Home to more than 12 colonial period churches, including Central America's largest church, and Nicaragua's greatest passion, poetry, León is also the cradle of Nicaragua's 20th century revolutionary movement. Granada is one of Latin America's most beautiful colonial cities. This ancient town on the shores of mighty Lake Nicaragua is full of history and Spanish colonial charm and is one of the oldest European settlements in the western hemisphere full of old pirate tales. Los Pueblos de la Meseta is a series of tiny villages that was once the ancient center of the great Chorotega Indian empire that for centuries stretched from Costa Rica to Honduras. These old Indian settlements are home to some of Central America's most skilled artisans. Nicaragua's northern mountains have been the site of many rebellions against colonial, post-colonial and 20th century rulers. The region is also home to Nicaragua's most important crop coffee, fine hand rolled cigars and an ancient method of gold mining. This cultural tour program gives the visitor an in-depth look at the beauty and history of León, Granada, Los Pueblos and the Northern Mountains with the aid of an expert English speaking guide.

Culture and History Tour Itinerary

DAY 01: MANAGUA
Transfer to Hotel Europeo in Managua's gallery district for lodging. Culture and history tour of Managua for early arrivals.
DAY 02: CIUDAD DARIO - MATAGALPA - SELVA NEGRA
Transfer north along the eastern shores of Lake Managua to the quiet cowboy village of Darío, birthplace of Nicaragua's supreme hero of the same name. Continue north into the green mountains for the Cordillera Dariense and the coffee capitol of Matagalpa. This city was the site much interesting political history. Transfer to the lush forest of Selva Negra Mountain Resort for lodging in private cabin.
DAY 03: SELVA NEGRA
Coffee tour of the farm at Selva Negra. This completely sustainable coffee hacienda has made groundbreaking use of recycling and grows a fine altitude shade bean. Lodging at Selva Negra Mountain Resort in private cabin.
DAY 04: ESTELI - MINA LA INDIA - LEON
Transfer into the adjacent mountains for the Cordillera Isabella and the highland valley of Estelí, home to Central America's finest handmade cigars. Visit to local producer to see how the tobacco is fermented and rolled. Transfer through the rustic mining region that descends along the Río Grande with a stop to visit with artisan gold miners who eek out a meager living with a centuries old mining technique. Transfer through the active Maribios Volcano Range to colonial León for lodging in the historic center at Hotel Austria.
DAY 05: LEON - LEON VIEJO - GRANADA
Breakfast at hotel and morning walking tour of Nicaragua's intellectual and artistic capital colonial León, with visits to the world famous poet Rubén Darío's house, a colonial home art gallery, some of the city's colonial period churches. Transfer south to the original location of León founded in 1524 at the UNESCO World Heritage site of León Viejo. Explanation of the ruins and the tragic history of this city that would shape Nicaragua's political future. Transfer further south to Central America's oldest European settlement, early 16th century Granada. Tour of lake front Granada's colonial beauty, history and art. Lodging on historic central park at Hotel Alhambra.
DAY 06: GRANADA - LOS PUEBLOS - MASAYA MARKET - GRANADA
Breakfast at hotel and transfer to the ancient highland villages of "La Meseta", for visits to the indigenous artisan's workshops of Catarina, San Juan de Oriente and Masatepe. All these precious towns have colonial period houses and churches and a hardworking, native population. After the highland villages, transfer to the historic city of Masaya. Masaya has been populated for more than 3,000 years. The principle item made in town is hammocks, which are considered my many the world's finest. Masaya's friendly population has restored their 19th century outdoor indigenous market for the sale of their hand made goods and those of all of Nicaragua. Return to Granada and Hotel Alhambra.
DAY 07: GRANADA - MANAGUA
Breakfast at Hotel and transfer to Managua.

Culture and History Tour includes:

• All transfers in private vehicle with a/c and driver
• Full time assistance of an English speaking guide
• Breakfasts
• 1 night lodging at the Hotel Europeo in Managua
• 2 nights lodging at the Selva Negra Mountain Resort
• 1 night lodging at the Hotel Austria in León
• 2 nights lodging at the Hotel Alhambra in Granada
• Culture and history tours of Matagalpa, Ciudad Darío, Estelí, León, Masaya & Los Pueblos and Granada
• All museum and park admissions

All tours are private and can begin any day of the year.

Tour costs depend on the number of travelers in your party; please specify number when requesting a quote. Hotels described in itinerary are standard, optional upgrades available at some locales. Please see below for hotel descriptions relevant to this itinerary. Custom tour itineraries are available upon request.
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Tour does not include: Drinks, lunch or dinner. International flights or airport taxes. Travel insurance, tips, visas, or medical treatment.
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MANAGUA - STANDARD

Hotel Europeo, located in Managua's quiet gallery district, within one block of two of Managua's finest modern art galleries and minutes from both the old and new centers of Managua. This quiet personal hotel is part of a European non-profit organization. The hotel has charming rooms with telephone, private bath, hot water, A/C and cable TV. The lobby has free Internet service and meals are served in the garden area next to a swimming pool.

MANAGUA - UPGRADES

Hotel Los Robles, located near the new center of Managua, just two blocks from many fine restaurants and bars, 5 minutes from the new cathedral and 35 minutes from the international airport. This is Managua's most stylish bed and breakfast style hotel with a good location and personal, efficient service. 14 rooms high quality rooms, private bath with hot water, A/C, telephone, cable TV, safe deposit box and cellular telephone. The beautifully decorated rooms are set around a quiet interior garden. This is a classy little hotel, Managua's best bed and breakfast.

Hotel Seminole Plaza, located near the new center of Managua, next to many fine restaurants and bars, just 5 blocks from the new cathedral and 30 minutes from the international airport. This is Nicaragua's newest 4-star hotel and it is in a great location with friendly and efficient service. 84 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, internet links in room, swimming pool, restaurant and all the amenities of an international 4 star. Managua's best located hotel.

Hotel Intercontinental Metrocentro, located in the new center of Managua, next to the country's biggest shopping center and two blocks from the new cathedral and 20 minutes from the international airport. This is Nicaragua's newest 5-star hotel and it is in a great location with friendly and efficient service. 157 top quality rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool, restaurant, gym, and all the amenities of an international 5 star. Managua's finest hotel.

LEON - STANDARD

Hotel Austria, located one block from the cathedral and central park, this is one of the best-run hotels in Nicaragua with a very warm, efficient and attentive service. Owned and operated by an Austrian Nicaraguan family, rooms are decorated with solid wood furnishings and are super clean. The hotel restaurant offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. 17 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, safe box. León's best located, best run 3-star hotel.

LEON - UPGRADE

Hotel El Convento, connected to the historical San Francisco church two blocks from the cathedral and central park, this could be Nicaragua's most beautiful hotel. A ground-up restoration of the 17th century Convent of San Francisco, this charming hotel has 31 quality rooms around a gorgeous traditional interior garden and is decorated with antiques made in Nicaragua and Peru (made from imported Nicaraguan wood). The rooms all have A/C, private bath with hot water, cable TV and direct phones. The hotel has two restaurants both with view of the garden and features homemade ice cream from Nicaragua's tropical fruits. León's best hotel.

GRANADA - STANDARD

Hotel Alhambra, located on central park, facing the cathedral with a great balcony for watching the life of Granada and dinning or enjoying a drink. This hotel owned and operated by one of the city's oldest families. A landmark in Granada and convenient to all attractions with a friendly staff. The interior of the hotel has an open-air garden and is smartly decorated with antiques and Nicaraguan art. 56 rooms, private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. Restaurant (not owned or operated by hotel) offer breakfast, lunch and dinner and is best enjoyed on its long veranda that looks out on Central Park, great for people watching. Granada's best 3 star hotel.

GRANADA - UPGRADES

Hotel Colonial, located a half-block from central park, this 27 room hotel is a ground-up restoration of a classic colonial home. The hotel has a great deal of charm with many colonial Nicaraguan touches. The hotel's high quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art and use four-post beds. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. The hotel restaurant is for breakfast only. This is very comfortable and charming hotel, one of Granada's two best.

Hotel La Gran Francia, located just off central park, this 15 room hotel is a ground-up restoration of a classic colonial home. The hotel has a great deal of charm with many colonial Nicaraguan touches. We feature the hotel's Jr. suites which all have big wooden colonial doors that open out onto balconies with a view to the Cathedral. These top quality rooms are decorated with traditional Nicaraguan art. Each room has private bath, A/C, telephone, cable TV, swimming pool. The hotel restaurant is located across the street and is one of Granada's finest. This is very comfortable and charming hotel, one of Granada's two best.

MATAGALPA, CORDILLERA DARIENSE

Selva Negra Mountain Resort, located in the mountains above the city of Matagalpa on a sprawling gourmet coffee hacienda and private cloud forest reserve. Owned by grandchildren of German immigrants, this precious property is Spanish for Black Forest. The coffee hacienda grows 100% organic shade coffee and could be the most ecologically responsible in Central America. The Selva Negra hotel restaurant sits in front of a mountain pond wrapped in cloud forest. Selva Negra's private cabins of the hotel are also set in the forest with lush gardens and flowers growing out of the cottages' Bavarian style roofs. Each cabin has a living room with cable TV and a bedroom and private bath with hot water. The cloud forest reserve has 14 trails that are crossed by howler monkeys, the quetzal and wild cats among many other species. The best cloud forest lodge in Nicaragua.

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