Terra Incognita ECOTOURS promotes unique ecotours and travel experiences that make a difference to you and the places we visit. Visit unknown areas, in search of wildlife and adventure. Gorilla/chimp treks, horseback riding, white water rafting, safari camps, eco-lodges and more, supporting community-based ecotourism.

Rooftop tour of Leon Cathedral, Nicaragua ecotour

Nicaragua: Colonial Cities, Volcanoes, Sea Turtles and so much more.
8 days and 7 nights

Nicaragua is the hot, new destination - safe and friendly - Nicaragua is being called the "next Costa Rica." This tour combines culture and nature, and Nicaragua has plenty of both! Importantly, Nicaragua has enjoyed fifteen years of peace and stability, since the free and democratic elections of 1990, and democracy has been the norm for over 15 years now. Nicaragua is the largest country in Central America, still has large areas of forest and plentiful wildlife, indeed, Nicaragua devotes over 18 percent of its land area to Parks and Reserves.

During our tour we visit the colonial cities of Leon and Granada, two of the oldest Colonial cities in Latin America, where we stay at El Convento Hotel and La Gran Francia Hotel, respectively. These two beautifully restored and elegant hotels are among the best in the country. We visit the Masaya Volcano, perhaps the World's only drive-up volcano, where you can drive right to the edge of the active crater! We visit colorful local markets, take a cruise on Lake Nicaragua and meet some of the friendliest people in Central America. The tour ends at the exquisite Morgan's Rock Ecolodge, located on a forested hillside above a Sea Turtle nesting beach, this is the ultimate Eco-experience, with Howler monkeys calling outside your cabana.

Group size is restricted to 16 individuals.
Departure dates any week - you choose the dates!
Cost per person is from $2,399 (£1,175) - single supplement is $500 (£265)

For each participant a donation will be made to the "Refugio Vida Silvestre Playa La Flor." This one beach receives over 30,000 nesting Olive Ridley Sea Turtles between July and December each year, coming ashore in massive "arribadas" (literally means arrival).

This is an Ecotour that will make a difference to you, and to the areas we visit.
We will make a contribution to "Refugio Vida Silvestre Playa La Flor" to protect nesting Sea Turtles.
We will employ local people.
We will use locally owned and operated lodges and outfitters.
We will use local goods and services.

Day 1: Sunday. Home to Managua
We will be met at the International Airport in Managua, and drive the 50 miles to the Colonial city of Leon, where we will be staying in a beautifully restored former convent, two blocks from the main square, now known as El Convento Hotel. Welcome cocktails and dinner at Hotel this evening.
Overnight at El Convento (D)

Day 2: Monday. Leon
City walking tour this am. Leon is the intellectual capital of Nicaragua and the home of the popular uprising of the Sandanista movement. We will make a visit to the University (oldest in Nicaragua) and also the Cathedral, where we have an exclusive rooftop tour that provides a tremendous vantagepoint for viewing the city and surrounding landscape. Then we will have chance for coffee and drinks in El Sesteo restaurant on edge of Main Square, a great place to people-watch! Lunch is back at the Hotel and late this afternoon we visit the remarkable Ortiz-Gurdian Foundation art-gallery close to the Hotel, which has an amazing collection of Latin American artists as well as some European masters.
Overnight at El Convento (B,L,D)

Day 3: Tuesday. Leon to Granada
Depart for Granada via Managua, where we shall take a short driving tour of the modern Capital of Managua and enjoy lunch in one of the many fine restaurants here in the Capital. Continue to Granada and a late afternoon walking tour of Granada, which is considered the oldest Colonial City in Nicaragua and the home of the Contra movement, and presents a surprising contrast to Leon.
Overnight at La Gran Francia (B,L,D)

Day 4: Wednesday. Granada
Today we have a leisurely morning to explore the city center and main square. Late in the morning we depart for a cruise of Las Isletas on Lake Nicaragua and lunch on one of the private islands, as guests of an influential Nicaraguan family. After lunch we will continue our cruise around Las Isletas and Lake Nicaragua. We arrive back in time to relax around the pool before dinner.
Overnight at La Gran Francia (B,L,D)

Day 5: Thursday. Granada to Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge
Drive to the still active Masaya volcano and look down into the fiery depths of the crater. Here we can sometimes see the rare crater-nesting parrots that burrow into the crater wall for a unique nesting spot! We plan to stop for lunch at a local restaurant overlooking an old Crater Lake. After lunch we will drive towards the coast and we plan to have a short visit to Masaya marketplace before continuing to the exquisite Morgan's Rock Ecolodge, our base for the next three nights. We can take a walk along beach this evening looking for nesting Sea Turtles.
Overnight at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge (B,L,D)

Day 6: Friday. Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge
Today we can relax on the beach, lounge poolside or perhaps enjoy a visit to Rivas and pepano tour. Today we will venture a short distance inland as guests of the Maria Marta Johanning de Barrios family (the sister of Violetta Chamorro de Barrios, the first woman President and first President after the revolution) and enjoy lunch at their weekend retreat, the beautiful Hacienda Amayo. After lunch we can talk with the family about past and current political conditions in Nicaragua. Later this afternoon is free to relax at the beach and/or enjoy another turtle walk in the evening.
Overnight at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge (B,L,D)

Day 7: Saturday. Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge
Our last full day is set aside to relax, to explore the grounds of Ecolodge, to swim, explore the beach etc. You can choose to take a sunrise estuary kayaking tour, or take mountain bikes around the ecolodge property, or visit the Butterfly Farm, or take part in all these activities, as they are all included. Farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight at Morgan's Rock Hacienda and Ecolodge (B,L,D)

Day 8: Sunday. Managua and home.
Transfer to airport after breakfast this am. (B)

Nicaragua only price per person is from $2,399 (U.K.£1,175)
Group size is limited to 16 persons.
(single supplement is $500 (£265) / International Airfare is NOT included)
(B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)

Thanks for choosing Nicaragua with Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc. It is our pleasure to help you plan for your upcoming ecotour. To ensure that your travel arrangements are made to your satisfaction, please take a few minutes to read through this information.

Blue-crowned Mot-mot in Nicaragua rainforest, Nicaragua ecotour

What you need to have with you on your trip:
Passport: If you are a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you will need a passport, valid for six months from the date of completion of your trip.

It is always a good idea to make a photocopy of your airline tickets and of the pages of your passport that have the number, your photograph and other pertinent information. Keep the copies separate from the originals.

Visas: If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please consult the Nicaraguan consulate or embassy nearest you for visa requirements to enter Nicaragua. If a visa is required, you are responsible for obtaining it.

Documents for children under the age of 18, not traveling with both parents: The U.S. government is increasingly requiring that minors under 18 years of age traveling alone, with grandparents, or with one parent/legal guardian only, carry a notarized document signed by both parents or by the parent/legal guardian not traveling with the child. We suggest you obtain such a document (noting the age of the child, relationship to traveling adult(s), dates of travel, and destination) to avoid potential problems. For example, in the case of divorce, the parent with legal custody must sign the permit, and the accompanying adult must carry proof of this fact. In addition, if the child's surname differs from that of either parent, you may want to carry the child's birth certificate.

Currency: The currency of Nicaragua is the Cordoba. The exchange rate as of April 2006 was 1 US$ = 17.06. Major credit cards are generally accepted at hotels, restaurants and larger stores. U.S. dollars are accepted in Nicaragua, so we suggest you carry U.S. currency in small denominations for smaller purchases such as taxis, refreshments or other miscellaneous expenses.

Health: All information we obtain regarding health precautions is received from the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta at 404.332.4559 or www.cdc.gov.

Please note that Terra Incognita Ecotours, Inc., as a travel company, is in no way authorized to prescribe any inoculations or medications. We recommend that you consult your personal physician for medical advice, showing him or her the brochure that indicates the places you will be visiting. Your physician is most familiar with your personal medical history and is best qualified to determine your particular needs. It is always advisable to have physical and dental check-ups before you leave.

At the present time, no immunizations are required for this ecotour, although the CDC recommends that the normal "childhood" vaccines should be up to date: Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR Vaccine), Diphtheria, Tetanus, Perturssia (DTP Vaccine) and Polio vaccine.

Swimming & Snorkeling: There are several opportunities to swim during the ecotour, and you could choose to snorkel in the Pacific Ocean, although conditions are not ideal. You should bring a couple of swimsuits, and if you plan to snorkel we advise you to bring your own snorkeling gear (mask, fins, and snorkel) to ensure a comfortable fit, especially if you require prescription eyewear as prescription lenses will not be available locally.

We advocate the buddy system for everyone, at all times, and children less than 14 years of age must be accompanied by an adult while snorkeling.

Since you will have ample time to swim, for added protection from the sun you may wish to wear a T-shirt while swimming.

Time Difference: Nicaragua is one hour behind Eastern Standard Time. During U.S. Daylight Savings Time (March through October), Nicaragua is two hours behind Eastern Time.

Swimming pool at La Gran Francia Hotel in Granada, Nicaragua ecotour

Weather: Nicaragua is located in the Tropics so of course the weather on this ecotour can be expected to be warm and humid, with temperatures slightly cooler at night, indeed the average temperature for most of the country lies between 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. However in the mountains you can get much cooler temperatures, so a jacket or sweatshirt may be useful. Please remember that the sun’s rays are more vertical than you may be used to, so you can sunburn more easily. Be careful of the midday sun.

There are two seasons in Nicaragua; the wet (mid/late May to November), and the dry (December thru April). Typically in the rainy season it rains only in the afternoons and the mornings are bright and sunny. Although one can almost depend on clear, sunny weather, there are occasional unseasonable storms, and brief but intense rain showers occur regularly in the tropical rainforest regions during any season.

Your travel wardrobe should be informal, comfortable and carefree. Clothing which can be layered is the most suitable, for example, a T-shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and windbreaker or jacket. The emphasis is on casual attire.

Good binoculars and their proper use can add immeasurably to enjoying wildlife. Each traveler with Terra Incognita Ecotours should decide well before a trip begins whether the binoculars you own are adequate and, if not, what kind of binoculars should be acquired.

Nicaragua marketplace, Nicaragua ecotour

Recommendation
Binoculars are rated with two numbers, e.g. 7 x 35. The first number is the magnification and the second is the diameter of the objective (the larger ones) lenses in millimeters. The first tells how much an object is enlarged and the second number is a measure of how much light-gathering power a lens has. As the second number increases so usually does the weight of a pair of binoculars. If one divides the first number into the second, the closer the result is to 5 the better the balance between weight, magnification and resolution.

Binoculars that are rated at 7x35, 8x40 or 10x40, are among the best for wildlife viewing. Binoculars with a center focus are much preferable over ones in which you have to focus each eyepiece separately. For some, image stabilized binoculars are an asset. Now it is a matter to decide on price and style.

The following is a checklist of things to do to make sure that you have the best binoculars and know how to use them.

Binocular cups
Binoculars usually are constructed so that you can raise and lower the cups that surround the eyepieces. If you are going to wear eyeglasses when using binoculars, roll or push the cups down. This will bring the lenses of the eyepiece the proper distance from your eye. If you do not use glasses then leave the cups unrolled or the eyepiece frames elevated.

Distance between eyepieces
All binoculars can be adjusted so that the distance between the eyepieces varies. You should move the eyepieces apart as far as they go, look through the eyepieces and gradually move the eyepieces together until you see a single image.

Adjusting each lens to your eyes
Binoculars usually have two focus adjustments, one that is a center focus that moves both lenses at the same time and one, called the diopter, that adjusts only one lens, usually the right one. To adjust the lenses to your eyes look through the binoculars with your right eye closed. With the center focus wheel, focus on an object 20-40 feet away. Then, with the left eye closed, focus the eyepiece on the right eye while looking at the same object. Now using the center focus make sure you see a sharp image. Most diopters have a numerical scale so that after you have made the adjustment it can be easily reset if it is accidentally altered.

Practice
When viewing wildlife it is helpful if when you raise your binoculars that they are pointed at what you are looking at with your naked eyes. If you cannot do that consistently a little practice would be helpful. Try looking at a flying bird, without taking your eyes off it, raise your binoculars and look through them. If you see the bird immediately, good, if not, bring your binoculars down and put them back up again after re-spotting the bird. Do this enough so that you can immediately see in your binoculars what you were seeing without them.

Wearing binoculars
If the weight of binoculars around your neck is bothersome, there are two things you might consider. One is to buy a neck strap, made of a spongy material at least an inch or more wide. The second is to buy a harness that fits over the shoulders and distributes the weight more evenly.

For many of us, photography is a natural and fun part of travel. No matter what your level of interest, or what kind of equipment you use, the following may help you prepare.

Equipment: Regardless of what camera you use - film or digital - be sure to check that it is working properly before you leave home. If you purchase a new camera, or have an old one that has not been used for a long time, try shooting some pictures and examine the results. Also, be sure read your camera manual and bring it with you to help address any unexpected problems you might encounter.

Batteries: Modern cameras will not operate without a functioning battery. For this reason, please bring extra camera batteries with you, even if the one in your camera is new. For digital cameras, and many film cameras as well, rechargeable batteries are a great option. Digital cameras can use up batteries fairly quickly, depending on the camera make and model and how often you review images in-camera. Bring at least one extra rechargeable battery - or battery set. Look for chargers with a fast recharge time.

Film: How much film should you bring? Consider bringing at least twice as much film as you expect to need, as stores are few and far between. And be forewarned - enthusiastic photographers sometimes shoot up to 5 rolls per day! Film speed (ASA or ISO) is also an important consideration - the higher the ISO the faster the film, meaning the more sensitive it is to light. For most situations, 200 ISO film is a good all-around choice. You may also want to bring along a supply of 400 ISO for overcast days and low-light situations. Professional photographers generally use 100 ISO because of its fine grain (good for making big enlargements and publishing), but the slow speed requires extra care and use of a tripod.

Digital Memory Cards: Memory cards are the digital equivalent of film and, like film, they come in different types (e.g., compact flash, smart media, memory stick) and sizes (e.g., 128MB, 256MB, 512MB). Be sure you know what kind of memory card your camera requires and bring as many memory cards as needed to hold all your images from your expedition. If you are new to digital, consult your camera manual to learn the different image resolution and JPEG compression settings on your camera. This will determine how many photos will fit on your memory cards and what quality of image is required for your end use (e.g., the higher the resolution the larger the print you can make). You might consider bringing a digital storage device for downloading images from your memory cards (see below).

Digital Storage Devices: Many digital photographers travel with a laptop computer or a specific type of portable digital storage device designed for downloading images from digital cameras. A laptop has the advantage of letting you view, edit, store, and share your images while you travel and many even have a built-in CD burner for backing up your image files. Options for smaller devices that do not require a laptop include portable digital storage hard drives, some available with viewing screens, and portable CD burners that work directly from the memory card. Whatever hardware you choose be sure to learn the workflow for downloading and storing your images before leaving home.

Digital Camera Cables: One of the greatest advantages of shooting digital is the ability to review and share your daily images with others. It is important to remember to bring along the cables that will allow your camera to connect with a computer (USB), or storage device.

Tripods: Many photographers use a tripod because they help keep the camera steady in low-light situations and when using long telephoto lenses.