Tours are led by N.G.O. Project Bona Fide* Directors Michael Judd & Chris Shanks who together have over 15 years of community service and agro-ecology experience in Nicaragua.

* Project Bona Fide is a non-profit organization working toward sustaining culture through organic agriculture, community correlated outreach, and re-forestation projects in Nicaragua. www.projectbonafide.com

Cost: $1,150. Airfare not included!
Fund Raise for your trip! Ideas available upon request.

Price Includes:

• Double-room accommodations
• All meals
• On-ground transportation.
• Mano a Mano bilingual trip leader
• Preparatory reading and orientation materials
• Admission and fees to all program activities

Price Does Not Include:

• Airfare,
• Tips
• Personal expenses

Please note: participants will arrive and depart from the Managua airport. Tours begins and end in Granada, located 1 hour from airport. Help in coordinating transportation to Granada from the airport will be available.

How to Register:

To secure your space on this trip, please submit the following items 6 weeks before departure:

• Your registration form - Click here
• Waiver form - Click here
• A Non-Refundable deposit of $250. Preferred payment is by certified check, payable to Michael Judd. Mastercard or Visa are also accepted.

Please direct all inquiries and or registration forms to michael@projectbonafide.com.

What to Expect from a Mano a Mano Tours Adventure Tours?

Nicaragua is a land of poets, volcanos, lakes, diverse ecology and culture beyond most travelers expectations. Touted as the most biologically rich area above the amazon, visiting Nicaragua is a unique opportunity to explore ecologically-rich environments and local communities.

Sample Itinerary:

Granada:

Granada is the oldest colonial cities in the Western Hemisphere, founded in 1524. Granada retains its colonial architectural roots with hundreds of colorful colonial buildings that are 200 years or older. The adobe style building with the classic inner courtyard gardens is an exact replica from southern Spain
Exploring Granada’s colonial charm and vibrancy is on every type of travelers itinerary to Nicaragua. We will begin and end our tours in the heart of Granada offering the chance to visit its famous plazas, churches, markets and explore its eclectic culture.

Laguna de Apoyo:

Is a clean, blue, and thermally vented 48-square kilometer crater lake atop a dormant volcano and is perhaps Nicaragua’s crowning jewel, which says a lot since Nicaragua is known as the country of lakes and volcanoes. Sacred to the indigenous peoples of the region since time immemorial this crystal clear crater lake is fed by mountain springs and ringed by native forests, it is a true paradise and cherished by all who get to know it. We will visit, swim and enjoy the tranquility between adventures to markets to nurseries.

Los Pueblos Blancos:

The small picturesque white stucco villages outside of the town of Masaya, collectively known as the Pueblos Blacos (White Towns), are set in a perfect microclimate that sits atop a mesa favored for coffee, avocadoes and sweeping vistas. We will tour the regions nurseries and shops known for their diversity of tropical plants, unique fruits, gorgeous plant arrangements and beautiful hand crafts.

Masaya:

Is called the City of Flowers, is Nicaragua’s most folkloric department abounding with art, crafts, and culture. We will explore Masaya’s markets and lively plazas.

There are 2 distinct markets in Masaya, one for tourists and one for the people. The ‘Mercado Nuevo’ is the people’s market. It is a sprawling open-air market rivaled by few others in size and diversity in the Americas. One will see colorful displays of fruit, crafts, plant medicines, clothing, repair shops, beauty salons, livestock (the list goes on and on…) A great place to find colorful treasures and to get to know the real Nicaragua.

Ometepe Island:

The largest island in a fresh water lake in the world, Isla Ometepe is a twin volcanic island that rises out of the immense Lake Nicaragua. Volcan Concepcion and Volcan Maderas, home to howler monkeys, flocks of parrots, subsistence farmers and fisherman crown the figure eight island. Known to many as the heart of Nicaragua for its amazing nature, hospitality, beautiful landscapes, rich archeological background, relaxing beaches and its numerous natural reserves and forests high in biodiversity. We will be spending four days on Ometepe as we explore its rich biodiversity and friendly communities.

Finca Bona Fide:

Home base for the Mano a Mano tour operators and Project Bona Fide. Our 43 acre demonstration farm and research site is host to educational programs, plant propagation facilities, botanical gardens and examples of appropriate technologies we champion. Our network of trails that wind sinuously throughout the site offer a deep immersion into our work and educates the traveler about all manners of approaches and practices of ecological agriculture, natural building, permaculture and agro-forestry. Not to mention our famous pizza oven, tree house hammock, hand made chocolate… http://www.projectbonafide.com/farm.html

Finca Magdalena:

Finca Magdelena is an organic coffee plantation and Fair Trade cooperative of 29 local family farmers working under the cloud forest canopy of Volcano Maderas. A rare success story of the land reallocation movements of the 80’s the cooperative has survived and is prospering from Fair Trade markets and eco/agro-tourism. December and January will be harvesting and curing months for the yearly crop and we will spend a day learning the cooperatives history, coffee’s life cycle and processing. We will hike into the cloud forest to see shade grown coffee, cacao and colorful wildlife. And we’ll cap the day with a fresh brew or cold beer on the farms 120 year old veranda overlooking Lake Cocibolca and Concepcion Volcano.
If you enjoy coffee, this trip will help you appreciate the virtues and significance of "organic," "shade-grown," and "fair trade" designations.

Las Cuchillas:

A village that time has almost forgotten, clouded in the cool cloud forest mist from Maderas Volcano, an abandoned coffee plantation turned into a village provides year round bananas as well as avocadoes, coffee and eggs. Many folks who live in the village make their living from the products of their agro-forests. We will visit and learn from friends in the community the natural ways to live with and from the forest.

Nicaraguan Pacific Coast:

The pacific coast of Nicaragua is still largely undiscovered. During the recent economic boom some development was carried out but by and large the coast of Nicaragua is one of the most untouched coasts left in Central America. Cacti and plumeria dot the sea cliffs, pelicans fly perilously close to the rising waves, sunsets take your breath away and tidal pools, coastal forests, caves and sea towers await to be discovered.

Community Center Projects

Mano Amiga Community Center: A rare two story wooden structure in the heart of Balgue, an island community of approximately 1,500, is shaping itself as the regions only library and locally run learning center. Run by a committee of local leaders and international interns current projects are the building of a community garden, compost toilet, computer, English and art classes… all great ways to work with the community, as the name says Mano Amiga – A Friends Hand.

Café Infantil:

Started  4 years ago by Michael Judd on the advice of village elders. This  village wide nutrition program serves 70 children nutritious breakfasts to begin their day, 52 weeks a year, 6 days per week. The program is volunteer run by the community and  is the recipient of new food sources from Finca Bona Fide. We will visit and help the program while on Ometepe. For more information see www.projectbonafide.com/cafeinfantil.html

Mombacho Volcano:

Mombacho volcano is one of two cloud forests found on the Western coast of Nicaragua. The second site is Maderas volcano that makes up ½ of Ometepe Island. Mombacho is both beautiful to behold from afar, from Granda, or to see up close on a hike along on well-maintained trails. We will take a truck up through the cloud forest and coffee plantations that wrap around Mombacho to the summit where easily traveled trails take us around the craters edge seeing unique species of animals and plants. Getting to explore Mombacho is truely an opportunity of a lifetime.

Local Transportation

Mixing it up

We try to mix it up to give you the best cross section of culture. Whatever the transportation, you can be sure it will be more than just a way to get from point A to point B. Most of our distances are covered in a mini van but boats, trucks and buses may be thrown in for local color.

Unique Accommodations

Capturing the local essence

Accommodation will reflect the local flavor. Rooms are usually based on twin-share but not to worry, the majority of our trips do not charge a single supplement for single travelers. Single travelers will be paired with a roommate of the same sex.

Diverse Food

A big part of the traveling experience

Sampling and learning about the local cuisine is a big part of the traveling experience. We realize that everyone is unique, and as such we accommodate a variety of diets; vegetarian and non-vegetarian options will be available. Meals and non-alcoholic drinks are included in trip price.

Your Trip Leaders

Are a colorful and dependable crew. We take you off the beaten path into safe and unique ventures, we will show you our favorite spots, folks and ways to be involved/connected. For specific areas such as cultural sites, cooperatives and rainforests, you will also have a local guide or area expert to impart their knowledge.

What to Take

We recommend packing light with the use of a duffel bag or backpack. A good size daypack is also essential.

Checklist

• USD cash
• Credit and/or debit card
• Travellers cheques (optional to bring a small amount as backup, though they are sometimes difficult to cash and usually at a fee)
• Passport (with photocopies)
• Cover or plastic bags for backpacks
• Flashlight (LED headlamps)
• Windproof/waterproof jacket
• Small towel and swim wear
• Sun hat
• 1 pair of long trousers
• 1 pair hiking pants/track pants
  Hiking boots/ sturdy walking shoes
• Sport sandals
• Sunblock
• Toiletries (biodegradable)
• Water bottle
• Pocketknife
• First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Bug repellant, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking

* Travel light – come back loaded with coffee & chocolate.