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Highlights of Nicaragua

11 nights from £3,795 per person

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Itinerary Highlights

  • Discover the University City of Leon
  • Visit the Colonial City of Granada
  • Hike Mombacho Volcano
  • View into the glowing crater of Masaya Volcano
  • Explore Ometepe Island Biosphere Reserve
  • Enjoy stunning views over the Pacific Ocean from San Juan del Sur

What's Included

  • Flights
  • Accommodation Throughout
  • Transfers
11 nights from £3,795 per person
Sarah Frankish

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707
I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.
Enquire

Our Nicaragua highlights itinerary showcases the best of one of Central America's least visited countries. Nicaragua has a huge amount to offer, and this trip gives the opportunity to explore colonial towns, wildlife rich Biosphere Reserves, volcanic islands and the lush Pacific Coast beaches. 

You begin your journey in the the artistic and intellectual heart of Nicaragua, in the University City of Leon. This former capital of Nicaragua has an UNESCO world heritage site cathedral at its centre, and is the focal point for the revolutionary history of the country, whilst also being a base for adventuring up the nearby volcanoes. 

Your next stop is towards Nicaragua's most visited city of Granada, with its colonial and neoclassical architecture. You have the chance to see the city, whilst also heading out onto Lake Nicaragua and to the Mombacho Volcano reserve for an area rich in bird life and home to more than 500 howler monkeys, before also visiting the imposing Masaya Volcano by night for views into the crater and glowing lava flows. 

Ometepe Islands are volcanic formations and you have two days based at this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Island has a rich archaeological and cultural heritage and there are options to bathe in natural pools, hike a volcano or visit pre-Columbian statues. You take a short ferry back to the mainland, and have a final few days on the Pacific Coast at an eco-lodge with spectacular ocean views, access to the beach and the soothing sounds of surrounding jungle. 

Itinerary

Nicaragua
UK - Managua - Leon
Arrive into Nicaragua's capital, Managua today and on arrival you are met and driven around two hours to the university city of Leon. Leon has the largest cathedral in Central America, and was the former home to the country's three best known poets, putting it at the centre of Nicaragua's cultural and architectural history.
Granada & Leon
Leon City
Today you are taken to explore the city of Leon, with a tour starting at its colonial heart in the main plaza and into the UNESCO listed Cathedral. Today helps to provide the context for the role played by León in the social, economic, and political development of Nicaragua, as well as taking through its most impressive buildings, museums and galleries.
Granada & Leon
Leon - Granada
Travel 3 hours south todays towards the shores of Lake Nicaragua, and the beautiful colonial city of Granada. You are taken for an introductory tour of the city and its main buildings and monuments, before you continue to the warm waters of Lake Nicaragua, and the Las Isletas. This chain of 354 islands are made up of basalt rock piles covered in lush vegetation, and particularly rich in bird life. The age of the islands is unknown, but it is believed they were created by a massive eruption by Mombacho Volcano that watches over the lake and islands to the west.
Staying at   Hotel Plaza Colon
Hotel Plaza Colon
Mombacho Volcano
Mombacho Volcano Reserve has some of the most beautiful cloud forest flora seen anywhere in Latin America with numerous flowers, bromeliads and orchids amongst its 800+ species of plant life. Today's hike with your naturalist guide also takes you through the lower slopes of the volcano, which are home to almost 500 howler monkeys, as well as a diverse range of wildlife, whilst views from the top are stunning back towards Granada and las Isletas.
Granada
You have a day to explore some more of Granada centre independently before being collected at sunset for a visit to Masaya Volcano national park. The main Santiago crater was created from eruptions during the 1900s until it eventually collapsed in 1985. You are driven up to the rim of the crater, where you then visit a viewpoint into the mouth of the volcano, for a look down at the glowing lava below.
Granada - Ometepe Island
Drive an hour and a half south of Granada today along the shore of Lake Nicaragua until you arrive at the small port of San Jorge, where you board your ferry across the water towards Ometepe Island. Ometepe is made up of two imposing volcanic cones that rise up from the fresh waters of Central America’s largest lake, and the island is sacred to the local Nahuatl people. The fertile land is scattered with archaeological remains and ancient petroglyphs, as well as abundant wildlife.
Ometepe Island
Today is an opportunity to fully explore the island with a local guide. You are taken to learn about the rich cultural and archaeological heritage, as well as visiting the green lagoon at Charco Verde and finding some its diverse wildlife species, before also having some time to relax in the natural pool of 'Ojo de Agua'.
Ometepe Island
Today is a full day to explore more of Ometepe Island independently. There are various options should you wish to have an active day hiking, horse riding, cycling or kayaking, with possibilities to climb to either Madera or Concepción volcano summit for those feeling adventurous. Alternatively, the best beach on the island is Playa Santo Domingo where on a clear day you can see both volcanoes from the water, and the long stretch of beach is well worth a visit. Other options include bird watching, visits to waterfalls and natural springs, or perhaps a visit to the coin and pre-Columbian museum and the petroglyphs that the island is famous for.
Pacific Beaches
Ometepe Island - San Juan del Sur
Travel back across Lake Nicaragua where you take your onward transport to the Pacific Coast of San Juan del Sur. You are based for the next nights at a stunning and eco-friendly lodge offering a sustainable experience within a private reserve, with spectacular ocean views and access down to the beach.
Hacienda & Ecolodge Morgan's Rock
San Juan del Sur
You have the next two full days at leisure based at your eco-lodge to relax on the beaches or arrange excursions in the reserve locally.
San Juan del Sur - Managua - UK
You are collected from your hotel this morning and driven to Managua for a journey of approximately 3 hours, where you take your flights back to the UK.
Sarah Frankish

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707
I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.
Enquire

Pricing Information & Dates

11 nights from £3,795 per person
Sarah Frankish

Sarah Frankish

Travel Specialist

0203 131 4707
I'm here to tailor-make your perfect holiday. Give me a call and I'll use my expertise to create your personalised experience.
Enquire

Price Includes

  • Return International Flights as per the itinerary
  • All airport taxes and security charges
  • Accommodation and meals as specified
  • Transfers as specified
  • Activities and excursions as specified
  • All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified

Price Excludes

  • Travel Insurance
  • Any meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Optional excursions

Why Choose Us?

Passionate travel experts

  • We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
  • Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
  • We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences

Personal & tailor-made

  • You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
  • We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
  • Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love

Responsible by nature

  • We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
  • For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
  • We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
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