Amaco Travel

04/09/2024

It's been way too long between Windback Wednesdays! With our upcoming Amaco Japan 'A Journey Through Ancient Traditions' Small Group Tour & Conference coming up in March next year we've dug deep into the archives back to 2017 when we last explored this quintessentially quirky country full of so many contrasts. Any familiar faces??

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/tour/japan-a-journey-through-ancient-traditions/

28/08/2024

Even contributing just a little makes our hearts ❤️ full! Our beautiful client said YES in Santorini! Thrilled to be a tiny part of this love story.

22/08/2024

Experience the wonders of the Mekong, marvel at Angkor Wat, soak in the festive spirit of Bavaria, or chase cherry blossoms in Japan. Or perhaps a sumo spectacle, the breathtaking Taj Mahal, or a luxury expedition to Flores and Komodo is more your style!,

Sign up for any Amaco Small Group Tour and Conference by 30 August 2024, and you could win a $2,500 Amaco Travel voucher! 🎉 Use it towards your next adventure with Amaco. The winner will be revealed on Monday, 2 September 2024. Don’t miss your chance! ✈️🌍

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/

19/08/2024

Just released! Our Amaco Japan - A Journey Through Ancient Traditions has it all. Tokyo, Takayama, Kanazawa, Hiroshima and more…

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/tour/japan-a-journey-through-ancient-traditions/

*Register for any Amaco Small Group Tour & Conference by 30 August 2024 and go into the running to win a $2500 Amaco Travel voucher to be used towards any current or future travel booking with Amaco Travel. The winner will be drawn on Monday 2 September 2024.

14/08/2024

Less than 100 days to go before our Amaco ‘Christmas Markets of Europe’ Small Group Tour & Conference begins…. Vienna, Salzburg, Munich, the Black Forest, Strasbourg and so much more…

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/tour/european-christmas-markets/

Register by 30 August and receive $1000 off the Standard Package Price!

We guarantee you’ll stay at charming hotels in the best locations, visit places you’ve heard about, and uncover hidden gems you never knew existed!

07/08/2024

Whether it’s snowflakes and Christmas cheer you’re after in the midst of a European winter in November or the springtime blooms and ancient traditions of Japan in March we’ve got you covered.

Head over to our website to register your interest for our upcoming tour release to Japan or register for our Christmas Markets of Europe’

https://amacotravel.com.au

AmacoSmallGroupTours

31/07/2024

The last stop on our Post Tour of the Colca Canyon region of Peru is Arequipa.

Close your eyes 👀 and you could be strolling a plaza in Southern Spain.

Palm trees, colonial era architecture, an imposing cathedral, cobblestone streets, locals taking their daily stroll and glorious weather.

That is if you couldn’t see the volcanic cones that dominate the skyline from the city. These volcanoes form mountains like the Misti, Pikchu Pikchu and Chachani.

There’s also the undeniable aroma wafting from local picanterias dishing up local Arequipan cuisine.

Our Amaco travellers explored many highlights of the city- notably Santa Caterina monastery and the famous ‘Ice Maiden’ Juanita.

30/07/2024

Located on the outskirts of the city of Arequipa, the Sillar Route spans over 2km in the Cerro Colorado district. On the base of the inactive Chachani Volcano, the district divides into 3 locations – Añashuayco, Cortadores, and Virgen de Culebrillas. Each location have their own ashlar quarries (canteras) formed thousands of years ago due to the volcanic activity. This volcanic stone has played a huge role in the construction of the city known as the ‘White City’ - Arequipa.

Our Amaco travellers took a stroll through the narrow sillar canal in one of the quarries used during Incan times.

Cool, refreshing and serene- it was reminiscent of a walk through the Petra!

29/07/2024

It’s those fleeting moments and connections when you travel that feed your soul!

The power of a local guide as a conduit between your world and the one you travel to makes all the difference.

Our Peruvian Passage travellers were able to engage and have a good old chat with local Cabana women with the help of our guide Julissa while they happily showed off their hats and traditional dresses before heading back to the village.

There are two distinct ethnic groups in the Colca area. The Cabanas and Collaguas. Before Spanish conquest and intervention it was not permitted for the two groups to intermarry.

The two groups distinguished themselves by creating different head deformations, one group had tall and thin skulls and one had fat and long skulls. They did this by tying two pieces of wood to the babies head until the affects were irreversible.

The Spanish found this practice grotesque and banned it. From then the people were forced to mark their differences with dress and different hats – you can now recognise who is cabana and who is collagua by the hats they wear.

29/07/2024

Colca Canyon with its ancient agricultural terraces, deep valley walls and the Andean condor - one of the largest birds 🦅 in the world calling the canyon its home, it is truly a sight to see.

There is really no way to capture the feeling this place exudes and no picture can do it justice.

28/07/2024

THE JOURNEY, NOT THE ARRIVAL, MATTERS. – T.S. ELIOT

As our Amaco adventurists continue the journey to the Colca Canyon 🇵🇪 the long journey reaching an elevation of 4410 metres through rugged landscapes and surreal scenery is a breathtaking experience (literally 😉)

Arid landscapes, 🦙 llamas, alpacas and friendly locals. And once we arrive an Amaco birthday to celebrate-Happy Birthday Julie! 🎂

24/07/2024

We say farewell to part of our 🇵🇪 Peruvian Passage travellers.

Sunset pisco sours with a wonderful performance of local dancers as we bid adieu and continue on to the Colca Canyon for our post extension tour.

24/07/2024

Lake Titicaca is known as the birthplace of the Incas, its said in Incan mythology that from the deep waters of Lake Titicaca emerged the supreme god of the Incas, Viricocha. The story goes that he created Inti (sun god), Mama Killa (moon goddess) and the stars.

Lying in the district of Amantani on Lake Titicaca is Taquile Island.

Taquilenos are known for their handwoven textiles. Knitting is exclusively performed by males, beginning in early boyhood.

Their society is based on community collectivism and on the Inca moral code - do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy!

Fascinating place!!

23/07/2024

Lake Titicaca sits 3810 metres above sea level.

Known as the birthplace of the Incas, its said in Incan mythology that from the deep waters of Lake Titicaca emerged the supreme god of the Incas, Viricocha. The story goes that he created Inti (sun god), Mama Killa (moon goddess) and the stars.

With a glorious sunrise from our hotel room overlooking Lake Titicaca our Amaco ‘Peruvian Passage’ participants visited the current inhabitants of the lake, the Uros people who live on the lake on floating islands.

22/07/2024

One of the most amazing train journeys you can do in Peru 🇵🇪 is the Lake Titicaca train from Cusco to Puno. Travelling through the outskirts of Cusco through to the upper Andes mountains, the train reaches an elevation of 4480 metres. Stunning scenery and a glimpse of life in the remote villages of the Andes mountains.

21/07/2024

Conference session chapel style!

What a place to conference - the glorious chapel was the perfect backdrop for our final conference sessions with Dr Hugh Seward.

Opening the session was Dr Chalco who enlightened us on how Peruvian doctors integrate Western medicine with traditional medicine practices.

20/07/2024

We just can’t get enough of Cusco!

This glorious city in the Peruvian Andes is full of life. Parades, children laughing, and music 🎵 in the streets.

Our Amaco participants were lucky enough to stay at the Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel for 3 nights as a base to explore.

19/07/2024

An early morning ride along the windy road to Machu Picchu to catch the sunrise and explore the lower terraces.

Then more learning in conference Inca style before boarding the luxurious Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco…

16/07/2024

Great start as we journey to the piece de resistance of every trip to 🇵🇪 Peru - Machu Picchu.

There is no photo, video or verbal description that can emulate the incredible surroundings of this archaeological site.

Embedded within a dramatic landscape at the meeting point between the Peruvian Andes and the Amazon Basin it is truly a sight to behold!

Long forgotten by the outside world, American archaeologist Hiram Bingham rediscovered Machu Picchu in 1911 while on a scientific study and search for another Incan site.

15/07/2024

A visit to Ollantaytambo - an Incan town and a Pachamanca lunch helped us understand the history of the Incas in the Andes.

15/07/2024

What a wonderful experience! A visit to Sacred Valley Health - an NGO educating local communities with the tools to take charge of their basic health care. Women in remote communities volunteer to enroll in health programs to learn first aid, wound care, sexual health, and women’s health issues and then pass on the education to their local communities whilst becoming pillars of their communities and a conduit to further health care when required.

14/07/2024

Proper planning is always essential to avoid the effects of altitude sickness! That’s why our Amaco family departed Lima for Cusco but headed down to the Sacred Valley for two nights to acclimatise to the higher altitude of the glorious Andes mountains.

A few days getting used to 2800m before heading to Cusco at 3399m.

A visit to Pisac market - one of the most famous markets in the Cusco region, where indigenous Quechua communities from the surrounding highlands come to Pisac to sell their wares.

Then a bumpy dusty ride to Hacienda Huayoccari to step back in time to Spanish colonial rule.

The house was built as a residence and to house the art collection of Don José and his descendants. The Lámbarri Orihuela family, has owned the hacienda for more than a century, and carries on the farming tradition.

14/07/2024

It’s underway!! Our Amaco ‘Peruvian Passage’ starts in a Lima with a conference session on ‘Altitude Medicine’ before hitting the streets of Lima to discover the Huaca Pucllana ruins and the wonderful colonial architecture left behind by Spanish rule for over 400 years.

We ended the day at the Larco museum, one of the largest privately owned collections of Pre Columbian art in the world.

04/07/2024

Wow! What a response!!

Our Amaco ‘Splendid Scotland’ Small Group Tour and Conference is sold out. Looks like tartan and bagpipes are on the top of everyone's travel wishlist for next year.

We're thrilled to see so much excitement and interest in exploring the rich history, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture of Scotland. From luxury cruising in the Scottish Isles to the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the serene beauty of the Highlands, our itinerary promises an unforgettable experience.

For those who missed out, don’t worry! We’ve got limited spots remaining on more Amaco small group tours and conferences in 2024 and 2025. For info click here https://amacotravel.com.au/

Register your interest on our upcoming tours by clicking here https://amacotravel.com.au/express-interest/

Thank you for your incredible support and enthusiasm. We can’t wait to share this journey with our lucky travellers and create lasting memories together.

01/07/2024

Nothing beats watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat! A true marvel of Khmer architecture, it's often called the 8th wonder of the world. Every inch of this massive complex is adorned with intricate carvings and motifs that photos simply can't capture. It's a place you have to see and feel for yourself.

Our Amaco 'Mekong Odyssey' kicks off in Siem Reap, where we venture out by torchlight in the pre-dawn darkness to witness mother nature at work slowly lighting this breathtaking marvel.

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/tour/mekong/

27/06/2024

Flashback Friday when we travelled all over the countryside in 2021 - 2022! 😉 Our own backyard has still got so much more to see...

25/06/2024

Few places exude the whimsy of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This fairytale village along Germany’s fabled Romantic Road in the Franconia region of Bavaria is froze in time. Medieval architecture, half timbered houses, a storybook castle and cobbledstone lanes. The Christmas Markets are a centuries long tradition!

The winter chill always feels better with Christmas in the air. We’ll be visiting this enchanting village during our Amaco ‘Christmas Markets of Europe’ Small Group Tour & Conference.

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/tour/european-christmas-markets/

25/06/2024

Few places exude the whimsy of Rothenburg ob der Tauber. This fairytale village along Germany's fabled Romantic Road in the Franconia region of Bavaria is froze in time. Medieval architecture, half timbered houses, a storybook castle and cobbledstone lanes. The Christmas Markets are a centuries long tradition!

The winter chill always feels better with Christmas in the air. We'll be visiting this enchanting village during our Amaco 'Christmas Markets of Europe' Small Group Tour & Conference.

For more info visit https://amacotravel.com.au/tour/european-christmas-markets/

21/06/2024