Night 1
See Tripadvisor ReviewsCrowne Plaza Hotel in Managua
This is one of the city’s top hotels with a great pool, gym facilities, restaurants and shopping nearby.
10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition
Prices
Highlights
Spot plenty of rare bird species while birdwatching in Nicaragua
With more than 700 species of birds, a rich variety of habitats, and the largest protected reserve in Central America, Nicaragua is truly a birdwatcher's dream. The forests, lakes and rivers are home to an array of colourful beauties like hummingbirds, toucans, macaws, motmots, tanagers and many, many more. The 10-day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition takes you to Nicaragua's best-protected reserves to immerse you in their natural environment!
Stay in serene nature lodges and travel by boat to remote islands full of aquatic birds. Keep your eyes on the trees to catch glimpses of exotic birds at every turn. Get your binoculars and camera ready for an expedition in Nicaragua's incredible biodiversity!
10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Managua
Bienvenido to Managua, Nicaragua's bustling capital city. Upon your arrival, a guide will greet you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel for the night.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Managua
- Meals
- None
Day 2 Transfer to El Jaguar Reserve
After breakfast, your driver will take you through the tropical cloud forests and into the El Jaguar private wildlife reserve. With some 290 migratory and local birds to admire, you're sure to enjoy the lush surroundings.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Jinotega
- Meals
- Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 El Jaguar Reserve
Wake up early and find yourself in a forest paradise full of tanagers, hummingbirds, toucans, woodpeckers, finches and trogons. Head out to explore the reserve's best birdwatching spots- you're likely to see 50 species in just one day.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Jinotega
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4 Rio San Juan
After breakfast, you'll drive through the mountains to reach the Guacimo Lodge, perched on the edge of the Rio San Juan. Watch for huge flocks of cormorants and herons that frequent these waters.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Castillo
- Meals
- Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Indio Maiz Biological Reserve
One of Nicaragua's best nature reserves and bird watching locations, Indio Maiz is home to jaguars, pumas, manatees and more than 400 bird species, including aquatic birds that live alongside the rushing rivers. Keep your eyes peeled for the endangered Great Green Macaw and the Great Curassow.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Castillo
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 6 Los Guatuzos
In the morning you'll travel to Los Guatuzos, a waterfront reserve on the shores of Lake Nicaragua. Walk across the hanging bridges and trails to spot the Roseate spoonbill and several kingfisher species.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Los Guatuzos
- Meals
- Breakfast, dinner
Day 7 Mombacho Volcano and Grenada
No trip to Nicaragua would be complete without visiting one of its volcanoes. Today you go to the top of the dormant Mombacho Volcano to see its special biodiversity, and then overnight in the colonial city of Grenada.
- Overnight Location
- Hotel in Grenada
- Meals
- Breakfast, dinner
Day 8 Las Isletas, Chocoyero, and Montibelli
Your day begins early with a boat ride through Las Isletas, an island archipelago home to ospreys, kingfishers, herons and other aquatic birds. After lunch, you'll visit the Chocoyero reserve, known for its large population of parakeets.
End the day at the Montibelli Reserve.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Ticuantepe
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 9 Exploring Montibelli
To date, 152 bird species have been spotted at Montibelli Private Wildlife Reserve, including Nicaragua's national bird, the turquoise-browned motmot. Enjoy walking around Montibelli's many trails to see parrots, woodpeckers and long-tailed manakins.
- Overnight Location
- Lodge in Ticuantepe
- Meals
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10 Departure from Managua
Your birdwatching holiday comes to an end today with a transfer back to Managua. Have a safe flight home.
- Overnight Location
- None
- Meals
- Breakfast
10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition Price and Dates
This birdwatching tour in Nicaragua is run as a custom tour for your group and the price depends on the size of your group.
Prices below are per person sharing a double room, and groups of odd numbers can either book a single room for a supplement of $195USD (per room) or opt-out for a triple room with a $25USD per person price reduction.
- Guided solo traveller: $3,950USD
- Guided groups of 2: $2,475USD per person
- Guided groups of 3: $1,995USD per person
- Guided groups of 4-5: $1,775USD per person
- Guided groups of 6: $1,550USD per person
- Guided groups of 7+: on request
Accommodation on the 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition
This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Please note that in some guesthouses in the nature lodges the accommodation may be dormitory-style with shared facilities.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travellers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement of $195USD to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers will pay the listed 1-person price. There is a $25USD reduction for triple rooms.
Night 2-3
See Tripadvisor ReviewsFinca El Jaguar in Jinotega
Spend the night at a guesthouse on the El Jaguar Reserve and wake up immersed in the world of wildlife.
Night 4-5
See Tripadvisor ReviewsFinca El Jaguar in Jinotega
Spend the night at a guesthouse on the El Jaguar Reserve and wake up immersed in the world of wildlife.
Night 6
Refugio Los Guatazos in Los Guatuzos
Enjoy this beautiful lodge nestled in the green hills with beautiful views of the valley.
Night 7
See Tripadvisor ReviewsHotel Estrada in Granada
This beautiful adobe-style hotel is right in Granada’s colonial centre, near to many attractions and restaurants.
Night 8-9
Montibelli Lodge in Ticuantepe
Montibelli is a simple but comfortable mountain lodge with wonderful forest views and nature trails for birdwatching.
Hotels on Standard Tour
What’s Included in the 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition?
Meals
9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 9 nights are included. Accommodations before or after the tour are not included but can be added as a supplement.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation for you and your luggage is included throughout the tour, including to and from the airport. Private transfers by car and by boat are also included as mentioned in the itinerary.
Also Included
- English-speaking tour guide
- Specialized local guides at each birdwatching destination
- Excursions mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fees at Indio Maiz, Mombacho, Chocoyero, and Los Guatuzos
Not included
- Flights
- Nicaraguan tourist card ($10 USD per person)
- International flight departure tax ($47 USD per person if not included in airfare)
- Meals, drinks, or snacks not previously mentioned
- Gratuities for tour guides or other staff if desired
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades
- Optional activities or excursions
Frequenty Asked Questions about 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition
How hard is the 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition?
We rate this tour as a 1/5. Transportation is included throughout the tour and each day focuses on birdwatching. There are opportunities to walk or hike in the nature reserves. This tour is not overly active, but is not recommended for people with mobility issues.
Are meals included on the 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition?
9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 8 dinners are included.
Is the 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition in English?
Yes, you will have an English-speaking guide from Day 2 to Day 10. You will also have specialized local guides at the birdwatching locations.
How do I get to Managua to start this tour?
Fly into Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua to begin this tour. A guide will be waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel.
Where does the 10-Day Nicaragua Birdwatching Expedition end?
The tour ends in Managua when you check out from your hotel. A driver will take you from your hotel to Augusto C. Sandino International Airport (MGA) in Managua for your outbound flight.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Do I need a visa to travel to Nicaragua?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Nicaragua?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Nicaragua?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Nicaragua for this tour?
The best time to travel to Nicaragua for this birdwatching tour is from November to April when the climate is drier, but Nicaragua can be visited year-round.
Operating since 1995, ORO Travel is the pioneer tour operator in Nicaragua. Welcoming visitors with enthusiasm and professionalism, ORO allows every kind of traveller to experience the beauty and culture of Nicaragua. Their team works tirelessly to design and personalize tours to ensure unforgettable experiences. ORO’s qualified and passionate tour guides provide visitors with the best information, constant assistance, and unbeatable experiences in English, German, French, Russian and, of course, Spanish.
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Tour Difficulty
We rate this tour as a 1/5. Transportation is included throughout the tour and each day focuses on birdwatching. There are opportunities to walk or hike in the nature reserves. This tour is not overly active, but is not recommended for people with mobility issues.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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