Golden Tours Nicaragua

Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve + Apoyo Lagoon + Masaya Volcano Lava Tour at Night

The Destination: Cities of Granada & Masaya

The Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve near Granada is just the second cloud forest in the flat regions of the Nicaraguan Pacific, the first one is Maderas Volcano in Ometepe Island. Mombacho is also the 5th highest volcano in Nicaragua, home of more than 700 species of plants, 160 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. The experience of walking through the foggy woods is invigorating and one quickly realizes the vital importance of preserving the natural heritage of the world for the generations to come after us.

Apoyo Volcanic Lagoon:

Apoyo is the largest volcanic lagoon in Central America, the Apoyo volcano was once a gigantic volcano which eruption was probably the largest in our history as a country, its conical-looking crater more than 170 meters (500+ feet) deep was filled by rainwater. Today we have a natural paradise here in the depths of this volcano. Its waters are loaded with components such as sulfur dioxide which makes it healthy for the skin and when swimming here, the body will relax and everything will be in an environment with tranquility and peace.

Masaya Volcano Lava Tour: 

The Masaya volcano is undoubtedly the most spectacular geological monument in Central America, and it’s easy access makes it something fascinating that can be explored by both natural tourists and scientists of all kinds; volcanologists, geologists, historians and anyone who wants to enjoy a wide variety of unique attractions are somehow obligated to come to this paradise. 

This is a shield-shaped volcano which has allowed the authorities to build a paved road to the main crater and its very well-defined paths will take us to specific points where the human eye will delight.

The Tour:

Our adventure will begin at 8 in the morning, after a succulent Nicaragüan breakfast, we’ll be picked up at the hotel to be taken to the base of the Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. Here we’ll switch our vehicle and take a 4×4 which will take us from the base to 1150 masl (3700 fts).

The drive up is more than fun on a path whose inclination in some areas reaches almost 45 degrees, as we go up, the weather will automatically cover us. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled to see not only the beautiful views but also wildlife in the tree canopy, especially howler monkeys, birds of all colors.

Our walk here will be in the cloud forest, the second in the Pacific of Nicaragua; A 1.5 kilometer trail around a crater that was formed by an implosion hundreds of years ago will take us to dazzling viewpoints. This path is covered with dense vegetation composed mostly of epiphyte plants such as bromeliads, orchids, lichens, mosses, vines, etc.; The job of this vegetation is to capture the wind loaded with humidity which comes from Lake Nicaragua and convert it into rain which means, no matter if it’s rainy or dry season, Mombacho will always form its own rain. 

Our experienced tour guide, in addition to showing us medicinal plants and helping us look for beautiful species such as sloths, monkeys, frogs, birds, etc.; It will also take us to a viewpoint where, if we are lucky, we will be able to have an exuberant view of: Las Isletas de Granada, City of Granada, Lake Cocibolca, Laguna de Apoyo and Masaya Volcano.

Once this walking tour is finished, we go down to the base in the same transport that we went up. Once at the base of Mombacho, it will be around 12pm, we drive about 30 minutes to get to the base of Apoyo Lagoon for our relaxation time at Laguna de Apoyo before continuing to Masaya Volcano at night. 

When arriving at the lagoon, we will be a little tired, hungry and sweaty, so it’s time for us to relax in its cool waters where we can swim, kayaking or simply lie down in a hammock and have a nap or chill out sitting by the shore with a beer, a margarita or a macuá (local smoothie with rum) in our hands while we wait for our lunch, this one will be loaded with delicious ingredients to regain energy and continue our adventure on the Masaya Volcano. After this relaxing time, we head at 4:00 pm to Masaya Volcano National Park.

At 4:00 pm, we will leave Apoyo and head to Masaya Volcano National Park.

Once we arrive at the main entrance of the Masaya Volcano National Park, we obtain our tickets and drive approximately 6 kilometers to the Santiago active crater parking area; it will still be daytime here, so we’ll walk about 20 minutes to the different viewpoints to admire the different beauties that this park has to offer.

This National Park is not only lava, that is why we will arrive before sunset, and we will walk to the top of the Masaya Volcano, throughout the entire journey, from the beginning to the end, our certified and experienced tour guide will explain everything related to this park; its eruptive history and formation, its geology, flora, fauna and tourist importance of this park, in addition to the events that have occurred here over the years.

Once on the edge of the San Fernando and San Juan craters, we will obtain one of the most dazzling views of Central America, with also the most astronomical sunset in the region. From here we will contemplate, in addition to the geological ring called “El Ventarrón” in which the 54 square kilometers of the Masaya Volcano National Park rest; we will enjoy the volcanoes: Mombacho, Masaya, Nindirí, Momotombo, Momotombito (this last one if Managua City is not foggy), the Masaya lagoon, the Xolotlán Lake in Managua and Cocibolca Lake in Granada, the cities of: Managua (capital of Nicaragua), Masaya and Granada and if all this were not enough; get ready to admire the most exuberant sunset (if it’s not raining) of this Land of Lakes and Volcanoes. Here, the sun’s rays play with the steam that comes out of the Santiago crater, this mixture of sun rays and volcanic gasses form a spectacular phenomenon that is admired every year by thousands of tourists from all over the world.

Once the sun is gone, we walk back to the active crater of Santiago, to observe a gigantic and divine lava lake at the bottom of it. We will be at this area for 10 to 30 minutes so that you can take the photos you want and record this tour in your memory as one of the best of your life. Once this tour is finished, we will drive approximately 40 minutes to return to Granada where we will be arriving around 7:30 pm.