Highlights of Nicaragua

The heart of Central America: cloud forests, volcanoes and crater lagoons

Coffee plantation worker with a handful of beans

Nicaragua's enchanting landscape is vast and relatively undiscovered, from the rising twin peaks of Ometepe Island; nestled within Central America's largest lake, to the ashen slopes of Cerro Negro volcano with its gravel cone and steamy, bubbling fumaroles. The 'Land of Lakes and Volcanoes' is a popular choice for wildlife and adventure enthusiasts eager to escape the crowds.

Our journey takes us through the misty cloud forest of Mombacho, full of birds, wildlife and the sweet smell of orchids. On the volcanic slopes below, coffee grows in abundance in the nutrient enriched soil - ripe for picking and roasting to produce the finest Cafe Las Flores.

The isolated Pacific beaches have a spectacle of their own when nesting olive ridley turtles arrive on mass (in season), coming ashore by the thousand. No exploration would be complete without diving into the rivalled past of colonial Granada and revolutionary Leon; rustic, charming cities now at peace. Friendly Nicaragua is a country waiting to welcome the world.

What makes this trip responsible?

As part of this trip we visit Las Flores café farm on the slopes of Mombacho Volcano where all of the coffee produced is certified by the Rainforest Alliance. We will learn about the processes involved in sustainably planting, picking and harvesting coffee before having a chance to taste each of the different varieties and buy some supplies to take home. Our visit fosters an understanding of how important sustainable practices are in the industry as well as helping to support the farm financially.

Itinerary

[detailed itinerary...]

Countries visited: Nicaragua

Day 1

Fly to Managua; transfer to Granada.

Day 2

Walking tour of colonial Granada; visit cigar factory; afternoon boat tour of Las Isletas on Lake Nicaragua.

Day 3

Walk through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano; afternoon tour of Las Flores coffee plantation.

Day 4

Transfer to coastal town of San Juan del Sur; optional evening excursion to La Flor nature reserve to see nesting turtles (in season).

Day 5

Free day to relax on the Pacific beaches or optional fishing and sailing excursions.

Day 6

Transfer to Rivas; ferry to Ometepe Island; afternoon hike to viewpoint on Maderas Volcano.

Day 7

Free morning to explore the island; ferry to Rivas and transfer to colonial city of León.

Day 8

León city tour; optional afternoon excursion to explore the mangrove forest of Isla Juan Venado.

Day 9

Explore León's three main attractions - Cerro Negro Volcano, Laguna Asososca and León Viejo, the original capital of Nicaragua.

Day 10

Drive to Managua, stopping at the Masaya markets for traditional handicrafts and the whitewashed villages of Los Pueblos Blancos.

Day 11

Depart Managua.

Day 12

Arrive London.

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