NICARAGUA 8 Days

The weather in Nicaragua is very hot and humid year-round. Always keep hydrated and use sunscreen.
Travel adaptors: same as the USA, Type A and Type B.
Tour Operators are recommended. They will manage the various components of your excursion. The cost of a personal tour guide is not overly expensive and well worth not dealing with hassles and unexpected problems.
Travel Guide: Lonely Planet Nicaragua.

DAY 1

Arrive at Managua airport and transfer to your hotel in Leon - a colonial town.
If time permits, explore Leon.
Leon is full of magnificent churches, colorful streets, delicious restaurants, vibrant student life and an active nightlife.
Overnight: Leon (3 nights)
Distance:
Airport --->Leon, 90 minutes / 100 km.

Cerro Negro Ash Boarding. Tour packages available with Nicaragua Adventures.

DAY 2

Highlights in Leon:

Leon, is the 2nd largest city in Nicaragua. It has long been the political and intellectual center of the nation.
Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary - the largest cathedral in Central America. The cathedral has been around since 1747. For a small fee, you can gain access to the roof and revel in the best views Leon has to offer–volcanoes included.
Visit the local market. Colorful stands offer local products.
Continue to Cerro Negro - a must do!
- Experience Ash Boarding down the cinder cone volcano. Rent a board and take the 1 hour hike to the top for a thrilling experience! Plus the views at the top are fantastic.
- The volcano is located in a rural area, 25 km northeast of León. The unpaved roads that lead to the volcano should be traveled in a high-clearance vehicle. Hiring a guide is highly recommended.
- ```
GPS coordinate:12.5078° N, 86.7022° W 
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Afterward return to Leon and explore the town center.
Overnight: Leon
Distance: Leon ---> Cerro Negro, 1 hr.

DAY 3

GPS coordinate: 12.6058° N, 86.8422° W

However if closed, Volcan del Hoya is a excellent alternative.
- ```
GPS coordinate:12.4894° N, 86.6675° W
```
Both hikes are about 5 hrs. round-trip.
Nicaragua has about 40 volcanoes, a half dozen of which are usually active at any time.
- We strongly recommend a local guide when hiking any volcano. They are very knowledgable.
Overnight: Leon
Distance:
Leon ---> Telica or Volcan del Hoya, 1 hr.

DAY 4

Depart Leon. Your first stop is Catarina, a small village overlooking the Laguna de Apoyo Lagoon.
- Apoyo is a stunning crater lake with a Mediterranean blue water. Hike down to the lagoon and enjoy the flora and fauna. Keep your eyes out for monkeys.
In the afternoon arrive in Granada, and stroll this charming city. Visit the town square and the old market.
- Granada is one of the more elegant cities in Central America. With a sizable population of over 100,000 and a large expat community, the city is famous for its classic colonial architecture and postcard cathedrals and is home to an array of appealing museums, galleries, markets and more.
The colorful Calle Calzada neighborhood is the most tourist street in Granada. Bars, art galleries, craft shops and restaurants are abundant here.
Don’t miss the Iglesia La Merced. You can climb the stairs up to the tower and get great views of the city.
Overnight: Granada (2 nights)
Distance:
Leon ---> Apoyo Lagoon, 3 hrs.
Apoyo Lagoon ---> Grenada, 1 hr.

DAY 5

Continue to discover Granada.
Options include renting a bike to tour the town, and kayaking on Lake Nicaragua with tour guide.
Book a tour through your hotel front desk for Masaya National Park - an active volcano. Best time to visit the impressive Santiago Crater is with a late afternoon tour, right before sunset so you can capture the orange glow. <Learn more>
- Caution: No more than 10-15 minutes is allowed at the crater viewpoint, because of the gases emanating from the crater poising a health risk.
Overnight: Granada

DAY 6

Depart Granada.
Mombacho Nature Reserve - a cloud forest with a rich ecosystem, Howler Monkeys and excellent views from the top.
- We suggest a walk on the Crater trail or the more challenging Puma trail.
If time permits, tour a coffee plantation. Nicaragua produces excellent coffee. Cafe Las Flores is our preferred choice.
Afterward drive to San Jorge, where you will embark on a ferry (schedule) to Ometepe Island, the world's largest volcanic island in a lake. On route marvel at the impressive Volcan Concepcion. The Concepción is Nicaragua's second highest volcano and one of the most perfectly shaped volcanos of the Americas.
Overnight: Ometepe Island
- Our favorites are Villa Paraiso and Totoco Ecolodge.
Distance:
Granada---> San Jorge, 1.5 hr.
San Jorge ---> Ometepe Island, 1 hr.- ferry ride

DAY 7

Ometepe Island is a lush tropical island formed from two (2) towering volcanoes, Volcano Concepción and Volcano Maderas. It offers tropical forests, waterfalls, hiking, swimming and kayaking.
Start the day hiking to the Maderas Volcano - San Ramon waterfall - a 90 minute walk. During the walk you may encounter colorful birds and whooping howler monkeys.
- Getting there: The waterfall is accessed on a dirt road (through private property) that you can find on Google Maps. From the front gate (where you pay) you walk about 1.5 hours one way OR your tour operator has permission to drive further up the road.
In mid-afternoon take the ferry back to the mainland from Ometepe and transfer to your hotel in Managua before your flight home the next day.
Overnight: Managua
- Suggested hotels close to airport.
Distance:
Ometepe Island ---> San Jorge Ferry Landing, 1 hr.
San Jorge ---> Managua, 2 hrs.

DAY 8

Climate Guide:

Source:  roam nicaragua, wikipedi.org

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