Private Journeys

Undiscovered Nicaragua and El Salvador

19 days from £4,070pp

(based on two people sharing & excluding flights)

Nicaragua / El Salvador

Places visited

Overview & Highlights

Nicaragua and El Salvador are off the beaten track, with fairly rudimentary infrastructure but as such they offer a rewarding experience akin to what travellers enjoyed in other parts of the continent decades ago.

Nicaragua has been developing a discreet, eco-friendly approach to tourism for some years while El Salvador now presents its Mayan sites, colonial cities, delightful rural drives and the El Imposible National Park. On this holiday you'll be among the first to discover their natural beauty and unpretentious charm. The people of both countries are among the most hospitable in Latin America.

The two newcomers on the radar of adventurous travellers, Nicaragua and El Salvador, share gorgeous landscapes of volcanoes, lakes, palm-fringed beaches, fertile slopes smothered in coffee bushes, and a diversity of flora and fauna. Both have only relatively recently emerged from a period of political turbulence: the impressive level of reconciliation between formerly warring factions has resulted in the creation of two of perhaps the most appealing and friendly countries on the continent. They cannot be compared with the big hitters of Mexico, Peru and Brazil in terms of mind-boggling attractions but their scantily populated rural landscapers of chains of volcanoes, coffee plantations, lakes and remote rivers combine to create a captivating destination.

Granada: Guided city tour and Masaya volcano
El Castillo: Caiman-spotting by night
El Castillo: Hike in Indo Maíz Biosphere Reserve
El Castillo: Kayaking on Rio San Juan
El Castillo: Guided tour of the fortress
Perquín: El Mazote and Museo de la Revolución
Suchitito: Walking tour
EL Imposible National park: hiking

THE UK’S NO. 1 SPECIALIST IN TRAVEL TO LATIN AMERICA

Sophie Barber

Travel Expert

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Outline itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in the colonial city of Granada and transfer to your hotel.

Day 2

Guided city tour and visit to Masaya volcano.

Day 3

Fly to San Carlos; travel by boat along Rio San Juan to El Castillo.

Day 4

Hike in Indo Maíz Biosphere Reserve; river kayaking; guided fortress tour.

Day 5

Return by boat to San Carlos, continue to Ometepe Island.

Days 6-7

At leisure to cycle, hike, ride a horse or sit on the beach.

Day 8

By ferry to the mainland, drive to León.

Day 9

At leisure in this University city.

Day 10

Road transfer to Perquín, El Salvador.

Day 11

Visit el Mazote and Museo de la Revolución.

Day 12

By road to Suchitoto.

Day 13

Walking tour of Suchitoto.

Day 14

Drive along Ruta de las Flores to Ataco.

Day 15

Trekking in El Imposible National Park.

Day 16

By road to Costa del Sol on the coast.

Day 17-18

At leisure on the coast.

Day 19

Transfer to San Salvador airport for international flight home.

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Things to do

We proudly offer the widest range of activities, excursions and one-of-a-kind experiences across all our destinations, tried and tested personally by our travel experts.

Walking tour of Granada

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Visit Masaya volcano and market

Learn to surf on the Nicaraguan Pacific

Walking tour of Suchitoto

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Follow the Ruta de las Flores

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Visit El Imposible National Park

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Visit Indio Maiz Biological Reserve

Accommodation

Browse our unrivalled portfolio of accommodation . Every option has been carefully chosen by our team of travel experts, so you can rest assured that you’ll relax in utter comfort.

Nicaragua / Granada

Hotel Patio del Malinche

El Salvador / Gulf of Fonseca and Eastern El Salvador

Perkin Lenca

El Salvador / Suchitoto

La Posada de Suchitlan

El Salvador / Ruta de las Flores

Quinta El Carmen and La Casona

El Salvador / Pacific Coast

Tortuga Village

Nicaragua / Ometepe Island

Hotel Villa Paraiso

Nicaragua / Rio San Juan

Luna del Rio

Nicaragua / Rio San Juan

Victoria Hotel

Itinerary Essentials

What our clients say

I would recommend this trip to anyone who has an interest in magnificent scenery and wonderful wildlife experiences.
CT, Antrim
Apr 2013
Enjoyed the trip to the equator while in Quito. Loved Alausi, very interesting place, people. Cuenca was lovely, very easy to get around, felt safe, staff at hotel very helpful, happy hour cocktails 2 for 1 delicious! Las Cajas national park very interesting. The Galapagos week was fantastic! Staff really professional, islands and wildlife more than I imagined, learnt to snorkel, scenery fantastic. The group were also really nice, and as a single traveller this made my holiday really special. And on the whole the weather was very sunny and warm. Enjoyed the picnics we had during our trips in the Andes, which the tour leader arranged, especially the exotic fruits which she advised us to try.
JC, Bury
Feb 2016
It was better than my wildest expectations, especially as value for money is very important for me and I saved 4 yrs for this trip it was worth every penny £ and $.
'Untouched Aisen' is a tour which describes exactly what it is - a trip off the beaten track, away from people and exploring a truly wild and beautiful part of the world. It was my first visit to South America and a really memorable one.
JS, Malvern
Feb 2019
Please describe the most memorable experience/aspect of your trip? "In Galapagos; swimming with a playful Sea Lion, having a penguin swim right under my tummy and watching white tipped sharks cruise by all in the same snorkel session!"
"Journey Latin America came highly recommended to us, in turn we highly recommend them to you."
DM, Marlborough
Mar 2013
Our first trip to S. America was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Everything was very well organised and we couldn't have had a better group leader than tour leader. The local guides were very knowledgable and enthusiastic to share their country. When we booked this holiday we thought it would be our only trip to S. America, primarily to see Machu Picchu but now hearing the tour leader talk about other tours she has run we are eager to see more of the continent with JLA.
FM, Aberdeen
Oct 2018
It was a wonderful adventure which we enjoyed with a very nice group, all of us led by an excellent guide.
WD, Greenford
Mar 2019

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Our expert's view

Sophie Barber - Travel Expert

Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.

Get in touch Meet our experts

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Our exciting range of articles on Latin America explore everything from iconic destinations and lesser-known cultural gems to delicious traditional recipes. You’ll also find exclusive travel tips, first-hand client reviews and the chance to get your personal questions answered by our travel experts.

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Meet our team

Real Latin american experts

Get in touch Meet our experts

Carrie Gallagher - Travel Expert
A former JLA tour leader, Carrie brings a wealth of on-the-ground experience to our London-based Tailor-made and Group Tours department.
Heloise Buxton - Travel Expert
Heloise started her Latin American journey as an exchange student in Santiago, Chile. With extended summer holidays this was the perfect opportunity to backpack through Bolivia, Peru, Argentina and Brazil.
Juliet Ellwood - Travel Expert
After graduating with a degree in Anthropology and History and having been fascinated by Latin America since childhood by the book featuring photos of Nazca, Juliet first visited the region in 2003. Since then, Juliet has visited the majority of countries in Latin America but has particularly extensive experience with Peru, a country she loves for many reasons but not least, its incredible archaeological richness and delicious food!
Charlotte Daubeney - Travel Expert
Charlotte's fascination with Latin America began with a family holiday to Belize. She went on to study Spanish in school and at university before spending a year living in Santiago, Chile.
Sophie Barber - Travel Expert
Sophie lived in Chile before joining us and has travelled extensively across Latin America, from Mexico to the furthest tip of Patagonia and beyond to Antarctica.
Kathryn Rhodes - Travel Expert
Kathryn backpacked across Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and Peru before joining us. She has a degree in Philosophy and French and is a keen netball player.