Sacred Earth Travel - Soft Adventure

Wildlife Observation, Adventures in Nature

Peru
	Send inquiry ECO-LODGES - PERU One of the best ways to get a real deep insight into the nature and ecology of Peru's rich and diverse rain forest habitats is to visit one of the eco-lodges. Expert naturalist guides take visitors to the best places for watching birds, mammals and other wildlife. Canopy walkways, zip-lines or observation towers provide a superb opportunity to observe 'the action' in the canopy. Night excursions reveal the nocturnal life of the mysterious forest and its inhabitants. Please review the details of each lodge from the 'Eco-Lodge page' or follow the links below: Tambopata Research Station, Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, Heath River Wildlife Center, Sandoval Lake Lodge, Reserva Amazonica, Pantiacolla Lodge, Manu Wildlife Center, Cock-of-the Rock Lodge, Tahuayo Lodge, Explorama Lodge, ExplorNapo Lodge, Ceiba Tops Lodge and Pacaya Samiria Lodge Also visit the Birdwatching Trip index page
	Send inquiry A WEEK IN THE AMAZON On this tour you will visit 3 different Amazon Lodges: Explorama Lodge, ExplorNapo Lodge and Ceiba Tops Lodge, all located in the Amazon Basin. Each lodge is embedded in a different ecosystem and thus provides a unique insight into the ecology of the forest. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Amazon's longest canopy walkway, which provides a unique bird's eye perspective on the forest and its canopy inhabitants. View itineraries
	Send inquiry FROM THE CLOUD FOREST TO THE AMAZON - A NATURALIST'S JOURNEY This five-night program provides a complete overview of the habitats and wildlife of all elevations along the road-and-river route from Cusco to the Manu lowlands. We travel in our expedition bus down the orchid-festooned cloud forest road to Cock-of-the-Rock Lodge, which offers the world's finest viewing of these blazing scarlet birds. The following day, we drive and boat to Pantiacolla Lodge in the foothills of the Andes. On day three, we boat to Manu Wildlife Center and spend three nights there exploring the vast Manu lowlands. This trip includes one visit each to the Macaw Clay Lick, the Tapir Clay Lick, a canopy platform, and a mature oxbow lake. On the last day, you fly out to Cuzco. View itinerary
	Send inquiry MANU NATIONAL PARK - PANTIACOLLA LODGE TOUR Manu National Park was established in 1977 and in recognition of its uniqueness was designated a 'World Heritage Site' ten years later. Manu is internationally acclaimed as one of the most biodiverse areas on earth. It is home to over 1000 species of birds, 15,000 species of plants, over 200 species of mammals, and untold numbers of insects, and within its heart remain yet uncontacted peoples. Wildlife aside, however, the journey into the park itself is amazingly spectacular and not to be missed. Access to Manu is normally by road. The two day trip from Cusco to the entrance of the Manu Reserved Zone carries you over the Andes mountains to an elevation of 4000 m, past pre-inca ruins and down through the cloud forest on the eastern side of the Andes, and finally into lush, lowland rainforest. Roads remain largely unpaved and wind their way precariously past cascading waterfalls, deep gorges, and precipices. Manu is truly a complete experience. We offer several tours to Manu, including a private departure lodge based program to Pantiacolla Lodge in the cultural zone, but probably the most exciting, close to nature experience can be had by joining one of the camping tours to Manu. These are fixed departure small group trips into the reserved zone of Manu. 5, 7 and 9 day itineraries are available. View 5 day itinerary / View 7 day itinerary / View 9 day itinerary
	Send inquiry AMAZON NATURALIST CRUISE - FIXED DEPARTURES Imagine yourself exploring the upper reaches of the exotic Amazon, one of the world's greatest ecosystems, in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, the largest Eco-Reserve in Peru, or remote regions of the Rio Tigre or the Rio Tapiche, on a colorful Amazon riverboat. Spend your days hiking through the rainforest, exploring by small boat, viewing wildlife, fishing for piranha, relaxing in comfort on the upper deck, all while surrounded by sights and sounds most people have only imagined. Experience up close the cry of colorful tropical birds, the lush smell of the rainforest, countless flowers, towering trees, pink dolphins playing alongside your boat, incredible reptiles and amphibians, iridescent butterflies, and captivating monkeys. This is the unforgettable magnificence of an Amazon riverboat expedition. View itinerary
	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
Ecuador
	Send inquiry ECO-LODGES - ECUADOR Eco-lodges located in the Ecuadorian Amazon are superb bases for exploring one of the most biodiverse regions on earth. They provide rustic comfort and offer programs specifically geared towards amateur naturalist explorers and birdwatchers. Some have canopy towers, others suspension bridge walkways from which visitors can observe wildlife at eye level. Please refer to the 'Ecuador Eco-Lodge index page' or follow the links below to find detailed descriptions of each lodge and their programs. Napo Wildlife Center, Kapawi Lodge, La Selva Lodge, Sacha Lodge and Sani Lodge or take a look at our Cloud Forest Lodge: Maquipucuna, El Monte and Bellavista Lodge
	Send inquiry MAGIC OF THE CLOUD FOREST This journey will open your eyes to the magic of the cloud forest. The Cloud Forest like no other tropical eco-system exudes an air of magic and mystery. due to its high humidity and changing climatic conditions these areas are some of richest biodiversity hot spots on earth. During this adventure we will visit the beautiful private reserves of Bellavista, located on the edge of the Choco region, considered one of the most biodiverse places in the world. You will also visit Mindo and the Mindo Nabillo Reserve as well as Maquipucuna, a research and conservation station dedicatd to the preservation of the cloud forest habitats. View itinerary
	Send inquiry GALAPAGOS CRUISE We currently only offer one Galapagos Cruise - which in our eyes provides a supreme service and takes the 'eco' aspect seriously. In fact, this company is the first company in Ecuador to become a carbon-neutral operation. Their week long cruises are operated onboard very comfortable and regularly maintained yachts that are fitted to the highest standards. Land excursion are undertaken in small groups and guided by expertly trained naturalist guides. This cruise combines the highest standards of eco-consciousness with excellence in service and creature comforts. They also operate a separate dedicated dive cruise. View itinerary for the regular cruise / View itinerary for the dive cruise
	Send inquiry GALAPAGOS LAND TOUR EXTENSION Isabela is the largest island of the volcanic Galapagos archipelago. Here you can see the famous Giant Tortoises (the Galápagos, from which the island chain gets its name), as well as many of the other species such as giant lizards, that have made the Galápagos a household word for animal life. Here too you can see Sea Lion breeding areas and watch white tipped sharks, as well as many of the 85 species of birds that live or visit the islands View Itinerary
	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 MANATEE AMAZON CRUISE A magical way to enjoy the Amazon and its tributaries on board of the Manatee Riverboat. We head downriver on the Napo to explore varied ecosystems within the Yasuní National Park and the Limoncocha Biological Reserve. As the Manatee travels downriver, your guide will introduce you to some of the natural wonders of the jungle right from the deck, with side trips in dugout canoes to explore the smaller tributaries of the Amazon. Our new 90 foot long (27 mt) 24 foot wide (7 mt) Manatee Amazon Explorer riverboat has been specially built for cruises in the Ecuadorian rainforest, accommodating 30 lucky guests in comfortable cabins with private bathrooms and running hot water, individual air conditioning, on board laundry service, large dining room, inviting bar and lounge area, panoramic terrace, delicious cuisine and the finest multilingual naturalist guides. View itinerary
Chile, Bolivia, Argentina
	Send inquiry WHERE THE EARTH BLENDS WITH THE SKY - UYUNI 4D/3N The trip from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile is a truly magical experience. Beyond San Pedro it is only a short journey to the most amazing salt desert landscape of all - the Salar de Uyuni, across the border in Bolivia. In this itinerary we wxplore the strange, enigmatic scenery of southern Bolivia, the endless expanse of the Salar De Uyuni (3.653 m / 12.000 ft.) with its surreal landscape and surprising diversity of wildlife. View more details
	Send inquiry ATACAMA WILDLIFE TOUR 5D The Altiplano is a flat plateau located on top of the Andes at an average altitude of 4,000m/ 13,000ft. Its extraordinary natural attractions include active and dormant slender coned volcanoes, clear blue and emerald lakes with abundant bird life, extensive steppes supporting diverse populations of cameloids (Llama, Vicuna, Guanaco, and Alpaca), immense sparkling white salt deposits, hidden hot springs and, occasionally, the tiny rustic villages with picturesque colonial churches. View more details
	Send inquiry EXPLORING ARAUCANIA ANDINA 4D/3N This exclusive adventure trip takes you deep into the forest of the Andes to a unique camp, known as 'Nevados de Sollipulli'. With its 5 individual geodesic dome tents for guests, it sets new standards in adventure tourism with a touch of comfort. The domes are not comparable to tents since they include real beds, central heating, wooden floors and exterior private bathrooms. These domes will not isolate you from the natural surroundings as the solid walls of a classical hotel would. Get in touch with nature! View more details
	Send inquiry LAKE VILLARRICA - VOLCANOES & HOT SPRINGS 4D/3N This soft adventure itinerary explores some of the most beautiful volcanoes and lakes of the Lake District in comfort and style. We will visit volcanic caves and beautiful mountain lakes, take a dip in thermal hot springs in Liucura River Valley. We will also visit the Huerquehue National Park and go hiking in beautiful Araucania (Monkeypuzzle Trees) forest. View more details
	Send inquiry CONGUILLO & TOLHUACA NATIONAL PARKS 4D/3N This soft adventure explores two of the most beautiful National Parks of the Curacautin Region: Tolhuaca and Conguillo National Parks. Native flora - most notably the archaic looking Monkey puzzle trees, the Araucarias from which the region takes its name, along with native southern beeches cover the slopes of the volcanoes and mountains. In between we come across gorgeous lakes and hot springs and waterfalls. A magical landscape. We take short journeys on foot - by far the best way to really explore the terrain and discover its charms. View more details
	Send inquiry ALERCE MOUNTAIN LODGE A place where the sound of silence reigns supreme, an evergreen escape from daily routines, a place that offers you the most precious gift of all times. Alerce mountain lodge invites you to explore an ancient Alerce forest and relax in a friendly environment. Alerce Mountain Lodge prides itself on its attentive, first rate service and excellent cuisine. View details
	Send inquiry HIKING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT This 10 day hiking trip is designed for small groups of nature lovers of average ability. No hard-core trekking experience or ambition is required. It is meant to introduce you close up to some of the most beautiful National Parks of the Chilean Lake District (and also includes an excurision into Argentina). There is no better way to appreciate these exquisite natural areas than to explore them on foot. View more details
	Send inquiry VOLCANO PASSAGE This exciting adventure week combines hiking through lush native forests, climb Lonquimay Volcano in the Malacahuello and Nalca National Reserve, take a horseback ride in Conguillio National Park, climb Llaima volcano with its two craters, and even ascend to the Sollipulli glacier and finally end the tour by going canyoning through Queipude River to geothermal hot springs. An adventure filled week for active travellers. View more details
	Send inquiry DISCOVER PUMALIN PARK 4D/3N This itinerary explores Pumalin Park, which was originally established as a private conservation initiative. It protects more than 700000 ha of temperate rain forest in northern Patagonia and is known as one of the most diverse areas of native tree species. There are some extremely ancient stands of Alerce trees here. There are many well marked long and short trails. Some lead to the Cascadas Escondidas waterfalls, or to an area of very ancient and impressive Alerce trees. Pumalin Park is by far the best area where such ancient native forests can be explored in Chile as it comprises such a large area sloping down from the western Andes to the Carretera Austral. View more details
	Send inquiry LAKE GENERAL CARRERA & CALETA TORTEL 7D/6N This is a soft adventure trip that visits what has been described as the most beautiful section of the Carretera Austral. Lago General Carrera is the second largest lake in South America, and with 590m of depth, it is certainly the deepest. On the Chilean side, the lake is framed by mountains, while on the Argentinean side it borders onto the dry Pampas. This region of Patagonia has an unusually mild and sunny microclimate, which makes it possible to grow much fruit. We will be visiting a stunning marbel cave 'Catedrales Marmol', go hiking or horseback riding through lush native forest of Coigues and Lengas, and visit the Tamango National Reserve, where if we are lucky, we will be able to catch a rare glimpse of the endangered Chilean deer known as 'huemul'. We will sail through the fantastic landscape of uninhabited fjords and visit the immensely impressive glacier Montt. A varied itinerary that takes in some stunningly beautiful sights and scenery in southern Chile. View more details
	Send inquiry SPIRIT OF PATAGONIA 5D/4N This soft adventure itinerary is for people who want to enjoy nature, but want to do so in comfort. This itinerary is focuses on the nature and culture of southern Patagonia. It takes in the most beautiful parts of Torres del Paine, but does not involve much hiking. We will visit a working Patagonian sheep farm, cruise Baja Ultima Esperanza and enjoy the spectacular mountain scenery and maybe watch seals and cormorants as we approach Monte Balmaceda. Inside Torres de Paine National Park we will visit glacier Serrano and Lake Pehoe ans well as Lake Nordenskjold and Lake Sarmiento - unforgetteble sights in what has to be Chile's most spectacular National Park. View more details
	Send inquiry HIKING PATAGONIA'S NATIONAL PARKS (CHILE AND ARGENTINA) This comfortable nature tour is a fixed departure group tour, a soft adventure itinerary that guarantees close contact with Patagonia's spectacular nature. We explore 8 of the most interesting and diverse national parks of Patagonia in both Chile and Argentina. On our numerous easy to moderate hikes and walks we can really appreciate the diversity of these amazing landscape. Our accommodations are mostly small cozy lodges and comfortable hotels set amidst pristine nature. There are only four departure dates between November and March and groups size is limited. View more details
	Send inquiry NAVARINO ISLAND Lakutaia Hotel is situated within an area that Conservation International listed as one of the world’s 37 most pristine wilderness areas - Navarino Island, which is part of the Cape Horn World Biosphere Reserve. The small hotel has 24 comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and provides an excellent base from which to explore this pristine and little visited region with its amazing nature and wildlife. View more details
	Send inquiry WHALE WATCHING - MAGELLAN STRAIT In the Strait of Magellan, on the southernmost tip of South America, a group of scientists recently discovered the feeding sites where humpback whales return to every summer. The whales have probably heeded the "call of nature" to return here for centuries. The Chilean government took steps to establish the first marine park in the country, in order to ensure the conservation of these amazing, endangered species. Strict ecological policies have been implemented to ensure that visitors can encounter these marine giants and other wildlife in this remote and dramatic, yet fragile ecosystem. Whale-watching, dolphin-watching, penguin and bird-watching, are available between December 15th and 15th May. Experienced personnel, state of the art fleet and equipment, and the comfortable campsite at Carlos III, are devoted to the study of Patagonian wildlife, under the most sensitive conditions. View more details
	Send inquiry FALKLANDS WILDLIFE TRIP The small group of Islands off the coast of Argentina was largely unnoticed until it became the bone of contention between Britain and Argentina. The Falklands remained British after the ensuing conflict and today it attracts attention not so much as a strategic military base, but because of the shelter it provides to a wide range of marine wildlife - from penguins to sea lions, they all congregate in these remote islands which provide them with a largely undisturbed breeding sanctuary. The Falklands provide an excellent base for nature lovers to observe Antarctic wildlife. View more details
Costa Rica
	Send inquiry CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK The Peninsula of Osa is located in the South of the country, on the Pacific coast. Almost the whole peninsula is covered by rainforest, protected by the Corcovado National Park. Due to its incredible biodiversity, this rainforest ranges among the most interesting jungles in Central America. Thanks to the difficult access, the Corcovado National Park is responsible for the survival of many endangered species of animals. Over millions of years, this ecosystem also has developed some endemic species of plants and animals. NOTE: Starting 1 December 2006 the Costa Rica National Park Service is restricting numbers of visitors allowed access to the park. Thus, if you wish to visit this exquisite National Park it is highly recommended to book early in order to ensure space availability. There are some lodges along the coastline, and they offer guided hikes through the jungle, where you can find over 100 species of trees within just 1 hectare of land. Excursions to the Caño Island, located in front of the peninsula, are also part of the trip. This small island is covered by jungle, too, and used to be a famous place for pirates long before our time. Caño Island offers excellent snorkeling and diving, thanks to the protected reefs. As a base for this roundtrip choose from different lodges: Marenco Lodge, Aguila de Osa Inn, View itinerary
	Send inquiry RINCON DE LA VIEJA This impressive volcano is located in the province of Guanacaste, northwest of San José and close to the Nicaraguan border. The volcano slopes are covered in interesting jungle vegetation. A bit further down, open pastures are the perfect terrain for horseback riding. Various volcanic activities can be observed all over this area, such as hotsprings, geysirs and boiling mud fields. Guests in good physical condition can hike to the top of the volcano, but there are also many other activities for those visitors who prefer their travel slightly less adventurous. Guided tours through the National Park are among the most important excursions here. It's an excellent spot to observe mammals and birds, combined with impressive volcanic elements. Another regional attraction is one of the largest canopy tours of Costa Rica. This is a tree-top-adventure, where you glide from platform to platform, hanging on steal cables with the help of safety equipment. There is a certain mystic at this place, especially in the evening, when the red sun disappears behind the mountains close to the Pacific Ocean. View itinerary
	Send inquiry ESQUINAS RAINFOREST LODGE Thanks to the assistance of the Austrian government and thousands of donors, a large piece of rainforest right next to Piedras Blancas National Park has been bought to protect it from logging. Today, the majority of the population is involved in the tourist project and a biological station helps to educate the people about the diversity of the environment. The Lodge has 10 rustic, but comfortable rooms with private bathroom, ceiling fan and terrace, nestled in a well-tended tropical garden. You can explore the rainforest on various trails, rent horses or mountainbikes, book one of the excursions to Golfo Dulce, Wilson Botanical Garden or Esquinas river mangroves or just watch birds close to the lodge. the lodge offers a wide choice of optional activities, which can be booked and paid for directly at the lodge. Activites offered include a boat trip to Golfo Dulce, where dolphins can be observed quite frequently, horseback riding tours, mountain bike tours and kayaking tours are also available. View itinerary
	Send inquiry GOLFO DULCE LODGE If you are looking for comfort in the jungle, Golfo Dulce Lodge is the right place for you. Surrounded by the quite unknown Piedras Blancas National Park, the lodge is located right on the Golfo Dulce. The large property includes a stony beach, beautiful gardens, secondary and primary forest, trails and a lookout platform in the jungle. There is a nearby bird rehabilitation project that releases illegally captured scarlet macaws back into the wild. Thanks to this exemplary work, you can observe (and hear!!) lots of these colorful parrots as they frequently fly over and visit the grounds of the lodge. Of course, there are also many other species of birds like toucans and hummingbirds. Monkeys, coatis and even wild cats can sometimes be observed. It is a beautiful spot to watch animals and enjoy pure nature. The lodge offers guided hikes through the jungle, horseback riding, boat excursions to Río Esquinas mangrove swamps, snorkeling or visits to the nearby botanical garden. View itinerary
	Send inquiry LAGUNA DEL LAGARTA LODGE Lagarta Lodge is set on a hill about 40 m above sea level and offers a wonderful view of the coastline of Ostional, the mountains, the river mouth from Rio Nosara and also over the forest, which belongs to the Reserva Biológica Nosara. In an environment of tropical dry forest, mangroves and beaches, a lot of interesting activities are available here. Playa Ostional, located a short distance from the lodge and only a few km north of Nosara, represents an important beach for sea turtles, who lay their eggs there in the sand. This spectacular natural display recurs every month, about 4-7 days after the full moon. View itinerary
	Send inquiry Kayaking Tortuguero National Park A very special nature experience! Silently navigate through the canals, rivers and lagoons of Tortuguero National Park, exploring the amazing natural diversity. Three days of paddling around this tropical waterscape gives you the best opportunities for watching nature up close. The lowland rainforest of Tortuguero is rich in mammal species, especially monkeys. Supporting sensitive tourism activities such as these is an important aspect of protecting the fragile habitat which is constantly under pressure from development forces that encroach on this wildlife rich habitat. This tour departs every Wednesday! View itinerary
	Send inquiry TORTUGUERO CANALS AND SELVA BANANITO LODGE This 5 day/4 night package offers a real immersion in the lowland rainforest habitat of the northern Caribbean coast. Start off by exploring the Tortuguero national park and its mysterious waterscape of canals and lagoons that are teeming with wildlife. From there travel on to Selva Bananito Lodge where you can further explore the rainforest on hikes, bikes or a myriad of adventurous ways. Climb trees, explore riverbeds, zip through the canopy or watch the animals from you cabaña. View itinerary
Belize
	Send inquiry ECO-LODGES - BELIZE Eco-Lodges in Belize tend to combine the best of both worlds - superb nature and wildlife viewing as well as luxurious creature comforts - they offer the best places for a true luxury jungle experience. Due to the fact that they are all in very remote locations with no amenities nearby they are all-inclusive eco-resorts with excellent service, food and accommodation, as well as superb wildlife viewing opportunities and guiding services. Belize is small, but it has some of the lushest and least disturbed rainforest areas in all of Central America. It is a prime destination for any birdwatcher and nature lover. Check the Belize Eco-Lodge index page or go directly to Lamanai Outpost Lodge, Chan Chich Lodge, Indian Creek Lodge and Jungle Creek Lodge.
	Send inquiry REEFS AND RAINFOREST The Barrier Reef, which runs the full length of the Belizean coastline, is considered one of the richest marine ecosystems on earth. The 185 mile long reef runs from 10 to 25 miles offshore, and is the longest continuous reef in Caribbean; the second longest in the world. Along the Barrier Reef are over 225 cayes, ranging from small sand-fringed islands perched along the reef's edge, to larger islands of partially submerged mangroves. Historically, ships avoided this area of the Caribbean because of inaccurate charts and the difficulty of navigating the shallow reef-strewn waters. Teeming with brilliantly-colored fish, sea grass beds, and patch reefs, the reef systems have not seen nearly the level of human impact as witnessed in Mexico to the north and Honduras to the south. We offer a number of active ocean adventures that focus on sea-kaying and snorkeling among the cayes. Some also go up jungle creeks and rivers. The wildlife encounter possibilities are excellent on such trips,but they are a lot more active than the average soft adventure wildlife viewing tour. For details check out the seakayking/ snorkeling page or go directly to the itineraries for Paradise Island, Coral Island, Glovers Reef, Lighthouse Reef Adventure, Coral Jaguar Expedition and the Ultimate Adventure,

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