Austin-Lehman Adventures will bring its award-winning small-group and custom itineraries to Nicaragua in 2013, announced Dan Austin, founding director.

The 8-day/7-night Nicaragua: Cerro Negro to San Juan del Sur programs will have scheduled departures January 26, March 23, March 30, July 27, August 03, November 16, November 23, December 21, and December 28, 2013 beginning and ending in Managua. The per person double occupancy rate is $2,398 ($380 single supplement)

Referred to as “unvisited and off-the-radar as Costa Rica was 50 years ago”, Nicaragua had a special appeal to Austin who is always on the lookout for the next “hot” travel destination. From surfing black volcanic sands to zip lining through tropical rainforest, the country is home to countless volcanoes, a spectacular coastline, the two largest fresh-water lakes in Central America and rainforests teeming with flora and fauna.

Guests climb to the rim of Cerro Negro crater before surfing on an ash board down its black volcanic sands; tour the cathedral, galleries and museums of Leon, the intellectual capital of Nicaragua; hike Masaya Volcano National Park; kayak on the Asesse Peninsula; soar with a boisterous population of monkeys and birds on a zip line tour of Mombacho Nature Reserve; and relax on the white sand beaches of San Juan del Sur.

Austin-Lehman Adventures, www.austinlehman.com