Overseas Adventure Travel The Leader in Small Groups on the Road Less Traveled
Top Adventures for 2017
Small Groups: Never more than 10-16 travelers—guaranteed!
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May 2, 2016 Dear Traveler, Start dreaming of new destinations to explore and new cultures to experience because we’ve recently announced 2017 departures of our travelers’ favorite adventures around the world. Many of the trips inside also feature enhancements to 2017 itineraries that reflect the wishes of our travelers—like our new Soul of India itinerary, now with improved air routing, more discoveries, and two nights on a private houseboat in Kerala. Wherever you go, you’ll experience the wonders of our world accompanied by more than 10-16 travelers (up to 25 on Small Ship adventures)—guaranteed. And a local Trip Leader will always be there to give you the insider’s perspective on local traditions and culture. And remember, there are extra savings and benefits when you these popular trips as soon as possible. You not only get to choose from the best selection of departure dates and trip extension choices, but you can maximize your savings—up to 10%—with our Good Buy Plan. And our NEW Best Price Guarantee ensures that you won’t find a lower price on a comparable trip—even with international airfare included. If you do, we’ll match it. You can also customize your trip to create your own unique travel experience—“break away” before or after your trip, customize your flight itinerary, go on a Private Adventure, and more. We also offer FREE Single Supplements, which means that solo travelers never pay more for their own room. You’re already getting the best value in the travel industry with O.A.T., but there’s another big advantage for American travelers these days: the strength of the U.S. dollar against most foreign currencies is making this one of the best times to travel in years. We hope the trips inside inspire those travel plans—and for even more inspiration, be sure to check out our full listing of 2017 adventures on page 258. Call us at 1-800-955-1925 today. Warm regards,
Alan E. Lewis
Harriet R. Lewis
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. Sometimes words and pictures aren’t enough. Visit us online to find more than 900 videos and films about our adventures—from independent films featuring the destinations you’ll visit to itinerary highlights, Trip Leaders, Grand Circle Foundation sites, trip extensions, and more. Go to www.oattravel.com and enjoy the show!
Cover: Women just like these two in Ranthambore will introduce us to local customs and traditions of rural India when we spend A Day in the Life of a small village in Ranthambore on Day 10 of our Heart of India adventure. This page: With its classic cars and cobblestone squares, Havana is like a time capsule of the 1950s. Experience the charm of Old Havana on Cuba Revealed: Cultural Pathways from Camaguey to Havana or Cuba: A Bridge Between Cultures. Our two Cuba programs are our top-selling 2017 trips—don’t miss your chance to beat the crowds to Cuba during this historic era.
“I got to appreciate the Cuban people, their culture, and their history in a way that goes beyond what I could imagine. I hope all of your travelers will be able to have this once-in-a-lifetime experience …” Harvey Newman, a 30-time traveler from West Palm Beach, Florida
Our top adventures for 2017
Our Videos & Films Bring Your Dream Destination to Life ............................8 Experience the O.A.T. Difference ....... 10 Discover the World with the Leader in Value .......................... 12 Your Trip Leader Makes Local Culture Come Alive ........................... 14 For Solo Travelers—Camaradere and Value ........................................ 16 Customize Your Trip......................... 18
Asia Heart of India ................................ 20 17 days—including international airfare—from $3795 Optional trip extensions: Bhutan: The Hidden Kingdom: 8 nights from $2695 The South of India: Kerala & Cochin: 5 nights from $1595 OR Kathmandu, Nepal: 5 nights from $1395
Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam .......................38 20 days—including international airfare—from $4295 Optional trip extensions: Burma & the Irrawaddy River: 7 nights from $1995 Undiscovered Thailand: The River Kwai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai: 8 nights from $1295
Sir Edmund Hillary Club ................. 250 Exclusive Good Buy Plan ................. 252 Travel Protection Plan .................... 253 Group Travel Program .................... 254
NEW! Soul of India: The Colorful South ..........................30 17 days—including international airfare—from $3695
Our Fleet of Small Ships ................. 256
Optional trip extensions: Sri Lanka: The Resplendent Island: 9 nights from $2595
Travel Calendar .............................. 258
Rajasthan: Udaipur & Jodhpur: 7 nights from $1895
Share Your Love of Travel ............... 255
Inside Vietnam .............................. 48 19 days—including international airfare—from $3095 Optional trip extensions: The Hill Tribes of Northern Vietnam: 6 nights from $1045 Angkor Wat, Cambodia: 4 nights from $1145
Japan’s Cultural Treasures .............. 56 14 days—including international airfare—from $4595 Optional trip extensions: Tokyo: 3 nights from $895 Hiroshima: 3 nights from $1245
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South & Central America Machu Picchu & the Galápagos........ 64 16 days—including international airfare—from $6095 Optional trip extensions: The Amazon Rain Forest of Peru: 6 nights from $1145
The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords .......................... 90 15 days—including international airfare—from $6195
Real Affordable Costa Rica ..............114 14 days—including international airfare—from $2995 Optional trip extensions: Guatemala: Antigua & Tikal 5 nights from $1245
Bolivia: La Paz & Lake Titicaca: 5 nights from $1595
Optional trip extensions: Iguassu Falls & Buenos Aires, Argentina: 3 nights from $1145
OR Ecuador: The Andes & the Devil’s: Nose Train 5 nights from $1195
Santiago & Easter Island, Chile: 5 nights from $2695
Tortuguero National Park: Ultimate Rain Forest Experience: 3 nights from $695
NEW! Chile: From the Atacama Desert
Costa Rica: Natural Parks &
to the Patagonian Fjords ................. 98 15 days—including international airfare—from $6495
Tropical Forests ............................ 124 13 days—including international airfare—from $2995
Optional trip extensions: Santiago & Easter Island, Chile: 5 nights from $2395
Optional trip extensions: Corcovado National Park: 3 nights from $895
Buenos Aires & Iguassu Falls: 4 nights from $1495
Tortuguero National Park: Ultimate Rain: Forest Experience 3 nights from $695
Chile & Argentina:
Route of the Maya ..........................132 16 days—including international airfare—from $3395
Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador’s Amazon Wilds .................74 16 days—including international airfare—from $6395 Optional trip extensions: Machu Picchu & Cuzco, Peru: 5 nights from $1695 Ecuador: The Andes & the Devil’s: Nose Train 5 nights from $1195
Real Affordable Peru ........................82 11 days—including international airfare—from $2895 Optional trip extensions: The Amazon Rain Forest of Peru: 6 nights from $1145 Peru: Lake Titicaca’s Sacred Landscape: 4 nights from $745
The Andes to Patagonia ................. 106 17 days—including international airfare—from $4795 Optional trip extensions: Santiago & Easter Island, Chile: 5 nights from $2495 Iguassu Falls Jungle Expedition: 5 nights from $1795
OR Nicaragua’s Colonial Cities & Volcanic Landscapes: 5 nights from $1195
Optional trip extensions: El Salvador: Colonial Suchitoto & the Flower Route: 4 nights from $745 Nicaragua’s Colonial Cities & Volcanic Landscapes: 5 nights from $1295
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Cuba
South Pacific
Europe
NEW! Cuba Revealed: Cultural
Australia & New Zealand:
Pathways from Camaguey
An Adventure Down Under ............ 158 30 days—including international airfare—from $9190
Untamed Iceland ........................... 184 12 days—including international airfare—from $3995
to Havana ..................................... 142 13-day People-to-People program from $5495 Cuba: A Bridge Between Cultures.... 150 12-day People-to-People program from $4395
Optional trip extensions: Tasmania: Australia’s Natural Heritage: 6 nights from $1995 New Zealand’s Bay of Islands: 4 nights from $1645
Greenland: Gateway to the Arctic: 4 nights from $2895
Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes & Pure New Zealand ......................... 168 16 days—including international airfare—from $5295
Timeless Traditions....................... 192 15 days—including international airfare—from $3995
Optional trip extensions: New Zealand’s Bay of Islands: 3 nights from $1295
Optional trip extensions: Puglia: Italy’s Undiscovered Heel: 5 nights from $1395
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef & Sydney: 6 nights from $2345
Calabria: Southern Italy’s Heartland: 5 nights from $1445
Ultimate Australia ......................... 176 17 days—including international airfare—from $5745
Tuscany & Umbria: Rustic Beauty
Optional trip extensions: Tasmania: Australia’s Natural Heritage: 6 nights from $1995 New Zealand 7 nights from $2695
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Optional trip extensions: Worlds of Fire: Iceland’s Westman Islands: 3 nights from $1595
in the Italian Heartland .................200 15 days—including international airfare—from $4195 Optional trip extensions: Bologna & Parma: Rich History & Culinary Traditions: 6 nights from $1845 Rome, Italy: 4 nights from $1395
Africa & the Middle East Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish
Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia &
Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas ..208 16 days—including international airfare—from $4395
Zimbabwe Safari ...........................224 17 days—including international airfare—from $5395
Optional trip extensions: Porto: Northern Portugal’s Romanesque: Gem 5 nights from $1495
Optional trip extensions: Thornybush: Kruger’s Northern Gateway: 4 nights from $1545
Bilbao & Spain’s Northern Coast: 7 nights from $2695
Cape Town & the Cape of Good Hope: 4 nights from $1295
Crossroads of the Adriatic:
Safari Serengeti:
Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia &
Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari..... 232 13 days—including international airfare—from $5395
Herzegovina, and Slovenia ............. 216 17 days—including international airfare—from $4095 Optional trip extensions: Tirana, Albania: 4 nights from $945
Optional trip extensions: Foothills of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania: 3 nights from $1045
NEW! Serbia: Novi Sad & Belgrade: 4 nights from $1045
OR Kenya’s Masai Mara Game Reserve: 4 nights from $1795
Morocco Sahara Odyssey ...............242 16 days—including international airfare—from $3445 Optional trip extensions: Tangier, Chefchaouen & the Berbers: of the Rif 5 nights from $995 Essaouira & Casablanca: 4 nights from $645
Zanzibar, Tanzania: 5 nights from $1645
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Our Videos & Films Bring Your
A note from David: As a filmmaker, conservationist and the founder of Compass Light Productions, I’m proud to help and dedicated to finding new and interesting content to inspire your next enriching journey—which is why I’m pleased to share that the O.A.T. website now features more than 900 videos and films, each highlighting various aspects of each adventure—from destination highlights and Trip Leader insights to independent films, and more. This comprehensive collection was created to convey the spirit of O.A.T.’s trips in a way that words and pictures simply can’t. I hope they help to spark your curiosity—and your next great adventure.
David Conover Founder and Director Compass Light Productions
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Dream Destination to Life
Trip Experience
Trip Leaders
Trip Itinerary
Enjoy a sneak preview into our adventures— follow travelers and meet locals who are eager to offer you a window into their cultures.
Meet some of our top resident experts in special profiles that showcase their diverse backgrounds and the insights they bring to O.A.T.
Preview your day-to-day activities, from itinerary summaries to included features, trip extensions, and more.
Trip Extensions
A Day in the Life
Foundation Site
See how you can enhance your discoveries—and maximize the value of your international airfare—on our pre- and post-trip extensions.
Interact with community members where they live, work, and play—and come away with a better understanding of their unique lifestyles and traditions.
Take a closer look at some of the more than 300 organizations, schools, and communities supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation.
NEW! Independent Films In addition to the videos we produce ourselves, we’ve gathered more than 200 films from The New York Times, BBC, CNN, public television, and other independent filmmakers that portray the people, culture, and lifestyles of the countries you’re interested in visiting. These films offer a fresh perspective. Image courtesy of Epiphany Morgan
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com Join us online an enjoy the show! Get started today at www.oattravel.com
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Experience the O.A.T. Difference With itineraries designed exclusively for experienced American travelers, we’ve been providing indelible travel memories for more than 37 years. Our success can be attributed to many factors, including our unique brand of small group discoveries, our team of dedicated local Trip Leaders, and our unbeatable value. Here’s what makes O.A.T. the undisputed leader in small group travel along the road less traveled.
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Unsurpassed value—guaranteed
The services of a local Trip Leader
The leader in solo friendly travel
Our unbeatable per diems means that you’ll travel at the lowest prices per day while enjoying a wealth of included features, like all accommodations, most meals, daily cultural activities, and even most gratuities. No other travel company offers you more world discovery for less. In fact, we guarantee that you won’t find a lower price on a comparable trip from another small group tour company—even with international airfare included. If you do, we’ll match it.
As residents of the regions you’ll be exploring, our congenial Trip Leaders provide the kind of firsthand knowledge and insight that only a local can provide. In addition to sharing controversial topics with you, these enthusiastic men and women from around the world set our adventures apart and will make local traditions, history, and culture come alive for you.
We believe solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay a premium to explore the world. That’s why we feature FREE Single Supplements on every adventure and trip extension— which means solo travelers never pay more for their own hotel room or ship cabin. And with dedicated Trip Leaders and regional offices nearby, you’ll always feel safe and secure.
Small groups, big discoveries You’ll see more of the world by traveling in a small group of 10-16 on our Land Adventures and 16-25 on our Small Ship Adventures—guaranteed. Our small group size allows us to journey off the beaten path to show you the places the big tour groups miss—or don’t even know about—and experience authentic glimpses of local culture.
Authentic cultural connections
Customize your trip—make it even more special
You’ll get to engage with local people throughout each adventure, as well as have the opportunity to immerse yourself in village life with our unique A Day in the Life experience built into every trip. Typical experiences on this memorable day might include a village walking tour, a meeting with a community leader, shopping at a local market, a visit with children at their school, and a Home-Hosted meal with some local families.
We offer a variety of ways for you to create your own unique travel experience. You can “break away” before or after your trip, customize your flight itinerary, extend your discoveries and make the most of your international airfare with a pre- or post-trip extension, and much more. We can even arrange for you and a few close friends or family members to enjoy a private adventure. Just let us know and we’ll make it happen.
Unique modes of transport We believe that to see the world like the locals, you have to travel like the locals. And our small group advantage makes it easy for us to take the roads and waterways less traveled to gain rich insights into local life. That might mean journeying by canoe, raft, or rickshaw, hiking along a dusty back road, or even hopping on the back of a camel—whatever it takes to reach the heart and soul of your destination.
Intimate lodgings to enhance your adventure Our accommodations are carefully chosen to reflect the spirit of our surroundings, from smaller family-run hotels and unique paradores to comfortable tented camps exclusive to our small group. Occasionally, you may spend a few nights in larger hotels chosen for their proximity to city centers or historic sites. Wherever you stay, you’re assured of a safe and comfortable place to relax as you prepare for a new day of discoveries.
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com
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Discover the World with the Leader in Value We realize that international travel is an investment, and that every one of your travel dollars counts. That’s why we guarantee that you receive the best value—and price—in the travel industry. With regional staff and offices in the areas you visit, we’re able to work with local partners to get the most for your money. We invite you to shop around: With our NEW Best Price Guarantee, we’re confident that you’ll enjoy more discovery for less, wherever in the world you travel. Most gratuities now included
Unbeatable per diems
As a convenience to our travelers, our departure prices will now include most gratuities on the main trip and extensions. This includes gratuities for local guides, drivers, camp staff, African lodge staff, and luggage porters. Gratuities for your O.A.T. Trip Leader and housekeeping at your hotels are not included and should be extended at your discretion. We hope that this change will make your adventure easier and more enjoyable than ever.
You’ll travel at the lowest prices per day, enjoying so many included features—like all accommodations, most meals, and daily cultural activities and small group discoveries. No other travel company can offer you so much for so little, especially with our small group size.
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Best value for solo travelers Enjoy FREE Single Supplements on all adventures and trip extensions. Compare our value for solo travelers with other travel companies, and you’ll find that you save $580-$3795 per person with O.A.T. And, as the leader in solo-friendly travel, we offer the lowest prices around—in fact, we guarantee it: if you can find a lower solo traveler price on any comparable international trip for Americans, we’ll match that price and deduct $500 off the cost of your adventure. For details, visit www.oattravel.com/solo.
Increase your value with preand post-trip extensions You can choose from a variety of extensions that enhance your adventure by giving you the chance to experience more of the places you’ve traveled so far to see. Since you spend more time in your destination, you enjoy more in-depth explorations and are able to make independent discoveries. Plus, you lower your average per-day costs because you’re taking advantage of your already included international airfare.
The most generous Frequent Traveler program around Our Frequent Traveler program lets you earn travel credits worth 5-6% of your trip cost each time you travel. And if you are currently booked on an O.A.T. trip, you can now apply the Travel Credits you’ve earned toward subsequent departures—even if you have not yet departed on your trip. For details, visit www.oattravel.com/ftc.
Guarantee your price and save up to 10% Our Good Buy Plan allows you to guarantee your price plus save up to 10% when you pay in full 90 days prior to your final payment due date. The earlier you pay in full, the more you’ll save. For details, visit www.oattravel.com/gbd.
Refer and earn as a Vacation Ambassador With the best referral program in the travel industry, when you refer new travelers, you pass along $100 in instant savings to them—and you earn rewards, up to a FREE TRIP. For details, visit www.oattravel.com/va.
‘‘Friends always ask me, ‘Where next?’ I am eager to tell them where and why: The where is almost anywhere, and the why is the great service, value, experienced and knowledgeable guides, interesting destinations, and great companions that make up the O.A.T. package.’’ Victoria Taylor • 7-time traveler • Fountain Valley, California
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com
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Your Trip Leader Makes Local Culture Come Alive Our travelers think our Trip Leaders are simply the best—and we do, too. That’s because the talented men and women who lead our trips aren’t just “guides”—they’re also naturalists, archaeologists, biologists, botanists, anthropologists, and explorers. And while you’re abroad, they’ll also become your teachers, friends, and partners, always eager to show off the natural beauty and cultural wonders of their homelands. Our Trip Leaders are fluent in English and foreign languages, experts on local customs, and most important, fun to travel with. Get an insider’s perspective from our more than 500 Trip Leaders around the world Even the most intrepid and seasoned explorers know the benefit of having an insider along to reveal the hidden wonders of a place, to help you discover its true essence. That’s why we’ve always handpicked resident experts—proven leaders who can make history, culture, and nature come alive for you through firsthand insights only a local can reveal.
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Trip Leaders help you connect with fellow travelers and local people Our Trip Leaders have a knack for bringing travelers together, and when you share your interests with them, they’ll introduce you to like-minded travelers in your small group. And with their unbridled enthusiasm for showing their homelands, you’re sure to get caught up in the excitement of discovering local cultures. Returning travelers always tell us that our Trip Leaders are what really set O.A.T. adventures apart.
JANA STEPIC Growing up in the Slovenian countryside, Jana considers herself fortunate to have been somewhat protected from the Yugoslav Wars that took place in the 1990s. She remains proud of the achievements of all the countries of former Yugoslavia over the past 15 years. “After all the turbulent times in the Balkans,” she says, “we have managed to preserve a positive attitude towards life.” And as a Trip Leader, Jana loves introducing travelers to the people of her homeland, whom she refers to as “wonderful hosts who can make you feel like you’ve known them forever.” Trip Leader on Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia
LADAWAN “LADA” THANGYAPONGSA Lada grew up in Chiang Mai, Thailand. After living in various locations, including a couple of years in Australia, Lada found out that there’s truly no place like home. “I finally realized that my own country is the most wonderful land,” she says. Lada likes to occasionally “improvise” when she’s leading O.A.T. groups. Once she saw some people cutting down pineapple on a plantation, so she asked to bus driver to turn off the road. “Every time we do something different is special,” she says, “but that time we all got the best-tasting pineapple ever.” Trip Leader on Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam
ALEX LOPEZ
SUJAY KUMAR LALL
Alex wanted to be a guide since he was a child. One reason was because he grew up on a farm in the Costa Rican countryside, where he loved being in contact with nature. Another was that his childhood asthma made trips to San José for treatment. Listening to travelers speaking different languages made him want to understand them—and led him to learn English, Italian, and even some German. “I want my travelers to experience a country of friendly people,” he says, “and my work is about helping them to see Costa Rica with different eyes and understand our everyday life.” Trip Leader on Real Affordable Costa Rica
“We have very high expectations for a Trip Leader and have never been disappointed on any O.A.T. trip.” Ray Millimet • 14-time traveler • Omaha, Nebraska
Sujay says that in India, everybody wants a baby boy. So being male and also the first grandchild in an extended family he was certainly the center of attention—and he loved it. When he was older, though, his father wanted him to join the army or get a job doing clerical work. But Sanjay wanted something different. A friend once asked him, “Why don’t you try leading a tour and becoming the face of the country for the travelers?” Sanjay thought that was a great idea and has been leading tours for 24 years. “I love the rich heritage of India,” he says, “but it is also a great feeling to see the changing face of my country. And my O.A.T. itinerary lets me share all this with my travelers.” Trip Leader on Heart of India
Learn more about our Trip Leaders, read their insider tips, and find out what other travelers have to say about them at www.oattravel.com
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com
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For Solo Travelers—Camaraderie and Value Who can you expect to meet on your O.A.T. adventure? Independent-minded women and men, solo travelers, experienced world explorers—just about everyone. What they all have in common is a natural curiosity about the world and a desire to touch the heart and soul of the destinations they visit. They want to meet the people who live in the world community—not just wave to them from a bus window. Our travelers also forge special bonds as they experience unforgettable moments together. They come from all walks of life and share a lively spirit of discovery that you will find infectious. Why solo travelers choose O.A.T. ■ The best value for solo travelers—
guaranteed—with FREE Single Supplements on all adventures and pre- and post-trip extensions ■ Skilled, attentive Trip Leaders to
assist you and connect you with like-minded travelers ■ Small groups that foster easy
camaraderie ■ Unique cultural and social activities that
help you bond with your fellow travelers
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■ Airport meet-and-greet service at your
destination for real peace of mind ■ The option to share a room using our
free Roommate Matching Service or our Travel Companions online community
Small group travel changes the way you see the world Our small, congenial group size is not only great for fostering a deep camaraderie with your fellow travelers—it also changes the way you see the world. Small groups go behind the scenes, so you
can mingle with local people where they live and work. You’ll visit bustling village markets, brimming with handcrafts and fresh food … travel aboard unique modes of transport … meet young schoolchildren in their classrooms … and join families for a meal, sharing stories around their dining room table. Small group travel doesn’t just change the way you see the world—it can change your life.
A warm welcome and unsurpassed value for solo travelers We believe that solo travelers shouldn’t have to pay a large premium to explore the world. With our free Single Supplements on all adventures and extensions, O.A.T. offers solo travelers the best value around. In fact, when you compare our value to other travel companies, you’ll find that solo travelers save up to $3795 with us. Solo travelers also enjoy the best experience with O.A.T. Like Patricia Calzi, whose story is featured below, many of our solo travelers forge bonds with fellow travelers during their O.A.T. adventures—and also find that their lives could indeed be changed through world travel. Patricia, and so many others like her, found themselves
embarking on an exciting new chapter in their lives when they took their very first O.A.T. adventure. And you’ll never feel lost in the crowd on our trips. You and your fellow adventurers will see it all up close, as your Trip Leader reveals the world to you. You just might find that the moments you spend quietly reliving the day’s discoveries over a glass of wine at a local restaurant— or chatting with some new friends on the deck of one of our small ships—are just as memorable as the discoveries you’ll make connecting with local culture.
adventure. When you join our Travel Companions online community, you’ll connect with travelers who share your interests, and perhaps even find a companion to accompany you the next time you travel. You can also request our free Roommate Matching Service and let us find you a match. Nobody extends a warmer welcome—or a greater value—to solo travelers than O.A.T.
Learn more about our benefits for solo travelers at www.oattravel.com/solo
We offer two ways to connect with other travelers before you embark on your
Discovery and Friendship in Morocco by Patricia Calzi • 12-time traveler • Brighton, Colorado People were surprised to hear that I was
I bought a piece of alabaster from one of
traveling solo to Morocco. They’d ask me
the local craftsmen; I like to bring home
who was going with me—who’d be looking
things that are iconic to the regions where
out for me. I told them I’d be with 15 friends;
I travel. Aziz was able to do the translating
I just hadn’t met them yet. On O.A.T. trips,
for me, and I could tell that this little old
the rest of the group is so welcoming that it
man I was buying the piece from was so
never feels like you’re alone. Married couples
pleased to be making the sale. I could hear
don’t act like they’re joined at the hip. They
it in his voice, and see it in the careful way
bring others into their circle, and we become
he wrapped the item for me. He wasn’t just
a community for a little while. It’s always
excited for the money—he was thrilled to
possible to find someone else who wants to
see something that he’d made, something
do what you want to do, even during your
representing his country, going to America,
free time.
where other people would see it and admire
What made Morocco so good was the
the craftsmanship.
combination of a fantastic itinerary and
Camping for two nights in the Sahara Desert
Aziz Kebiri, our Trip Leader. He was a
was something I’ll never forget. It was
natural-born storyteller. That’s how he
absolutely amazing to go out at night and
taught us about his country—through
look at the stars in that vast blackness. You’d
stories. Every single day, there was some-
hear voices, because people would sit in the
thing interesting to learn, something that
chairs in front of their tents and chat. You’re
made us rethink what we thought we knew.
with like-minded people, and, in that safe
Aziz had told us that Morocco wasn’t like
setting, it gives you the freedom to do what
other Muslim countries, and it was just like
you want to do. In the Sahara, you could just
he said. It was everything I expected, and
sit on your own and be quiet, or you could
nothing like I’d anticipated.
join others, talking and pointing out the constellations together. It was just spectacular.
I’m already planning future travel. I’m going to the Galápagos later this year with three ladies I met in Morocco. We didn’t know each other beforehand, but we became close during the trip. That’s how it is with these groups. Not only do you have your Trip Leader, but you suddenly have 15 new friends looking out for you, too.
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com
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New for 2017
Customize Your Trip And Create Your Unique Travel Experience It’s your adventure. Why not make it all that you’ve ever dreamed about? There are so many ways to make your travel experience with O.A.T. even more special—from choosing your preferred departure city to spending extra nights on your own in a favorite city. For the ultimate in exclusivity, you could gather a few close friends and create special memories on a private departure. Just let us know, and we’ll make it happen. Here are some of your choices for customizing your trip … Choose the departure city and airline
Upgrade your air itinerary based on
that works best for you
your travel preferences
We list the most popular airport gateway cities on our website—but not all of them. If you don’t see yours listed, or there’s one that better suits your travel needs, be sure to let us know and we’ll have you on your way most convenient to you. You can also let us know if you have an airline preference and we will try to accommodate your travel needs aboard that airline.
Our team of Adventure Specialists makes every effort to ensure your flight preferences work best for you, including offering you non-stop flights if possible and acceptable connection times to and from your destination. If—for any reason—you wish to change the itinerary we create for you, simply contact our Adventure Specialists for additional options. And when you fly economy class, we’ll do our best to see that you get your choice of seating preference or even add a special meal request if you have dietary restrictions or needs. We’ll also arrange a flight upgrade to business or premium economy class if it’s available.
Depart from one city and return to another Just because your flight leaves from one city doesn’t mean you have to return there. Maybe you flew out of Boston and wish to visit friends in Los Angeles after your trip is over. Tell us where you want to go and we’ll do our best to get you there.
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“Break away” before or after your trip to explore independently or re-energize You can extend your time abroad and “break away” anywhere you’d like to do more exploring on your own. Stay for a day, a week, or even a month in a favorite locale. Or consider arriving a few days early for a fresh start or staying overnight in a connecting city before or after your trip to break up a lengthy flight. Our Adventure Specialists can provide you with information on the hotel we will use at the beginning of your trip so that you can make your own accommodation arrangements. That way, you’ll know that you will be exactly where you need to be to meet your group.
Private Adventures
Combine two or more trips to make the most of your value—and avoid another long flight Lots of our travelers choose to take another trip directly after their first one ends. Think about it: If you’re already overseas, why not see more of the region and avoid the expense and length of another international flight? Many of our travelers have taken two or three consecutive trips before returning home. And now you’ll save an additional $250 per person when you reserve two trips right after one another.
Extend your discoveries with pre- or post-trip extensions Many O.A.T. travelers simply don’t want their trips to end. With an array of pre- and post-trip extensions to choose from, you have the chance to experience more of the places you’ve traveled so far to see. Plus, you lower your average per-day costs because you’re taking advantage of your already included international airfare.
Reserve an EXCLUSIVE departure with just 8 travelers, starting from as little as $400 per person more than our trip price. It’s simple: You choose the people you travel with, the departure date, and the size of your group. O.A.T. does the rest. The benefits: ■ Travel in an exclusive group of friends or family members ■ Work with your expert, resident Trip Leader to create
unique experiences and special memories
Call your Adventure Specialist today to get started and hear about other ways to customize your trip:
1-800-955-1925
■ Relish the opportunity for deeper cultural discovery
and interactions at local schools and villages ■ Tailor the pacing of activities—spend more time
doing what interests your group most at the speed that fits your comfort level ■ Enjoy the security of knowing we have regional
offices nearby
To watch a video of the Milsky family experiencing Ultimate Africa, visit
www.oattravel.com/privateadventures 1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com
19
Heart of India
Delhi • Jaipur • Ranthambore • Agra • Khajuraho • Varanasi 17 days—including international airfare from New York—
One of our most popular trips for solo travelers
3795
$
from
Travel from only $224 a day 16 days—Land Tour only— from
2495
$
Travel from only $156 a day
Single Supplement: FREE Pre-trip extension:
Bhutan: The Hidden Kingdom 8 nights from $2695
Post-trip extensions:
The South of India: Kerala & Cochin 5 nights from $1595
Kathmandu, Nepal 5 nights from $1395
It’s Included ■ International airfare, airport transfers,
government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements ■ All land transportation and
2 internal flights ■ Accommodations for 14 nights in hotels
and 1 night at an O.A.T. camp ■ 33 meals—daily breakfast, 9 lunches,
and 10 dinners (including 1 HomeHosted Dinner)
On Day 14, we’ll witness temple priests in Varanasi perform the sacred light ceremony called aarti.
O.A.T. Difference Cultural connection: Learn about life in rural India by visiting a Ranthambore primary school, sipping chai tea with villagers in their homes, and eating lunch with craftswomen in their needlepoint workshop Small groups, big discoveries: Search for Langur monkeys, chital, sambar, and the rare Bengal tiger on two game-viewing drives in Ranthambore National Park—once a private hunting ground for India’s maharajas
■ 25 small group activities ■ Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Leader ■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers, camp
staff, and luggage porters ■ 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward your
next adventure—an average of $272
Unique modes of transport: Cruise the sacred River Ganges twice—first to witness early-morning rituals on the ghats (steps leading down to the river bank), and then to soak in a sunset viewing of a traditional aarti—India’s light ceremony
More than 88% of travelers rated this trip excellent 20
ASIA
What to Expect Pacing
•
TRIP EXTENSIONS PA K IS TA N
•
7 locations in 16 days with 3 one-night stays Multiple pre-dawn departures
CHINA
•
IND IA
Not appropriate for travelers using wheelchairs or other mobility aids
Agra & Taj Mahal Jaipur
(Post-trip Extension)
Ranthambore National Park
I N D I A Jhansi
Varanasi & Sarnath
100
Itinerary Summary
Terrain & Transportation Travel over some rugged paths, as well as bumpy, unpaved, dusty roads, both by bus and on foot Travel via bus (no heat or toilet on board), train, rickshaw, and game-viewing vehicle; our vehicles are locally made and are the best available in the region Several long overland drives of 5-6 hours, including a 10-12 hour transfer with a train journey on Day 13
Flight Information Travel time will be 17-22 hours and will most likely have two connections
Accommodations & Facilities
•
One night in a comfortable but basic tented camp with private baths
•
All other accommodations are hotel-standard, with a variety of amenities, as well as private baths with Western-style toilet facilities
•
Asian squat-style toilets must be used in some villages without other facilities
•
Most hotels in Bhutan do not have elevators, so if you are taking the optional extension in Bhutan, you must be able to climb stairs
Cuisine Meals will be based on the local cuisine; Western food is limited
Cultural insight
•
Miles
Cochin
Khajuraho
August and September are hot and humid, with heavy rains
•
OAT Camp
To/From U.S. Internal flight Land route Train route 0
•
•
Arabian Sea
Rajasthan
Trip Leaders reserve the right to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience
Daytime temperatures range from 90-100°F
•
Bay of Bengal
ges
Must be able to walk 2-3 miles unassisted each day and participate in 3-5 hours of daily physical activities, including scaling several steep steps without handrails
Kolkata
Varanasi
Gurgaon
•
•
Mumbai
Delhi
Climate
•
( (Pre-trip Extension)
n Ga
•
BHUTAN
Paro
Kathmandu K a (Post-trip o tee Extension)
Physical requirements
•
NEPAL
Delhi
We may see people living in poverty, which could be distressing for some travelers
Pre-trip extension: Bhutan: The Hidden Kingdom Days
DESTINATION
LODGING
1-4
Fly to Delhi
Suryaa New Delhi or similar
5-7
Overland to Jaipur
Ramada Jaipur or similar
8-9
Ranthambore
Nahargarh Hotel or similar
10
Geejgarh Village
O.A.T. Camp
11-12
Agra • Taj Mahal
Jaypee Palace or similar
13
Khajuraho
Radisson Khajuraho or similar
14-15
Fly to Varanasi
Radisson Varanasi or similar
16
Fly to Delhi
Pride Plaza Hotel or similar
17
Return to U.S.
Post-trip extensions: The South of India: Kerala & Cochin OR Kathmandu, Nepal
Read Traveler Reviews Online Unedited & unbiased opinions from your fellow travelers
A Thoughtful Introduction to India ★★★★★ My senses are still reeling from the overload of India! Sights, smells, tastes, and sounds ... what a great introduction. A reviewer from Jacksonville, OR Traveled on December 4, 2015
Read more at www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
21
Day 1 Depart U.S.
Nahargarh Hotel, Ranthambore
Unique Lodgings Ramada Jaipur Located near Bhagat Singh Park, Ramada Jaipur provides an on-site swimming pool, fitness center, and spa, as well as several restaurants. Each of the hotel’s 160 rooms includes an LCD TV, a safe, coffee- and teamaking facilities, wireless Internet, and a private bath. Nahargarh Hotel Located near Ranthambore Tiger Sanctuary, this 42-room lodge was decorated to evoke the feeling of staying in a palace. During your stay, you’ll enjoy a multi-cuisine restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool. Our air-conditioned rooms feature a telephone, radio/alarm clock, and private bath with shower. O.A.T. Camp Situated on five acres of land within view of the Aravali Mountains, our rural retreat consists of 14 air-cooled, tent-roof cottages, each with a veranda and private bath. There is also a separate dining area where we’ll dine on organic cuisine prepared on-site in the modern kitchen.
Day 2 Arrive Delhi, India. You’ll arrive in Delhi today, where your Trip Leader will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel as you begin to explore India. Here we’ll be joined by travelers who took our optional Bhutan: The Hidden Kingdom pre-trip extension. Suryaa New Delhi or similar Day 3 Explore Old Delhi. After breakfast, gather with your fellow travelers for a briefing by your Trip Leader. We start our discoveries this afternoon in Delhi by visiting Old Delhi. Even when Mumbai and Madras were mere trading posts and Kolkata a village of mud huts, Delhi had been the seat of an empire for 500 years. Through the centuries, eight cities have been built on this site by Hindu, Mughal, and British rulers—with each adding their own flavor. In the old part of Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, a beautifully serene monument. This is where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, and we will see an impressive shrine to India’s best-known statesman. Next, after visiting the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, we take a short ride by rickshaw through the crowded lanes of the Chandni Chowk bazaar. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. B,D —Suryaa New Delhi or similar
Day 4 Visit Qutab Minar • Explore New Delhi. This morning we tour the soaring Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that merged Hindu and Islamic stylings more than 800 years ago. We’ll also explore the great, planned avenues of New Delhi, designed in the 1930s and now home to India’s democratic government. This evening, enjoy dinner on your own. B,L—Suryaa New Delhi or similar Day 5 Overland to Jaipur. After breakfast, we’ll journey to Jaipur, called the “Pink City” for the rosy hue of its sandstone buildings. En route, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant. When we arrive in Jaipur, we’ll check in to our hotel. Tonight we’ll gather for dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D —Ramada Jaipur or similar Day 6 Optional hot-air balloon over Jaipur • Explore Jaipur. Rise early to join an optional balloon ride over Jaipur this morning. Today we explore Jaipur, with its lively streets crowded with rickshaws and camel carts. We’ll visit Jantar Mantar, a unique 18th-century astronomical observatory containing 14 major geometric devices for celestial study. We’ll also tour the City Palace Museum, home to a rich collection of Indian weapons, and have the option to learn about traditional textiles at a blockprinting factory. Your afternoon is at leisure. B,L—Ramada Jaipur or similar
Jaypee Palace Set amidst 25 acres of landscaped gardens, Agra’s Jaypee Palace combines traditional charm with modern amenities. With 350 guest rooms, the property includes a restaurant, cocktail lounge, swimming pool, and sauna. Our air-conditioned rooms feature a TV, telephone, coffeeand tea-making facilities, and a private bath with shower and hair dryer.
Our private O.A.T. Camp, Abha Nagri
We’ll explore Jaipur’s Amber Fort-Palace, a stunning and well-preserved 16th-century structure, on Day 7.
22
Day 7 Discover Palace of the Winds and Amber Fort • Home-Hosted Dinner. We begin the day by viewing the Palace of the Winds, a honeycombed structure that’s not actually a palace, but a façade of 953 windows from which royal women could observe processions. Then we’ll journey to Jaipur’s Amber Fort. Built on the side of a mountain, its battlements stretch beyond view along the mountain ridge. This evening, we join an Indian family for a Home-Hosted Dinner. B,D —Ramada Jaipur or similar Day 8 Overland to Ranthambore National Park • Optional Ranthambore Fort tour. We travel today to Ranthambore National Park. Upon arrival at our lodgings, we enjoy a late lunch. Later, we can join an optional hiking tour of the fortress. As a former hunting reserve, abandoned palaces and pavilions dot the natural landscape of Ranthambore, which today houses a wide variety of Indian wildlife. Please note: Ranthambore National Park is closed between August and September. Departures during these months will visit Sawai Mansingh Animal Sanctuary instead. B,L,D —Nahargarh Hotel or similar Day 9 Discover Ranthambore National Park. Today we’ll enjoy morning and afternoon game-viewing drives through the park, accompanied on both by a naturalist guide. The species we may spot include nilgai antelope, chittal deer, mongoose, monitor lizards, and some 250 species of birds. Perhaps we’ll even see some of the more elusive predatory species
A Day in the Life Meet the People of a Ranthambore community “It was apparent that the principal and this school are incredibly dedicated to the students. It is clearly an extremely worthwhile project!”
Videos That Inspire You Watch how Grand Circle Foundation changes lives
Holly Keating • East Greenwich, Rhode Island Ram Singh Pura and Khilchipur, India Partner since: 2009 Total pledged or donated: $105,034
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
During our time in Rajasthan, we’ll enjoy the opportunity to connect with local residents in communities near Ranthambore National Park. On Day 10, we’ll begin our experience with a visit to one of two primary schools (when in session)—Saini Adarsh Vidhya Mandir, in the village of Ram Singh Pura, or Adarsh Bal Vidhya Mandir, in nearby Khilchipur. The 485 students who attend these two schools have benefited greatly from Grand Circle Foundation—donations have thus far provided three classrooms, separate boys' and girls' lavatories, computers, desks, benches, and a fresh coat of paint for Adarsh Bal Vidhya Mandir; and classroom fans, a library, and lavatories for Saini Adarsh Vidhya Mandir. After spending time with the children and their teachers, we take a walking tour of the village before we are invited into local homes to share tea—and conversation—with some of the students and their families. We’ll also visit a women’s cooperative society, where local women are taught to make handcrafts. SM
Itinerary continued on next page
NEW Video & Film Gallery View travelers experiencing local life—just three of more than 900 videos and films available on our website!
Trip Experience
Trip Itinerary
Independent Films Gatherings—produced by Maude Plante-Husaruk
Watch these videos and films on this adventure and see India in a new way in our independent films—at www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
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23
Trip Leader Video—Meet Somnath Bose Listen to a local expert discuss their homeland and get a taste of what India has to offer.
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
Expand your Discoveries with these Optional Tours HOT-AIR BALLOON OVER JAIPUR (Day 6 $195 per person) Rise early to join an optional hot-air balloon ride over the city of Jaipur. We’ll watch the colorful balloons being inflated, then enjoy an exhilarating hourlong flight and a unique perspective on the area.
RANTHAMBORE FORT (Day 8 $20 per person) Join an optional tour to Ranthambore Fort, a spectacular fortress built more than 1,000 years ago on a rocky outcrop with stunning views. Today it sits in the middle of the Ranthambore sanctuary. We’ll ride in an open-roof vehicle, then hike to the fort, a huge structure with a fascinating history and fine craftsmanship in its interiors.
Optional tour prices listed are U.S. dollar estimates determined at the time of publication and are subject to change. Optional tours may vary. Gratuities now included.
24
like jackals, leopards, or the rare Bengal tiger—the park is one of just eleven sites in India where they still exist. B,L,D —Nahargarh Hotel or similar Day 10 A Day in the Life of a Ranthambore community • Overland to O.A.T. Camp. After breakfast this morning, we’ll travel to a small village to experience A Day in the Life. We begin with a visit to a primary school supported by Grand Circle Foundation—part of the World Classroom initiative. We’ll take a walking tour of the village and share a typical snack at a local home. Next we’ll visit a women’s cooperative society, where local women are taught to make handcrafts. Later, we depart for our camp in Rajasthan, on the edge of a small town in the heart of rural India. Tonight, we’ll sit by the campfire as dancers entertain us. B,L,D — O.A.T. Camp Day 11 Abhaneri step wells • Overland to Agra. Today we travel overland to Agra, stopping en route to explore the step wells of Abhaneri and enjoy lunch in Bharatpur. We’ll enjoy a lecture on Mughal history on our way to Agra, where we’ll check into our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure. Dinner tonight is on your own. B,L—Jaypee Palace or similar Day 12 Behold the Taj Mahal. Following the early death of his wife, Mumtaz, the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, honored her life with the finest sepulchre ever—a monument to eternal love. See it today when we rise early this morning to experience the Taj Mahal in the morning light. Afterward, we see the red sandstone Agra Fort, where we’ll experience Shah Jahan’s view of the Taj Mahal from his palace quarters. We’ll stop to visit a marble inlay center before arriving back at the hotel. Enjoy an included dinner this evening. B,D —Jaypee Palace or similar Day 13 Train ride to Jhansi • Overland to Khajuraho. We have a full day of travel planned to bring us to Khajuraho, but we’ll stop to make many discoveries along the way. In the morning we board a train for Jhansi, a center of Chandela civilization. We enjoy lunch at Alipura Palace before we continue to Khajuraho, one-time capital of the Chandelas and famed for temples emblazoned with erotic carvings. B,L,D —Radisson Khajuraho or similar
Day 14 Explore Khajuraho’s erotic temples • Fly to Varanasi • Ganges evening cruise and ceremony. On our morning walking tour, we visit Khajuraho’s eastern and western temple complexes. Here you’ll see some of the most erotic and sensuous sculptures in India, breathtaking symbols of a medieval legacy, which perfectly fuse architectural and sculptural excellence. Then we’ll have lunch before our flight brings us to Varanasi (Benares), one of the oldest and holiest of Hindu places, dating back more than 4,000 years. For the devout, a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Varanasi to bathe in the Ganges (for purification) is essential. Tonight we’ll explore the banks of the River Ganges, where we’ll enjoy a sunset cruise and observe local priests perform aarti, the sacred light ceremony. Dinner will be on your own. B,L—Radisson Varanasi or similar Day 15 Early morning Ganges cruise • Visit to Sarnath. Before breakfast this morning, we board our small, private boat for a cruise of the River Ganges. As the sun rises over the river, we’ll witness locals and pilgrims arriving at the ghats to take a ritual dip, perform yoga asanas, wash their clothes on ancient stones, and offer flowers and incense to the river. After breakfast, we’ll take a short ride to Sarnath, where the Indian prince known to us as Buddha preached the first sermon on his new religion in 530 BC. We also have the opportunity to visit a silkweaving workshop. Tonight we’ll toast each other at a Farewell Dinner. B,D —Radisson Varanasi or similar Day 16 Yoga and meditation session • Fly to Delhi. Rise early this morning for a relaxing yoga and meditation session led by a local teacher. We have time for lunch on our own before flying to Delhi, where we’ll spend the night. Travelers taking the post-trip extension to Kathmandu will fly to Nepal from Varanasi today. Enjoy an included dinner at your hotel this evening. B,D —Pride Plaza Hotel or similar Day 17 Return to U.S. or begin post-trip extension. Travelers taking the post-trip extension to The South of India will fly to Cochin this morning. Or rise before dawn to board your return flight to the U.S.
For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
On Day 12 of our adventure, we’ll behold the majesty of the Taj Mahal in the early morning light.
Nagaur Festival: A Rajasthani Celebration Experience the second-largest animal-trading festival in Rajasthan, India’s “Land of Princes.” With thousands of decorated livestock and their regally festooned handlers, this annual festival infuses the quiet town of Nagaur with a special energy. The event features not only auctions of horses, camels, and oxen, but also local folk musicians whose spirited tunes enliven this desert locale. Traditional wooden, iron, and leather goods are sold by local craftspeople, and visitors can take advantage of the unique opportunity to participate in a celebration that includes singing, dancing, and feasting. If you join us on a 19-day Nagaur Festival departure date, you’ll spend two extra days in the Heart of India celebrating just as the locals do. Your journey still begins with three nights in Delhi, but you’ll spend two nights in Jaipur before traveling to Nagaur for two nights, where you’ll stay in a private tented camp close to the heart of the festival. After the festival, you’ll return to Jaipur for a final overnight stay, then continue with the itinerary described here.
To learn more, visit www.oattravel.com/indiafestivals.
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
25
Extend your adventure and your value
Bhutan: The Hidden Kingdom 8 nights Pre-trip from
2695
$
It’s Included ■ Airfare from Kolkata to Bhutan and
from Bhutan to Delhi ■ Accommodations for 2 nights in
Kolkata, 2 nights in Thimphu, 2 nights in Punakha, and 2 nights in Paro ■ 20 meals—8 breakfasts, 6 lunches,
and 6 dinners ■ 11 small group activities ■ Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Leader ■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and
luggage porters ■ All transfers
Discovery Highlights EXPLORE Thimphu, the beautiful capital of Bhutan, brimming with exquisite architecture and traditional culture MARVEL at the breathtaking 10,000-foot Dochula Pass as we drive to Punakha EXPERIENCE a true mountain culture, isolated from modernization for centuries BEHOLD Paro Dzong—a fortress that repelled Tibetan invaders—during a tour of Paro
Trip Extension Video
Travel from only $337 per night
Itinerary Day 1 Depart U.S. Day 2 Arrive Kolkata, India. Depending on your flight schedule, you will arrive in Kolkata either late tonight or very early in the morning of Day 3. An O.A.T. representative will assist you to your hotel. The Oberoi Grand Kolkata or similar Day 3 Explore Kolkata. Enjoy time to relax at the hotel this morning. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of Kolkata featuring Mother Teresa’s “Mother House,” headquarters of her charity mission and now her final resting place. B —The Oberoi Grand Kolkata or similar Day 4 Fly to Paro, Bhutan • Overland to Thimphu. We fly from Kolkata to Paro after a very early breakfast. The flight offers spectacular views of the mountains that surround Paro. Tiny Paro, where we’ll meet our O.A.T. Trip Leader, provides the perfect welcome to Bhutan. Later, enjoy breathtaking scenery on our ride to Thimphu. B,L,D — Gakyil Hotel or similar Day 5 Tour Thimphu. Exquisitely beautiful and brimming with tradition, this tiny capital of Bhutan is nothing less than a Shangri-La. Today we visit the National Library, Textile Museum, and Handcrafts Emporium. Please note: Some of the sites we visit today are closed on weekends and government holidays. On Day 9 of this extension, you’ll have the option of trekking to the breathtaking Tiger’s Nest Monastery viewpoint, a place of pilgrimage for locals.
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/hoi-bhutan
26
In this case, we will adjust our itinerary as needed. B,L,D — Gakyil Hotel or similar Day 6 Experience Punakha and the Dochula Pass. On our drive to Punakha, once Bhutan’s capital, we’ll climb through the stunning 10,000-foot Dochula Pass. Then we’ll view ornate Punakha Dzong with its six-story, gold-domed tower. B,L,D —Dragon’s Nest Resort or similar Day 7 Discover Wangdue Phodrang. Today’s excursion takes in the highlights of Wangdue Phodrang, renowned for its handcrafts. This afternoon, we enjoy a short hike to Chimi Lakh Ang Monastery and a visit to a local farmhouse. B,L,D —Dragon’s Nest Resort or similar Day 8 Return to Paro for sightseeing. En route back to Paro, we visit Paro Dzong, a fortress that once protected the valley from Tibetan invaders. B,L,D —The Village Lodge or similar Day 9 Elective tour to Tiger’s Nest. Choose to join us on a hike to Tiger’s Nest lookout, Bhutan’s most famous monastery. B,L,D —The Village Lodge or similar Day 10 Transfer to Delhi. Today, we fly to Delhi and spend the day at leisure before we begin our discoveries of the Heart of India. B
Single Supplement: FREE
HIU2017
This extension may not be available on all departures. Additional taxes and fees apply. Bhutan is situated at a high altitude. Be prepared for elevations up to 8,000 feet.
Your CHOICE of Extensions: Kerala & Chochin — OR — Kathmandu
The South of India: Kerala & Cochin 5 nights Post-trip from
1595
$
Travel from only $319 per night
Itinerary
It’s Included ■ Airfare from Delhi to Cochin and from
Cochin to Mumbai ■ Accommodations for 2 nights aboard
our houseboat, 2 nights in Cochin, and 1 night in Mumbai ■ 15 meals—6 breakfasts, 4 lunches,
and 5 dinners ■ 6 small group activities ■ Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Leader ■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers,
ship-crew, and luggage porters ■ All transfers
Discovery Highlights CRUISE the peaceful backwaters of Kerala aboard a houseboat LEARN about the Indian port of Cochin, as we discover its Jewish, Chinese, British, and Portuguese influences EXPLORE Mumbai’s Dhobi Ghat, Marine Drive, and Gandhi Library
Optional Tour
Day 1 Fly to Cochin • Board houseboat for backwaters cruise. Arrive in Cochin, a storied Indian port layered with Jewish, Portuguese, Chinese, and British influences. B,L,D —Houseboat Day 2 Cruising and sightseeing. Relax onboard and observe the everyday lives of the villagers along the river. At various stops, we’ll go ashore to meet some of them. B,L,D —Houseboat Day 3 Transfer to Cochin • Optional Kathakali performance. Visit the highlights of Cochin, including St. Francis Xavier’s Church, and view the distinctive Chinese fishing nets along the harbor. This afternoon, join us for an optional Kathakali performance. B,L,D —Trident Hotel Cochin or similar
Day 4 Explore Cochin. See the sights of Cochin, including the Jewish Quarter and synagogue as well as the Mattancherry (or Dutch) Palace. This afternoon, join us for a harbor cruise and an included dinner at a local restaurant. B,D —Trident Hotel Cochin or similar Day 5 Fly to Mumbai. Early this morning, fly to bustling Mumbai, India’s largest and most dynamic city. This afternoon, enjoy a tour of the city, including Dhobi Ghat and famed Marine Drive, along the bay. B,D —The Lalit Mumbai or similar Day 6 Explore Mumbai • Return to U.S. Continue your explorations of Mumbai today, visiting sites including the Gandhi Library and Museum at Mani Bhavan. Tonight, transfer to the airport for your flight to the U.S. B,L
Single Supplement: FREE During a cruise along the peaceful backwaters of Cochin, we’ll witness many idyllic scenes of traditional fishing techniques.
This extension may not be available on all departures. Additional taxes and fees apply.
Kathakali performance, $25 per person
Trip Extension Video
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/hoi-cochin
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com/hoi2017
27
Your CHOICE of Extensions: Kerala & Chochin — OR — Kathmandu
Kathmandu, Nepal 5 nights Post-trip from
1395
$
It’s Included ■ Roundtrip international airfare between
India and Nepal ■ Accommodations for 4 nights in
Kathmandu and 1 night in Delhi ■ 9 meals—4 breakfasts, 2 lunches,
and 3 dinners ■ 5 small group activities ■ All land transportation ■ Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Leader ■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers,
and luggage porters ■ All transfers
Discovery Highlights EXPLORE the Boudhanath Stupa, the holiest temple in Nepal MARVEL at the medieval-era palaces of Bhaktapur DISCOVER Kathmandu’s enchanting Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Optional Tour Mount Everest flight, $210 per person
Trip Extension Video
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/hoi-kathmandu
28
Travel from only $279 per night
Itinerary Day 1 Arrive Kathmandu, Nepal. On Day 16 of the main trip, fly from Varanasi to Kathmandu. Tonight, enjoy dinner with fellow travelers. D — Gokarna Forest Resort or similar Day 2 Explore Kathmandu. Today, we embark on a walking tour through the exhilarating streets of Kathmandu, a radiant hub of sound, color, and activity. B,L— Gokarna Forest Resort or similar Day 3 Optional Mount Everest flight • Explore Patan. Join us at dawn (weather permitting) on an optional flight to Mount Everest to discover the breathtaking glory of the world’s tallest peak. This morning, we travel across the Bagmati River to Patan. The city was designed in the shape of the Buddhist Dharma-Chakra (Wheel of Righteousness). The four thurs, or mounds, located on the perimeter of Patan are known as the Ashoka Stupas, named for Emperor Ashoka who visited Kathmandu with his daughter,
Charumati, in 250 BC and erected the five stupas. B — Gokarna Forest Resort or similar Day 4 Discover Bhaktapur. This morning, we’ll travel overland to Bhaktapur (Bhagdaon). The “City of Devotees,” Bhaktapur is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning four square miles. Next we’ll travel to the village of Nagarkot for lunch, known for its scenic views of the Kathmandu Valley. After returning to the hotel, you’ll have time to relax before we gather for a Farewell Dinner. B,L,D — Gokarna Forest Resort or similar Day 5 Fly to Delhi, India. Enjoy the morning to explore at your leisure. This afternoon, we fly to Delhi for a final night in India. B —Lemon Tree Premier Hotel or similar Day 6 Return to U.S. Very early this morning, we fly to the U.S.
Single Supplement: FREE Discover Kathmandu’s ancient Buddhist legacy in Patan Durbar Square on Day 3.
This extension may not be available on all departures. Additional taxes and fees apply.
Heart of India
CRITICAL AIR INFORMATION
In addition to other trip rigors, your travel time will be 17-22 hours with one connection from select gateway cities and two connections from non-gateway cities. You will arrive in India late at night, and your flight home departs between 11pm and 2am. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/hoi2017.
2017 Departure Dates & Prices Additional departure cities are available JAN 1-23
JAN 24-31
FEBRUARY*
MARCH
APRIL; AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
New York
$4395
$5295
$4495
$4195
$3795
$4295
Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle
$4495
$5395
$4595
$4295
$3895
$4395
Baltimore, Denver, Miami, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia
$4645
$5545
$4745
$4445
$4045
$4545
Minneapolis, Phoenix, San Diego, Tampa, Washington, DC
$4695
$5595
$4795
$4495
$4095
$4595
Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston
$4795
$5695
$4895
$4595
$4195
$4695
JAN 1-23
JAN 24-31
FEBRUARY*
MARCH
APRIL; AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
$3095
$3995
$3195
$2895
$2495
$2995
Land Tour only
For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.oattravel.com/hoi2017pricing. HOI2017
Estimated Flight Time Below, you’ll find the East and West Coast cities with the longest flights times. For more information on average flight times based on your gateway city, visit www.oattravel.com/hoi2017. GATEWAY
DEPART
RETURN
Hours
Typical Connection
Hours
Typical Connection
Tampa (East Coast)
21 hrs
1
21 hrs
1
San Diego (West Coast)
26 hrs
2
27 hrs
2
*Departure dates feature the Nagaur Festival. Call for details. Deposit: $350 per person. Airfare prices above include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges totaling $705 per person, all subject to change up until receipt of final payment. Additional departure cities are available. Call for details. Upgrades to Business Class may be available during the international portion of your flight.
Private Adventures Now you can reserve an exclusive departure: Group size
Additional cost per person
4-6
$1200
7-9
$600
FREE Single Supplements on your main trip and extensions We don’t charge you more for your own room or cabin.
Our prices include most gratuities on the main trip and trip extensions— a value of $200. Gratuities for Trip Leader are not included and should be extended at traveler’s discretion. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.oattravel.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.
SAVE up to 10% with our Good Buy Plan The earlier you pay by check or electronic funds transfer, the more you SAVE!
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Ancient Kingdoms:
Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam Bangkok • Luang Prabang • Mekong River Cruise • Vientiane • Phnom Penh • Angkor Wat • Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) 20 days—including international airfare from 13 U.S. Cities—
NEW for 2017—an extra day in Ho Chi Minh City for better pacing and more time to explore
4295
$
from
Travel from only $215 a day 18 days—Land Tour only— from
2795
$
Travel from only $156 a day
Single Supplement: FREE Pre-trip extension:
Burma & the Irrawaddy River 7 nights from $1995
Post-trip extension:
Undiscovered Thailand: The River Kwai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai 8 nights from $1295
It’s Included ■ International airfare, airport transfers,
government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges unless you choose to make your own air arrangements ■ All land transportation and
5 internal flights ■ Accommodations for 18 nights ■ 40 meals—daily breakfast, 13 lunches,
and 9 dinners (including 1 HomeHosted Dinner and 1 community lunch)
On Day 15, we’ll visit Ta Prohm in the holy city of Angkor, an ancient Khmer temple that remains an active site of worship and devotion for saffron-robed monks today.
O.A.T. Difference Cultural connection: Experience local culture during A Day in the Life of a village in Laos, where you’ll meet with Hmong villagers and visit the home of a local shaman to learn about Hmong rituals to communicate with the spirit world Small groups, big discoveries: Learn about Cambodia’s turbulent history
■ 34 small group activities
firsthand from those who lived through it—and walk through the Killing
■ Services of a local O.A.T. Trip Leader
Fields to witness a poignant reminder of the genocide committed by the
■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers,
Khmer Rouge regime
and luggage porters ■ 5% Frequent Traveler Credit toward
your next adventure—an average of $279
Unique modes of transport: Cruise the Mekong River by high-speed boat and witness everyday life in villages along the Mekong Delta
More than 87% of travelers rated this trip excellent 38
ASIA
What to Expect
CHINA
PRE-TRIP EXTENSION
Pacing Bagan
• 6 locations in 19 days with some early mornings
BURMA
Mandalay
Chiang Rai
BURMA
(Post-trip Extension)
Bay of Bengal
Physical requirements
Chaing Mai
Rangoon
L
(Post-trip Extension)
THAILAND
Vientiane A
O
• Not appropriate for travelers using
Luang Prabang
Me ko n
S
Andaman Sea
Bangkok
g
wheelchairs, walkers, or other mobility aids
THAILAND
• You must be able to walk 3 miles unassisted and participate in 5-7 hours of physical activities each day
(Post-trip Extension)
0
Climate
Miles
VIETNAM
Angkor Wat
Siem Reap C A M B O D I A Tonle Sap
Phnom Penh
Gulf of Thailand
To/From U.S. Internal flight Land route
participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home, if their limitations impact the group’s experience
Cu Chi Tunnels Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
South China Sea
200
Itinerary Summary
• Tropical, with daytime temperatures
• Potential for heavy rains between
Bangkok
Andaman Sea
• Trip Leaders reserve the right to modify
reaching 95°F with high levels of humidity, especially between March-May
Ayutthaya (Day trip)
Kanchanaburi
Bay of Bengal
Pre-trip extension: Burma & the Irrawaddy River Days
DESTINATION
LODGING
1-5
Fly to Bangkok, Thailand
At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar
Terrain & Transportation
6-8
Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos
Sada Hotel Luang Prabang or similar
• Travel over some bumpy, unpaved roads;
9-10
Fly to Vientiane, Laos
Sabaidee@Lao Hotel or similar
11-12
Fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Almond Hotel or similar
13-15
Fly to Siem Reap
Regency Angkor Hotel or similar
16-19
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam
Nhat Ha 3 Hotel or similar
20
Return to U.S.
July-October
climb uneven stairways at ancient ruins; and walk over uneven ground
• Travel primarily via air-conditioned 20-passenger coach (no toilet on board)
• Other modes of transportation include: ox cart; motorized boat on the Mekong, which will require agility to embark; and horsedrawn carriage, elephant, and bamboo raft on trip extensions
Post-trip extension: Undiscovered Thailand: The River Kwai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai
• 5 internal flights of about 1 hour each with potential for delays Flight Information
• Travel time will be 20-27 hours and will most likely have two connections Accommodations & Facilities
• All accommodations feature private baths and Western-style toilet facilities
• At some destinations, only Asian-style toilets (squat-style rather than seats) may be available
Read Traveler Reviews Online Unedited & unbiased opinions from your fellow travelers
A super trip ★★★★★ I heartily recommend this trip for anyone who wants to experience some of the wonders of Southeast Asia. The ancient temples are worthy of world wonder status. The food was generally delicious ... even the river snake I tried. A reviewer from Tucson, AZ Traveled on October 27, 2015
Read more at www.oattravel.com/lvc2017
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39
Day 1 Depart U.S. You lose a day as you cross the International Date Line, and gain it back upon your return home.
Regency Angkor Hotel, Siem Reap
Unique Lodgings At Ease Saladaeng Hotel The At Ease Saladaeng Hotel is ideally situated in downtown Bangkok, near Lumpini Park and about a half mile from the Patpong Night Market. Hotel amenities include a restaurant, swimming pool, and fitness center. There are 69 air-conditioned rooms, each with refrigerator and microwave, cable TV, complimentary wireless Internet access, and private bath. Sada Hotel Luang Prabang Built in the tradition Lao style, the Sada Hotel Luang Prabang is situated about a 5-minute drive to Luang Prabang’s city center. Hotel amenities include a bar, restaurant, and courtyard garden. There are 33 airconditioned rooms, each with safe, minibar, satellite TV, coffee- and tea-making facilities, and private bath with hairdryer. Almond Hotel The Almond Hotel is located near many of Phnom Penh’s most captivating sites and landmarks, including the Royal Palace. Each of the hotel’s 54 Khmer-styled rooms feature airconditioning, cable TV, Internet access, and coffee- and tea-making facilities. Two restaurants offer travelers a wide range of Asian and Western cuisines.
Day 2 Arrive Bangkok, Thailand. You will be met by your O.A.T. Trip Leader and transferred to our hotel. Here, you’ll be joined by travelers who took our optional Burma & the Irrawaddy River pre-trip extension. At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar Day 3 Explore Bangkok. This morning, we’ll witness some of the highlights of Bangkok, including the dazzling Grand Palace and the sacred Emerald Buddha. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll return to our hotel and take a brief orientation walk. This evening, we board a traditional wooden rice barge for a memorable Welcome Dinner. We’ll cruise past the Temple of the Dawn and the Grand Palace, both of which are spectacular by moonlight. B,L,D —At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar Day 4 Explore Ayutthaya & Ancient Siam. After breakfast, we visit the ancient city of Ayutthaya. Located north of the city, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was the capital of Siam from 1353 to 1767 and home to 33 kings from various dynasties. After exploring the ancient city, we’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then board a motorized long-tail boat for an afternoon cruise, with a stop at a Muslim village to learn about the villagers’ lives. We return to Bangkok in late afternoon. Dinner is at a local restaurant. B,L,D —At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar
Day 5 Bangkok • Optional Floating Market & Mangrove Adventure tour. Enjoy a day at leisure in Bangkok or join an optional Floating Market & Mangrove Adventure tour, which begins at the colorful Damnoen Saduak floating market. We also stop at a palm sugar workshop and coconut farm, have lunch at a local restaurant, and journey by bus to Khlong Khon district, where we board a fishing boat to explore the mangrove forest, feed the wild monkeys, and visit a local fisherman’s home before returning to Bangkok. Dinner is on your own. B —At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar Day 6 Bangkok • Fly to Luang Prabang, Laos. After breakfast at our hotel, we depart for the airport for our flight to Luang Prabang, the ancient, royal capital of Laos. After an included lunch, we’ll check into our hotel and have an orientation walk around the neighborhood, mingling with monks and locals heading to market and going about their daily lives. Then we’ll hop aboard local transport to visit the royal temple Wat Xieng Thong, the oldest in the city, and visit Phousi Hill, in the center of the old town. Here you may wish to climb the 328 steps and at the top, overlook most of Luang Prabang. You’ll enjoy views of the Khan and Mekong rivers, and if the weather obliges, enjoy a colorful sunset. We’ll continue on to a night market, and then we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D —Sada Hotel Luang Prabang or similar Day 7 Alms-giving ceremony • A Day in the Life of a local village. Today we rise very early to participate in an ancient Buddhist tradition: alms-giving to local monks. In
Almond Hotel, Phnom Penh
In Luang Prabang, Laos, on Day 6, our Trip Leader will illuminate the rich history of the city’s temples and palaces.
the quiet of early morning, we watch as hundreds of monks from the nearby Buddhist temples parade solemnly through the streets, collecting food offerings. When the procession is over, we’ll visit a nearby market, where we’ll have typical Laotian foods for breakfast. Then we set out to experience A Day in the Life of a local village, where we’ll get to meet young students a local elementary school, supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation—part of the World Classroom initiative. We’ll then walk to a nearby village of the Hmong hill tribe, an indigenous people of Laos’ northern highlands. Here, we’ll be welcomed inside the home of a local shaman. After a lively discussion with village leaders, we’ll enjoy a community lunch, which we’ll help to prepare. Then, we return to Luang Prabang for some free time to explore before dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D —Sada Hotel Luang Prabang or similar Day 8 Cruise the Mekong River • Explore Pak Ou Cave. We start our day on an excursion along the Mekong River. Our cruise takes us to a rural village known for producing a local rice “whiskey,” and to Pak Ou Cave, filled with thousands of Buddha icons. Three-wheeled tuk-tuks bring us back to Luang Prabang for some leisure time. Dinner will be on your own this evening. B,L—Sada Hotel Luang Prabang or similar
World Classroom Tin Keo School Videos That Inspire You Watch how Grand Circle Foundation changes lives
Tin Keo School, Laos Partner since: 2012 Total pledged or donated: $2,000
Just outside the Tin Keo Village—which hosts O.A.T. travelers for their A Day in the Life experience in Laos—Tin Keo School is a new partner of Grand Circle Foundation. Although the school building has three classrooms, only one is used for the 36 elementary students it serves, because there is only one teacher. The students are a mix of Lao-Loom (or lowland Lao) people from Tin Keo Village and Watch this video and more at Hmong hill tribe members from www.oattravel.com/lvc2017 a neighboring village, and most of their parents are farmers or weavers. Foundation support is initially focusing on the physical needs of the school. In the first half of 2012, Foundation provided funds to install power and fans in the classrooms, and O.A.T. associates pitched in to help repaint the school during a day of community service. Next, we’ll build two toilets for the school and another two for Tin Keo Village. Because Tin Keo School receives limited financial assistance from the Lao government, the Foundation looks forward to lending much-needed support to its students in our new partnership. SM
Day 9 Fly to Vientiane • Home-Hosted Dinner. We spend our final morning in Luang Prabang exploring the Royal Palace
Itinerary continued on next page
NEW Video & Film Gallery View travelers experiencing local life—just three of more than 900 videos and films available on our website!
Trip Experience
Trip Itinerary
Independent Films 365 Docobites: Sreyneang—produced by Epiphany Morgan
Watch these videos and films on this adventure and see Southeast Asia in a new way in our independent films—at www.oattravel.com/lvc2017
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Trip Leader Video—Meet Pairoj “Mark” Khojasith Listen to a local expert discuss their homeland and get a taste of what Southeast Asia has to offer.
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/lvc2017
Museum, which was built from 19041909 during the reign of King Sisavang Vong and served as his palace. Today it is a museum where you can see the royal throne and other artifacts. Then enjoy lunch on your own before we take a short flight to Vientiane, Laos’ easy-going capital. When we arrive in the capital this afternoon, we’ll take a brief orientation walk, perhaps witnessing group aerobics at King Anouvong Park. We’ll experience life in Vientiane this evening as the guests of a local family for a Home-Hosted Dinner. B,D —Sabaidee@Lao Hotel or similar Day 10 Vientiane landmarks tour. We have breakfast, we’ll meet with a local monk who will show us how to practice meditation. Then, we’ll set out to explore some of the landmarks of Vientiane. We’ll visit the golden-domed Phra That Luang (Great Sacred Stupa), a national symbol of Laos, and the imposing Patuxay Victory
Expand your Discoveries with these Optional Tours FLOATING MARKET & MANGROVE ADVENTURE (Day 5 $80 per person) This full-day optional tour begins in Ratchaburi, where we take a paddle-boat ride along the canal at Damnoen Saduak floating market. After a walking tour of the market, we’ll stop at a palm sugar workshop and coconut farm to see how this staple of Thai cuisine is made. After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to the Khlong Khon district of Samutsongkram province, where a local community is working to preserve the mangrove forests. We’ll board a fisherman’s boat to explore the mangrove forest area, feed the monkeys who often swim by for handouts, and witness the birdlife. Then, we visit a local home to learn about fishermen’s way of life before returning to Bangkok.
BANTEAY SREI (Day 14 $80 per person) Visit Banteay Srei, one of the oldest and most beautifully preserved temple sites in Cambodia. Built in AD 967, Banteay Srei means “Citadel of Women,” and is recognized as a tribute to female beauty. Rising out of a tangle of forest some 20 miles from Angkor, its sandstone structures have carvings as intricate as woven tapestry. This tour includes dinner, and also offers a glimpse into the daily life of rural Cambodia, as we stop to visit basket weavers, a Khmer noodle maker, and a local fair at Angkor Pyungyu.
TRADITIONAL PUPPET SHOW, CYCLO-RICKSHAW RIDE & DINNER (Day 17 $70 per person) This optional tour begins at a local theater, where you’ll watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show, Mua Roi Nuoc, which uses water for the stage and depicts humorous tales from Vietnamese folklore. After the show, enjoy the open air on a cyclo-rickshaw ride through Saigon, seeing the city’s narrow streets the way the locals do. Then, we’ll tap into Saigon’s street food and drink culture at a beer garden where we can mingle with the locals, followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Optional tour prices listed are U.S. dollar estimates determined at the time of publication and are subject to change. Optional tours may vary. Gratuities now included.
42
Gate Monument. After lunch at a local restaurant, you can spend the afternoon exploring Vientiane at your own pace. Dinner is on your own this evening. B,L—Sabaidee@Lao Hotel or similar Day 11 Vientiane • Fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia • Royal Palace. After breakfast, we fly to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. After lunch on our own, we’ll visit the Royal Palace, home of the present King Norodom Sihamoni. Opened in 1870, the palace includes the Royal Residence, the Throne Hall, and the Silver Pagoda, which draws its name from the more than 5,000 silver tiles that cover its floor. We check in to our hotel afterwards. Later this evening, we’ll have dinner at a local restaurant. B,D —Almond Hotel or similar Day 12 Phnom Penh • Visit Tuol Sleng Prison Museum & Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. After breakfast, we visit the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum and the
Killing Fields of Choeung Ek—both grim reminders of Cambodia’s bloody past under Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll witness a children’s dance performance at the Champey Academy of Arts, an organization that preserves Khmer culture, followed by a ride in a remok (the Cambodian version of a tuk-tuk, a three-wheeled motor rickshaw). Dinner is on your own this evening. B,L—Almond Hotel or similar Day 13 Phnom Penh • Fly to Siem Reap • Cruise on Tonle Sap Lake. This morning, we depart for Siem Reap. Upon arrival, we’ll enjoy an included lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we’ll take a cruise on Tonle Sap Lake, and arrive at an agricultural village. Here, we’ll take a ride in a water buffalo cart to learn more about the local way of life. Dinner is at a local restaurant this evening. B,L,D —Regency Angkor Hotel or similar
Day 14 Explore Siem Reap • Optional Banteay Srei tour. This morning, we’ll visit the Angkor National Museum, followed by a stroll through the Royal Independence Gardens and an orientation walk in Siem Reap. In the afternoon, join our optional tour (with dinner included) to visit Banteay Srei, one of the oldest and most beautifully preserved temple sites in Cambodia. Or enjoy free time to explore the charming shops and cafes of Siem Reap, with dinner on your own. B,L—Regency Angkor Hotel or similar Day 15 Siem Reap • Explore Angkor Wat temples. Today we’ll venture into the heart of ancient Angkor, a holy city that took centuries to build and whose scale is still breathtaking today—it sprawls across an area of roughly 96 square miles. We’ll begin at Angkor Wat, a masterpiece of Khmer architecture that was built between 1113 and 1150 and is surrounded by a great moat. After lunch at a local restaurant, we
Explore the stunning ruins of Ayutthaya, the ancient capital of Siam, on Day 4.
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43
return to the hotel for a brief rest. Then, we pass through the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the capital city of Khmer rulers. We’ll see the Bayon, and make brief stops at Baphuon and the Elephants Terrace, where amazing bas-reliefs depict the huge beasts almost life-sized. We conclude our explorations at Ta Prohm, which remains covered by a dense jungle of trees just as it was found by the French in the mid-1800s. Dinner is on your own this evening. B,L—Regency Angkor Hotel or similar Day 16 Fly to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. After breakfast, we fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, the country’s largest city. We embark on an included city tour this afternoon, passing the French Quarter and the Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame.
We also see the architecture of the majestic Post Office, featuring two enormous murals depicting maps of Vietnam as it was many decades ago. Later, we explore the landmark Ben Thanh Market, where local merchants peddle everything from carved wooden animals and coffee beans to delicately painted cookware. Dinner is at a local restaurant. B,D —Nhat Ha 3 Hotel or similar Day 17 Ho Chi Minh City • City tour • Optional traditional water puppet show, cyclo-rickshaw ride & dinner. This morning we’ll set off on a tour of Ho Chi Minh City, getting the chance to explore sites like the Vietnam History Museum, which holds excellent collections of ceramics, weaponry, and Cham sculpture.
After lunch at a local restaurant, you can spend the balance of your day at leisure. Or you may wish to join our optional tour, which starts with a traditional puppet show and is followed by a cyclo-rickshaw ride through the city, drinks at a beer garden, and dinner at a local restaurant. B,L—Nhat Ha 3 Hotel or similar Day 18 Ho Chi Minh City • Mekong Delta discovery. After breakfast, we journey outside of Ho Chi Minh City to discover Vietnam’s famous Mekong Delta. We’ll drive to the picturesque province of Ben Tre, where we’ll enjoy a brief walk through Ben Tre village—famous for its coconut plantations—and take a sampan ride along one of the town’s scenic and peaceful canals. We’ll also visit a coconut candy workshop to learn about making the sweet keo dua the region is known for, and cruise to nearby Phoenix Island, where we’ll learn about the local belief started by Ong Dao Dua, known as the “Coconut Monk.” Then, after lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, where you have some time at leisure. This evening you can discover Saigon at night on your own. B,L—Nhat Ha 3 Hotel or similar Day 19 Ho Chi Minh City • Visit Cu Chi Tunnels. After breakfast, we visit the Cu Chi Tunnels—a 125-mile-long underground maze where thousands of fighters and villagers hid and fought during the Vietnam War, referred to by locals as the “American War.” Today, the Cu Chi Tunnels provide invaluable insight into the war era. We return to Ho Chi Minh City in time for lunch at a traditional Vietnamese restaurant. Tonight, we’ll gather for a Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D —Nhat Ha 3 Hotel or similar Day 20 Ho Chi Minh City • Return to U.S. or begin post-trip extension. We rise before daybreak for an early morning flight back to the U.S. Or, fly to Bangkok to begin our post-trip extension to Undiscovered Thailand: The River Kwai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai. B
Our Day 10 discoveries of Vientiane includes a visit to a golden-domed temple called Phra That Luang, a national symbol of Laos.
44
For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/lvc2017
Extend your adventure and your value
Burma & the Irrawaddy River 7 nights Pre-trip from
1995
$
It’s Included ■ Airfare from Mandalay to Bangkok, plus
2 internal flights ■ Accommodations for 3 nights in
Rangoon, 2 nights in Bagan, and 2 nights in Mandalay ■ 13 meals—7 breakfasts, 4 lunches,
and 2 dinners ■ 14 small group activities ■ Services of an English-speaking O.A.T.
Trip Leader ■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers,
and luggage porters ■ All transfers
Discovery Highlights EXPLORE the treasures of Bagan, known as Burma’s “City of Four Million Pagodas” BEHOLD a spectacular sunset over Amarapura and the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay Hill VISIT Burma’s largest Buddhist monastery
Optional Tours Beyond the Rangoon River, $70 per person Lives Behind Bagan’s Ancient Pagodas, $65 per person Hot-Air Balloon Ride, $320 per person
Trip Extension Video
Travel from only $285 per night
Itinerary Day 1 Depart U.S. Fly overnight to Rangoon (since you depart L.A. very early, travelers are advised to arrive the night before). Day 2 Arrive Rangoon, Burma (Myanmar). Arrive in Rangoon mid-day. An O.A.T. representative will escort you to your hotel. Chatrium Hotel or similar Day 3 Explore Rangoon. Visit the Kalaywa Tawya Monastery, followed by lunch at a local restaurant. Then, return to our hotel for some leisure time. In the late afternoon, visit Shwedagon Pagoda, Burma’s most sacred temple complex. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant. B,L,D — Chatrium Hotel or similar Day 4 Explore Rangoon • Optional Beyond the Rangoon River tour. Enjoy a walking tour near Sule Pagoda, the City Hall, and the Independence Monument in Mahabandoola Park. Then, browse historic Scott Market before visiting the Chaukhtatgyi Pagoda, home to one of Burma’s most revered reclining Buddhas. Return to our hotel for an afternoon at leisure, or join an optional tour featuring a visit to Dala, a rural village on the banks of the Rangoon River. B — Chatrium Hotel or similar Day 5 Fly to Bagan • Temples of Bagan • Irrawaddy Cruise. Fly to Bagan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore a village market in Nyaung-U. Next, we witness Ananda Pahto, a terraced temple peaked in gold. After lunch at a local restaurant, we enjoy a cruise on the Irrawaddy River. Dinner is at a local restaurant. B,L,D —Myanmar Treasure Resort or similar View the temple-dotted plains of Bagan by horse-drawn cart on Day 6.
Day 6 Bagan • Optional Hot-Air Balloon Ride • Optional Lives Behind Bagan’s Ancient Pagodas. Rise early for an optional hot-air balloon ride over Bagan. After breakfast, ride a horse-drawn carriage through Bagan’s archaeological zone, touring Damayangyi and Khayminga temples. Visit a local village to see how palm sugar is made. Then enjoy an afternoon at leisure, or join our optional tour to discover Lives Behind Bagan’s Ancient Pagodas, in which you’ll visit the Nanmyint Observatory Tower and a nearby village. B —Myanmar Treasure Resort or similar Day 7 Fly to Mandalay. Fly to Mandalay in the morning. Visit the Mahamuni Buddha statue and a gold-leaf workshop. After lunch, explore Shwenandaw Monastery and Kuthodaw Pagoda. Then watch the sun set from Mandalay Hill. B,L—Sedona Hotel Mandalay or similar Day 8 Explore Mingun & Mandalay. Today take a boat ride to the village of Mingun to hear the tones of a sacred, 90-ton bell. After lunch at local restaurant, visit the country’s longest wooden bridge, the U Bein. B,L—Sedona Hotel Mandalay or similar Day 9 Fly to Bangkok, Thailand. This afternoon, fly to Bangkok to begin Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. B
Single Supplement: FREE
LVB2017
If you make your own international air arrangements, your extension price will increase due to internal air transportation. This esxtension may not be available on all departures. Additional taxes and fees apply.
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/lvc-burma
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Extend your adventure and your value
Undiscovered Thailand: 8 nights Post-trip from
1295
$
It’s Included ■ Airfare between Bangkok and Chiang
Rai and Chiang Mai to Bangkok ■ Accommodations for 2 nights in
Bangkok, 2 nights in Chiang Rai, 2 nights in Chiang Mai, and 2 nights in Kanchanaburi ■ 19 meals—8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and
6 dinners ■ 12 small group activities ■ Services of an English-speaking O.A.T.
Trip Leader ■ Gratuities for local guides, drivers, and
luggage porters ■ All transfers
Discovery Highlights TAKE a boat ride along the infamous River Kwai TREK through the forest atop an elephant DISCOVER the vibrant culture of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai
Trip Extension Video
The River Kwai, Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai
Travel from only $162 per night
Itinerary Day 1 Fly to Bangkok. After breakfast, fly to Bangkok, Thailand. Upon arrival, we check in to our hotel and your evening is at leisure with dinner on your own. B —At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar Day 2 Overland to Kanchanaburi • Visit River Kwai. This morning, we travel to Kanchanaburi. After lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll walk over the bridge on the River Kwai. L,D —Hin Tok River Camp or similar Day 3 Hellfire Pass • Boat ride on River Kwai. This morning, we ride to Hellfire Pass, where we walk on a woodboard trail. After our hike, we board a longtail speedboat for a cruise on the River Kwai. After lunch, we return to our hotel. B,L,D —Hin Tok River Camp or similar Day 4 Explore Nakhon Pathom, • Fly to Chiang Rai. This morning we visit Phra Pathom Chedi and a local market in Nakhon Pathom. Then we fly to Chiang Rai, take an orientation walk, and have dinner. B,D — Golden Pine Resort & Spa or similar Day 5 Golden Triangle tour • Visit “Long Neck” Hill Tribe village. After breakfast, we’ll set off for a tour of the Golden Triangle region including the House of Opium Museum. Then, we’ll travel We’ll have a chance to meet members of several northern hill tribes, whose isolation has helped them preserve their traditional cultures across generations.
Watch this video and more at www.oattravel.com/lvc-thailand
46
to a farm restaurant featuring displays of Lanna art. This afternoon, we visit a Karen “Long Neck” Hill Tribe village, where we’ll have dinner with village residents. B,L,D — Golden Pine Resort & Spa or similar Day 6 Overland to Chiang Mai. Enjoy the passing landscapes as we travel to Chiang Mai—a major cultural center. En route, we’ll visit Wat Rung Khun, adorned with colorful mosaics, and see the sacred site of Wat Doi Suthep. Tonight we visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar. B,L,D —Amora Hotel Tapae or similar Day 7 Elephant camp visit • River cruise. This morning we visit a local elephant camp, followed by a trek through the forest. After lunch at the camp, we board a raft and float downstream before returning to our hotel. Enjoy a Farewell Dinner this evening. B,L,D —Amora Hotel Tapae or similar Day 8 Fly to Bangkok. After breakfast, we have a morning at leisure before we fly back to Bangkok. B —At Ease Saladaeng Hotel or similar Day 9 Bangkok • Return to U.S. We rise before daybreak for our early morning flight back to the U.S. B
Single Supplement: FREE This extension may not be available on all departures. Additional taxes and fees apply.
Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam
CRITICAL AIR INFORMATION
In addition to other trip rigors, your travel time will be 20-27 hours and you will most likely have two connections with layovers of 2-3 hours each. You will arrive in Thailand late at night and check into your hotel between 1am and 2am. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/lvc2017.
2017 Departure Dates & Prices Additional departure cities are available JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY; AUG 16-28
AUG 9, 14
Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington, DC
$5195
$5095
$4995
$4895
$4295
$4495
Boston, Miami, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa
$5295
$5195
$5095
$4995
$4395
$4595
Dallas
$5395
$5295
$5195
$5095
$4495
$4695
Land Tour only
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY; AUGUST
$3795
$3695
$3595
$3395
$2795
For specific departure dates, current availability, and detailed pricing, visit www.oattravel.com/lvc2017pricing.
LVC2017
Estimated Flight Time Below, you’ll find the East and West Coast cities with the longest flights times. For more information on average flight times based on your gateway city, visit www.oattravel.com/lvc2017. GATEWAY
DEPART
RETURN
Hours
Typical Connection
Hours
Typical Connection
Miami (East Coast)
26 hrs
2
27 hrs
2
Portland (West Coast)
21 hrs
2
20 hrs
2
Deposit: $350 per person. Additional departure cities are available. Air Add-On prices above now include government taxes, fees, and airline fuel surcharges totaling $350 per person, all subject to change up until receipt of final payment. Upgrades to Business Class may be available during the international portion of your flight.
Private Adventures Now you can reserve an exclusive departure: Group size
Additional cost per person
4-6
$1600
7-9
$800
FREE Single Supplements on your main trip and extensions We don’t charge you more for your own room or cabin.
Our prices include most gratuities on the main trip and trip extensions—a value of $200. Gratuities for Trip Leader are not included and should be extended at traveler’s discretion. Standard Terms & Conditions apply, please visit our website: www.oattravel.com/tc. Every effort has been made to produce this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors.
SAVE up to 10% with our Good Buy Plan The earlier you pay by check or electronic funds transfer, the more you SAVE!
For details, visit www.oattravel.com/lvc2017
1-800-955-1925 | www.oattravel.com/lvc2017
SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL New travelers you refer will instantly save $100, and you’ll earn increasing rewards! For details, visit www.oattravel.com/va
47
Sir Edmund Hillary Club Many know Sir Edmund Hillary as the daring mountaineer who conquered Everest—but this is by no means his greatest legacy. Inspired by the Sherpa people who helped make his climb possible—in particular, his climbing partner Tenzing Norgay—Sir Edmund formed the Himalayan Trust, and made it his life’s work to give back to the underprivileged people living in Everest’s shadow. Along with his wife, Lady June, Sir Edmund was also a close friend of O.A.T., serving as an honorary director of our philanthropic Grand Circle Foundation and inspiring associates with his stories of leadership. Right up until his death in 2008, Sir Edmund displayed a brand of heroism that was, in many ways, even more extraordinary than his ascent of Everest. We created the Sir Edmund Hillary Club to honor his memory, and to show our appreciation for our best travelers, who reflect his generous nature and adventurous spirit.
After reserving your 3rd trip, you’ll receive the following benefits: ■ NEW: $250 credit on multiple
trips within a calendar year—save $250 on your second trip, and on each additional trip that you take within the year. Your multiple trips do not need to be reserved back-to-back. ■ First announcements about
all of our new adventures and departure dates added to existing trips—before they’re introduced to the general public. We’ll also give you advance notice of special offers and savings. ■ Priority luggage service to
■ Input on new itineraries—
as our most experienced travelers, you can help us to choose and develop new adventures by telling us about the travel destinations you’d be interested in exploring. ■ Free subscription to O.A.T.
publications, including Dispatches, our quarterly travel magazine (now accessible online when you sign in to My Account). ■ A choice of pre-trip gifts
specially chosen for club members that you may wish to bring on your next trip.
ADVENTURE T
R
•
• OV
S EA RS
EL AV
E
ensure delivery directly to and from your hotel room or ship cabin.
SM
SIR EDMUND HILLARY CLUB 250
“People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things.”
Sir Edmund Hillary 1919-2008
Upon returning from your 5th trip, you’ll receive the following benefit: ■ NEW 6% Frequent Traveler
Credit toward your next adventure—After your 5th trip and on every subsequent trip, we’ve increased the maximum value of your Frequent Traveler Credit from 5% to 6% for the first year following your return.
Upon returning from your 10th trip, you’ll receive the following benefits: ■ $350 credit on multiple trips
in a calendar year—Your credit for additional trips within the calendar year will increase from $250 to $350 per person. This credit applies to any subsequent trip—they don’t need to be reserved back-to-back.
■ Additional $100 Vacation
Ambassador Credit—Our Sir Edmund Hillary Club members love introducing new travelers to O.A.T. To show our appreciation, we’ll offer you an additional $100 credit for every traveler you refer, in addition to the current rewards that you already receive as a Vacation Ambassador.
■ $200 per person savings
on Private Adventures— Typically, you can reserve a Private Adventure exclusively for your friends and family from an additional $400 per person over our published price (depending on your adventure). For our very best travelers—and for every member of your private group—we’ll deduct $200 per person from this additional cost.
We thank all of our loyal travelers—and look forward to many more adventures together
Your Benefits at a Glance Benefit Frequent Traveler Credit* toward your next adventure Additional Travel Credit for multiple trips in a calendar year
Upon reserving your first trip
Upon reserving your 3rd trip
Upon completing your 5th trip
Upon completing your 10th trip
5%
5%
6%
6%
$250
$250
$350
Additional Vacation Ambassador credit for each new traveler referred
$100
Reduced per-person rates on an O.A.T. Private Adventure
$200
Free annual subscription to AFAR magazine First announcement of new adventures and departure dates Broader selection of pre-trip gifts Free subscription to exclusive newsletters Input on new itineraries Priority luggage service
• • • • •
• • • • •
• • • • • •
*Please note: Frequent Traveler Credit is worth a percentage of the advertised cost of your trip (less any discounts), applicable toward the next O.A.T. or Grand Circle trip you take within one year. Credit for multiple trips in one year cannot be combined with any other offer. **Membership into the Sir Edmund Hillary Club begins when the third trip you reserve is with Overseas Adventure Travel. Your first two trips may have been with O.A.T., Grand Circle Cruise Line, or Grand Circle Travel. Our Cuba program with Grand Circle Foundation, however, may not be counted toward Sir Edmund Hillary Club membership.
For more information, and to read our story, visit www.oattravel.com/sehc 251
Exclusive Good Buy Plan The earlier you pay, the more you save—up to 10% ■ The earlier you pay in full by check or electronic
funds transfer, the more you save ■ Savings apply to your entire adventure—including
air add-ons, pre- and post-trip extensions, and cabin and deck upgrades ■ This guarantees your price won’t increase even if
fuel costs go up, currency values fluctuate, or other unexpected expenses arise
“We have traveled with you 13 times, and love to save money. To do so we take full advantage of the wonderful Good Buy Plan perk.” Shirley & Paul Triolo • 13-time travelers • Ocaloa, Florida
Here’s how you’ll save up to 10% based on a trip price of $5,000 Months That You Pay in Full Prior to Your Final Payment Due Date (90 days prior to your departure date)
Guarantee Your Price and Receive:
Good Buy Plan Savings Per Person:
12 months or more
10%
$500
11 months
9%
$450
10 months
8%
$400
9 months
7%
$350
8 months
6%
$300
7 months
5%
$250
6 months
4%
$200
5 months
3%
$150
4 months
2%
$100
$50 off
$50
Make your final payment by check within 120 days
For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/gbd 252
Travel Protection Plan A new grandchild … a wedding invitation … missing baggage … an unexpected illness or injury. When life brings unexpected surprises, our Travel Protection Plan is here to help. With one of the most competitive plans in the industry, we’re here to provide you with greater peace of mind.
Trip cancellation and interruption
Baggage protection (up to)
■ Retain the FULL value of your trip—
■ $1,000 ($250 per day) for baggage delays
including your deposit—any time you need to cancel your trip, up until the day you depart ■ Retain up to 150% of your Trip Cost if you
are unable to continue your trip due to unforeseen events
■ $3,000 for baggage and personal effects
damages or loss
Additional coverage ■ 24-hour emergency assistance ■ Up to $1,500 for missed connections
Pre-existing conditions ■ Purchase early and we’ll waive the
pre-existing condition exclusion
■ Up to $1,500 for travel delays ■ Up to $25,000 in compensation for
accidental death and dismemberment
Medical coverage (up to) Plus, third-party airfare coverage
■ $750 in dental expenses ■ $50,000 in medical expenses ■ $500,000 for an emergency medical
evacuation
When you purchase Land Tour-only Travel Protection, you can extend that coverage to the air arrangements you make on your own. Protect your frequent flyer miles, and secure coverage in the event of travel interruptions, baggage issues, and more.
“I once had to fly home early from Peru because I unexpectedly got sick. Filing a claim with Trip Mate was hassle—free, and I was able to put the reimbursement right toward my next trip! Medicare only covers incidents within the U.S., so I never travel internationally without purchasing O.A.T.’s Travel Protection Plan.” Rose Rowland • 2-time traveler • Charleston, South Carolina
For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/tpp 253
Group Travel Program Sharing travel memories with people you know is always special. But why wait until you’ve returned home to tell everyone about your adventure? Instead, make the journey with them—whether they’re friends, family, or fellow members of a group, association, or club—and experience each unforgettable moment together at the very heart of a dream destination.
Becoming a Group Leader is easy ... ■ Choose your preferred destination ■ Call in to meet your Groups Sales Representative. We’ll reserve
the space and provide you with one-on-one assistance ■ Form your group. Our team will handle every thing from
the early planning stages—including supplying you with brochures and videos to share—up until departure
To reserve your group adventure, call 1-800-353-6262, press 3 or visit www.oattravel.com/groups
254
SHARE YOUR LOVE OF TRAVEL
Your next trip could be FREE Introduce us to your friends—they’ll save on their first adventure, and you’ll earn increasing cash rewards
REFER Inspire new travelers to reserve any adventure, and they’ll save $100 instantly when they mention your name and Customer Number
EARN You’ll earn $100 CASH for your first referral, and up to $5900 for eight referrals
REPEAT Enjoy increasing CASH rewards for every additional new traveler you refer
‘‘It’s rewarding for both you and your friends! Not only will they receive a discount on their first trip, but they’ll thank you for introducing them to the most interesting and best-valued trips available!’’ SANDY SALINGER • 11-TIME TRAVELER & VACATION AMBASSADOR • LOS ALTOS, CA
For more information, call 1-800-955-1925 or visit www.oattravel.com/va
255
410 309
307
303
310
308
306
209
207
205
210
208
428
430
Cabo de Hornos 313
318
316
314
217
215
213
216
214
Lounge
315
322
320
311
317
326
324
319
323
321
325
328
330
332
327
331
336
334
338
340
335
344
342
333
341
337
343
339
Our Fleet of Small Ships
Bridge
416
414
407
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418
411
415
422
420
409
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426
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432
423
431
434
427
433
Sky Lounge
Tierra del Fuego
410
414
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422
420
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428
430
432
434
Bridge
407
409
411
413
415
417
421
419
423
425
427
431
433
Sky Lounge
Cabo de Hornos
AAA
Cabo de Hornos: highest passenger deck with panoramic window
AA
Tierra del Fuego: middle passenger deck with panoramic window
A
Magellanes: lowest passenger deck with panoramic window
B
Patagonia: lowest passenger deck with panoramic window; forward on deck
Not available
306
Lounge
303
314
307
316
310
313
318
308
315
309
317
322
320
311
319
324
321
323
328
326
327
325
330
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336
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335
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331
337
340
333
341
339
344
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343
Tierra del Fuego 205
203
210
208
206
204
202
209
207
214
211
213
218
216
224
217
226
215
223
228
Reception
227
232
230
234
225
231
236
233
237
235
240
238
241
244
242
239
243
Magellanes
Galley
Patagonia Dining Room
Stella Australis Cabin Categories
256
AAA
Cabo de Hornos: highest passenger deck with panoramic window
AA
Tierra del Fuego: middle passenger deck For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/mau2017 with panoramic window
A
Magellanes: lowest passenger deck with panoramic window
Length: 292 ft. Beam: 48 ft. Draft: 11 ft. Average cabin size: 177 sq. ft., with moveable beds Passenger Capacity: 210 O.A.T. group: 24 travelers with 1 Trip Leader (aboard a 210-passenger small ship) Stairs, no elevator Built: 2010
204
Stella Australis Cabin Categories
206
Patagonia Dining Room
Galley
Stella Australis: Patagonia
202
Magellanes
203
218
226
224
232
228
230
236
234
238
244
240
242
cabins vary by region, and all have been carefully chosen to provide the greatest access and richest discoveries.
211
Reception
223
225
227
231
237
235
233
241
243
239
We offer several types of small ships on our adventures—many are exclusive private charters. Ships and
Galápagos small ship: Ecuador
6
7
8
Wheelhouse
5
Crew’s Quartrers
4
Upper Deck
Salon
3
2
1
Lower/Main Deck
Cabin Categories A
Upper: cabins on the highest passenger deck
B
Lower/Main: ower ower/Main: cabins on the middle or bottom passenger deck
Average Length: 95 ft. Average Beam: 26 ft. Average Draft: 7 ft. Average cabin size: 170 sq. ft., with fixed beds
Passenger Capacity: 16 O.A.T. group: 16 travelers with Trip Leader (exclusive O.A.T. private charter) Stairs, no elevator Built: 2000 onwards
For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/mpg2017 or visit www.oattravel.com/awg2017
O.A.T. uses several Galápagos small ships. This deck plan is typical, but each ship is different.
MS Skorpios III: Chile
305
310
308
306
303
305
303
306
304
304
302
Parthenon Deck 310
308
211 Deck 209 Parthenon 211
210
Acropolis Deck
302
207 209
208 210
207
206 208
204 206
204
Acropolis Deck
Length: 230 ft. Beam: 33 ft. A middle passenger deck Parthenon: cabins onDraft: 10 ft. A middle passenger deck Acropolis: cabins Passenger Capacity: B on second lowest Acropolis: cabins B deck passenger on second lowest 90 passengers
Cabin Categories
Cabin Categories Parthenon: cabins on
Not available
passenger deck
O.A.T. group: 24 travelers with 1 Trip Leader (exclusive O.A.T. private charter) Stairs, no elevator Renovated: 2012
Not available
For more information, visit www.oattravel.com/scc2017 257
Travel Calendar 2017 Asia
PAGE
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
Heart of India
20
✓
✓
✓
✓
NEW! South India & Sri Lanka
30
Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam
38
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Inside Vietnam
48
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Japan’s Cultural Treasures
56
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Nepal & the Mystical Himalayas
*
Java & Bali: Indonesia’s Mystical Islands
*
Burma: Land of Golden Temples & Floating Gardens
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Discover Thailand
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
From Siam to Saigon: Thailand & Vietnam Revealed
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Imperial China, Tibet & the Yangtze River
*
✓
✓
Mongolia & the Gobi Desert
*
Central & South America
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Machu Picchu & the Galápagos
64
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador’s Amazon Wilds
74
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Real Affordable Peru
82
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords
90
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
NEW! Chile: From the Atacama Desert to the Patagonian Fjords
98
✓
✓
✓
Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia
106
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Real Affordable Costa Rica
114
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Costa Rica: Natural Parks & Tropical Forests
124
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Route of the Maya
132
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Amazon River Cruise & Rain Forest
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Southern Peru & Bolivia: Inca Landscapes & Lake Titicaca
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Best of Brazil: Cultural Rhythms & Natural Wonders
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Colombia’s Colonial Jewels & the Coffee Triangle
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
258
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
2017 Cuba
PAGE
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
Cuba: A Bridge Between Cultures
142
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
NEW! Cuba Revealed: Cultural Pathways from Camaguey to Havana
150
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
South Pacific
JUN
JUL
JUL
AUG
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Australia & New Zealand: An Adventure Down Under
158
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Pure New Zealand
168
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ultimate Australia
176
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
NEW! New Zealand: Natural Wonders North & South
Europe
✓
✓
Untamed Iceland
184
Sicily’s Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions
192
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Tuscany & Umbria: Rustic Beauty in the Italian Heartland
200
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Back Roads of Iberia: Spanish Paradores & Portuguese Pousadas
208
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Crossroads of the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Slovenia
216
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
The Baltic Capitals & St. Petersburg
*
Jewels of Bohemia: Czech Republic, Slovakia & Hungary
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
NEW! Northern Greece, Albania & Macedonia: Ancient Lands of Alexander the Great
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Turkey’s Magical Hideaways
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
NEW! Northern Spain & Portugal—Pilgrimage into the Past
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Africa & the Middle East
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari
224
✓
✓
✓
Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari
232
✓
✓
✓
Morocco Sahara Odyssey
242
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia & Botswana
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
The Best of Kenya & Tanzania
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Out of Africa: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya & Tanzania
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Namibia & the Skeleton Coast: Africa’s Last Wilderness
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Israel: The Holy Land & Timeless Cultures
*
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Not all departure months are available on each adventure. Every effort has been made to publish this information accurately. We reserve the right to correct errors. * 2017 departures of this trip are not available yet. You can pre-reserve a 2017 departure by call us at 1-800-955-1925.
259
Overseas Adventure Travel
®
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL
One Mifflin Place, Suite 400, Cambridge, MA 02138 Service Code
CST 2041626-40
Customer #
Announcing 2017 departures The World Leader in Small Group Travel ■ Lowest per diems in the travel industry ■ Most gratuities now included on all adventures and extensions ■ Free Single Supplement—on every trip and extension ■ Save even more with our Good Buy Plan, Frequent Travel Credits, Referral Program, and New Best Price Guarantee
Watch video highlights, read Traveler Reviews, and learn about our Trip Leaders at ww.oattravel.com 039-3001 Publication date: 5/2/16
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