Managua, The Colonial Cities of Nicaragua
Masaya Area, Ometepe Island

(8 days/ 7 nights)

This package offers all the best of Nicaragua: 2 antique colonial cities founded almost 500 years ago, their architecture and history; Ometepe Island, largest volcanic island in a lake in the world; Masaya and the native villages.

Day 1: Airport-Managua

Arrival in Managua, private transfer to your hotel.

Day 2: Managua - Visit to Leon Viejo - Leon (B)

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up in your hotel. We will start the day with a city tour in Managua. We'll go to the Historic National Park 'Loma de Tiscapa' (Tiscapa Hill). "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.
Then you will 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 Xolotlan, as it's called in the ancient native Nahuatl 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.

Transfer to Leon, one of the oldest colonial cities in Central America. On the way we'll go to visit Leon Viejo which was the first capital of Nicaragua. In December 2000, Leon 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. Lunch included today.

Then we'll go to observe another volcanic phenomenon, the boiling mud at San Jacinto, very humble village. Those are geysers coming out from the earth, with a temperature of 300 Degrees Celsius.

Accommodation at the hotel. Night in your hotel.

Day 3: Leon : Walking city tour - Leon City. (B)

Today take a guided city tour, you will be able to learn about this Colonial City, your guide will show you the main churches, the Cathedral (hike the tower to get an amazing view of the city and volcanoes), as well as a magnificent Art Gallery with painting from Europe and Central America, distributed in 2 colonial houses. Free evening and night in Leon, very lively city.

Day 4: Leon - National Park - Masaya Lagoon and Market - Catarina - White Towns Granada (B, L)

Today your guide will drive south to Masaya (just 14kms from Granada). We will visit the First National Park created in Nicaragua in 1979, one of Nicaragua's most interesting and beautiful natural phenomena. It comprises an area of 54 km2 with more than 20 km of scenic roads and trails, leading to and around the one impressive volcano and five formidable craters; one of them currently displays gaseous activity and incandescent lava in its interior. The park also contains a Museum of Anthropology, nature trails and camping areas.

Then will go to visit the Cailagua petroglyphs overlooking Masaya Lagoon, a lovely crater lake. Distributed over more than 100 metres of tuff wall surfaces and are located along the Cailagua drainage creek. The designs are thought to have been made in several episodes, and may have served to record, commemorate or depict actual or mythical events. Sadly, there are two instances were modern day names have been carved alongside ancient petroglyphs.

Then we will visit the finest Handicraft Market where you can enjoy the creativity and variety of Nicaraguan art at bargain prices.

Later transfer to Catarina where you will enjoy a delicious lunch. Catarina is a small and characteristic village of Nicaragua where people work seedling, have nurseries, make handcraft and raise horses, this is a great example on how a village of native people without a great academic education can fight poverty!
Placed on top of a hill at 520 meters over the sea level, this village presents a very pleasant climate, the temperature is between 22 and 27 degrees, from here you can have a magnificent view of the Apoyo lagoon, Mombacho volcano, Granada and Lake Nicaragua.

After your lunch you will go to San Juan de Oriente, famous for its ceramic arts, we will also visit Masaya area: Here we'll visit the White Towns (typical villages), each village of native has its specialty: ceramics, leathers, woodwork, painting¦ You will be able to learn more about our culture and idiosyncratic.
Later, arrive in Granada. Granada is the oldest colonial city in the Americas, founded by the Spanish in 1524. Touring Granada will transport us back to the colonial times, with its classical and neo-classical buildings, its horse-drawn carriages ! Accommodation in the hotel. Free evening in Granada.

Day 5: Granada - Walking city tour - Granada (B)

Founded in 1524 along the shores of the "Sweet sea", Granada represents an elegant and historical city in Nicaragua. Being currently restored, it is becoming the pearl of the colonial cities in Central America.  Right at the Central park you can get a traditional horse back carriage, pulled by two horses and conducted by a local driver. The tour will  start going to the old Convent and Church San Francisco, now is a historical museum, after we will go to La Casa de los tres mundos: art gallery, and a cultural academy, we will visit Iglesia la Merced, with beautiful sculptures and decorated  with elegant paintings, you will go to  the old train station that has  just been  restored and it's located in front of  Sandino Park, and the last place visit is La Polvora, old fort where the Spanish stores the dynamite and weapons in the 17th and 18th century to face the attacks of English and French pirates.

We will also go to visit relevant sites such as Tepetate in the ancient settlement of Xalteva, the most important indigenous settlement at the time of the Spanish arrival.  Tepetate was the main settlement of a three-level regional hierarchy during the last six centuries before the Contact in Granada

Then we will come back to the Central park there you can buy handcraft or just seat to watch all the panoramic of this colonial city. Lunch on your own. Night in your hotel

Day 6: Granada- Lake Nicaragua & Zapatera island and Isletas-Granada (B, L)

Early morning take a boat to discover Zapatera Island, located about one and a half hour boat ride from the port in Granada. You will see Isla del Muerto with his stone statues left by indigenous tribes, and then the mail island. You also discover some of Lake Nicaragua's 356 islands.
Lunch in an island, on the way back.
You will be back in Granada around 3.00. pm or so. Entrances in Zapatera included.
Free evening and night in your hotel in Granada.

Day 7: Granada - Ometepe Island (B)

Transfer to Ometepe Island, world's largest volcanic island in a lake. We'll first make a stop in Rivas which hosts a pre-columbian museum. Then take the ferry to Ometepe, you will be picked you up at your arrival in the Island and transferred you to the hotel. Accommodation in your lodge, situated on the waterfront, you can discover the island or just relax at the beach.

Day 8: Ometepe Island - Managua (B)

In the morning we will go to visit this beautiful island and its Petroglyphs. These stones, found on the lower slopes of Maderas volcano on Ometepe, still bear the ornate carvings of the first indigenous settlers of Nicaragua.  The designs are primarily symbolic and include many types of spirals and loops.  However, there are other figures.  The upper left of this rock shows a monkey whose face is easily discernable and whose tail extends upwards and to the right.  Other rocks show a person hunting a deer and more life scenery, proof that mankind's primary pursuits have never changed.

Later, leave the hotel and the island. Take the ferry to the main land, transfer to Managua (city or airport). End of our services.

Package Includes:

Lodging:
1 night in Managua
2 nights in Leon
3 nights in Granada
1 night on Ometepe Island

Meals: as specified

Others:
All activities mentioned, with respective entrances (tours in Managua, Leon, San Jacinto, Masaya area, Granada, and Zapatera Island).
All transportation in private vehicles or shuttles with a/c
Bilingual guide for the topurs.
Ferry San Jorge-Ometepe-San Jorge (passengers)
Transfer pier - hotel in Ometepe and hotel - pier
All taxes for hotels and restaurants.

Does not include:

All optional activities mentioned
Discretional tips
All meals not included in the above list, drinks
Taxes at the airport (entrance and exit)

Other personal expenses.