Mombacho Volcano

Always siting grandly in the backdrop of Granada is the majestic volcano Mombacho (we have a lovely view from our bedroom).  After looking at it every day for 2 months we finally got our act together and made the 10 km trip to visit Mombacho and hike one of its craters.  Mombacho is an active volcano with 5 craters and is a protected nature reserve.  The vegetation is a "cloud forest" full of an incredible variety of plants, flowers, insects and animals (if the stats are to be believed, 119 species of birds, 60 species of mammals, 28 species of reptiles, 10 species of amphibians, and more than 300 identified insect species).

To get to the top of the volcano you must first purchase a ticket at the base, and then you are only allowed to reach the top via your own two feet or on the reserve's large truck.  We chose the truck as we would never make it up the incredibly steep 5.5 km path in the heat with a 3 year old.  The truck was an adventure in itself--a big old military vehicle, crammed full of visitors, several times wondering if we were going to make the curve or if we'd topple over the edge.  However, the drive was through the gorgeous vegetation and cooler temperatures.

Waiting in line to board the bus/truck.

Once we were at the top we picked up our guide and started out on the easiest/shortest hike around the Sendero Crater, which still turned out to be a bit challenging with Isabel.  I must say however, in the end, she did great and made it all the way around, with her dad only carrying her a couple of times (our guide was also wise enough to have us do the hike in reverse to avoid having to climb two different hills at the end).  The hike goes through the forest along the rim of the crater and then at a few different places opens up to areas where you can see all of Granada, the Isletas, the Laguna de Apoyo and the Masaya Volcano.  Really beautiful views though the weather was not great the day we were there.  Also, there are fields full of wild orchids and "fumaroles", which are holes in the ground where the volcanoes fumes/vapors are escaping.   Unfortunately we did not really see any wildlife apart from a couple of butterflies and birds, but it was still well worth it.

Vapors coming out of a fumarol

Orchids

Can't see very well but the Isletas of Lake Nicaragua are behind us.

After our lovely hike we came back to the lodge to get the big truck back down the hill.  Unfortunately we could not get on as a group of students filled it up.  After asking around, they said another would come in 40 mins or so, or we could get in back of one of the reserve's pick up trucks that came up and down.  We decided to try that option, but as the first pick-up pulled up, about 30 Nicaraguans rushed the vehicle to get a spot.  We were not prepared to battle, so lost out and had to go back to waiting.  With no sign of the big truck in sight after an hour or so, we readied ourselves (with Isabel at the lead) to fight for spots on the next pick up.  Isabel and I made it in, but Raul did not as he was busy making sure we got on safely.  After much discussion, he was squeezed in, standing behind the cab of the truck, and we all bounced down the mountain, smushed up against a bunch of strangers.  All in all, an adventurous and fun day!

I couldn't get a good picture from my position, but this is Raul standing in the back of the truck.