Volcan Mombacho is the most prominent feature in the Granada skyline. It was finally time to go to the top! For today's excursion, David hooked us up with his boss, Samuel, who picked us up at 10:00.
Samuel drove us 20 minutes out of town to the entrance of the Reserva Natural Volcan Mombacho, then turned us over to another guide, Augustine, who would stay with us during our time on the volcano. We then switched into a 4x4 truck to ascend the excruciatingly steep 40-percent grade of the mountain.
Rugged ride to the mountaintop
Partway up the volcano, we stopped at Canopy Tour Miravalle for the adrenaline-filled portion of the day. Augustine joined us for the ziplining, along with two additional guides. With no pesky waivers or safety instructions to contend with, we harnessed up and started out on the longest, most extreme zipline in Nicaragua!
Extreme ziplining!
Crossing a hanging bridge
Away he goes!
The canopy tour traverses 15 ziplines and three hanging bridges - over 2 km of thrills! The cables are VERY high off the ground, suspended from some EXTREMELY tall trees. It was awesome!
Flying through the treetops
Jana and Tom tandem zip
A brief respite
Tom gave his phone to one of the guides, who took tons of pics and video while we concentrated on flying through the air. The phone wasn't secured in any way. The guide just held it in his steady hand as he zipped between platforms.
Jana zip video
Super Tom zip video
After the canopy tour, we climbed back into the 4x4 with Augustine and proceeded to the top of the mountain, where we visited a mini-museum before walking the 1 ½ km Sendero del Crater around Mombacho Crater No. 1.
Volcan Mombacho trail map
You are here
The summit of Volcan Mombacho is covered by cloud forest, so it came as no surprise that the views were obscured today, as they are much of the time. It was still an amazing hike through beautiful, lush foliage. A highlight was walking through a natural rock tunnel with moss-covered walls, enchanting in the mist.
Trailhead
Rock tunnel in the magical mist
Augustine was a great guide, knowledgeable and patient. He pointed out a sloth we wouldn't have seen otherwise. The trail led out to a steaming fumarole, which felt nice in the cool, moist air. The forest was full of gorgeous orchids.
Bouquet of orchids
Camouflage sloth
The lower part of the volcano is home to multiple rural communities and coffee farms. On our way down, we stopped to check out the view from this lower vantage point beneath the clouds.
Tom and Augustine admire the view
Pacific Ocean in the distance
Samuel was waiting at the base of the volcano to take us back to our hotel, and we got back just in time. The minute we returned, the sky opened up and it started pouring down rain. Close one!
Later on, we walked to the Mercado Municipal, but everything was soaked from the earlier rain and therefore not great. We sat on a bench in Parque Central and people-watched before having an early dinner at Nectar Bar and Restaurant on Calle la Calzada. The food was exceptional, and they even had a semi-decent selection of craft beer.
Plaza de la Independencia
Jana enjoys a craft beer
Nectar Bar and Restaurant
Passing back through the park after sundown, we got some nice nighttime photos. Back at the hotel, Tom went for a swim, while I was content to sit on the edge of the pool and just dangle my feet in. We stayed in the courtyard a long time, savoring our last night in Granada.
Catedral de Granada
Plaza de la Independencia
Nighttime swim