Description:
A boating safari that travels from Central America's grandest lake, Lake Nicaragua to the Caribbean Sea via the historic San Juan River. Visits all along the journey to the Indio-Maiz Biological Reserve, Central America's largest lowland rain forest reserve.
Activites:
Cultural Exploration, Boating
Itinerary:
Day 1: Managua
Airport greeting and transfer to the five star Hotel Metrocentro Intercontinental. Trip briefing.
Day 2: Managua / San Carlos / San Juan River / El Castillo / Bartola River
Breakfast and transfer to airport for domestic flight to the jungle capital of San Carlos, transfer to dock to board private boat. Magnificent journey down the mighty Río San Juan with wildlife viewing. Lunch en route. Visit to the colonial Spanish fort at El Castillo. Transfer further down river to the confluence of the Bartola River and the San Juan River. Dinner and lodging at Refugio Bartola Lodge and Research Station.
Day 3: Bartola River / San Juan River / Caribbean Sea / Bay Of San Juan
Breakfast at the lodge and early boat departure for the great journey down the Río San Juan. This part of the river is full of turtles, caimans and crocodiles as well as monkeys. Rest at the Sarapiquí River for a snack and continue down the Rio San Juan to its spectacular finish at the Caribbean Sea. Visit to the famous sand bar where many a ship crew lost their lives in colonial times, including one from the final expedition of Christopher Columbus. Lodging on the spectacular rain forest bay of San Juan at the luxury wilderness Rio Indio Lodge. Lunch and dinner at the lodge.
Day 4: Greytown / Bay Of San Juan
Visit to the old British ghost town called Greytown, which is now covered in tropical forest and located in the giant San Juan Bay. The old settlement described by Mark Twain is great for birding and is historically fascinating. Hiking near the lodge on several rain forest trails with monkey, sloth and many rare birds. All meals and lodging at Rio Indio Lodge.
Day 5: Indio River / Bay of San Juan
Early breakfast and departure up the virgin Indio River for exploration in boat, into the east side of the Indio Maiz Reserve. Full day boat tour to explore this untamed paradise of rain forest flora and fauna. The Río Indio is like no other in Central America with kilometer after kilometer of thick forest filled with wildlife. This kind of untouched tropical splendor can not be found anywhere else north of the Amazon. All meals and lodging at the Rio Indio Lodge.
Day 6: Bay Of San Juan / Bartola
Breakfast and private boat transfer to Rio Bartola for lunch and dinner and lodging.
Day 7: Bartola / San Carlos / Masaya / Managua
Private boat transfer to San Carlos and domestic flight to Managua. Airport greeting and transfer to check in to the Metrocentro Intercontinental Hotel. Afternoon visit to the famous native crafts market in Masaya for shopping. Special farewell dinner.
Day 8: Managua
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to international airport for flight home.