Nicaragua's Wild Side Trip Highlights : Observe endangered olive Ridley sea turtles nesting or humpback whales on the Pacific coast, hike at Montibelli and Indio Maiz Reserves, and visit Solentiname Day 1 – Arrival in Managua Upon arrival at Managua International Airport, you will be met by your local guide and driver Islands in Lake Nicaragua and transferred to your Montibelli Nature Reserve for the night. Overnight in a cabin at the When : November – March for reserve. humpbacks with peak activity in Day 2 – Montibelli Nature Reserve January and February; July – After breakfast, for a guided hike along the reserve’s trails. Montibelli is home to more than December for nesting olive ridley 150 species of birds including the long-tailed manakin, black-headed trogon, and Pacific sea turtles with peak activity in parakeets. Later in the day, you will hike to a waterfall to see hundreds of green parakeets (chocoyos) as they return to the area to roost for the night. Overnight at Montibelli Nature August and September. Reserve. (B,L,D) Duration: 9 nights Accommodations: Cabins and Day 3 – Solentiname Islands Morning transfer to Managua for your flight to San Carlos with stunning views of Lake lodges Nicaragua. After lunch in San Carlos, you’ll transfer by boat to the Solentiname Islands, an archipelago on the southern end of Lake Nicaragua. Overnight at Hotel Celentiname. (B,D) Day 4 – Los Guatuzos or Artists’ Workshops and Rio San Juan This morning you have your choice of activities: boat tour to see Zapote Island and Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge or visit with local artisans of the Solentiname Islands. Los Guatuzos is home to one of the greatest concentrations of birds in Central America. During migration, tens of thousands of migrants fly through the reserve in stunning concentrations. Solentiname artisans are famous for their paintings and wood carvings in balsa wood. Afternoon boat transfer down the scenic Rio San Juan to Sabalos Lodge. Overnight in a riverside cabin at Sabalos Lodge. (B,D) Nicaragua ~ Nicaragua is the largest country Day 5 – Indio Maiz Biological Reserve in Central America, bordered by Costa Rica to Today you’ll travel down the Rio San Juan to the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve. Indio Maiz is the the south and Honduras to the north. The word largest continuous tract of lowland rainforest in the Americas north of the Amazon . It is home Nicaragua translates to “surrounded by water” to over 400 species of birds, 300 species of reptiles, and 200 species of mammals, including four – its western coastline meets the Pacific Ocean species of wild cats. Keep an eye out for monkeys, sloths, tapirs, colorful poison dart frogs, and and eastern coastline meets the Caribbean. a kaleidoscope of tropical birds during your guided hike. On the way back to the lodge, you’ll With impressive volcanoes, lush rainforests, stop and tour the fortress of El Castillo, an important site in Nicaragua’s rich history. Overnight at Sabalos Lodge. (B,D) magnificent lakes, expansive coastlines, and colonial grandeur, there's an abundance of opportunities waiting in Nicaragua. Biodiversity in Nicaragua ~ situated within the Mesoamerican biodiversity hotspot, Nicaragua is home to more than 100 endangered species, including five species of sea turtles and humpback whales. Conservation Day 6 – Granada efforts are on the rise in the region and visitors Transfer by boat to San Carlos in time for your flight back to Managua, followed by a drive to to the region have the chance to encounter the colonial city of Granada. The city has preserved some of the best examples of colonial many of these rare animals in their natural architecture in Nicaragua. The rest of the day is on your own. Overnight at Patio del Malinche. environments. (B) Day 7 – Granada and Mombacho Volcano The morning is yours to continue exploring Granada. This afternoon, you’ll head to Mombacho Volcano, an extinct volcano shrouded in cloud forest vegetation. Arrive in time for stunning sunset views and a guided night hike. Overnight at Patio del Malinche. (B) Day 8 – Masaya, Pueblos Blancos, and San Juan del Sur Travel to Nicaragua’s southern Pacific Coast stopping at the Masaya Market and Pueblos Blancos (“White Towns”) along the way. You can find examples of artesanías (handicrafts) from throughout Nicaragua at the market. The picturesque white stucco villages of Pueblos Blancos near Masaya are famous for their local artisans specializing in ceramics and pottery. Afternoon arrival at Morgan’s Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge where you will spend the next two nights. (B,D) Day 9 –San Juan del Sur Depending on the time of year, today’s activities will be focused on the amazing wildlife viewing opportunities in the area. If your trip coincides with nesting season for endangered olive ridley sea turtles, you’ll visit a nearby nesting beach in the afternoon and evening in hopes that you’re there during an arribada (mass nesting), when hundreds of females may nest along the short stretch of beach in a single night. If it’s the season for humpback whales, you’ll have a morning boat tour in search of these amazing giants. Overnight at Morgan’s Rock. (B,L,D) Day 10 – Departure After breakfast at the lodge, transfer back to Managua in time for your flight home. (B) Pricing from $2695 per person based on double occupancy and includes lodging, private ground transportation, full-time expert naturalist guide, activities and meals as listed in the itinerary, and internal flights. In addition, a donation to support local conservation efforts will be made on behalf of each trip participant. Exclusions: international airfare, travel insurance (highly recommended), passport/visa fees, gratuities, alcohol, optional activities not listed in the itinerary, and items of a personal nature. Meals: B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner Note: This itinerary provides a guideline of suggested activities, but daily schedules and lodging can be customized for each client. .