Nature Experience - Masaya Volcano, Catarina and Granada

Enjoy a full-day guided experience to the Catarina Viewpoint, the colonial city of Granada, and Masaya National park, featuring active volcanoes. Enjoy lunch in Granada, visit a crater lagoon, and marvel at the fantastic views of picturesque Granada, Lake Nicaragua, and the majestic twin volcanoes that form Ometepe Island.

Your full-day guided experience begins with a scenic and air-conditioned drive across the Nicaraguan countryside to the Catarina Volcanic Lagoon. Sit back and enjoy the beauty of the passing verdant landscapes as your knowledgeable guide points out areas of interest and regales you with the colorful history of this amazing and exotic country.

Your journey will start at the Catarina Viewpoint, featuring stunning views of the Apoyo Crater, which is now an enormous lagoon. Formed 23,000 years ago when hot springs filled the crater of a dormant volcano, this massive blue lagoon is home to an abundance of wildlife and features petroglyphs from indigenous cultures of long ago.

At the crater's edge, marvel at the unbelievable view of the towering Mombacho Volcano, rising up 4,409 feet. The rich eco-system here features over 50 species of mammals, 174 bird species, 90 different types of orchids, steaming fumaroles, and a rare cloud forest. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the steeples and rooftops of Granada, along with the massive Lake Nicaragua. This lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world and home to a volcano chain, hundreds of beautiful islets, and the only freshwater shark on the planet.

Your journey will continue to the active Masaya Volcano, baptized ‘the mouth of hell’ by Spanish Conquerors. This volcano was an object of veneration by indigenous peoples during the pre-Columbian age. Eruptions were believed to be signs of anger from the gods and sacrifices were made to appease them. Photo opportunities abound as you arrive at Masaya Volcano National Park, where the impressive influence of volcanic activity on the area is quite evident. Established in 1979, this national park is a marvel of nature, with two towering volcanoes, steam-spewing fumaroles, lush forests, and a crater lagoon.

Your trip will continue to the breathtaking colonial city of Granada, on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Founded in 1524 by Spanish Conquistador Hernandez de Córdoba, Granada’s historic churches and convents have withstood the test of the centuries, including invasions by English, Dutch, and French pirates.

In Granada, enjoy a delicious complimentary buffet lunch before heading back to the port.

Practical information:

• Language: English, Spanish, German, and French

• Included: Lunch

• Remarks/requirements: Appropriate light clothing and comfortable walking shoes

• Walking information: Yes. Flat terrain at all venues.

• Wheelchair accessible: No.