Surviving a night next to the crater of an active volcano (Nicaragua)
This is the Telica volcano one of the most active volcanoes in the world. In fact, it had a surprise eruption just a couple months ago when a group of tourists was at the top right next to the crater. And tonight we’re trading in our warm comfy bed to sleep next to the crater
On top of an unstable ball of boiling lava. What we’re really hoping for is that we’ll get to see lava bubble up from the center of the earth here. That has been on my bucket list for years and maybe to not become a human barbecue in the process.
Nicaragua has a whopping 19 active volcanoes. The volcano related activities here can get wild. Like volcano boarding where you go down a steep slope covered in volcanic rock on a thin wooden board at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. The Cerro Negro volcano is the only place in the world
Where tour companies are crazy enough to let you do this with zero experience. All right, just 45 minutes more to go to climb this little steep volcano. How are the troops? This board is heavy. I think it’s like 18 pounds. Volcano boarding started when an Australian guy
Who stole a refrigerator from his hotel dragged it up Cerro Negro and actually surfed down the volcano on the fridge. It wasn’t fast enough to his liking though so he later used a front door to go down even faster. So I should probably mention that I have a bit
Of a fear of heights and I don’t like fast things that require good balance because my balance is not that great. This is going to be a challenge for me. Look at that view. Unbelievable. It’s another volcano over there. Whose idea was this? This was my idea. This was a bad idea.
From 0 to 100, how much are you regretting it? You don’t seriously considering faking a stomach bug or something just to get out of doing this? Look at that. We have to go down that way. So your feet, they are never on the board.
If you do this, the board is going to sink. Like Titanic, you know the movies? That’s why your feet, they have to be outside but also on the ground. I’m not sure if that’s supposed to make you feel better or not. Certain death, here I come. It was surreal
To be on top of an active volcano at sunset. Watching the first people get on their board and disappear into the abyss as the slope down got steeper and steeper. This is not the place to face plant on the way down because volcanic rock isn’t exactly as forgiving as snow.
Oh my god, it’s getting steeper. And this is what it looks like. when one of the guides comes down the slope. Wow, that’s ballsy. – I don’t know why I was so scared. – You made it! Well, I do know why I was scared, I mean look at it.
I wish I could go again. I love this. It was so much fun! It was really thrilling, wow. That was steep and fast. – It was steep. – The last part was really fast. Yeah, very fast. So glad I did it. It’s a good thing I didn’t worry about it
For six days before doing this. Oh wait, you did. The bus ride back to town was not your ordinary bus ride. Everyone got free rum and cokes. Good morning. We’re having a little breakie and some coffee to get us going in the morning. Life could be worse. I have traditional Nicaragua breakfast
Which is a rice and beans, some fried eggs, some cheese and some fried plantain chips. It’s actually really, really good. I love this breakfast. Pancakes. Today, new day, new volcano activity. That pretty much sums up life in Nicaragua. Today… – We’re going… – Sleeping… on an active volcano. The thought of sleeping
On top of a very active ball of lava is kind of nerve-wracking especially after we heard a few more stories yesterday about unexpected explosions spewing gas and ashes into the sky on the volcano we’re going to today. but we came here to see lava and we’re not leaving Nicaragua
Until we fulfill that mission. Today we’re going on a smaller tour in another company that’s going to be just us. The guide’s going to be here in about 30 minutes and I haven’t finished packing yet. We’re definitely going to be needing these babies. Camera. More cameras. And we also have about
Eight liters of water for the two of us. Pretty much everything else our guide is supposed to bring. So fingers crossed he doesn’t forget the tent the sleeping bag all of the stuff one needs to spend the night at the top of an active volcano. Lava shield.
All right, let’s go. Time to rock. Ti-Time time to lava, Naick. So you can put your backpack in here. We left the city and drove out into the countryside of Nicaragua. The driver was going to drop us off about 1/3rd of the way up the volcano. Past that point
The only way to get up to the crater is to hike up the slope of the volcano. Now that we have a sleeping bag and a tent that we need to carry up this volcano. It really starts to sink in that we’re actually doing this.
We’re going to sleep on top of an active volcano. All right, we’re about… Are we halfway up? Almost there. This is our guide. Hi, well my name is Max. I’m from Leon City here in Nicaragua. So, today we’re hiking Telica Volcano one of the seven active volcanoes
That we got here in our walking range. Officially in Nicaragua, we got 19 volcanoes only considering active. And well, we’re here just hanging out today. Yeah, it’s beautiful. – Wow, the view here… – Absolutely stunning. Getting to the edge of the crater. I’m excited. Wow, look at that, you can see there
The crater’s broke off. That is crazy. This is something else. Oh my god, guys, we made it. Look at this. There’s all the smoke coming out of the crater. That’s deep. Th-that goes down very… This crater has 700 meters wide. – 700 meters? – 700 meters wide, exactly. And 200 meters deep.
So basically, what we hear down there that’s the sound of the magma. I mean, we cannot see it but we can hear it. Wow, that’s amazing. But let me tell you something. This is the only volcano in Nicaragua where you, you would find someone selling beers or something here. You want a beer?
I want a Coca-Cola. Okay, how much is it? – Beer on a volcano. – Cheers. Cheers, guys. Okay guys, just let me take a picture of you. Best beer ever. The guide just told us that every year there are two or three explosions. Not necessarily like full-blown eruptions but at least explosions.
So hopefully not tonight. Or maybe just a really small one. And the Coca-Cola guy over there says that some days you do still get to see the lava. If you’re lucky, you need to be lucky. We might still see it when we come back in the morning. But even without it, I mean,
I think this is so cool because you have this looks and feels so large like an active volcano. Now we’re going to watch the sunset on the other side of the crater. Since we can’t exactly walk across the crater, we’re walking down a little bit to get around it. The last thing
That I expected to see up here is cows. We’re still right next to the crater. It’s right there. So now if there is an explosion you have like a cow barbecue naturally. Yeah. Hey, what about us? Us too. I don’t like that. I really lava this view so much.
– Lava this view – Oh, you lava this view. I didn’t even catch that. I made her erupt with laughter. You know what you get when you cross a volcano with a saxophone? A molten saxophone. Naick, don’t do this when I’m walking uphill. You’re killing me. That’s the only reason I’m slow.
Gonna leave our sleeping bags and tents here and I hope the cows don’t eat them because they’re curious and hungry. We’re gonna watch the sunset over there. Right. If I’m being honest when we didn’t see the lava in the crater, I was really disappointed. I’ve always thought of lava
As this raw display of nature’s power that I really wanted to see for myself and so far… nothing. But it is this precise moment where I realized that the travel gods were in fact giving us something else instead. And maybe that was something we needed more. To spend time away from laptops
Phones, the internet. Up here, next to the flaming crater of the Telica volcano, we were just people and cows talking connecting, enjoying nature and mentally preparing for a night’s sleep on top of this active volcano. Now that the sun has set and it’s starting to get dark it’s kind of dawning on me
That we’re actually going to be sleeping underneath this crater here. Like right next to it. Which doesn’t make a lot of sense from a survival standpoint because it has been known to be unpredictable. This is our home for the night. It’s time to move in, people. That right there
That’s the top of the crater. Apparently the tour company has arranged for dinner to be prepared by locals who live in a small village at the base of the volcano. The lady of the house made us this fresh meal and then her husband actually carried our 3 meals
Just the food for the three of us up the volcano and then casually walked back down. This is Uber Eats, the volcano version That’s so great. I like it. Grilled chicken. There are 4 other people camping up here tonight and they’d already made a campfire. So, Kim and Naick.
– Hello. – Nice to meet you. – So nice to meet you. – It’s so nice meeting you. So you came from the United States? That’s right. What state? From Massachusetts. Massachusetts. What city? Boston. Boston. Okay. Every time you meet like a fellow traveler you kind of start swapping these stories about
Oh where have you been, what have you done what are your plans, etc. And you always instantly feel connected to them because they’re so into the same stuff as you. They love travel. They have so much in common with a total stranger just because you both enjoy to travel. I like that.
I can’t believe we were sleeping tonight. Like we’re in this little tent but then you think of where you actually are where this tent is. It’s like on top of a active volcano. We’re basically lying on top of a gigantic ball of lava. Can erupt at any moment.
When I let my brain really dwell on that and think about it I feel this little twinge inside of me that’s like, shouldn’t we be panicking? This is not something people usually do. Maybe it’s risky maybe something is gonna happen maybe something is gonna go wrong. But this is the whole point
Of going outside of the comfort zone. Sometimes you just have to tell that little part of your brain to shut the heck up. Because otherwise you’re never gonna get to experience any of this cool stuff. Yeah. I love you. This has to be one of the best sunrises
I’ve ever done in my entire life. That volcano behind us is amazing. And you can see a bunch of other volcanoes off in the distance as well. That one smoking over there way in the back is called Momotombo. From what I understand it’s erupting quite continuously. Only thing I’m missing right now
Is lava. But I know of a place where we can normally pretty much be guaranteed to see the lava. Hey Kim do you know what volcanoes eat for dessert? No. Baklava. Oh my goodness. So I know this is going to sound crazy but to find the lava
We’re actually gonna have to get back to our car and drive it up an active volcano. Drive the car up towards the crater to see the lava. What followed was a wild ride. we hiked down the Volcano, said goodbye to our guide and hopped on a minibus back to Granada
Where we left the van a few days ago. Right before getting on the minibus Naick got pickpocketed in the bus station. Which is the first time that has happened to us in 5 years of full-time travel. It sucked but we tried to not get caught up in negativity we only lost 70 dollars
And probably the person who took the money was truly desperate. It is what it is. There he is, our home away from home. Well, that is our home. Okay Vinny, we’ve got a little mission for you. We are going to take you to see some lava, boy. All right
We’re now in the middle of Nicaragua, about 20 kilometers south from the capital, Managua. And we’re here to do something really, really unique. I’m aware that what I’m about to say right now is going to sound surreal, but we are currently driving to the top
Of one of the most active volcanoes in the world. This is the car park and that right there. Okay folk, not seeing much yet. Right now there’s a lot of smoke. It is said to wait here until it gets dark. We should be able to see actual glowing lava. So.
Sun’s setting down the mountain there. It is really really amazing. Like from here you can see this small section of the caldera. You can literally see the lava bubbling. Like it is so cool. Sometimes there’s a lot of smoke and we don’t really see anything. And then there are these moments
We were like, oh my god, oh my god. I’m staring into the center of the earth. Like, that’s just nuts. Like, we paid 10 bucks to come up here which is nothing. Oh no, it’s 10 bucks. No, yeah, true. It’s just so cool. It almost makes me feel small and insignificant
Even though I’m quite tall and awesome. I’m just so, so happy.
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35 Comments
That is so cool. I think I see red bottom 😂
Such an amazing experience! thank you for sharing your adventures with us
It’s shocking from the very beginning, you two are so brave! Skateboarding looks exciting, but your heart must be strong enough to play it!
I didn’t expect that there are also takeaways like Uber Eats there, so convenient!
It's a pity that your wallet was stolen, but as Kim said, he may have stolen the wallet because he encountered difficulties, so you can think you donate it to him!
Thank you very much for sharing! Looking forward to your coming to Asia again! 👍🥰🙏
We were driving through Kununurra, Western Australia. We were really drunk ad were planning to camp at Hidden Valley, a series of skinny canyons. I passed out in back of car and when I woke up we were camped. I needed a pee and it was pitch dark. I walked with my hands out, expecting to find the wall of the canyon. Problem was they had changed their minds and we were at Kelly's Knob, A rock formation 191m up. I fell off the edge and landed on a tiny ledge about 4m down. My friends were yelling at me to shut up until they realised I was calling for help. Moral- Don't drink too many of those beers
Hi guys, just curious what brand Diesel Heater you installed in Vinny? i'm looking to purchase one soon.
this video! just wow.. im so jealous! i've wanted to volcano board for at least a decade now!!!!
Hallo Naick en Kim, wat een avonturiers zijn jullie zeg. Dat zou ik allemaal niet durven. Wees voorzichtig en geniet er maar van. Groetjes, Gilberte
INSANE but epic and thrilling!!
Again you guys are braver than I! ❤️
The most thrilling thing I did was climbing the rim of the semi-active Caldera in Santorini! 😉
Such a cool video!! Love it.
Happy New Year, guys. What a fantastic experience.
Awesome video! Thank you. 🇨🇦
Imagine you wake up and you smell the rotten odour and you say “ can you please have some respect honey. It wasn’t me it was the volcano that did it. 😂😂😂😂
Ok. This was the best video since the worst video in Taiwan.
4:05 your faces here are amazing!!!!
Did you throw Naick, the virgin, into the volcano? 🌋
You'll make it to Costa Rica soon! I'd love to be your guide for free ❤ I've followed you for years and hope you really enjoy the rest of the trip
You guys are CRAZY, but I love watching you!!! ❤❤❤ from Puerto Rico.
Jesus is real and the only way to heaven
You know that game kids play….. 'The Floor is Lava'? At 14:46….. the SKY is lava…….
What an incredible experience…. even though you didn't get actual lava. Maybe next time!
😴😴😴😴😴
I'm so happy for you guys.
You should watch Into the Inferno by Werner Herzog…documentary
You guy's are mine one of top 3 travel vlogers ❤
Sitting here in chilly Germany and mesmerized by that view–thank you for posting these videos!
That looked so much fun! 🌋
Sorry about the pickpocketing though. That sucks. 😕
Amazing experiences! This trip is truly one in a million.
This is absolutely unforgettable travel experience for you two.❤❤
I hope you guys are having fun here in Nicaragua. Nice content ❤
Sunset and volcanoes made me think of the little prince.
He must be going back to his planet now and happy together with his beautiful rose.
BTW, Naick is more and more like a wrestler.
Omg you guys… another awesome video… now Kim I was wondering… what if you needed to Pee during the night or otherwise 😂 I am sure they had you all set there. 😊. You guys both look awesome and we are so happy that things are going well and love seeing the big smiles… cheers 🍻
I enjoy ur video
Great to see you guys again. Hope you had a good Xmas and NY!
Nicely made video.. Wife and I will traveling there February. Would you share the tourist company you guys used for cerro negro and Telica
🙂
Nicaragua is beautiful. Glad you had a good time. The borders though were such a nightmare. I'm guessing you are well past the area now but we are in Costa Rica until March if you are still around.