Others

Leon - Leader-led orientation walk Monimbó - Indigenous artists village visit Masaya Volcano National Park - Entrance Fee Suchitoto - Salvadoran Pupusa cooking demonstration Suchitoto - Leader led orientation walk Copan - Guided visit to Archaeological site

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. Hotel (9 nights)

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Transport

Private vehicle , Local bus , Taxi

Not included:

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Others

Other activities and services are not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Leon - Volcano Sand Boarding - USD45 Leon - Juan Venado Island Kayaking - USD90 El Tunco - Surf Lesson - USD25 Suchitoto - Birdwatching Walk (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD25 Suchitoto - War historic walk at Cinquera Forest (requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD50 Suchitoto - Town tour (it requires a minimum of 3 travellers to operate) - USD30 Copan - Macaw Mountain Bird Park (entrance fee) - HNL230 Copan - Natural Hot Springs & Dinner - USD50 Antigua - Chocolate-making workshop at ChocoMuseo - GTQ225 Antigua - Salsa-dance Lesson (per hour) - GTQ100

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Granada
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Granada

Hola! Welcome to Nicaragua. Your adventure begins in the oldest city in the ’New World’. Featuring Moorish and Andalusian architecture and oozing colonial charm, Granada is set on Lake Nicaragua’s banks and surrounded by active volcanoes. Your trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel today. If you arrive early, why not stroll around the largest lake in Central America? Lake Nicaragua is the only freshwater lake that has oceanic animal life. Tonight, enjoy an optional group dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 2 Day 2: Leon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Leon

This morning, you’ll hop on a private minibus and start your journey towards Leon. Along the way, visit the Masaya Volcano National Park, famous for the lava flow in the Santiago Crater and the largest national park in Nicaragua. View the famed lava flow and, if you like, take a short walk on one of the trails. This crater is thought to be over 9000 years old! After, continue your journey, stopping at the Monimbo artist village. Meet with a local artisan who makes the traditional masks used during the revolution. Get to know the artist and learn about the significance of the masks, how they are created and the Indigenous perspective of the revolution. Then head to the local market that is at the center of daily life in Monimbo where you’ll enjoy an included lunch of local specialties. When you arrive in Leon, your leader will take you on a walking tour of this charming city. Though it’s the second largest in the country, Leon is relatively free of tourists, making strolling the mural-lined streets an absolute pleasure.
Day 3 Day 3: Leon
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Leon

Make the most of Leon in the morning by exploring the city at your leisure. The street food behind the Lady of Grace Cathedral is some of the best in town, so why not grab a ’Nica taco’? Made with maize, rolled and then deep fried, these beauties are usually served with shredded cabbage and smothered in cream. Maybe take a kayaking tour at Juan Venado Island Nature Reserve – float along the waterway between the mangrove forest and the island’s coast and watch out for wildlife that live here in abundance. Otherwise, a thrilling volcano sandboarding adventure could be just the thing for the adventure seekers out there.
Day 4 Day 4: Pacific Coast, El Salvador
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Pacific Coast, El Salvador

Prepare for a long driving day today as you cross into Honduras, then to El Salvador to get to your overnight stop. Along the way, your leader will engage you in an absorbing discussion about life and challenges for modern Central Americans.
Day 5 Day 5: Suchitoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Suchitoto

You have a free morning to spend as you wish. This afternoon, you’ll head to Suchitoto. If you have ever been to El Salvador, you have most likely tried the national dish – pupusas – a thick cake or flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour. Now you can learn how they’re made with an evening workshop with your group. The ingredients can be found worldwide, so if you want to make your own pupusas when you get home, you’ll enjoy this hands-on experience!
Day 6 Day 6: Suchitoto
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Suchitoto

Begin the day with a guided orientation walk of Suchitoto – widely considered the cultural capital of El Salvador. Stroll past gorgeous colonial facades and get your bearings. Birders will want to crane their necks as Suchitoto lies on a bird migration path, providing the perfect opportunity to spot your fine feathered friends. The rest of the day is yours to explore the optional activities. Suchitoto overlooks the Embalse Cerron Grande, also known as Lago Suchitlan. This man-made freshwater reservoir is a haven for the migrating birds, particularly falcons and hawks. Maybe grab a historically minded group (of 3 or more) for a guided walk through Cinquera Forest, where guerrilla fighters used the forest as cover during the civil war.
Day 7 Day 7: Copan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Copan

This morning drive to Copan in a private transfer. With breathtaking scenery, it’s another excellent opportunity to grab a window seat. Arrive in the charming town of Copan in the early afternoon. While most people use Copan as a base to explore the nearby ruins, there are plenty of other points of interest, both along the cobblestone streets and set into the lush surroundings. Maybe get started in the Central Plaza and follow your nose to a café. Alternatively, head to the Macaw Mountain Bird Park – a bird rescue, rehabilitation and release centre, this nature reserve is on ten acres of forested land, surrounded by streams and very close to the ruins. Tonight, rejoin your group for a traditional Honduran dinner of Baleadas – these Honduran tacos are made with flour tortillas and stuffed with various ingredients, depending on the season, like refried beans, cheese, avocado and cream.
Day 8 Day 8: Copan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Copan

Head out early on a guided visit to the Copan archaeological site. These magnificent Mayan ruins were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. Discovered in 1570 by Diego García de Palacio, this continues to be one of the most important sites of the Mayan civilisation. Take your time and enjoy exploring the most important cultural destination in Honduras. The rest of your day is free, so you can visit the bird park if you didn’t get to yesterday. Tonight, why not visit the nearby natural hot springs. This optional tour gives you hours of soak time in the mud, steaming natural baths and refreshing pools in the lush jungle, with an included dinner.
Day 9 Day 9: Antigua
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Antigua

This morning, hop in a private transfer and cross into Guatemala, arriving in Antigua in the afternoon. Tonight, maybe get your fellow travellers together for a final group dinner to say your goodbyes.
Day 10 Day 10: Antigua
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Antigua

Your trip ends today and with no activities planned, you’re free to leave anytime after checkout. If you’d like to stay longer, just speak to your booking agent. There is lots to do in Antigua, like salsa dance lessons and chocolate-making workshops.

10 days tour

Nicaragua & Beyond

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Nicaragua & Beyond

Day 1: Granada

Day 2: Leon

Day 3: Leon

Day 4: Pacific Coast, El Salvador

Day 5: Suchitoto

Day 6: Suchitoto

Day 7: Copan

Day 8: Copan

Day 9: Antigua

Day 10: Antigua

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