2-week trip of Nicaragua

Day 3 | León – Estelí

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to Estelí, the next destination on your trip. Estelí is situated in the north-east of Nicaragua and is often overlooked by many tourists. However, Estelí is a city rich in history and culture and has played an important role in wars and revolutions over the years. Estelí’s lively city centre boasts a wide range of hotels, bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues. The area around Estelí is a paradise for nature lovers, birdwatchers and hikers. In the afternoon, accompanied by a guide, you’ll visit a local cigar factory where organic cigars are made. You’ll follow the entire process, watch the rollers at work and learn how to recognise a high-quality cigar. This afternoon, you’ll also have the chance to roll your own cigar!
Overnight stay: Hotel Los Arcos | bed and breakfast

Day 4 | Estelí

You’ll set off early this morning for Somoto, a small mountain town surrounded by green hills, near the border with Honduras. Somoto’s main attraction is the stunning Namancambre Canyon, just outside the town. This rock formation is around 4 km long and can be explored in various ways. The Coco River, which flows through the narrow gorge, has its source at the entrance to the canyon. You’ll start with a descent down the steep rock faces and then walk alongside the river, which eventually leads you into the rugged Somoto Canyon. You’ll walk past impressive rock formations and caves along the path, and in some places you’ll have to wade through the water for a short stretch! At the end of the day, you’ll return to your hotel in Estelí.
Overnight: Hotel los Arcos | bed and breakfast

Day 5 | Estelí

You will be picked up from your hotel today and will visit Finca el Jalacate. This is a self-sufficient family farm where fruit and vegetables are grown. One of the family’s brothers, Alberto, is something of an outsider. Whilst his brothers work the land, Alberto works on his impressive collection of rock sculptures, carved out of a rocky hill on the property. He works with very simple tools and has now carved an impressive series of hundreds of sculptures. Alberto hasn’t left the farm for at least 10 years, which means his vivid imagination and view of the world are clearly reflected in his artworks. Not only the sculptures, but also the surroundings of this farm are absolutely stunning!
Accommodation: Hotel Los Arcos | bed and breakfast

Day 6 | Estelí – Granada

Today you’ll travel on to the colonial city of Granada. On the way, you’ll visit the ‘Pueblos Blancos’, villages where witchcraft was once practised. In San Juan del Oriente, you can visit a local pottery workshop and buy a nice little souvenir to take home. In Catarina, wood and bamboo are everywhere, and you can watch the locals weaving baskets. From the viewpoint at the end of the village, you can see the volcanic lagoon with its clear blue water. From here, you’ll have a lovely view over Granada and Lake Nicaragua. Afterwards, you’ll be taken to your hotel in Granada.
Overnight stay: Hotel Boutique Adela | bed and breakfast

Day 8 | Granada – Isla de Ometepe

After breakfast, you will be picked up and taken to the port of San Jorge. From here, you will take the ferry to the port of Moyagalpa on the island of Ometepe, where a transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel on the island.
Aztec explorers once believed that Isla de Ometepe was the Promised Land. The island consists of two volcanic cones rising from the western part of Lake Nicaragua. Ometepe has been inhabited for thousands of years thanks to its fertile volcanic soil. Consequently, there are several archaeological sites scattered across the island.
Accommodation: Xalli Ometepe Beach Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 9 | Ometepe Island

Today, you’ll explore the island with a local guide. Your guide will tell you all about the local culture, nature and how this unique island was formed. You’ll visit Finca Magdalena, a coffee plantation run by the local community. You will then visit the Charco Verde nature reserve and Laguna Chico Larcgo, a mystical place according to local legends. You will also visit an archaeological site where you can admire artefacts from the island’s original, pre-Columbian inhabitants. You’ll end the day in the forests near the Ojos de Agua springs, where you can take a refreshing dip in the crystal-clear water.
Accommodation: Xalli Ometepe Beach Hotel | bed and breakfast

Day 10 | Ometepe Island – Tola

It’s time to leave the green island of Ometepe once again. You’ll be taken to the port of Moyogalpa, from where you’ll board the ferry back to the mainland. On arrival at the port of San Jorge, a transfer will be waiting to take you to the Pacific coast.
Accommodation: Malibu Popoyo Surf Eco Resort | full board

Days 11 & 12 | Tola

Free time to explore the Tola area. The Tola region is also known as the Nicaraguan Riviera or the Emerald Coast. Here you’ll find relatively undiscovered, secluded Pacific beaches and dramatic coastlines.
Accommodation: Malibu Popoyo Surf Eco Resort | full board

Day 13 | Tola – Managua – Amsterdam

You will be collected from your hotel today and taken to Managua International Airport for your return flight to the Netherlands.

Day 14 | Amsterdam

You’ll be arriving in Amsterdam today.