Day 1 San José Arrive at any time as your fellow travelers are arriving at various times throughout the day. there are no planned activities other than a group dinner and information session in the evening. If you arrive early enough, you'll have time to head into the city to visit a museum, shop or people-watch in the main plaza. Day 2-3 La Fortuna We head out after breakfast to make our way to the small village of La Fortuna, located at the foot of the Arenal Volcano. La Fortuna is an excellent base for adventure. Take an unforgettable hike around the base of the volcano to see the top glowing an eerie red, accompanied by a soundtrack of monkeys and the rumblings of the volcano in the distance. Hike the area s nature trails, swim in chilly La Fortuna waterfall or join a canopy tour and catch a bird s eye view of the forest greenery. Other optional activities include full-day white water rafting on the Toro or Arenal Rivers, mountain biking, caving, horseback riding, or a tour of the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge. Like much of Costa Rica, the area is a birders paradise, with over 600 species as permanent residents. Finally, after a long day of exploring, take a relaxing soak in the lush, cascading hot springs. Soak in one of the natural thermal baths and rivers under the shade of the surrounding canopy. If you have pre-booked the Costa Rica Adrenaline Theme Pack, your choose your adventure and canyoneering activities will be on Day 3. Set on the northern plains of Costa Rica, Arenal Volcano sits on the southeast shore of artificial Lake Arenal (77 square kilometres, or 48 square miles). Separating the mountain ranges of Guanacaste and Tilarán, the lake was created by a hydroelectric dam. Winds sweeping off the Caribbean Sea reach speeds of 48 to 72 km/hr (30 to 45 mph), making Arenal one of the best windsurfing destinations in the world. On a cloudless day, the reflection of the volcano on Lake Arenal is truly enchanting. Estimated Travel Time: 5 hours Approximate Distance: 150 km Day 4-5 Monteverde From La Fortuna, we make our way up to the misty mountain air of the Monteverde Cloud Forest. We explore the town and a guided visit to nearby Forest Reserve, truly a bird lover s paradise. Founded by Quakers in the 1950s the mountain dairy community of Monteverde has become an ecotourism haven due to the presence of the Cloud Forest Reserve and the numerous other adventure options in the area. If you're there at the right time of year, you may be lucky enough to see the resplendent Quetzal. This unique community also has several local co-operatives worth visiting including artist collectives and a cheese factory. Other optional activities include horse riding en route from La Fortuna to Monteverde, sky walks (suspension bridges amid foliage), butterfly garden, and a canopy zip-line tour.
If you have pre-booked the Costa Rica Adrenaline Theme Pack, your ziplining experience will be on either Day 4 or 5. Monteverde or "Green Mountain", when translated into English, is exactly what you will find at the end of the long, rutted dirt road we travel to get to this area. The surrounding pastures were once covered with dense forest, but only a small piece of it now remains. That piece of forest has been preserved as the Reserva Biologica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve. A cloud forest is much like a rainforest, but much of the moisture comes not from falling rain but from the condensation left by the nearly constant cloud cover that blankets the tops of mountains in many parts of the tropics. Monteverde Reserve covers 1600 hectares of forest and is home to a great variety of wildlife. More than 2,000 species of plants, 320 birds species, and 100 different species of mammals inhabit this small area. The village of Monteverde was founded in the 1950s by Quakers from the United States. They wished to leave behind the constant fear of war and the obligation to support continued militarism through U.S. taxes and chose Costa Rica because it was committed to a non-militaristic economic path. Since its founding, Monteverde has grown slowly as other people, who shared the original Quaker founders ideals, moved to the area. Although the Quakers came here to farm the land, they recognized the need to preserve the rare cloud forest that covers the mountain slopes above their fields. The community is very different from those on the coast, and offers several souvenir shops and the Quaker cheese factory, which is definitely worth a visit. The Santa Elena Reserve, is another park in this area that is less well known and visited, but also worth seeing. All proceeds from this park profit the local community. Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours Approximate Distance: 50 km Day 6-7 San Juan del Sur Our journey takes us to low-key San Juan del Sur for some serious relaxation by the sea. Set on a stunning horseshoe shaped cove, this fishing village is the perfect place to combine two of Nicaragua s best features its beautiful beaches and its awardwinning Flor de Caña rum! Here you can do as little or as much as you want to do. Take surf lessons, try out your luck fishing, go zip-lining on the hills above San Juan del Sur, or just lounge on the beach! A short boat or taxi ride away, the deserted beaches of Playa Maderas and Majagual to the north and Playa Remanso to the south are calling out to be explored. In the evenings you can take advantage of the relaxed seaside nightlife with the friendly locals. Estimated Travel Time: 8 hours Approximate Distance: 210 km Day 8-9 Ometepe (1D)
We cross Lake Nicaragua by ferry to arrive at Ometepe Island. Also known as La Mar Dulce (the Sweet Sea) and Lake Cocibolca, Lake Nicaragua is the largest lake in Central America and the tenth largest freshwater lake in the world. Forty-five rivers flow into the lake and it is home to the world s only species of freshwater shark. The setting is dramatic, with two towering volcanoes dominating the island's landscape; Volcán Concepción at 1610 m (5281 feet), and Volcán Madera, at 1340m (4395 feet). The wildlife on this island is abundant and includes several species of monkeys and green parrots. Howler monkeys are especially interesting, their scary roar (you ll think it s a jaguar) can be heard for several miles. As you journey to the hotel, you ll pass plantain plantations and several small villages, giving you a chance to see how rural Nicaraguans live. If you enjoy a challenge, hiking Madera volcano might be the right optional activity for you! If not, check out the pre-colombian petroglyphs, try out the Tarzan swing at a nearby jungle swimming hole or enjoy the beach. During our time in Ometepe we will visit a local family and enjoy a typical meal in their home. Meals often include homemade cheese and plantains which have been grown on the island. Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours Approximate Distance: 50 km Day 10-11 Granada Nicaragua has flourished in the past few years and boasts both incredibly friendly people as well as impressive natural beauty. Granada s colonial charm is complimented by the surrounding active volcanoes and lakes, making day trips a fun and easy option. Hike, cruise, or just explore the city s markets and museums. Walking is probably the easiest way to see all the sights of Granada, your tour leader will give you an initial orientation walking tour of the city and then you have plenty of time to explore in more depth. Granada is Nicaragua s third largest and oldest city and retains its traditional Spanish colonial character. It s sometimes called The Great Sultana because of it s beautiful colonial architecture. In the warm evenings you can usually find friendly neighbors visiting and chatting with each other from rocking chairs in the open front room of their homes. You ll walk along cobblestone streets and see brightly painted buildings. Frequently live local music is played in the square, and good nightlife is easy to find. Granada is located on the shores of lake Nicaragua and has a long park ideal for strolling. For a relaxing afternoon, you can spend a couple of hours in a boat touring some of the 350+ Isletas or little islands by found nearby Granada in Lake Nicaragua. As we leave Granada on day 12, we stop en route and take the opportunity to visit one of Nicaragua s famous active volcano in Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya. The Masaya volcano was first discovered by the Spanish back in 1524. Since its discovery, Masaya has erupted at least 19 times and from 1965 to 1979 it has contained an active lava lake. Masaya is a caldera that contains approximately 13
vents. Most activity at these vents consisted of effusion of basaltic lava. Pyroclastic eruptions have constructed an additional three cones: Masaya, Nindiri, and Santiago. In 1979, Masaya became Nicaragua's first National Park (Parque Nacional Volcán Masaya). In addition to visiting this impressive crater you can find some other spectacular sightings at the park. You can hike up to another dormant crater which also provides a fantastic view of the Santiago crater and the area. There is also a trail that leads to a cave inhabited by bats. Other trails bring you to panoramic viewpoints. Hiking through the reserve will also allow you to observe the spectacular landscape created by past eruptions. The nearby markets of Masaya also house vendors selling great Nicaraguan handicrafts such as hammocks, pottery, and paintings. Estimated Travel Time: 4 hours Approximate Distance: 90 km Day 12-13 León Off to politically progressive León. You will have an included orientation walking tour of the city, which was the nation s capital from the colonial period until 1857 and is still the centre of much of the country s cultural and intellectual activity. Nicaragua s first University was founded here in 1912, for example. León is still the home to multiple universities, and when in session, you will see many students around town. Many well preserved Spanish colonial buildings and churches line the streets along with the cathedral, which is the largest in Central America. Construction began in 1747 and continued for one hundred years. The famous Nicaraguan poet Ruben Dario is buried here, and the house where he grew up is now a museum on calle Central, three blocks west of the plaza. Considered one of Latin America s greatest poets, he influenced Spanish literature in his time. There is always something interesting to do in León, whether it be a city tour, volcano boarding down Nicaragua s youngest volcano Cerro Negro, or a trip to the nearby beaches of Poneloya and Las Peñitas. If you d prefer to just wander through the streets you ll find several politically-charged murals depicting Nicaragua s turbulent history and several good museums in the area, including one dedicated to the heroes and martyrs of the Sandinista movement. From León we will travel to Tegucigalpa in order to board our internal flight from Tegucigalpa to Roatan. Estimated Travel Time: 3 hours Approximate Distance: 130 km Day 14-16 Roatan A scuba diving haven amidst what is part of the second largest barrier reef in the world, Roatan is a Caribbean-style island made famous for its marine treasures. Crystal blue waters invite swimming, diving, snorkeling, or simply relax on the white, sand beaches of the Bay Islands. You will also get a break from practicing Spanish because as a former British colony, many locals here speak English.
Roatan is surrounded by over 100km (62 miles) of living, protected reef that is home to thousands of species of fantastically coloured fish and marine life. The beaches of the western end are some of the most beautiful in the world, with clear turquoise water, powdery white sand and swaying coconut palms. While many people spend their days immersed in the warm, blue Caribbean waters and enjoying excellent fresh seafood, you may also opt to venture into the hilly interior by bicycle or scooter. The botanical gardens offer relaxed walking amidst exotic plants and racing Jesus Lizards, a species of lizard that runs on its hind legs, even over water! In nearby Sandy Bay the Institute for Marine Sciences and the Roatan museum are definitely worth a visit. On day 18, we take the ferry back to the mainland of Honduras, to the coast of La Ceiba. Estimated Travel Time: 10 hours Approximate Distance: 590 km Day 17-18 Copán The Copán ruins in Honduras are fascinating, beautiful and unique among Mayan cities. Visitors walk through grassy plazas filled with intricately carved and decorated monuments, statues and staircases. Huge carved faces stare at you from ancient walls and bring the place to life, causing renewed wonder at the mysterious disappearance of such a creative civilization. Though smaller and less grand than Tikal, in Guatemala, Copán contains some of the most important Mayan ruins found to date, and many unusual artistic features. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980. The village of Copán is a pleasant place to spend a relaxing evening with a small central square frequently filled with people. Estimated Travel Time: 10 hours Approximate Distance: 400 km Day 19-20 Antigua (1L) Once the third largest city in all of Spanish America, Antigua served as Guatemala's capital city for more than 200 years until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 1773. Modern Antigua is a peaceful, partially restored colonial city that is a pleasure to explore. Enjoy the beautiful architecture of this UNESCO-designated, World Heritage Site. Take a mountain bike ride out into the countryside or explore the fascinating markets, shops and museums within the city. Walk through quiet cobblestone streets past rebuilt stucco homes with heavy, beautifully carved wooden entrances. It is a short 45 km (28 miles) from Guatemala City on a lovely winding road. The trip takes you through many small towns and villages, past red tile-roofed huts, and people in colourful traditional clothing. The natural scenery is some of the most beautiful anywhere with high mountain peaks surrounding deep valleys, every inch of land covered with lush growth. The point of reference for finding one's way around Antigua is the Central Park, which is directly in the centre of town and the place to be in the late afternoon/ early evening. You can pick up a map from the tourist office located on the ground floor of
the Palace of the Captains General on the south side of the Central Park. Explore the museums, the colonial buildings and other sites in this delightful town. Antigua offers three specialties that make shopping here very worthwhile. Textiles sold here and in the nearby towns are of the highest quality, beautifully designed and woven on foot looms or the rarer back strap loom. Jade, in the form of carved statues and jewellery, is sold in several factories and shops in town and silver jewellery is sold in the better shops and also in a silver factory in nearby San Felipe de Jesus. The city offers good buys in ceramics and antiques as well. During our stay we will enjoy an included visit to a Mayan village where you'll try your hand at making tortillas and basic handicrafts before enjoying a traditional meal. Antigua is located near lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful spots in Guatemala. Twelve native villages, blue/grey mountains and three volcanoes line the shores of this lake resulting in a wonderful combination of unusual natural beauty and traditional culture. During our stay in Antigua we will also take advantage of a Salsa Lesson! Estimated Travel Time: 8 hours Approximate Distance: 280 km Day 21 Antigua Guatemala City is a one hour transfer away. Your Tour Leader can arrange a transfer from Antigua directly to the airport in Guatemala City so you do not have to spend more time than necessary in the city.