Nicaragua's 'Ring Of Fire' Offers Travelers Volcanoes Galore!

MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- As Central America's most "volcanic" country, Nicaragua presents travelers with a wide array of experiences that range from kayaking in the thermal waters of a crater lake to peering into the epi-center of a volcano or "simply" skiing down volcanic slopes at 4,000 feet above sea level.

The cones of Nicaragua's volcanoes rise off a flat coastal plain just above sea level. This uncommon attribute makes them remarkable to look at and more accessible than volcanoes in other regions.

MOMOTOMBO

If you are looking for a challenging hike, Momotombo should be at the top of your list. Momotombo rises from the foot of Lake Nicaragua at 4,200 feet and with its cone-shape, it's a perfect model of the quintessential volcano. The volcano's upper-half cone is made of volcanic gravel, so hiking to the top is a noteworthy accomplishment. Your reward for hiking the Pacific's most difficult volcano is a magnificent bird's eye view of Lake Nicaragua, the largest tropical lake on the American continent, measuring 3,474 square miles (the size of Puerto Rico!).

Active Volcano Tour by Schuvar Tours (www.schuvartours.com)

This rigorous 3-day/2-night tour offers breathtaking views of some of Nicaragua's most challenging volcanoes, Momotombo and Cerro Negro. Package includes accommodations, breakfast and lunch, transfers, transportation and city tour.

Prices are $470.00 per person based on double occupancy and two-person minimum. For full itinerary, email info@schuvartours.com or call 011 505 266 3588.

VOLCAN MASAYA

Masaya is one of the few volcanoes in the world where visitors can peer directly into the edge of a steamy crater. Located just 45 minutes from the capitol city of Managua, it's one of Nicaragua's best organized and easily accessed national parks. The park spans over 5,100 hectares, featuring more than 20 kilometers of nature trails, a museum, and access to the Masaya and Nindiri twin volcanoes along with five craters.

Discovering the Volcano Journey by Servi Tours (www.nicaraguaturismo.com)

Masaya is definitely the easiest climb on this 9-day expedition. Travelers looking to get up close and personal with Nicaragua's volcanoes have options to hike more than five, including Masaya, Mombacho, Maderas, Concepcion and Momotombo. Price is $987.00 based on single occupancy, including air and sea transport, accommodations, breakfasts, local taxes, guide and entrance fees. For full itinerary, email stours@ibw.com.ni or call 011 505 265 0807.

OMETEPE

A freshwater island with the highest altitude in the world, Ometepe is in fact an island of twin volcanoes - Maderas and Concepcion - two towering centerpieces connected by an isthmus create an hourglass shaped island. According to historians, indigenous tribes traveled from up north to find a paradise envisioned by prophets. The island was transformed into a sanctuary inhabited by a mix of tribes and cultures as revealed by the immense number of petroglyphs, ceramics, and statues.

Only Adventure by Grayline Tours (www.grayline.com)

Over 8-days/7-nights, travelers can enjoy a sampling of Nicaragua's most significant natural and cultural landmarks. Highlights include 3-days in Ometepe Island with visits to Cerro Negro, Leon, the San Jacinto Hot Springs, the Telica and Santa Clara volcanoes, and city tours of Masaya for a taste of local handicrafts and the colonial town of Granada. Prices: $1,560.00, dbl $1,170.00, triple $1,065.00. Minimum 4 passengers. For full itinerary, contact gerenciadeventas@graylinicaragua.com or call 011 505 268 2412.

CERRO NEGRO

Cerro Negro is the youngest and most frequently active volcano in Central America. It appears as an ominous rising of black sand, complete with steaming crater and void of any vegetation. Cerro Negro is the only Nicaraguan volcano where extreme adventurists can volcano surf, a sport quickly growing in popularity. In 2001, Frenchman Eric Barone broke a world record by descending the Cerro Negro by mountain bike, exceeding 80 mph.

Skiing the Cerro Negro Volcano by Va Pues Tours (www.vapues.com)

Va Pues will help you descend a volcano like you've never imagined. Their day tours of Cerro Negro range from $35 to $60 per person based on a 2-person minimum, including transportation from Leon, bilingual guide, entrance fees, refreshment and equipment. For information, contact info@vapues.com or call 011 505 606 2276.

Volcano Adventures by Explore Nicaragua Tours (www.explorenicaraguatours.com.ni)

This 5-day/4-night adventure combines Cerro Negro with historical tours of the colonial city of Leon, (a UNESCO Heritage Site of Humanity) and visits to Momotombo and the Asososca Lagoon. Prices range from $702 to $1,230 based on a 4-5-passenger minimum, including transportation, driver, bilingual guides, meals, hotels and entrances fees. For full itinerary: explorenicaraguatours@gmail.com or call 011 505 250 1534.

Mombacho

While still active, the Mombacho Volcano is covered by a tropical cloud forest protected as one of Nicaragua's 78 nature reserves. The cool, misty cloud forest is home to hundreds of orchid and bromeliad species, tree ferns, old-growth cloud and dwarf forests. Much of the lower levels of the volcano are comprised of sprawling coffee plantations and cattle ranches. Mombacho's winding well-kept foot trails lead you through forested regions and around many overgrown craters.

Trekking Nicaragua Volcanoes by Careli Tours (www.carelitours.com)

For travelers looking for a different twist, Careli tours offers unique highlights, including a visit to the Mombacho volcano cloud forest, local coffee farm, a trekking tour through corn fields and forest to see the glowing lava and immense crater of the Telica volcano (its crater measures 120 meters deep and 700 meters in diameter) and a dip in the bubbling mud pools of the San Jacinto Village. Prices: $979.00, dbl $855.00, triple $789.00, including transfers, meals, accommodations and activities. Minimum 4 passengers.

For full itinerary, email ilse.miranda@carelitours.com or call (505) 278 6919.

For more information on how to experience Nicaragua's "Ring of Fire", contact the Nicaragua Tourism Board at 1-888-SEE-NICA

References: Moon and Lonely Planet Guidebooks The Nicaragua Tourism Board (INTUR) www.vianica.com