Iquitos and Cusco

Iquitos is the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest, with a population of around 400,000, and is generally regarded as the most populous city in the world that cannot be reached by road. The only way in is by aeroplane or river boat.

In the 19th the city century was the centre of the rubber industry, but by the early 20th century the trade had moved to the Far East, and the city had fallen into neglect and disrepair. It is now a place without an apparent purpose, still decked out in post-colonial-rubber-boom splendour, but literally in the middle of nowhere, a true frontier town.

When you stand on the Malecon at the edge of the city (and civilisation) you overlook thousands of miles of rainforest: a truly breathtaking and beautiful experience.

Iquitos is where participants meet for our plant spirit shamanism and ayahuasca experiences on the Magical Earth Amazon Adventure (see www.thefourgates.com – Sacred Journeys – for details).

Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, is a city in south east Peru, near the Sacred Valley of the Andes mountains. It has a population of about 300,000, living at an altitude of around 3,300m (10,800ft).

According to Inca legend, the city was built by Sapa Inca Pachacuti and planned to be shaped like a puma, a sacred animal of the region, although archaeological evidence points to slower, more organic growth beginning before Pachacuti. There was however a plan, and two rivers were diverted and channeled around the city.

The Spanish arrived there in 1533 and described it as a "very noble and great city". Buildings constructed after the conquest are of Spanish influence with a mix of Inca architecture. Often, Spanish buildings were built on top of the massive stone walls built by the Inca.

The original Inca city, said to have been founded in the 11th century, was sacked by Pizarro in 1535. There are still remains, however, of the Palace of the Incas, the Temple of the Sun and the Temple of the Virgins of the Sun. Other nearby Inca sites of major historical interest and considerable beauty are Pachacuti's presumed winter home, Machu Picchu, which can be reached by foot along the Inca Trail, or by train, and the "fortresses" at Ollantaytambo and Sacsyhuaman.

Cusco is where participants meet for our plant spirit shamanism and san pedro experiences on the Cactus of Vision programme (see www.thefourgates.com – Sacred Journeys – for details).