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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive to Managua, transfer to Laguna de Apoyo
Arrive in Managua. Your trip leader or a representative will meet you outside the customs and
immigration area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate
arrangements, and transfer you to an eco-resort nestled on the banks of the Apoyo Lagoon, a
500-foot-deep caldera lake set within a dry tropical forest (one hour drive). Our accommodation is
the Posada Ecologica La Abuela, which boasts awe-inspiring views, a waterfront restaurant and bar,
and a roaming group of monkeys! Evening “welcome” dinner and trip orientation.
Overnight: Posada Ecologica La Abuela
Day 2: Volcan Mombacho – Catarina
You may be awakened by the daily chorus of howler moneys! After breakfast we depart for a morning
hike at Volcan Mombacho, located about 10 miles from our hotel. We will be greeted by our local
conservation partner who manages the park—Fundacion Cocibolca—and the naturalist
will give a brief overview about what makes this place so special. Lush shade-grown coffee
plantations cover the lower slopes and we will have a brief stop at the coffee finca to sample some
of the fresh product. Once we arrive at the visitor center, we will have two options for exploring
Mombacho’s cloud forest of. One is a short hike (about a mile) with an interpretive
emphasis—explaining the complex plant community, observing the many orchid species, and
taking time to observe the wildlife. The second option is hiking the 2.5 mile Puma Trail, which
takes two to three hours with a climb of about 800 feet in elevation. Both options boast spectacular
views, including Laguna Apoyo, Masaya Volcano, Lake Nicaragua, the colonial city of Granada, and the
hundreds of islands called Las Isletas. After the morning hike you‘ll visit the charming
town of San Juan de Oriente where you will have a private tour of some artists’ studios
for a special local cultural experience and the oportunity to buy some of the best ceramic in the
mesoamerican region. Then you´ll visit the neighboring town of Catarina for a tour of the
artisan market and to enjoy an awsome view of Apoyo Crater Lake, Mombacho Volcano and Lake
Nicaragua. Later you´ll be transfered back to the hotel. Back at the hotel, kayaks and
small boats are available for those who want to get out and explore. The water is relatively warm
and great for swimming. The wildlife is excellent with howler monkeys frequently visiting the hotel.
Overnight: Posada Ecologica La Abuela
Day 3: Transfer to Sabalos Lodge
Travel by high-speed boat (or short flight) across Lake Nicaragua to the small community of San
Carlos, passing the island of Ometepe, which is composed of two volcanoes: Concepcion and Madera.
Ometepe was considered sacred to pre-Colombian cultures and has a mystic aura to it. After lunch in
San Carlos, we take to smaller boats and head to the rainforests of the Río San Juan,
located on the southeast border with Costa Rica. This area is a Conservation International
Mega-Diversity Hotspot for wildlife. Accommodation is at Sabalos Lodge, located right at the
water’s edge, with howler and white-faced monkeys ready to serenade you and numerous
beautiful resident birds as well as migratory birds from North and South America.
Overnight: Sabalos Lodge
Day 4: El Castillo – Indio Maiz Biosphere Reserve
One of the historical highlights of the area is the remnants of the old Spanish fort of El Castillo.
Originally built in 1673, the turbulent colonial history of Nicaragua often started and ended with
conflicts at El Castillo. We will balance our visit with a jungle trek into the nearby Indio-Maiz
Biological Reserve, a 640,000-acre wilderness with an amazing collection of plant and animal life
(400 bird species and 200 species of mammals and poison dart frogs!).
Overnight: Sabalos Lodge
Day 5: Montibelli Private Reserve and Coffee Finca
Optional birding walk in the morning, then we will take the early flight from San Carlos to Managua.
Upon arrival we will travel to the artisan town of Masaya and its crafts market. After a quick stop
at the crater of Masaya Volcanoe we will continue to Montibelli Private Reserve and our bungalos
overlook lush shade grown coffee.
Overnight: Montibelli Private Reserve
Day 6: Montibelli Private Reserve
We will explore the trail system of Montibelli and see the first ripe coffee beans of the new
season. In the afternoon we will visit a local nearby community, learn about some of activities and
visit a small local musuem loaded with pre-Columbian ceramics from the surrounding area. We will
have a traditional Nica farewell dinner at the private reserve.
Day 7: departure
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