Welcome on arrival at the Managua International Airport for your transfer to a comfortable hotel to rest up from your journey. The small inn with a friendly staff is located in the heart of Managua.

Overnight in Managua. (Meals on Own)

Nicaragua’s main city offers a historic sector and modern sector for exploring with your guide. Drive north past Lake Managua and the chain of volcanic peaks that include Momotombo. Learn about this Central American country’s rich colonial history with a stop at the Leon Viejo ruins before continuing on to Leon, the former capital of Nicaragua. An afternoon walking tour in the architecturally interesting historic center of Leon includes visits to the famous Cathedral, (largest in Central America), the Bishop’s Palace and the Ruben Dario Museum. Stay tonight in the historic downtown area.

Overnight in Managua. (B)

Volcano Masaya National Park is Nicaragua’s first national park, with two volcanoes and five formidable craters. A drive to the Santiago crater brings you up close to the gas and flowing lava in the “Mountain that Burns”. The town and market of Masaya is an experience in the daily life of the Nicaraguan people. Breathtaking views appear over the blue waters of the deep Apoyo volcanic Crater Lake and the city of Granada. Widely known for preserving some of the finest colonial-era architecture in the country, Granada has actually endured battles and invasions by English, French and Dutch pirates. Today this city offers rich culture, history, art, picturesque markets and friendly locals.

Overnight in Granada. (B)

The day begins with a guided morning walk among Granada’s significant monuments including the Cathedral, The Merced Church Tower, the Casa de Los Tres Mundos and the San Francisco Convent, home to a large pre-Columbian collection. A horse carriage ride takes you to the second largest lake in Latin America, Nicaragua Lake. Board a private boat and discover the unique world of the "Isletas", an archipelago of about 350 small islands covered by tropical vegetation, created by volcanic activity centuries ago. Your evening is free to experience the Latino flavor at one of Granada’s famous night spots.

Overnight in Granada. (BL)

From the top of Mombacho volcano there are panoramic views of Lake Nicaragua and its many islands. Last erupting in 1570, the area surrounding the volcano is now a green nature reserve with an extensive list of mammals, birds, reptiles and flora. From the port of San Jorge, board the ferry to the volcanic island of Ometepe. Ometepe means “between two hills” in the local indigenous language, where two volcanoes are joined by a land isthmus. After reaching Moyogalpa, Ometepe’s main town, continue off the beaten path before reaching Finca El Porvenir, where the petroglyphs bring true testimony to a strong indigenous past.

Overnight at Finca El Porvenir. (B)

 

Enjoy breakfast at the Finca and savor impressive views of the Concepcion Volcano and Lake Nicaragua before striking out to visit the surroundings of the Maderas volcano. Coffee plantations hug the lower skirts of the volcano changing to cloud forest as the humidity increases at higher altitudes. A challenging hike awaits to ascend the volcano and reach the lagoon in the inactive crater. Stop at the Altagracia Museum and Charco Verde before catching the last ferry to the bay of San Juan del Sur to unwind for the next few nights with beach time.

Overnight in San Juan del Sur. (B)

With San Juan del Sur’s laidback, small-town lifestyle centered on the sea, there are numerous opportunities for surfing, deep sea fishing, SCUBA diving, horseback riding, biking, or just simply relaxing on an uncrowded beach, swaying in a hammock, or chatting with locals. Howler monkeys hang in the trees and nesting endangered sea turtles can be seen seasonally. Fresh caught fish is for dinner or other delicacies smoked on the beach.

Overnight in San Juan del Sur. (B)

Transfer to the Managua International airport with plenty of time to catch your flight home. (B)