Sacred Earth Travel - Cultural Tours

Ancient History, Native Cultures and Natural Treasures

Our guided tours are designed to give you and insight into the history and culture of the places you are visiting. These vary in length from just a day or two, two full featured round trips lasting a week or more. The tours all have an active element (short hikes) and incorporate natural history as well as cultural history to a greater or smaller degree depending on you interest. These tours are all arranged on an individual basis and can depart any time. They can also be customized according to your wishes.

Peru
	Send inquiry Floating Islands of Lake Titicaca Explore the small villages located along the shores of Lake Titicaca and visit some of their most important pre-Inca temples and Colonial churches. Navigate Lake Titicaca in a private fully equipped boat visiting the intriguing floating island of the Uros and other islands of Lake Titicaca like Taquile island famous for it's rich culture and textiles. Walk the trails of the inimitable pre-Inca burial site of Sillustani and enjoy its grand views of Lake Umayo. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Colca Canyon Visit the colonial city of Arequipa to see some of the most important colonial sites in Peru such as the Santa Catalina Convent. Later shop for fine alpaca and vicuna garments at a factory store producing the latest fabrics for the top European designers. Embark on a fascinating exploration of the ruggedly beautiful land around Arequipa and the Colca Canyon. Travel through the National Reserve Salines & Aguada Blanca surrounded by snowcapped volcanoes and see the elegant wild vicuna grazing the wide expanses of the "altiplanos" or high plains. Venture along the rim of the indescribable Colca Canyon, the deepest gorge in the world and home to the Cambanas and Collaguas indigenous communities and the Andean Condor. Witness the engineering genius of the pre-Incas in the form of irrigation canals and terraces still in use today. Spend two unforgettable nights at a small, secluded lodge nested near the canyon walls. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley Experience the essence of the ancient Inka empire with a journey that takes you to the legendary Sacred Valley of the Incas and the Anta Valley with its it's magnificent Inca complexes of Pisaq, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero against a stunningly dramatic backdrop of the high Andes. Visit the engineering wonder of the Maras salt mines worked since the pre-Inca times and still in use today. Submerge yourself for two unforgettable days in the cloud forest and explore the sacred heart of the Inka empire at Machu Picchu while you marvel at its timeless mystery. The journey will end in Cuszco with a guided tour of its greatest cultural and historical treasures, retracing the history of the longest inhabited city in the Americas with its magnificent churches and Inca temples like Coricancha and Sacsayhuman. A brief journey, yet packed with all the true marvels of what remains of the Inka world. View itinerary
	Send inquiry InkaTerra Machu Picchu Lodge Exquisitely beautiful, serene and magical - without a doubt InkaTerra Machu Picchu is the best place to stay if you really want to enjoy Machu Picchu and connect with its deep sense of timeless mystery. InkaTerra is much more than just another hotel. The lodge is composed of 85 luxurious cottages nestles into terraced hills in 12 secluded acres of exquisite beauty, where a reverence for nature reigns. An intimate pueblo of charming whitewashed bungalows spread across the grounds, and a main building that houses the world class restaurant and Spa, all set amidst stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the rushing Vilcanota River. The gardens are home to the most extensive orchid collection in Peru. The grounds and surroundings offer innumerable opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and of course, visits to the enigmatic and mysterious Inca citadel of Machu Picchu. View details View excursions Suggested itinerary 3d/2n
	Send inquiry Experience the Sacred Valley - Urubamba Villas Situated in the heart of the Sacred Valley of the Inkas, between the enigmatic City of Cusco and the world's heritage site of Machu Picchu, Inkaterra Urubamba Villa provides the perfect base from where to explore the enigmatic archaeological sites that surround it - Pisac, Maras, Ollantaytambo or visit the colourful artisan markets and authentic villages, where some of the earliest relics of colonial Peru can be found preserved in ancient churches and convents. Yet, those interested in more adventurous activities, such as hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and river rafting, will be raptured by the opportunities for active pursuits in this enthralling environment. Urubamba Villas offers the perfect private retreat setting from where you can explore the Sacred Valley and is ideally suited to small private groups or families seeking privacy and comfort. View details View excursions View suggested itinerary 4 days/ 3 nights
	Send inquiry Paracas Marine Reserve & Nazca Lines Peru's Coastal Desert offers a stark contrast to the lush rainforest of the interior. Yet, this seemingly desolate place also holds some fascinating mysteries. Just a four hour drive south of Lima lies Peru's only Marine Reserve, a relatively small but precious area situated between ocean and desert, the Paracas Marine Reserve is teeming with wildlife. Not far from there some of the oldest archeological finds of Peru have been discovered, and last but not least, the famous Nazca lines, cryptic glyphs drawn over several kilometers on the desert floor by civilizations that have long since left this planet. Though everybody speculates, nobody knows for sure what these lines might mean or stand for, who created them and for what purposehttp://www.sacredearth-travel.com. This short trip visits both, the Marine Reserve and the Nazca lines, and includes a flight to view them from the air - the only way to really appreciate their magnitude. View itinerary
	Send inquiry The Moche Route Some of the greatest archaeological treasures of Peru can be found in the northern part of the country. Visit the most famous Sipan tomb in Chiclayo, deemed one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the last 30 years, and trace the steps of the ancient Peruvians at the pyramids of Tucume. In Trujillo, visit the beautiful Sun and Moon temples built by Moches, the colonial city and Chan Chan citadel, the capital of the Chimu empire. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Cajamarca and Chiclayo Cajamarca was a major center of the Inca Empire. It is most famous for being the place of first contact between Pizarro and the Inca army, which he defeated in a one-sided battle shortly thereafter, and captured Atahualpa, the last of the independent Inca monarchs. Although the Inca city was razed to the ground, Cajamarca boasts many beautiful colonial buildings, as well as the Inca-era "Ransom Room," where Atahualpa was kept as a prisoner of the Spanish before being garroted. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Chachapoya's Highlights Chachapoyas Highlights' is an Archeological Tour that features the highlights of the forgotten archeological treasures of Northern Peru, visiting such fascinating and unforgettable sites as Kuelap, Leymebamba, Pueblo de los Muertos and Utcubamba Canyon among others. Explore the splendour of the Chachapoyas kingdom in style. A private vehicle brings you to the zone's highlights - from Kuelap to Leymebamba - and your stay at the Gran Hotel Vilaya every night guarantees a comfortable night's sleep. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Chachapoyas Discoverer Tour This tour is offered as a 5, 6 or 7 day itinerary. The tour starts in Chiclayo from where we drive by private transport to Chachapoyas (9 hours). The beautiful journey crosses one of the planet's driest deserts, climbs the Andes and descends to the Marañon River a major Amazon tributary and finally ascends to Chachapoyas via the fabulous Utcubamba Canyon. The next day we visit the Pueblo de los Muertos. Its roundhouse style tombs seem to cling to a precipitous cliff and are one of the continent's most spectacular archeological sites. We also visit Revash and Leymebamba Museum housing the 219 mummies found at a nearby lake in 1997. Finally we make our way to to Kuelap. The towering walls and hundreds of roundhouses capped by the cloud forest at 3,000 meters above sea level always amaze first time visitors. View itinerary
Ecuador
	Send inquiry Andean Highlands and Galapagos Walking Program 15d/14n A classic route that combines some of the most memorable sights of the Ecuadorian highlands and a comprehensive soft-adventure hiking itinerary in the Galapagos Islands. In the highlands we will visit the Indian market in the town of Otavalo and hike in Cotopaxi National Park. We'll return to Quito and fly to the Galapagos Islands to discover their lesser visited sites as well as their most famous landmarks on foot. We will be touring several islands by boat, but return at night for a comfortable night's sleep at a hotel. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Galapagos Walking Program 9d/8n Explore the Galapagos Islands on foot! This soft adventure program is designed for families and adventurers who want seek close encounters with the natural world. Hiking is the best way to explore almost any natural environment as it slows us down to fully appreciate the treasures of the land, the fauna and flora. It is an ideal pace for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts. On this 9 day Galapagos Islands hiking program we'll discover some of the lesser visited sites as well as the most famous landmarks. We will be touring several islands by boat, but return at night to a hotel for a comfortable night's sleep. View itinerary 9d/8n View itinerary 7d/6n
	Send inquiry Avenue of the Volcanoes A classic route that combines some of the most memorable sights of the Ecuadorian highlands. Visit the Indian market in the town of Otavalo. The next day we will visit Cotopaxi volcano and the town of Baños. From here we'll head east on the road that runs along the impressive Pastaza Canyon towards the jungle. On the way we will be able to see "The Devil's Cauldron". As we return to Quito we will visit Chimborazo's Carrel Refuge, where we'll have impressive views of Ecuador's largest and highest mountain. Enjoy beautiful views of the amazing Chimborazo highlands where we can find gracious vicuñas View itinerary
	Send inquiry Podocarpus National Park & Vilcabamba Valley This tour starts in Cuenca and combines nature and culture. We drive from Cuenca to Loja, a picturesque mountain town, where we will visit the cathedral and absorb the ambiance of the old colonial architecture of this town. The next morning we will visit the Podocarpus National Park, famous for its high degree of endemic species, found nowhere else. The complex topography combined with a mixture of Andean and Amazon climate zones creates unique microclimates throughout the park. There are up to 90 different tree species, including three species of the park's namesake genus, "Podocarpus"In the afternoon we make our way to Vilcabamba valley, also known as the 'Valley of Longevity' due to the remarkably long lives attained by its inhabitants. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Southern Highlands Visit the volcano landscape of the southern highlands. Starting off in Quito we make our way to Cotopaxi,where we will have time for a short hike around the Limpiopungo lake at 3,800 m and enjoy the wonderful highland terrain of this area. On the next day we'll visit Zumbahua, one of the least spoiled highland areas of Ecuador. We'll visit the amazing volcanic lake of Quilotoa and travel on to Baños, a picturesque town located at the gateway to the jungle. On the final day we'll drive to Riobamba before continuing to San Juan and the upper highlands of Chimborazo, Ecuador's highest volcano. We will see vicuñas graze the mountain slope, and depending on your physical conditions, may take a hike up to Whymper refuge. View itinerary
	Send inquiry El Angel Ecological Reserve and Otavalo Starting in Quito, this is a short excursion to the famous Indian market town of Otavalo, with several scenic stop-overs along the way and an extra day spent at the El Angel Ecological Reserve, which was created in 1992 to protect 16000 ha of the distinctive high altitude grassland vegetation known as "paramo". Endemic to this region are the strange looking "Frailejones" which cover much of the grassland. There are also a number of beautiful lakes and trails. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Explore the Ecuadorian Highlands Quito, Otavalo, Cotopaxi National Park, Riobamba and Cuenca We'll travel to the market town of Otavalo, where we will visit the famous Otavalo Indian market, known as one of the biggest and most colourful market in South America. From here we will travel to Cotacachi town, famous for its leather clothes, Cuicocha Lake and San Antonio de Ibarra. The next day we will visit Cotopaxi National Park, where we will have time for a short walk in the highlands around the vocano before continuing our trip to Machachi town. The next day we head south to the Zumbagua highlands, a beautiful Paramo area where we will find the impressive Quilotoa Crater Lake. From here we carry on to Baños, gateway to the Amazon. We take a short hike in the amazing cloud forest and admire the "Devil Cauldron" waterfall. In the late afternoon we'll continue our journey to Riobamba and stay overnight at a hacienda in the foothills of the impressive Mount Chimborazo (6,310 m), the highest and largest mountain in Ecuador. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Northern Lake Land Starting in Quito, this is a short excursion to the famous Indian market town of Otavalo, with several scenic stop-overs along the way. We'll visit the Cochasqui Indian Ruins and Cotacachi town, famous for its leather clothes and make stops at Cuicocha Lake and San Antonio de Ibarra. The next day we will take in the sounds and sights of this colorful Indian market. On the return journey we'll make stops at beautiful Mojanda Lakes and head for Cayambe and El Quinche before we arrive in Quito. View itinerary
Panama
	Send inquiry Panama Canal and Rainforest This tour package features a day long trip through the Panama Canal starting at the Pacific and ending in the Atlantic. You will be accompanied by an expert guide who will explain in detail the Canal's fascinating history - from the French's attempts to build a sea level canal, through the final days of the U.S. project. You will stay at the luxurious Gamboa Rainforest Resort, constructed on the banks of the Chagres River located near Lake Gatun at the mid-point of the Panama Canal. Here you are surrounded by lush tropical forest, yet only 45 minutes from Panama City. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Explore Panama Begin your stay in Panama with a visit to an Embera community in Chagres National Park, where you will have to opportunity to learn about the ancient and fascinating way of life of these Indians. Then travel to El Valle, a charming mountain town in the crater of an extinct volcano high above the Panamanian Pacific coast. Finally, you will be one of few people to stay in the San Blas Islands, the autonomous region of the Kuna Indians. This expedition is affordably priced and includes some of Panama's most interesting Amerindian cultures. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Panama Journey On this journey you will visit some of Panama's most stunning Caribbean beaches, the San Blas Kuna Kingdom and experience an unforgettable encounter with the Embera tribe in the Panama Canal watershed. Then you will hike the mountains of Chiriquí on the Costa Rican border, to observe rare and elusive bird species in a tropical cloud forest. Finally, enjoy the beauty of Bocas del Toro, an Afro- Panamanian paradise on the Caribbean coast. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Indigenous Trail The Indigenous Trail is for the traveler looking for a path less traveled; this itinerary takes you into the areas of the country where rich indigenous culture still exists. High in the hills or in between mangroves and ocean, discover Panama's hidden secrets. Meet the Embera and the Ngobe Tribe and visit the Boquete highlands and the lowlands near Panama Canal, as well as the Bocas del Toro achipelago. This tour provides an insight into the cultural diversity of Panama. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Exploring the Canal Watershed This is the perfect itinerary for birdwatchers and hikers to explore the Panama Canal Watershed. Visit the Metropolitan Park located right outside Panama City, Smithsonian's research center Barro Colorado, Soberania National Park, relax in the middle of nature at Sierra Llorona as hummingbirds buzz around your head and learn about the history of gold and pirates at Fort San Lorenzo one of the five UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Panama all in one week! View itinerary

Please send us an e-mail to info@sacredearth-travel.com to ask about customizing your itinerary.