Travel to Nicaragua: Nicaragua Family Vacation

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Nicaragua Family Vacation

			DAYS: 9 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2275 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Spanish colonial city of Granada by horse-drawn carriage hiking the rainforest cloud forest zip-line tour kayaking among Las Isletas local school visit Mombacho & Masaya Volcano tours San Juan del Sur beach town Morgans Rock Hacienda & Eco-lodge white-sand Pacific beaches participate in community project ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] SEASON: Year-round Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

Our active Nicaragua Family Vacation takes you off the beaten path to reveal the natural beauty, friendly people and colonial charm that is Nicaraguas heart and soul. Accompanied by our naturalist guide, we explore the picturesque Spanish colonial city of Granada by horse-drawn carriage, look for wildlife in the rainforest, fly through the cloud forest canopy on an exhilarating zip-line tour, kayak among the Cocibolca Islands, and hike among the Mombacho and Masaya Volcanos. Our Nicaragua adventure vacation concludes at the luxurious Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge, overlooking a sheltered, crescent-shaped white-sand bay on the stunning Pacific Ocean. Each day is planned to accommodate the interests and abilities of participants. Your Nicaraguan family adventure awaits!

DAY 1 :  ARRIVAL AND TRANFSER TO GRANADA
Upon arrival at Managua's international airport, transfer to a comfortable colonial-style hotel in Granada, located just steps from the Central Park. Overnight at Hotel Plaza Colon, set in an elegant antique colonial house restored to its original style and architecture with external courtyards and balconies overlooking Central Park and the Cathedral.[D]

One of the four craters of the Mombacho Volcano

DAY 2 :  GRANADA
Mombacho volcano and cloud forest hike, zipline canopy tour, Carita Felix community kitchen

After a welcome breakfast, depart for the richly forested Mombacho Volcano towering over Granada, traveling along a gravel road with excellent views of the volcano and surrounding environment. Frequently enshrouded by mist, Mombacho Volcano, among Nicaraguas most impressive, rises like a sleeping giant to 4,626 feet. A short hike through verdant tropical forest full of mosses and epiphytic plants brings us to the Mombacho Canopy Adventure for an exhilarating zip line tour through the cloud forest. We return to colonial Granada for a typical lunch at the Doa Conchis restaurant. In the afternoon, we visit the community kitchen of Carita Feliz, a center which provides educational, work and health programs for local children where we help support the program by interacting with the kids and helping prepare the evening meal. Overnight Hotel Plaza Colon or similar. [BLD]

	Children paddle back and forth from home to school on these small boats.

DAY 3 :  GRANADA
Islets of Granada kayaking, Granada city tour

Its a short drive to Asese Port on the banks of Lake Nicaragua where we kayak or take an electric-powered boat through the 365 enchanted islets of Granada. This volcanic archipelago, formed 20,000 years ago when Mombacho Volcano blew most of its cone into the lake, is located just 3km from Granada and is rich in fauna and flora. There is much to see including caiman, turtles, migrating swallows and a variety of exotic birds. We visit the San Pablo Fort, built to protect the city of Granada from pirates during the 18th century. Depending on time and the day of our visit we stop by the local La Esperancita School to play with the children and learn how our visit benefits their community. After a lakeside lunch, we return to Granada to explore the charming cobblestone streets of Granada on horse drawn carriages. We pass through the 18th Century Cathedral and the famous Convent of San Francisco dated 1524, now a museum with brightly painted murals depicting Nicaraguas colorful history. We also visit the vibrant Granada Market where we interact with locals, try exotic fruits and explore for souvenirs. Overnight Hotel Plaza Colon or similar. [BLD]

Traditional masks, hammocks, leather rocking chairs and boots are among some of the souvenirs you can find at the market

DAY 4 :  GRANADA
Pueblos Blancos village visit, San Juan de Oriente artisans, Masaya Volcano hike

Venture into rural Nicaragua to the Pueblos Blancos community with their white painted houses and impressive panoramic views over the Apoyo Lagoon. Along the way, stop at San Juan de Oriente to observe local artisans creating beautiful Nicaraguan pottery we have the opportunity to take a turn at the throwing wheel, guided by these skilled local potters. We drive up and then hike into the Masaya Volcano National Park to peer into its stunning and smoldering active Santiago crater. See if you can spot the specially adapted green parrots that live in the crater walls! En-route back to Granada, we stop to shop at the Masaya Market for authentic Nicaraguan handicrafts including hammocks, leather goods, paintings, masks and wood carvings. Overnight Hotel Plaza Colon or similar. [BLD]

Private beach at Morgan's Rock

DAYS 5-8 :  SAN JUAN DEL SUR - MORGANS ROCK HACIENDA
Depart for the beautiful beach of Ocotal outside the Pacific community of San Juan del Sur. On arrival at the hotel, say a fond farewell to your guide who returns to Grenada. Enjoy four days relaxing at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Eco-lodge, the perfect place for getting away from it all. The spacious, open-air, screened-in luxury cabanas are completely private and all have king-size beds, comfortable sofa-beds, and large decks with an outdoor rope-swing day bed. Spacious, tiled bathrooms feature two sinks and a natural shower. Bungalows are situated on a hilltop setting and connected to the main lodge, restaurant and pool area by a long-span hanging foot bridge through the lush forest canopy. Luxuriate the three days in the rainforest and private beach and join local excursions at your leisure with local guides.

Your stay at Morgans Rock includes one activity of your choice per day. Options include guided nature walks (day and night), tours of the hacienda, sunset tour, opportunities to collect eggs or milk a cow while helping prepare a traditional Nicaraguan breakfast on the adjacent farm and assisting with protection and release of baby sea turtle tours (in season). Other activities available at additional cost include surfing lessons, horseback riding, mountain biking, sea kayaking and fishing [BLD]

DAY 9 :  DEPARTURE
Enjoy one more Nicaraguan sunrise, gaze at the beautiful Pacific Ocean and prepare to head home. Transfer to Managua International airport for your international flight home or begin post trip extension. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Grettel Calderon 1(800)345-4453