Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Managua and transfer to Hotel Los Robles
You'll be greeted at the Managua airport and transferred to the comfortable Hotel Los Robles (30 minutes). We will have a brief orientation dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Los Robles (www.hotellosrobles.com/ )

Day 2: Transfer to Chinandega
We’ll head out to the north-westernmost department in the country. After checking in at Los Volcanes Hotel we’ll visit one of the most spectacular and well-preserved estuaries: Estero Padre Ramos Natural Reserve where we will witness a stunning sunset and abundant birdlife.

Overnight: Hotel Los Volcanes (www.losvolcaneshotel.com)

Day 3: Cosigüina Volcano
We depart early in the morning to Cosigüina, one of the most fascinating yet unexplored volcanoes in the region. Our hike will take us to the crater’s rim, where we’ll see the lake that formed after the most violent volcanic eruption in Central America’s recent history. We’ll have box lunch in the midst of the tropical dry forest that covers the volcano’s slope.

Overnight: Hotel Los Volcanes (www.losvolcaneshotel.com)

Day 4: Rum Tour and transfer to Esteli
In Chinandega one of the best rums of the World is made – Flor de Caña . We’ll visit the Flor de Caña Factory in Chichigalpa, where we will learn all about the production of this first class liquor. Then we will head towards the colonial city of León to enjoy an exquisite lunch on the historic main plaza. We will then continue east/northeast to Estelí and check in at our hotel.

Overnight: Hotel Los Arcos

Day 5: Tisey viewpoint, La Estanzuela waterfall
This day consists of several interesting activities, including visiting rock-carving artisans, a cheese-producing community and a spectacular panoramic viewpoint. After a freshly prepared lunch, we’ll visit the beautiful Estanzuela Waterfall.

Overnight: Hotel Los Arcos

Day 6: Cigar tour and transfer to Jinotega
We start with a visit to a local cigar producer. We’ll observe how tobacco is grown, harvested and processed into high quality cigars. Interestingly, these cigars are finding their way to the competitive international cigar market. During the afternoon we will go to the picturesque city of Jinotega, settled in a valley surrounded by cloud forests. The views on the way are spectacular.

Overnight: Hotel Café (www.cafehoteljinotega.com)

Day 7: Coffee tour and Datanli – El Diablo cloud forest hike
A drive through the surrounding mountains brings us to the Bastilla Coffee Hacienda to witness the coffee harvesting during its peak season. The coffee is being hand-picked and then processed so it can be exported. We will begin our hike through the coffee plantations to the cloud forests above. With luck we see the Resplendant Quetzal and Waddled Bell-bird among many other species. The orchids can be even more spectacular than the wildlife. Datanli- El Diablo cloud forest is a highly diverse habitat, housing a large variety of ferns, fungi and birds.

Overnight: Hotel Café (www.cafehoteljinotega.com)

Day 8: Selva Negra resort, Matagalpa Chocolate and transfer to Managua
In the morning we will explore Jinotega and hike to the famous mountain-top cross which overlooks over the Jinotega valley. Our return to Managua starts with a scenic road between Jinotega and Matagalpa. Lunch will be at Selva Negra, a German-built resort in the mountains which has an interesting museum on coffee. Then we will continue our way to Managua, with a stop at the Matagalpa chocolate factory to learn about the many facets of the cocoa bean. We then continue to Managua and check in at the hotel and then have farewell dinner.

Overnight: Hotel Las Mercedes (www.lasmercedes.com.ni)

Day 9: departure