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When the Spanish explorer Gil Gonzalez Davila met and embraced the mighty
Nicarao chief Nicaragua, on the shores of Lake Cocibolca, the fate of a
people was sealed. Were the Nicarao on the verge of becoming a great
civilisation? One that could rival the mighty Aztecs to the north and the
imperial Incas to the south? What was life like for the Nicarao, before
their society was suddenly turned upside down? What of the less
sophisticated Chorotegas and the still mysterious cultures before
them? These questions and more are addressed in this fascinating nine
day examination of Nicaraguan pre-Columbian societies. Lead by some of the
country's foremost archaeologists working for the Museo Nacional de
Nicaragua and discoverers of several remains, Lost Civilizations of Nicaragua is a
journey through space and time that will feed your mind and open the doors
of your imagination. This adventure with a brain includes the visits of
two volcanic, tropical island archipelagos, active and dormant volcanoes,
virgin Pacific Coast beaches and Nicaragua's precious flora and fauna.
The Itinerary
DAY 1: Managua
Airport greeting and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit of the Acahaulinca
Museum (6,000 year old footprints) and the National Museum. Lodging at
selected Managua hotel.
DAY 2: Managua - Masaya - Nindiri - Granada
Breakfast at hotel and departure for the very active Volcan Masaya.
Complete examination of the volcano and its ancient societies. Including,
among others, visits to Malu a Nicarao burial site and Nindiri, today a
small village, but for the last 1,500 years before the first contact with
the Spaniards the most densely populated settlement in the
area. Examination of the museum at Nindiri. Visit to the Cailagua site,
100 meters of petroglyphs overlooking Laguna Masaya, a lovely crater lake.
Transfer to the Colonial gem of Granada (1524) and its relevant sites such
as Tepetate in the ancient settlement of Xalteva, the most important
indigenous settlement at the time of the Spanish arrival. The country's
most spectacular pre-Columbian museum is also in Granada located inside the
old convent of San Francisco and which houses large basalt pieces from the
island of Zapatera. Lodging on central park at the Hotel Alhambra.
(B).
DAY 3: Granada - Zapatera - Granada
Early breakfast and transfer to Lake Nicaragua for a private boat journey
to the most important archaeological islands in Nicaragua. The Zapatera
island system that includes the Island of Death and Zonzapote sites. This
was a very special ritual area and the only documented and confirmed
monumental architectural complex in Nicaragua (thus far). On the Island of
Death we'll examine the islands magnificent petroglyphs. Full day of
hiking and boating in this important National Reserve with box lunch and
fruit juices on the boat. Transfer to mainland and colonial Granada for
lodging at the Hotel Alhambra.
(B).
DAY 4: Granada - Rivas - San Jorge- Ometepe
Breakfast at hotel and overland journey south. Visit of the famous meeting
place of the great Nicarao chief, Nicaragua and the original Spanish
explorer. Transfer in ferry to the world's largest freshwater island called
Ometepe. Made up of two majestic volcanoes connected by a lava flow
isthmus. Transfer to the sandy beach located on the back side of the
isthmus to check into the beach front cottages at Villa Paraiso. Afternoon
free to enjoy this warm inland sea.
(B).
DAY 5: Ometepe Island
Complete archaeological survey of this important, legendary and uniquely
beautiful site.
(B).
DAY 6: Ometepe - Rivas - San Juan del Sur
Very early breakfast and transfer to the dock at Moyogalpa for the ferry to
the mainland. Transfer overland to the lovely half-moon bay beach on the
Pacific, San Juan Del Sur. Visit to the pre-Columbian museum in Rivas in
route. Check in to Casablanca hotel across from the beach. Lodging at the
Casablanca in San Juan del Sur.
(B).
DAY 7: San Juan del Sur - Ostional - San Juan del Sur
Breakfast at Marie's at transfer in pickup truck to the important and
beautiful coastal sites in this region. Ostional was an important
pre-Columbian coastal settlement, rich in material culture and unique from
the inland sites. Beach picnic at La Flor National Wildlife Reserve.
Lodging at Casablanca in San Juan del Sur.
(B L)
DAY 8: San Juan - Pueblos Blancos - Masaya Market - Managua
Breakfast at the beach and transfer north to the little white villages in
central Pacific Nicaragua. Visit to the significant sites in the villages
including the traditional ceramic artists of San Juan del Oriente. Stop to
shop at the country's most comprehensive native crafts market. Lunch stop
at the breathtaking Apoyo Crater Lake overlook. Transfer Managua for
lodging at selected hotel.
(B)
DAY 9: Managua Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or continuation of your holidays in Nicaragua.(B)
General Information
Photo courtesy of Richard Leonardi
Rated: Easy
| Tour Tariff - Private Departures | |||||
| N° of Participants | 2-3 | 6+ | |||
| USD | $ 1653 | $ 877 | |||
| EUR | € 1372 | € 728 | |||
| GBP | £ 926 | £ 491 | |||
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