Northern Highlands Holidays
North of Managua the valley rears steeply toward the Honduran border with a ribbon of tall rugged mountain peaks shrouded in thick cloud forest and pine trees. Waterfalls cascade from tall granite ridges and the fertile valley below is speckled with acres of prime coffee and tobacco plantations. Here, the Northern Highlands experience a cooler climate and a timeless ambience that makes it Nicaragua’s best kept secret.
Several cloud forest reserves are found at higher altitudes, most notably the Reserva Natural Miraflor which nestles a deep lake at its core. The reserve features a network of trails designed to make most of the diverse range of wildlife that live here; from resplendent quetzal to river otter, and a vibrant array of flora including orchids. Furthermore, trek through the Reserva Natural Cerro Tisey-Estanzuela to the beautiful El Salto de la Estanzuela, a 40m high waterfall that tumbles into a lagoon perfect for a refreshing dip. Tour one of the cigar factories in the university town of Esteli and visit Matagalpa, the coffee capital of Nicaragua, to sample the intense flavour of the country’s leading crop export.