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Nicaragua
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Millions of years ago the American continents united. Nicaraguan legends
tell us the great Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca) was the navel of this
new land in the middle of Central America. In the east and west the
oceans of the world touched this magic land. For centuries Nicaragua
has been a place to go for cultures and life forms of the north and
south to meet. The Spaniards thought coveted this abundance and founded
their first colonial city on the shore of Lake Nicaragua. They named
it Granada.
Granada's and Leon's narrow streets, wide squares, representative
buildings and typical old Spanish tile roofs carries us back to colonial
times. Granada is a beautiful conservative town where appearance is
more important than being. Leon is university city with museums, churches
and a unique culture behind its old walls.
In Nicaragua you can enjoy luxury hotels and charming lodges and discover the magical past of
Central America. You can see unspoiled nature and enjoy fantastic beaches on the Pacific Ocean
or Caribbean Sea.
The smiles of the Hospitable Nicas will welcome you warmly.
Discover Nicaragua
(8 days / 7 nights)
DAY 1. (-/-/D) Arrive Managua.
Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer to your hotel before touring
the city. Visit to the Republica Plaza, National Palace of Culture,
the old and new Cathedrals, the Old Somoza Bunker and Sandino Statue.
Tonight enjoy dinner at a old Coffee Plantation in the mountains outside
of Managua with a beautiful view of the city.
Hotel options: Hotel Casa Real, Best Western Las Mercedes or Intercontinental Metrocentro
DAY 2. (B/L/D) Leon de los Caballeros.
After breakfast depart Managua for the colonial university city of
Leon de los Caballeros in Western Nicaragua. On the way visit a small
cheeze factory to learn how the Quesillo is produced. For hundreds
of years Leon was the political, military and cultural center of Nicaragua.
Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral (the largest colonial building in
Central America), the Main Plaza and the childhood house of Ruben
Dario, the acknowledged prince of Castilian poetry. We will have lunch
in a charming historical local restaurant. In the afternoon visit
the Latin-American Art Gallery Gurdian-Ortiz before returning to Managua.
DAY 3. (B/-/D) Volcano Masaya and Ometepe Island.
Visit the active Masaya Volcano to marvel at the expansion of the Santiago Crater (200 m deep and
500m wide). Learn about Indian and colonial history and discover the animal life and vegetation
that grow on the lava fields. Later we visit the National Arts and Crafts Market of Masaya before
we arrive to Catarina-the majestic artist's colony along the crater above Laguna Apoyo (6 km wide
and 200 m deep) In the afternoon we transfer to the small port of San Jorge for the boat ride to
Ometepe Island. Overnight at Hotel Villa Paraiso on the beach at Santo Domingo.
DAY 4. (B/L/-) Playa Santo Domingo on Ometepe Island.
The fine sand and soft water invite you to swim in Lake Nicaragua,
the largest lake in Central America. After lunch enjoy a walking tour
of small colonial villages, Indian stone paintings and archaeological
sculptures that give testimony to the great history of Ometepe Island.
The islands two volcanoes, Maderas at 1,382 meters and Conception
at 1,630 meters are impressive as they tower above the lake. Overnight
Hotel Villa Paraiso on the beach.
DAY 5. (B/-/D) Granada
This morning travel to Granada to tour the old city built in colonial
and new classic style. Visit the cathedral, the restored House of
the Lions, the famous Franciscan Convent with its important collection
of Indian statutes . Before lunch, complete the morning tour with
a look at the port on Lake Nicaragua. Overnight in Granada at Hotel
Alhambra or Hotel Colonial.
DAY 6. (B/L/-) Volcano Mombacho and Montelimar on the Pacific Ocean.
After breakfast we will explore volcano Mombacho. Climbing to the top at 1344 meters above sea level.
We reach a chalet of the Fundacion Cocibolca which manages this reserve. From here you can walk to
the overlook point for a spectacular view over Lake Nicaragua and the more than 300 Islands of
Granada. Following lunch we will drive to the Pacific Ocean to reach the majestic beach at
Montelimar before sunset. Overnight at the Montelimar Beach Resort.
DAY 7. (B/-/-) Montelimar Beach Resort on the Pacific Ocean.
Day at leisure to enjoy the beach, swimming pools and resort.
DAY 8. (B/-/-) Departure.
Transfer to Managua Airport for departure.
SCHEDULE: Tour arrangements will be made on request.
PRICE: Prices vary with number of travelers and class of hotel in Managua.
For 2 passengers sharing doubles: Standard hotels, $1,247. Deluxe hotels, $1,368.
For 6 passengers sharing doubles: Standard hotels, $952. Deluxe hotels, $1,064.
Single supplement: $304.
Highlights of Nicaragua (11 days / 10 nights)
DAY 1. (-/-/D) Arrive Managua
Meet and greet at the airport. Transfer to your hotel before touring
the city. Visit to the Republica Plaza, National Palace of Culture,
the old and new Cathedrals, the Old Somoza Bunker and Sandino Statue.
Tonight enjoy dinner at an old Coffee Plantation in the mountains
outside of Managua with a beautiful view of the city.
Hotel options: Hotel Casa Real, Best Western Las Mercedes or Intercontinental Metrocentro
DAY 2. (B/L/D) Leon de los Caballeros
After breakfast depart Managua for the colonial university city of
Leon de los Caballeros in Western Nicaragua. On the way visit a small
cheeze factory to learn how the Quesillo is produced. For hundreds
of years Leon was the political, military and cultural center of Nicaragua.
Visit the Metropolitan Cathedral (the largest colonial building in
Central America), the Main Plaza and the childhood house of Ruben
Dario, the acknowledged prince of Castilian poetry. We will have lunch
in a charming historical local restaurant. In the afternoon visit
the Latin-American Art Gallery Gurdian-Ortiz before returning to Managua.
DAY 3. (B/L/D) The Solentiname Islands.
In the morning we fly to the small town of San Carlos on the southern coast of Lake Nicaragua.
From San Carlos we will travel by motorrboat to the Solentiname Archipelago. After a delicious
seafood lunch, walk from the Hotel Mancarrón to El Refugio, a small village of primitive artists.
At the homes and studios of some famous painters and artisans you can enjoy the company of
these talented people and their colorful art and sculptures. Later, visit an indigenous cemetery,
then enjoy the view from an exceptional overlook called Reconciliación. Overnight at the Hotel
Mancarrón-Solentiname***
DAY 4. (B/L/D) Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge
Early in the morning we leave for a half-day motorboat tour inside
the Los Guatuzos Wildlife Refuge, the only internationally registered
tropical wetlands area in Nicaragua. Cruise across the Great Lake
Nicaragua and up the Papaturro River to see monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas,
lizards, sloth, turtles, toucans and white herons. Deep in the Wildlife
Refuge visit the ecological center of the Friends of the Earth to
learn more about this area. Return to the island for lunch and an
afternoon at leisure. Overnight Hotel Mancarrón-Solentiname.
DAY 5. (B/-/D) Volcano Masaya
After breakfast we go back to San Carlos and fly to Managua. Where we take our private bus (A/C)
to visit the active Masaya Volcano to marvel at the expansion of the Santiago Crater (200 m deep
and 500m wide). Learn about Indian and colonial history and discover the animal life and
vegetation that grow on the lava fields. Later we visit the National Arts and Crafts Market of
Masaya before we arrive to Catarina-the majestic artist's colony along the crater above Laguna
Apoyo (6 km wide and 200 m deep) In the afternoon we arrive to the colonial city Granada.
Overnight Hotel Alhambra or Hotel Colonial.
DAY 6. (B/L/-) Granada
Tour the old city built in colonial and new classic style. Visit the
cathedral, the restored House of the Lions, the famous Franciscan
Convent with its important collection of Indian statutes. Before lunch,
complete the morning tour with a look at the port on Lake Nicaragua.
In the afternoon we will explore volcano Mombacho. Climbing to the
top at 1344 meters above sea level. we reach a chalet of the Fundacion
Cocibolca which manages this reserve. From here you can walk to the
overlook point for a spectacular view over Lake Nicaragua and the
more than 300 Islands of Granada. Overnight in Granada at Hotel Alhambra
or Hotel Colonial.
DAY 7. (B/L/-) Selva Negra Cloud Forest.
After breakfast we depart to the north for the Selva Negra Cloud Forest
and the Selva Negra coffee farm and hotel near Matagalpa we will learn
about the history of the European immigrants of the 19 century and
coffee production. The eternal spring climate at this 1,311 meter
altitude and the high-altitude pristine tropical forest with its wildlife
give us one more unforgettable day. Lunch at the restaurant of Hotel
Selva Negra on the shore of small mountain lake. Overnight Hotel Selva
Negra.
DAY 8. (B/L/-) Jaguar Nature Reserve
Morning drive to Jinotega and San Rafael del Norte in the Nicaraguan Highlands to visit a
colonial church with beautiful wall paintings. Continue to the Jaguar Nature Preserve for a a
guided walk through the cloud forest. You will marvel at the extraordinary tropical plants and
variety of birds and butterflies. Overnight Hotel Selva Negra.
DAY 9. (B/L/-) Corn Island in the Caribbean Sea.
After Breakfast we return by private bus to the airport of Managua to fly to Corn Island in the
Caribbean Sea. Overnight at Hotel Paraiso Club.
DAY 10. (B/-/D) Corn Island
Day to enjoy the white sand, palms, fresh hummer and good drinks. In the late afternoon flight
back to Managua. Farewell dinner at an old coffee farm in the hills over Managua.
DAY 11. (B/-/-) Departure
Transfer to the airport for departure flight.
SCHEDULE: Tour arrangements will be made on request.
PRICE: Prices vary with number of travelers and class of hotel in Managua.
For 2 passengers sharing doubles: Standard hotels, $2,170. Deluxe hotels, $2.332.
For 6 passengers sharing doubles: Standard hotels, $1,674. Deluxe hotels, $1,892.
Single supplement: $398.
For tours to this fascinating area, contact Mayatour:
800-392-6292
info@mayatour.com • www.mayatour.com
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