The Ultimate Volcano Adventure in Nicaragua
Summit seven geological giants and try volcano boarding on this spectacular trekking challenge in the heart of Central America
Duration
10 nights
Annual Leave
7 days off work
Group Size
Up to 14 people
Season
Year Round
Location
Nicaragua
Meeting Point
Managua Airport, Nicaragua
Classic Accommodation
Hotel · Campsite
Customer Reviews
4.6
Difficulty
Challenging
…
…
Hike active and dormant volcanoes, including Cerro Negro, Concepción and Masaya, peering into lava-filled craters
Kayak the wildlife-packed waterways of Ometepe Island, trek through tropical forest, and explore the colonial cities of León and Granada
Explore the boiling mud fields of San Jacinto, set up camp beside a crater rim and swim in the volcanic lagoon of El Tigre
Day 1
Welcome to Nicaragua
Driving
Your host will meet you at Managua International Airport, pop you in the van and drive you along the shores of Lake Managua over to the city of León, which takes around 1.5 hours. Settle into the hotel, maybe grab a swim in the pool, before heading out with the rest of your group to get dinner in a nearby restaurant and have a chat about the adventure to come.
Day 2
Telica Volcano and San Jacinto Mud Fields
Hiking
Driving
Take a short drive to the trailhead of Telica - your first volcano of the trip and one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua. The trail winds to the foot of Telica, the air full of sulphur and the roar of the active volcano. A steep switchback leads to the summit where you can - carefully - peer down into the crater and see the fiery magma deep below. Descend Telica and drive back to León, stopping for a short hike through the boiling volcanic mud fields of San Jacinto - a martian landscape that serves as breathing holes for nearby active volcanoes. Grab a cold beer and some dinner in León to toast a cracking first day.
Day 3
Summit Nicaragua's highest volcano
Hiking
Driving
Volcano number two awaits today - the active, cone-shaped San Cristóbal, Nicaragua's highest at 1,745m. This hike is tough, with a full day of trekking up the steep slopes to reach the huge crater rim. The view at the summit is incredible, dotted with the nearby volcanoes La Casita, El Choncho, Moyotepe and La Pelona. On clear days you can see all the way to the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras and El Salvador.
Day 4
Volcano boarding and crater-side camping
Hiking
Grab an early breakfast before heading for the black sand, gravel and lava rock of Cerro Negro (Black Peak). Your guide will help with the climb to the summit on the north side. The way down is a thrilling descent as you slip on a boiler suit and goggles, grab a board and swoop your way down the black sand-covered west face. Grab a picnic in the nature reserve and then hike to El Hoyo volcano where you will enjoy dinner beside the crater and camp for the night on its slopes.
Day 5
Swim in El Tigre Lagoon
Hiking
Driving
Wake up on the slopes of El Hoyo, tuck into breakfast on the volcano, pack up camp and hike back down to the trailhead. Hop in the van and drive over to Asososca Lagoon, also known as El Tigre. This volcanic freshwater lagoon was formed after a violent eruption and makes for a great place to grab a swim before heading back to León where you can enjoy some downtime and explore this brilliant little city at your own pace.
Day 6
Momotombo Volcano
Hiking
Driving
One of Nicaragua's most iconic landmarks, Momotombo is summit five. A perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone nestled on the side of Lake Managua, it is a symbol of Nicaragua, cropping up on many a revolutionary mural. You'll take a 4x4 to 450m beneath the summit and hit the trail from there as you navigate the steep and difficult terrain. From the summit, peer over to the Pacific Ocean, the city of León, and on a clear day, Ometepe Island - your next stop.
Day 7
Off to Ometepe
Kayaking
Driving
Rise early for a 3hr ride from León to San Jorge before hopping on the ferry to Moyogalpa on Ometepe Island - a lush, tropical slab of land in the middle of Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America. Rest your feet as you explore the waterways of Ometepe by kayak, along the beautiful Istián River, home to tropical birds, reptiles, monkeys, alligators, with views of Ometepe's twin volcanoes towering on both sides of the river.
Day 8
Concepción Volcano hike
Hiking
Driving
Today you’ll climb up Concepción, the highest of Ometepe's peaks, passing coffee and banana plantations as you make your way to the base of the volcano. Ometepe was once thought to be the promised land by Aztec explorers, and the lush, green and wild backdrop for today's hike makes you understand why. The climbing can be tough, with harsher terrain near the top and strong sun after the treeline, but you'll be treated to another rewarding summit looking back down over the promised land.
Day 9
Maderas volcano
Hiking
You can't head to Ometepe and only summit one of its volcanos, so today it's over to the dormant Maderas to see what Concepción's twin has to offer. After another early start, you’ll head to the trailhead at Finca Magdalena, a local community farm. Wind through the lush tropical vegetation while white-faced and howler monkeys heckle you from the forests. At the summit, you can look into the crater lake and over towards Concepción. You’ll have a long descent to the base before heading back to the hotel for well-earned beers and a dip in the lake and pool. A shorter 2-3hr cascades hike is possible today if your legs can't face back-to-back summit hikes.
Day 10
Mombacho cloud forest and night-time lava at Masaya
Hiking
Driving
Bid farewell to Ometepe, hop back on the ferry to San Jorge and hotfoot it over to the verdant tropical forested slopes of Mombacho, your first of two bonus volcanoes today. You will be driven to the top (1345m) in a truck from where you'll hike the well-kept crater trail through dense cloud forest home to howler monkeys, sloths and the endemic Mombacho salamander, found nowhere else in the world except here. Head down the mountain for a zip-lining tour of the forest canopy, before moving on to Granada to check into your hotel and enjoy the city. One last epic volcano awaits this evening at Masaya, known as the 'Mouth of Hell' where you'll watch molten lava rumble and glow inside the crater metres away from you - an experience once sacred to the pre-Columbian Nicaraguans.
Day 11
Farewell Nicaragua
Driving
Your volcano odyssey ends as your host drives you from Granada back to Managua Airport in time for your onward flight.
Included
Guides
English-speaking, local volcano specialist guide
Accommodation
9 nights in local boutique hotels, 1 night camping
Meals
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 dinner
Transfers
A group airport transfer and everything in between
Equipment
Camping equipment for the night on El Hoyo, volcano boarding equipment and clothing
Permits
All permits and entry fees
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Some meals as described
Visas where required
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 8 – Day 9
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 10
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 11
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfast is either a light and simple option of toast, cereal, juice and tea or coffee, or the Nicaraguan breakfast - a more substantial option to fuel the hikes, which tends to include Gallo Pinto (rice and beans), tortilla, scrambled eggs and plantain.
Included lunches on hike days will be picnic style with sandwiches, fruit and snacks. On the days where lunch isn't provided, you'll have time to browse and choose your own lunch while out and about in places such as San Jacinto, León and Granada.
Most dinners are not included on this trip, giving you the chance to explore the plentiful and very affordable eating options in León. Scope out traditional food such as at the streetside fritangas selling home-style Nicaraguan food with big portions of grilled meats, plantain, fried cheese, tortillas and rice dishes. Perfect fuel for your hikes. On Ometepe, the Hotel Villa Paraiso has a well-regarded lakeside terrace restaurant for dinner time, or you can explore the other options nearby in the Santo Domingo beach area.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form. Bear in mind that vegetarian and vegan options in Central America can be limited, meaning less variety of ingredients.
What is the accommodation like?
León
Your main base for the trip is in the buzzy, artsy and intensely political city of León - a vibrant place decorated with revolutionary street art and home to salsa schools, colonial-era architecture, restaurants, bars, streetside fritanga food stalls and the finest rum distillery in Nicaragua - Flor de Cana.
You'll spend your time in León staying at the Hotel Real, located in the city's baroque centre. This small hotel has a colonial ambience, and its roof terrace has amazing views of the historic town centre and volcanic vistas. You'll stay in comfortable, air-conditioned rooms with en suite bathrooms on a twin-share basis.
Camping on El Hoyo Volcano
On Day 4 you'll hike to El Hoyo volcano, where your camp for the night will be set up at a campground on the volcano itself. Sleeping here is a spectacular experience, bunking down beneath a volcanic crater with views of neighbouring volcanos (and even as far as the Pacific Ocean on clear days). Sunsets and stargazing are excellent here. You'll stay in twin-share tents.
Ometepe Island
During your time on Ometepe Island, you'll stay at Hotel Charco Verde. The Charco Verde or 'green lagoon' natural reserve is on one of Ometepe's most beautiful beaches, and the hotel is surrounded by lush vegetation, native bird species, and howler monkeys. You'll stay in cabins in twin-share rooms, with air-conditioning and en suite bathrooms.
Granada
Your final night of the trip is spent at Hotel Patio del Malinche, a boutique accommodation just a few blocks from Central Park and with spectacular views of Mombacho Volcano, which you stood on top of earlier in the trip. There are 20 comfortable rooms within this lovingly renovated Spanish-colonial house, each with direct access to the terrace, garden and swimming pool. You'll stay in twin-share rooms.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, Managua
Midday on Day 1
Ends
Augusto C. Sandino International Airport, Managua
Morning of Day 11
Transfers
1 x group arrival transfer is provided on Day 1 from Managua Airport (Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport MGA) to León (approx 1.5 hours journey), at a set time. The approximate departure time for this group transfer is 14:00 hrs so you should book a flight that arrives into Managua before this time. Your host will confirm the exact transfer time with you - it is possible for this group transfer to be moved a bit later by the host, for example, if a majority of arrivals are on later flight schedules. For flights arriving later (or earlier and you do not want to wait), a private transfer will have to be taken which involves an additional cost - your host is able to arrange this for you.
1 x group departure transfer is provided on Day 11 from Granada to Managua Airport. The approximate departure time from Grenada for this group transfer is 09:00 hrs. It is recommended that you book a flight that departs in the afternoon from around 2pm onwards. For flights departing earlier in the day, a private transfer will have to be taken which involves an additional cost - your host is able to arrange this for you.
Travel options
There are frequent flights to Augusto Cesar Sandino International Airport (MGA) from major airports across the UK, Europe and US. Flights between Managua and UK/Europe often transit in Miami.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Camping gear for the night at El Hoya (tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag)
- Volcano board, jump suit and goggles for Cerro Negro
- Reusable water bottle
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or rucksack
- Daypack (20+ litres)
- Waterproof liner for kitbag or rucksack / drybags
CLOTHES
- Light waterproof jacket
- Light waterproof trousers
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Buff or neckscarf
- Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts
- T-shirts
- Underwear and socks
- Swimwear
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Something to sleep in
- Hiking boots (worn-in)
- Sandals
SLEEPING
- Cotton or silk sleeping bag liner
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Insect repellent
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Headtorch or torch
- Reusable water bottle (x1 litre)
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks
- Water purification tablets/treatment system
Single room in León
Payable Before Departure
Single room in León
… Per Night
Twin/Double room in León
Payable Before Departure
Twin/Double room in León
… Per Night
Single room in Granada
Payable Before Departure
Single room in Granada
… Per Night
Twin/Double room in Granada
Payable Before Departure
Twin/Double room in Granada
… Per Night
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room & Tent Upgrade
…
Car (1-2 people) Managua Airport to León
Payable Before Departure
Car (1-2 people) Managua Airport to León
…
Minivan (3-5 people) Managua Airport to León
Payable Before Departure
Minivan (3-5 people) Managua Airport to León
…
Car (1-2 people) Granada to Managua Airport
Payable Before Departure
Car (1-2 people) Granada to Managua Airport
…
Minivan (3-5 people) Granada to Managua Airport
Payable Before Departure
Minivan (3-5 people) Granada to Managua Airport
…
Unforgettable experience!
It was full-on, challenging, and rewarding - exactly what you want from a volcano adventure.
Too many highlights to reel off - climbing the highest peaks in Nicaragua in all weather, volcano boarding, swimming in volcanic craters, upside down ziplining through the forest canopy, camping and waking up to the most breathtaking views imaginable. Even managed to sneak in an afternoon to Las Penitas beach (thanks to Luis for facilitating our extra excursion!)
Luis and the team on the ground were amazing - so passionate and knowledgeable, really bringing the hikes to life. Luis went over and above, from helping us sort laundry to getting my hiking shoes fixed. Wouldn't have been the same without him.
Flag that there are a few costed extras that arose on the trip which should really be incorporated into the cost in future and watch out for the infamous breakfast sandwich!
Completely incredible experience, with amazing people!
Hi there, thanks to you
Hi there, thanks to you and Team for a very enjoyable adventure. Your local guide Luis was outstanding and extremely helpful. I regret I was not able to summit any of the tough volcanos (4). I did not spend sufficient time building up my thigh strength even though I was aerobicly fit....I very much enjoyed; boarding down the slope, zip line and swimning in the Pacific and the the lake.I was 32 years older than the oldest and 38 years older than the youngest.... However, they all treated me like a legend. I did know one of the participants having met her on a trekking trip in Bhutan in October 2022. The only thing I would complain about was our requirement to buy our own water. I have been on at least 9 Treks and this is the first time we have had to buy our own water. The drivers were all very professional as were the local guides. All the hotels were very comfortable. Well done!!! Trevor
Everyday is outstanding!
The content of the adventure is absolutely exceptional. I have been home a week and I still can’t process all the incredible experiences. Every volcano varies so much, so you feel each summit really is your first. The trip delivered more than I expected, we had a great guide always smiling and full of enthusiasm. Sunrises, sunsets, lava, steaming sulphur craters, volcano boarding, kayaking, zip lining, sleeping on the side of a volcano, swimming in a crater…you really can’t ask for more but somehow the trip manages it.
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE
Absolutely loved this experience and it was worth every penny, the views were surreal, the volcanos were challenging and all very different so you never got bored, our guide Luis was exceptional so if you get him on your trip your very fortunate, there were a few niggles that MBA need to improve on and I’m sure they will but this was only the 2nd trip so understandable but over all 5 STARS and highly recommended
Good times in Nicaragua
If grinding your way up to summits of volcanoes is on your list, there’s lots of it in Nicaragua. From wildlife to jungle, wind, rain, cloud, lagoons and endless scree, the ascents of San Cristobal, Concepcion and Maderas will throw everything at you that can be experienced on a hike. It’s worth the effort.
When you give your hiking boots a rest, kayaking in Lake Nicaragua is a terrific experience at sunset, while zip-lining through the trees of Mombacho is a sheer adrenaline rush. There is such a wide variety of activities you will be left wishing there were more hours in the day (and more time to sleep!)
The colour, culture and architecture of León, Granada and Ometepe was consistently impressive. My highlight of the trip was the final hike up Maderas, a glorious muddy grind to the summit where a mystic lagoon awaits. I’ve never experienced such a thing before.
Our guide, Louis was outstanding and worked very hard to keep us happy. Our entire group appreciated his efforts.
Finally, I thought our group got along well. Lots of laughs and fulfillment. I was happy to get to know everyone and would hike with any of them again. It was a good time and a great challenge. Give it a go!
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 196kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
You'll need a good level of fitness for enjoyment of this trip. You'll be scaling seven volcanoes in ten days and some of the ascents are steep, over rough terrain in hot humid conditions. You'll need to be happy hiking for several hours a day on steep gradients. You won't however need any technical ability or mountain climbing experience. The hiking durations on the trip page are estimates only and depend on the pace, group fitness and weather conditions.
On some days you'll need to carry additional water supplies and some camping gear. To help you recover from some of the bigger summit days, we have built in some downtime during the trip in León, Ometepe and Granada, plus there are plenty of swim possibilities at the hotels in León and Ometepe, in volcanic lagoons and in Lake Nicaragua to help you cool off and soak your limbs ahead of the next leg of the challenge.
You'll only need to carry a day pack for each hike, with around 2-3 litres of water. Your main pack can be left behind at the hotels in León, Playa Santo Domingo on Ometepe, and Granada, and will be transferred in between each of your bases. On the overnight camping days (Days 4 and 5) you'll have to carry camping equipment including tents - this weight is spread throughout the group as fairly as possible. There are no porters to carry this equipment.
Nicaragua has 40 volcanoes, 19 of which are active. The active volcanoes you will encounter on this trip (with the most recent eruption in brackets) are San Cristóbal (2004), Telica (2004), Cerro Negro (1999), Momotombo (1905), Masaya (2003) and Concepción (1986). El Hoyo, Maderas and Mombacho are dormant. Volcanoes are an integral part of Nicaragua's history and modern-day identity, and your volcano specialist guide will fill you in on all manner of knowledge alongside their expertise at navigating the hikes and scaling the summits.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline per person:
Guides: 5–10 USD per day
Tour driver: 2-5 USD per day
Restaurant staff: 10% of your bill
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap in Nicaragua. Bottled water can be found, however, please bring a personal refillable water bottle that you can fill at each of your hotels from a purified water supply. Your host includes a reusable water bottle within the trip price, but we suggest you also bring your own extra as the hiking can take place in hot conditions so plenty of water is always a good thing. The host recommends that each person carries 2-3 litres of water per day.
Nicaragua is located just above the Equator and has a tropical climate. The country has two seasons: the rainy (or green) season lasts from May to mid-November - this does not mean continuous rain, but there can be some heavy rain for an hour or two, mostly in the late afternoon or at night. The dry season is November-April. Average temperatures year-round are between 21-31°C / 70-81°F - the months of March-May are the hottest, rising to average highs of 35°C / 95°F.
Yes, you can leave your main luggage in the hotels in León, Ometepe and Granada while you head off for the various volcano trekking days.
We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.
TRIP DEPARTURE DATES
Go private and split the bill with ease.
No longer on sale
