Cycle Nicaragua To The Panama Canal

Our journey begins in Granada, a colonial arquitectural gem, situated at the foot of Mombacho volcano on the north-west shore of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524 by the conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba it was the first colonial city founded in Nicaragua. The baroque and renaissance buildings of the old town help to complement this wonderful setting. The Tour Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at approximately 6pm for the welcome meeting. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua, which is a 45-minute drive from our hotel. There are many evening flights into Managua, so if you do miss the meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If you arrive earlier in the day, you may want to explore the picturesque cobbled streets and take a break in one of the inviting cafes or eateries.

This morning we get used to our bikes on a short cycle from the hotel down to the shores of Lake Nicaragua. After returning to our hotel there will be time to explore Granada on foot and some freetime for lunch. The city's narrow lanes and historic buildings are ideal to discover on foot. In the afternoon you have the option to spend more free time in charming Granada or drive to the tranquil setting of Masaya Volcano National Park on an optional excursion to Nicaragua's first and largest protected reserve. The views from Masaya Volcano provide us with a great panorama of the wider setting and we can explore the crater rim by foot. We return to Granada by bus later this afternoon. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 11 kilometres (total 80 metres ascent and descent)

Leaving Granada behind this morning we drive to the highland white villages, famed locally for their importance in ancient beliefs relating to witchcraft. High up in Catarina village we can enjoy the best views across the spectacular, blue Apoyo Lagoon in the volcanic crater before getting on our bikes for a 20 km ride through the tropical countryside, getting first impressions of villagers' and farmers' lives. Once we reach the Panamericana Highway we continue by bus and drive to the small town San Jorge where we make the one hour ferry crossing to the volcanic island of Ometepe, set in the expansive waters of Lake Nicaragua - the largest freshwater lake in Central America. On arrival we get back on the bikes and ride 1 hour/13 km to our hotel in Charco Verde (or 2 hours/ 26 km if our hotel is located on Santo Domingo beach), always with the imposing Concepcion volcano on our left. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 33-46 kilometres (total 390 metres ascent and 780 metres descent)