This ecotour is now over.
Join this tour to discover the beauty and creativity that are a part of every aspect of Nicaraguan life, especially its deepest and most-loved tradition: poetry. Nicaragua, the home of the “Prince of Spanish letters,” Ruben Dario, has a long, historical love affair with poetry that is still part of Nicaraguan daily life. Come look through this romantic lens to see how these resilient people have used art, poetry, and music to find beauty and make sense of their painful and troubled past.
Itinerary (SUBJECT TO CHANGE):
Day 1: Transfer from Managua to Granada. On the way, you’ll visit the active volcano of Masaya. Once you arrive in Granada and settle into your colonial hotel, you’ll attend the poetry festival in the evening in the town square.
Day 2: In the morning, visit an artisan community, and then go swimming and kayaking at Apoyo Lagoon. After lunch at the lagoon, you’ll return to Granada for dinner and another night of poetry, music, and dancing.
Day 3: You’ll have a day in the colonial city of Granada, exploring museums, shops, and markets. In the afternoon, you’ll go on a boat tour of tiny islands in Lake Nicaragua and do some bird-watching. In the evening, you’ll enjoy your last night on the town, enjoying open-air concerts and artistic displays.
Day 4: In the morning, depart Granada for San Ramon. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your host family, take a tour of the town, and hear from a local historian. In the afternoon, you’ll visit a craft market and see a dance performance in hte library.
Day 5: In the morning, visit a cacao cooperative and learn how chocolate is made. In the afternoon, you’ll visit an indigenous weaving community and learn about how they produce their fabrics. End the day with a cooking class and dinner of nacatamales, a traditional Nicaraguan dish, accompanied by a group of musicians.
Day 6: Before leaving for Finca Esperanza Verde, you’ll visit the workshop of a group of women who make beautiful stationery out of recycled paper and local plants. Then you’ll say goodbye to your friends in San Ramon and head for FEV. Upon arrival, you’ll settle into your cabin, and in the afternoon, you’ll go on a hike through the cloud forest.
Day 7: Wake up early for some bird-watching, or sleep in and join the group for breakfast in the open-air dining area with a breathtaking view of the northern mountains. Then you’ll go on a coffee tour to learn how coffee goes from the plant to your cup. In the afternoon, enjoy another hike and a cooking class to learn how to make tortillas and roast coffee the traditional way.
Day 8: After some bird-watching in the morning take a tour of the organic garden, and in the afternoon visit the butterfly hatchery. Enjoy some free time in the evening to soak up your last night at FEV.
Day 9: Take advantage of your last bird-watching opportunity, eat a hearty breakfast, and depart for the airport.
Price: $1540 per person (price includes in-country transportation, meals and accommodations, not airfare AND may change if group would like additional excursions).