Conservation, Sustainability & Eco Energy in Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s landscape is unrivalled: an abundance of volcanoes, lakes, mountains and rainforests make Nicaragua visually spectacular and culturally unique. On this expedition, you’ll be introduced to Nicaragua’s unique history as well as immersing yourself in conservation, sustainability and all things eco.
From turtles to volcanoes, community-based sustainability projects, city tours, surfing, boarding, and chocolate and coffee factories, it’s fair to say that this trip has it all. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals that align with this project, as well as gain a deeper understanding of your own social and environmental impact.
““Flooglebinder is a professional organisation and it’s staff demonstrate their passion for a healthier world by living sustainably and sharing their stories.””
This 14-day adventure is like no other. You’ll visit colonial cities, waste management facilities, turtle research centres, hydropower plants, cloud forests, volcanoes, onshore wind parks, and eco-construction projects.
There’s so much to learn from the various projects you’ll be visiting, as well as enjoying the wonders of Nicaragua which, despite being the largest Central America nation, is almost untouched by tourism.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in Nicaragua
Day 2: Leon City Tour
Day 3: Chichigalpa
Day 4: Corinto
Day 5: Selva Negra
Day 6: Peñas Blancas Massif
Day 7: San Ramon
Day 8: Leon
Day 9: Granada
Day 10: Rivas
Days 11 and 12: Ometepe
Day 13: Managua
Day 14: Depart
About your adventure
This itinerary is jam-packed. Starting in Managua, you’ll visit León to learn about their biological treatment of wastewater, before heading to the coast. In Los Brasiles, you’ll visit the sea turtle station and get hands-on with turtle research as well as visiting the hydropower plant at Mancotal Dam.
In Matagalpa, you’ll get first-hand experience of eco and organic coffee and cacao production before enjoying the cloud forest and biosphere reserve at Peñas Blancas. You’ll visit the most famous and active Stratovolcano Momotombo and tour the 30 MW power plant, discussing with the experts how important renewable energies are and their vast potential for sustainable energy production, as well as visiting Nicaragua’s largest wind park, where 22 wind turbines produce 40 MW of renewable energy and supply the entire region.
This expedition has a focus on renewable energy and sustainable living, giving you the opportunity both to appreciate the true extent of the planet’s energy crisis as well as giving you a hands-on insight into the hard work and ingenuity that’s going into designing and manufacturing innovative solutions to the problems of sustainable living. It’s a truly eye-opening experience, and one which will give you an important perspective on global issues.
Our trips are designed to help you develop a wide range of life skills and a deeper understanding of how you can help us work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Learn more ⟶
“An amazing, educational and very memorable experience ”
Conservation & Sustainability itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in Nicaragua
Upon arrival in Managua, you’ll be transferred to your hotel via private transfer and have plenty of time to relax before dinner.
Meals: D
Day 2
Leon City Tour
Today, you’ll head to the beautiful colonial city of León and visit the municipal slaughterhouse, learning how they treat their wastewater biologically, without the use of electricity. You’ll then visit the beach at Los Brasiles for lunch before checking out the sea turtle station at sunset, then heading out on a sea turtle night patrol after dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3
Turtle Conservation, Rum Distillery and Mangroves
After turtle tracking at sunrise, you’ll drive to the famous Flor de Caña rum distillery in Chichigalpa for a tour and tasting and then you’ll visit the mangroves of Juan Venado Nature Reserve before returning to León.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4
Corinto and Mancotal Dam
On day 4, you’ll learn all about coastal protection and hydropower, visiting Nicaragua’s most important port at Corinto before driving to the largest reservoir in the country, Mancotal Dam.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5
Selva Negra
Today, you’ll visit the famous eco-lodge, Selva Negra, where you’ll see organic coffee and cacao production. In the evening, various activities are available, including hiking, butterfly tours and coffee tours – take your pick.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6
Peñas Blancas Massif
Begin day 6 with a beautiful walk over the ecolodge’s trails, discovering its avifauna along the way. After breakfast, you’ll learn about chocolate production (and might get a taster, too!) before heading to the Peñas Blancas Massif at the southern boundary of the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7
San Ramon
Start your day with a hike to the summit of the Peñas Blancas Massif, enjoying the flora and fauna en route. After lunch, you’ll head south to an organic farm, where you’ll learn how their approach has benefited the microclimate and enriched the accompanying wildlife too.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8
Coffee, chocolate and tobacco production
Today, you’ll head back to León, via coffee, cacao and tobacco fields in the heart of Nicaragua.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9
Masaya Volcano
Now that you’re back in León, it’s time to explore. León has such a rich history, an abundance of architecture and a unique culture. There’s plenty to explore, and after lunch, you’ll head out along the volcano chain to the most famous and active Stratovolcano, Momotombo. You’ll be taken on a guided tour through the 30 MW power plant, discussing with the experts the enormous potential for renewable energies. In the afternoon, you’ll hike to the crater of Volcano Masaya before heading to Granada for the night.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10
Granada City Tour
In Granada, you’ll be taken on a guided tour of the colonial city before visiting the biggest wind park in Nicaragua - situated in La Fé, Rivas. Here, an impressive 22 turbines produce a huge 40 MW of renewable energy – enough to supply the entire region. You’ll speak to the experts about the impact this renewable energy has on the microclimate and how La Fé fits into the wider global issues.
Meals: B, L, D
Days 11 and 12
Ometepe
From Granada, you’ll take a boat across the second biggest reservoir of Latin America, home to endemic freshwater sharks, to arrive at the volcano island of Ometepe. Here, you’ll visit a sustainable eco-construction project, where “ecobricks” are produced. You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the archaeological museum, the Natural Reserve Charco Verde or the waterfall of San Ramón.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 13
Managua and Lake Nicaragua
On your final full day, you’ll spend time at the new waste disposal site in Managua, where approximately 1,000 people live, 50% of whom are children under the age of 18. Learning about solid waste disposal and understanding the complex social issues at play, you’ll gain a deep appreciation of the importance of developing sustainable, environmentally and socially friendly disposal processes. End the day with a walk around Lake Nicaragua, and enjoy your farewell dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14
Depart
Private transfer to Managua Airport.
Meals: B
What’s included
NOTE:
Flights will be secured once final numbers have been confirmed, with options presented for direct and non-direct returns to Managua. Personal insurance, visas, vaccinations, personal expenditure, tips for leaders, guides and drivers and any other services not listed above are not included.
Important notes
Once you’ve booked your conservation, sustainability and eco energy project you will be sent a kit list specifically for your trip and the time of year you are going. You will also receive further information about the adventure itself and the daily activities as well as further detail around what you can expect to learn. This includes your pre-departure conservation and sustainability workshops, as well as your impact surveys and reports. If you have any questions about the trip please get in touch. If you have any questions about Flooglebinder’s educational adventures please take a look at our FAQs page.
VACCINATIONS
For this particular trip, please see details below.
Please check with your local GP to find out which vaccinations you require for any adventure that you decide to book. These are a guide; a full consultation is necessary to establish individual risk and suitability of vaccines. There may be instances where more than one appointment is required to assess whether a vaccine can be offered.
Recommended vaccinations:
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid Fever
Vaccinations to be considered:
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis (TB)
Nicaragua is a malaria-infected country.
INSURANCE
Please check if your school/college provides insurance and if not we will require your policy number and details 8 weeks before departure. Flooglebinder has public liability cover of £5million but participants must arrange their own travel insurance for all other levels of cover (e.g. cancellation, curtailment, loss of personal belongings etc.). Please feel free to contact us for any advice or recommendations.
Your safety is our number one priority on all of our educational adventures. All of your finances are protected through our Financial Failure Insurance and each programme adheres to British Standards (BS8848). If you have any questions about our safety and security measures, please do get in touch.
VISAS
Please check with the FCDO.
See what life is like on tour
