Day 1: Indianapolis/ Managua
Arrival at Managua International Airport early afternoon. Our guide will meet you at the airport for transfer to your hotel. Arriving in Managua is a bit puzzling. It is like no other capital in the world. The original city center was destroyed by the horrific earthquake of 1972 when half the population was left homeless. Since then, Managua has grown outward, but not upward, sprawling over hills and across the flat southern shores of Lake Managua. Managua is the capital without a city, a suburb of a million people. Despite having no center, no skyline and no logic, Managua is still a good place to start our visit for it is a city full of energy; the heartbeat of the Nicaraguan economy and psyche. Hotel Casa Naranja, Managua (or similar)

Day 2: City Tour Managua / Leon Viejo / Leon
After breakfast start a tour of the Nicaraguan capital Managua. Stop at a local school where you'll delight in the smiling children. Then tour Managua starting with Loma de Tiscapa, the former location of the presidential palace. From here, you have great views of crater lake Tiscapa, the city of Managua and Momotombo volcano. During your city tour you view both of Managua’s cathedrals, the recently renovated National Palace and a thriving market. As you drive northwest on the shores of Lake Managua, you can observe several of the many Nicaraguan volcanoes. Near the northwestern corner of Lake Managua you will stop for a visit of the ruins of León Viejo. This archeological site, located at the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano has been declared and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Leon Viejo was founded in 1524 by Francisco Hernandez de Córdoba and was Nicaragua's first capital, but abandoned by its inhabitants only sixty years later because of a series of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Upon arrival in León, you will check into your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. You will meet again for dinner at a local restaurant. Hotel El Convento, Leon (or similar) (B, D)

Day 3: City Tour of Leon / Playa Poneloya / Leon
In the morning discover the charms of León together with your guide. Leon, Nicaragua's intellectual and artistic capital, the finest examples of colonial Spanish architecture in the country reside here. It is a beautiful city full of intellectual vitality and artistic tradition. Colonial León is the home of Nicaragua's greatest passion, poetry. It is home to many internationally renowned poets including the national hero, Rubén Darío. Dario is considered one the Spanish language's five greatest literary figures. Visit the most important feature in León, its Cathedral. It is the largest in Central America and burial site of Nicaragua’s famous poet, Rubén Darío. From the roof top you have fantastic views of the city and the surrounding volcanoes. The city is home to 12 colonial period churches and cathedrals including Central America's largest and grandest cathedral, Cathedral of the Assumption, built from 1706 to 1740, in which you will tour. Apart from its Cathedrals, León is also known for its great museums. Have a look at Rubén Darío’s house and visit the finest contemporary art museum, the Ortiz-Guardián Collection. Lunch on your own. In the late afternoon drive to Poneloya / Las Peñitas for a walk along the beach and time to watch the sunset. Then return to León and dinner in at your hotel. Hotel El Convento, Leon (or similar) (B, D)

Day 4: Leon / Esteli / Selva Negra
Today you drive northeast to the mountainous region of Nicaragua and the town of Estelí. The finest tobacco in Centeral America is grown in the mountains surrounding Esteli and the town is rich in cigar factories which produce some of the best puros and habanos in the world. Most of the factories were founded by Cuban exiles in the 1960’s who brought their seeds and expertise with them. You visit a cigar factory where you are taught about the art of hand rolled production of cigars.

After lunch drive to the Selva Negra Ecolodge located in the highlands of Matagalpa, Nicaragua. The beautiful Selva Negra Cloud Forest Reserve and Organic Coffee Estate is your host for an unusual and interesting time in the mountains of Nicaragua. The smell of coffee is a dead give-away that you’ve arrived. Owned by a third generation Nicaraguan family of German origin. Keep your cameras ready, Howler monkeys are usually nearby as well as deer, sloths, pumas, ocelots, agouti and armadillos may also make an appearance. Toucans, hummingbirds and at least 75 other species can be found. The lodge is on a sustainable organic coffee plantation that has been welcoming tourists for many years. Dinner at the lodge.
Selva Negra Lodge, Selva Negra (B, D)

Day 5: Selva Negra / El Castillo / Granada
In the morning enjoy a guided tour of the organic shade grown coffee estate. You tour the coffee fields and the uniquely sustainable production facilities. From Selva Negra, drive south towards Granada stopping at chocolatier El Castillo and have lunch on the way (not included). Next we travel to Granada, the "Gran Sultan," one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town founded in 1524 on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua is full of history, Spanish colonial charm and is famed as one of the oldest European settlements in the Western Hemisphere. Arrive in Granada in the afternoon and check into your hotel for the next five nights. Before dinner, you have time at leisure. Have a rest or enjoy a stroll around the beautiful colonial city of Granada. Dinner this evening at local restaurant. Hotel Plaza Colon, Granada (or similar) (B, D)

Day 6: Granada / Masaya Volcano N.P. / Masaya Market / Pueblos Blancos / Masaya Volcano / Granada
This is an unforgettable day in rural Nicaragua. Begin the day with a visit to Nicaragua's most popular open-air handicraft market located in Masaya, where Nicaraguan handicrafts can be purchased at exceptionally low prices. Lunch at Bucaneros Restaurant overlooking Laguna de Masaya a volcanic crater lake. Then drive to San Juan de Oriente to observe artisans making the famous and beautiful potteries. It is one of the "Pueblos Blancos" because of the white colonial style churches that it and the other municipalities have in Masaya. Many ceramic makers of the village have studied advanced methods in Spain and there are several with international accolades for their work. Styles range from Precolumbian to flora and fauna to geometric.

From here, it’s on to Catarina with amazing views of the Laguna de Apoyo. On the highest point of the village you can find the Mirador Catarina that overlooks Laguna de Apoyo. From here you can see the wonderful landscape of Cocibolca lake "Lake Nicaragua", the Mombacho volcano and of the town of Granada. Catarina is also known for its fertile soil and it is a hotspot of nurseries. There are many small outside shops where trees, plants, palms, and other garden-material is being sold. In the late afternoon you drive to Masaya Volcano with the stunning and active Santiago crater. The park's landscape is a Martian or moonscape and its most famous residents are the crater dwelling parakeets which live in the toxic inner walls of the active Santiago crater. This is one of the few places in the world where an active volcano can be observed up close. Hotel Plaza Colon, Granada (or similar) (B, L)

Day 7: Granada City Tour / Boat Tour Las Isletas / Granada
Your guide will pick you up after breakfast for your half day city tour of Granada. Our list of “must sees” includes the Convento San Francisco with its ancient statues from Zapatera Island, La Merced church with its stunning view of the city and the Casa de los Leones. You will also visit the lively and colorful local market and hear about the exciting history of Granada. Enjoy lunch at one of the fine restaurants in Granada. Later take a horse carriage to Lake Nicaragua, the second largest fresh water lake in Latin America. You will have the great opportunity to admire the lush vegetation and the rich bird life of Las Isletas, an archipelago of more than 350 small islands and learn more about the daily lives of the fishermen in the area. Upon return to Granada you have the rest of the day at leisure. Hotel Plaza Colon, Granada (or similar) (B, L)

Day 8: Granada / Ometepe Island / Granada
You start early in the morning to drive to the little port of San Jorge from where you will catch the ferry to Ometepe. Enjoy the smooth one hour ride across Lake Nicaragua and enjoy great views of both of Ometepe’s volcanoes. The island is composed of two volcanoes: Maderas and Concepción. These two impressive volcanoes are surrounded by fertile soil where nature abounds. The tropical forests and natural reserves make it furthermore a great place for hikers and nature lovers. Upon arrival in Moyogalpa, Ometepe’s main town, continue towards the famous Charco Verde and observe some of the rich bird life in the area. You then drive to Finca El Porvenir, an ecolodge with beautiful views and a tropical garden. From here it’s only a few minutes to Playa Santo Domingo one of the most beautiful beaches on the island where you have a delicious lunch. In the early afternoon, on the way back to Moyogalpa, stop at beautiful Ojo de Agua "Eye of Water" for a refreshing swim in the lovely swimming hole. The hole is actually a natural cool spring of which the water is captured in a concrete basin. The best thing at the Ojo de Agua is the stunning environment you are in. The nature is overwhelming and all around you, you see insects, birds (like parrots and hummingbirds) and many other animals. Then it’s back on the ferry to San Jorge and from there to Granada where you arrive in the early evening. Hotel Plaza Colon, Granada (or similar) (B, L)

Day 9: Granada / Mombacho Volcano (Optional)
Today is free at leisure. Optional excursion to Mombacho volcano for a walking tour with fabulous vistas and/or a canopy tour (not included). There's an amazing biodiversity on the volcano, with dozens of species of plant and animal life that exist nowhere else on earth. The jungles are dense and teeming with life you can observe howler and white face monkeys. There's more than 80 different kinds of orchids alone that thrive up on the peak of Mombacho during various seasons. In the evening a farewell dinner at a traditional restaurant in the centre of Granada. Hotel Plaza Colon, Granada (or similar) (B, D)

Option: The Mombacho Canopy Tour, is located in the El Progresso coffee plantation. This 1,500-meter course is made up of a total of fifteen platforms and one twenty-five meter long rope bridge that hangs in mid-air making for a wonderful adventure. The canopy platforms are attached to the top of the large trees that grow on the reserve and from there you can get a wonderful view of the surrounding areas as well as the Mombacho Volcano and Lake Cocibolca.

Day 10: Granada / Managua / Indianapolis
Early transfer from you hotel in Granada to the airport in Managua for your early morning flight. (B)

Commercial Air: Book Now to ensure your place on this trip because this trip operates on commercial air. Space is limited and may not be available less than 90 days before departure. Airfare pricing subject to change until booked.