Our People
  • Amy Waters snow biking Our Team

    Steppes Travel is made by the people who work here. Incredible holidays are made possible because of their vast travel experience and the great enthusiasm they bring to their work.

  • William Dalrymple Our Tour Experts

    We carefully select our experts based on their knowledge, companionship and influence, ensuring that you can travel with the most knowledgeable leaders in the field.

  • Liz Bonnin Heroes and Heroines

    The people who lead the way when it comes to those things which matter to us: exploration, the environment, women’s empowerment and education.

Inglesia La Recoleccion, Leon, Nicaragua

Leon City

Leon makes for an intriguing and fascinating visit. Considered to have one the finest examples of Spanish colonial architecture; Leon is a maze of cobbled streets, intricately carved doorways and wrought-iron balconies.

Boasting the largest cathedral in Central America; Leon is regarded as being the intellectual core of Nicaragua and hosts a thriving population. Excellent galleries, museums and restaurants can be enjoyed too.

Founded by the Spanish Conquistador Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba in 1524, this former capital was devastated by a series of earthquakes and in the 17th Century and a catastrophic volcanic eruption. Located on the shores of Lake Managua, Leon’s history is evident. Long rivalled by the grandeur of Granada, what Leon may lack in splendour, it certainly compensates in vitality and heritage.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Las Penitas Beach in Nicaragua

Poneloya and Las Penitas Beach

Visit the beaches of Poneloya and Las Penitas with relentless pounding surf.

Suggested Holiday Idea

San Jacinto boiling mud holes

San Jacinto

Visit the village of San Jacinto with its bubbling mud pools.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Morgans Rock Hacienda & Ecolodge, Estuary Kayaking, San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado

Kayak the brackish waters of Reserva Natural Isla Juan Venado.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Cerro Negro Volcano, Nicaragua

Volcan Cerro Negro

Hike the blackened slopes of Volcan Cerro Negro.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Where to stay

Some of the wonderful places to stay that we frequently recommended.

La Perla £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • City

La Perla is one of Leon’s best hotels. It is very centrally located, just a couple of blocks from Leon’s cathedral, the central market and close to the National Theatre and the municipal palace. This mansion has been sympathetically restored by local artisans who have taken great pains to recreate the building’s full colonial neoclassical grandeur. There are just 15 rooms around a traditional central courtyard. The upper floor rooms have views across the city. The hotel has a small pool, bar and a respected restaurant that offers a good range of New World wines.

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El Convento, Leon £££££

  • Nicaragua
  • City

Hotel El Convento is one of Leon’s most charming hotels. This was the site of the former San Francisco Convent. The lovingly restored colonial buildings and carefully maintained gardens all add to the ambience and character. All 32 rooms are simple but equipped with modern comforts. Restaurant El Victoriano has a great reputation and there is a good range of local restaurants and bars on your doorstep.

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Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

John Faithfull

This volcanic country offers an epic landscape of smoking cones, and one of John’s recommendations is to climb the young cindercone of Cerro Negro before tumbling down a vertiginous slope of light and (fairly) forgiving pumice scree.

Talk with our experts
  • 1 800 571 2985

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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