Cerro Negro
Climb and descend Nicaragua’s most active volcano

Climbing to the top of the Cerro Negro is an impressive experience, and the climb is surprisingly easy. This active volcano, the youngest of the Western Hemisphere and one of the most accessible in Nicaragua (altitude 675 m.), is totally covered with black sand and rocks. Standing on top, you will have an immense view over a great part of the volcanic Maribios chain. However, the descend is probably the most fun part of the tour: you will descend the steep slope by foot, using the sandy volcanic material to control your speed. Hiking or sports shoes are strongly recommended. An interesting fact is that Frenchman Eric Barone broke the world speed record by descending the slope of the Cerro Negro by mountain bike (!).





Duration: 4-5 hours-

Start: 08.00 AM
End: 12.00 PM

Included:
Pick-up at hotel
Transportation (overland, 4x4)
Bilingual guide

Not Included: entrance fees ($5 p.p.)
Note: tour leaves every day (guaranteed)

Cerro Negro Ash Boarding
Sliding down the slopes of Cerro Negro

The extreme sport Ash Boarding is also offered at the Cerro Negro volcano. You first ascend the Cerro Negro with your board and upon arrival at the top, you will put on the protective equipment and receive a short technical training from your experienced bilingual guide.
It is possible to do a short testrun inside the crater, before heading to the steeper outer rim for the real descent. After some final orientations you will board all the way down to the base of Cerro Negro.
Some experience with (snow)boarding is strongly recommended.






Duration: 5 hours
Start: 08.00 AM
End: 13.00 PM

Included:
Pick-up at hotel
Transportation (overland, 4x4)
Bilingual guide
Training & use of equipment

Not Included: entrance fees ($5 p.p.)
Note: tour leaves every day (guaranteed)

City tour León
Exploring the majestic inner city by foot

León is the historical, cultural, educational and religious capital of Nicaragua, as you will discover during this city tour. You will visit revolutionary murals, baroque and neoclassical churches and a surprisingly interesting museum of legends, arts and poetry.
Besides that, you will get to know the biggest cathedral of Central America and enjoy its rooftop view over the Maribios Volcanic Chain. During the tour we will of course pass by the numerous buildings in colonial style, amongst which the first university of Nicaragua.






Duration: 3 hours
Start: 09.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.00 N | 17.00 PM

Included:
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Note: Walking Tour

Horseback ride at Finca Los Alpes
Enjoy the beautiful countryside near León

The countryside around León is quite picturesque, as you will experience during a relaxing horseback ride at Finca Los Alpes.
Brother and sister Axel and Alma Urcuyo will welcome you at their finca with their typical Nicaraguan hospitality. After a short introduction, you will mount your horse and enjoy a horseback ride around the finca for 2 hours. In the afternoon, the sunset can be very impressive.
When you get back to the Finca, Alma and Axel will offer you a complementary drink and you can enjoy the great views from the veranda. The Finca is named Los Alpes, because the views sometimes resemble the European alps.




Duration: 4 hours
Start: 08.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.00 N | 18.00 PM

Included:
Welcome at the Finca & short explanation
2 hours of horseback riding
Transportation
Complementary drink

León Viejo and lake Xolotlán
Discover the ruins of the original Spanish settlement

The first capital of Nicaragua, León Viejo, the Old León, suffered an eruption of the nearby Momotombo volcano in 1578 and an earthquake in 1610. After that, it was abandoned by all inhabitants.
It has been declared World Heritage Site (UNESCO) in 2000. A visit will enable you to learn a great deal about Nicaraguan history. You will learn about the famous personalities like the founder of León Viejo (Fransisco Hernandez de Cordoba) and the first bishops of Nicaragua, for example.
From the ruins a spectacular view will present itself, wondering over the enormoues Lake Xolotlán and facing the impressive Momotombo volcano and its little brother, Momotombito, situated in the lake.






Duration: 4 hours
Start: 08.30 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.30 PM | 18.00 PM

Included:
Transportation
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Complementary drink

Finca Visit
A romantic trip back into history

A visit to the Ecological Finca San Carlos, will take you on a romantic trip, back to the era of Spanish Colonialism. Where, after a hearty Nicaraguan breakfast, the gentle Landlord, Don Federico Guillermo Alberto Espinosa, more commonly known as ¨Don Tito,¨ or one of his friendly employees, will be glad to take you on a tour around some of the 80 acres (approximately 33 hectares), of well-kept rural farmland. Here, you experience the rich cultural and historical traditions, with its chapel and many religious images and Spanish fountains... Relax on a shaded bench, under a rancho, or in a tiny belvedere, and enjoy the wonderful views of flowering plants and well-kept gardens; that also act, as refuge to many birds species and wild animals at night. Take a walk, or go horseback-riding, or bird-watching on one of the many trails; and admire the richness of the forests that give shelter and food, to many animals that are becoming extinct. Or simply go canoeing in ¨El Jarro¨ river, born from a natural well, flowing through this beautiful farm.



Duration: 3 hours
Start: 07:00 AM
End: 10:00 AM

Included:
Transportation
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Traditional breakfast with fruit juice and coffee.

Note: canoeing + horseback riding only from November to June (not included)
Note: overnight stay in one of the guestrooms possible (not included).

Juan Venado Island
Mangroves, river beds and secluded beaches

Juan Venado Natural Reserve is an impressive mangrove sanctuary, almost unknown to tourism up to this moment. Surprisingly..., we have to add, because the beauty of this area is unprecedented.
After a transfer to the Pacific bay of Las Peñitas, you will make a motorboat trip over the water between the island and the mainland. You will encounter a wide variety of bird and aquatic wildlife, while slowly navigating between the mangroves, which are typical for this zone. You will also reach a spot where you can cross the island (only a few hundred meters) right to the secluded Pacific beach side, where you can enjoy a private walk or swim.
If you are really lucky, you will even encounter crocodiles and the impressive Paslama Sea Turtle (only in season: August-February) on your way.




Duration: 5 hours
Start: 08.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 13.00 PM | 19.00 PM

Included:
Transportation (overland & aquatic)
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Complementary drink and fruit

Community Based Tourism
Workshop Arts & Traditions
Indigenous cultural heritage revealed

The objective of this tour is to introduce you to traditional Nicaraguan arts and traditions by learning to manage the basic principles of the various artistic techniques from the Creole Nicaraguan culture.
A local bilingual artist will demonstrate the elaboration process of typical Nicaraguan handicrafts, which you can take home afterwards as an original selfmade souvenir. During the workshop you will learn the following techniques and disciplines:

+ Basic techniques of pintura de caballete, elaboration of a postcard-sized painting
+ Elaboration of Jicará Handicrafts (like: napkin holder, wallet, cup)
+ Preparation and elaboration of a sawdust carpet on the ground; an ancient tradition of the indigenous people of the Sutiava district.



Duration: 4 hours
Start: 08.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.00 PM | 18.00 PM

Included:
Transport
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Use of equipment

Volcanic boiling mudfields of San Jacinto & Iguana farm
Impressive volcanic energy

In San Jacinto, a small community near León, the forces of nature will impress you. Situated near the volcanoes, a volcanic field serves as the ‘breathing holes’ to avoid a future eruption. Local people (especially children) are keen to sell you some indigenous ceramics and handmade mud figures, just made of the fresh, hot volcanic mud.
An optional walk to a local lady, specializing in tortilla making is also possible: in a few steps, you will learn how to make your own basic nutrition: tortilla’s!
The next stop is a modest Iguana Farm with more than 150 Iguanas, living in a protected environment. A local family runs this project, that is rarely visited by tourists.



Duration: 4 hours
Start: 08.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.00 PM | 18.00 PM

Included:
Transportion
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Complementary drink

Pacific salt factories & mangroves
Enjoy the beautiful countryside near León

Observe and learn about the traditional process of salt making in Nicaragua in the Tamarindo community, only 40 minutes away from the city of Leon. Local experts will explain about it with enthousiasm.
You will be brought to the Tamarindo community, where the people are mainly dedicated to the salt production. In the community you will first take a small boat to observe mangrove trees and wetland birds. After that you will walk right to the salt factory.
You will see and learn about the evaporation, concentration and crystallization processes that these people have been doing for decades, ending up in the salt factory. By joining this tour you will help the economic and social development of the community, particularly the young environmentalists club.



Duration: 4 hours
Start: 08.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.00 PM | 18.00 PM

Included:
Transport (overland & aquatic)
Bilingual guide
Entrance fees
Complementary drink

Sutiava history tour
Footprints of the pre-Columbian indigenous population

Let’s travel back in time and search for the footprints of the pre-Columbian indigenous population. Historian Pablo Medrano will take you on a mystic half-day trip to the countryside of Sutiaba, a friendly town which long predates León and is still home to many indigenous people. On the way to a typical farm you will have the chance to observe rural everyday life along the unpaved road; cows, bulls, horse-drawn carriages and farmers cultivating corn. After a short walk up a hill you reach an ancient sacred temple, where you learn about the religion of the pre-Columbian inhabitants. Which gods did they have and how did they ask them for blessings? Whilst your guide / historian introduces you to the rites and cults of the Sutiabans, you enjoy the beautiful view of the hilly surroundings. Next you walk through lush grassland and arrive at a natural well in the woods, where the indigenous people used to hold all kinds of mysterious rituals such as sacrificial offerings, mummifications and mating rituals. On the way back to León you visit the cathedral of Sutiaba where the history of the indigenous people intermingles with the history of Spanish colonialism. This very special tour is guided by an historian, member of the committee of the elders of the indigenous people of Sutiaba.


Duration: 4 hours
Start: 08.00 AM | 14.00 PM
End: 12.00 PM | 18.00 PM

Included:
Transport (overland)
Local guide/Historian
Entrance fees
Complementary drink