Itinerary

Nicaragua - 's Gem: Granada, Leon, , Island, Cloud Forest, Volcanoes

Nicaragua is Central America's best hidden secret! It is a land of clay-tiled villages and colonial architecture, of volcanic heat and cool, Nicaragua is as charming as it is diverse, enticing as it is unfathomable. With its fiery volcanoes, crystal-clear lagoons, lush cloud forests, immense lakes, stunning beaches, and epic surf – Nicaragua provides the traveller with endless adventure. Home to seven million proud, outspoken inhabitants that continue to reinvent themselves amid unending political, geological, and economic drama.

Highlights Include:  Unwinding on the beaches of San Juan del Sur  Wandering through the colourful colonial streets of Granada & León  Touring a bird friendly coffee estate  Peering into the crater of Volcano  Sipping on rum while watching the sun set over the Pacific  Staying in an ecolodge in the cloud forest  Learning the tumultuous history of in the cloud forest  Exploring the volcanoes on Ometepe Island  Learning about Nicaraguan cigar industry  Visiting the artisan centre of Masaya  Swinging in hammocks

Day 1: Arrival Day – Managua

Welcome to Nicaragua! You will be met at the airport and transferred to a pleasant district of Managua. As today is arrival day, there are no planned activities.

As the most populous city in Nicaragua, Managua sets the tone for the political and economic dialogue that shapes the nation's destiny. Managua has a very tumultuous past and has been witness to the rise and fall of political powers throughout Nicaragua's history. It suffered devastating earthquakes in 1931 and 1972, with the latter having lasting effects on the city's development.

Meals: Dinner (if necessary) Overnight: Hotel in Managua

Day 2: Managua City Tour & the Magnificent Selva Negra

This morning we have a guided tour of the nation's capital of Managua with visits to key political and cultural sites, including its historic centre. The story of Managua and Nicaragua are largely parallel, from earthquake to revolution to economic revival and onward, so the better we understand Managua, the better we will understand the itself. After a visit to the heart of Managua, we continue to the ancient footprints of Acahualinca - a site which has incredible footprints left by hunter-gatherers of 6000 years ago.

Our drive continues along the eastern shores of Lake Managua into the heart of the coffee growing northern mountains of Matagalpa. Matagalpa province is very productive as it produces beef, cheese, coffee, cacao, flowers, corn, a variety of fruit, and is a very popular destination for eco- in Nicaragua.

Tonight we will be staying at a breathtakingly beautiful ecological mountain hotel nestled in the highlands of Matagalpa. The Selva Negra Ecolodge is surrounded by cloud forest and is both an organic farm as well as a bird- friendly coffee estate. A cloud forest is much like a rainforest, but much of the moisture comes not from falling rain but from the condensation left by the nearly constant cloud cover that blankets the tops of mountains. Most of the Nicaraguan cloud forest lies between 1300 and 1500 metres (4200 – 5000 feet) above sea level and our lodge is situated along the continental divide between the Pacific and Atlantic lowlands. [FINISTERRA]

“Land's end”; the point from which you peer out over the edge of the world. w. www.finisterra.ca e. [email protected] 1 t. 1 (800) 806-0761

Nicaragua Itinerary

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Selva Negra Ecolodge

Day 3: Selva Negra – Cloud Forest and Coffee Tour

This morning we have a guided walk along the trails of the Selva Negra Reserve keeping our eyes open for monkeys, agouti, variety bird species, strangler figs, and so much more.

Have you ever wondered about the process your favourite morning beverage goes through before it reaches your cup? In the afternoon we will learn all about the coffee process from seed to cup at the Selva Negra Coffee Estate.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Selva Negra Ecolodge

Day 4: Selva Negra - Estelí - León Today we drive through the very scenic onion and rice growing region of Sébaco to the cigar capital of Central America, Estelí. After the Cuban Revolution many families of the cigar aristocracy moved to Miami and later to Estelí with their precious seeds from their homeland and soon begun turning out world-renowned cigars. The cigar business is sunk deep into the rich soil, and the handful of familial cigar dynasties that first came to Nicaragua 30 years ago are still here and still rolling world-class cigars. Today we will visit to a small handmade cigar operation to learn about this unique process.

We continue to through the rustic mining region of El Jicaral to the Maribios Volcanic chain. This fascinating active volcanic chain is lining the Pacific basin, stretching 70 kilometres from the northwest to the southeast. We stop at the rural village of San Jacinto, located in the densely active volcanic chain, to visit the fumarolic fields, the result of water being super-heated by a volcanic vein beneath the earth's surface.

León is an architectural delight with traditionally designed colonial homes, churches, universities, and an immense cathedral that stand shoulder to shoulder in a tropical torpor that keeps city life to a low, but exciting hum.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Hotel in Leon Historic Centre

Day 5: León Walking Tour & Las Peñitas Beach

The first city named León in Nicaragua was established in 1524 by Fransisco Hernandez de Córdoba about 32 km (20 mi) east of present day León but was abandoned in 1610 after the eruption of volcano. León has few rivals, with many of the finest examples of colonial architecture in the country.

This morning we enjoy a walking tour of Nicaragua's intellectual and artistic capital, León, with visits to the house of the world famous poet Rubén Darío, some of the city's 12 colonial churches, and Central America's grandest Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage Site). As we walk through the city, we will also find several politically charged murals depicting Nicaragua's turbulent history.

Option to spend the balance of your day exploring León with its plethora of cafés or check out the wave-swept Pacific Coast to enjoy a bit of sun and sea. Tonight you have a free evening in Leon.

Overnight: Hotel in Leon Historic Centre Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: León - León Viejo - Granada

Today we head south towards the smoking Momotombo Volcano and the archeological site of León Viejo, now [FINISTERRA]

“Land's end”; the point from which you peer out over the edge of the world. w. www.finisterra.ca e. [email protected] 2 t. 1 (800) 806-0761

Nicaragua Itinerary

declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site. León Viejo was Nicaragua's first capital before being destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the late 16th century. Excavations have been going on since 1966 and only now is the story behind the tragic history of the city coming to light. We have a historical tour of this colonial locale.

We continue to Central America's oldest European settlement and arguably Nicaragua's most picturesque town, Granada. Granada is a gem that is easy to love, with much of its colonial architecture intact after being painstakingly restored. The Spanish built Granada strategically on Lake Cocibolca () adjacent to the indigenous community of Xalteva, whose residents suddenly found themselves working for their new foreign “visitors”. Granada quickly grew into a trade hub with a Spanish merchant class developing as a result.

Granada has blossomed into a mecca for travellers. Boasting some of the best colonial architecture, Spanish language schools, and restaurants in Central America. Today we have a guided tour of some of the highlights of Granada and enjoy the colourful facades lining the narrow streets in the glow of the late afternoon sun.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Hotel in Granada Historic Centre

Day 7: Visiting Los Pueblos Blancos, Masaya & National Park

This morning we travel to the nearby villages called Los Pueblos Blancos in order to visit to some of the artisan workshops. All these precious little villages have colonial period houses and churches and are home to a hardworking, indigenous population.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, they organized artisans into small workshops for export. The artisan tradition is carried on today as Masaya is well known as a city of metalworkers, leatherworkers, carpenters, painters, and musicians. No other region of Nicaragua is as blessed with a sense of artistry and creativity as Masaya and the surrounding villages. Many of the handicrafts found in markets throughout the country are Masayan: handwoven hammocks, terra cotta pottery, musical instruments, and more. Here we have the opportunity to visit the market as well as a hammock maker's shop.

We continue our day with to explore the Masaya Volcano National Park for a bit of hiking and observing the inside of the huge smoking crater. In the afternoon we return to Granada for an free evening to enjoy the many outdoor restaurants and bars. If you would like a salsa lesson before hitting the dance floor, your tour leader can help arrange one for you.

Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Hotel Granada Historical Centre

Day 8: Granada to Ometepe Island

Today we travel south through Rivas before boarding an hour long ferry towards the mystical, twin-peaked volcano island of Ometepe located in Lake Cocibolca (Lake Nicaragua). Ometepe is an intensely volcanic island steeped in tradition and mystery. It was the ancestral home of the Nahuatl people and today is an alluring destination for travellers, with its sandy beaches, swimming holes, hiking trails, and of course, two breathtaking volcanoes: one hot (Concepción), one cold (). Ometepe was recently deemed a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve stretching 31 km (19 mi) long and 5-10 km (3-6 mi) wide.

Ometepe’s 42 000 proud residents live a mostly agrarian lifestyle, harvesting plantains, rice, tobacco, sorghum, sugarcane, corn, honey, and coffee on the slopes of the twin Cenozoic volcanoes. The two principal towns, Moyogalpa and , are sleepy commercial centres and transportation hubs enjoying an upswing in and accommodation.

We skirt around the active cone of Concepción towards Playa Santo Domingo where our hotel is located. The [FINISTERRA]

“Land's end”; the point from which you peer out over the edge of the world. w. www.finisterra.ca e. [email protected] 3 t. 1 (800) 806-0761

Nicaragua Itinerary

balance of your day is at leisure to explore, visit the Ojo de Agua (fresh spring swimming hole) or relax at the beach.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Hotel Santa Domingo

Day 9: Exploring Ometepe Island

Ecologically, the island of Ometepe has been called the edge of the tropics, as a dividing line between tropical and dry falls right between the two volcanoes. Volcano Maderas is an extinct volcano whose crater is filled with a shallow lagoon and whose slopes are carpeted with more tropical and humid species, including actual cloud forest at the top. Concepción is an active volcano whose slopes are covered with tropical dry forest.

Maderas Volcano at 1394 m (4573 ft) is a challenging hike and the volcano is dormant, if not extinct (in fact, there’s a forested lake within the crater). The cloud forest on the slopes of Maderas is home to a great variety of flora and fauna including howler monkeys. The hike up Maderas Volcano will take most of the day.

If you would prefer to do something a bit more low-key, you may choose to do a cultural tour of the island with visits to native's homes.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Hotel Santa Domingo

Day 10: Ometepe Island to San Juan del Sur

Our journey takes us back to Moyogalpa to catch the ferry to the mainland where we continue west to the tranquil seaside town of San Juan del Sur. Set on a stunning horseshoe shaped cove, this fishing village is the perfect place to combine two of Nicaragua’s iconic features – its beautiful beaches and its award-winning Flor de Caña rum! Here you can do as little or as much as you want to do. Take surf lessons, try out your luck fishing, go zip-lining on the hills above San Juan del Sur, do a yoga class, or just lounge on the beach! A short boat or taxi ride away, the deserted beaches of Playa Maderas and Majagual to the north and Playa Remanso to the south are calling out to be explored. You could also arrange to visit La Flor Reserve which is a sea turtle nesting site.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Hotel San Juan del Sur

Days 11 & 12: San Juan del Sur – Free days

Two free days to enjoy your hotel amenities and some of what the Nicaraguan pacific seaside has to offer. There is so much to do in the area such as surfing (lessons available), fishing, zip-lining, hiking, horseback riding, sailing, and swimming. Your tour leader can help you arrange your days to maximize your free time. Your evenings will be at leisure to enjoy the many restaurants and lively nightlife of San Juan del Sur.

Meals: Breakfast Overnight: Hotel San Juan del Sur

Day 13: San Juan del Sur to Managua

After a morning at leisure, we head northbound to Managua where we will enjoy our last evening together.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner Overnight: Hotel Managua

Day 14: Managua – Departure Day [FINISTERRA]

“Land's end”; the point from which you peer out over the edge of the world. w. www.finisterra.ca e. [email protected] 4 t. 1 (800) 806-0761

Nicaragua Itinerary

Transfers to the airport for your return flights OR you may wish to extend your trip with a visit to the tropical paradise of Little Corn Island on the Caribbean side of the country.

Meals: Breakfast

Thank you for travelling with Finisterra!

[FINISTERRA]

“Land's end”; the point from which you peer out over the edge of the world. w. www.finisterra.ca e. [email protected] 5 t. 1 (800) 806-0761

Nicaragua Itinerary

[FINISTERRA]

“Land's end”; the point from which you peer out over the edge of the world. w. www.finisterra.ca e. [email protected] 6 t. 1 (800) 806-0761