Trekking Nicaragua's Volcanoes | Trip Itinerary

Note:  This tour is a suggested, customized itinerary that is very flexible. We can make changes in hotels, excursions and destinations to suit your travel dates, style and budget

Optional extension adds 3 nights on the southern coast beaches of San Juan del Sur

Day 1: Managua International Airport / Managua hotel
Meet & greet at the International Airport and transfer to  your select hotel for an overnight stay.
Managua hotels: Hotel Los Robles/moderate category or Intercontinental Metrocentro/superior category. 

Day 2:  This morning depart from your hotel with your guide for transfer to the colonial city of León. Along the way you’ll glimpse the many volcanoes of the area that you’ll be exploring in the coming days.  After settling in to your hotel, your guide will take you on a tour of the highlights of León.  You will visit the city main churches soar skyward, including the monumental Cathedral, which is the largest in Central America and world heritage site by UNESCO.

During the walking tour, you’ll get to know the historic murals that grace the city and understand the important role Leon has played in Nicaragua’s social, economic and political development. When visiting the Cathedral, you can climb to the roof, where you can enjoy unmatched views of the city of Leon. Afterward you will visit the “Ortiz Gurdian” Art Gallery known as one of the best private art galleries in Latin America.  The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and explore Leon on your own.  (B)
Leon hotels Day 2 & 4: Flor de Sarta/moderate category;  El Convento/superior category

Day 3:  Morning free to prepare for your camping trip and/or explore Leon some more on your own.  Our hiking trip will have a late start, while the temperature begins to cool down, get us on our way up to the Telica Volcano. One of Nicaragua’s most active volcanoes, it has erupted frequently, and ash from those frequent eruptions keeps the slopes of its cone bare of vegetation. The top of the crater sits at over 1000 meters and it is possible to peak into the crater and some times see lava. The views from the top are spectacular.

The adventure begins driving an all-terrain vehicle on flat rural roads and then up hill for approximately one and a half hour. This journey will take us through communities and a wooded spot till we reach an improvised parking area at the slopes not far from the crater. The hike from this point to the top will take about one hour and a half.  After a photo session at the crater área we will continue our adventure following a new path to other lookout points where we can take more pictures while enjoying the sunset. Finally we will arrive to camp where we will enjoy a night under the stars still overlooking the crater. (B, D)
Overnight in a camping area
Note: Camping tour provided by our local Leon outfitter, who specializes in this activity and provides the appropriate equipment. This experience includes: Private transportation with a/c, certified guide, entrance fees, camping equipment, gas mask, walking sticks if required, 1 dinner and 1 breakfast, drinks and snacks.

Day 4: After sunrise, breakfast and breaking up camp we continue the adventure hiking downhill in the opposite direction for about 4hours toward the village of San Jacinto. In the first hour We will follow a single trail with plenty shade and then will continue through growing fields on a wider and rocky trail only accessible by foot or by horse. Next to the village there is a very quiet field with lot of boiling mud holes kind of little craters connected probably to the Telica Volcano. The field is not big but it is interesting and the best of it is that we can walk around and see the holes which differ in size and color. The mud sometimes throws little rocks in the air and steam is continuously emitted from the holes. Finally, we’ll transfer back to Leon in our private vehicle, this time on a way better road.
Change of clothes and vehicle, and you will go directly to Las Peñitas Beach to enjoy lunch at a restaurant of your choice (not included) & spend free time at the beach, before a late afternoon return to your Leon hotel for an overnight stay.  (B)

Day 5:  Breakfast, your private transfer will take you to the bottom of Cerro Negro (Black Hill) Cerro Negro was born in 1850 and has since been one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua, with the last eruption occurring in 1999. Rising out of the green trees the black walls of Cerro Negro create a bizarre contrast with the surroundings. You will hike first on trails and later on kind of black dunes formed by former lava. As you reach the foot of the volcano you begin an easy climb up to the first of two active and colorful craters.

Along with your expert follow the edge of the crater to get to the second crater and highest point of the volcano. You will spend some time on the top enjoying the views over the volcano range, the plains and highlands of Nicaragua and the Pacific Ocean. Then awaits you a fun part, a spectacular descent through the loose rocks and sand of Cerro Negro’s black slopes. Talk to our local expert to see how fast you want to descent Cerro Negro. Snacks are included. You'll return to Leon with time for lunch on your own.

In the afternoon meet your guide for  your transfer from Leon to Granada. Check-in to your select hotel, with the remainder of the afternoon to enjoy this lively city. (B)
Granada hotels: Patio del Malinche/moderate category; Plaza Colon /superior category

Day 6:  Half day Masaya Volcano & Market tour.  Meet your guide for your  activity today, that begins with a visit the Masaya Volcano.  This is the Nicaragua’s first national park in the country, established in 1979. The park includes a beautiful volcanic lake known as the “Masaya lagoon”. Upon arrival, we will witness all the influence that volcanic activities have had in the shaping of the zone. Only ten minutes from the entrance we will be able to visit the environmental interpretation center, a museum where we can see a model of the park. See paintings of Nicaraguan artists concerning the history of the volcano. Learn about the tectonic plates and volcanic regions of the planet. We will get to know about the flora and fauna of this wildlife refuge. We will continue our trip to the summit of this volcano; stopping at the observation point of the crater edge.  From here you can choose to make an easy or moderate trek with your expert guide.

Just fifteen minutes away we will visit the Masaya arts and crafts market for local ceramics, hammocks wood and leather souvenirs.
Lunch at Local Restaurant in Masaya & return to Granada.  Rest of the day at Leisure.  (B, L)

Day 7:  Starting at Granada, you take a 4WD the 45 minute drive to the slopes of the Mombacho volcano “The Puma Trail” where the “Cutirre” coffee farm is located at the Mombacho volcano natural reserve.  This enormous cloud forest is full of luxurious vegetation which has managed to grow over the centuries since the last volcanic activity. The adventure begins on a paved road and right from the start we will be surprised by the biodiversity of this nature reserve and enjoy the breathtaking views. When we reach the summit, we will understand why this ecosystem is a cloud forest.  Total hiking time approximately 4 hours.  After lunch you will return to Granada. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore on your own.  (B, L)

Day 8:  This is a free day for you  to enjoy on your own Granada’s museums, markets and central park.  Optional tours for mountain biking, sea kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, visits to a chocolate museum/workshop or exploring the local handicraft towns can be arranged on request.  (B)

Day 9:  Unescorted transfer to the international airport (about an hour) for the flight back home. **We also offer an extension to San Juan del Sur's beaches for 3 nights--A perfect way to end all these hiking days!   (B)
B=Breakfast; L=Lunch; BL= Box Lunch; D=Dinner
 

OPTIONAL BEACH EXTENSION--3 nights in San Juan del Sur

Day 9: Granada / San Juan del Sur beaches
After breakfast (or lunch--if you wish to spend a little free time in Granada) our local representative (driver only) will meet you at your hotel to transfer you approximately 2 hours to the southern beach area of San Juan del Sur. Check in to the Hotel Victoriano for a 3-night stay in your choice of either deluxe king ocean view room; or standard garden view rooms with either 2 twin or 1 queen bed.

Day 10 & 11: Free days to enjoy the beach and local activities.
San Juan del Sur offers virtually every type of water sport and outdoor experience. There are daily shuttle buses to the best surf beaches south of town where you can rent equipment and take surf lessons (with advance notice).  Close to San Juan del Sur are the beaches of "El coco", "Chococente", "El Astillero" and "La Flor", which are wildlife refuges and a turtle sanctuary for endangered species. Visits can be arranged during turtle nesting season. In addition you'll find deep sea fishing, sunset sail rides, horseback riding, sea kayaking, mountian biking, canopy tours, nature walks, stand-up paddle boarding--the list goes on & one! You'll also want to explore the restaurants & local  nightlife of town. (B)

Day 12: San Juan del Sur / Managua Airport
Private, unescorted transfer to the Managua airport for your international flight departure. **Note--if your flight departs before 2:00 PM, you may wish to add this night in Managua (or Granada) and depart on day 12. Please consult us for options based on your preferred flight itinerary. (B)