OVERSEAS ADVENTURE TRAVEL LAUNCHES NEW SOUTHEAST ASIA ADVENTURE IN 2008

 Innovative Itinerary Brings Small Groups of 16 or Fewer to Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia (with option to visit Burma) for less than $200 a day

Includes international airfare from Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Tampa, and Washington, DC

BOSTON, MA-Overseas Adventure Travel, the leader in adventure, value & discovery on the road less traveled, has launched "Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia", a new 19-day adventure for 2008.  The tour connects small groups of 10-16 Americans, age 50 and older, with the rich histories, diverse cultures, and fascinating ways of life in Southeast Asia, mixing visits to temples and palaces with interactions with villagers, artists, teachers and students.  "Ancient Kingdoms" begins at $3795, or less than $200 a day, and includes accommodations, most meals, international airfare and more-and offers optional trip extensions to Burma and Thailand.

"While several tour operators offer programs in SE Asia, OAT is the only one to offer Americans the chance to explore four diverse countries and experience how the mighty Mekong River, often called the 'highway of life', connects them," said OAT President Mark C. Frevert.  "With our small group size of 16 or fewer and the expertise of our local staff in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam, we offer travelers an incredibly intimate experience.  And unlike other tour operators that book flights to get places quickly, we include three overland experiences so that travelers will experience the diverse landscape, meet locals, and see how they live."

The 19-day "Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia" begins at $3795 and includes roundtrip international airfare, 17 nights' accommodations (4 nights in Bangkok, 3 in Luang Prabang, 2 in Vientiane, 2 in Saigon, 2 in Phnom Penh, and 3 in Siem Reap); 37 meals (17B, 10L, 10D), small group discoveries; all land transportation, services of a resident OAT trip leader, and a 5% Frequent Traveler Credit towards one's next OAT vacation-at least $179 per person.

The trip begins with travelers flying from the U.S. to Bangkok, where they'll explore the city's highlights, including the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha, and enjoy a special welcome dinner on a rice barge.  The following day, they'll choose an optional tour to Ayutthaya, the legendary capital of Siam, or explore Bangkok on their own.  The group departs the next day for Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos and a UNESCO World Heritage site.  Travelers will spend three days here, exploring several architectural sites, visiting artisan villages, and experiencing a bustling street market. On the third day, travelers may explore on their own or choose an optional Mekong River excursion, where they'll visit the Tamting and Pak Ou Caves, with their magical collection of candle-lit Buddha images of varying styles, ages and sizes.  

Just before dawn the next day, travelers will take part in a sacred Buddhist tradition of giving alms to local monks before driving overland to Vientiane, seeing bright green rice fields, modest huts and a vast open sky along the way.  "There's a saying that if you turn your head sideways in Laos, you'll be back in time 40-50 years," said Frevert.  "Seeing farmers still planting rice by hand amidst their quiet, green fields provides a real culture shock to travelers who've only recently experienced the neon lights, large crowds and noisy streets of Bangkok."

In Vientiane, travelers will visit Wat Sisaket, the city's oldest monastery, and later, the Victory Gate Museum and the Great Golden Stupa, a national symbol of Laos.  An early morning flight departs Laos for Saigon, Vietnam and provides travelers with a full day to explore the city on a tour that will include the War Museum, Catholic Cathedral of Notre Dame, and Ben Thanh Market.  The next morning, travelers will meet a family of rice paper artisans before exploring the Cu Chi tunnels that were used during the "French" and "American" wars.  Later, they may choose an optional cyclo-rickshaw ride through the city, followed by a traditional puppet show and dinner at a local restaurant, or explore on their own.  The following day, the group drives overland again-this time along the Mekong Delta to Chau Doc, viewing floating markets en route, before arriving at the summit of Sam Mountain, where they'll explore the hilltop pilgrimage area of Ba Chua Xu.

The next day, the group will embark on a unique cruise to visit the Cham people in their floating village, witnessing an ancient way of life. Later, they'll board an exclusively chartered river cruiser for a memorable journey up the Mekong River, leaving Vietnam for Cambodia and passing rustic riverside villages and towns before seeing Phnom Penh's majestic skyline appear as they arrive at the port of Cambodia's capital city.  In the afternoon, they'll explore the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda and later, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  After browsing the Khmer art at the National Museum and then the Russian market the next day, the group will learn about the brutal Khmer Rouge during visits to the Toul Sleng Prison Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek.

The group then travels overland from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, taking in Cambodia's fluorescent green rice paddies, palm trees and graceful, stilted huts and stopping en route to visit a local market and a stone carvers' village. They'll spend three nights in Siem Reap, visiting a local family for a home-hosted lunch, exploring Angkor Wat and its myriad, majestic temples, and spending time at a local school, which OAT's Grand Circle Foundation supports.  On the third day, travelers may join choose an optional sunrise visit to Angkor Wat or enjoy a free morning before flying to Bangkok for an overnight stay before heading home to the U.S.

OAT travelers may extend their vacation with a pre-trip stay in Burma and/or a post-trip stay in Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai, Thailand.  The seven-night "Burma & the Irrawaddy River" begins at $1395 and includes roundtrip airfare from Bangkok plus three internal flights; 7-nights' accommodations (2 in Yangon, 2 in Bagan, 2 in Mandalay, and 1 in Bangkok); 13 meals (7B, 5L, 1D); daily small group activities; and an OAT resident Trip Leader.  Highlights include cruising the Irrawaddy River from Mandalay to Mingun, glimpsing local cultures along its banks; exploring the treasures of Bagan, known as Burma's "City of Four Million Pagodas"; and visiting Mandalay's Amarapura, the "City of Immortality," where more than 1,000 monks live and study.

"Chiang Rai & Chiang Mai, Thailand" is a five-night post trip extension that begins at $695 and includes roundtrip airfare from Bangkok, 5-nights' accommodations (2 in Chiang Rai, 2 in Chiang Mai, 1 in Bangkok); 12 meals (5B, 3L, 4D); daily small group activities; services of an OAT Trip leader; transfers and more.  Highlights include an elephant trek through the forest, discovering the rich history and vibrant culture of bustling Chiang Mai, and browsing the stalls of Chiang Rai's lively night market.

"Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia" departs from October through December 2008.  Prices, including air from the cities listed, range from $3795-$4095, depending on departure date.  Limited single supplement is $445, but singles may also request OAT's roommate matching service, if desired. 

For more information or a free catalog, please call OAT at 1-800-873-5628.

About Overseas Adventure Travel
Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) belongs to Grand Circle Corporation's family of travel companies. Established in 1958, Grand Circle is the leader in international travel, adventure, and discovery for Americans age 50 and older. Headquartered in Boston, Mass., the company has 45 offices throughout Asia, the South Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and Africa.

OAT has been rated among the top 15 tour operators and safari outfitters by the readers of Travel + Leisure for five years running, and in 2007, was named one of the top 3 "World's Best Value" tour operators.   OAT's Grand Circle Foundation has donated more than $30 million to humanitarian, cultural, and environmental organizations worldwide since 1992.
                                        ###




[Back to Press Releases Main]