Perched on a mountaintop above the meandering Urubamba river, and steeped in lush jungle foliage, thick mist, and orchids, the magnificent "Lost City of the Incas" was hidden from the world for centuries. The delicate Incan stonework and awe-inspiring location make Machu Picchu a must-see destination. Your CASSANDRA tour guide will share fascinating theories of how and why it was created, and the threats the ancient ruin faces today.

The cobble-stone streets of Cuzco, surrounded by rolling hills and farms, feel thick with 1,000 years of Andean history. The Killke people occupied the region for centuries, then Cusco flourished as the heart of the mighty Incan empire. Finally Spanish invaders seized control. Rich in archaeology and history, it remains a place where ancient traditions, native religion, and Catholicism combine in fascinating ways. Your CASSANDRA tour guide, native to Cuzco, will provide deep insight into aspects of Cuzco that often remain hidden.

A fertile valley located north of Cuzco, the Sacred Valley is home to must-see attractions that are surpassed in popularity only by Machu Picchu. Beneath snow-covered peaks in the distance, families of Quechua-speaking farmers cultivate patches of potatoes, oca (a tuber), and quinoa on ancient terraces that were built by the Incas. Visit the religious shrine at Pisaq, the Incan fortress of Ollantaytambo, the photogenic salt pools at Maras, and much more. For adventure lovers, there are ziplines to fly down, and sleep in glass pods built into a cliff face.

The sprawling capital of Peru, an intoxicating blend of ancient traditions, and modern businesses, can overwhelm at first. But it defies expectations: as the gastronomic capital of the entire South American continent, its extraordinarily delicious and exotic food has become something of a tour-de-force that wows foodies and travelers of all stripes. Unusual tours such as swimming with sea lions in the ocean nearby, as well as the rich colonial and pre-columbian history, also make Lima a worthy addition to your journey to Peru.

The Nazca Lines are the greatest unsolved mystery of Peru. We knew who built the these geoglyphs, and when. But to this day archaeologists and historians are unsure of why and how. They have attracted speculation and exotic theories, ranging from extraterrestrial origins, to the desire to impress the ancient Gods to make the land fertile. For the the traveler with limited time, the best place to see these lines is from the airport in Pisco. If they intrigue you, the Nazca Lines are a worthy addition to your journey.

You can almost smell the fresh ocean air, just reading about it. Approximately 250 kilometers south of Lima, Paracas is where the relentless tides of the ocean crash against the coastal desert. Located just offshore are the Ballestas Islands, tiny rocky islands that are the native habitat for Humboldt penguins, inca terns, sea lions, and huge flocks of seabirds. Dramatic cliffs and red sand beaches of the nearby Paracas National Reserve invite exploration. CASSANDRA offers truly unique luxury experiences here, such as catered picnics at a privately owned desert oasis that is perhaps the most beautiful oasis in the Americas. This land is truly rewarding for those who love the ocean, the desert, wildlife, and appreciate the luxury of open spaces and unbounded freedom.

A few hours south of Lima are enormous giant sand dunes, similar in scale to those of the Sahara Desert. The sensual and surreal beauty of the dunes, especially when drenched in the amber hue of the setting sun, is unmissable. Venture into the desert in a 4-wheel-drive dune buggy driven by a skilled driver - choose between a heart-pounding fast, or relaxing and meditative, experience. Sandboarding (snowboarding or sledding down the dunes) is great fun to try. And this area of Peru produces a local grape brandy known as Pisco, and local red wines. Experience a VIP tour of the best wineries, and a private journey deep into the desert with CASSANDRA. For a memorable place to sleep, consider staying overnight at a prestigious winery.

Discerning travelers feel that Arequipa is a real gem, with lovely cobblestone streets and colonial-era built from a white volcanic stone known as sillar. Overlooking the city, the perfect snow-covered peaks of the volcanoes Misti and Chachani lend a majestic air to the region. Travelers stroll through the historical center of the city on foot, excitedly tour the famous Santa Catalina monastery, and peer into the temperature-controlled container where the famous mummy "Juanita" is preserved. A few hours away is Colca Canyon, one of the deepest canyons in the world, where Andean condors flex their huge wingspan in the warm thermals of the early mornings. Explore our webpage to learn more about this destination.

Lake Titicaca is a photogenic high-altitude lake on the border between Peru and Chile. According to legend, the Uru people migrated here from the Amazon jungle centuries ago, but were attacked by local tribes. To survive, they built tiny islands made out of reeds and built simple houses on these islands. In times of danger they could push the islands into the middle of the lake. Nowadays, travelers visit these man-made islands to discover the rich traditions that have been created by descendents of the Uru. In addition, there are fascinating ruins and several luxury resorts that make this area a very popular and worthwhile destination.

The rich cultural, gastronomic, and historical treasures of the north of Peru remain unknown to most visitors to Peru. It has so much to offer. The cliff-top city of Kuelap, surrounded by ancient walls to rebuff invaders, invites travelers to visit the Utcubamba Valley. Gocta Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in the world, plunges into a steamy tropical valley. On the coast, the scowling face of the Moche deity Ai - Apaec haunts the rich paintings at Huaca de la Luna near Trujillo. Explore this region on our website, and then visit it with CASSANDRA in real life!

The Amazon jungle has always been a place of intrigue and legend, sparking the imagination of young and old. Dense canopies of leaves cover the land, and in their shadows hide a diversity of wildlife and plantlife like nowhere else on earth. Howler monkeys, three-toed sloths, anacondas, pink river dolphins, and rainbow-colored macaws all live here. In the river flowing through the jungle, are the unseen lives of reptiles, snakes, and predatory fish like piranhas. Come experience this wildest of wild lands, but maximize your comfort by staying a well-appointed jungle lodge, or take a glorious multi-day cruise aboard a luxury yacht. Either way, expert guides will show you the wildlife first-hand and you will learn about the threats facing the Peruvian and Brazilian amazon region. Find out ways you can help protect it for future generations.