Where cloud forests meet active volcanoes, this journey takes you from dawn runs through mountain coffee farms to heart-pounding climbs up smoking craters where sulfur fumes fill the air. Each day brings new volcanic adventures – bounding down ash slopes, swimming in crater lakes, spotting howler monkeys in misty forests – before retiring to treetop casitas where Pacific sunsets paint the sky.
We will enjoy a big breakfast on the farm before packing up and heading back south towards Laguna de Apoyo for today’s run. Set in the caldera of an ancient volcano, Apoyo is a stunning lake best admired from high above on the forested slopes – exactly where we will start our run! Single-track winds down towards the lake, oropendolas and howler monkeys will provide the soundtrack, and by the time you get lakeside we think you’ll be ready to jump in for a restorative post-run swim! Next we head into Granada where you will have the rest of the afternoon free to explore the sights of this charming city; have your camera ready for photogenic streets teeming with the best of local culture. We will dine out tonight at a popular local restaurant and maybe even sample some nightlife if energy permits!
We will rise early (you’ll be in the groove by now!) for breakfast before heading off to Granada’s local volcano, Mombacho. A well-preserved cloud-forest bioreserve tops the volcano and we will learn lots about the unique flora and fauna as well as check out some burned areas of forest from the ongoing volcanic activity. Today is going to be a group hike along the forested trails with an option to run a cruise-y descent down the volcano after the hike. We will grab a picnic lunch and then hit the road south to our next destination, Isla de Ometepe (perhaps we will even have glimpsed the island from the summit of the volcano already!), which we’ll reach by way of a scenic ferry ride across Lake Nicaragua. After landfall we will head straight to our retreat on a private farm where we can settle in for two nights.
Enjoy a fresh, local breakfast with produce straight from the surrounding farm before heading out to explore Concepción, the second tallest volcano in Nicaragua that dominates the views all around Ometepe. We’ll again hike as a group, ascending to the amazing active crater which is hot to the touch and pungent with sulphur fumes. It’s an exhilarating experience to climb what is a picture perfect cone volcano – an extremely challenging day no doubt, but one we would be remiss not to explore! On the descent there will be some fun options to let ‘er rip down some ash slopes, though leisurely descents are also an option. We will picnic along the way and there will still be some time in the afternoon for hammocks and swims in the lake.
This morning we’ll indulge in a much-deserved rest day with an optional shakeout run on the road for those who want more miles and enjoy a leisurely breakfast and time to lounge in the hammocks to soak in the views of our lakefront retreat.
Eventually we’ll pull ourselves away and bid farewell to Ometepe, but not before stopping by a local farm to learn about local permaculture efforts on the island. We’ll sail back to the mainland and head to the Pacific Coast for our final two nights, where gorgeous treetop casitas await us. We’ll get settled in, kick back with some sunset cocktails and enjoy a delicious dinner right on-site – tomorrow is our final run!
This morning we will hit the trails early again right from our hotel. Plenty of run options are available on the trails throughout the beautifully landscaped property which covers a stretch of rolling green hills, and the full distance option will take you up to a high point for sweeping views of San Juan del Sure! You’ll have time back at the hotel for a dip in the pool before we head down into the local town of San Juan del Sur for brunch.
Around midday we will head off for our grand finale; a private catamaran cruise along the Emerald Cruise to admire the beauty of this stunning and rugged stretch of coast. Food, drinks and music will all be onboard so you can kick back, swim a little, and soak up the sunshine all the way to sunset. The ocean usually works up an appetite so we will finish things off with a special final dinner back at the hotel to reflect on the full scope of this Nicaraguan experience!
The run tour price includes pre-trip communication & guidance, airport transfers, 7 nights accommodation, all meals from lunch on the first day until breakfast on the final day, transportation, drivers, experienced trip leaders, local logistics team, 6 organized runs and hikes, a grand finale private catamaran cruise, and Rogue Expeditions swag.
In short, almost everything is covered for your Nicaraguan running adventure!
Our Nicaragua run tour offers adjustable routes to suit various abilities. Daily maximums are listed on the itinerary with no time or pace pressure. While overall mileage may be lower than other trips, there are a few challenging volcano hikes and trails that are steep and extremely technical. Some trail running experience is strongly advised heading into this trip!
Expect diverse terrain on your Nicaragua running tour: single-track trails (often technical/muddy in forested areas), dirt roads, and some paved roads. The highlight – the Concepcion volcano hike – is very steep and technical, offering 4500 ft / 1400 m of elevation gain in just 2.5 mi / 4km.
Prepare for this challenging day as best you can and make sure to practice with trekking poles if you plan on bringing them!
To beat the heat, most runs begin soon after breakfast. Although the Laguna De Apoyo run takes place during the heat of the day, you will be greeted by a refreshing dip in the lake at the end! Nicaragua has an early-rise culture, and you’ll likely sync with it, waking up to the calls of howler monkeys around 6am or earlier.
January is typically dry but still green. Expect temperatures in the 80s°F (high 20s°C) and humid, with cooler evenings in the highlands. Coastal breezes on the coast and Isla de Ometepe make for great outdoor running conditions.
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