With Finca Esperanza Verde, Montibelli, El Jaguar, Domitilia, Sabalos and Budget Rent a Car

About the Trip

Visit 5 different eco systems - Tropical Dry Forest, Wetlands, Cloud Forest, Rain Forest and Mountain Forest, each with species unique to that area during your journey. Enjoy the beautiful sights of Cocibolca Lake, Masaya Volcano, the San Juan River and the Sierras de Managua.

You’ll rest your head at some of the top Ecolodges in Nicaragua. Finca Esperanza Verde,
Montibelli, Sabalos, Domitila, and El Jaguar - each as unique as the various eco systems
they provide access to.

Includes: accommodation, meals, local transportation and natural/cultural activities

Certifications: Finca Esperanza Verde Ecolodge: Central America Green Initiative (ICV). Certification carried out by the Nicaragua Ministry of Tourism and FODESTUR.

Awards:

Finca Esperanza Verde Ecolodge:

• Best Ecolodge Nicaragua, Central American Green Initiative,2004
• Sustainable Tourism Awards for Conservation, Smithsonian Magazine, 2004
• Award for Socially Responsible Tourism, Institute for Tourism and Development, 2004
• Mejor Ecoalbergue, Iniciativa Centroamerica Verde, 2004
• Chosen as a model of sustainable tourism for a seminar organized by the World Tourism Organization, a UN agency, August 2005
• Presented as a model for socially responsible tourism at the Second World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development Summit, Brazil
• 1st Prize in Conservation and Sustainable Tourism 2004
• Finalist in Sustainable Tourism Award 2005
• Iniciativa Centroamerica Verde, Mejor Ecoalbergue 2004

Montibelli:

• Iniciativa Centroamerica Verde, Mejor Reserva Silvestre Privada 2004
• Sabalos
• Iniciativa Centroamerica Verde

Starting bid: $1125

About Red de Reservas Silvestres Privadas
The Red de Reservas Silvestres Privadas is a foundation to promote conservation in private lands as well as payment for environmental goods and services produced in these reserves. The present package is organized by the Red counting on the owners will to donate a package as a mean to promote sustainable tourism in Nicaragua. The package consists on a birdwatching tour in 5 different ecosystems of Nicaragua: tropical dry forest, wetlands, cloud forest, rain forest and mountain forest, where you could be able to watch lots of birds. The tour is organized in a 10 nights 11 days basis, including a bilingual guide, ground and national air transportation for two people according with the following program:

Sabalos Lodge Package

The Sabalos Lodge package is a trip to the Rio San Juan and Lake Nicaragua (Cocibolca), a tropical rain forest environment. It includes birdwatching at the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve, the visit to the 15th century fortress of El Castillo, and night observation of caimans. Enjoying a kayak trip and fishing at the SABALOS LODGE and the nearby islands.

Spend the night at the Tarzan Cabins located at the San Juan River’s edge, over 10 feet above the ground. Its welcoming balcony spreads out over the water’s edge. Its private bathroom is directly off the second floor sleeping area for convenience. The exposed terrace on the lower level allows you to relax to the fresh air in one of our gently swaying hammocks or temptingly comfortable chairs.

The package is three days, two nights and includes all meals and lodging in the Tarzan cabin, the bird watching trip to de Indio Maiz Reserve and the visit to the fortress, use of kayak.

Learn more about Sabalos.

Montibelli Package

Montibelli is a private wildlife reserve own by the Belli family, located at the Sierras de Managua, where you can be transported in only 30 minutes from the capital center. A beautiful landscape, a tropical dry forest turns in a premountain forest as you climb on the mountains, together with an shade shade grown coffee plantation, make a peasant habitat to 146 bird species. The national bird the Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) together with the Long-tail Manakin (Chiroxiphia linearis), the rare Northern Potoo (Nyctibius jamaicensis) and others are visible all year round. Natural canopy observation balconies along the Sierras allow you to watch birds on the trees canopy with no difficulty.

Montibelli together with the City Hall, and the Association of Women Pineapple producers organized a Consorcio to promote sustainable use of natural resources in order to increase the level of living in people in the surrounding communities.

You will be hosted by the Belli family and enjoyed the cabins with private bathroom, hot water and the terrace from where you can feel and watch the forest. You can also enjoy the rhythm of a hammock together with the singing of the birds. You will surely be delighted with the meals which combine national dishes with family recipes.

The package is three days, two nights and includes all meals and lodging at the Sacuanjoche cabin, bird watching in Montibelli, a trip to El Chocoyero to watch the colony of Pacific Parakeets (Aratinga strenua). Visits to the local precolombian museum and to a pineapple plantation are included as well if wanted by the visitors.

Learn more about Montibelli.

Finca Esperanza Verde Package

Finca Esperanza Verde (Green Hope Farm) is a cool, green and tranquil paradise located in the lush mountains of central Nicaragua (1,200 m) 4000 feet elevation. You will find beautiful sunsets, peaceful moments, delicious food, as well as educational and recreational activities. This farm and reserve run by local farmers offers shade-grown organic coffee, rainforest walks with interpretative trails and other natural wonders. Finca Esperanza Verde is a community-based project run by Durham - San Ramón Sister Communities, a group composed of volunteers from North Carolina and an all-Nicaraguan staff. All profits stay in San Ramón, providing a sustainable and environmentally-friendly source of income for local people and resources for community projects.

The mix of habitats within walking distance and the abundance of species makes the Finca Esperanza Verde a center for world-class birding. Good trails access most sites, but you should have a local guide to take you those that are more remote. The guides share their enthusiasm for wildlife as well as colorful names and local stories about the species.

Birding groups recorded first official sightings for Nicaragua at Finca Esperanza Verde of Yellow Headed Caracara in 2003 and Streaked Xenops in 2004.

Delicious local food is prepared and served in our “lodge with a view”. The farm serves a variety of healthy, delicious Nicaraguan dishes made with fresh local meats, fruits and vegetables. Vegetarian and other special diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Cold soft drinks, freshly made fruit drinks and beer from our solar-powered refrigerator are available.

The package includes 2 guided birdwatching walks, all about organic coffee tour and presentation; butterfly farm visit and presentation, one night camp fire with folk music group. The package includes all meals and accommodation in private double room with private bathroom.

Finca Esperanza Verde has won the following awards: Best Ecolodge Nicaragua- 2004 by the Central American Green Initiative, Nicaragua’s only ecotourism certifier and the Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism. Sustainable Tourism Award for Conservation- Smithsonian Magazine 2004. TO DO! Award for Socially Responsible Tourism 2004, Institute for Tourism and Development, Germany; Chosen as a model of sustainable tourism for a seminar organized by the World Tourism Organization, a UN agency, August 2005; October 2005 presented as a model for socially responsible tourism at the Second World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development Summit, Brazil.

Learn more about  Finca Esperanza Verde.

Domitila Package

Domitila Private Wildlife Reserve is dedicated to conserving the wildlife and flora of one of the last remaining remnants of dry tropical forest on the Pacific coast of Central America. Our facilities and programming are designed to offer low-impact ecotourism, scientific investigation and environmental education, and to promote the sustainable development of communities around the reserve.

Located in the heart of the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, one of the richest biological areas in Nicaragua, the reserve is a refuge for threatened and endangered species of the dry tropical forest. It features a very complete representation of flora and fauna for this type of forest. Domitila is a paradise for researchers and nature lovers with 65 species of mammals including howler monkeys and wild cats. The reserve has more than 125 species of tropical birds, reptiles, butterflies, and insects. A portion of the reserve borders the southwest shore of Lake Cocibolca (Lake of Nicaragua), drawing numerous migratory neotropical birds.

Spend the night with us in the in the middle of the dry tropical forest listening to the whispers of nocturnal birds, forest night sounds, and howler monkey chattering, under a typically clear sky full of stars and constellations. Our lodge facilities are rustic, super clean, and very comfortable. Guests stay in rooms with a private bathroom and shower.

Enjoy our delicious meals featuring many homegrown ingredients and dine at night by candlelight. Experience the tranquility and natural beauty of Domitila, far away from city noise, ringing telephones, and television.

The package of 2 nights 3 days includes a birdwatching tour with a guide in a dry tropical forest and a wetland ecosystem (adjacent to Lake Cocibolca) where you can get transported by an ox cart. A walk through Domitila forest trails, with naturalist guide to learn about the unique ecosystem of the dry tropical forest and its flora and fauna. The opportunity to relax in our comfortable hammocks and Adirondack style chairs in the lodge. Meals and accommodation in the eco lodge in a double room with private bathroom are included.

Learn more about Domitilia.

Nebliselva El Jaguar Package

El Jaguar is a private family run farm that produces high quality organic coffee, in perfect harmony with the community and the surrounding ecosystem. The giant oak and fern trees within the forest provide perfect shelter for a large diversity of plant and animal life. 70 acres of protected cloud forest and 35 acres of managed woods surround the farm. Within these woods it can be found rare orchids and giant ferns trees dating back to Jurassic times.

El Jaguar is a sanctuary for a large number of birds, migratory and residents. In April 2002 a research team, rediscovered in El Jaguar, for the first time in Nicaragua since 1891, the Golden-cheeked Warbler (Dendroica chrysoparia). At the same time, the research team detected the presence of the resident Three-wattled Bellbird (Procnias tricarunculata); both species are threatened worldwide. Therefore and after the Bird Life International’s standards, El Jaguar classifies as an “Important Bird Area” IBA and has been chosen as one of the 4 sites in Nicaragua to monitor “over-wintering survival” – MoSI –sponsored by the Institute for Bird Populations from California, and is carried out monthly from November to March in the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.

Our facilities provide a nice shelter. We have built 2 cabins with 2 apartments each and a living room. Each apartment has a toilet and is equipped with a kitchenette and romantic petrol lamps light.

The package of 2 nights 3 days includes a birdwatching tour with a guide in a cloud forest, a tour to the Apanas lake to see aquatic birds, a visit to the Sandino museum and the church in San Rafael, and a visit to the typical black ceramic workshop run by women.

Learn more about El Jaguar.

Itinerary

Day 1

• Arriving in Managua
• Flight to San Carlos
• Sabalos Package
• First night at Sabalos Lodge

Day 2

• Sabalos Package
• Second night at Sabalos Lodge

Day 3

• Ending Sabalos Package, returning to Managua and starting the Montibelli Package
• First night at Montibelli

Day 4

• Montibelli Package
• Second night at Montibelli

Day 5

• Ending the Montibelli Package and starting the Domitila Package
• Fist night at Domitila

Day 6

• Domitila Package
• Second night at Domitila

Day 7

• Ending the Domitila Package and starting the Finca Esperanza Verde Package
• First night at Finca Esperanza Verde

Day 8

• Finca Esperanza Verde Package
• Second night at Finca Esperanza Verde

Day 9

• Ending the Finca Esperanza Verde Package and starting the El Jaguar Package
• First night at El Jaguar

Day 10

• The El Jaguar Package
• Second night al El Jaguar

Day 11

• Ending the El Jaguar Package and returning to Managua
• End of the tour.