Day 1: Managua City tour – Leon (B)

Arrival in Managua. Your will be met and greeted by your guide at the aiport. Then we will start the day with a city tour in Managua. We’ll go to the Historic National Park 'Loma de Tiscapa' (Hill of Tiscapa). “La Loma de Tiscapa" is a lookout located at the highest point in the city. There you will enjoy an overall view of the 'Old Managua', as the locals call this part of the city. The city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1972. The old center was never really rebuilt; after the war, a new business center was slowly built, still in process.

After lunch (not included) will go to visit the open-air museum and archeological site, Huellas de Acahualinca, (Footprints of Acahualinca) which is located in one of Managua’s more humble barrios, very close to the shores of Lake Managua, or Lake Xolotlán, as it’s called in the ancient native Náhuatl language. Acahualinca Museum guards an archeological gem: Footprints left more than 6,000 years ago, one of the oldest indications of human presence in Nicaragua.

Your guide will also show you the National Palace, which hosts the most complete museum in town; what remains of the old center; an art gallery, as well as the nicest residential areas.

Private transfer to one of the oldest colonial cities in Central America: Leon City. Accommodation in your hotel. Free evening to explore this lively city, night in your hotel.

Day 2: Leon and San Jacinto

Discover this historical city, located 60 miles/90 kms north of Managua. For more than 200 years Leon was the capital of Nicaragua and is still considered as the intellectual capital. It also features one of the oldest monuments in Central America: The Metropolitan Cathedral, built in 1747. The most beautiful art gallery in Central America: The Galeria Ortiz Gurdian.
In the afternoon, we will go to the village of San Jacinto, observe an interesting natural fenomena: its boiling mud’s ("Hervideros") that reflect bright colors and for its underground springs coming from the nearby volcano. It also boasts beautiful views to cerro Negro and Telica active volcanoes located close to the village.
Night in Leon.

Day 3: Leon – Masaya Market – Catarina – White Villages – Masaya Volcano tour at night – Granada

Leave Leon, you will first stop at “Leon Viejo” (very cultural sight) In December 2000, León Viejo was added to an exclusive list of less than 600 historical and archaeological sites recognized worldwide for their importance to human history. A visit will enable you to get to know a great deal of Nicaraguan History. From the fortress of Leon Viejo you have a spectacular view on the impressive Momotombo Volcano and you can appreciate the shore of the enormous lake Xolotlan.

Continue to Masaya handicraft Market and Catarina. We will also visit other small villages (“White Towns” or typical villages around) which are of your interest, each village of native has its specialty: ceramics, leathers, woodwork, painting, etc.
Then we will go to Masaya Volcano and do the sunset tour in Masaya Volcano:
This tour starts right before sunset, with a visit to the cross (La Cruz de Bobadilla) overlooking the volcano and the surroundings. Next is the observation of Green Parakeets that come back to the volcano to roost. The birds can often be seen returning to the volcano during the tour, but the arrival time varies every day so the sightings are not guaranteed.
The second attraction is to watch a large number of bats depart massively from their caves, another great natural spectacle! These bats can also be seen in the caves during daytime, but only at night do they leave their home en masse.
Next is a visit to an underground tunnel which was formed by lava streams. Equipped with flashlight and helmet, visitors can enter the tunnel and observe the interesting rock formations. The tour ends with a visit to a viewpoint that provides the possibility to actually look inside the crater mouth of the volcano, observing the red, glowing lava!
Arrive in Granada around 8pm, accommodation in your hotel.

Day 4: Zapatera Island tour.

Early transfer to Lake Nicaragua to discover Zapatera Island. Private boat journey to the most important archeological islands in Nicaragua, the tour includes the Island of Death and Zonzapote sites. We'll examine stone statues left by indigenous tribes islands and the magnificent petroglyphs, do hiking and boating in this important virgin National Reserve with box lunch and fruit juices on the boat.

On the way back you can stop in our private island if you wish a dock has just been built there, as well as a full bathroom. In the afternoon transfer back to your hotel in Granada.

Day 5: Granada city tour

Founded in 1524 along the shores of the “Sweet Sea”, Granadais the oldest city in the Americas remaining in its original site; it is without doubt the most elegant and colonial city in Nicaragua. Being currently restored, it is becoming the pearl of the colonial cities in Central America: you will visit its Central Park and its special atmosphere, colonial buildings, old train station, antique Spanish forts to prevent from attacks of English pirates, pedestrian streets with tourist attractions, port and more. Part of the tour will be in a horse back carriage.

Day 6: Granada - Apoyo - Managua.

Feel like having a break in a hidden paradise? 20 miles away from the capital, a beautiful small exclusive resort located in front of the waters of one of Central America’s purest lakes, the Apoyo Lagoon, awaits you. Feel like swimming in the warm waters of this Crater Lake or just relaxing by the pool and have a Piña Colada or Mojito, you’ll love it! The resort offers 2 pools, bars, restaurant, sundeck and many more facilities, and different activities are organised every day.
Optional: hike in the dry forest to observe howler monkeys, kayaking, water bike, sailboat (Hobbie Cat). Possible lunch in front of the water in this small exclusive resort. Then transfer to Managua to spend the last night of your trip.

Day 7: Managua- flight out

Take a shuttle to Managua Airport to catch your flight. End of our services.

Package Includes:

Lodging:
2 nights in Leon.3 nights in Granada1 nights in Managua
Meal plan: as specified

Others	Does not include
All activities mentioned and included, with respective entrances according to the itinerary. All transportation in shuttles or private vehicles with a/c. Bilingual Guide with his expenses for the tours. Meet and greet at your arrival on day 1. All taxes for hotels and restaurants.	All optional activities mentioned and where the program states it as not included. Discretional tips All meals not included in the above list Taxes at the airport (entrance and exit) Other personal expenses