Eco Nicaragua

Nicaragua is a country which has maintined much of its natural diversity.

On this eco-focused Nicaragua tour, start with a stay in a nature reserve with more than 155 recorded bird species, followed by a three-night stay in a luxury lodge on an island in Lake Nicaragua, with excursions including Granada touring and hiking in the Mombacho Volcano National Reserve.

Continue to the far side of Lake Nicaragua to meet artists and fisherman among the Solentiname Islands and along the San Juan River.

The route from Lake Nicaragua to the Atlantic Ocean passes rainforests and cattle ranches, stilted shacks on the water and river lodges and a 300-year-old Spanish fort called El Castillo.

The shoreline teams with wildlife, especially in the mammoth Indo-Maiz Biological Reserve.

You'll see caiman and crocodiles whilst cruising the river; hundreds of herons, ibis, egrets and other marsh birds; cormorants, pelicans, frigate birds and herons at home in the mangrove swamps.

Before heading home via Managua, spend a final night in a private wildlife reserve.

This Nicaragua tour can be tailored to suit your exact requirements, so just let us know your ideal trip.

Everything can be adjusted to suit your needs and create your perfect Central American holiday.

Day 1: Fly UK to Managua - Montibelli Nature Reserve

Fly from Heathrow to Miami with British Airways (or with your preferred airline).

Connect with your flight to Managua with American Airlines.

On arrival in Managua you will be met and transferred to Montibelli Private Nature Reserve by private car.

It's just 30 minutes from Managua.

Spread over 160 hectares, Montibelli is an award-winning sustainable tourism project on whose protected land more than 155 bird species have been recorded, including manakins, motmots (the national bird), oropendolas, trogons, tanagers, toucans, woodpeckers and hummingbirds.

You’re also likely to spot an impressive array of butterflies and howler monkeys, and the reserve produces its own fruits and vegetable, grown organically.

Enjoy an afternoon trail walk with your guide.

Day 2: Montibelli - Granada

Take an early morning bird watching tour.

After breakfast, visit the farm, where you will see how pineapple, rice and avocado are grown by the local family, who will also serve up some curds and tortillas.

After lunch, visit the Chocoyero Reserve to follow several trails through different vegetation levels.

While the reserve is home to dozens of bird species, it is also famous for its “chocoyos,” green parakeets that nest right next to a waterfall. In the late afternoon, transfer to Granada.

On arrival in Granada, transfer from the pier by small boat (20 minutes) to Jicaro Island Ecolodge.

Built with care, luxury and sustainability on a private island among the “Granada Isletas", at Jicaro you will savour authentic cuisine, relax in a luxury casita, revitalize at the wellness centre, experience a special private-island getaway.

Day 3: Granada

Today explore colonial Granada by horse drawn carriage down narrow cobbled streets and past historic churches and colourful cafes.

On foot, you’ll visit La Merced Church and the superb Convento San Francisco, part of which is now a museum exhibiting mysterious stone carvings and idols made worshiped by pre-Columbian people; here also is an impressive collection of ancient sculptures, once objects of religious worship.

Afterwards cruise through Las Isletas on Lake Nicaragua, a popular destination for bird watchers

After lunch, visit Masaya Volcano Park, established in 1979 as the first national park in Nicaragua.

Your local guide will introduce you to the wonders of the Masaya Volcano, following the trails around the Santiago crater, active since 1946. You should get the chance to see lava within the crater here.

Next stop is the famous Masaya Market, a grand emporium of local arts - primitive paintings and sculpture and artisanal crafts.  Return to Granada in time for sunset cocktails on your hotel terrace.

Day 4: Granada

After breakfast, drive to the top of the peak at Mombacho Volcano National Reserve where you'll have a hike along the mountain trails in the company of a local guide who knows the flora and fauna of the highland ecosystem and the history of the people who occupied this stunning environment.

Weather permitting, you’ll have a panoramic view of Granada below, of Lake Nicaragua and of the coastal plains of the Pacific Ocean.

Enjoy a cup of coffee and snacks at the biological station, before heading back down to Granada.

The rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore Granada on your own or enjoy your final evening at the hotel.

Day 5: Granada - Solentiname Archipelago

After breakfast transfer to Managua Airport for a short flight to San Carlos. A local guide will be waiting to assist you during the transfer to the motorboat and the onward ride across Lake Nicaragua to the Solentiname Archipelago.

After lunch, your guide will accompany you on an afternoon tour of the main Islands, settled in 1970 by Ernesto Cardenal - priest, poet and a former Nicaraguan minister of culture.

View Itinerary in Detail

To view a sample holiday, click on one of the links below. This will open the itinerary up in a new window.

All of our Nicaragua Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

We have many other options so if you have a particular hotel in mind just let us know and we'll put together a price and itinerary for you.