Many travel to the tropics to see its rich flora and fauna. Nicaragua is just now being discovered as a land of great nature reserves. The nature is nothing new it has just been a well kept secret. The two largest forest reserves in Central America are found in Nicaragua and they are part of 78 national nature reserves that cover 21,000 km2 of Nicaragua’s territory. Mother Nature seems to work overtime in Nicaragua’s tropics and biologist classified into a dozen of different life zones. However most of those zones can be lumped into 3 major groups: Rain, Dry & Cloud forest.

The Best of Nicaragua’s Tropical Forest
For this trip we will take you to the best of each zone

Day 1:
Meet & Greet at the airport Followed by a Transfer to your Boutique Style Hotel in Managua.
Overnight in a Boutique style Hotel in Managua

Day 2:
After breakfast and a Managua sightseeing you will head to El Jaguar Nature Reserve. The reserve is a private family run farm that produce high quality organic coffee, in perfect harmony with the community and the surrounding ecosystem. The giant oak and fern trees within the forest provide perfect shelter for a large diversity of plant and animal life. 70 acres of protected Cloud forest and 35 acres of managed woods surround the farm. Within these woods can be found rare orchids and giant ferns trees dating back to Jurassic times
Afternoon walk at the El Jaguar.
Overnight at El Jaguar (Full board)

Day 3:
Breakfast – Mornign low impact walk at one of the trails of el Jaguar.
Afternoon at Leisure to enjoy the reserve
Overnight at El Jaguar (Full board)

Day 4:
Domitila Private Reserve located along the western shore of Lake Nicaragua in the shadow of  Volcán Mombacho. Domitila has the distinction of being Nicaragua's first private protected area-established in March 2001 Domitila Private Wildlife Reserve is dedicated to conserving the wildlife and  flora of one of the last remaining remnants of dry tropical forest on the Pacific coast of Central America. The facilities and programming are designed to offer low-impact ecotourism, scientific investigation and environmental education, and to promote the sustainable development of communities around the reserve. Overnight at Domitila (Full board)

Day 5:
Early breakfast Day Expedition to Zapatera Island National Park that includes a visit to the Pre-Columbian Archeological site. The tropical forests of the Island houses an interesting array of wildlife, including species like deer, wild cats, pacas, armadillos, and local inhabitants even mention jaguars. Birdlife includes animals like falcons, oropendolas, toucans, kingfishers, parrots, and parakeets. Fish are abundant around the island, and Rainbow Bass, ‘Guapote’, and even tarpon can be found here.
Back to Domitila around 16:30 – Rest of the afternoon to enjoy on your own
Overnight at Domitila (Full board)

Day 6:
After Breakfast your day will be full of new experiences starting with a morning trip through the forest in an oxcart, yes in a real Nicaraguan oxcart. Next a cooking demonstration right in the middle of the jungle where a Nicaraguan will teach you the art of making a real tortilla just as their ancestors did. After a traditional lunch, you will enjoy a short walk to another trail of the reserve where you will learn about the unique ecosystem of the dry tropical forest and its flora and fauna.
Overnight at Domitila (Full board)

Day 7:
Your day will start with a visit to Masaya Volcano National Park. Our vehicle will go up to the hill and within only a few steps you will see the impressive Santiago crater, active since 1946. Learn from your local expert how the Aratinga Strenua manages to live in the toxic crater walls as well as the history of the Spanish priests who explored the volcano and the superstitious beliefs held by the natives who inhabited the area. Just fifteen minutes away you will visit the Masaya arts and crafts market for local ceramics, hammocks, wood and leather souvenirs. After lunch visit the colonial city of Granada founded by Captain Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in the year 1524. It was founded next to the Mombacho volcano and the great lake of Nicaragua. Named after the city of Granada in Spain, this city has plenty of colonial churches, narrow streets and large homes with beautiful indoor patios, tiled roofs and pretty colonial colors. You will have the opportunity to walk around the main plaza to see “La Merced” church, the house of the Zamora family, the famous “Casa de Los Tres Mundos” and the San Francisco convent.  Here, you will have the opportunity to see and take pictures of mysterious idols made by our ancestors.  This is an impressive collection of genuine pre-Columbian sculptures in human and animal shapes. During the tour we will learn the history of the city, and about the adventures of filibuster William Walker, who invaded the city in the year 1855. Ending your day with a relaxing boat trip to observe the migrations of birds among others
Overnight at Colonial Granada (Full board)

Day 8:
Unescorted Transfer from Granada to International airport for your flight back home