OAT tours
 

Anyone going on an OAT tour to Thailand in November?

Yes, my husband and I are leaving on the Nov 6th tour. When are you going?

Carol

I am thinking of taking this tour next year in Nov. We are either taking the OAT tour to Thailand or India. Please post when you get back. I would love to hear how it goes.

I did Thailand with OAT last Oct-Nov. Had a fantastic guide, Anil, that was really great. Our group did many things that were not listed as part of the tour. It was a really enjoyable trip.

Have never gone with OAT but taken 3 Grand Circle (South America, Eastern Europe River cruise,, Egypt) and they were great. Due to go to 'India with OAT in Nov.
Helen

Am going with OAT to India in December. Will post after the trip.

I'll be taking an OAT trip to Thailand -- December 2 departure. This is my sixth trip with them. I'm doing a breakaway post trip to Ko Samet, an island in the Gulf, followed by 4 days in Siem Reap---on my own.

I went to India last December with OAT.

Grand Circle and OAT difer in the size of the group ; also usually OAT is more active, longer walking etc.

To,MHRS:

How did you like the trip to India? I would love to hear all about it.

I am about to book an OAT trip to Thailand for next year.For, those of you who have taken this trip. Should I take the pre-trip to Angkor Wat, Cambodia? Is it worth the extra cost and time?

Thanks for any information

it is well worth it...it is all ruins, but many are well preserved...there is lots of walking and it is very hot---usually hotter than bangkok...

one warning....if you will arrive there after a trans pacific flight i would strongly suggest that you schedule 2 full days in bangkok first to unwind and recover...you will not want to be in siem reap immediately after that long flight ....

granny (she posted on this thread before she went) Anyway, she also posted a nice post trip report on going to Thailand with OAT, when she got back. See if you can find that.

I am leaving in three weeks with OAT for a trip to Vietnam with pre/post trips to Bangkok and Siem Reap. I can't wait, I am so excited. I am going alone but the group is small, there are five couples and six single women. It's nice they tell you who you will be traveling with; I'm sure everyone will be very friendly and get along fine. Has anyone else done this trip?

aussie417,

I am sure you will have a great time.
I traveled with OAT to Egypt,this past, March. It was an amazing time. Because of all the positive feed back I have gotten, from people how have taken the Thailand trip. I just booked a trip with them to Thailand, for this year. I would love to hear about your trip when you return. I am taking the pre-trip to Siem Reap and want to hear what you think of it.

Would also love to hear from the people who have taken OAT trips to India. I think this might be my next trip, after Thailand.

Thanks Dottie for the positve feedback re OAT. I am so looking forward to this trip since I have never been to SE Asia. I will try to fill you in when I return.

Can't say enough good things about OAT. I went to Peru (Machu Picchu) two years ago with them. In March 2005, I went with OAT to Egypt. Both trips were excellent. I just put down a deposit on an OAT Thailand tour w/ a pre-trip to Angkow Wat. Can't wait.

We were the only ones that didn't go on the pre trip to Angkor Wat from our group in November. They all said it was a highlight, but the temperature was in the 115 to 120 range.

I can't handle those temperatures and I can only handle so many Wats. We saw plenty on the Oat tour.

We spent the money we would have spent on the pre tour, and went to two islands and relaxed for 12 nights. One island would have been nicer if the weather has been better, but thats another story. So it depends what you like.

We usually take the breakaway and go on our own. For $50 it's a deal.

Hope you all get Chai as your leader. He was such a great, interesting fellow. He made the trip special!

My husband and I just booked the OAT trip to India for November, with the pre-trip Bhutan extension. We're excited...we did Jordan and Egypt with OAT and loved every minute.

Hi granny, I scheduled the Nov 1 trip with OAT to thailand today. I had wanted to go Nov 2, to be in Bangkok for koi Prathong on Nov 5, but I will be in Kanchanburi, so I hope something is going on there. I just got back from Hawaii last week, and here I am, already planning another trip.

We have a relative who will turn 65 this year. We are trying to encourage her to take a trip to celebrate. She is single and would be on her own. In looking at the OAT website, we noticed that there are OAT trips and Grand Circle trips listed. Can anyone tell us the difference? Also, any comments on the quality of accommodation from those who've taken these trips would be helpful. She is on a budget, but would want comfortable hotels. Thanks for any advice!

The hotels used by OAT & Grand Circle are really good and some are especially nice. That is one thing you need not worry about. I have been on 2 OAT tours & 3 Grand Circle tours & have been very pleased with all of them! The group size for OAT tours is smaller than that for GCT. Usually, the average age of those traveling with GCT is older. Most of the people taking these trips are well-traveled & are interesting to be with. Traveling without a partner should be of no concern to your relative. I went on the tour of Turkey with GCT without a partner & it was just fine.