PACKAGES

Set between the Pacific Ocean and a jagged range of active volcanoes is Nicaragua's colonial capital of León. This city founded in the early 17th century is home to more than 12 colonial period churches, each one unique in its design from tiny parish size chapels to the mighty Cathedral, Central America's largest church. This tour will visit with this great culture and tell its story with the aid of a private English speaking guide and includes visits to the tragic first locale of León on the shores of Lake Managua, now an UNESCO world heritage site located at the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano, as well as the tiny rural village of San Jacinto to see its fumaroles. Afterwards the program travels to Granada. The "Gran Sultan", one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua is full of history and Spanish colonial charm and is one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere. The program also includes a stop in the folklore center of Masaya for shopping at its renowned open-air market of fine hand made crafts and a visit to a hammock workshop to see how they are woven. The program will also visit the 5 crater complex at the Masaya Volcano National Park for a look inside of the very active Santiago Crater and to see the rare crater-dwelling parrots who have managed to adapt to this toxic environment. This tour also highlights Nicaragua's number one export, its world class ecological coffee, organic grown shade coffee from Matagalpa, with a visit to 100% sustainable coffee hacienda and cloud forest reserve of Selva Negra and a fascinating look at the process of rolling handmade Nicaraguan cigars in the highland town of Estelí.

DAY 01: MANAGUA: Airport greeting and transfer to the quiet gallery district of Managua and the Hotel Europeo.

DAY 02: MANAGUA - SELVA NEGRA: Tour of the nation's capital of Managua with visits to key political and cultural sites, including its historic center and to see the incredible footprints left by the Managua residents of 4,000 BC. Transfer north along the eastern shores of Lake Managua into the heart of the coffee growing northern mountains Matagalpa. Coffee tour of organic shade coffee farm of Selva Negra. Lodging in private cabin surrounded by cloud forest.

DAY 03: SELVA NEGRA: Walking in the peaceful cloud forest reserve at Selva Negra. Lodging in private cabin.

DAY 04: SELVA NEGRA - ESTELÍ - LEON: Transfer through the onion and rice growing region of Sébaco to the cigar capital of Central America, Estelí. Visit to a small handmade cigar operation to learn about this unique process (Mon-Sat only) then transfer through the rustic mining region of El Jicaral to the 21 strong Maribios Volcanic Range, 5 of which are active. Stop at the rural village of San Jacinto, in the middle of the densely active Maribios Volcano chain, to visit with its population and see their fumarolic fields, the result of water being superheated on a volcanic vein beneath the earth's surface. Transfer to León current location, founded in 1610. Lodging in the historic city center at Hotel Austria.

DAY 05: LEON - LAS PEÑITAS BEACH - LEON: Breakfast at hotel and morning walking tour of Nicaragua's intellectual and artistic capital colonial León, with visits to the world famous poet Rubén Darío's house, a colonial home art gallery, some of the city's 12 colonial period churches, which includes Central America's grandest cathedral. Transfer to the wave-swept Pacific Coast to enjoy fresh seafood (meal cost not included) at an outdoor restaurant on the beach. Return to León, lodging at Hotel Austria.

DAY 06: LEON - LEON VIEJO - GRANADA: Breakfast at hotel and transfer south to the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano and the archeological site of León Viejo, now declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site. León Viejo was Nicaragua's first capital before being destroyed by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in the late 16th century. It is now being excavated and the tragic history of the site has come to light. Complete historical tour of this ancient colonial locale. Transfer to Central America's oldest European settlement, early 16th century Granada. Granada is quickly becoming a must visit for travelers to Central America for its unique beauty, relaxed atmosphere and great dining possibilities. Private tour of lake front Granada's colonial beauty, history and art. Lodging on historic central park at Hotel Alhambra.

DAY 07: INDIGENOUS VILLAGES - MASAYA - GRANADA: Breakfast at Hotel and transfer to the ancient highland villages of "La Meseta", for visits to the indigenous artisan's workshops of Catarina, San Juan de Oriente and Masatepe. All these precious towns have colonial period houses and churches and a hardworking, native population. After the highland villages, transfer to the historic city of Masaya, populated for more than 3,000 years and the arrival of the Spanish in the early 16th century organized the local artisans in small workshops for export. Masaya makes the world's finest hammocks, as well as wood, leather and clothing goods, all created by hand. Masaya's friendly population has restored their 19th century outdoor indigenous market for the sale of their hand made goods. After a visit to a hammock maker's shop transfer to the active cone of Santiago at the Masaya Volcano National Park for hiking or just observing the inside of this big smoking crater. Return to Granada and Hotel Alhambra.

DAY 08: GRANADA - MANAGUA: Breakfast at Hotel and transfer to airport for flight home.

Tour includes:
All transfers in private vehicle with a/c and driver
Assistance of an English speaking guide
1 night lodging at Hotel Europeo in Managua
2 nights lodging at the Hotel Austria in León
2 nights lodging at the Hotel Alhambra in Granada
2 nights lodging at Selva Negra Mountain Resort in Matagalpa
All breakfasts
Walking tour of León's art and history
Historical tour of León Viejo
Walking tour of colonial Granada
Coffee tour
Cigar tour
Visit to village of San Jacinto
Visit to Masaya Market
Visit to hammock workshop (Mon-Fri only)
Visit to indigenous villages of San Juan, Catarina, and Masatepe
Visit to Volcán Masaya National Park
All museum and park admissions

Tour does not include:
Drinks, lunch or dinner.
Assistance of a tour guide for free day in Selva Negra and time at the Pacific Coast beach.
International flights or airport taxes.
Travel insurance, tips, visas, or medical treatment.

All tours are private and can begin any day of the year.

Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.

Hotels described in itinerary are standard, optional upgrade is available.

Tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party; please specify number when requesting a quote.
Rates are subject to availability at time of reservation.

To Reserve NOW, or for more information, contact travel@costarica.net, or call us toll-free at
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