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Nicaragua & Beyond

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Nicaragua & Beyond

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Description

On this 10-day exploration of Central America, you’ll cover four different countries, changing landscapes and heaps of natural and archaeological wonders. Stroll along striking black-sand beaches, colourful rainforests and ancient ruins as you make your way to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala. This is a trip full of outdoor experiences and local know-how. Whether wandering the slopes of a volcano in Nicaragua, visiting small mountain communities in El Salvador or exploring the intricately carved structures at Copan archaeological site, get local insight from local leaders and travel with like-minded people on this insightful, fun and historical adventure.

Trip Name
Nicaragua & Beyond
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
10
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Take a guided tour of the Copan ruins and archaeological site, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important sites of the Maya civilisation.
  • Visit an Indigenous artists’ village in Nicaragua to meet with a local artist who makes traditional masks – an important part of the history of the country's revolution.
  • Drive up through the cloud forest at Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve and head on a hike to one of the crater lakes with an expert local guide.
  • Don your chef hat and taste the local cuisine with a traditional Salvadorian pupusa-making class in a local home in Suchitoto, El Salvador.
  • Head into Cinquera Forest to visit a small mountain community, learning about the area’s importance during a tour with a former guerilla fighter.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Granada
Hola! Welcome to Nicaragua. Your adventure begins in Granada, 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. As your trip only spends limited time here, you might like to arrive a few days early to fully explore this very walkable city. Your trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel today. Then tonight, enjoy an optional group dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 2 - Leon
This morning, you’ll hop on a private minibus and start your journey towards Leon. Along the way, visit the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. There you’ll join a local guide for a ride in a 4x4 to the top of the volcano, where you’ll learn about the surrounding cloud forest and head out on a hike to one of the four craters. 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. After, head back out on the road to Leon, where you’ll have a free evening. Though it's the second largest city in the country, Leon is relatively free of tourists, making strolling the mural-lined streets an absolute pleasure.
Day 3 - Leon
Start your morning with a leader-led walk through Leon, then the rest of the day is free for you to explore 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 - Leon to El Cuco via Honduras
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 - Suchitoto
This morning, hit the road headed for Suchitoto, stopping in at El Salvador’s capital city along the way. While San Salvador might historically have a reputation of being unsafe for travellers, these days it has a much safer and more comfortable atmosphere. You’ll be able to experience this difference during a leader-led walk through the city and a visit to the UNESCO-listed El Rosario Church. Its brutalist exterior sits in contrast to both the Historic District it’s located in, as well as its surprising interior. Then continue to Suchitoto in the afternoon. For dinner, you’ll learn how to make the national dish – pupusas – a thick cake or flatbread made with cornmeal or rice flour, during 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 - Suchitoto
Today you’ll head out to Cinquera Forest, which borders Suchitoto. Here, you will meet with a former guerilla fighter to learn about the forest's significance during the Salvadoran Civil War, see the former camps and take a tour around the small mountain community. Return to Suchitoto in the afternoon and then head out on a leader-led walk of the well-preserved town, widely considered the cultural capital of El Salvador.
Day 7 - Copan, Honduras
This morning drive to Copan in a private transfer. With breathtaking scenery, it's another excellent opportunity to grab a window seat and arrive 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 - Copan, Honduras
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 Maya 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 - Antigua
This morning, hop in a private transfer and cross into Guatemala, arriving in Antigua in the afternoon. Then join your leader for an orientation walk in the historic center after checking in to your hotel. Tonight, maybe get your fellow travellers together for a final group dinner to say your goodbyes.
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.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-01-202513-01-2025AUD $ 2,430-
11-01-202520-01-2025AUD $ 2,780-
25-01-202503-02-2025AUD $ 3,240-
01-02-202510-02-2025AUD $ 2,380-
08-02-202517-02-2025AUD $ 2,431-
15-02-202524-02-2025AUD $ 2,240-
22-02-202503-03-2025AUD $ 2,890-
08-03-202517-03-2025AUD $ 2,930-
22-03-202531-03-2025AUD $ 2,890-
29-03-202507-04-2025AUD $ 2,760-
12-04-202521-04-2025AUD $ 3,095-
26-04-202505-05-2025AUD $ 2,700-
10-05-202519-05-2025AUD $ 2,595-
07-06-202516-06-2025AUD $ 2,595-
05-07-202514-07-2025AUD $ 2,595-
26-07-202504-08-2025AUD $ 2,595-
09-08-202518-08-2025AUD $ 2,595-
23-08-202501-09-2025AUD $ 2,595-
27-09-202506-10-2025AUD $ 2,595-
18-10-202527-10-2025AUD $ 2,595-
01-11-202510-11-2025AUD $ 2,700-
15-11-202524-11-2025AUD $ 2,700-
29-11-202508-12-2025AUD $ 2,800-
06-12-202515-12-2025AUD $ 2,800-
13-12-202522-12-2025AUD $ 2,800-
27-12-202505-01-2026AUD $ 2,800-

Accommodation

Hotel (9 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle,Local bus,Taxi

Map

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