Hike, camp, swim, and float through a gorgeous natural wonder
The entire second day is spent in the canyon. After breakfast we hike through the canyon, hopping rocks across the river many times and scrambling across the rocky canyon floor for several hours. There are a few excellent swimming holes to enjoy along the way. We stop for lunch around noon and then change shoes and inflate our rafts, tubes, and swimming pools for the big swim. Backpacks are sealed in big plastic bags and put onto inflatable rafts, and small valuables are put into floatable dry bags. For the next few hours we swim, float, and hike through the river, with the steep canyon walls extending up to 70 meters above our heads. About halfway through this section of the trip there is a break spot where we can relax in the sun and jump off a cliff into the river. About a hour or so later we arrive at a rocky beach where we deflate our floating devices and hike another 45 minutes to the second night’s camping spot, in another beautiful sandy area near the river. That night we have a nice dinner and campfire under the stars.
On the third morning we have breakfast at the campsite before hiking about an hour to the highway to catch a bus back to Somoto. After catching another bus in Somoto, we have lunch at another great cafe in Esteli, and have the opportunity to visit a popular Sandinista museum before heading back to Leon.
Start at 4:45 am in Quetzaltrekkers office
Back two days later at 6:30 pm in Quetzaltrekkers office.
Cost of hike: 60 US$
This hike leaves whenever we have a minimum of four persons signed up and enough guides to do the hike. You have to sign up two days before the hike before 3:00 pm.
Cost includes:
• All transport
• Food
• Purified water
• Guides
• Camping equipment, i.e. tents, sleeping sheets, roll Mats, etc
• Rafts
Cost does not include:
• Personal travel insurance.
• Alcoholic beverages.
• Costs incurred due to accident, illness or any other unforeseen circumstances.
• Tips to Guides.
What you should bring:
• Hiking Boots or walking shoes with good grip
• Sandals or shoes for swimming, no flip-flops
• Backpack
• Inflatable raft and/or inner tube
• Long-sleeved shirt (preferably non-cotton)
• Rain gear (only in rain season)
• Sun screen, sunglasses and hat
• Bathing Suit & Towel
• Mosquito repellent
• Flashlight or headlamp
• Copy of Passport and valid entrance stamp of Nicaragua in a waterproof zip-loc bag
Any of the above items that you do not have we will do our best to provide.
What you should NOT bring:
• Electronic devices
• expensive cameras and other optical equipment
• Passport or other important documents that could be hard to replace
• anything that should not get wet!
PLEASE NOTE: This is an adventurous trip, and involves the small but real possibility that everything you bring may get wet or lost in the river. Therefore, it is not recommended to bring valuables or any unnecessary items. Pack light! You must also be a good swimmer and feel comfortable being in the river for 2-3 hours
Discounts:
• 10% on second hike with Quetzaltrekkers Nicaragua
• 10% if in possession of Quetzaltrekkers Guatemala T-shirt
• 50% if you have worked as a volunteer in León for at least 3 months.
• 50% for Nicaraguans
** Discount is only given if there are already at least 2 persons signed up for the hike**
All hikes are leaded by a minimum of two guides. In general our guides are bilingual and have lived in Nicaragua for some time, working in tourist services, social and development work etc. The tour leaders are happy to explain the different cultures that you encounter and the significance of places that you visit. They will accompany you throughout the tour, ensuring a smooth, stress-free, safe and enjoyable time.
Quetzaltrekkers uses local transport and purchases food provided on trips from local markets and shops when possible.
