Green Itinerary of Rainforest Alliance
Operated by Vapues Tours
Nicaragua Sustainable: out of the box renewable energy projects and boutique hotels working together with Rainforest Alliance.
Time to be confirmed. Your bilingual "Vapues Tours" tour guide waits for you at Managua International Airport. Your private transfer brings you to downtown Managua, where you enjoy the bohemian and friendly atmosphere of the capital of Nicaragua. Many quality restaurants and venues are found at walking distance of your temporary place of residence, the elegant Hotel Los Robles. The evening is at leisure: have a good night's rest or discover some of the many restaurants and entertainment venues of Managua.
Hotel Los Robles is a small boutique hotel located in a residential area close to the financial and commercial center of Managua. The hotel is located in a colonial style building where tropical plants and colonial decoration result in a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. Restaurants, bars, and the MetroCentro shopping mall are all close by. The 24 hours reception and room service, free wireless internet access, laundry and dry cleaning service and a well trained and friendly multilingual staff are featured by the hotel. There is hot and cold buffet breakfast. The 14 comfortable rooms all offer air conditioning, ceiling fan, a bathroom with shower/bathtub, TV, hair dryer, direct phone line, safety deposit box, and a even small private patio.
Day 2: Presentation by NGO Fenix Sol, transfer to Estelí, city tour Estelí.
09:00 a.m. After breakfast you travel further north, to a small community close to Totogalpa. Here you are expected at the ´Centro Solar´ for a hands-on workshop on how to construct a solar oven. Together with a women collective and technical assistance of NGO
´Fenix Sol´, you will actually help to build a solar oven, which serves as a donation to a family in a remote community. The use of solar
ovens is promoted to prevent deforestation. In addition, by using a solar cooker, people can buy food instead of fuel. Today's lunch will
be prepared by using solar energy exclusively. Lodgment at Hotel Los
Arcos.
Hotel los Arcos was opened in 2004 by the non-profit organization “Fundación Familias Unidas”, with the objective of creating job opportunities for young locals. All gains are donated to social projects in Estelí. It is a modern and elegant hotel, with numerous allusions to the colonial area. The spacious rooms are equipped with cable TV, private bathroom, hot water and air-conditioning or fan. All rooms are decorated in a different style and have a great view to either the inside-garden or the city center of Estelí. Further amenities include free internet and free parking. There also is a restaurant, but for dinner we recommend to go into town.
Day 3: Transfer to Totogalpa, construction of a solar oven & solar cooking.
08:00 a.m. After breakfast you travel further north, to a small
community close to Totogalpa. Here you are expected at the ́Centro
Solar ́ for a hands-on workshop on how to construct a solar oven.
Together with a women collective and technical assistance of NGO
́Fenix Sol ́, you will actually help to build a solar oven, which serves
as a donation to a family in a remote community. The use of solar
ovens is promoted to prevent deforestation. In addition, by using a
solar cooker, people can buy food instead of fuel. Today's lunch will
be prepared by using solar energy exclusively. Lodgment at Hotel Los
Arcos.
Day 4: Transfer to León, tour at San Jacinto Volcanic field, citytour León.
7:00 a.m. After breakfast you leave the Nicaraguan highlands,
heading for the colonial town of León, an area with plenty of volcanic
activity and tropical dry forest. On the road you stop at the village of
San Jacinto, where you explore a volcanic field. You observe the geo-
thermal forces at work; many small craters emit sulfur gasses together
with colorful boiling mud, with an alternating structure and
consistency. Next you visit the nearby geothermal installations, which
were abandoned after hurricane Mitch. After lunch in the colonial
town of León, you check in at the fine Hotel El Convento.
Hotel El Convento is probably the most aesthetic hotel to stay in León. The hotel was rebuilt on the location of the San Francisco convent, which was abandoned and demolished in 1960. At one side of the hotel, San Francisco church still demonstrates the history of the place that dates back to 1639. Outside and inside, El Convento breathes a very Spanish-colonial atmosphere. The magnificent inner courtyard garden is well-known as is the rustic atmosphere. El Convento is locally famous for its restaurant, which serves good breakfasts and great meals. The rooms have air-conditioning and cable TV. Internet access, laundry service and 24 hour room service is also available
Day 5: Transfer to Chichigalpa, tour Flor de Caña rum factory & bio-digester.
8:00 a.m. After breakfast you leave for an excursion to the Flor de
Caña rum factory in Chichigalpa. You will get to know how this
world famous Nicaraguan rum is being produced, and visit the
impressive ́bodegas ́ where the product slowly comes to age. During
your visit it will become clear that the production process of Flor de
Caña is quite eco-friendly, a modern bio-digester converts product
residues into bio-fuels. Manufacturing bi-products are recycled
producing 45 Megawatts of electrical energy, enough to power the
sugar mill and distillery, with enough left over to cover 8% of
Nicaragua ́s thermal electric energy needs (in sugar cane season). The
afternoon is at leisure in León. You could also opt to take a tour to the
Juan Venado natural reserve, where a local fisherman explains about
the mangrove reforestation project and takes you for a boat ride through the estuary to observe many migratory
and resident birds of this impressive natural reserve. For a second night in colonial León you will stay at Hotel El
Convento.
Day 6: Transfer to Granada, visit Momotombo geothermal field & plant, León Viejo.
8:00 a.m. Leaving the city of León we visit a very special place
where renewable energy is being produced, the geothermal field and
plant at Momotombo Volcano. The Momotombo geothermal field,
located near the shores of Lake Xolotlan at the southern foot of the
volcano, was discovered in the 1960s. A number of wells were drilled,
culminating with the installation of two 35 Megawatt units, providing
energy through Nicaragua ́s commercial power grid. You have the
chance to observe geothermal forces at work and see the plant. Before
heading to Granada, the oldest colonial city on mainland America,
you visit the ruins of León Viejo, a UNESCO world heritage site.
Early afternoon, upon arrival in Granada, you check in at Hotel Plaza
Colon.
The elegant and luxurious Hotel Plaza Colón is situated very centric, right at the Central Park. It combines modern amenities with the old, colonial architecture of the restored colonial building. Hotel Plaza Colón is an architectonic eye-catcher in the center of Granada and right in front of the hotel, you can take a city tour with a horse-drawn carriage. At the evergreen patio in the back of the building, you can enjoy the refreshing & nice swimming pool. All rooms have air-conditioning, cable TV, fan, internet access and a mini-bar. Some of the rooms have a large terrace offering great views over the park and the colorful cathedral.
Day 7: Citytour by horse drawn carriage & visit to Las Isletas by electric boat.
8:00 a.m. Exploring the historic center of Granada by eco-friendly traditional horse-drawn carriage is quite interesting. You visit the San Francisco Convent and Church (1529), La Polvora fortress, the Xalteva Church and the old city walls, which is the most antique part of Granada. Your local Vapues Tours guide will show you the most interesting sites of his/her native city. In the afternoon you discover Las Isletas de Granada by electric boat, allowing you to observe the quite spectacular fauna without disturbing its natural habitat. Las Isletas de Granada consists of about 365 small islands of volcanic origin, situated at the foot of the impressive Mombacho Volcano. The majority of the islands are property of local fishermen families who live in harmony with the ample aquatic and terrestrial vegetation, and (bird) wildlife. A complementary drink will be served at a local restaurant on one of the islands. For a second night in colonial Granada you will stay at Hotel Plaza Colon.
Day 8: Transfer to Morgans Rock, visit to the Amayo Wind Farm.
8:00 a.m. Leaving the city of Granada you visit yet another spectacular place where renewable energy is being produced, the Amayo Wind Farm. This 400-acre wind farm generates 40 megawatts, and is part of the national policy to increase renewable energy in the country's supply. The wind farm has helped to reduce the consumption of imported oil, diversifying the energy mix, strengthening renewable sources and providing greater security to the electrical system. The current output of this particular wind farm covers the electricity supply of around 320 thousand homes in Nicaragua. After this rather interesting visit you continue your travels to the unspoiled Pacific Coast, where the friendly staff of Morgan´s Rock awaits you.
Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge is more than just a hotel or luxury resort. It is probably one of the most amazing places Nicaragua has to offer. It is suited for anyone who is searching for a place to enjoy a touch of luxury while being in tropical, Pacific beach surroundings. It is a unique and natural haven for the true traveler who is looking for a touch of luxury while enjoying the adventure and excitement of an exotic destination. But most importantly, it is a project of nature conservation, community development and reforestation offering Agro- and Ecotourism at its best. You will relax completely in the beautiful surroundings of Morgan's Rock. It is situated in a hidden bay and is part of a nature reserve. Enjoy the beautiful views over the bay in a peaceful private setting. All bungalows have one king size bed, a sofa bed and a private deck and are connected to the main lodge by an amazing suspension bridge crossing a forested canyon!
Day 9: Day at leisure at Morgans Rock, estuary kayaking and turtle watching.
8:00 a.m. Upon daybreak at your luxury cabin you explore the Mangrove Forest ecosystem by double kayak with a local guide's help and knowledge of the area. Experience the different variety of shore birds and understand the complex features that mangroves sustain on a daily basis. The calm waters and the light breeze make this tour very pleasant and informative with its ecosystem filled with life. Be on the lookout for the different species that benefit from estuary and learn about how the mangrove is crucial for our environment. At night a natural phenomenon might surprise you: Morgan's Rock hosts a nesting beach for many sea turtles that come to our beach to lay their eggs (from August to February). The staff will let you know if any baby turtles are making it to the surface and if there is a sea turtle laying its eggs. Enjoy the second night at Morgan´s Rock.
Day 10: Transfer to Managua, visit to Masaya handicrafts market & Masaya volcano.
10:00 a.m. After a relaxing morning at the beach you return to Managua for a last night, before returning home with lots of memories and interesting experiences, perhaps even with new insights in Nicaragua´s cutting edge sustainable energy management. On the way to the capital you visit the well known Masaya handicraft market, where you can purchase original and colorful souvenirs for friends and family. Also, you visit Masaya Volcano National Park, where you see the active Santiago crater up close. Upon arrival in Managua you stay at hotel Las Mercedes, conveniently located across the airport.
One of the best features of Hotel Las Mercedes is its location in front of Managua International Airport: you just have to cross the street to get there. A free airport shuttle is available, for you and your luggage. The hotel has rustic rooms, all well equipped with cable TV, wireless internet, hot water and air conditioning. On the premises you find two swimming pools, a gym, a bar and a restaurant. Enjoy the amenities of this hotel and relax in the tropical evergreen gardens or at the poolside.
Day 11: Transfer to Managua International Airport, end of our services.
time to be confirmed. Your bilingual ´Vapues Tours´ tour guide will take you to Managua International Airport, and assist with the check-in formalities. Thank you for letting us show you the many sustainable energy projects that Nicaragua has to offer, and for choosing our professional services, including selected boutique hotels that are working with Rainforest Alliance. Have a peasant and safe journey back home!
Included :
• Lodgment at mentioned hotels or similar, all hotels work together with Rainforest Alliance
• All meals
• Purified water with complementary refill
• Frist aid kit with guide
• Private overland transfers
• Tours and entrance fees
• Visits to renewable energy plants
• Bilingual tour conductor, except for Morgan ́s Rock
• Local taxes
Not included :
• Personal expenses
• Airport taxes
• Tips nor porters
• Optional touring
Beginning September 19, in celebration of Rainforest Alliance Week, VaPues extends a 15 percent discount on the following itinerary. Offer expires 25-09-11