From the trail junction that leads down to Naranjillo, we climb steadily up for more than a kilometer over the flank of Cerro Diamante, the last climb of any significance, before we resume our relentless descent to the coastal plain of the Pacific.
From this height of land we have extensive views of thickly forested hilltops falling away down to the valley formed by the Rio Navarro. Much of this area is privately owned natural forest that is protected by government policies protecting the natural landscape.
This dream like landscape continues for about 6 kilometers before arriving at the first structures as we approach Esquipulas.
We have now reached the coastal plain and we are immediately aware of the heat and humidity that greeted us back on day 1 in Barra de Parismina.
