Mombacho Volcano Hike

After departing from the pier, you will settle in for a leisurely one and three-quarters hour drive north through the emerald-green countryside and into pristine Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. At the base of the namesake volcano, you will transfer to a 4WD truck and travel over 3,200 feet in elevation to the top of the magnificent Mombacho Volcano. The drive itself is worth the trip as you will climb grades of up to 40 percent through several types of forest ecosystems: a drier tropical forest, semi-moist broad leaf tropical forest, and a spectacular and very rare cloud forest. The higher you go, the cooler the temperature. It’s an ideal environment for growing coffee and there are numerous plantations within the forest.

Upon reaching the summit, you'll take a guided one mile hike (approximately 90 minutes) around one of Mombacho's four craters. As you traverse the primarily natural paths, you will learn about and observe the rich eco-system of the area that boasts steaming fumaroles, over 50 species of mammals, 174 species of birds and 90 different types of orchids. Listen carefully during your trek and you will notice that natural sounds are amplified by the craters.

Following your hike, you will return to the base of the volcano and drive on to nearby Grenada for a traditional Nicaraguan lunch. Free time follows, so you can stroll about this magnificent colonial city nestled on Lake Nicaragua’s northern shore. Be sure to see the much-admired San Francisco Convent, which now houses a cultural center with fine pre-Columbian statues. For inspired shopping, head for Granada’s central plaza.

At the appointed time and location, you will rejoin your coach and head back to the pier, stopping along the way at La Virgen Crossing for a breathtaking view of the twin volcanoes towering above an island in Lake Nicaragua.