This tour is designed for nature lovers, and requires a good physical condition. Soft adventure hikes up are never more than 2 hours. Also features kayaking Lake Nicaragua and Canopy tour.
Time for sightseeing and relaxing between activities…
Day 1: Managua airport-Hotel in Managua-
Arrive in Managua. Transfer and accommodation at your hotel.
Night in the hotel in Managua
Day 2: Managua-Leon- Boiling mud and city tour (B)
Drive to Leon. Accommodation at your hotel. Visit the city, colonial buildings, Old Spanish churches and largest cathedral in Central America, as well as the boiling mud in San Jacinto. Night in Leon in your hotel.
Day 3: Léon- Cerro Negro active volcano- Granada (B)
After breakfast go for an adventure day to discover one of Nicaragua’s monsters: Cerro Negro active volcano. Born in 1850, it is one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua. Cerro Negro “Black Mount” is the most recent of a group of four very young cinder cones in the central Maribios. Last big eruption was August 1998…
Hiking to the top takes less than an hour; a sort of trail has been made in the rocks and volcanisc ashes. Temperature can be very hot as there is no vegetation at all, ranges between 30 and 42-48 celcius (according to season; once you hike the breeze makes it easier) and the overwhelming view once we reach the active crater will be the reward you had ever imagined, sulfur coming out from many places, crater and also from the shores (many crevaces). From the top, you will also observe the crater of Telica, another active volcano, as well as the Pacific ocean, 20 miles away. After a walk around the crater we will hike down and drive back to the City of Leon. Lunch included in the city, and then we will take our way south to the city of Granada. Accommodation in your hotel. Free evening, night in Granada.
Day 4: Granada-Catarina-Apoyo Lagoon-Granada (B)
In the morning, city tour in Granada that we’ll take us through the main streets and sights. Then we will head our way to the Apoyo lagoon. Enjoy your time in a nice resort, located right in front of the water. (note: on certain dates an entrance fee might apply). Pure and warm waters and hammocks in the garden under the shade, ideal for swimming and relaxing. In the afternoon, drive back to Granada, free evening to visit the city. Night in your hotel.
Optional in Apoyo: Possibility to hike up to the Mirador de Catarina.
Day 5: Granada-Canopy Tour-Lake Nicaragua & the Islands-Granada (B, L)
Go for another adventure day: we’ll experience the zip line canopy tour, located in the shores of Mombacho volcano, climb and swing through trees!! This tour offers you an unforgettable experience sliding down from tree to tree through several platforms and bridges very safely built, overlooking the coffee plantations.
Return to Granada and will take you to a local typical restaurant for lunch, later we’ll drive to Lake Nicaragua. You will go for a Boat Ride and discover Lake Nicaragua and some of its 356 islands “isletas”. The islands “Isletas” were formed thousands years ago, after an eruption of nearby Mombacho volcano (now extinct). They are now covered with lush vegetation, some of them are inhabited by natives, others have vacation houses built on them, and others are still deserted. You will be able to observe some of the many species of tropical birds that live in the islands. The inhabitants (“Isleños”) live peacefully in simple yet decent conditions and dedicate themselves to fishing and small agriculture. The boat is fully equipped with individual life vests, and a cooler with sodas
Then back to Granada, evening and night in Granada in your hotel.
Day 6: Granada-Masaya national park-the villages and markets- Granada (B, L)
Go for a day tour in the Masaya area: in the morning we’ll visit the Masaya active volcano and national park. Hike the San Fernando crater, a trail goes all the way around the crater (extinct). Impressive views to the valley and Masaya lagoon. Visit the small museum dedicated to volcanoes history in Nicaragua. After this we’ll visit the Handicraft Market in Masaya City, here you will find the most delicate works. Lunch at Mirador de Catarina, overlooking 2 lakes, Granada, the islands and Mombacho.
In the late afternoon, visit the “white towns”, typical villages producing all kind of handicrafts. Visit to a local Ceramic Handcraft Workshop to watch the process. Then go back to Granada and free evening and night at your hotel.
Day 7: Granada-Lake Nicaragua-Managua (B)
In the morning, we will go kayaking in Lake Nicaragua, observe the wildlife and flora.
Free evening to visit this lively and colonial city, spend the last night before departure in Granada.
Day 8: Managua-Managua airport (B)
Today we will provide a transfer to Managua int’l airport, end of our services.
Package Includes:
Lodging:
1 night in Managua
1 night in Leon
5 nights in Granada
Meal plan: as specified