Highlights of Nicaragua

13 days
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Small Group Tour
From the twin peaks of Ometepe Island to the ashen slopes of Cerro Negro Volcano, the ‘Land of Lakes and Volcanoes’ is a great way to experience Central America's landscape and escape the crowds. Travel through misty cloud forest, full of birds, wildlife and the sweet smell of orchids, and to isolated Pacific beaches where nesting Olive Ridley turtles arr...

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • The rustic charm of colonial Granada and revolutionary Leon
    • Walk through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano
    • The rising peaks of Ometepe Island
    • The ashen surface of Cerro Negro Volcano
    • Nesting Olive Ridley turtles at La Flor Reserve (July to January)

What's this trip about?

    From the twin peaks of Ometepe Island to the ashen slopes of Cerro Negro Volcano, the ‘Land of Lakes and Volcanoes’ is a great way to experience Central America's landscape and escape the crowds. Travel through misty cloud forest, full of birds, wildlife and the sweet smell of orchids, and to isolated Pacific beaches where nesting Olive Ridley turtles arrive en masse (in season - July to January). We also have time to enjoy the rustic, charming cities of colonial Granada and revolutionary Leon.Explore colonial towns, volcanoes and lagunes in the little known gem which is Nicaragua.

Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityGranada
End CityManagua

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • National Parks
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Central America
  • Nicaragua

Attractions

  • Granada
  • Lake Nicaragua
  • Leon
  • Managua
  • Ometepe
  • Pacific Ocean

Activities

  • Culture
  • Nature

Trip includes

    • All accommodation (see below)
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map
Flight Inclusive

Day 1 Fly to Managua; to Granada.

Those on group flights will arrive in the evening and be transferred (40 minutes) from the airport to the beautiful colonial city of Granada. Located on the shore of Lake Nicaragua, Granada is Nicaragua's fourth largest city, with a rich heritage and culture. Accommodation: Hotel con Corazon or similar *Comfortable Hotel*

Day 2 Granada walking tour; boat tour of Las Isletas.

After breakfast we venture into Granada for a walking tour taking in the cobbled streets and striking colonial buildings. Our city tour will include the main cathedral and markets as well as the beautiful San Francisco Church, from which we’ll have an exceptional v...

Day 3 Mombacho Volcano walk; visit Las Flores coffee plantation.

Day 4 Visit Laguna de Apoyo.

In the morning we head to the enchanted Laguna de Apoyo. The Laguna de Apoyo was created over 20,000 years ago when a giant volcano imploded, creating a huge crater which filled with water. It is one of Nicaragua’s most stunning natural wonders. The rest of the da...

Day 5 To San Juan del Sur; optional visit to nesting turtles (in season).

This morning you are free to relax and enjoy Granada at your own pace. In the late morning we transfer to the charming seaside town of San Juan del Sur, about two hours south west of Granada. This sleepy fishing community is nestled within a tranquil bay overlookin...

Day 6 Free day for optional excursions.

Today is free for you to enjoy the Pacific beaches of the San Juan region. We offer a number of optional excursions to help you explore the area, including fishing and sailing. Accommodation: Hotel Victoriano or similar *Standard Hotel*

Day 7 To Ometepe Island.

We transfer to Rivas where we board a ferry for the one-hour journey across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island. The volcanoes of Concepion and Maderas characterise Ometepe, their majestic peaks connected by a small strip of land to make an hourglass shaped island. Om...

Day 8 Hike to Maderas Volcano.

Today we hike through agricultural land and cloud forest within the Maderas Volcano Reserve to a lookout point from where there are spectacular views over the lake and the island. Please be aware that the trails here can be muddy and aren't always well maintained. ...

Day 9 Depart Ometepe; visit Masaya market and Los Pueblos Blancos; to León.

This morning we depart the island of Ometepe and move onward to the colonial city of Leon, visiting the Masaya market and the charming white towns of Los Pueblos Blancos on route. At the market, one of Nicaragua's greatest, you'll be able to find a wealth of tradit...

Day 10 Morning city tour; afternoon optional hike on Telica volcano.

León’s history will be brought to life this morning as we take a walking tour around the centre, visiting the cathedral (recently classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), art galleries, street murals, a museum dedicated to the famous poet Ruben Dario and the si...

Day 11 Explore Cerro Negro Volcano; to Managua.

We leave early this morning to explore one of León's greatest attractions - the Cerro Negro Volcano, Central America's youngest active volcano, where we hike to the summit (approx. 45 minutes) and peer straight into the crater. Cerro Negro is part of the Maribios v...

Day 12 End Managua.

Those on group flights will depart today for Managua International Airport. Land-only passengers, the trip ends after breakfast.

Day 13 Arrive London.

**

Land Only

Day 1 Start Granada.

Those on group flights will arrive in the evening and be transferred (40 minutes) from the airport to the beautiful colonial city of Granada. Those on land only arrangements should make their own way to the start hotel. Located on the shore of Lake Nicaragua, Gran...

Day 2 Granada walking tour; boat tour of Las Isletas.

After breakfast we venture into Granada for a walking tour taking in the cobbled streets and striking colonial buildings. Our city tour will include the main cathedral and markets as well as the beautiful San Francisco Church, from which we’ll have an exceptional v...

Day 3 Mombacho Volcano walk; visit Las Flores coffee plantation.

Day 4 Visit Laguna de Apoyo.

In the morning we head to the enchanted Laguna de Apoyo. The Laguna de Apoyo was created over 20,000 years ago when a giant volcano imploded, creating a huge crater which filled with water. It is one of Nicaragua’s most stunning natural wonders. The rest of the da...

Day 5 To San Juan del Sur; optional visit to nesting turtles (in season).

This morning you are free to relax and enjoy Granada at your own pace. In the late morning we transfer to the charming seaside town of San Juan del Sur, about two hours south west of Granada. This sleepy fishing community is nestled within a tranquil bay overlookin...

Day 6 Free day for optional excursions.

Today is free for you to enjoy the Pacific beaches of the San Juan region. We offer a number of optional excursions to help you explore the area, including fishing and sailing. Accommodation: Hotel Victoriano or similar *Standard Hotel*

Day 7 To Ometepe Island.

We transfer to Rivas where we board a ferry for the one-hour journey across Lake Nicaragua to Ometepe Island. The volcanoes of Concepion and Maderas characterise Ometepe, their majestic peaks connected by a small strip of land to make an hourglass shaped island. Om...

Day 8 Hike to Maderas Volcano.

Today we hike through agricultural land and cloud forest within the Maderas Volcano Reserve to a lookout point from where there are spectacular views over the lake and the island. Please be aware that the trails here can be muddy and aren't always well maintained. ...

Day 9 Depart Ometepe; visit Masaya market and Los Pueblos Blancos; to León.

This morning we depart the island of Ometepe and move onward to the colonial city of Leon, visiting the Masaya market and the charming white towns of Los Pueblos Blancos on route. At the market, one of Nicaragua's greatest, you'll be able to find a wealth of tradit...

Day 10 Morning city tour; afternoon optional hike on Telica volcano.

León’s history will be brought to life this morning as we take a walking tour around the centre, visiting the cathedral (recently classed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), art galleries, street murals, a museum dedicated to the famous poet Ruben Dario and the si...

Day 11 Explore Cerro Negro Volcano; to Managua.

We leave early this morning to explore one of León's greatest attractions - the Cerro Negro Volcano, Central America's youngest active volcano, where we hike to the summit (approx. 45 minutes) and peer straight into the crater. Cerro Negro is part of the Maribios v...

Day 12 End Managua.

Those on group flights will depart today for Managua International Airport. Land-only passengers, the trip ends after breakfast.

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Dates & Availability

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Last Updated: 8/31/2018

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Exodus Travels.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
What they’re known for
Global trips to both classic and exotic destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and discovery of local culture.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations

Accommodation

6 nights comfortable hotels and 5 nights standard hotels in a variety of colonial and modern properties, all with en suite rooms Travel by private minibus and 4WD Boat and local ferries used,
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
Dinner: Food is included as per the day to day descriptions on the itinerary. Nicaraguan cuisine tends to be dominated by meat (principally beef) accompanied with rice and beans, a staple dish known as gallo pinto and found throughout the country. Hotel breakfasts are usually buffet style and consist of fruit, cereals, eggs, toast, gallo pinto, juice and tea/coffee. Vegetarians are generally well catered for although please be sure to advise us of any specific dietary requirements before departure.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
  • 6 nights comfortable hotels and 5 nights standard hotels in a variety of colonial and modern properties, all with en suite rooms
  • Travel by private minibus and 4WD
  • Boat and local ferries used
Trip ID
exodus-AUL

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