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From Discovery and CruisingTo Advanced Mountaineering Expedition
Nicaragua offers a journey into the past, welcoming visitors with open arms and hearts. Millions of years ago, the American continent took shape. Lake Nicaragua (also known as Lake Cocibolca) is often described as an inland sea at the heart of Nicaragua, in the middle of the continent. According to indigenous legend, Lake Cocibolca, with a surface area of 8,264 square kilometers, was formed by the tears of an Indian woman, which is why the lake and the Solentiname islands are considered sacred. The Spanish valued this natural wonder so much that they established the oldest colonial city 500 years ago on the shores of Lake Cocibolca: Granada. Through our program, we will engage with local communities in places called "Punto de Vida," learning about their traditions, culture, and the pristine natural areas they have preserved. These visits are ways to acknowledge and incorporate new ideas of their way of life into our own. Explore the marvels of tropical nature in the Solentiname Archipelago and join efforts to protect the island and the biodiversity of the Ramsar wetlands in this ecological lake region. Embrace love for nature and live without single-use plastic for a few days to help safeguard the habitats of endangered species. You will encounter fascinating individuals, and the warm smiles of the hospitable "Nicas" will greet you everywhere you go. This educational adventure promises to create lasting memories.
Countries:
Start and Finishing Point:
Managua
Activities:
Grading:Introductory to Moderate
Addressing:
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Day 1
Arrival to Managua - Granada
Arrival at International Airport of Managua. Meet & Greet by your tour leader. Transfer to your hotel in the colonial city of Granada, check in and enjoy a typical welcome dinner and program briefing by the local tour leader. Overnight in Granada at hotel Patio de Malinche or similar.
Meals: D
Day 2
Granada
In the morning, enjoy a walking city tour around Granada, the oldest colonial city of the Americas and currently in celebration of 500 years of its foundation. Founded by Francisco Hernández de Córdoba in 1524, its plazas and cobblestone streets are lined with colorful colonial architecture. Sights to see in Granada include the Franciscan Convent Museum, Casa de los Tres Mundos, the central plaza, municipality, main cathedral, and you can ascend the stairs to the roof of La Merced church and take in the fantastic view of Granada. Learn about the fascinating history of colonization of Granada and Nicaragua. In the afternoon we learn cooking Nicaraguan cousine style. We visit the local market to buy the ingredients for a tasty dinner meal. Then we are guided by our hosts to cook under their orientation our Nica-Dinner. At last we eat it all together in friendship. Overnight in Granada at hotel Patio de Malinche or similar.
Meals: B,L,D
Day 3
Catarian – San Juan de Oriente – PN Volcan Masaya
After breakfast we will visit the “white villages” of Catarina and San Juan de Oriente, location of beautiful gardens and colorful streets filled with handicraft produced by the local artisans. Punto de Vida • We will visit the workshop of Valentin Lopez and the school of ceramics, where you will learn about the art of making ceramics from scratch in harmony with mother nature. You will discover some of the secrets of Indigenous ceramic handcraft and do your product in this Nicaraguan ancestor working style. At the end of the day, we visit the National Park Volcano Masaya. The park offers a rare chance for visitors to peer directly into the edge of the burning and steaming volcanic crater of Santiago, allowing you to experience a live volcano without up close. You will also visit a museum located in the vicinity of the Masaya Volcano Park, where you will learn the history of the volcano as well as other relevant information about the park. Overnight in San Juan at hotel Estación or similar.
Day 4
Granada – San Juan del Sur
Morning overland drive to San Juan del Sur with changing landscapes and beautiful views of the volcanic island of Ometepe. Today learn the extraordinary history of the “Gold Rush” transit route in the nineteenth century from the American east to the American west coast, passed by this small port town at the Pacific Ocean. We explore the town in its picturesque pacific bay followed by a visit to the viewpoint over the city with the Christ statue. From here you have a unique view of the bay and the vastness of the ocean, and you can understand why the American writer Mark Twain was so excited about Nicaragua when he arrived here in 1866 to cross from San Francisco through Nicaragua to New York. Final visit to the monument to the writers Ruben Dario and Mark Twain at the port and learn about the articles published by Mark Twain about this journey. Overnight in Granada at hotel Patio de Malinche or similar.
Day 5
San Juan del Sur – Solentiname Archipiélago (National Monument of Nicaragua)
In the morning, we drive to Colon at the south end of Lake Nicaragua, where we board a private boat to go to the Solentiname archipelago. These 36 islands are considered as a “National Monument of Nicaragua” for their natural beauty. After arriving at the lodge's landing pier, we are shown the lodge's tropical garden, which the owners have turned into a habitat for endangered animal species. In the afternoon, a short hike to the indigenous cemetery at the “La Reconciliación” viewpoint. Here we have a unique view over most of the islands of the archipelago and discover the world of the indigenous people of Solentiname based on stone drawings that are over 2000 years old. Then we visit the village of “Mancarrón”, where we talk to the artists and learn how they recreate the surrounding flora and fauna from light balsa wood and paint it with intense colors. If you want, you can also try your hand at creating your own tropical balsa wood bird. As a reminder of these mystical nature islands, your balsa wood bird will accompany you on your further journey in life as a symbol of nature protection based on harmony. Overnight in Solentiname at lodge Mancarrón.
Day 6
Isla Mancarroncito
Today we take a boat trip to Mancarroncito Island and hike in the dwarf primeval dry and sub-humid forest up to the top to enjoy lake views on the way up to Ometepe Island. It is still a specialty to learn in a primer forest today. This privilege has so far only been granted to a few people other than the locals. They show us their primary forest and let us discover plants, trees, and special fauna, so we get to know a unique flora and fauna of the area. For lunch, we are invited by a local farming family and share a spartan meal with them, to experience how 60% of Nicaraguans live day by day. In the afternoon return to Mancarrón. Overnight in Solentiname at lodge Mancarrón.
Day 7
Los Guatuzos (Nature Reserve)
Day excursion to the tropical nature reserve of Los Guatuzos. It is the first internationally recognized RAMSAR wetland in Nicaragua. The boat trip takes us up a small jungle river, Rio Papaturro, near Solentiname. We discover a beautiful tropical gallery forest and a unique biodiversity: monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, sloths, turtles, toucans, and the white herons, which are the natural guardians of the nature park. Arriving at a small village, an autochthonous biologist will take us on a rainforest hike. We learn about the wetlands and rainforests which are important for the survival of humanity. With a bit of luck, we will see the smallest orchid in the world and the poison dart frog. In the afternoon, the local ladies invite us to an exciting experience to learn how to make chocolate with cacao beans. No preservatives will be used. Late afternoon return to island Mancarrón. Overnight in Solentiname at lodge Mancarrón.
Day 8
Solentiname Archipiélago – Managua
Boat transfer from Solentiname to San Carlos. On arrival, overland journey to the capital, Managua. During the journey we can observe the change of the landscape and stop in Juigalpa, where we further visit the Punto de Vida and the Gregorio Aguilar Barea Archaeological Museum with several stone carvings and artifacts from the Sierra de Amerisque. The basalt statues, some of which are over four meters high, are impressive and can partly be found in famous museums such as the Louvre. Arrive in Managua in the afternoon and check in at the hotel. Farewell dinner at the historic center of Managua at Lake Xolotlan. Overnight in Manafua at Best Western Las Mercedes or similar.
Day 9
Departure
According to your flight itinerary, transfer to Managua International Airport.
Meals: B
Decent Work And Economic Growth: Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs.
Reduced Inequalities: To reduce inequalities, policies should be universal in principle, paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalized populations.
Responsible Production and Consumption: Responsible Production and Consumption
Climate Action: Climate change is a global challenge that affects everyone, everywhere.
Life On Land: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss
Partnerships For The Goals: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.The programs are designed to:• Build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet. • Increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.• Discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.• Give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.
What's included
What's not included
These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery involve little extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. Extended walking is available for those wanting something more demanding. * Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.
Per Person, Twin Share
Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.
Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.
Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.
Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.
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