Nicaragua's Fire Mountains

Day 1: Arrive in Managua

We rendezvous at the airport in Managua. KE Land Only package services begin with a single timed transfer to the group hotel in Granada, a 40 minute drive from the airport. Established in 1524 on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, one of the largest and most scenic lakes in the world, Granada is a charming old colonial city that is as laid back as it is architecturally spectacular. The city has a plethora of restaurants and cafes to choose from serving every kind of cuisine. Note that meals are not included on this day. We stay overnight at the group hotel.

Day 2: Sightseeing in Grenada and lake cruise

Similar in layout and architectural style to Antigua in Guatemala, Grenada’s narrow streets and cobbled lanes lend themselves to exploration on foot. This morning we will have a relaxed walking tour with our guide to see the city’s rich colonial heritage. Grenada was the first recorded European city in mainland America and was named in honour of the capture of its Andalucian namesake by Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. Access to the Atlantic Ocean via the navigable Lake Nicaragua and San Juan River guaranteed a flourishing trade and underlined the city’s powerful position within the Spanish Colonial Empire of Central America. Being of such strategic importance, meant that Granada endured many attacks and sieges from various other colonial powers fighting for their slice of the new world. These conflicts have all left their scars on the city but many of the old buildings have been restored to their original glory and this is a fascinating city to stroll around. After the tour we have some free time to take lunch. One option is to visit the parque central and buy an inexpensive light lunch from one of the kiosks there, pick a shady spot and watch the world go by. In the afternoon we transfer by horse-drawn carriage to the harbour where we board our boat and take a cruise out onto Lake Nicaragua. We spend the afternoon sailing among Las Isletas, a miniature archipelago of three hundred-odd tiny tropical islands strung like pearls along the shoreline of the Asese peninsula which projects out into the lake. Some of the bigger islands contain old colonial mansions, hotels and restaurants and even a Spanish Fortress. As the sun drops we return to the harbour and we spend our second evening and overnight stay in Grenada. Included meals: Breakfast (B)

Day 3: Morning on the lake to Isla Zapatera, afternoon visit to Volcan Masaya

This morning after breakfast we head down to the harbour and go out on the lake again. We head south to the Isla Zapatera, a dormant volcano rising out of the lake to a height of 629 metres. Zapatera is the sister of the active Ometepe which can be seen from its slopes. En route we will stop at the much smaller Isla El Muerto, which contains some impressive petroglyphs carved into a large exposed rock. The Isla Zapatera was an ancient ceremonial site of the Chorotega who inhabited this region over 2000 years ago. Many of their statues and petroglyphs have been discovered on the island. We stretch our legs with a guided walk to the important pre-Columbian sites on the island. Returning to Granada we take lunch by the lake and then drive to Volcan Masaya NP, Nicaragua’s first national park, established as recently as 1979. The park contains two volcanoes, Nindiri and Masaya and five individually named craters. . After a visit to the information centre we will drive to the still active Santiago Crater where the surrounding rural landscape runs up to an abrupt end and we find ourselves staring into what the Spanish Colonialists termed "La Boca Del Infierno" - the mouth of hell. We can watch the lava boil beneath swirling clouds of sulphur dioxide, an incredible sight. After dinner as darkness approaches, we will hike up the quieter San Fernando Crater to watch the amazing spectacle of thousands upon thousands of bats emerging from the caves around the crater and streaming out over the countryside at the start of their night’s hunting. We have a late return to the group hotel in Granada. Total walking time: 1 – 2 hours. Included meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner (B,L,D).

Day 4: Climb Volcan Mombacho, visit Leon Viejo and hike to Laguna El Tigre

Volcan Mombacho at 1345 metres dominates the skyline from Garanada. We begin today with a drive in 4X4 vehicles through the cloud forest cloaking the slopes using rough roads at up to 40% gradient. The road takes us to 1100 metres on this still active volcano and from here we climb the remaining 245 metres to the summit through forests alive with birdsong and the occasional monkey call. The area around Mombacho has been designated a reserve to protect the animals found here and also the estimated 100 species of orchid to be found in the forest. At the top we follow a trail around the lip of the crater with sensational views over Granada and the lake. After around 3 hours trekking we will be back at the 4x4 vehicles and we descend the mountain and transfer to our tour bus to drive to via Laguna de Apoyo for lunch. In the afternoon we continue to Leon Viejo (Old Leon), one of the oldest Spanish colonial settlements in the Americas. The settlement was abandoned in the early 17th century following an eruption of Momotombo, when its inhabitants opted to move to a safer location. Its buildings were slowly buried by ash and silt over the centuries but have now been unearthed and are of major interest to archaeologists. We begin the afternoon’s hike here and walk for 1-2 hours to reach our camp beside the picturesque Laguna "El Tigre". There is time for a swim before settling down to an evening in camp. Total walking time: 4 – 5 hours. Ascent / Descent: 350 metres. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Ascent of Momotombo

After a short transfer up to the geothermal power station at 320 metres, we begin the ascent of Momotombo following a narrow trail through the forest. At the tree line we get great views over Lake Managua. The final stages of the climb are quite steep on loose volcanic scree slopes. We finally reach the crater (1297m) after around 4 hours of hiking. As to be expected, the views are extensive over the lake and the city of Leon, to the neighbouring volcanoes and out to the Pacific Ocean. Having had our fill we begin the steep scree descent which can be done very fast and then we return through the forest by the same route to the Geothermal power station. From here we drive back to our camp at Laguna El Tigre. Approximately 6 - 7 hours of walking. + / - 1000m. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Trek to Cerro Negro via El Hoyo and ascent of Cerro Negro

We trek around the lake to reach the dormant volcano of El Hoyo (1088m), ‘the hole’ named for its enormous cylindrical crater which appears as a gigantic hole in the green hillside. It is a short climb to the top of El Hoyo and from here we trek across open grazing land to reach the volcano Las Pilas and then on to the base of Cerro Negro (675m), Central America's youngest volcano. Born in 1850 it has remained extremely active erupting more than 24 times in the intervening 160 odd years, the last major eruption occurring in 1999. The fairly constant activity means the slopes are covered in volcanic ash with virtually no vegetation making for a difficult (although short) ascent, but providing wide ranging views and the opportunity for a spectacular and fast scree-running descent. The trail begins by following a reasonably graded pathway through a tumble of volcanic rocks and boulders. Reaching the ash cone the way steepens and the hard work under a hot sun begins. However, in less than an hour we reach the top and can enjoy a spectacular view over the Maribios volcano chain and the city of Leon and even as far as the Pacific. We can also look down on the active crater of the volcano which regularly emits sulphurous smoke. Having had our fill of the view, we make our descent which for those who wish, is best done fast and straight down the soft ash slopes. Reaching the base of the cone we then return to the foot of the mountain where we make our overnight camp. 5 – 6 hours walking, + / - 800m. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Trek to highway and drive to San Jacinto

Today's trek takes us around Volcan Rota (832m) which although still active, has not erupted for centuries and is therefore covered in thick vegetation. Eventually we reach the road where we meet our vehicle and drive to San Jacinto. Near this village is Hervideros de San Jacinto where there are several boiling 'mud holes' probably connected to nearby Volcan Telica. Looking at the constant mini eruptions from the mud we can imagine the scaled-up effect from the eruptions of some of the volcanoes we have seen. We set up camp in the village and this evening we learn from locals how to make tortillas. Walking time: 5 – 6 hours. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Ascent of Volcan Telica

From San Jacinto we set off along a dirt track used mainly by ox carts heading steadily uphill. After around 1.5 hours we emerge onto a plateau of grazing meadows surrounded by rounded hills and with our day’s objective, Volcan Telica clearly in view. From here it is a relatively easy half hour’s walking to reach the base of volcano. We enter dense foliage and begin a steep climb on a good trail. Occasional clearings in the forest give us glimpses of the valley as we make steady progress to the tree-line and the final part of our climb. One of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes, Telica has erupted frequently, the last small eruption occurring in 2011. Like all volcanoes in Nicaragua, Telica is monitored very carefully by seismologists for indications that it may be in an eruptive phase. Depending on the current condition of the volcano, we will make an ascent to the summit (1090m) where we can view the steaming crater. We will take lunch on top and afterwards make the descent to our next camp located beneath Volcan Casitas. 7 - 8 hours walking. + / - 950m. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Trek to the foot of San Cristobal

Our trek today takes us around Volcan Casitas. En route we stop to visit the memorial to the victims of Hurricane Mitch. The rains from this event in 1998 triggered a mudslide on Casitas – a 3 metre high tidal wave which swept away the towns of Posoltega, El Porvenir and Rolando Rodriguez and with them, 4000 lives. Their memorial is a simple pyramid of stone topped with a white cross set in a tended garden. Casitas is also known by the name ‘Apastepe’ which literally means ‘mountain of water’. Our trek continues to the foot of Nicaragua's highest peak, Volcan San Cristobal (1745m) where we set up camp. 6 hours walking. + / - 300m. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Ascent of San Cristobal

Today we make the challenging ascent of San Cristobal, another highly active volcano in the ‘Ring of Fire’ and Nicaragua's highest peak at 1745m. We start the climb, trekking through the lush forest. At times we may have to scramble up and down over tree roots and across streams. Eventually the vegetation becomes more stunted and we emerge onto the ash cone. San Cristobal is a perfect cone and the going on this section is quite steep and loose but the sensational views of the smoking crater and over the surrounding volcanoes, the Gulf of Fonseca, and into El Salvador and Honduras, are well worth the effort. Having celebrated our success on reaching the highest point in Nicaragua, we descend by a different route to our final camp at Finca Las Rojas (700m). Here we will have a celebration and also a farewell party for our trek support crew, 8 – 9 hours walking. +1300m / - 800m. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Descend to the roadhead and transfer to the beach

From our camp at Finca Las Rojas we have a hike of approximately 1 hour mostly downhill, to reach the road where we meet our tour bus. This marks the end of our hiking and we board the bus and head for the North Pacific coast. We stay in a resort located on the beautiful El Estero de Aserradores lagoon where San Cristobal can be seen reflected in its waters. A short walk from our hotel is a private beach, one of the most beautiful on the Pacific coast. The rest of the day is free for relaxing at the beach or around the hotel pool. There are two restaurants at the resort – one at the beach and one beside the marina. Both serve a variety of dishes from an extensive menu. Note that dinner is not included on this day. (B,L)

Day 12: Free day at the beach resort

A free day to enjoy the beach. For those who wish, it is possible to book optional activities with the hotel (at extra cost). You can choose from a boat tour to the mangroves, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing or surfing. We have a second night at the beach hotel. (B,D)

Day 13: Morning at the beach then transfer to Leon

After a relaxing morning at the beach, we drive to the Flor de Cana rum distillery at Chichigalpa to learn all about this important Central American industry. We then continue to Leon, one of Nicaragua's most attractive colonial cities. Following independence from Spain in 1824, the two important cities of Leon and Granada fought (sometimes violently) for the right to be the country’s capital and seat of government, a quarrel which ended with the compromise of making Managua the new nation’s capital in 1852. Leon was involved in more fighting during the 1979 revolution when it was bombed by Somoza. However, many of the original colonial buildings including thirteen churches, still remain and like Granada, Leon is a very pleasant town to stroll around. Arriving in Leon we check into the group hotel and head out for dinner. (B,D)

Day 14: Morning city tour, free afternoon in Leon

Leon has a surprisingly organised grid layout of intersecting streets and avenues among which are a wealth of fascinating Spanish colonial architecture, a cathedral, numerous churches, museums and art galleries. These are is best explored on foot and this morning we have a guided walking tour around the most significant colonial buildings. The afternoon is free for further independent sightseeing, relaxing in the parque central or souvenir shopping. This evening we will have a ‘farewell’ meal and we spend our final night in Nicaragua at the group hotel in Leon.

Day 15: Transfer to airport and depart

After breakfast we have a group transfer to the airport at Managua where KE Land Only package services end.