Our tour starts today in San Jose. The cosmopolitan Costa Rican capital lies in a fertile valley at an altitude of 1,150 metres. Coffee and sugar cane are big industries here and coffee is even planted between new buildings and along the roadside on the outskirts of the city. Due to the number of evening flights into the international airport, our tour leader plans to do the welcome meeting on the morning of day two and will leave a message in our hotel reception with details on timings and everything else that you'll need for the day. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in San Jose at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into San Jose's Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) which is around 30 minutes from our hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to head out to explore the city which is easy to navigate with a grid pattern of avenues and streets with a good choice of local eateries, which you may choose to sample this evening. The National Museum (Museo Nacional De Costa Rica) is also well worth a visit.

After breakfast, we'll have a short panoramic tour of San Jose including a walk along Avenida Central and a stop in Mercado Central. We then leave the capital and head on a three-hour drive to Monteverde - one of the most well-known places in Costa Rica to see wildlife. This evening, we'll have the adventure of a night walk, in search of nocturnal species such as pacas and tarantulas.

Rising early, we head into Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve for a guided walk, searching for a glimpse of the three-wattled bellbird or the Quetzal, whose feathers were traded as valuable items throughout pre-Columbian America. You have the afternoon free to explore this forest haven; you may wish to participate in the many amazing optional activities in the area such as an exhilarating zip-wire experience as you whiz through the canopy, or perhaps exploring the forest on suspension bridges strung at canopy height. Alternatively, the area's butterfly farm and orchid gardens are both well worth a visit.

This morning, we'll drive three and a half hours to the coastal haven of Bahia Salinas, close to the Nicaraguan border. The afternoon is free to enjoy the beautiful beach and coastline.

Today we wave goodbye to Costa Rica and travel across the border into Nicaragua and onto the colonial city of Granada. The driving time today will be approximately 3-hours. We cross into Nicaragua at the land border crossing called 'Frontera Penas Blancas'. Atmospheric Granada is situated at the foot of Mombacho Volcano on the northwest shore of Lake Nicaragua. It was the first colonial city in Nicaragua, founded in 1524 by the conquistador Hernandez de Cordoba. Its magnificent setting, set off by baroque and renaissance buildings, is a visual delight and a superb location for our next two nights' accommodation. On arrival, our city tour will take in highlights such as the Parque Central, the monument to the War of Independence, the plaza and the San Francisco Convent. We'll also aim to visit the Casa de Tres Mundos and the neoclassical Bishop's Palace. The afternoon is at your leisure. Choose to walk down to the central plaza, marvel at the striking yellow cathedral and relax in one of the many restaurants or cafes.

This morning, we have the chance to hike the scenic loop around Mombacho Volcano, located in Mombacho Volcano Natural Reserve. This is a short but demanding hike, covering 1.5 to 2 km in total and taking around 2.5 to 3 hours due to the terrain. The trail starts at 1,025 metres and descends to 900 metres, meaning there's an elevation loss of 125 metres on the way down and a matching elevation gain of 125 metres on the way back up. While the ascent and descent are gradual rather than steep, the nature of the trail requires a steady pace. Along the way, a local guide will share fascinating information about the area's unique plants, animals, and volcanic history This afternoon has been left free for you to continue exploring Granada at your own pace.

Today we head for Nicaragua's former capital, León where we'll spend the next two nights. As the country's capital for 200 years, Leon is still considered the intellectual centre of Nicaragua and was at the heart of the revolutionary years of 1978 to 1989. Lying in the shadow of seven volcanoes, its old buildings and massive cathedral contribute to the elegant atmosphere of a city that seems almost to have been trapped in time. On arrival, we'll embark on a city tour.

Today has been left free to explore this colonial gem at your own pace. Alternatively, you may choose to enjoy one of the optional excursions available in the area. One option is a hike on the nearby Cerro Negro Volcano - one of the most active volcanoes in Nicaragua. The hike takes approximately 90 minutes at a moderate pace, and there are stunning views across the Pacific Ocean as well as the surrounding countryside. The fun is in bouncing down the volcano, as we run/jump/walk down through the scree. For something less exertive, Las Penitas Beach is a great place to relax for the day, whilst a visit to San Juan Venado Mangrove Reserve provides the opportunity to spot wildlife including crocodiles, caiman and iguanas.

This morning, we wave goodbye to Nicaragua and head to the smallest country in Central America- El Salvador. Don't let its size fool you; the country is teeming with towering volcanoes, a spectacular coastline, and beautiful colonial towns and villages. We start our day by driving to the coastal town of Potosí, before hopping on the water taxi across the Gulf of Fonseca. On the journey, you can see the islands of three countries: El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Be prepared for a wet boarding or landing- you may need to wade into waist-deep water to get on or off the boat. It is worth bringing aqua shoes or flip flops for this day. A dry bag would be desirable. Once on board, the crossing can be bumpy- adding to the sense of adventure! If the weather's choppy, expect some sea spray- so a poncho or rain jacket might be a good idea. The crossing should take around two to three hours. Our destination is the port town of La Unión. On arrival, we will head out to Conchagua town for a walk and an optional group dinner. The country's national dish is pupusas-these delicious circles of corn dough are stuffed with a mixture of black beans, vegetables, cheese, and meats. We estimate our journey time today will be around 7 hours. Please be patient; crossing borders can be quite a slow process, so ensure you have a book and snacks with you to keep you going.

This morning, we have a three-and-a-half-hour drive to the peaceful lakeside town of Suchitoto. The town itself seems timeless, with cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, and an impressive colonial church in a leafy plaza. It was once at the heart of the country's indigo trade. The afternoon is free for you to spend as you wish. You may choose to take a boat trip on the lake, where over 200 bird species have been recorded, including hawks and falcons. Alternatively, you might want to visit the nearby Cascada Los Tercios- a 30-metre-high waterfall that flows over an impressive cliff of tightly packed hexagonal basalt rocks.

This morning we have 2 border crossings, passing into Guatemala before crossing through to Honduras at the border crossing known as 'Frontera El Florido'. After crossing the border into Guatemala, we'll head to Esquipulas, a city in the department of Chiquimula, in eastern Guatemala, known as an important center of religious pilgrimage. At the heart of the city is the Basilica of Esquipulas, home to one of the most revered images in Central America: the Black Christ of Esquipulas. This serene figure of the crucified Christ draws thousands of believers each year, especially during the Fiesta de Cristo Negro, celebrated every January 15. After the visit continue to the border with Honduras and to Copán. This charming village, with its adobe buildings, will be our base for the night, placing us in an ideal position to explore the ruins of one of the most significant sites of the Mayan civilization. Again, please note, crossing borders can be quite a slow process, so ensure you have a book and snacks with you to keep you going.

This morning, a local guide will escort us around the spectacular ruins of Copan - one of the richest archaeological sites to be uncovered in Central America and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anyone familiar with Catherwood's incredible drawings (which first appeared in John Stephens' 1841 narrative - 'Incidents of Travel in Central America and Yucatan'), will recognise scenes and objects from this marvellous site. Stephens actually bought the entire site from a local farmer for just $50. The Great Plaza is one of the most amazing achievements of the Classic Maya period and contains the greatest collection of Maya sculptures anywhere in Meso-America. Next door is the Acropolis - a group of massive pyramidal structures where royal power was once concentrated. Ascending one structure is the famous Hieroglyphic Stairway. Composed of some 2,500 individual glyphs, its sides flanked by serpentine birds and snakes, this is the New World's longest inscribed pre-Colombian text. Copan has been the subject of exploration and investigation since the 1830s. Remarkable finds continue to be unearthed by archaeologists, making it the most thoroughly researched and understood of all Maya sites. In the afternoon, we'll drive to Guatemala City, arriving late in the evening.

This morning, we have a short visit of Guatemala City before continuing our journey to the town of Panajachel on the shores of Lake Atitlan, which will be our base for the night. An old volcanic caldera, Lake Atitlan is considered to be one of the most spectacular lakes in the Americas and is certainly the deepest in Central America. Encircled by the volcanoes of Toliman, Atitlan and San Pedro, the lake's fertile shores are sprinkled with small communities of farmers and fishermen who still uphold the traditions of their Maya ancestors. Panajachel itself is an old Spanish settlement which has attracted visitors to this charming setting for years. Today, it is one of the region's most popular tourist spots, filled with galleries, handicraft shops and cafes, and is a good place to start our exploration of the area. This afternoon, we head out by boat to explore two of the many Mayan villages surrounding the lake. Santiago Atitlan lies at the base of the volcanic peaks of Toliman and Atitlan, and is home to the Tzutujil Maya people. The Tzutujil can trace their ancestry back to the post-classic period of the Maya (around 900-1500 AD). They still wear a traditional form of dress, with the women in particular sporting colourful blouses with embroidered geometric and bird designs. This is a busy village with lots of visitors and locals going about their business. Our second stopis to San Juan La Laguna, a community famous for its indigenous traditions, particularly the population of descendants of the Tz'utujil Mayans, who keep their customs, language and typical clothing alive. The town stands out for its quiet atmosphere and its colorful streets, where you can find small workshops of local crafts, especially textiles, paintings and handmade products. In addition, it is famous for its focus on art and culture, with murals adorning various parts of the town, depicting scenes of daily life and traditions of the region. Returning to Panajachel by boat, we have the remainder of the evening to explore the town and enjoy dinner in one of its many excellent restaurants.

Our journey continues by land to the bustling town of Chichcastenango. Steeped in Mayan culture, the town is famed for its market, where you can buy everything, from chickens and copal to pigs and pottery. The best way to enjoy the market is to throw yourself into the melee and haggle with the traders, or escape to the beautifully colourful cemetery located just a short walk from the market. Later, we'll travel on to our final destination of the trip - Antigua de Guatemala, where we'll spend two nights. Famed for its well-preserved Spanish Mudejar-influenced architecture, this graceful colonial city was founded early in the 16th century. Set in a beautiful valley between the volcanoes of Agua, Fuego and Acatenango, its cobbled streets and pastel-coloured buildings make it one of the most charming and picturesque cities in Central America. Despite the damage caused by a series of earthquakes and floods over the centuries, Antigua's colonial heritage has seen it designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This morning's walking tour takes us to some of the spectacular colonial churches for which the city is famed, including those of San Francisco, Santa Clara, La Merced and Las Capuchinas. Some of the churches have museums and ruins attached which you can choose to enter later in the afternoon. The city is also famous for its jade, not only green but the rarer black and lilac, and we will visit a museum explaining more about this industry. This afternoon has been left free for you to continue exploring at your own pace. You may choose to do a short hike up Cerro de la Cruz for panoramic views of the city or enjoy a bit of bargain hunting in what is regarded as one of the best cities for shopping in Central America. There is everything here, from high-end jewellery to street vendors selling locally-produced crafts and textiles. Alternatively, try the choco-museum for a Mayan hot chocolate, which comes with pure chocolate, hot milk, honey and chilli powder to mix to your personal taste.

The trip ends this morning at our hotel in Antigua, Guatemala. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from La Aurora International Airport (GUA). The drive between the airport and our hotel can take between 90 minutes and four hours depending on the traffic and the time of day.