Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Managua and transfer to Norome, Laguna de Apoyo
You'll be greeted at the Managua airport and transferred to our ecoresort nestled on the banks of the Apoyo Lagoon (45 minutes). Late arrivals are not a problem with the new highway from the Managua International Airport. We will have a brief orientation dinner.

Overnight: Norome Resort (www.noromevillas.com)

Day 2: Vulcan Mombacho and Los Pueblos Blancos
After breakfast we depart for a morning hike at Vulcan Mombacho located about 10 miles from our hotel. We will have a special private tour since the park is officially closed Monday - Wednesday. We will be greeted by our location conservation partner who manages the park - Fundacion Cocibolca. The local 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 to options to explore the cloud forest of Mombacho. One is a short hike with a an interpretation emphasis - explaining the complex plant community, observing the many orchid species, and taking time to observe the wildlife. Total distance of the this hike is about 1.5 kilometers. The second option is hiking the Jaguar Trails which is about 4 miles and takes about two to three hours with about 800 feet elevation climb. The views from both options are spectacular with the Laguna Apoyo, Masaya Volcano, Lake Nicaragua, the colonial city of Granada, and the hundreds of islands called Las Isletas.

After our morning hike we will then visit the charming community of Catarina for lunch and then visit some to the artisan markets. We will also have a private tour to some of the artist's studios for a special local cultural experience. We will then have the option to hike through the tropical forest back to our hotel or ride back on our transportion.

Our hotel is on the shores of the Apoyo Lagoon, which is a caldera lake (extinct volcano). Reportedly over 500 feet deep of clear fresh water. Kayaks and small sailboats 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 fruiting trees outside our rooms.

Day 3: Granada and Las Isletas
We will have an early birding option for those interested. After a leisurely breakfast we will transfer to the Hotel Alhambra located on the central square in Granada. The colonial charm of our hotel and Granada is fantastic with a fascinating history. After we check-in to our hotel we will head down to the shore of Lake Nicaragua for equipment check and quick overview of kayaking basics. Our safe paddle will be through a beautiful archipelago of over 300 islands. It is an interesting mix of quiet backwaters filled with birds and local dwellings. We will return mid-afternoon with some free time to explore the charming colonial city of Granada.

Overnight: Hotel Alhambra (www.hotelalhambrani.com)

Day 4: Zapatera National Park
After breakfast we will take a boat to the Zapatera National Park, located a few miles offshore and about a 45 boat ride from Granada. An extinct volcano in Lake Nicaragua, Zapatera is surrounded by smaller islands. These islands are important archeological sites with La Punta de las Figuras and Zonzapote rich in artifacts. There is also a network of caves, rock art, and a small community. Adding to the experience is an optional hike to the top of the Zapatera volcano (about 2000 feet elevation gain) through lush tropical forests bounding with wildlife. We will explore this area by foot and have a picnic lunch with spectacular views of Vulcan Mombacho and Lake Nicaragua.

Overnight: Hotel Alhambra

Day 5: Transfer to Sabalos Lodge
Today we depart Granada to the rainforests of the San Juan River, which is located on the southeast border with Costa Rica. This is what biologists call a mega-diversity hotspot for wildlife. We will take the 4 hours high-speed boat that takes us across Lake Nicaragua to the small community of San Carlos. We will pass (but not stop) the Island of Ometepe, composed of two volcanoes. Ometepe was considered sacred to pre-Colombian cultures and has an aura of mystic. We should have great views as our route passes by first Volcano Concepcion and then Volcano Madera. We will arrive in San Carlos for lunch and then take smaller boats to our jungle lodge nestled in the rainforest, Sabalos Lodge.

Overnight: Sabalos Lodge (www.sabaloslodge.com)

Day 6: El Castillo and the Rio San Juan
Over the next two days we will have a number of different options to explore the area - by kayak, canoe, on foot, raft, and motorized boat. One of the historical highlights of the area is the remnants of the old Spanish fort of El Castillo. Originally built in 1602, 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.

Overnight: Sabalos Lodge

Day 7: Rio San Juan
We will have a number of different options of activities which should accommodate all participants. After a full day in the rainforest there will be an optional trip for spotting caimans at night near our lodge.

Overnight: Sabalos Lodge

Day 8: Return to Managua
Our return trip will be by plane. We will have an optional birding walk in the morning, then transfer to San Carlos for our flight to Managua. Upon arrival in Managua, we will check-in to our hotel and have an option to visit some of the impressive museums and art galleries. Out local conservation partners - Fundacion Cocibolca will join us our farewell dinner.

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

Day 9: Departure to US

October Turtle Extension (Days 9 - 11, $415/person, minimum 4 participants)

During the months of September, October and November, thousands of paslamas sea turtles arrive to lay their eggs at La Flor Wildlife Reserve. It is truly a spectacle of nature with over 25,000 arriving in the month of October alone. With the arrival of the turtles also come thousands of seabirds, jaguarundis, and other predators. Included in the list of predators is local community members who supplement their poor living conditions by collecting and selling the eggs. Our local conservation partner – Fundacion Cocibolca – is leading the fight for stronger turtle protection. One visit by ecotourism generates more money than all the eggs collected for local communities. We want to pioneer an alternative for local communities by developing a sustainable base of visitors to begin the process of change for stronger turtle conservation. This is not for the feight of heart, since we are still a long-way from strong protection. However, simply by participating on this extension will have enormous positive impacts for the long-term protection of this endangered species.

Day 9: Return to Managua and transfer to Playa El Coco
From the Managua we will have a 3.5 hour drive to Playa El Coco, located about 2 kilometers from La Flor Wildlife Refuge and the turtle nesting area. Upon arrival we will visit the reserve and get up to date information from the park director. We should have spectacular late afternoon early evening turtle observation as we watch 100s of Paslamas Sea Turtles arrive. We can also expect to see blatant egg collecting which is against Nicaraguan Law but currently un-enforced. Part of the fee for this extension goes directly to the local community members who have agreed to protect the sea turtle nesting area.

Overnight: Playa El Coco (www.playaelcoco.com.ni)

Day 10: La Flor Wildlife Refuge
We will have an optional birding walk and then an easy hike through the tropical forest of La Flor. Depending on turtle activity, we will either re-visit the nesting beaches or have some free time to relax on the beautiful beach outside our cabanas.

Overnight: Playa El Coco

Day 11: Depart for Managua
NOTE: We are approximately 3.5 hours from Managua and return airfare should be made for 11:30 AM or later.

TOUR REGISTRATION: To register for the tour, please call 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235), email at info@mtsobek.com, or visit www.mtsobek.com.