Turing Scheme
Conservation, Community & Sustainability Adventure to Nicaragua
Nicaragua’s landscape is unrivalled: an abundance of volcanoes, lakes, mountains and rainforests. On this expedition, you’ll be introduced to Nicaragua’s unique history. Tour the Unforgotten Volcanoes and immerse yourself in marine conservation, sustainability and all things eco.
From turtles to volcanoes, community-based sustainability projects, city tours, surfing, boarding, chocolate and coffee factories, it’s fair to say that this trip has it all. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge on 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 15-day circuit explores active volcanoes, beautiful colonial towns and the northern highlands.
You will visit community-based projects that will allow you to get closer to Nicaraguan culture, customs and people. This carefully designed itinerary includes visits to mangrove forests, canyons, walks through old colonial towns, swims in dormant volcanoes, and opportunities to learn the secrets of coffee harvesting.
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.
*Costs: £1550pp (excl. flights) cost to student - £815
Travel grant available per student: £905
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in Nicaragua
Day 2: Coffee Farm
Day 3: Somoto Canyon
Day 4: Telica sunset
Day 5-11: Los Brasiles Island Turtle Project
Day 12: Cerro Negro & El Hoyo
Day 13: Asososca Lagoon
Days 14: Granada
Day 15: Apoyo and depart
About your adventure
This itinerary is jam-packed. Starting in Managua, you’ll have a relaxing evening in your new surroundings before heading off to the Northern Highlands where you’ll stay on a coffee plantation and get first-hand experience of eco and organic coffee and cacao production.
You’ll then head over to Los Brasiles Island to work as a volunteer building a turtle hatchery as part of the sea turtle conservation program and get hands-on with turtle research.
About your adventure…..
Then, it’s time to explore Nicaragua’s ‘forgotten volcanoes’! You’ll Be hiking up to the craters and sandboarding down! This next part of your adventure features 4x4 jeeps, zip lining through jungle canopies, swimming in lagoons, and kayaking - you’ll even sleep under the stars in a volcano crater! Prepare yourself for the most epic sunset you have ever seen!
This is an unforgettable trip that blends adventure with hands-on conservation and community experiences that will bring you closer to Nicaraguan culture, customs and people.
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 ”
Turtle Conservation & Sustainability
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 (depending on arrival time)
Accommodation: Eco lodge
Day 2
Coffee Farm
Today you will head to the Northern Highlands to stay in a local family-run coffee farm located in Tepesomoto Ridge. This will be your home for 2 nights! Maura and her family will show you every aspect of the coffee plantation, the origins and a chance to understand the bean-to-cup journey.
You’ll learn about the cutting, pulping and fermentation processes of this precious bean from the plant to the final product. It’s a chance to grasp how essential this main export product is to Nicaragua and the social impacts of this trade on local communities.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Farm stay
Day 3
Somoto Canyon
Wake up on the farm and set off on a thrilling excursion to Somoto Canyon - a unique geological formation that sits in the heart of this UNESCO Geopark. This is an epic journey where you’ll really get a feel for the landscape in the wilds of northern Nicaragua. Your headed out for a day designed for adrenaline junkies!
Descend into a deep and narrow canyon carved by the mighty Rio Coco, Nicaragua’s longest river and where you’ll weave your way along the gorge. Return to the coffee farm for dinner and enjoy a typical Nicaraguan meal accompanied by a serenade from local musicians who work on the farm. Take this opportunity to relax and savour the company of your friends in this off-the-beaten-path destination.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Farm stay
Day 4
Telica
Volcano day! Today you will hike the volcanic ridge close to one of the most vibrant colonial towns in the country. On the way, you will stop just outside of Sebaco for güirilas, sweet tortillas made from young corn. Once you reach Leon, you can take time to unpack in your hostel and recharge, ready for a climb!
You will jump in a 4x4 vehicle which will whisk you up to Telica volcano. Well, nearly to the top -you will arrive at a point where you will need to climb for just one glorious hour to the crater! Thhis is an incredible landscape, devoid of almost all vegetation thanks to those frequent eruptions!
Once at the crater, you will have time to witness an unparalleled sunset and contemplate this grandiose crater. You will even stay to nightfall to have a chance to erupting lava more visibly! Lastly, you will retrace your steps back down in the dark to the vehicle and return to Leon for a well-deserved dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hostel
Day 5-11
Los Brasiles Island
The sea turtle conservation project begins today! For four days you will join local volunteers on the project site, where you will roll up your sleeves and get stuck into this vital conservation project. You will be working with the local community to protect this endangered keystone species and gain an understanding of how this ecologically important area of Nicaragua is essential to those who live there.
Living on site you will experience the local culture first-hand, as well as make a hands-on contribution to a community build. Your work here is a vital part of the long-term work preserving this endangered keystone species.
It’s hard work but incredibly rewarding. ur story online can make all the difference.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Tents
Day 12
Cerro Negro & El Hoyo
Another day, another volcano hike! This is an opportunity to experience some breathtaking scenery and some say the best volcanic landscapes in Nicaragua. insitu picnics, nature immersion and a touch of nature guiding. Slide down Cerro Negro before making your way up to El Hoyo, and wander around the volcano's mysterious sinkhole and flourishing crater, before you make your way up to the summit for the sunset!
Lastly, set up your tent in preparation for one of our favourite sunsets. Enjoy dinner at the campsite, which offers a balcony-like view overlooking Lake Managua, Momotombo, and Lake Asososca.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Tents
Day 13
Asososca
Start the day with an epic sunrise from your tent. After breakfast, pack up camp and make the way downwards for about 3 hours through jungle and farmland to reach the Asososca crater lake. Reward yourself with a refreshing swim before lunch.
In the afternoon, you will drive back to Leon
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14
Grenada
After a delicious breakfast, you will pack to start a journey to the South where you will find the oldest colonial city in the Americas on the mainland - Grenada. After settling into your hotel, you will be heading to a chocolate workshop! This fantastic chocolate-making bean-to-bar workshop allows you to get stuck into making your own chocolates, all whilst learning about the origins, the history, and the process from cacao tree to chocolate bar. You’ll even prepare and try drinks like the Maya and Conquistadores used to!
In the afternoon, relax and meander your way around the beautiful ‘painted city’ of Granada.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 15
Apoyo Lagoon and depart
Your last night will be a forever memory! You are heading to the Apoyo Lagoon, the crater of a dormant volcano and one of our favourite places in Nicaragua. You will enjoy a restful and relaxing day swimming and kayaking in crystal waters before drying off and heading for a zip-line experience like no other!
Experience the beauty of this landscape from above. You are zip-lining over the forests! Prepare for a huge adrenaline rush as you soar through the canopy of trees on the slopes of the Mombacho Volcano. This is the longest and most extreme zip line tour in Nicaragua!!
Meals: B, L
What’s included
NOTE:
Flights will be secured once final numbers have been confirmed. 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 confirmed your place, you will be sent 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.
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
Vaccinations to be considered:
• Typhoid Fever
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis (TB)
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 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
