Telica trip

Hi doeyn - You've asked for input from those who have done one or the other so please excuse my comparisons as I've done both over the years; the latest dealing with Sonati less than two weeks ago. I'm not sure which organization you've contacted but the tours through all are basically the same. Here's the latest for Sonati:

Their shorter tour leaves in the afternoon and costs US$45 per person. Passengers are driven almost to the top, the hike is about 45 minutes to the crater, equal or less time is actually spent at the crater enjoying the views, you walk back down and go to a local farm for traditional Nica dinner, and are then driven back to León.

Their overnight camping trek leaves at 9am and returns at 10am the following morning for US$35 a person. A horse costs $10 each way and I suppose could carry your 6 year old and all (or most) of your things. Difficulty is more from walking in the heat exposed to the sun than steepness. If the horse is carrying all your family's food, water, and camping gear, you've just alleviated the worst part.

It truly is a unique experience even without the lava. Only you can determine what is best for your family, but if you've the time...I don't think you'd regret the overnight camp next to an active volcano. What experiences and memories for your kids!

Enjoy ~ whatever you decide!

I have been to Telica three times. Always November-December. Always with Sonati (their groups are usually small). Always the overnight camping trip. We took the horse as well on the way up to carry our backpacks. One horse can take two backpacks. We found the hike not that hard but hot. It probably takes about 4 hours to get to the campsite. Some of that is flat, there are a few steeper parts and the end is steep but that really is only a short stretch. If you are planning on your youngest one being on a horse, it shouldn't be a problem. I think he/she could even walk it if he/she is passionate and determined.

I like the hike itself as well, especially going back down as then I have more time to focus on the views. The campsite really is special : how often can you camp at the foot of a steaming crater ? I think it would be a great family experience. The sunrise is one of the best moments to me. You see all the other volcanoes and Telica is kind of grey... till the sun hits it and it gets this reddish glow. Volcano San Cristobal (which you can see clearly) gets the same glow. So beautiful. Again, we went 3 times and had no clouds but that was during the dry season.

Although you can't see lava any more and the volcano doesn't (always ?) make the loud noise any more it is still very impressive. The sunset is nice but doesn't really have much to do with the crater, the sun doesn't go down behind the crater or something like that. The best experiences to me are : standing/lying on the edge of that big crater, the campsite and the sunrise. We always left around 10 am and we have taken different routes up but the earliest we arrived at the campsite was 2 pm. Plenty of time to wander around and explore before the sunset. We were always back in Leon later than 10 am, more like noon.

Telica is great. Another volcano you should include is Cerro Negro (short hike up, great views, active crater and you can board or run down).Enjoy !

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