About Sacred Places Travel

Through the unique experience of pilgrimage, Sacred Places Travel offers travelers the opportunity for growth, spiritual awareness, and deepened faith. In travels to lands sacred to diverse cultures, participation in spiritual ceremonies, and cultural education, pilgrims nourish their faith and further their own spiritual journeys.

Our small communities (8-10 people on the adult pilgrimages) bond in the experience of sacred travel as we explore beautiful lands together. In addition to visiting sacred sites, pilgrims also learn spiritual practice through presentations by native people and participation in traditional ceremonies and celebrations. Individual meditation, music, journaling and group reflections aid us in this transforming experience.

Accommodations on the trips are in rustic motels and cabins in natural settings, usually with shared rooms. Food is 3 meals a day prepared in kitchens or outdoors by the group, or occasionally taken in local restaurants. Travel is by air-conditioned van. Many of the sites we visit require some light hiking, with the possibility for more rugged hikes if desired.

About Jo Harriet Haley

Jo Harriet Haley, founder of Sacred Places Travel, has been taking spiritual journeys of many kinds for over twenty years. After she retired from practicing law, Jo Harriet pursued her interest in sacred travel with a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University with an emphasis on pilgrimage. She founded Sacred Places Travel in 1995 to share the experience of sacred travel with others.

Jo Harriet has taken personal pilgrimages all over the United States as well as to Nepal, India, China, Tibet, Bali, Thailand and Aboriginal lands in Australia. Closer to home, she is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in New Orleans, Louisiana where she serves as Chair of the Steering Committee of the Labyrinth Ministry.

In addition to organizing and leading pilgrimages for adults, Jo Harriet offers pilgrimages for youth groups of any denomination. She received Journey to Adulthood training from David E. Crean in 1997, has been an assistant leader with a J2A group, and designs and leads J2A pilgrimages. Jo Harriet can adapt a current trip to fit the desires and interests of your church or family group, or custom-design a new trip to a destination of your choice.

Jo Harriet also lectures on world religions to universities and church groups and teaches a gentle form of Christian yoga. In 2000, she received an award from Thomas Berry for her work in helping people to deepen their faith by experiencing the wonder of God's Creation.

Please read these recent articles about our pilgrimages: