Classic Nicaragua

Welcome to Nicaragua, the country of Lakes and Volcanoes! Arriving in Managua, the commercial and cultural heart of the nation, your private guide will greet you warmly and transfer you to your hotel smoothly.

Travel about 300 km (approx. 5 hours) to San Carlos, a port city lying on the confluence of Lake Nicaragua and the San Juan River. Once there, change to a boat and sail about two hours along the Río San Juan to your jungle lodge standing on the edge of the Indio-Maiz Biosphere Reserve.

Indio Maiz Biological Reserve, one of the largest protected lowland forests in Central America, is home to a diversity of vegetation, insects, birds, and animals. This morning, you will hike about two hours through the dense jungle to observe its colorful creatures. After the hike, take the boat to explore the Bartola River and enjoy the swimming chance amid the forest.

Get up early for the birdwatching tour with your nature guide, who will help you spot the most prevailing species, including the green parrot, in this particular ecosystem. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy other complimentary activities offered by the lodge.

Today, during the boat journey back to San Carlos, go ashore for an excursion to El Castillo, a charming village nestling on the southern bank of the Rio San Juan. Visit the historic Fortress of the Immaculate Conception to learn about the history behind it and enjoy the majestic views surrounding it.

Arrive in San Carlos before noon, have a lunch break, and then continue with a 4.5-hour land journey to Apoyo Lagoon.

Follow an expert local guide to hike in the tropical dry forests around the crystal-clear volcano crater lake of Apoyo Lagoon, relishing its serenity and discovering diverse flora and fauna. With a little luck, you may spot hummingbirds, toucans, howler monkeys, iguanas, and blue morpho butterflies. After the hike and lunch at a waterfront restaurant, have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Today's destination is San Juan del Sur on Nicaragua's southern Pacific Coast. En route, you will explore the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. Have a nature walk through the cloud forest around the crater, climb the volcano by 4x4 truck and taste local coffee at a plantation along the way, enjoy a short-guided hike along the trail near the top, and capture majestic views over the surrounding cities, islands, and volcanos.

Around noon, arrive at your ecolodge sitting on a crescent-shaped beach fringed with lush tropical forest. Settle down and then enjoy the tropical relaxation by the Pacific, or choose one from the colorful activities offered by the lodge.

With the full-board Discovery Package, each day during your stay in the lodge, you can enjoy one of the following programs: an exclusive breakfast at the farm, organic farming experiences, birdwatching tours, horseback riding, and a variety of hikes, kayaking, etc. In the right season, from August to January, there are also chances to witness the nesting of the Olive Ridley sea turtle.

Continue the land journey today to the colonial town of Granada. Arrive in about 2.5 hours, and join your local guide to explore its historic center on foot. Click off the old city walls, the façade of the San Francisco Convent, and La Merced church with its bell tower boasting commanding views of the town; visit a cigar factory and Tio Antonio social center committed to offering job opportunities to people with disabilities.

Late afternoon, get to the port of Granada for the boat transfer to your resort on Jicaro Island in Lake Nicaragua.

It is a free day to enjoy the upscale amenities and top-rated hospitality of your lodge. Relax at the pool in jungle-like surroundings, join one of the many activities on offer, plus go birdwatching or kayaking through the archipelago.

Your Nicaragua tour comes to an end today. Free time until transferring to Managua International Airport in time for your outbound flight.