Highlighting
Managua
Matagalpa
Leon
Granada
Morgan's Rock
10 Days

Suggested Departure Day: Saturday

ITINERARY:

Saturday  - USA - Managua:
Upon arrival in Managua,  you will be met and transferred to your hotel in the "new" part of town and your hotel, Inter-Continental Metro-Centro. Balance of day at leisure

Sunday - Managua-Matagalpa:  
Today you will head northward towards the cool central highlands of the country; passing  clay-tiled adobe houses, small farms. This area is the "bread-basket" of the country, producing wide variety of vegetables, corn, beans, flowers and of course "black gold" - coffee!  Finally arriving at Selva Negra; Nicaragua's answer to Germany's Black Forest situated some 4000 ft. above sea level. The area was settled by German immigrants who developed the country's first coffee plantations. Originally called "La  Harmonia," today Selva Negra is still owned by the third and forth generation of the Kuhl and Hayn families. The farm also raises livestock, has numerous nature trails, and boasts 200+ species of birds. Lunch is included at Selva Negra using their own farm-fresh food.

Monday   - Matagalpa-Leon: 
Before you leave this tranquil setting, you will have a guided visiting of the coffee plantation at La Harmonia and be introduced to the entire process of growing coffee from planting to processing and distribution. Leave for the "cultural" heart of the country, Leon, for two night stay at El Convento.

Tuesday - Leon:  
Enjoy a full day visit of Leon, Leon Viejo and the volcanic pools. Highlights of the this city will include the Cathedral The largest in Central America) and its "Garden of the Prince" with its original cathedral bell; the Ruben Dario Museum (Nicaragua's famed poet); the Ortiz Gurdian art center, with art objects dating from the 16th century to contemporary times with works from the Austrian, Peruvian, and Ecuadorian schools. (Museum is closed on Mondays). Continue to the outskirts of the city and visit the UNESCO World Heritage site at Leon Viejo, the old capital, founded in 1524 and destroyed by the volcanic eruption of Momotombo Volcano. Our last visit will be at the volcanic pools of  San Jacinto. Lunch will be included today.

Wednesday   - Leon-Granada: 
Today you will travel to the charming colonial city of Granada on Lake Nicaragua. On the way you will stop in Managua, for a tour of this historic capital. Founded in 1852, the old city center was destroyed in the 1972 earthquake. Still in the process of "rebuilding," highlights will include National Historic Park Loma Tiscapa, Park of Peace (with remnants of the 1980's civil war), Palace of Culture, New Presidential House, "El Malecon" bordering Lake Managua, and the National Theater Ruben Dario (the country's famed poet). Lunch will be included in one of the city's fine restaurants before continuing to Granada and your hotel for the next two nights, La Gran Francia.

Thursday   - Granada:
Full day excursion that will first take you the Masaya National Park and the volcano of the same name. As you enter the park, stop at the Environmental Interpretation Center, where you learn about the tectonic plates and various world volcanic regions; the flora and fauna of this refuge. Continue right up to the crater of the volcano and stare into it. Just about 15 minutes from the park, stop at the Masaya arts and craft market. Here you find some of the country's best handicrafts, ceramics, wood, leather goods, wicker furniture and what some say are he best hammocks in the world. Return to Granada for a tour of this city founded in 1524. Today the city retains it colonial charm by maintaining it architecture (even new construction) from the Spanish period and is in the process of being cited as a UNESCO "Heritage of Mankind." Highlights will include La Merced Church, the quaint Main Plaza and San Francisco Convent. Continue down to the shores of Lake Nicaragua and enjoy a boat ride among the small isletas that dot the lake with impressive Mombacho Volcano as a backdrop. Lunch will be included in the city during the day's excursion.

Friday   - Granada-San Juan del Sur: 
Today you leave Granada, and drive south some 2-3 hours to the area of San Juan del Sur for a relaxing 2 night stay on a quiet beach area and your hotel Morgan's Rock.

Saturday   - San Juan del Sur:
Day at leisure. to explore at your own pace.

Sunday   - San Juan del Sure-Managua:
This afternoon, you local host will drive you back (3-4 hours) to Managua for the night at the Inter-Continental Metro Centro.

Monday   - Depart Managua - USA:
Your local host will call for you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your return flight home.