Shawna Sanders
My goal is to see others fall in love with the soul of Peru the same way I have! For me, a 3-month internship took a left turn into a decade of exploration. I believe Peru's diversity in cultures and landscapes truly means there are destinations and activities for every type of traveler.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"Peru. I have travelled extensively across the country and have lived in Lima, Arequipa, Cusco, the Sacred Valley, and Iquitos. I am particularly passionate about wildlife experiences, Peruvian cuisine, and hands-on local cultural immersion. I love planning family trips, and am accompanied on my adventures by my 10 year old daughter, who has been called a real life Dora the Explorer.
I also design adventures combining Peru with Bolivia and Ecuador. "
How did you get involved in travel?
"Growing up in a small town in Canada, I dreamed of visiting the colorful destinations I saw in the pages of National Geographic. While at university, I had the chance to enroll in a semester abroad and jumped at the opportunity. As a Biology major, I spent six months in the field studying gray whales in rural Baja California, Mexico. This special time connecting with nature and the local community changed the course of my life forever.
In 2010 I joined a conservation program in the Amazon as an intern where I was tasked with unconventional responsibilities from managing the international volunteer program to raising an orphaned sloth and harvesting water hyacinths for our resident manatee. I found my passion in sharing my secret haunts with our volunteers on days off, guiding them to see giant paiche fish or taste camu camu fruit. Since then, I have created a career sharing local culture and unique ecosystems with other travelers looking to go beyond the ordinary.
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Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I recently visited a jungle lodge outside of Tarapoto, Peru. I am a wildlife fanatic and had an incredible time spotting hoatzins, a primitive bird species, perched in the trees lining the Mayo river, and hiking local trails to waterfall pools, searching for colorful poison dart frogs along the way.
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Shawna's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Experience the best of the Andes on this 11-day trip. From Lima, this adventure whisks you up into the mountains to Cusco before spending several days in the Sacred Valley...
Beginning your Peruvian odyssey in the cosmopolitan capital of Lima, this 8-day itinerary will see you first travel to jungle metropolis Iquitos before embarking on a trip down...
Revel in outdoor adventures and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing on this epic two-week journey around Peru and Ecuador. You'll start with a few days of boating and...
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Honeymoon itineraries
Favorite experiences
Lima Food Tour
One of the best ways to discover Peru's capital city of Lima is through its food. With an eclectic combination of indigenous, African, Asian, and European culinary influences, Lima is one of the world's most impressive gastronomic and cultural centers. This food tour begins early in Lima's...
Peruvian Amazon Nature Tour
The southern Peruvian Amazon region is a veritable wonderland of natural attractions. The best way to experience as many of them as possible is on a series of short, guided adventure treks. The home base for this tour is a jungle lodge near the border with Bolivia, and the first mini-trek is...
A Taste of Cusco: Chocolate, Coffee and Pisco Tour
This tour in and around Cusco's city center highlights three Peruvian specialties: chocolate, coffee, and pisco. The tour begins at the Coffee Museum where visitors will learn all about the unique characteristics of Peruvian arabica beans and why they make such a fine cup of Joe. There will also...
Sacred Valley Tour: Cusco - Chinchero - Ollantaytambo
This day tour Cusco for a visit 45 minutes north to the village of Chinchero, which the Inca believed to be the birthplace of the rainbow. There are extensive Inca terraces here as well as several small, colonial-era churches. Chinchero is famous for its residents weaving alpaca and sheep wool...
Recent trip reviews for Shawna
Kimkim and Peruviansoul, the pinnacle a Peru experience
Peru
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Sep 18 - Sep 25, 2025
10 days Peru Trip
Peru
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Aug 28 - Sep 5, 2025
Thanks so much Alex for your kind words and for trusting us with your first trip to Peru! We absolutely loved hosting you both and it was such a pleasure to see all of your adventures across the country. I am happy to hear you enjoyed all of your explorations and I will be sure to pass on your greetings to Juan!
We hope to see you back in Peru soon!