Colonial and Volcanoes Route
07 days / 06 nights
Begins and ends at Managua International Airport.
Visit volcanoes Cerro Negro, Masaya and Mombacho; colonial cities of León and Granada.
With this tour, you will explore some of the most interesting volcanoes of Nicaragua, that despite its proximity, show very different ecosystems. You will also discover the charming colonial cities of Leon and Granada.
- Visit the biggest Cathedral in Central America.
- Enjoy amazing views of the Maribios volcanic range.
- Hike the youngest volcano of Nicaragua and venture on a unique activity: Volcano Sandboarding at Cerro Negro.
- Go to the edge of an active crater by vehicle at Masaya Volcano National Park.
- Discover the colonial city of Granada, one of the oldest cities in America.
- Enjoy the tropical paradise of Las Isletas, an archipelago of 365 islets on Lake Cocibolca.
- Swim in an ancient crater lake at Apoyo.
DAY 01 Airport – Managua
Reception on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Managua.
DAY 02 Managua – Leon
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the colonial city of Leon, founded in 1610.
We will visit the Cathedral of Leon, one of the most beautiful temples of the continent and the biggest one in Central America, recently declared as a World Heritage Site. This temple is the resting place of great Nicaraguans like Ruben Dario and Salomon de la Selva.From the roof of the Cathedral you will get an extraordinary panoramic view of this charming city and the Maribios volcano range.
Then we will visit Ortiz Gurdian Art Gallery where you will find an interesting collection that includes works from noted Nicaraguan artists as well as renowned international artists like Picasso, Chagall, Miró; and Latin American masters like Diego Rivera, Rufino Tamayo, Fernando Botero and Roberto Matta.
We will also go to Ruben Dario Museum, located in the house where the great poet lived for 14 years.
DAY 03 Leon / Cerro Negro Volcano
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cerro Negro volcano, the perfect destination for people who love adventure. Cerro Negro is the youngest volcano in Nicaragua and one of the smallest ones. This volcano is completely covered with rocks one on side and black sand on the other, which allows the practice of Volcano Sandboarding.
The hike from the base of the volcano to the summit is challenging despite its low altitude and takes about 01 hour. Each person will take their board for the moment of descent. The volcanic stone path is steep, but the view at the top will be a nice reward. You will be able to observe much of Los Maribios volcanic chain and the crater. At this point we will give you some indications and we will make a small demonstration of how to handle the boards and then start the descent. Return to León after this unforgettable experience.
DAY 04 Leon – Masaya Volcano National Park – Catarina – Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Granada. On our way, we will visit Masaya Volcano National Park, where a paved road takes us to the edge of the active Santiago crater.
We will continue to Catarina, a popular artisan’s town that stands out for the gardens with ornamental plants and for its incredible viewpoint from where you can see Apoyo Lagoon, Mombacho Volcano and Granada.
Finally, we will arrive in Granada, the oldest colonial city in the western hemisphere of the Americas that still remains in its original place of construction. The city was founded in 1524 on the shores of Lake Cocibolca.
DAY 05 Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. We will start the day with a boat tour of Granada’s famous Isletas, an archipelago of more than 360 islets formed by an ancient volcanic explosion, just off the shore of Lake Cocibolca. While you listen to your guide’s commentary about the history of Lake Cocibolca, admire views of Mombacho Volcano and keep an eye out for native birds like tanagers, hawks, jays and warblers.
Back in Granada, we will visit the museum at San Francisco Convent, which houses an important collection of historical artifacts and paintings, like the 28 pre-Columbian statues from Zapatera Island, dating from the years 800 to 1200 AD. Then, you will have the chance to enjoy the city from a different perspective at the top of the bell tower of La Merced Church. During the city tour, you will get to see Calle Atravesada, Xalteva Church, the Cathedral and the Church of Guadalupe.
DAY 06 Granada – Mombacho – Apoyo – Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. We will drive from the tropical dry forest region, through coffee farms and into the cloud forest humid conditions. Arriving at the top, we will do the 1-km trail, along which we will observe an unusual collection of orchids, ferns and butterflies. If the weather conditions are clear, we will enjoy fantastic views of Granada, the Isletas and the surrounding countryside.
Afterwards, we will continue to Apoyo lagoon, an ancient crater lake located in the dry tropical forest of Nicaragua. Here you can swim or kayak on the pristine waters of the lagoon. Whatever you choose, there is no doubt you will enjoy the tranquility of a very special place. Transfer back to Granada at the end of the day.
DAY 07 Granada – Airport
Transfer to Managua International Airport according to your flight’s departure time. We recommend being at the airport 02 hours earlier.
Package Includes
- Private transportation in vehicle with A/C.
- 01 night in Managua.
- 02 nights in Leon.
- 03 nights in Granada.
- City tour of Leon.
- Sandboarding at Cerro Negro Volcano.
- Visit to Masaya Volcano National Park.
- Visit to Catarina.
- City tour of Granada.
- Boat tour of Las Isletas.
- Visit to Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve.
- Visit to Apoyo lagoon.
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