GUIDE

NICARAGUASUMMER 2019

21 DAYS

NICARAGUA

DESTINATION FACTS

WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

WHAT IT’S LIKE...Experience the explosive, serene, colourful and volcanic coveredlandscapes of Nicaragua. For sheer adventure look no further than the volcanoes of Ometepe Island. Speed down Cerro Negro on a volcano board, experiencing a once in a lifetime activity. As for culture - the beautiful and fascinating colonial city of Granada has it all. Work on a community based project where you will experience the warmth and vibrancy of the locals.

The purpose of this brief is to introduce your expedition opportunity. It will give you a feel for the destination and the type of activities that you will be involved in.

We hope this brief snapshot will leave you feeling inspired and wanting more!

HIGHLIGHTS

RELIGION/S: Christian (Catholic).

CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL INTEREST: Lake Nicaragua is home to the only freshwater sharks in the world.

LANGUAGES: Spanish.

GEOGRAPHY: Varied. Jungle in the east, plains in the lowlands, temperate cloud forests in the highlands of the north and centre, volcanoes in the west.

CLIMATE: Tropical. Hot and humid with high rainfall throughout the year.

Trek through the Maribios volcano chain

Visit Ometepe Island

Work on a rewarding community project

Rush down Cerro Negro on a volcano board

PHYSICAL RATING: Moderately challenging.

CULTURE SHOCK: A definite difference to what you are used to.

ALTITUDE: The trek will not exceed 3500m.

VISA: Not required for British nationals*

* Please note requirements may change

Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work.

HOW IT WORKS...WHAT IS AN?

Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work.

HOW IT WORKS...

Our expeditions are made up of four main phases; acclimatisation, trekking, project and rest & relaxation. During the build-up we put students in the driving seat, allowing them to finalise their itinerary alongside our experts.

Dedicate some time to helping on

a project - either community or environmental

based, often working with local people.

ProjectTrekkingYou may take part

in a trek doing either a cultural

trek through villages or an

attempt to summit a nearby

mountain!

AcclimatisationArrive in country and spend some

time getting used to the new culture

whilst planning your next phase

and changing currency.

R&REnjoy some R&R! This could involve

a few days on a beautiful beach,

reflecting on your expedition or an

adrenaline adventure.

EXPEDITION TIMELINE1 2 3 4 5

EXPEDITION LAUNCH

ITINERARY DEVELOPMENT

LEADER MEETING

EXPEDITION TRAINING

FINAL PREPARATION

FUNDRAISING FUNDRAISING

EXAMPLE ITINERARY

DAY 1Depart the UK and arrive in Central America. After you arrive in Nicaragua, your airport transfer will be ready to take you on the 45 minute journey to Granada.

DAY 2 Orientate yourselves in your new surroundings in the beautiful city of Granada.

DAY 3-7You will be working with La Esperanza, a local NGO (non-governmental organisation) based in Granada that works with the schools in and around the city.

DAY 8Take a rest day and head to the beautiful crater lake of Laguna de Apoyo. You can relax on the beach, go for a paddle and admire the scenery.

DAY 9 -11Travel to the volcanic island lake of Ometepe; escape to lush forests, friendly people, waterfalls, and stunning landscapes!

DAY 12-13Travel on to León, the famous Sandinista city of Nicaragua! On day 13 take time out to explore this beautiful city and its UNESCO World Heritage Cathedral, as well as making preparations for your next phase.

DAY 14-16

You will climb through Los Maribios volcano range: through and over Volcan Telica (1061m) - where you will camp below the active crater with the chance to see lava. Hike up the active stunning black volcano of Cerro Negro (725m), then take part in the unique and exhilarating activity of ‘Volcano Boarding’ where you slide down to the bottom on a board!

DAY 17-18Playa Jiquilillo is a chilled out and undeveloped beach, spend some time relaxing on this laid back shoreline.

DAY 19Return to Granada. Enjoy a final group meal out to celebrate the successful completion of your expedition!

DAY 20-21Say goodbye to Nicaragua as you depart on your flight home. Arrive back the next day to be reunited with your friends and family.

Due to the changing nature of the world over the build up period, Outlook may be required to change aspects of, or the order of the itinerary. Outlook will consult with the Link Teacher/Group Leader and all participants if this is the case.

The below itinerary has been created by our Destination Managers as an example of what you may choose to do on expedition.

ADVENTUREAt the Itinerary Development Session, with guidance from one of our destination experts, the team will be able to choose from options to finalise their itinerary. The choices may include the project they work with, the challenge level and type of trek and where they go for some rest and relaxation! Begin your adventure in Granada. This historic city survived many pirate attacks and is a haven for colonial landmarks. Why not explore a few before enjoying some food and planning for the next phases of your expedition. The country’s main geographical feature is the volcanic strip that runs along the Pacific Coast - with over 50 volcanoes; some extinct, some dormant and some very active!

Start your volcanic experience with a visit to Laguna de Apoyo, a clean, blue, and thermally vented 48km2 body of water contained inside the crater of the Apoyo Volcano. Laguna de Apoyo is one of Nicaragua’s most beautiful natural wonders and should not be missed.

Next on to Ometepe; the largest volcanic fresh water lake island on our planet. Here you have the opportunity to climb the extinct Volcan Maderas (1610m). Make your way to León. There are plenty of things to do in and around this town such as visiting the crumbling colonial buildings, fantastic churches, revolutionary murals and exploring wonderful streets.

Your main trek will take you right through the Los Maribios volcano range. You will journey over Volcan Telica (1061m) - where you will camp below the active crater with the chance to see lava, hike up the active stunning black volcano of Cerro Negro (725m) that you will then be boarding down the side of and finally climb to the top of the inactive Volcan Las Pilas (1050m) .

End your expedition relaxing on the Pacific coast at Poneloya. Here you can chill out in hammocks, explore the endless palm lined beach, spot wildlife and enjoy some local Nicaraguan cuisine.

PROJECTHead to Granada for your community project with La Esperanza - a volunteer group focusing on children’s education. Sadly, educational funding is extremely low in Nicaragua. The aim of the project is to improve conditions in the local government schools by doing construction work and assisting with teaching in the schools.

The group began in 2002 in one small village on the outskirts of the city. It now helps over 2,000 children in several poverty-stricken areas.

They are a non-profit, non-political organisation funded by donations.

Project work will be a combination of physical work, such as renovating classrooms or building walls, and spending time with the children in the afternoons, helping with classes or running sports activities. Throughout your project you will be camping within the school’s grounds.

This is a unique opportunity to really immerse yourself in the culture and way of life of Nicaragua, whilst giving a little something back to this beautiful country.

WHAT’S INCLUDED?UK BUILD UP* Itinerary Development Session. Expedition Leader Meeting. Final Preparation Day.

TRAINING Expedition Training event in the UK with your Expedition Leader.

LINK TEACHER TRAINING Leader Team Training (first aid as required).

LEADER TEAM COMPOSITION 2 Link Teachers and an Outlook Expedition Leader.

FLIGHTS International flight.

INSURANCE Comprehensive overseas medical insurance.

TRANSPORT All overseas transport.

IN DESTINATION All food and accommodation. All group activities including any entrance fees. All rest and relaxation activity.

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED? Spending money for gifts / souvenirs whilst on expedition.

Inoculations, prophylaxis and personal medicine. (All participants based in England and Wales receive 10% discount at Nomad Travel).

Visas and passports – please refer to page 3 to see if a visa is required.

Personal belongings insurance (this may be covered by your household / contents insurance).

Loss of passport.

Cancellation insurance (contact our Customer Service Team for more information).

Personal equipment (e.g. rucksack, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing); all participants receive 15% discount at ‘Cotswold Outdoor’.

Transport to and from UK-based training courses, to the Final Preparation Day venue and from the airport.

Food and accommodation in the UK, unless specified.

phone

01248 667 250 email

INFO@OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COMonline

WWW.OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM

HOW TO LAUNCH YOUR

2. BOOK A PRESENTATION AT YOUR SCHOOL

3. STUDENTS APPLY ONLINE

1. CONTACT YOUR REGIONAL MANAGER

To launch all you need to do is follow these steps:

“I am exceptionally pleased with the support and guidance Outlook provide before our expedition.” - Link Teacher