Few countries can boast such a striking contrast of essential societal identities as Nicaragua. The cliché of the "poet-warrior" is very much a truth in Nicaragua's distant and not too distant history. This is a journey through a country of paradoxes, of the heartbreaking destruction of verse and the subtle rhymes of war. Revolutionary Nicaragua is a political history tour that examines the beautiful and tragic history of Nicaragua with visits to numerous off the beaten path parts of the country, many of which few outsiders have been privilege too. This in-depth look at Nicaragua's politics includes many first hand accounts of the country's troubled years. Nicaragua's famous battles will be retraced and examined. The critical victory against William Walker's mid-19th century North American mercenary army, General Augusto Sandino's guerilla battles against the occupying US Marines in the early 1900's, the Sandinista rebels' urban and rural uprising against the Somoza family dynasty in the 1970's and the notorious Contra War against the Marxist Sandinista government of the 1980's. We will listen to how the Nicaraguans view their fascinating past, present and future. Some of their life stories are more tragic-comic than any classic novel. Join us for a trip into the gray area of ideological truths, where good and bad guys are often indistinguishable, or one in the same. Revolutionary Nicaragua unveils a land of stunningly beautiful landscapes and people and a country where irony is as common and bittersweet as a green mango.

Political History Tour Itinerary

DAY 01: MANAGUA
Airport greeting and transfer to Hotel Los Robles in Managua.
DAY 02: MANAGUA - CIUDAD DARIO - MATAGALPA
Morning transfer north along the eastern shores of Lake Managua into the heart of the coffee growing northern mountains Matagalpa. Three visits in route, first at the San Jacinto Ranch, site of an historic battle between the North American mercenary army of William Walker and Nicaraguan rebel troops, then in Ciudad Darío at the birthplace of the immortal Nicaraguan poet Rubén Darío and lastly at the birth place of Sandinista ideologue Carlos Fonseca in Matagalpa, the home to anti-government rebellions for more than 2 centuries. Lodging at the sustainable coffee hacienda of Selva Negra above Matagalpa.
DAY 03: MATAGALPA - SAN RAFAEL NORTE - JINOTEGA
Transfer further north into the mountains and the former base of rebel General Augusto Sandino where he directed attacks on the US Marines and met and married his wife. Visit to the Sandino Museum in San Rafael, the tomb of his wife and the church with the famous Daniel Ortega "devil fresco". Afternoon visit with a blind musical group to meet and listen to the authors of the famous revolutionary song Flor de Pino in their humble mountain settlement. Return to Jinotega for lodging at Hotel Café.
DAY 04: JINOTEGA - PANTASMA - QUILALÍ
Transfer along the shores of Lake Apanás and down into the hidden highland valley of Santa María de Pantasma. This area was one of the most heavily fought regions during the contra war and many unique stories can be heard from its populace. Continue north to the Río Coco, which we cross in 4x4 and continue to Quilalí, ground zero for the contra war, scene of fighting in the revolution against Somoza and landing strip for the US Marines in their fight to exterminate with aerial bombing the resistance of Augusto Sandino's rebel bands. Lodging in Quilalí at the very simple rural village lodge of Hotel Jackson.
DAY 05: QUILALÍ - CIUDAD ANTIGUA - OCOTAL
Transfer through the rugged and stunningly beautiful mountains of Quilalí to the ancient settlement of Ciudad Antigua. Another hotspot during the contra war, the little village has ancient residents who once knew General Sandino and others who blame their current state of poverty of British pirates that attacked the village more than 300 years ago. The church of Antigua is a national monument and a visit to the bat-ridden colonial museum is a must. Continue through the highlands to the provincial capitol of Ocotál for lodging at Hotel Frontera with a visit to the sleepy indigenous village of Mozonte in route.
DAY 06: OCOTAL - SOMOTO
Transfer further north into the seldom seen highlands of Somoto with a stop in the red clay village of Totogalpa to learn about local legends. The quiet village of Somoto is the birthplace of Nicaragua's most famous revolutionary folk singers the Mejia Godoy brothers and also home to the most delicious corn rosquillas in Nicaragua, a traditional biscuit that goes great with fresh brewed Nicaragua coffee. Lodging at Hotel Colonial in Somoto.
DAY 07: SOMOTO - CONDEGA - ESTELÍ
Transfer south on the Pan-American Highway to the proudly Sandinista village of Condega. Visit the artisans of an all woman ceramic cooperative and the workshop of a guitar maker. Condega also proudly displays a Somoza-era warplane shot down by Sandinista rebels which is now a hill-top monument. Continue through the cigar tobacco growing region of Condega to Estelí, home of mainland America's finest cigars and site of terrible battles during the revolution against Somoza. This very Sandinista town is the head of the province and home to many Cuban exiles who have taken their cigar skills to Estelí. Lodging at the Hotel Los Arcos in Estelí.
DAY 08: ESTELÍ - MINA LA INDIA - LEÓN
Transfer south and then west descending from the northern mountains to the Pacific basin through the rugged area of El Jicaral on the only paved road that connects the northern mountains to the seaport of Corinto, the deep-water port that was mined by the CIA in the 1980's. A stop in route to León at the tiny village of Mina La India were a handful of artisan gold prospectors or "guiriseros" still extract gold from the surrounding hillsides in a manner that has been used for centuries. Meeting with some of the miners to learn how they work. Transfer through the heart of Maribios Volcano Range, with a stop at the village of San Jacinto to see the volcanic activity there, finishing in the lively colonial city of León. Lodging at the Hotel El Convento in León's historic center.
DAY 09: LEÓN
Full day tour of colonial León, the city where Nicaragua's passions for liberty and poetry have been in full force for more than a century and one of the hardest fought battles of the revolution of 1979. León's colonial period churches, including Central America's largest cathedral and wall murals make a beautiful backdrop to this examination of Nicaragua's poetry and revolutionary history. Meeting with a veteran from the war of 1979, visit to the home of Nicaragua's two greatest poets Rubén Darío and Alfonso Cortés. Lodging at the Hotel El Convento.
DAY 10: LEÓN - LEÓN VIEJO - GRANADA
Transfer south to the shores of Lake Managua at the base of the smoking Momotombo Volcano to visit the UNESCO World Patrimony site of León Viejo. The original site of León was abandoned in 1609 after years of colonial government corruption and volcanic eruptions and not rediscovered until 1967. Today it is a park and archeological site and the perfect place to examine Nicaragua's troubled beginnings as a Spanish colonial province. Transfer to colonial Granada for lodging at the Hotel Plaza Colón on historic central park in Granada.
DAY 11: GRANADA
Morning tour of historic Granada, founded in 1524, with visits to principle sites of historical significance like the San Francisco Convent, once a garrison for the occupying army of North American William Walker in the 1850's, then a base for the US Marines during their occupation, the convent is an indigenous art museum today. Other visits to trace the history of William Walker who proclaimed himself president of Nicaragua in Granada in 1856, in an attempt to annex Nicaragua to the United States, before being defeated by combined Central American forces. Afternoon at leisure. Lodging at the Hotel Plaza Colón.
DAY 12: GRANADA - MASAYA - LOS PUEBLOS - GRANADA
Visit to the highland colonial villages known as Los Pueblos de la Meseta, built by the Spanish on indigenous settlements that date back to at least 800 A.D. The villages are famous for their artisans that use a variety of materials and mediums. Visits with artisans and transfer to Masaya and the indigenous barrio of Monimbó. This barrio was the place of a spontaneous rebellion against Somoza's National Guard in 1978 that inspired the nation and where brother of ex-President Daniel Ortega, Camilo Ortega lost his life trying to cross into rebel held territory. Monimbó's proudly independent residents keep many rich indigenous traditions alive and are perhaps the most skilled artisans in all of Central America. With the exception of the spectacular textiles of Guatemala, most of the region's "native" crafts are made in Monimbó, Masaya. Visit to Monimbó and the 19th century artisan's market of Masaya destroyed by National Guard shelling in 1979 and reopened in 1997. Return to Granada and the Hotel Plaza Colón.
DAY 13: GRANADA - MANAGUA
Transfer to Managua for lodging at Hotel Los Robles. Visit to some of Managua's modern art galleries for a taste of current trends in art and their relation to revolutionary ideals and trials. Meeting with a Sandinista artist or political figure in Managua.
DAY 14: MANAGUA
Transfer to airport for flight home.

Political History tour includes:

• All transfers and tours in private 4x4 with professional driver
• Full time assistance of an English speaking guide
• 2 nights lodging at Hotel Los Robles in Managua
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Selva Negra in Matagalpa
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Café in Jinotega
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Jackson in Quilalí
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Frontera in Ocotal
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Colonial in Somoto
• 1 night lodging at Hotel Los Arcos in Estelí
• 2 nights lodging at Hotel El Convento in León
• 3 nights lodging at Hotel Plaza Colón in Granada
• All breakfasts
• 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.

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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