlos pier to the El Castillo pier. Tour the El Castillo town. Lunch at a local restaurant. Overnight at Victoria Hotel in San Juan 2 nights. Dinner included. Evening Caiman and nocturnal tour.
Overnight Victoria Hotel. Opened its door on March 2006.This family business run by the Gomez' sisters is located in El Castillo town on the San Juan River. It is a small hotel with 15 rooms that offers private bathrooms (in most of them), fans and friendly ambiance. The restaurant faces the river so you can enjoy each meal with a terrific view of the famous San Juan.
DAY 12 San Juan (B,L,D)
Kayak tour. Tour the Batola trails and boat tour along the Bartola River. Lunch and dinner at a local restaurant.
DAY 13 San Juan/Managua (B)
Early morning transfer to San Carlos for t he morning flight to Managua. Overnight.
DAY 14 Managua Departure
Transfer to the airport for the flight home or extensions on an individual basis.
