Trips and tours

Activités d’hiver insolites au Canada For those who dream of a white winter, Canada embodies winter in its full glory: snow-covered forests, northern lights, frozen lakes. It comes as no surprise that this beautiful country, which experiences a pronounced winter 4 months of the year, is the destination for a magical journey and the opportunity to engage in typically Nordic activities! Nordic activities by TERRA Canada 100% Canadian activities: ice fishing, dog sledding, ice skating on frozen lakes, ice climbing.. Taste winter cuisine: sugar shack, poutine, tourtière.. Discover winter wildlife: polar bears, sled dogs,.. Illuminated cities and villages: a completely different atmosphere. Cozy accommodations: lodges, chalets, and unique stays: camping in the snow… If you want to experience a different kind of winter, here’s a tour of the unique activities offered by TERRA Canada! Quebec – Introduction to ice canoeing On the St. Lawrence River, the ice forms, breaks, and reforms starting in January. This is where ice canoeing was born. In the 17th century, the canoe was used to cross the river, transporting goods between Quebec City and Lévis throughout the winter.Today these crossings have become a sport that is one of the highlights of the Quebec Winter Carnival held in February. We offer you a quintessentially Québécois introduction! On the shore, the guide explains the movements, the necessary coordination and each person’s role. We push the canoe onto the ice, jump aboard and start rowing. Be careful not to break the team’s rhythm! Very quickly, we forget the cold to focus only on the rhythm, the support and breathing in tempo with the river. This introduction is a blend of effort, adrenaline and respect for a tradition deeply rooted in Quebec. Activity suitable for families, from 6 years old. Winter experience available between mid-November and mid-March. Winter in Quebec Yukon – Dog sledding As a teenager, Luc dreamed of adventures with sled dogs while reading the accounts of great explorers and pioneers of major races like the Yukon Quest. It was during a trip to France that he adopted his first dog, Merlin, a malamute. This was the beginning of a passion that, more than 30 years later, still drives him « What I love is working with the dogs and especially sharing my passion for the great outdoors. ». Every year, from December to March, Luc and the mushers of Yukon, the Northwest and Quebec prepare their dog teams for crossings through the heart of vast, wild territories. We invite you to join them for an exceptional experience: A one-day introduction allows you to discover the daily life of a musher. For adventurers, it’s possible to go on multi-day expeditions: you cross landscapes throughout the day, then set up camp in the evening. The dog team allows you to carry all the necessary comfort to experience an adventure in complete comfort with heated glamping or to stop at lodges at the end of the world to admire the northern lights by the fireside. Off you go for a crossing of frozen lakes, forests and plateaus open to the sky. The sound of runners on snow replaces the tumult. A few words from the guide and the pack comes alive at once. The barking rises, the dogs are impatient. The departure is always a moment of tension and energy. Then at the signal, the sled takes off, and silence returns. If you want to take the lead of a dog team, like a true musher, Luc will be delighted to hand you the reins! This experience is for everyone. Hudson Bay – Polar bears The ultimate end-of-the-world experience! Going to observe animals in extreme conditions with the Milky Way and northern lights as a backdrop.It’s Nina-Lou, travel designer, who tells us about her experience in Churchill, the starting point for bear observation expeditions. Isolated on the shores of Hudson Bay, Churchill is only accessible by train or plane, making it a preserved location.Every autumn, as winter approaches, polar bears leave the tundra to reach the bay. They wait for the ice to form sufficiently to go hunting on the ice floe. To approach them safely, we use « tundra buggies. » Large platform wagons with large panoramic windows that allow you to see the bears up close without disturbing them. The naturalist guides on board, specialists in Arctic wildlife, explain their behavior and how they adapt to climate change.Our commitment? Working with electric buggies to preserve the soil and not disturb the bears. Churchill & la Baie d’Hudson Rockies -Ice climbing In the Canadian Rockies, around Banff, Canmore and Lake Louise, frozen walls attract winter enthusiasts seeking thrills and challenges. The icy walls become a playground. Supervised by certified guides, participants learn to handle ice axes and crampons, to find the right rhythm, to trust the ice. We offer you: Introduction to ice climbing 6 to 7-hour excursion Supervision by professional guides specialized in ice climbing. Travel with TERRA Canada Do these unique experiences intrigue you? The promise of a TERRA Canada trip is a smooth and worry-free organization: Warm clothing rental upon your arrival A trip tailored to YOU. You’re traveling with others and have different interests, we plan outings adapted to your passions so that everyone experiences the winter they dream of! Support and assistance: we are available 24/7 to answer your questions! 100% tailor-made stay: You want to change your itinerary at the last minute! We’re here for you! Itineraries tested and adjusted by our teams on the ground Access to trusted local providers (guides, mushers, family inns…) Contact us  : contact@terra-canada.com

Panama, our new off the beaten path tour production Often reduced to its famous canal, Panama is much more than a crossing point between two oceans. This small Central American country amazes with its natural, cultural and human diversity. Between tropical forests, green mountains and pristine archipelagos, Panama also stands out for its determination to preserve its riches and promote more responsible tourism.   Our commitments At TERRA Panama, our commitment is clear: to highlight the variety of a country often reduced to its canal. This means working hand in hand with local stakeholders, promoting the country’s living cultures and minimizing the environmental impact of our activities while developing immersive experiences. As part of SOSTUR and the Fundación Panameña de Turismo Sostenible (APTSO), we encourage more responsible tourism that values culture and local communities. An agency that makes you travel differently in Panama A very diverse country Panama stands out for the diversity of its peoples and their traditions. Seven indigenous communities still live there today, each preserving their traditions and know-how, passed down from generation to generation. Here are some experiences to meet these communities. Spiritual day with the Ngäbe Buglé Connected to nature, they are known for their cocoa cultivation and the spiritual and medicinal use of plants. The community welcomes us with a cacao ritual as an introduction to their traditions. We participate in grinding the cocoa bean. Accompanied by a community guide, we head toward the Ngäbe people’s waterfall, one of the largest waterfalls in Panama, also known as KiKi waterfall. Sailing with the Guna Yala This archipelago of over 300 islands, also called San Blas, is managed by the Guna community. The women perpetuate the art of molas, handmade colorful textiles, reflecting their culture and traditions through symbolic patterns. The Guna live in huts close together, with the ocean on one side and the turquoise lagoon separating them from the land on the other. Then departure for an initiation with a local fisherman. Cultural transmission with the Emberas Puru Biakiru Known for their traditional body tattoos and colorful crafts. After a motorized canoe crossing, the cacique (spiritual leader) and the village children warmly welcome us to the heart of their community to share their way of life, intimately connected to the rivers and tropical forest, including the ancestral art of tattoos and initiation to medicinal plants. Experiences by TERRA Panama   To help you discover the essence of Panama, we go out in the field to find hidden gems off the beaten path, tucked away in corners of the country. Discover these off-the-beaten-path experiences. Darien Region End-of-the-world jungle On the border with Colombia, the Darién is home to the last great jungle of Central America, often compared to the Amazon for its exceptional biodiversity. Darién National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a landscape of tropical forests, swamps and mangroves where jaguars, pumas, monkeys and a great diversity of birds live, including the harpy eagle, Panama’s emblem. Accessible only by boat, go hiking in the jungle, navigate the river Jungle expedition & packraft On the old Camino de las Cruces trail An 11 km hike on the old historical route crossing the Isthmus of Panama, which once connected the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific Ocean during the Spanish colonization era. The walking conditions are harsh, and a large part takes place in the riverbed. The walk leads to the edge of the Rio Chagres where you will inflate your packraft (inflatable boat) and set off to navigate the river that joins the Panama Canal. An opportunity to glimpse the ships transiting in the distance. Panama City Neighborhoods marked by history Located near Casco Viejo, the neighborhoods of Santa Ana and El Chorrillo bear witness to a history marked by the 1989 American intervention. Accompanied by local guides, walk through the streets and its walls colored by street art and become aware of the initiatives led by the community to support local life and preserve the neighborhood’s memory. Isla Cañas Island of the sea turtles On the Pacific coast of Panama, between July and December, thousands of turtles from 3 different marine species come to lay their eggs on the protected beaches of the national park. Alongside local guides, discreetly observe this unique moment and learn more about the actions taken by the community to protect the turtles and their natural habitat. Travelling differently Choosing Panama with TERRA Panama means supporting sustainable and respectful tourism, while discovering a country proud of its roots, its biodiversity and its culture. Each landscape, each community and each tradition offers a unique experience, far from everyday life — because ultimately, if everything looked like home, why leave? Contact us to create a tailor-made trip and experience Panama differently.

The history of the Americas through archeological sites From Alaska to Colombia, from prehistory to today, the history of the American continent is fascinating. An epic journey that unfolds in stones, temples and cave paintings. Travel back in time for a deep dive into history: discovering dinosaur fossils in Canada, Mayan cities in Guatemala and Belize, or Cerro Azul in Colombia, frescoes of the first inhabitants of South America. Drumheller – on the trail of dinosaurs in Canada In the Badlands region of Alberta, the archaeological site of Drumheller offers a unique landscape reminiscent of Mars. Nicknamed the « world capital of dinosaurs, » the town is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, where more than 130,000 fossils reveal the richness of this unique heritage. Nearby, Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, takes you back 70 million years. Between fossils, geological formations and traces of ancient civilizations, Drumheller is a journey through time. Our advice: Plan a full day to explore the region and its must-sees. For a more complete experience, also discover the old coal mines of East Coulee. Cerro Azul –  the ancestors of humanity in Colombia A guaranteed favorite for this extraordinary adventure in Guaviare, Colombia,  where one of South America’s major rock art sites is hidden. The impressive walls of Cerro Azul display numerous frescoes and drawings along 150 meters. These paintings are estimated to be over 12,000 years old. Cerro Azul is just one archaeological site among many, as the region is full of rock art sites, all hidden in the jungle. While some paintings from these vanished civilizations are recognizable – monkeys, deer,.. – others retain all their mystery. Our advice: Guaviare is a completely off-the-beaten-path region for travelers seeking the end of the world. Allow two days in the region to discover the Rio Guayabero Canyon and discover new cave paintings. The Tikal experience – in the heart of the Guatemalan jungle One of the most memorable experiences is undoubtedly the sunrise over Tikal, in the heart of the Guatemalan jungle. Leaving before dawn, flashlight in hand, you cross the still-sleeping jungle to climb one of the highest pyramids. Gradually, the sounds of the forest awaken: the cry of howler monkeys, the song of birds, the rustling of leaves… The morning mist dissipates, gradually revealing the temples. Our advice: Travel from November to April to maximize the chances of clear skies. Stay in a lodge in the heart of the reserve for total immersion. Experience a sensory discovery….. The mysteries of Lamanai – Mayan site in Belize In northern Belize, on the shores of the New River Lagoon lies Lamanai, one of the few Mayan sites in the region to have survived the « classic collapse » in the 11th century. This place steeped in history fascinates as much for its past as for the adventure it offers travelers. Access is by motorboat through the mangrove and jungle. Along the way, you can see tropical birds and catch glimpses of the discreet presence of iguanas. Then, around a bend, the temples appear in the heart of luxuriant vegetation. The High Temple, at 33m tall, offers an exceptional panorama of the lagoon and tropical forest. The monumental masks carved in stone, remnants of Mayan art, impress with their detail and size.   Dive into history and contemplate the centuries and stories that make up this continent! These 4 sites illuminate the foundations of American history and cultures. To explore them, our local teams and French-speaking guides passionately share the stories and knowledge that bring these places to life. Contact us to create a trip dedicated to archaeological sites.

The best hikes in our destinations There are many ways to discover a region. We offer places that are only accessible on foot. It is far from human activity where the magic happens: meeting the gaze of an animal, coming across a light illuminating a landscape, hearing the rustling of nature, moments suspended in time. We have listed our most beautiful hikes from Canada to Colombia, for all levels and heights. Canada Head to British Columbia for a high-altitude adventure: the Stawamus Chief hike in Squamish. This granite giant rises to 700 metres and offers three distinct peaks, accessible by steep trails… but the reward is at the top: a 360° view of Howe Sound, the city and the mountains of Garibaldi Provincial Park.  A must for lovers of wide open spaces and dizzying panoramas. Level: intermediate Mexico Head for the heights of Oaxaca. The Circuito Cerro Benito Juárez, named after a Mexican political figure, is of historical importance and symbolises Mexico’s fight for freedom. It is also the highest point on the Yucatán Peninsula, with a snow-capped summit! On the quiet trails of Cerro Benito Juarez, you can witness the gradual change in nature as you climb. A 6.8 km loop to stretch your legs, cycle or run in the heart of the forest.  Level: easy Guatemala Climbing Acatenango is more than just a hike, it’s a sensory experience. A five-hour climb to a summit at an altitude of 3,976 metres, with Fuego in your sights. Along the way, you can hear the distant rumbling until the active volcano looms up in front of you, spewing fire and lava. The night at the camp facing the crater, mulled wine in hand, is a moment suspended in time. And if you want to be truly amazed, climb the last few metres to reach the summit at sunrise. Level: difficult Nicaragua Want to see an active volcano under the stars? Welcome to Telica. The climb starts from the community of Quimera and gets more intense with every step. At the summit, the camp is set up at the edge of the crater! At nightfall, the magic begins: lava lights up the volcano’s crater, sulphur floats in the air, and the starry sky becomes your ceiling. Sunrise over the Maribios mountain range and breakfast at the summit… a climb like no other. Level: intermediate Costa Rica Between primary forests, suspension bridges and secret valleys, this 4-day trek connects the cloud forests of San Gerardo de Dota to the Pacific coast. You’ll walk through lush nature, sleep in simple, cosy lodges and share the daily life of local families. Well-marked trails, meals wrapped in banana leaves, birdsong all along the way and spectacular mountain views. The highlight of the trip? Arriving at the ocean after a 50 km walk, your legs may be tired, but your heart will be full. Level: difficult Colombia Four days in the heart of the Sierra Nevada del Cocuy. This demanding trek follows the mountain range from the green valleys of the park to the glaciers at an altitude of 4,800 metres. Along the way, you can see the famous Espeletia (frailejones) endemic to the Páramo, and this is the only trail where you can see white deer in Colombia. Throughout the hike, there are breathtaking views of the peaks: Ritacuba Blanco, the rectangular Pulpito del Diablo and Pan de Azúcar. Level: difficult At TERRA PANAMERICA, we don’t just talk about landscapes: we talk about sensations, encounters, and personal challenges that create beautiful emotions. These hikes are pieces of a journey that allow you to discover the heart of the territories. Contact us to plan a journey dedicated to hiking.