7 Days / 6 Nights
Day 1 - Managua
Airport greeting and transfer to Hotel Metrocentro Intercontinental in
Managua. Afternoon tour of Managua's best galleries (flight schedule permitting).
Trip briefing at hotel.
Day 2 - Managua
- Leon Viejo - San Jacinto - Leon
Breakfast at the Intercontinental. Travel north to the small village of
Puerto Momotombo located at the base of the massive volcano of the same
name on Lake Managua.This is the location of the buried city of León Viejo
founded in 1524 and just declared an UNESCO world heritage site, explanation
of the history and work at the site by a National Museum archeologist.Transfer
further north to the colonial capitol and intellectual and artistic center
of Nicaragua, León, founded in 1610. Visit to the house of one of the
Spanish language’s greatest poets, Ruben Darío and one of the most tragic,
Alfonso Cortéz. Lunch break at the Pacific beach front Suyapa restaurant
in Las Peñitas, just outside Leon. Trip to the rural village of San Jacinto,
a small settlement with beautiful and friendly children, located in the
midst of active volcanic vein. Lodging in León just one block from central
park at the Hotel Austria.
Day 3 - Leon
- Good Friday Celebrations
Breakfast at Hotel. Walking tour of this Spanish colonial city, a vibrantly
alive, architectural relic. León is home to 14 colonial churches, including
Central America’s biggest church, and to hundreds of students who live
in León to attend some of the country’s finest schools and Universities.
These classic churches all have their own processions and we will have
the chance to experience some of them which start early in the morning
and continue into the night.Visit to the traditional indigenous section
of León called Sutiava to participate in a unique and amazing tradition
of street paintings made entirely by hand, with richly dyed sawdust to
depict religious scenes and too last only one day before trampled under
the feet of the night procession. The visitor will help in the elaboration
of a street painting with the aid of a local artist. Visits to see other
special processions that mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in a manor
that is both touching and moving with the assistance of a local expert
on the ceremonies.
Day 4 - Leon
- Las Isletas - Granada
Breakfast at the hotel. Travel south past the shores of Lake Managua to
the shore of the mighty Lake Nicaragua and to one of the Western Hemisphere's
oldest European settlements, Granada. Lunch stop in Managua and the famous
traditional food restaurant of Doña Haydée. Visit to the water bound community
in Lake Nicaragua called Las Isletas. 354 little islands with lots of
children, tropical fruit trees and families of fishermen. Private boat
tour of the islands. Transfer to Granada for lodging on central park at
the Hotel Alhambra.
Breakfast at the hotel. Complete walking tour of the city to enjoy the exuberant celebrations for the rebirth of Christ in this peaceful, historic town on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524, Granada is the oldest continually occupied, city on the continent of the America’s, still in its original location. This is one of the most historic places in this hemisphere to celebrate Easter. Lunch stop at the Spanish food treat of Doña Conchi's. Lodging at the Alhambra.
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the villages of Masaya's central highland, famous for their handmade crafts, Indian folklore and history and rustic way of life, with visits to artisan’s workshops. Assistance of a local expert on the hand made crafts of this region.Each village has its own speciality like San Juan de Oriente the home of Nicaraguan ceramic traditions where 85% of the population makes kick-wheel spun earthenware or Masatepe were rustic wood shops turn out stunning rocking chairs and tables. Visit to the country’s best crafts market in the folkloric center of the country, Masaya. Lunch break in the highest of the highland villages, Catarina which is known for its baskets and decorative plants at the crater lake lookout restaurant. Lodging in colonial Granada on Central Park at the Alhambra.
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to airport in Managua for flight home.