Volunteer Adventure Travel Nicaragua

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Nicaragua

Navigating Nicaragua

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Sea Kayaking and Ziplining

(10 Days)

Slide Show

Trip Highlights

Hiking in Cerro Negro and Masaya Volcano National Park
Mountain biking on the Isla of Ometepe
Sea Kayaking on Lake Nicaragua with view of Mombacho Volcano

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Managua (Arrival)

Upon arrival into Managua International Airport a BikeHike Adventures representative will greet you and transfer you to a comfortable hotel in the city. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Nicaragua's bustling capital city. There will be a brief orientation at some point today, but the extensive orientation will be once the whole group is together.

Day 2: Leon (Thermal Mud Baths)

We begin the journey with a drive to the colonial city of Leon. Founded in 1524, Leon is the site of Central America's largest cathedral and is famous for its colonial charm. After some time to explore the city and a typical lunch near the lively central park we get our first taste of volcanic activity with a visit to the boiling mud formations at San Jacinto. We return to our hotel in Leon in late afternoon and have a free evening to explore. (B,L)

Day 3: Leon - Cerro Negro Volcano (Hiking and Sandboarding)

In 1992, Cerro Negro Volcano buried Leon in ash and sand reminding the city of the uncertainty of living near volcanoes. Its most recent eruption came in 1998. Following breakfast, we drive to the base of the volcano and begin the climb up to the top of Cerro Negro Volcano. There will be a chance to look into the mouth of this active volcano and enjoy the spectacular views before beginning a much quicker and exciting decent. Sitting or standing on sand boards are the quickest way down, but just walking down the sand slopes is also exhilarating. From here we return to Leon for lunch. The plan for the afternoon is a short drive to the Pacific coast for an afternoon on the beach. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Masaya Volcano National Park - Granada (Hiking and Local Market)

A visit to the Masaya Volcano National Park and the surrounding area is our route today as we travel south leaving Leon and heading to Granada. The park is Nicaragua’s first and measures 54 square kilometers/34 square miles. The 5 craters of the volcano and lunar landscape make for a great day of hiking. A large variety of volcanic features abound to be explored, including bat-filled lava tube caves where archaeologists have discovered skeletons from seemingly pre-Colombian sacrifices. The town of Masaya contains markets of "Artesanias"-or locally handcrafted items, ranging from hammocks to rocking chairs to items crafted from clay, stone, glass and pewter, among other things. The day ends in the colonial port city of Granada. (B,L)

Day 5: Granada - Lake Nicaragua (Sea Kayaking)

At the northern end of Lake Nicaragua hundreds of lava isletas play host to important nesting and roosting sites for thousands of cormorants and other water birds that live on the lake. This morning we sea kayak through these isletas and enjoy a unique bird watching experience. The Mombacho Volcano shadows these isletas, and this will be our first glimpse of the two volcanoes of Isla Ometepe, rising in the distance. Another evening in Granada allows us to enjoy the colonial atmosphere. (B,L)

Day 6: Mombacho Volcano - Isla Ometepe (Zip-Lining and Mountain Biking)

The Cutirre Farm, outside Granada, is a working coffee farm perched high on the slopes of the Mombacho Volcano. There is a canopy tour here, set high in the treetops above the deep green of coffee plants. From the forest canopy we'll have a bird's eye view of the huge ciebas, mountain cedars, and guyabones trees that make up the shade for the plantation below. After receiving an indepth safety talk and being fitted with harnesses and gloves, the adventure begins. Traveling between platforms along zip lines give us the rare opportunity of viewing the world as the monkeys and birds do. Afterwards we continue south to Isla Ometepe. We have a one hour ferry ride to the island, and then we mount our bikes for the first time. We ride gritty gravel roads for 25 kms/16 miles, right in between the 2 volcanoes to Santo Domingo, on the east side of the island. This is our resting place for the evening. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Isla Ometepe (Mountain Biking)

Ometepe is the largest island in Lake Nicaragua, and is made up of the two volcanoes Concepcion and Madera and the bridge of lava that connects them. It is ideal for mountain biking and a ride around the volcanoes makes for a challenging day of biking. The route passes through several indigenous settlements and offers great views of the lake and the chance to see monkeys and a variety of birdlife. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Isla Ometepe - Concepcion Volano (Hiking)

Today we hike to the top of the 5,300 ft/1,615 meter Concepcion Volcano. The route up to its perfect conic shape and smoke filled crater takes 6 to 8 hours but we are well rewarded with an amazing 360 degree view of the lake, other volcanoes and the Pacific coast line in the distance. We return to Santa Domingo for a well deserved dinner and our last evening on the island. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Moyogalpa - Managua (Mountain Biking)

The final leg of the physical journey begins with a 45 km/28 mile mountain bike ride to Moyogalpa. Here we board the ferry and return to the mainland. We'll transfer back to Managua for our last night in Nicaragua. (B,L)

Day 10: Departure

You'll be transferred to the international Airport to connect with your return flight home. (B)


Hotel
9 Nights