Natural Wonders of Nicaragua

Explore Nicaragua’s natural treasures as you journey through historic cities and breathtaking landscapes. You will visit colonial and UNESCO sites, witness local cultures and take in dramatic views on this tour of constant discovery.

TOUR OVERVIEW

•   Spend a night in Managua
•   See the ruins of León Viejo, a UNESCO site with a colonial past
•   Tour cultural León City, visiting late poet Ruben Dario’s home
•   Hike to the summit of the Cerro Negro volcano
•   Visit Jacinto Hot Springs
•   Tour a cigar factory in EstelÍ
•   Explore a chocolate factory in Matagalpa
•   See ancient lava flows in Masaya’s Volcano National Park
•   Tour Granada City’s colonial settlement and browse a local market
•   Discover the volcanic island of Ometepe

MEAL PLAN
Price includes:
•   Breakfast daily
•   Dinner on Day 5
•   The Roatan extension includes all meals.

ACCOMMODATION
•   The hotels used in this itinerary are all of at least a three star standard.

NB
•   All transfers and transportation are in air-conditioned vehicles, except on Ometepe where vehicles don’t have air-conditioning.
•   Tipping is not included and is at your discretion. We recommend tipping your driver and guide at the end of your tour.

DAY 1 – LONDON TO MANAGUA
Fly Iberia from Heathrow to Managua via Miami. Transfer to Hotel Camino Real for one night.

DAY 2 – MANAGUA TO LEÓN
Drive to Loma de Tiscapa, a small volcanic hill where the Somoza dynasty’s presidential house once sat. General Sandino was executed there and today his sombre black metal silhouette resides at the top of the hill, where you can enjoy lovely views of old and new Managua. Continue along Lake Managua to the ruins of León Viejo. Nicaragua’s first capital city, this UNESCO site was destroyed by a volcano eruption and earthquake, and you will learn about its colonial past.

Drive on to the Pacific coast and set off on a boat tour amid the mangroves and wildlife of the Reserve of Juan Venado. Admire a magnificent sunset at Las Penitas (weather permitting) before arriving in cultural León for two nights at Hotel Austria.

DAY 3 – LEÓN
Embark on a tour of León City, starting with the charming Cathedral La Asuncion, where the remains of Nicaragua’s greatest poet Ruben Dario lay. Enjoy spectacular views from the roof of the temple. Visit Dario’s house, now an archive-museum, and the Ortiz-Guardian Foundation art museum where you can marvel at European and Latin American art. Then stroll through the city, spotting revolutionary murals from the civil war.

This afternoon, head east of León on a scenic drive past rural areas growing cassava, cane, peanuts and corn until you reach the base of Cerro Negro, formed in 1850 and thought to be Central America’s youngest volcano. Hike to the summit for fantastic views over the active San Cristobal and Telica volcanoes, which make up the rest of the Maribios Volcanic Chain, before descending and driving back to León.

DAY 4 – LEÓN TO MATAGALPA
Set off this morning for San Jacinto Hot Springs, where boiling mud holes shoot sudden spurts of hot water into the air. Drive on to the region of EstelÍ, famous for its fine cigars. You will pass tobacco fields and visit a cigar factory, learning how the leaves are selected, dried, rolled and packed. Next, journey back to the coffee hub of the Matagalpa highlands and check-in at Selva Negra Lodge for one night. Embark on a nature walk into the primary tropical forest, exploring lush vegetation and looking out for elusive birdlife.

DAY 5 – MATAGALPA TO GRANADA
Drive through the Selva Negra farm, learning about its sustainability, social projects and environmental work, as well as finding out more about how coffee and cheese are produced and cattle and pigs are raised. Continue to a small chocolate factory in Matagalpa that produces 100% Nicaraguan chocolate. Discover the history of the cocoa bean and its different types, as well as how it is roasted, ground and mixed to concoct delicious chocolate.

Next drive along the Pan-American Highway down to the Pacific lowlands and Masaya’s Volcano National Park. You’ll encounter one of the most dramatic volcanoes in the Pacific Ring of Fire, watch ancient lava flows, take in views of beautiful landscapes and see bat caves. After nightfall journey to the town of Masaya for dinner and a folkloric event, before continuing to Granada, a charming colonial city, for two nights at Hotel Patio del Malinche.

DAY 6 – GRANADA
Take a tour of Granada city, visiting one of the world’s oldest colonial settlements. See the historic Convent San Francisco building, home to the local museum of fascinating pre-Hispanic totems. Explore the city’s historical centre seeing the Bishop Palace, Cathedral, Palace of Culture and City Hall, before continuing to the Pueblos Blancos to visit San Juan de Oriente, a vibrant town famous for its beautiful pottery.

Drive to a viewpoint and admire magnificent views of Lake Apoyo, Nicaragua’s largest and deepest volcanic crater lake. Then visit Masaya’s market and browse handmade items such as hammocks, jewellery and clothing. Set off on a nature tour of Lake Nicaragua and a boat tour through some of Las Isletas volcanic islands.

DAY 7 – GRANADA TO OMETEPE
Drive south down the Pan-American Highway, passing sugarcane and rice fields, banana, papaya, watermelon and passionfruit plantations until you reach the small town of San Jorge. Take a ferry to the volcanic island of Ometepe on Lake Nicaragua.

Starting from Moyogalpa, one of the island’s two main towns, drive around active volcano Concepcion to Charco Verde, which boasts a dark emerald lake and lush vegetation and is home to birdlife and howler monkeys. Continue to Playa San Domingo for a dive around the lake before spending the night on the island at Hotel Villa Paraiso.

DAY 8 – OMETEPE TO MANAGUA TO LONDON
Depart back to Moyogalpa and take the ferry to San Jorge. Return to Managua and fly Iberia to London via Miami, arriving the next day.

YOUR CHOICE OF EXTENSIONS

BIG CORN ISLAND
Extend your tour on idyllic Big Corn Island in the Caribbean Sea. This unspoilt paradise is great for scuba diving, snorkelling and fishing, and rum and seafood are plentiful.
DAY 8 – OMETEPE TO MANAGUA
Transfer to Managua for one night at Hotel Camino Real.
DAY 9 – MANAGUA TO BIG CORN ISLAND
Transfer to Big Corn Island for three nights at Hotel Casa Canada.
DAY 12 – BIG CORN ISLAND TO LONDON
Return to Managua and fly Iberia to London via Miami, arriving the next day.

LITTLE CORN ISLAND
Unwind on the unspoilt and tropical Little Corn Island. Watch the locals go lobster fishing and relax on powdery beaches.
DAY 8 – OMETEPE TO MANAGUA
Transfer to Managua for one night at Hotel Camino Real.
DAY 9 – MANAGUA TO LITTLE CORN ISLAND
Transfer to Little Corn Island for three nights at Los Delfines.
DAY 12 – LITTLE CORN ISLAND TO LONDON
Return to Managua and fly Iberia to London via Miami, arriving the next day.

COSTA RICA
Relax on Tamarindo’s white-sand beaches, lapped by clear blue water. Try a plethora of watersports and enjoy the restaurants, bars and clubs.
DAY 8 – OMETEPE TO TAMARINDO
Transfer to Tamarindo for four nights at Barcelo Langosta in a Standard room.
DAY 12 – TAMARINDO TO LONDON
Transfer to San José and fly Iberia to London via Madrid, arriving the next day.

ROATAN
Continue your holiday on Roatan, a paradise island of powdery beaches and crystal clear sea. Go horse-riding, try watersports and enjoy world-class diving.
DAY 8 – OMETEPE TO MANAGUA
Transfer to Managua for one night at Hotel Camino Real.
DAY 9 – MANAGUA TO ROATAN
Fly from Managua to Honduras and transfer to Roatan for three nights at the Hotel Mayan Princess.
DAY 12 – ROATAN TO LONDON
Transfer back to Honduras and fly Iberia to London via Miami, arriving the next day.