
Overseas Adventure Travel Reviews
Hicksville, NY
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About Overseas Adventure Travel
Overseas Adventure Travel provides small group travel and adventure tours. Focusing on destinations that are off the beaten path. The company offers itineraries that include opportunities for cultural immersion and active exploration. Dating back to 1978, Overseas Adventure Travel focuses on experiences that cater to adventurous and curious travelers seeking unique journeys.
- Knowledgeable guides
- Well-organized trips
- Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Good value for the quality offered
- Poor customer service responsiveness
- Issues with booking and communication
- Inconsistent accommodation quality
Overseas Adventure Travel Reviews
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Reviewed April 16, 2025
4/16/25 A few months ago I book a trip to Morocco with OATS. Departure was in 7 months 11/26. When I booked the trip, the operator assured me 100% of what I paid would be refunded if I cancelled over 90 days in advance. I learned today that OATS is not an honest company to do business with. They are refusing to provide me with a refund. I have filed complaints with BBB, and will dispute the charges with my credit card company. Next step will be to sue OATS for fraud in small claims court. Or perhaps consider a class action lawsuit as I see many complaints similar to mine. Bottom line. Never do business with these people.

We are sorry you are upset over the terms of your reservation. Your deposit is refundable; however, with your reservation, you also purchased Travel Protection, which is a non-refundable premium much like Home Owners or Auto insurance. We can have a supervisor be in touch if you would like to speak to us directly.
Reviewed April 15, 2025
First time traveling with an organized group and with OAT, 16 day tour of Morocco. Fantastic experience: well planned tour made especially meaningful and stress-free by excellent tour leader. A dynamic balance between typical tourist attractions and special in-person visits with native Moroccans, both urban and rural. Would take another OAT trip and perhaps return to experience more of this great country.
Only minor dissatisfaction was with advance communication with OAT office, each conversation with a different person and full information from previous conversations not always shared with the next. Price quote kept changing (fortunately mostly reducing) and one specific issue: We opted to go two days early to Casablanca to start jet lag adjustment with air booked by OAT and hotel on our own. Told OAT's tour-included transfer bus from Cas airport to Rabat at start of official tour not then available to us due to "company policy" as we were arriving early. Made absolutely no sense. Only with threat of cancelling altogether got the 'policy' overridden. Result then not communicated to the tour leader so more three-way communication before finally sorted. Left a bad taste at the start, soon forgotten once there.
Reviewed April 14, 2025
Just took my 5th trip with OAT, this time to New Zealand, and like all the other trips, it was fantastic. The guide was very knowledgeable, kind, funny, accommodating and flexible. We got to meet members of a Māori tribe and spend the day with them, learning about their culture and customs. We had dinner in the home of a Māori family who sang and danced for us. We got to shear sheep!
And we saw endless stunning landscape scenery. OAT is all about local experiences, off the beaten path, seeing the good, bad, and sometimes ugly. The accommodations are always comfortable, clean and safe. And everywhere we ate, the restaurant was informed ahead of food allergies, preferences, etc. If you travel to really learn about a country, its people, food, culture, customs…OAT is the best way to go.
Reviewed April 14, 2025
Just completed a memorable 20-day South America tour with a bunch of friends. We've traveled many places before and we easily rank this trip as one of the best!! .... Not only because of the amazing exposure to this part of the world that we are not familiar with but also, mostly, the luck we had to have an experienced, considerate, energetic, patient, humorous, fun, and organized tour leader Jorge **!!! He trained our group well - we all came home thoroughly drilled to THINK and MAKE IT HAPPEN :-), plus his positive attitude definitely contributed to the incredibly nice weather we had throughout the trip!!! Thank you Jorge!!! In addition, the local guides were awesome! Each of them gave us an in-depth understanding of the culture, people and interesting aspects of his or her town and country. This tour is highly recommended (by someone who almost never writes a review).
Reviewed April 13, 2025
Awesome experience. Excellent trip leaders. Wonderful lodgings. Able to experience local cuisines, local cultures, local fauna & flora. Great itinerary with different modes of transportation. Interaction with the locals were humbling. Pacing was good. Optional choices were presented.
Reviewed April 13, 2025
Nice ship for this trip (Clio). Great food from the kitchen to the chef who took great care of our food allergies/preferences (GF & VEGAN), went beyond what we expected. Our trip was from Barcelona to Athens, and we ran into bad weather and subsequently missed a number of ports. BUT safety was the most important thing-and that is what was done. OAT, the reginal office and our trip leaders compensated and made up for the situation by including the optional tours (gratis). They also included some benefits (again gratis) in the restaurants. They also included a tour, port, that was not planned. After spending 2 weeks on the ship, when we had to leave seemed we were leaving family. Had a very good trip leader, and the other groups seemed to have good leaders also. This was our 19th trip with Grand Circle/OAT and we plan on taking more.
Reviewed April 12, 2025
We love OAT, and have been traveling with them for many years. They consistently provide wonderful experiences and outstanding trip leaders. We recently enjoyed their Morocco Safari experience. Last year, we loved their Sicily trip.
Reviewed April 12, 2025
We've done four trips with OAT, each special and unique: Argentina and Chile with a pre-trip to Easter Island and a post-trip to Iquasue Falls, Wales, Scotland, and London; Heart of India with a pre-trip to Bhutan; and Ancient Kingdoms with a pre-trip to northern Thailand. Our trip leaders were outstanding! I've traveled quite a bit over many years but found OAT to offer the best itineraries with many chances to meet the people and learn about their culture. The trip leaders often find spontaneous experiences that add even more to the trip. I have had positive experiences with booking my trips and airfare. Customer service is very good and responsive. I'm looking forward to my next trip to Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in September.
Reviewed April 12, 2025
Japan's Cultural Treasures was a fabulous tour. Our guide, Yoshi **, had studied in the United States and made the tour extra special! The tour was highly organized and covered many sites but we didn't switch hotels as much as other tours. My favorite parts of the tour were the time with a Japanese family and the hands-on cultural activities. We were lucky and also saw Mt Fuji, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Reviewed April 4, 2025
My first experience with a tour group. So glad it was with OAT. The itinerary was thoughtful and interesting. The guide was excellent. The on the ground experience was extraordinary. My only criticism is that when my final docs arrived there’d been a change made to my air travel. This created difficulties for me and a friend who was meeting me prior to the start of the tour. I felt communication was lacking in that area.
Reviewed April 1, 2025
I just returned home and am very happy that we chose OAT for our journey through Australia. Our tour leader, Grant **, is knowledgeable and took great care of everyone. He explained where we were going and what to expect in clear language. Highly recommend OAT.
Reviewed March 31, 2025
This was our first OAT adventure. Our trip leader was exceptional. We previously had looked into traveling throughout Portugal and Spain on our own. It did not appear easy to get around Portugal and Spain to visit all the small towns using mass transportation so we decided to try our first group travel. We were so delighted to see all the little towns, and to be taken care of throughout the tour. Would definitely use this tour company for future travel.
Reviewed March 30, 2025
We recently took a trip to Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands with OAT. They arranged all the travel from beginning to end and did an excellent job with all of it. Flights connections went smoothly. Both of our leaders were knowledgeable and personable and met our individual needs. I would highly recommend OAT to anyone contemplating a trip to Peru and Ecuador in the Galapagos Islands.

Reviewed March 28, 2025
We drove seven hours to see a rock. If you check out reviews of Ayers Rock, many people say it is just a rock. Not exactly the Grand Canyon or Taj Mahal. The trip was fun. Saw lots of animals, traveled with amazing people and a great tour leader the food was awful. OAT must be cutting back here. Lots of fried food, fish and chips, calamari and chips, actually almost everything with chips. Sometimes just a piece of meat, no vegetables or salad. I liked Australia but definitely would want to spend more time in cities.

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We appreciate the feedback, especially about the food and options. This information will help up make improvements.
Reviewed March 27, 2025
OAT is the best for small group tour that include home and village family visits with outstanding guides. We had the time out life and learned much about Morocco and Islam. We would especially recommend this company to those interested in culture.
Reviewed March 25, 2025
I just completed my 13th trip with OAT and Grand Circle and have enjoyed each and every experience--from the travel to the organization of the trip to the fabulous leaders to the hotels and especially the incredible experiences that are included in the itineraries and those that our leaders choose to add as extra, such as going to markets, gardens, little known places, and other fun things to do, which we could join in or not, as we wished.
I have only had one mediocre experience with a phone rep--I think maybe he was new--but otherwise, I've had knowledgeable and helpful service. Sometimes things happen that are out of the control of the agent. And sometimes one travels with a person or two who might be difficult, but generally, that has not been my experience with fellow OAT companions, who all seem to be seasoned travelers who are flexible, adaptable and lots of fun.
Reviewed March 25, 2025
Excellent immersion into Vietnam from top to bottom. Our trip leader was knowledgeable, patient, and organized, constantly working to make our adventure enjoyable and meaningful. The accommodations were clean and comfortable in desirable locations.
Reviewed March 18, 2025
Once again OAT and their guide, Savior **, put together a wonderful trip with tons of wildlife viewing in multiple locations to break things up (mainly tent camps.) Never a dull moment.... What a great trip with a great guide, Savior!
Reviewed March 18, 2025
This was one of the best adventures I’ve had in 35 years of travel. The company excelled in making this a superb trip. It was wonderful to see the history but even better was the opportunity to interact with local people. Highly recommend OAT and this particular trip to Egypt.
Reviewed March 18, 2025
The OAT Staff, specifically Barby A, were tremendously helpful, efficient, knowledgeable and kind throughout our Antarctic Circle Crossing Adventure. Every step of the way, Barby was there to guide us with helpful information about the journey, the procedure, the wildlife, the site, and the culture. She was quick to respond to emails and text messages. I would absolutely recommend this trip to anyone thinking of traveling to Antarctica on a Expedition Ship.
Reviewed March 12, 2025
My experience was pretty positive and this is the first time I have used OAT. I went to Tunisia from February 17 - March 4, 2025. I would have like OAT to provide toilet paper as they did drinking water, because many of the pit stops we made did not have toilet paper. My only concern about the guide is that he took us to a place that he said had excellent jewelry at good prices. I took that as a recommendation from him as I trusted him. I was buying a heavy silver chain and the guide happened to be at the checkout counter. I asked the tour guide what the equivalent of dinars was in US $, but he did not answer me. He walked away, and it turned out later I paid at least US $700 more for the chain than it was worth. I paid $1062 for the chain and after coming back to the US I checked for similar chains online and realized I had been ripped off.
If the guide had taken the time to tell me what the approximate US$ equivalent of the dinars were, I would definitely not have made the purchase. I don't know if guides get kickbacks from stores they recommend to OAT travelers, but this experience has soured me. In all other respects the guide was excellent. The trip left me with wonderful memories and a great love for Tunisia and its people!
Reviewed March 3, 2025
My husband and I just returned from our Pure New Zealand tour with OAT. This was my 5th tour with OAT and my husband's 2nd. Our tour to New Zealand was amazing! Of course, New Zealand sells itself with its natural beauty, history, and friendly people! But OAT did such a great job in varying our destinations, keeping us just busy enough (with adequate down time), providing a good overview of New Zealand today as well as in the past, and providing us with an outstanding tour leader. We love the fact that the tour is always limited to 16 people (we had 15 on our tour), the hotels were all clean and well-appointed, and transportation is comfortable.
We had one in-country plane ride (from the North to the South Island), and a number of bus rides. The buses are large, allowing us to stretch out and each have our own row if we wanted. On days when there was a long bus ride, we stopped at least every hour or two to view something of interest along the way, making the trip seem shorter. And I can't say enough about our tour leader - Christie was organized, handled every "bump in the road" with professionalism, was caring about our needs, and was very entertaining in her own right! We are signed up for two more OAT tours this year and are looking forward to them! (The fact that OAT doesn't charge a single supplement is especially attractive as we can travel on our own at times at no additional expense).\\.)
Reviewed March 2, 2025
Our adventures were beyond amazing. Our trip leader Andrea was unparalleled. Local guides were knowledgeable and eager to teach. Local families working together eager to share their day to day lives with an open heart… This was a life changing experience.
Reviewed March 1, 2025
We recently completed a 15 day Egypt adventure with OAT. We did not participate in either the pre or post tour extension trips. We loved the program which consisted of land and river accommodations with day trips to places of interest. We always felt safe as we were accompanied by security policemen while we toured. I can't imagine a country have more sites of historical interest - temples, pyramids, tombs, statues, sphinxes and museums. OAT provided a stress free entryway into the best sites in Egypt. The trip experience leader (Rasha **) for our group was so good I don't think a better one could be found in Egypt.
Most of the few things about the trip that were troublesome were beyond the control of OAT - overly aggressive hucksters in the market, having to tip to use the bathroom, having to always drink bottled water, etc. The food on the OAT river boat was excellent as were the accommodations. The staff was well trained and seemed to strive to anticipate our every need. All in all, a wonderful trip.

Reviewed Feb. 27, 2025
We had traveled extensively before trying Overseas Adventure Travel. On our first trip with OAT we knew we had found a great fit with how we like to travel. The itineraries are fantastic! We also love that we become immersed in the country, not just see a lot of museums and churches. We become acquainted with "living" history and meet locals.
Reviewed Feb. 13, 2025
We just completed our first OAT trip to Morocco. We did not purchase the pre- or post trip options for the itinerary. I'll start by sharing that we had only one thought of how to improve the trip (give people the option to have more flavorful/traditional spices in the food) -- everything else was wonderful and beyond our expectations - the accommodations, logistics and pacing of the trip, cities and villages visited and the choices of content/discussions and places we visited, our travel-mates (all wonderful people), the families and organizations we spent time with..etc.
We loved the 'day in the life of' visiting a farming family and spending a day with them as well as the nomadic family. Our trip leader was fabulous - knowledgeable and very helpful. It was impressive to see when 2 of our group were ill and unable to participate in events, OAT was helpful in setting up separate travel for them so they could remain in our hotel longer and rest. We have so many fabulous memories as a result.
Reviewed Feb. 10, 2025
First, the trip experience leaders. They are amazing: knowledgeable, sensitive, responsive, flexible and FUN! Then the "Discover & Learn" experiences with local people. Find out what life is really like instead of just being an outsider looking in. After 2 OAT Trips (Morocco & SE Asia), I'm ready for more. And a special shout out to Abdou, the ***** Berber King!
Reviewed Feb. 6, 2025
My wife and I just completed the Ancient Kingdoms tour of Southeast Asia and could not be more delighted with the entire experience. Our travel arrangements were handled professionally with no hiccups. Everything from the air travel to the transfers to the hotels to luggage management could not have been more seamlessly conducted as far as we were concerned.
Then there were the tours themselves in those four countries, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia Vietnam. The trip leader, who stayed with us throughout the entire 20 days was simply outstanding. She was knowledgeable, professional, competent and a delight to interact with. If I could give her performance 10 stars, she would have earned all of them.
The in-country local guides who accompanied us on our travels through the latter three countries were also excellent. Our fourteen person group received constant education, choices on how to spend our free time and enjoyable conversation with the guides, who we got to know as friends, not just as service providers. They frequently checked in about our well-being, provided water constantly and served as concierge sources for virtually anything we wanted through the entire time.
OAT’s brand Is known for its ability to provide a deep, immersive experience, and that is exactly what we got. We had numerous, remarkable opportunities to interact with locals in each country. Our world has been expanded, and we treasured this highly recommended tour for its educational, entertainment and memorable value. The price was reasonable, and we felt completely safe the entire time. What more can you ask for from a travel company?
Reviewed Jan. 23, 2025
I have traveled 7 times with OAT. Each time I have been happily satisfied. They take care of everything from your arrival to the country (all you have to do is GET there!!). OAT reps are right there to take your luggage and take you to your hotel. Same for your departure... They get you to the hotel on time for your departure! The in between time when you are on the tour, or pre tour or post tour are all taken care of. If you have any issues they are there...24/7. I only had one situation... One of the 'guests' was obviously sick... Didn't mask or isolate... The tour guide did not assist in this. Unless he 'suggested' she mask and isolate and she did not opt to... Nonetheless...I got sick and by the end of the trip all but 2 were sick, including the guide...
I guess the litigation issue is what stopped the tour leader from intervening... Still...if they can send people home or omit them from certain activities seems they could take care of this too... I love OAT... Their trips are amazing, love the cultural aspects and the no singles supplement are what keeps me coming back... I have 6 more trips planned through 2026.... Can't wait!!
Reviewed Jan. 20, 2025
I went on this trip to visit the two places in the title- Machu Picchu and the Galápagos Islands. Those parts of the trip were INCREDIBLY WONDERFUL. Because my trip was over Christmas vacation, two of the school-related OAT special visits did not occur and instead we got to see the absolutely remarkable Larco museum in Lima and the fun Equator museum and vegetable market in Quito. My impression is that the trip could have been shortened by 3-5 days, skipping some less interesting spots, which frankly felt like they were just filling time/expanding the trip. This also would have saved some money on the trip. Or, perhaps they could have added one more day and one more island to the Galapagos portion. Our trip leaders were great, as is usual on OAT trips.

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience. We appreciate reading of your trip and look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Reviewed Jan. 17, 2025
This was my first OAT experience. They took us to Egypt for 16 days, including 5 days on an amazing Nile voyage in a private yacht. It was the most amazing experience. Egypt is a fascinating. The views, monuments and history are so memorable. Our trip leader was super organized, knowledgeable and friendly. Everything went smoothly and without a hitch. I can't say enough!
Reviewed Jan. 12, 2025
Our recent trip to Morocco was nothing short of extraordinary, thanks to our incredible trip leader, Zaid. From the moment the journey began, Zaid’s attentiveness, knowledge, and passion for Moroccan culture shone through, making every experience memorable and deeply enriching. Zaid introduced us to a variety of typical Moroccan experiences that went far beyond the usual tourist attractions. We had the opportunity to experience a traditional hammam, visit a Berber village family, spend time with a nomad family in the stunning Sahara Desert, admire a spectacular sunset in the Sahara, camel riding, and more. Each encounter felt authentic and personal, offering a glimpse into the heart of Moroccan traditions and daily life.
What stood out most was Zaid's dedication to ensuring we had an immersive experience. He was always ready to answer questions, share fascinating insights about history, culture, and local customs, and accommodate our needs. His ability to connect us with local communities added a unique and meaningful layer to the trip. Thanks to Zaid, we left Morocco not only with cherished memories of its breathtaking landscapes, from the vibrant medinas to the serene dunes of the Sahara, but also with a deep appreciation for its rich cultural tapestry. If you're planning a trip to Morocco, having Zaid as your guide will elevate your journey to something truly unforgettable! Highly recommended! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Reviewed Jan. 7, 2025
I love Overseas Adventure Travel for many reasons. One being single I never pay extra. They do not penalize you for not having a partner. The second and most important is that they immerse you in the culture of the country. The guides are so informative, so personable, so warm and they always. Add their own personal touches to give you their own and your own personal experience and immerse you in the culture. The home hosted dinners are fabulous. You get to eat with a family from the country and they question you and you question them and it’s just amazing. Every trip has exceeded my expectations and you learn so much. It is truly a trip of learning and discovery. I have gone with six trips with overseas adventure travel, and plan to go with them always.
Reviewed Jan. 6, 2025
I have been on 17 trips with OAT and this is one of my favorites, mainly because our Trip Experience Leader, Nopparat **, was amazing. He was very organized, knowledgeable, dealt with some challenges in a very professional manner, and made the trip special. It also was very educational and informative as we went to 4 countries with similar challenges and history, some of which was new to me, We learned about the bombing of Laos and Cambodia by the US in the 1960's that was horrific. It was an eye opener. But we also met people who were welcoming and very eager to share stories about themselves and their country. We visited several elementary schools, and went to a family hosted dinner in Laos (there were 4 families that participated as OAT pays them to do this). It was wonderful and gave us special insights into the Laos culture. I highly recommend this trip.
Reviewed Jan. 4, 2025
Our tour leader Monica ** was great, probably the best OAT guide I have had; however OAT does not seem to understand that Colombia totally shuts down Dec 24th and 25th and should plan activities accordingly because nothing is open on either of those days and our guide had to scramble around for guides and activities. The trip should start two days later for the December Christmas trip to address the Christmas shutdown in Medellin.
Other suggestions for a Christmas trip- plan to include Christmas activities in Bogota, have a trolley ride in Bogota, spend more time at the Botero Museum in Medellin (we raced through it), see the holiday lights in Medellin (not just walk by in the daylight when the City shuts down), use a hotel closer to downtown in Medellin to account for the traffic, spend less time at the Hill of Values recycling center and allow more than a few minutes at the beach in Cartagena, maybe have an optional island tour in Cartagena.
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2025
My wife and I joined the Overseas Adventure group to New Zealand for 16 days. I like the somehow relaxing schedule, guided tours mixing with optional tours and self-guided ventures. I also like the immersion of local cultural tribal activities and interactions. Food is fine and tour guide is good, and the fellow travelers are great. Picturesque scenery. I have some suggestion for the optional jet boat activity which lasted about 2 hours, in a cold, windy day. It would be better if it has cautioned the participants that novice in boat skiing needs to reconsider.
Reviewed Jan. 2, 2025
We took the all land tour of Patagonia that didn't include the Fjords. This is our 13th OAT trip. I always say the guide makes the trip and we haven't had a bad one yet. Felipe (nicknamed Pipo) was fantastic as were all of the local guides. We saw and did so many things and learned something new every day. The highlights was the Home Hosted dinner where we made our own empanadas and the Day In The Life experience with a family in a small town on Chiloe Island. We were very fortunate with the weather. We had sun and decent temperatures almost every day. There are a few hikes that were not easy but you could opt out if you didn't feel you were up to it. The rest of the activities were all doable for everyone.
Felipe's organization of the hotels and flights was impeccable. The mountain views of Patagonia is something I'll never forget. We didn't take the pre-trip to Rapa Nui but others in our group said it was excellent. We did take the Post Trip to Iguazu Falls and I have to say that pictures I've seen doesn't do it justice. It was overwhelming. Felipe had surprises for us almost every day which is something I've come to expect from OAT.
In Buenos Aires he took us to a Malonga. There are clubs where Argentinians go to Tango but they don't go as couples. Women are not allowed to ask the men the dance. The men catch the eye of the woman they want to invite to dance with and the two of them Tango for 3 dances. Then they separate and it starts all over again. There must have been over 200 people at the club we were at. It was a very special inside view to Argentinian life. There were other surprises but that was my favorite one. My wife and I love OAT and we won't travel with any other company.
Reviewed Dec. 31, 2024
Great trip, trip leader, ship, food, friends. Only problem day trips occurred during time when all the shops were closed for Siesta. Need to do them during the morning time. Also off season post trip-leader fantastic, adjusted to daily tour changes but rainy weather. Should wait till next season. Only other problem was trip pricing did not match advertised rates.
Reviewed Dec. 30, 2024
I loved the trip. I would give OAT's Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia trip FIVE stars, without reservation, but I would give OAT, itself, ONE star due to my personal concerns with their financial viability. I transferred to this trip from a different trip, scheduled over a year in the future, BECAUSE multiple red flags popped up that made ME concerned about losing MY money.
(1) OAT staff bullied me into changing trip insurance from Allianz to TripMate. The latter is, in my opinion, definitely more favorable to / protective of OAT in terms of when they pay out and how they pay out (e.g., potentially worthless travel vouchers). (2) OAT offered an additional 10% discount if I paid in full > 1 year in advance, raising concerns that they may be having cash flow problems now. (3) OAT cancelled the last stage of my original booked trip, no longer returning me to the start point (leaving travelers in a different country) and, even though Section 9e of their own T&C states they will refund the cost difference if they do so, an OAT rep refused to do so when I called to request it.
(4) While I was on hold with the rep I looked at BBB.org and saw that OAT had > 300 complaints there while another travel company that services a similar demographic had 2. The company could spin this in another way but FOR ME, while I had a great time on a superb trip, I do not plan to book with OAT again until I see some signs of solid financial footing. DISCLAIMER: your experience may differ; this is simply my experience and my personal interpretation of it. However, they seem like a company under financial stress to me.
Reviewed Dec. 30, 2024
The trip to Egypt was fabulous. We are glad that we went, but there were some issues. The travel leader was amazing, and the entire boat staff was fantastic! There were several disappointments. Our tickets were purchased through OAT, and we reserved our seats early on. Our seats changed for the return trip at the last minute. We were very disappointed. In addition, when we arrived in Cairo, an OAT representative was not there to greet us and assist with the Visa process. We had been assured that this would happen. Lastly, the food on the boat and in many of the restaurants was sub-par. The food at the home visit and at the farm that we visited was really delicious.
Reviewed Dec. 28, 2024
Fabulous, unique experience of Morocco culture, land and history. OAT has superb guides (particularly ours, Aziz) and provides both structure and flexibility/customization. I can't imagine being able to see and experience all that we did on my own or even with another company. Group size (15-16) is good, sleeping accommodations were terrific (even in the unheated tents in the Sahara), having the chance to talk with a variety of Moroccans about their lives was splendid. The only thing that wasn't absolutely great was the lack of variety in food choices. I absolutely recommend this trip.

Reviewed Dec. 28, 2024
I've traveled almost all of the world; independently, as well as with other travel companies. To date, I've used Overseas Adventure Travel and Grand Circle travel for 20 trips. They provide detailed itineraries in small groups. Guides are typically excellent. Airline routing is mostly good, especially if you've traveled with them regularly. Over the years, their costs have increased while provided /included services have decreased. There are many 'cultural activities' typically in out-of-the-way locations which do not allow the option of doing something else. They are time wasters costing the company nothing while qualifying as a charitable contribution to the company.
As long as all goes well, OAT is a good travel provider. However, this is now my second time having to cancel a long held fully paid reservation. In the first case, a refund, minus all upgrades, the cost of travel insurance, was issued in the form of a voucher with an expiration date of one year. Now, a year later, following an unexpected last minute crisis on a "Cancel for Any Reason" travel protection policy, I'm being refunded a paltry amount. It is by voucher again with a year's expiration date.
Further, although filed as two claims, but because the travel insurance lumped my and my partner's claim together under one claim, OAT insists they have no record for my travel partner and I have to re-file with the travel insurance company for my partner to receive any money. It should be noted that at the time of cancellation, I simultaneously re-booked the same trip for travel in 2025. That final payment is due in two weeks. I provided all the documentation, filed all that was required, met the time constraints and am struggling to get reimbursed. No question but that OAT is stonewalling the insurance refund.
Complying with OAT's instruction to talk with Insurance provider Trip Mate, I called them... They flatly state their accounting department has issued vouchers in both my and my travel companion's name and forwarded same to OAT over 3 weeks ago. Since I have an upcoming final payment for the trip booked at the time of cancellation, I don't want to pay another fortune which would not be refunded if paid, while there are "vouchers" to apply as payment. This behavior is unscrupulous at a minimum and skirting the edge of fraudulent. OAT is making insurance recovery my problem and running me in circles. Beware. The "Cancel for Any Reason" insurance policy is in name only and might end up costing you a fortune.
Reviewed Dec. 27, 2024
We have traveled with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) five times, and each trip has been a memorable and enriching experience. From the moment we arrive, they take exceptional care of us, ensuring that every detail of our journey is well-managed. OAT stands out for its local guides, home-hosted visits, and authentic cultural encounters, allowing us to gain a deeper, more meaningful connection with the countries we visit. Each trip leaves us feeling like part of a local family, thanks to these immersive experiences.
One of the key advantages of traveling with OAT is the extended time spent in each destination. Unlike many other tour companies, OAT provides a more thorough exploration of the places we visit. The small group sizes—typically 24 or fewer—enhance the experience, allowing for more personalized attention and a closer connection with fellow travelers.
Additionally, OAT offers excellent value for the price. Their trips are competitively priced given the quality of the experiences they provide. We recently returned from Egypt, where we felt completely safe, well taken care of, and profoundly enriched by the experience. OAT goes beyond simply showing you the sights—they offer insightful education about each destination, deepening our understanding of the history and culture. We eagerly look forward to our next adventure with OAT and highly recommend them to fellow travelers.
Reviewed Dec. 21, 2024
We just completed our third trip with O.A.T., and we're already booked for the next one. Every part of our experience with them has been excellent, from the booking to the trip itself. The trips are with smaller groups, well planned and with excellent tour guides. They take us into places and experiences that educate and enlighten, providing discoveries we would not get with more traditional tour agencies. We're big fans of O.A.T! We highly recommend them.

Updated review: Jan. 1, 2025
Resolved. The tour itself was great.
Original Review: Dec. 16, 2024
We booked a trip to Tanzania in late August and early September 2024, paying in full prior to departure. Upon arriving at the airport in Phoenix we were unexpectedly hit with luggage fees. As it turned out OAT did a crap job booking our “international” flight. The leg to JFK had been booked as a domestic flight not connecting with the airline from JFK to Nairobi. This was aggravating and an inconvenient hassle to the beginning of the trip. We called OAT from JFK about the issue, to no avail. Our tour guide in Africa was also informed of our displeasure with booking and extra charges and he said he would look into it as well. The issue remained, not unexpectedly, unresolved while on tour.
Upon returning home we called OAT customer service about reimbursement for the luggage fees and were told to submit copies of receipts and that these would be forwarded to their receipts department. They said they would be contact within two to three days. We heard nothing. We sent a follow-up email expressing our displeasure at not having heard anything one way or the other. Several months have passed and yet NOTHING from OAT. This was our seventh trip with OAT, that adds up to a lot of money and customer locality. Yet, OAT has not had the COMMON COURTESY OR BUSINESS SENSE to respond to our request for reimbursement, again, one way other the other. Sorely disappointed in their treatment, especially having recommended them to others in the past.

We are so sorry to read of your experience and would appreciate an opportunity to obtain additional details.
Would you be willing to email us at support@OATtravel.com and we can look into this for you.
Sincerely,O.A.T.
Reviewed Dec. 15, 2024
OAT's Japan highlights tour is amazing. Our Tour Leader Sayuri ** was masterful in herding our diverse group through urban train stations, crowded streets, popular temples, and other tourist sites. She was very attentive to each individual's needs. She prepared daily sheets for us to know what we were going to do and see. She is very knowledgeable. Kyoto was the real jewel for temples, but we saw others in Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima. We visit one retreat with a Zen Buddhist monk and learned about his contemplative practices.
We shared an incredible diversity of experiences. We made washi paper and gold leaf stationary. We prepared sushi, moshi, and an entire meal with rural women. We participated in Japanese tea ceremonies. We learned all about sumo wrestlers while watching a demonstration of their craft. We heard from practicing geishas about their lives and watched a geisha performance. We visited families who shared their homes and taught us calligraphy and kimono-dressing.
A couple of us visited a university Kagura performance arranged by Sayuri and even donned their 12-lb costumes! We cruised in the beautiful lake by Hakone with Mt. Fuji in the background. The visit with the survivor of the Hiroshima bombing was very moving, as was the Hiroshima museum. I'm sure I'm leaving out something important. It was such an enjoyable trip. We stayed in top-notch hotels in each city. The bathrooms were extraordinary, with Toto "washlets," even in most public toilets. The hotel amenities usually included pajamas as well as slippers and toothbrushes. OAT leaves you plenty of time for your own experiences. This enabled me to meet with my three Japanese friends, two of whom came from other cities for the visits. I love Japanese food, but some of the meals were surprisingly heavy in carbohydrates. I highly recommend this tour.
Reviewed Dec. 14, 2024
Literally, I could not be happier with my first experience with OAT. The itinerary was full but not burdensome (with plenty of free time), the sites were mind blowing, and our guide, Lahcen, is A+++ 12/10 wonderful. Our cultural experiences were deep and human. Like who would ever think it possible to sit talking with a nomad family, under their camel-hair tent, to learn about their lives, struggles, values and the broader society in which they find themselves. Our guide, Lahcen, facilitated all this, taking questions from our travelers. I am grateful beyond belief. I have another OAT tour — to Egypt — scheduled for Fall 2025, and am investigating an OAT tour Tanzania also in 2025 or early 2026. OAT is now my GO TO travel group. I am thrilled!
Reviewed Dec. 13, 2024
Our trip to the Azores was fantastic. The trip leaders were excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly. Our leader in the Azores was able to adjust the experience based on weather conditions and they were fantastic. He had a great personality and was so in tune to our group. He also went out of his way to meet all of our requests.
Reviewed Dec. 12, 2024
This was our first OAT experience, and it won't be our last. Our adventures certainly exceeded our expectations. This was the South Korea & Japan, Temples, Shrines & Treasures. Prior to our travel OAT provided ample information to prepare for our trip. From what to pack to sites we would be visiting. The tour leaders they provided for our experience, Ashley ** and Toru ** were excellent tour leaders. Both leaders contacted us before our tour for any additional questions we had and were both very responsive. They are the ones that made our trip experience wonderful. Their countries knowledge and attentiveness to many requests and being able to attend to anyone requests and needs on the tours were amazing. Their attention to detail was incredible as well. I feel the tour leaders play an important role in the experience when we are visiting foreign countries. Ashley and Toru really made our trip very memorable. Thank you OAT.
Reviewed Dec. 4, 2024
Ultimate Australia – A magnificent OAT tour to learn about Australia. Australia is a big and diverse country. There is so much to see and to learn. But it is hard to do so in one single trip. Surprisingly, with the Ultimate Australia from O.A.T, remarkably we have gained a good understanding of Australia in about 17 days --- about its history and issues of past and now, its beautiful and enviable coasts and harsh outback. O.A.T. was able to put together a program covering two world-class modern big cities of Melbourne and Sydney, two soul-provoking outback cities of Alice Springs and Uluru, and two nearby natural wonders of Great Barrier Reefs and Daintree Rain Forest-- based at the resort city of Palm Cove. Of course, to convey their glamour and significance, we need a great storyteller. Here, we have got the best one, Michael **.
Michael impressed us even before we started the tour. He called each one of us and wanted to know about us and asked us what we wanted to get from the tour. Once the tour started, he posted the itinerary and summary of what we would see and do that day and added additional resources taken from other sources. Once the bus started, he would introduce additional interesting stories related to our destinations. He was not shy to tell us controversial issues related to the suffering of the Native and effort to mitigate it. Australia is a beautiful country with great diversity and beauty. Our experience convinces me to urge you to investigate what you can get from the Ultimate Australia--- from a marvelous OAT guide like Michael. Moreover, you would lean to learn more about Australia.
Reviewed Dec. 4, 2024
I have traveled 13 times with Overseas Adventure Travel and my recent land/river trip to Jordan and Egypt was fabulous! Safety, organization, professional efficiency and marvelous guides made my experience perfect.
Reviewed Nov. 30, 2024
O.A.T. put together a fabulous itinerary with a superb trip leader named Keiko! She opened our eyes & heart to Japan through countless experiences where we participated in a Zen meditation, experienced Onsen in Hakone region, their hot springs, met Geisha that performed for us, made Matcha Tea, took a Sushi class from highly trained Sushi chef, took the Bullet trains, boats on lake & river, divided into smaller groups (only 3 of us!) to visit a lovely local Japanese family for tea & cookies, as well as learned so much about Japanese history & their traditional culture. It was fabulous. Highly recommend!
Reviewed Nov. 28, 2024
This was only my second OAT Tour, but I have become convinced of this organization's commitment to deliver an enriching experience that strives to give the traveler a real sense of the country you are visiting, its people, and their history. Once again, I was very impressed with our guide's knowledge of his country and its multi-cultural background but also his love for and passion to share it with others. I really cannot express how pleased we were to have Gareth as our guide in New Zealand. One of his best practices as a guide was to provide us with a journal he kept of our daily activities on the entire tour. I have no doubt that I will be traveling with OAT again in the not-too-distant future.
Reviewed Nov. 26, 2024
I would highly recommend this experience to anyone who is looking for beautiful countries with spectacular views, great food, friendly people, and good weather. The guides were very knowledgeable and they were able to provide valuable information about these places. This was not a simple vacation, but a memorable experience.
Reviewed Nov. 25, 2024
Most amazing trip. Everything was great! How wonderful to be in Patagonia after watching so many nature shows about it! Wonderful small towns to explore in addition to Buenos Aries, a large city. Longer bus rides did not seem long at all with narrations and frequent stops, and occasional naps. Accommodations wonderful and walking distance to the main part of the towns. Our family and friends now consider us world travelers, especially when we tell them we went to Cape Horn! Now some facts:
1. There are 2-3 activity levels for all the Zodiac excursions off the cruise ship so you can choose according to your preference and ability, and these are all well detailed by the crew.
2. Clothing. Make sure you have rain pants and rain jacket. Long underwear and multiple layers. I am from Florida and never felt cold as I followed the clothing guidelines (exception was hands, few had waterproof gloves and we regretted it!). Please have waterproof hiking boots as well. Our trip leader said: There is no bad weather, just the wrong clothes. Please note that it is easy to stay dry and warm while walking in BA and the other towns.
3. No internet aboard the ship so be prepared to be out of contact for about 4 days. Otherwise WhatsApp worked great when internet was widely available.
4. VISA is accepted almost everywhere, but we found it helpful to have some Argentinian Pesos in cash. We never needed Chilean pesos.
5. Our trip leader was amazing and I found it very helpful that she sent emails and responded to questions prior to our trip.
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2024
What a wonderful experience. Everything was taken care of so we could really enjoy our active vacation. Driver-beyond excellent and helpful. Tour guide unbelievably knowledgeable. Luggage was always taken care of, almost all meals were included and great. It was very active with a couple of activities each day while always allowing enough free time. Saw more than we ever would have on our own and learned so much about this country and it’s people while enjoying a worry free vacation.
Reviewed Nov. 22, 2024
This trip impacted me more than any other I have been on.. I feel like I got to truly experience the many different layers of India during this trip. The guide, Deep, was informative, helpful and organized, His years of experience were evident, He was always there when I needed help. We had a challenging passenger in the group and he was skillful in negotiating around that person's needs so that the rest of us were minimally affected.
Reviewed Nov. 21, 2024
Had a wonderful trip through the Land of the Maya in Central America. HIndus of India knew of the Maya 2000 yrs ago. It was called Siddhapura by the Hindus or the Land of the Smart people. The trip gave me a great overview of a magnificent civilization and people that still survive only because of their indomitable spirit. They keep their traditions alive while being poor in countries that are rich but with lots of poverty. The trip offered glimpses into the daily lives of the Maya showcasing their skills in weaving beautiful fabrics, their curandara/healing women, fire ritual ceremonies, food, hard work in the fields or picking apart trash in Guatemala City. They do everything with an attitude of appreciation for life and all it brings. We can all learn a lot about being human by visiting with the Maya. Loved the experience.
Reviewed Nov. 21, 2024
I travel on the Costa Rica Pura Vida and Rain Forest Discoveries Adventure with Over Seas Adventures in November 2024. What a wonderful adventure! We did white water rafting on rapids rated at 3, we ziplined 1.7 miles and reached heights of 190 feet, we paddled our rigger canoes that held 8 people each, we rode horses, and we boated on a beautiful lake surrounded by volcanoes. We interacted with local people eating lunch with one family at their home and visiting farmers on cocoa, pineapple, and coffee plantations, and had close-up sightings of monkeys, sloths, iguana, crocodiles, butterflies, and a multitude of birds.
Our guide Esteban was amazing. If the schedule changed because of weather, he filled in with something else and was able to reschedule so we didn't miss anything we were excited about. He had a superpower of sighting birds and animals for us and was fun, patient, super knowledgeable about a multitude of subjects, and was there for us if we needed something. Our lodgings were in ideal locations, beautiful, and comfortable. Food was good and usually of local fare with a variety of choices. Our bus was super comfortable for traveling to different locations. It was a memorable trip!
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2024
Our trip leader for the Costa Rica 14 day tour was excellent! She knew the country so well she was able to determine when the activities in a particular location should be switched between afternoon and morning to give us the best chance of having outdoor activities without rain interruptions...and it worked! We were able to do both the white-water rafting and the zip line/canopy tour in the morning in an area known for rain in the afternoon! She also knew every bird we encountered on all outdoor excursions, as well as most butterfly species and all the mammals. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2024
My OAT tour was amazing. Our trip leader, Mimmo is an amazingly smart, friendly and empathetic person who has a wonderful sense of humor. All of my fellow travelers really appreciated him, our many adventures and each other. We all savored Sicily’s artistic, architectural, culinary and cultural wonders. The natural beauty of Sicily is unsurpassed and its history is extremely interesting. We loved seeing, learning about and tasting all of it, because OAT makes certain that its tours contain places and experiences that are unique.
For example, we had a cooking lesson in a fine restaurant and enjoyed the delicious dinner we prepared. We arrived early to the most popular sites of Greek and Roman ruins so that the crowds were sparse when we were there. We met men who described their family members who were formerly members of the Cosa Nostra. We stayed in 4 star hotels, one of which was built into the side of a mountain, and so much more!
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2024
The trip was organized, well paced, interesting, and educational. Our guide, Eduardo, added to the fun and treated us like family. A wide variety of experiences is offered on this tour: walking up to the roof of the cathedral of St James and viewing the towers up close and personal, crossing a suspension bridge in Arouca, Portugal, and walking portions of the camino, to name a few. The educational aspect of just traveling to different regions is supplemented with short visits to an archeological center, a bee keeper, a farm, and a vineyard where lunch was provided along with about 8 different kinds of wine for tasting. I will definitely go on another OAT trip.
Reviewed Nov. 10, 2024
OAT gives a good travel experience, and I would travel with them again. However, while onboard ship in the Greek Islands, it came time to settle our onboard bill on the last day before departure. Consider you and your partner having a daily drink during happy hour for 6 Euro each for 7 days. Then you purchase your partner a jewelry trinket from the ship store for 200 Euro.
Now, the morning of the departure date you are settling up with a credit card. They DEMAND to change the currency from Euro to US Dollars and use an exchange rate that is about 5% lower than the current rate. Your 284 Euro bill should be $304.39 but instead they DEMAND $319.61 due to using their mandatory low exchange rate. The only option is to go off ship at the last minute, find a bank and get Euros. The ship's purser, Mr. Damir ** on the ship Arethusa, either could not or would not bill my CC in Euros and let my bank do the conversion at current rates as all other venues on the islands did. OAT rips off all their shipboard clients for many US dollars each. I do not understand why a good travel company like OAT resorts to stealing from their customers.

Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we’re glad to hear that you enjoyed your travel experience with us and would consider traveling with us again. However, we regret to learn about your concerns regarding the currency exchange process on the ship. We appreciate your perspective and your understanding as we strive to enhance the overall experience for all of our travelers.
Reviewed Nov. 6, 2024
Neil **, our trip leader for Scotland Revealed, excelled throughout the journey, ensuring a memorable & comfortable experience for everyone. The weather interfered with the carefully planned itinerary but Neil quickly regrouped, providing us with surprise visits to castles not on the itinerary. The itinerary provided us with a wide variety of experiences and interactions, leaving us with memories I will cherish forever. All of the experiences were incredible and the ones that standout were the visit to Cladich Fold to experience a Highland Cattle Farm and the Finzean Estate to learn from a Highland ghillie the traditions of land management that has been around 18th century. A delightful afternoon playing Putt-Putt at St. Andrews Golf course along with experiencing traditional Scottish music added to the history, fun and enjoyment of the trip. There was always enough time to explore on my own.
Reviewed Nov. 6, 2024
We just returned from our 16th trip with OAT - this time, to Ireland. Their itineraries are always so interesting - they take me to all the places I know about and what to see, and then introduce me to places I never knew about but that I am so glad I had the chance to experience. Their guides are fantastic - we have never had a bad guide. I love seeing a country through the eyes of someone native to that country. We have been with them all over the world: to Egypt, Africa, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos, all through various European countries, to South America - the Chilean Fjords and Patagonia. Our 17th trip is already planned and coming up in 2025. OAT places us in central location so that we can easily walk to various places or catch the local transportation; we have free time in cities while on the more adventurous trips - say the African safaris - we are well cared for. I cannot recommend OAT highly enough.
Reviewed Nov. 5, 2024
This trip to Ecuador was my first with O.A.T. Tours. Never touring before, I was a bit apprehensive on how it would turn out, especially since the USA govt. website sent out travel warnings to several areas in Ecuador. As it turns out, fears were unfounded, and it was one of the best trips I have ever taken. The trip leaders were super nice, so very knowledgeable about their country, and just a lot of fun to be with. Loved Ecuador and the Galapagos. Food and scenery superb. Saw the cities, jungle, highlands and Galapagos...a once in a lifetime trip which I would recommend very highly for people of all ages. Viva Ecuador!
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2024
In requesting an upgrade to premium economy & a stop over in Madrid in mid April, I was told by an "agent" that everything was included including the hotel & transfers in Madrid. I repeatedly asked the question, "are you sure everything is coverage for $1140". The reply repeatedly was yes. In August, I spoke to a "manager" & she reviewed the situation & said everything would be taken care of by management (her words). I never heard from her nor management. In Sept. I called & they said nothing was included & I needed to book everything myself. Their hotel recommendations were at $800 a NIGHT! I scrabbled & found a hotel for far less in a great location. OAT seems to hiring inexperienced people who will only yes the client. The trip to Morocco was fantastic with a fantastic tour leader.... He was GREAT.
Reviewed Nov. 2, 2024
I have just returned from my OAT trip to Sicily and Southern Italy.For 16 days I travelled through Sicily and several regions of Southern Italy with a group of 13 strangers from various places in the USA.At the end of this trip these people are no longer strangers- just friends with a shared fabulous experience.Our ages and backrounds were varied but we clicked.
I think that having a smart, caring,organized,helpful,flexible,knowledgable,energetic and personable tour guide named Roberta Bucca was the key.Roberta was in tune with all of us during our entire tour.We learned a lot and we had fun...I have travelled with OAT 5 previous times and Roberta Bucca is the best guide that I have been privileged to have had.Will I travel again with OAT.Of course I will...
Reviewed Nov. 1, 2024
On this trip we spent several nights in hotels (which were both lovely) and a majority of time on this small ship with a total of 49 passengers and a large crew. The crew was wonderful, learning our names and desires in a day! We divided into two groups and each had a experienced and well informed guide. They took great care of everyone in all situations. Our guide was Marko and he was so proud of his home country, Croatia and shared a lot of history and culture of all the countries we visited. We had local guides on most outings and learned so much. Home-hosted dinner and A Day in the Life of a local family were one of a kind adventures. Our guides surprised us along the way, providing small local treats and drinks of the local communities. This company as well as Grand Circle are the only tours we will ever go on. Friends are amazed when we share details of our trip.
The chef was award winning, very friendly and happy to share suggestions of the daily menu filled with local delicacies. I always ordered an omelet for breakfast, everything but onions, all I had to do was raise my hand to the waiter and he knew at once what I wanted, as well as what I liked to drink. I would definitely like to explore different parts of these countries in the Balkan area. Daily Port talks were informative and fun, learning what we had in store for us the next day. After dinner entertainment was fun and lots of times we were laughing a lot. I love Christmas and on these trips I collect a Christmas ornament from each city we visit and have a special tree to place them on. I appreciate the personal connections made with friends. Our Captain made a decision to adjust our schedule a bit to get ahead of a storm, for our safety and it actually allowed us to spend an extra day in Albania. Overall 10 plus.
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2024
Excellent trip. Pepe was an exceptional guide; knowledgeable, fun, patient. Main office was great, and the follow up and reminders were always appreciated. Our days were full + we got some down time. Group size great.
Reviewed Oct. 29, 2024
What an awesome once-in-a lifetime experience that far exceeded my expectations. Went on 30 game drives, saw animals/kills/chases up close- lions even walked around our jeeps! We also visited a local village, a school and shared a meal with a local family. Our leaders, staff and guides were excellent, friendly and willing to discuss many topics (even touchy ones). Got to see Victoria Falls (a lifetime dream), penguins in South Africa, Cape Town, and the southern tip of Africa at Cape Hope. Learned so much about the cultural and history. The group was very congenial and fun to be with. And the safari tents were perfect (loved hearing the animals at night.)
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2024
We booked the Kenya and Tanzania trip to get as much exposure as possible to the most animals - and it delivered. Our guide Hussein, was outstanding and if possible, we would request him to be our guide for future trips. His knowledge of the land, animals and people added immeasurably to the trip. The unexpected was the time we spent with, and learning about the day in the life of local peoples, their cultures and histories that are linked so closely with the animals. Hussein did an excellent job of providing an itinerary that covers a variety of animals, cultures and environments, yet paces it in such a way that it met the needs and expectations of a diverse group of 11 people, yet still leaving time to relax and soak up the beauty of the land. The accomodations range from tents with animals rubbing on them, to lodges with swimming pools where animals are grazing nearby. The one constant was the staff at the camps, drivers in our jeeps, or guides in the villages that could not have been more caring.
Reviewed Oct. 26, 2024
Our recent trip, Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, was amazing. We arrived home with a completely new perspective on a part of the world known to us only through news reports on the 6:00 broadcasts. We came away from this trip full of wonder at the beauty of the landscape and beauty of the people. Overseas Adventure Travel planned every activity so that we not only saw the sites that all tourists want to see, but we also came in contact with real people, learning about their joys and their challenges. We were able to talk to them about things that matter in their daily lives and about controversial topics that would not come up in most touristy activities. And throughout all of this, OAT made sure that we were safe and comfortable. Accommodations were great, meals were excellent and authentic to the culture, and we had plenty of activities to keep us busy with ample down time to explore on our own.
Reviewed Oct. 24, 2024
We had a whirlwind trip to Japan and it was mostly wonderful. Our guide, Yo **, was a perfect guide for us. He was knowledgeable, smart, patient, and spoke perfect english. My only disappointment was the size and discomfort of some of the rooms that we stayed in. I have to believe that they don't have to be that "stripped down". In fact, it would be worth paying a few more $$ for more comfortable rooms. It seems that several of my co-travelers agreed so it might be worth a try? Also, I would like to suggest that we be given a full day off from planned activities in the middle of the trip. That would give us a much needed break and the guide can get a rest as well. We often travel on Rick Steves tours and that rest is a fundamental part of the trip.
Reviewed Oct. 23, 2024
The best company to travel with. Small boats, exceptional crews, interesting itineraries, people to people visits, outstanding customer service. The company also supports needy people in the countries visited. Just booked #11!
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2024
We joined fourteen other adventurous folks from Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin, California, Oklahoma and Florida for the September 23 start of Real Affordable Costa Rica. Our leader, Sergio Padilla ** is Costa Rican; a research biologist and wonderful guide. He helped us learn of and see the flora, fauna, geology and history of this glorious tropical rainforest/garden. We enjoyed all the planned excursions. I especially appreciated the home visits, as we learned much of life in CR. Rainy season may be the best season; Thank you for allowing us learn and enjoy your wonderful country.
Reviewed Oct. 21, 2024
Wonderful trip thru Tuscany & Umbria Italy. We loved the experiences in the homes of Italians. Small group size is a plus. We had 16 in our group. Visit to the truffle farm to watch the dog and his trainer locate and dig up truffles was so interesting.

Reviewed Oct. 20, 2024
Overseas Adventure Travel is the best. I would only travel with them. I travel solo and could not be more safe and taken care of. I have them take care of everything, Airline reservations, etc. Last trip was my 12th trip, and planning many more. They seem to have the best tour guides on all of their trips.

Reviewed Oct. 20, 2024
I just returned from the Ultimate Africa tour. I will not bore you with stories and details. I have had experience as a team leader as well as a participant. My experience is in both profit and not-profit world. I will simply say I cannot image now this trip could have been better. OAT very competently managed all my travel arrangements -- Portal to Portal. The adventure, pacing, free time, experiences were all superlative. The tour leaders were experienced, competent, knowledgeable, and open about all aspects of Africa. Food and accommodations far exceeded my expectations. The experience/value far exceeded the cost. THIS IS A MUST ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.
Reviewed Oct. 19, 2024
Our 16 day Tunisia trip guide Tarek ** is awesome! He is very knowledgeable and responsible. He is very passionate about his country's history and we all love his explanations. He is very attentive to our needs, and is always very nice and patient.
Reviewed Oct. 18, 2024
What a wonderful trip to Sicily. Having visited the rest of Italy previously, we were excited to tour one more area. Our tour leader, Francesco, helped us find little hidden places while offering unique experiences. We watched a puppet show in Palermo, after he had taken us to meet the puppet master. Instead of taking the optional tour, we took a short walk and met a maestro of unknown age, in his magnificent museum of a home. (better than some of the palazzos we could've paid to visit!) Learning to make homemade pasta, a red pesto and yummy desserts added greatly to the enjoyment of this journey. The controversial topic about the Cosa Nostra was so eye opening. And finishing the tour with a trip to Mt. Etna was the perfect ending.
Reviewed Oct. 17, 2024
Review of South Korea & Japan-temples, shrines and seaside treasure with pre-trip to Mongolia. Having now taken 8 trips with OAT, and comparing experiences, this was one of poorest OAT trip experiences. Mongolia was a highlight and the best of the trip (good TL and positive experiences). South Korea (SK) and Japan were extreme disappointments. The SK TL was not great, and despite me sitting down with her privately, did not change her course. So I stepped away from the group and did my own thing for 1 full day out of 4 - the best day of the trip.
The TL for Japan got lost twice and seemed that she had never been to the sites visited before. Despite a long call before the trip to discuss things we wished to see, never informed us that we would need reservations for some of the activities we wanted to do (such as a tea ceremony, sushi dinner, tickets to various shows - such as Nata in SK, and TeamLabs and Gion Corner in Japan). Poor TLs coupled with Japan experiencing severe over tourism (wall to wall people in October) made me regret this trip.

Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're pleased that Mongolia was a highlight, but we’re sorry to hear that parts of South Korea and Japan didn’t meet your expectations, particularly regarding the leadership and logistical challenges. Your feedback on the Trip Leaders and pre-trip planning is important, and we’ll review these aspects closely to improve future journeys. We appreciate your loyalty as an 8-time traveler and hope to regain your trust in upcoming experiences.
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2024
OAT's The Ancient Kingdoms (Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam) offers a deep multilayer understanding of the thousand years cultural tradition as well as the recent monumental struggles that these countries had endured in the last 50 years. I truly enjoyed not only my encounter with the people but also the food and the beautiful sights. Yes, you need to be somehow in good physical condition to be able to navigate the uneven surface and climb steep stairs of iconic temples such the Angkors of Cambodia ... so if the Ancient Kingdoms is in your bucket list... I would recommend to do it sooner than later.
OAT provided an excellent service in all the many aspects of the trip (accommodations, meals at excellent local restaurants, local guides in each countries and excellent opportunities for total immersion in each country.) We traveled in early September and the weather was not an impediment at all to enjoy the sight in each country. I actually enjoyed traveling in the low season... made my discoveries more intimate.
Reviewed Oct. 15, 2024
This trip to Egypt for me was epic reality… brought to life for me all the things I had read about and dreamed about Egypt! I am still thinking about the places, the people, the history, the experiences. Our guides were fantastic, experts on Egyptian history, traditions, culture, art, architecture and all things Egyptian. We traveled back in time with the spectacular pyramids, fabulous temples, and the magical river Nile. The Abu Simbel temple was spectacular, the camel ride was a special treat. The “day in the life” home visits made it so personal. The crew and boat Nefertiti and hotel accommodations were perfect. I have fallen in love with Egypt and I am so grateful to OAT and our guide Ossama for giving me this opportunity. This was a learning and living adventure of a lifetime! Thank you OAT!
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2024
OAT Backroads of Portugal/Spain: Guide was energetic, warm, inclusive of all members of the group, and informative throughout. She brought extra memorable experiences that greatly enhanced the travel. Backroads was just what we had hoped as it took us into smaller more intimate villages with cultural experiences that would have been hard to replicate on our own. Especially enjoyed the Lisbon family dinner and surprise contacts with variety of artisans and professionals along the way. It was far more than simply visiting an interesting site since we had exchanges with local residents who offered personal insights into local community life. Large cities can often be explored independently, whereas Backroads introduced us to lesser known historical/cultural locales. Highly recommend.
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2024
My husband and I had a wonderful experience traveling to Morocco with a friend from church. From the beginning we had access to the company for questions and concerns before the trip. The pre itinerary was helpful as, of course, was the final booklet with each day described in detail. Our Travel Experience Leader, Aziz, was a gem. He was knowledgeable, resourceful, eager to help in any way possible and most accommodating to our individual needs. There was a medical emergency during the first few days of our group's time together and he needed to help find a doctor, which he did as well as re assure all of us that things were well in hand and that we would meet up with our fellow travelers when the emergency was resolved.
During this entire time he kept his cool and made sure we were enjoying our time together. He helped to create a "family" of caring and fun people out of a group of complete strangers. Aziz respected our individual abilities and interests. He made sure there was time for socializing and processing what we had experienced each day. He is a consummate leader and a most worthy guide of the country he so loves.
Each stop we made was of great interest. We visited with a sheep herder while tending his flock. We chatted with a young woman who invited us into her home for freshly baked bread and mint tea. Our "home" visits were well planned and most enjoyable. It was a pleasure having a more in-depth visit with a family from Fez. The medinas, though noisy, were a rich experience encountering the vendors preparing, then selling, their wares. The itinerary was a source of great information: how folks live in the cities, small towns and out in the tribal lands.
Our driver, Abdul, handled the roads with patience and grace. He worked well with Aziz to ensure our baggage and ourselves were well taken care of. We appreciated the mix of accommodations: efficient city hotels, quaint guest houses and luxury hotels with a pool for cooling off on hot days. After our sixteen day trip... I must admit, it was hard to say good bye to our new friends, Aziz and Abdul, and the lovely country of Morocco. Kathy and John
Reviewed Oct. 13, 2024
This was our first trip to South America and our 2nd with OAT. It was so wonderful. Our guide was so knowledgeable and we saw and did so much. The travel was well planned and there was always time to take a break or rest before the next event. I really appreciate that they do not have long amount of times in buses. They plan each day with that in mind. If you read the daily itinerary that they publish it is very accurate with many add on which make the trip even better. We will definitely travel with OAT again. Also we spent two days at Machu Picchu where most trip only spend a few hours one day.
Reviewed Oct. 12, 2024
On the 4th anniversary of my husband’s passing, I embarked on a spiritual pilgrimage to Machu Picchu—a place he had always dreamed of visiting but never had the chance to go. Beginning in Miraflores (Lima), I also explored the Sacred Valley and took a post-trip to Lake Titicaca. During the journey, I attended a Shaman-led healing ceremony, visited a hummingbird sanctuary, and took a boat ride to the floating islands. There were so many other highlights that I can’t fully capture them all, but suffice it to say—the entire trip was incredible. The elevations at Lake Titicaca were challenging but manageable. While I didn’t need any altitude medication, a nasal spray would have been helpful for the dryness. I understand that OAT has no control over this, but the bus lines to and from Machu Picchu were quite long—though, as long as the weather held, it provided a good opportunity to bond with fellow travelers.
A few in our group struggled with the inclines at some of the sites, but it didn’t cause any delays since our guides were very attentive to their needs. If I had a suggestion it would be a greater variety for the plated meals…there was always a grilled chicken and a trout (tastes like salmon) option but sometimes not much more. We had pizza one night and it was a great alternative! Our guide, René, was attentive and always available. Great experience!
Reviewed Oct. 11, 2024
What a great trip! I loved everything about it—the interesting history, the Berber roots and architecture, the crossroads of cultures and learning the history of occupation over the millennia, the desert and its culture and economy, Tunisia’s profound efforts at democratization, the people and their work and their homes, the interesting and fun accommodations, the political geography, and not to mention our competent, well-informed, kind, patient, and joyful trip leader, Mohamed. I’m so glad for this experience!
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2024
Petra ** is the best TEL we have had in 30 years of traveling with OAT. (Well, Stephen in Thailand is equally good.) When we told her we were arriving in Zagreb three days early she quickly filled us with tips about sites in the area, restaurants, and day trips. When she heard from another couple they, too, were coming in early and wanted to do a day trip to Lake Bled, Petra connected the four of us and lined up a terrific driver and car for the wonderful day trip north. Petra has worked with OAT for a dozen years up and down the Dalmatian Coast. She knows all the cities and even helped me find an appropriate hearing aid shop in Athens. That's above and beyond being a typical trip leader. We send our many thanks.
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2024
I have been travelling with Overseas Adventure Travel and I have absolutely no complaints about this company. They are thorough in their research of where they take you and it is all very, very safe. In their tours, we experience the daily life of families and villages and speak to the locals like you can never do on a regular tour. You actually get a feel for the country you are visiting and their inhabitants. It is a wonderful experience. I highly recommend this company for your travels.
Reviewed Oct. 8, 2024
WE went to Peru and the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu with a great group of 13 fellow travelers. The tour guide was amazing, spectacular, knowledgeable and very kind. Had a wonderful holiday and adventure in peru!!!
Reviewed Oct. 7, 2024
This was my 2nd trip OAT. The value and the life experiences plus the humanitarian efforts this travel company does are really great. You can beat the value offered, the experiences and the very detailed itinerary books with your name for personalization. I will continue to use this company.
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2024
This trip took me to many interesting small towns, starting in the beguiling Taormina, through the Aeolian islands, then across Calabria, Basilicata, and the charming towns of Puglia. I especially enjoyed Trani because the tourists have not yet discovered this delightful coastal town. Had a wonderful tour leader and fellow travelers.
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2024
This was my first time not doing a trip “on my own” and was so glad I chose OAT for all the planning. The bus with 16 was just right to get to know everyone and the tour guide Siggy had so many stories and insight into the country and its beauty and challenges. I thought it maybe wasn’t a great value but having been there I discovered everything is so expensive and it was a good deal. A few meals were not included but it was also nice to explore on our own yet there was a plan for most of the time. Being on a bus allowed us to get to so many beautiful places that would not be possible from a cruise ship. We also got to see the Northern Lights at the Daile horse farm and meet the family, horses and plant a tree each. Planning where to go next.
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2024
I have completed 11 trips with Overseas Adventure Travel and each trip surpasses the last. My trip to Egypt was no exception. My adventure started with a 7 day pre-trip to Jordan to witness the amazing Treasury at Petra. Mohammad W., our wonderful local OAT guide provided us in great detail with the history of Jordan and Petra. He guided us up rock trails that offered some of the best views of this amazing site. Once in Egypt we were witness to amazing temples, tombs and of course the great pyramid of Giza.
Attia, Our guide was by far the most knowledgeable guide on any OAT adventure I’ve ever taken. He lovingly shared the history of his beautiful country with us at every opportunity. Attia kept us totally engaged with stories of the Gods, Kings, Queens and Pharaohs. Our time on the dahabeya Amunet was magical. The crew was attentive to our every need and always willing to assist. I did this same OAT adventure in 2001 and was excited to be able to repeat it this time with my daughter. She was so impressed with her first OAT adventure that we both booked another OAT adventure while cruising on the Nile. Thank you OAT for the opportunity to make everlasting memories.
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2024
Really enjoyed the itinerary, our tour guide was excellent, and the food was good, but the accommodations in 3 of our 5 stays were not good. In our first hotel, there was black mold on the bathroom ceiling, and the A/C and safe didn't work. The third hotel room was tiny, there was no bathroom door, and the hotel staff was not equipped to handle our group. The worst accommodations were on the boat; the room smelled like sewage, was so tiny that there was no room for luggage, and the A/C didn't work. I ended up sleeping on the deck, with the staff, awkward! OAT needs to do better with accommodations!
Reviewed Sept. 30, 2024
Outstanding company with creative itineraries, great guides and unique experiences. I just completed my fourth trip with them. Most of my fellow travelers had done a dozen or more trips which says something. I've been to Algeria/Tunisia (wow!!), Baltics (Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Serbia and Slovenia) - unforgettable, Ireland and the Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Finland).
Well-located hotels, unique experiences off the beaten path, knowledgeable & personable guides, lots of contact with locals, include controversial topics with people who have first-hand experience. I've visited more than 55 countries over the years. This is my favorite company. However, it is not for people who want only "happy highlights", 5-star hotels and Michelin meals. Although I've experienced some incredible hotels and you can book a Michelin restaurant on your own. Their customer service has been outstanding in my experience. I definitely plan to take future trips with them.
Reviewed Sept. 28, 2024
My first trip with Oats was an excellent introduction. Sergio our guide was a historian who was proud & happy to share the details of his beloved Sicily. He took the time to be sure at each one of us was enjoying the experience. He entertained us with his stories and Sergio Radio. Each guide, day in the life experience & lunch family was carefully chosen to expand our understanding of beautiful Sicily. The itinerary was planned to provide exposure to a variety of different people and historical places. The food was excellent & I thoroughly enjoyed it. My only complaint related to the whispers. The earpieces were awful with constant static.
Reviewed Sept. 26, 2024
Our OAT trip in Ireland was well planned and organized with a wide variety of experiences, fun bus rides, education and history. Most days had OAT experiences with local people, exhibits, food, and time to explore on our own. We especially cherished the controversial topics panel and discussion as it filled in gaps in our understanding. Our taxi driver in Belfast was passionate about his observations of the troubles and life in Belfast since then. It was clear as he bantered with other taxi drivers that they shared different opinions but still laughed and supported each other. There is hope for the future of Belfast! We never tired of looking at the rolling hills, ruins, lakes, and rivers as we drove about. Also loved all the fairies and folk lore! Our trip leaders were awesome!
Reviewed Sept. 26, 2024
Cross Roads of the Adriatic was exceptional! Having returned only days ago, I can say that the memories of these countries, the people I met and the experiences we shared will be long remembered. The trip was well planned, the local guides were all exceptional and our "adventures" reflected the culture and history of each specific area. One might say that choosing a favorite is like choosing your favorite child - you can't. What I will carry with me from this experience is the genuine friendliness of my fellow travelers, the resilience and spirit of the people from war torn countries and the obvious beauty of this part of the world. Each day was an adventure, with sufficient time to explore on my own, or to sit with a coffee and people watch! Two home hosted visits provided in intimate settings provided time with families who shared their stories, daily life and dreams. And, the meals and specialty desserts were delicious!
Reviewed Sept. 24, 2024
My wife and I enjoyed a great experience with OAT in Turkey. The accommodations were good, the food was wonderful and the sights were fantastic. All of the connections were smooth and on time. We got to spend time with local families and enjoyed meals with them in their homes. We took the options of a balloon ride and a visit to the whirling dervishes which were well worth it. Best of all was our guide, Ersin. He was knowledgeable about the history and politics of Turkey. He was funny, patient, helpful, and always upbeat. He made the trip special.
Reviewed Sept. 24, 2024
Although we had been on 20 trips with OAT and I had never had any major problems I was upset with them before the trip began by their lack of ability to inform us of basic travel knowledge. Their trip information said extra pages could be needed in your passport. Extra is a fairly nebulous amount of pages so I didn't think anything of what that meant.
2 1/2 weeks before the trip I reread the travel handbook (which we hadn't received until less than a month before the trip) and decided to see how many blank pages I had. I had 2 blank pages and 1/2 of a third. My husband suggested that I call OAT to clarify how many pages needed to be blank. I was told 5 blank pages and when I said what if I don't have that many pages. I was told that I couldn't go on the trip. $800 dollars later and with a lot of trips made back and forth plus a whole lot of anxiety, I received a new passport. At the end of the trip I had 2 stamps on 1/2 of a page. I called OAT to complain and was told in so many words that they went on the information they were given. Whatever that means. After so many trips with them. I am very disappointed in how this was handled.
Reviewed Sept. 23, 2024
Happy, our trip leader for Karongwe Private Game Reserve and Britto, our trip leader for Ultimate Africa, created a positive group travel environment and provided the opportunity for cultural exchanges at every location. Britto sent us detailed pre-trip emails that were informative and helpful. The drivers at each location were professional and highly competent at tracking and knowledgeable on local animals, plants, birds and insects. The camp staff were welcoming and made every effort to accommodate special requests. The entire trip was a positive experience and an enjoyable adventure.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2024
I booked a trip to a part of Italy I had never seen. It was beautiful and wonderful. I loved the city called Lucca which has a wall all around it. We walked the streets, saw several museums and a concert.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2024
We have traveled a number of times with Overseas Adventure Travel and always had an amazing excellent time. The trip to Northern Italy is no exception and exceeded my expectations in the most positive way. I would take this trip again especially if we had the same trip leader, Daniele **. He really helped make this trip special.
Reviewed Sept. 21, 2024
This was our 2nd trip with OAT and once again they surpassed our expectations. Our trip leader, a local Zimbabwean, Gugu, was fantastic. He managed the transitions between countries and parks fluently. Each camp we visited with had excellent guides, staff and accommodations. The food was amazing. The cultural experiences, a key differentiator of OAT trips, were wonderful from an in depth village visit, a home hosted dinner, and talks with locals on controversial and learning topics.
Reviewed Sept. 20, 2024
Carolina ** was amazing as a trip leader. She added so many discoveries. She was always prepared and pleasant. This trip was a great way to see Portugal and Spain. Loved every minute. Our accommodations were so interesting.
Reviewed Sept. 19, 2024
This was an amazing, interesting, adventurous and informative experience. OAT took us deep in the culture and lifestyle of the Tanzanian both traditional and non traditional lifestyle under a very safe, comfortable and fun style. Tour leader was knowledgeable, caring, professional who went out of his way to make the trip as we expected and more. The camp part of it is unforgettable. Their accommodations were top of the line. Just the best.
Reviewed Sept. 18, 2024
The entire ship crew were so incredibly accommodating, always pleasant, eager to assist, and very enthusiastic! They provided us with evening entertainment and many laughs. The food was amazing and prepared with local cuisine with many choices, excellently prepared!
This trip certainly exceeded our expectations, thanks to our fabulous guide, Kruno, who provided us with so much knowledge of each place we visited. We learned of the war with Serbia & how the war affected the citizens of Croatia and their current livelihood. On our bus rides, he would give us the history of the area and answer numerous questions. When there was down time, or our own exploring time, he would offer to take us to different places he thought would be of interest to our group. He never stopped educating us throughout the entire journey, and was a wealth of information wherever we were. It was very obvious he loved what he does. We were guests at a home hosted dinner, enjoying the wonderful local cuisine and learning more about their culture. This was an adventure that will bring us a lifetime of wonderful memories!
Reviewed Sept. 15, 2024
Wonderful trip with beautiful mountains, wonderful food, and a fabulous trip leader. My husband’s favorite experience was in Chamonix, France where we watched climbers in various stages of climbing Mount Blanc. I loved our time actually hiking. In Bolzano, Italy we rode a train and a gondola past farm fields and small communities high up in the mountains before hiking thru the woods. In San Candido, Italy we took a ski lift gondola up before again hiking. We even picked wild blueberries and also saw sheep dogs herding sheep into a temporary pen near us.
Hotels were in central locations and quite nice. San Candido we had a delightful bed and breakfast with quirky rooms decorated in assorted themes from the owners’ travels. Included meals on the trip were expansive with often a very large starter course, entree, and dessert. Towards the end of the trip we learned to share a dessert or a starter. I had the best risotto and polenta I have ever tasted, in addition to foods new to me. We experienced a home hosted meal in a small group so we could see what local life was like. We also visited a very remote summer farm run by a young woman who is a cheese maker. Some of us did a cooking class in Biella where we made a starter, fresh ravioli, and sandwich cookies.
The Dolomites are gorgeous, as is Lake Braies. Probably my least favorite portion of the trip was the time in Lugano. It was more urban than I prefer although still beautiful. There was a lot of construction nearby so it was also a noisy town. Weather was quite good for our August/September trip. We only had one day where rain impacted us. Even at the top of Aiguille du Midi it wasn’t cold or windy. Our trip leader commented that the June trip had been unseasonably cold. There is quite a bit of walking on the trip, so do prepare in order to get the most out of it. There were always options for people to be more or less active. We rode a lot of gondolas of varied types, sizes, and crowds. If you are afraid of heights, this is not a good trip for you. I highly recommend the trip!
Reviewed Sept. 11, 2024
From the very first flight, my OAT experience, visiting northern Britain Lake country, Wales and Scotland was totally delightful! This was my very first OAT trip and it will be the first of many to come. First of all, I had OAT make all my plane reservations and everything was perfect. I had the best seats and coordinated flights. So when our tour leader, Maya **, sent me welcoming emails, I become enthusiastic about the upcoming trip. And when I met Maya, I found her to be the ideal tour leader: friendly, very knowledgeable and always making sure every detail was graciously taken care of. And the local experts at our various sites were so interesting and impressive. I especially appreciated the fact that we stayed for several nights at each of the hotels: so nice to spend 3 nights in one spot!
Whoever planned the locations we visited on this tour should be congratulated: we saw so many fabulous sights and met great people. And the farm visit was so very, very enjoyable as was the dinner in the home of a delightful host. Interestingly, people I talked with before the Scotland trip warned me that “it will rain all the time”. We had one day of rain! Just enough to see why the country is so very green and beautiful. I have read that OAT wants these tours to be educational as well as enjoyable. This tour accomplished those objectives in spades! Bravo,

Reviewed Sept. 8, 2024
I recently returned from an unforgettable 15-day journey through Sicily, and I'm still reeling from the incredible experiences and knowledge gained along the way. Our expert team leader, Dario, was the catalyst for this transformative adventure, expertly guiding our group through the island's rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the ancient Greek ruins of Agrigento to the baroque splendor of Ragusa and the stunning natural beauty of the Aeolian Islands, every day was a discovery. Dario brought each site to life with insightful commentary, weaving together threads of history, art, and architecture that deepened our understanding and appreciation of this captivating island.
But what truly set this tour apart was Dario’s passion, expertise, and dedication. His ability to balance information with engagement made even the most complex historical contexts accessible and fascinating. The group's enthusiasm and camaraderie, fostered by his warm and inclusive leadership style, turned fellow travelers into fast friends. If you're seeking a travel experience that combines exploration, education, and inspiration, look no further. This Sicily tour, offered by Overseas Adventure Travel is an unparalleled opportunity to delve into the heart of Italy's most enchanting island. Be prepared for breathtaking scenery, delectable cuisine, and unforgettable lessons that will stay with you long after you leave Sicily's shores.
Reviewed Sept. 7, 2024
A wonderful adventure! It began with the pre-trip to Westmans island. Our guide Hinrik couldn’t have been more knowledgeable, helpful and funny. A special treat was the home hosted dinner with a couple who lived through the 1973 eruption as teenagers. And our driver and island guide Alfreo also a teenager at the time, made the history of the eruption come alive. And we delighted in rescuing the pufflings (young puffins). This pretrip is a must! Then on to the mainland and off to the “Golden Circle” — another unbelievable display of nature.
I can’t decide which was my favorite: whale watching way up north near the Arctic Circle— amazing, the tech tonic rift — unbelievable; the many gorgeous waterfalls — beyond description…and the list continues. I can’t leave out the warm, friendly people we were introduced to day after day. Accommodations were very nice at times and understandably spartan on a few occasions. I was disappointed, however, with our last hotel in Reykjavik. For Iceland’s capital city, it was woefully lacking. And I was disappointed that that wine was not often included with dinners. But I must give an A+ to jHinrik, our guide, as well as our drivers. And A++ to the Land of Fire and Ice —spectacular!
Reviewed Sept. 1, 2024
The Ultimate Africa Trip was an amazing experience. The wildlife was incredible! Everyday brought a new fantastic experience. We saw on 3 different occasions prides of lions feeding on their kill, a mother cheetah with her 4 cubs, herds of elephants bathing in their Waterhouse and a pack of 40 wild dogs and their puppies. Truly a wildlife lovers paradise. We also experienced the African culture by visiting a remote village, having dinner in a local person's home, visiting an African marketplace and more. I highly recommend that you put this trip on your bucketlist!
Reviewed Aug. 30, 2024
After making a reservation and submitting a deposit for a tour, I thought I had locked in the quoted price. They offer deep discounts for advanced payment, but I opted to wait until the payment due date, understanding that there would be no pre-payment discounts. The final payment due date is in late October 2024 for a trip commencing in January 2025. I received a letter in early August advising that the price of our trip had increased by $200 per person. The letter went on to say that I we paid in full by August 30, 2024, they would waive the price increase. This seems to me to be a breach of trust. The reason a deposit is required in advance is to protect the company, but I would think also to protect the consumer by locking in the quoted price. At no time did the agent who took my reservation mention that the price was subject to change.
This sort of thing has never happened to us on Rick Steves Tours, or on Wilderness Adventure Travel tours. It did not happen on any of the three previous OAT tours we took. But OAT is doing this now. They have a new CEO who seems to be more financially oriented than customer oriented. Bottom line: don't trust the price they quote you when you make your reservation and pay the deposit. They feel entitled to change the price and terms at will.

The recent price adjustment was unfortunately necessary due to the rising costs of goods and services that affect many aspects of travel, such as transportation, accommodations, and operations.
Reviewed Aug. 29, 2024
I recently took a trip to Peru with a post extension to trip Lake Titicaca. This was my fourth trip with OAT. There are many reasons why I keep coming back to OAT. First of all, I love the small group size (15 this time), as well as the itineraries which always include interesting cultural experiences and discussions. Narrowing down to this particular trip: Peru exceeded my expectations: the stunning archeological sites, the natural beauty and above all the interactions with a great variety of local people, getting a snapshot of their daily lives. This trip was a bit more challenging at times than my previous trips but very doable especially since our trip leader, Manual paid careful attention to the abilities and capacities of each of us.
The busses were comfortable (shout-out to the drivers, who did a great job). The hotels ranged from good to excellent and were mostly in very good locations. Our meals were delicious and plentiful, giving us a taste of the local cuisine. Hotel personnel were without exception friendly, welcoming and helpful. The local guides were very good as well.
The trip leaders on all of my trips have been great and our trip leader, Manuel, on this Peru trip was no exception. He was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and most days had a lovely unexpected surprise in store for us. I was impressed with the level of care and planning that must have gone on behind the scenes, making each and every day even better… Manuel made it look so easy. It was apparent that our group leader genuinely enjoyed making this a great experience for us. It definitely was a great trip for me!
Reviewed Aug. 27, 2024
I just returned from an OAT trip to South Africa, and had an extraordinary time. Our group leader, Blessing Muchenje, was sensational. He was knowledgeable, kind, and infinitely patient. We visited Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana. Camped in lovely accommodations in National Parks and saw a variety of animals during our exciting early morning and evening drives., and river cruises. The folks at every one of the campsites could not have been more helpful. Our tour guides at each campsite were also stellar. My favorite part of the trip was meeting with families and children at an elementary school and at a homestead we visited in Zimbabwe. I learned much about the life and culture of the people living in the three countries from the many folks who presented talks during our stay. Joining a gracious family at their home in Victoria Falls for dinner was a highlight of the trip for me and something I will never forget.
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2024
Goodluck, our trip leader, excelled throughout the journey, ensuring a memorable experience for everyone. The carefully planned itinerary allowed us to witness a wide variety of animals while on safari, creating memories we will cherish forever. All the sightings were incredible, but the one that stands out the most is the cheetah and her two cubs. Seeing a cheetah is rare, but seeing one with cubs is extraordinary. The excitement that Goodluck displayed when spotting the cheetah and her cubs was truly memorable and added to the thrill of the moment.
All the planned experiences were exceptional. The unplanned experiences were also exceptional, and this is what I want to focus on. I'm sure that I won't be able to list all of them, but here goes. Stopping on the side of the road for ice cream brought a sweet and unexpected treat to our day. Going 4x4ing in a cart pulled by four donkeys was an exhilarating experience that none of us saw coming. Eating rice and beans in the market provided a taste of authentic local cuisine, adding depth to our cultural immersion.
Stopping to take pictures of young boys who had just caught catfish—an impromptu glimpse into their daily lives. Another was when we pulled a young boy off the street to offer manicures, a fun and unique experience that even led to me getting one myself. We also made an impromptu stop to see a hairdresser taking out someone's extensions, offering a candid look into local life. These unplanned experiences added an extra layer of richness to the trip, and I would be remiss if I didn't mention them in this survey. They turned an already incredible journey into something truly extraordinary.
Meeting the Maasai people was a wonderful experience, marked by their warmth and welcoming nature. We had the privilege of meeting the chief and his four wives, and we learned that he has an extensive family with 26 children and 43 grandchildren. The chief's first wife, who was the one we interacted with the most, graciously showed us her home. We also visited the home of her first son and his wife, which was noticeably more advanced, featuring two bedrooms, a living room with three couches, and even electricity.
A particularly delightful moment was watching the Maasai children play. They ingeniously used round plastic circles from soda and water bottles, sliding sticks in the dirt, trying to get the stick through the circle. On the other end, they competed to get closest to a drawn line without going over. They also entertained themselves by rolling tires, a simple yet joyful activity. We then had the opportunity to work with a Maasai woman on beading projects. Each of us created something different, which made the experience unique and personal. The women were incredibly patient, guiding us through the process and ensuring our success. As we were finishing up our beading, we heard some intriguing sounds, which turned out to be Maasai young men dancing and chanting. We were soon drawn into this vibrant and energetic experience, and our amazing trip leader recorded it, giving us a priceless memory to cherish.
To wrap up the day, we went shopping, where Maasai women displayed their hand-made items. We were encouraged to purchase as much or as little as we wanted, and many of us chose to buy the item we had been beading, or at least what it was going to become. The entire experience was deeply enriching and left a lasting impression on all of us. A truly extraordinary trip that I highly recommend to anyone who wants to learn about the amazing people and see their beautiful animals.

Reviewed Aug. 18, 2024
My wife and I recently took a safari vacation with OAT to Southern Africa. It was wonderful and surpassed all of our expectations. We had a great group of 10 of us. My wife and I have traveled extensively. We both agree that Blessing was the best tour guide we have ever had. Hands down! He made sure we made all of the flights and accommodations were perfect. He also was the most knowledgeable of any tour guide that we have ever had. He went above and beyond at every opportunity.
We loved the lecture series that OAT presented at each country. Also enjoyed the local guides and their knowledge as well. We also had the pleasant surprise to have future trip leader join us, Nyellie. She is a delight and will make a great trip leader. We wish her the best. We highly recommend this trip and OAT to our friends.
Regards,Marty and Mary Lou **
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2024
Review of Norway, Lapland & Finland OAT. This was our first trip with OAT and we were delighted! We’ve traveled with other tour companies on river trips, ocean trips, inland passage to Alaska, etc. and they were all wonderful. This trip with OAT outshined them all! First and foremost was the presence of the Experience Leader, Nancy **, a native of Norway, who spoke the most excellent and easily understood American English.
She accompanied us throughout the trip from our arrival from the airport at the hotel in Oslo, to our departure to the airport from the hotel in Helsinki. She is delightful, sharing her stories, knowledge of Norwegian culture, behavior, customs and norms, guidance and support all along the way. No concern was too small, nor a bother. Everything was responded to, often immediately, and solved, resolved, adjusted, corrected, fixed, as necessary. She was a “mother hen”, not in an obtrusive way, but the kind of respectful concierge one would love to have access to - when needed.
Then there were the “experiences” scheduled in the trip itself. Just a list of them is insufficient to convey the depth of connection we felt with the countries and cultures through which we traveled. For instance, a sheep farm and conversation with Mr. & Mrs. farmer and their young adult son, learning about the economics and practicalities of living and farming in a small rural valley, sheep and predators, and the relationships of farmers with the Norwegian government polices versus European Union policies. A mind-expanding exposure with delightful people.
A similar eye-opening experience during a visit to a reindeer “farm” and the Sami (**) family that lived that life, working at maintaining and expanding their Sami heritage while living in this evolving “modern” world with cell phones and snowmobiles. And a visit for a home cooked dinner with a “regular” Finn family (far above the Arctic Circle) in their modern house and the opportunity to explore how life there is, and why they choose to continue to live there when they have so many other opportunities. I could go on and on, but let me conclude by saying that I, not exactly a reluctant traveler, but one with other priorities, found this to be so enjoyable, so engaging and expanding, beyond any of my previous interests. Thank you, OAT, for your part in this enjoyable and comfortable growth.
Steve & Kate **

Reviewed Aug. 2, 2024
I just completed my 11th trip with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) and as always, it was a fantastic, once in a lifetime adventure. I always research other companies and compare itineraries, and always come back to OAT. Their level of service, expert trip leaders, fantastic itineraries and inclusions can’t be beat! I already have three more adventures booked.

Reviewed July 30, 2024
Too much time was allotted to these countries. We saw Old Towns in each and they were very similar. It’s a beautiful area however. The food was good, prices very reasonable and the people traveling were very compatible. Your projected temperatures were way off and it was very hot until we got to Slovenia. However, Our guide Kruno was terrific! When it came to my health - I had a very bad virus - OAT was not at all helpful. They are not client-oriented where money is concerned and were very rigid in what little they would do. I don’t think I will travel with them again because of that.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. While we’re glad to hear you enjoyed the beauty of the region, the company of your fellow travelers, and the great work of your guide, Kruno, we’re truly sorry to hear that parts of your experience didn’t meet your expectations.
We appreciate the time and effort providing us feedback it will help us improve our services. We do hope you will give us another opportunity to provide you with the experience we are known for.
Reviewed July 27, 2024
We travel frequently with Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) and many travelers have commented that they considered the Ultimate Africa trip their best one. We completely understand now why they did. It is now our favorite trip, too. The opportunities we experienced to see the animals in their natural habitat and see them live, was extraordinary. Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, elephants, rhino, giraffes, Cape buffalo, many types of antelopes, beautiful birds, and more. Many of our encounters were within feet of the animals. We are truly blessed to have had this trip and will treasure the memories forever.

Reviewed July 23, 2024
My daughter and I booked and paid for an OAT trip to Rwanda this October. The trip includes a strenuous jungle hike at an altitude of 7,000 to 9,000 ft. visiting gorillas. Being 80 years old I sought assurance from OAT that the steep fee for the gorilla day would be refunded to me if I were not able to take part in this hike. I was assured by e-mai in the event that I could not participate in the one-day outing (black on white in my computer files) that the amount would be refunded. My decision to proceed with the booking was predicated on that assurance. Now OAT is denying the refund even though I have their e-mail in my files. I communicated with six individual in the call center and no one was willing to help, one after the other telling me to call someone else.
Over the years I have been on six OAT trips and have referred three friend who then enjoyed their own exotic OAT trips. I wrote glowing reviews of the excellent Boston staff, the trips themselves and the always highly qualified trip leaders. After every trip I told my friends how great the trip was and that I would definitely recommend OAT to them. This is the first time I feel being treated dishonorably. I feel duped. I received a written representation from OAT on the basis of which I booked the trip. The representation now turns out to be a misrepresentation. It will be hard for me recommend OAT to my fellow travelers given this disappointing experience. Fred **. Chicago.

Dear Fred, we are sorry to learn of your experience. Would you email us at request@oattravel.com. We can look into this further for you.
Reviewed July 19, 2024
Our guide, Manik was amazingly good. He was very knowledgeable and explain things clearly. He was always ready to respond to our requests. What I really enjoyed about this trip where there were many opportunities to instead of going to the typical tourist (traps) locations we did many visits way out in the countryside one on one with very interesting people. Monique was probably one of the best guides we’ve ever had! The trip to Borneo to see the Hans was one of the highlights of the trip. We were a little disappointed by Jakarta, probably partly because one of the major attractions, the museum, was closed. It’s a very large city, very hot and getting around on your own is not easy. The scooter trip in JoJakarta or some thing I will never forget. The size of the group was perfect and the camaraderie amongst its members excellent.
Reviewed July 17, 2024
I just got back from, “The Aegean Islands, Athens and Istanbul” trip. Our guide, Ifigenia **, was outstanding. Her archaeological background, Ancient Greek Mythology and Greek Orthodox knowledge was very impressive and added so much to the sites that we visited. Her wit and her ability to tell a great made the trip so memorable! Thanks Iffy!
Reviewed July 15, 2024
When we booked our original Delta flights in October 2023, OAT told us all our Delta upgrades to premium economy were covered by the $4,904 “customized air cost” on our invoice, which we paid in full in 3/21/24. When Delta cancelled two of our flights & we booked alternative flights offered by OAT, no one mentioned we would owe more money. We continued to get invoices showing we were paid in full. After receiving a surprising past due notice/invoice for $2,426, we talked with OAT on 3/29/24. We were told we should NOT be charged any additional fees, as it was Delta who canceled our flights, not because we chose to book alternatives.
Later on 4/2/24, OAT contacted us to see if we wanted to switch to American Airlines. We told OAT we needed to think about it for a few hours, and coordinate with spouse and our travel companion. Of course, we didn’t want to have different international flights than our friend. That evening someone apparently deleted our Delta flights and replaced them with American without our consent or knowledge. When there’s a pending change to our flights, OAT normally sends a “heads up” letter/email and lists alternatives on OAT's MyPlanner database, but that did not happen in this case.
After many hours on the phone with various OAT representatives, we were told it would cost an additional $3,406 to rebook the same exact flights we had the day before that were PAID IN FULL in March 2024. We truly believe we should NOT need to pay anything to restore those Delta flights that were mysteriously deleted, since we had already PAID IN FULL $4,904 extra for premium seats. Because we want to be on the same flights as our friend, we paid OAT an additional $3,406 on 4/1 to restore the same Delta flights we had a few days earlier.
The invoice amounts continued to change and were not consistent; we received several “paid in full” invoices just before we received balance due invoices. We were looking forward to this trip, but this “financial surprise” is setting a very negative tone and impacting our health. We are very unhappy about all these extra charges since we were paid in full back in March. We believe we were victims of OAT’s errors & miscommunications. We believe OAT owes us $3,406, as we were totally fine with the Delta flights we had until April 2, when those flights were replaced by American flights without our knowledge or consent. Beware of OAT airline services; we recommend booking your own flights!! OAT does not take responsibility for their actions, and their error became our cost.

Hello, we are sorry to learn of your experience. Would you please email us at request@oattravel.com. We can look into the situation further for you.
Reviewed July 14, 2024
I wrote out an extremely detailed trip to Iceland and Greenland using OAT but it disappeared, and I can't get it back. I'm going to give a condensed version. If possible, take the pre and post trip. If you can book just one extension, definitely take Greenland. We took the pre and post and wouldn't change a thing. Highlights included the Westman Islands volcano eruption of 1973 and a home hosted dinner with a couple who lived it in their teens. It's pretty rugged with uneven pathways and we had cold rain daily but I still happy we went there. Hotel was comfy. breakfast was minimal at best. We dined on Lamb and fish. Alcohol was provided only a few times. Wines were so-so but their local beers were great especially Viking and Gull. Prices were high. We didn't see any happy hours until the mainland.
Took a ferry to the mainland. Most everything we saw was incredibly beautiful. Highlights included a day in the life of an Icelandic Horse Farm which came with a really good dinner and breakfast. I wish we had another night there because there was so much to see. Additionally, there was The Blue Lagoon (you Won't want to miss that!! It wasn't until the being at the bar that I found out they sold waterproof covers for cell phones. I suggest getting one for some fun photos), gorgeous waterfalls one of which we took an easy walk up behind it, a big-wheel truck to get ice from a glacier to put in a bit of vodka, Herring Era Museum (seriously it was very interesting).
Others was a wool studio which was kind of okay if you're into that which we weren't although it was informative. A tour of a geothermal power plant was more interesting than we thought it would be. There was a trip to a national park where they had hot springs and walked around where the earth was opening up. Volcano steam and hot spots were around. Again, free drinks were few, including soft drinks and tea, but happy hours began at 3:00-6:00. Food was pretty good lamb and lots of wonderful fish. They seem to like chocolate because most every dessert was chocolate cake, etc. Once our tour guide noticed she gave the few of us a different choice.
Clothing-wise we took heavy rain jackets, a regular warm down jacket, rain pants other lightweight pants, hats and gloves that we used in Antarctica. I used a pair of lightweight warm snow boots, tennis shoes and a pair of sturdy all-weather boot type warm shoes. I should have brought a warm scarf too because of the wind. Be prepared for drenching rain and wind. But then the sun will come out and everything's right by the world again.
Greenland was Incredible! From riding to the top of a mountain which had been a navy base during WWII to celebrate the 4th of July to boating around icebergs and actually docking to one very large one for photos and snowball fights. Whale watching ended up just a fun boat ride, but we followed a whale during the iceberg ride. The villages were eye opening to the effects global warming was having with securing enough food for the winter months. A small museum was wonderful. The food was impressive for being in such a small area. The lodging was really basic with two separate small beds and a tiny shower, but the experience was the best.
Our tour guide Gudrun ** was a perfect guide. She seemed to know everything, and if she didn't, she would have the answer within minutes. Her enthusiasm was infectious as were her stories. We would go on another trip with her in a heartbeat! Also, our driver on the Westman Islands was very good with his memories of the 1973 volcanic eruption and life on the island. And our driver throughout Iceland was Terrific. If I was having trouble zipping my jacket he was right there. The same with procuring sunblock and shoehorns. He was very informative and should receive points for his service. We've been on several OAT trips and Iceland/Greenland is one of our favorites!
Reviewed July 14, 2024
The trip was more than I could have imagined. Our trip leaders Myk and Abe were as attentive and generous and smart and delightful and fun and funny and listened and delivered and captured our love. ❤️ We will be doing another Africa trip but also looking at other OAT trips. Best value. Best itinerary and best care.
Reviewed July 13, 2024
Ultimate Africa - what an amazing trip! Far exceeded my expectations. The lodges were comfortable with great service and wonderful food. Our tour leader, Lucky, was the utmost professional. OAT provided us with a cultural-rich experience, in addition to all the animals and parks we visited. We met a lot of Africans, young and old, and had many discussions about the people, economy, education and culture. I never wanted to leave.
Reviewed July 13, 2024
We took OAT's Sicily tour titled: Sicily's Ancient Landscapes & Timeless Traditions. It was the third of three separate tours we took this summer with different tour companies. As a result we were a little tired and my wife was in slight pain from an earlier fall while travelling. The tour as advertised involves a lot of walking as the tour includes many activities and sites. Although an island, Sicily has been ruled by many civilizations that have left their mark in the form of structures and art all available to visit. Most of what remains today to be seen is Roman and Medieval.
Our guide was very attentive, knowledgeable, punctual, and a little preachy. The tour has been a fixture for OAT for years and the guides and subcontractors for the various venues and activities are well trained and perform their parts. Sicily itself is a little rundown compared to other European countries. There is a lot of deferred maintenance on infrastructure and trash collection and clean-up are a little spotty but this is offset by the proliferation of ancient venues that don't exist is some of the more economically advantaged European countries. I think this fact is acknowledged by the European Union as they are dedicating funds to preserve and maintain various venues that might not occur if left to Sicily due to other priorities. The detailed itinerary provided by OAT lists all the venues and activities included in this tour and all are worthwhile. I was particularly impressed with the venues with artwork done in mosaic.
Reviewed July 10, 2024
We have traveled quite a bit - 3 times to South Africa, but this was our first time with OAT (Overseas Adventure Travel). We were very impressed by how everything was taken care of, even the smallest of details. I was concerned about how we’d fit everything we’d need into the duffle bags provided. However, they are very well made. It was amazing how much they held, and we were well within our weight limit. Laundry service at the camps really helped keep our luggage size down.
The staff at the various camps always went above and beyond to make the trip exceptional. The weather was perfect and the ‘Bush babies’ the camps provided were the perfect way to take the chill off us. The camps and animals we saw got better with each one, however, I’d suggest having the Eco Friendly one (Mababe) toward the beginning of the trip as it was more basic than the others, but very interesting how they utilize everything to save the environment. (The camp tour was a great addition!) In their large restroom by the lodge, an improvement would be to put a divider in it and have 2 toilets as there was always a line when getting ready for game rides. Our favorite was Baobab 2 Camp in the Chobe National Park. Watching all the animals from our tent verandas, the lodge deck and especially the bathrooms there with a large opening to observe the wildlife while taking care of business was a lot of fun.
Our tour leader, Thompson did an outstanding job, and was so professional. He seemed to handle situations that arose effortlessly so no one missed out on anything, even when one of the bush planes was delayed. He always explained the schedule and let us know what to expect walking us thru the procedures for immigration, bus changes and other things that would be stressful on our own. We were definitely well fed with such a variety of food. Sundowners were a pleasant way to break up a game ride and end the day. A cake was presented for our friend's birthday with staff singing to him - What a nice bonus.
The tour wasn’t just about game rides, however, thus earning its name “Ultimate Africa”. There were talks on some days covering a variety of topics like basket making, poaching problems, the education crisis and other things in regard to these regions in Africa. We all enjoyed the school visit and talking with the children there. The village tour was enlightening and everyone was so friendly. Most were easy to understand and seemed eager to share their way of life. The Home-hosted dinner was very unique and it was interesting to learn the difference between living in a city vs a village. Our time there seemed to fly by and we were sad to see the night end. All in all, this was an excellent tour. At first we thought it was rather expensive, but after going there and realizing all the little details that were included, it was definitely money well spent. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in visiting the real Africa!
Reviewed July 7, 2024
Korea, Mongolia and the Gobi Desert were more than excellent, The Trip Leader is Damidaa ** was so knowledgeable to all the sites and towns in Mongolia and the Gobi Desert. I will recommend to anyone who desire to see the life of the Mongols. It was a great experience. My husband and I went all over the world (except when he died). I want to see the leftover of the world. This trip was very special but I am glad I went and the knowledge is outstanding. Korea was superb too. Visiting the DMZ was excellent and others Palaces. I would recommend to take the pre-trip too. Thank you for OAT to give me the opportunity to see these remote places.
Reviewed July 4, 2024
Our guide, Cian, had a vast knowledge about Ireland, the culture and places we visited. He was a wealth of knowledge and took the extra step to keep us informed about each place we visited in Ireland. Through his guidance and personal care, our trip was most memorable.
Reviewed July 1, 2024
I went on the Costa Rica: Wildlife and Tropical Landscapes in June, 2024 and it was a fantastic experience. We covered much of the country from the borders of Nicaragua and Panama to both Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea (through the Pre- and Post- trips). On the trip we experienced the County's rainforests and cloud forests, the Central Valley and beach communities and were able to observe the wildlife in all of these areas. Jeffry, our Program Director was exceptional. This was my first OAT experience; but it will not be my last. I just don't know how any other trip could top it.
Reviewed July 1, 2024
What a trip to Lima, Machu Picchu, Quito, the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos! An amazing adventure with a packed itinerary. Our trip leaders and tour guides/naturalist were outstanding -- informative, interesting, personable and caring. This is a rigorous trip without much down time. Even on unscheduled time, our trip leader planned great activities. Our trip leaders were available 25 hours a day for any issue that may arise. We would highly recommend this adventure for those in good physical shape.
Reviewed June 28, 2024
Educational, physically challenging, from warm to cold. Just wonderful trip. For me 17 flights, 2 wonderful guides. This trip has 3-4 star hotels centrally located. Way nicer than I ever stay. Starting in Tasmania I really learned about how the convicts were sent and built Australia. Then onto Australia from one end to center Ayer’s rock, in Outback, slept under stars. (Optional, no fee). Wore netting because all flies. Ate camel kangaroo and crocodile. Swam at barrier reef. Then onto Milford sound in New Zealand. Sheered sheep ate lamb (not gamie like in USA) Home hosted dinner. I did everything, I have a weak leg but with walking sticks did fine. We did it all and I am so glad I went with OAT. Not a inexpensive trip but first class.
Reviewed June 28, 2024
Just returned from “Northern Spain & Portugal: Pilgrimage into the Past,” and enjoyed it even more than expected. Only one other person and myself did not go on the pre-trip to France; I had concerns that connections and friendships might already have been established, but we blended seamlessly once we all joined together. Highlights included the astonishing Guggenheim Bilbao Museum, two walks along the Camino, vineyard visits, ancient cathedrals, many other fascinating historic sites, etc. Too many other adventures to name, and lots of time to choose our own activities in addition to well-planned ones.
We had a Controversial Topic visit in Pamplona with a man who has engaged in the “running of the bulls” there. Best of all was our extraordinary leader, Rocio, about whom I simply cannot say enough! — warm, caring, extremely competent, and fun. A few people became ill and she engaged expert care for them while never missing a beat with the rest of us and the itinerary. Food, transportation, and hotels were all extraordinary. Highly recommend this trip!
Reviewed June 24, 2024
Nordic Countries & the Arctic Circle: Finland, Sweden’s Sami Lapland & Norway was a stunningly beautiful adventure. Adventures and explorations abounded as did the pristine landscapes and welcoming locals. We enjoyed the midnight sun, warmer weather than usual and breathtaking scenes on foot, by local transport, coach, plane and even ferryboat. We crossed the Artic Circle, spent a morning with well behaved sled dogs and their trainers, learned about reindeer and the indigenous Sami culture. We ate moose meatballs, whale and loads of salmon in addition to delicious fish soups and wonderful breads. Highly recommend this trek especially for nature lovers who enjoy the road less travelled.
Reviewed June 24, 2024
We recently came back from a trip in Japan (Japan Cultural tour) with Overseas Adventure tour. We travel quite extensively, about 5 trips a year, and this was one of our best trip experience. The tour covered 4 cities which provided a gamut of experiences. Our group had the chance to meet with two Summo wrestlers, 2 Geishas, met a couple in their home on a home hosted visit and exchanged experiences in theirs and our daily life as well as trying on the kimono that they have (took over 10 minutes to put on a kimono for the ladies). We experience difference transportation experiences, from buses, subway, taxis and bullet train.
We were fortunate to see Mt. Fuji without cloud obstructing part of Mt. Fuji.. Our trip guide, Toshi, was exceptional: one of the best we ever had. He called us before the trip, to see what our expectation for the trip are, diet, etc. to sending us and staying with us until we cleared immigration on departure. He would take us to various sites and allow us to enjoy different life experiences, on our "free time". I highly recommend Overseas Adventure tour if you are traveling abroad (this is our 9th trip with them and we enjoyed every trip).
Reviewed June 22, 2024
Started pretrial in Kilamanjaro with Ellie and pretrial drivers. Trip was exactly as described but you can't write how much this trip leader Ellie ** and our drivers shared their enthusiasm and pride in their country with us. Yes, we saw the animals and the birds but the shared knowledge was priceless. Then onto the main trip with 3 Toyota vehicles, meticulously outfitted for "African massage ". OAT does it right and does it well. Small groups travel well in Africa. Hotels and camps very comfortable and accommodating to my whole food plant based food choices. Ellie did his best to accomplish exposure to art, music, dance and local tribal and town experiences. If I could give more stars I would. From start to finish. Only minor frustration with flights to Arusha. Too many stops from Boston return trip much better.

Reviewed June 20, 2024
We just returned from our OAT tour to Peru, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu. We had a wonderful time. Our guide was absolutely the best! We had no difficulty with booking. We arranged our flights ourselves. I cannot say enough about what a great trip we had!
Reviewed June 17, 2024
We just returned from Overseas Adventure Travel wonderful trip to Sicily. All aspects of the trip we handled professionally and went very smoothly. Our Trip Leader was amazing, knowledgeable, funny and so helpful. We saw beautiful towns, historic sites, had great food and loved every minute. We have been on a good number of trips with OAT, and have always been happy with the trips and the service received. Last year we took their Japan trip, which also was fabulous. It is great to have no more than 16 travelers on each trip. Highly recommend OAT.

Reviewed June 16, 2024
We had a great Japan (first ever) OAT trip. Our group had participants who had been on several to 20 previous trips. Our OAT Guide was fantastic; hotels were in great locations (small but well appointed rooms, most hotels had washers & dryers); we saw 4 cities; had a mix of transport from walking; metro; tour bus; bullet train; boat, taxis. Besides the included tours our guide gave us options on returning to our hotel for the “free” afternoon or join her for additional tutored tours and/or suggested drop off points. Tour guide tended to go with largest group.
Most meals were included and were Japanese cuisine. For the “on your own” lunches and dinners we were able to pick our outlets or use suggestions from our guide (who made reservations and even called restaurant to set a sushi menu). Besides the temples, shrines, gardens, museums, markets, and other attractions we stopped for photos opportunities like Mount Fuji. The highlight was a home visit in Kyoto with 4 people getting outfitted in local dress by English and French speaking art curator. We also enjoyed meeting and interacting with the Geishas, Sumo wrestlers, Taiko drummer, local artisans, sushi workshop, and monk.
We used the pre-Tokyo trip to meet up with former US students (who now work in world-class hotels and a foreign student we hosted in California). We also were able to wonder around on our own or with others is all cities. We walked an average of 10,000 steps a day; ate everything in site and put on no extra wait. Everything was well planned and taken care off. All we had to do is show up and take in the incredible Japanese culture. We spend only an additional $1,000 on our additional meals, outlines, gifts etc. Can’t wait to select and go on another OAT tour.
Reviewed June 16, 2024
Our Untamed Iceland experience was amazing. Our leader was proficient in the country and our everyday experiences were made better by Hinrik and also our bus driver throughout our adventure. We saw wonderful places on this island country. Having only 12 people on tour of which two men were 86 years old made this trip very manageable. The whole older group did not miss a trick when we went to any excursion. We liked the idea that we did not have to choose excursions as we have done with other companies. A couple of meals is all we had to make decisions about where we would eat.
As I have been making a book on Iceland I realize that our days were full and it was wonderful not ever having it get dark at night so you could get out and enjoy the evening. We also liked the idea that we did not have to spend lots of time shopping-we went on an excursion and you would have time to shop if you wanted to do that. Also our experienced guide made sure we had stops when we needed them which is important with an older group. Meals were good to great as we ate in different kinds of places which were always well planned and good food.
All in all I would give it a 10+ as we paid for OAT to get out airline tickets so we were greeted and sent on our way never having to figure out how to do that. Also leaving Iceland our flight was later in the afternoon and OAT had arranged for us to be picked up at our hotel later on so we were not at the airport all day. I was disappointed that I had not gone to the right sweater shot to buy one the last morning so you need to talk to your guide about what you are really looking for. The other folks we meet on excursions were wonderful!. All inclusive and very rich in an education of this beautiful fantasy like island. Just make sure you take hiking boots, warm socks, layers, hat, gloves and warm coat or jacket as I used mine almost everyday.
Reviewed June 12, 2024
An over-the-top, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Expertly planned and delivered on every count. The guide leader, camp guides, and staff were exceptional. In addition to the up-close opportunities to see animals in the wild, the added experiences of village, school, and museum visits were second to none. Highly recommend.

Reviewed June 6, 2024
I just returned from the Sicily tour. It was such a wonderful experience and our tour leader Ivan was the consummate professional and so organized. We all had such a fabulous experience because of him. The OAT itinerary was as usual filled with diverse and family-oriented visits. From family-owned wineries, to farms, to Fiat rides down windy small town streets, to a home filled with century-old antiquities. Mafia talk from 2 men whose families were involved. Emotional moments. Only OAT gives you that experience. I can't say enough about this trip, it was fabulous. The food and home-hosted meals were sensational. I could go on and on, but you need to go and find out for yourselves! I would honestly take this trip again it was that good!
Reviewed June 4, 2024
A wonderful experience we have looked forward to for a very long time. OAT provided an experience not offered by other tour companies. We spent two days at Machu Picchu among other unique experiences.

Reviewed June 4, 2024
My May Iberian Voyage trip to Spain, Gibraltar and Portugal was awesome. I had to pass on Tangiers due to mobility issues so I can’t comment. The crew, food, amenities on the ship were fabulous. My guide Marcel was the best. The 3 other guides were great also we were broken up into 4 groups) which added to the smoothness of every stop. I loved every port and think my favorite was Valencia. I was disappointed in not seeing much of Barcelona. Those who did the pre trip were lucky but at 90 two weeks is my limit. We only had one rough night at sea but we got fair warning from the captain and my wrist sea bracelets and ginger chewies worked.
Our home visit in Malaga was delightful. The host family had 6 kids and when 4 returned from school they put on a show for us! Speaking of shows, the guides and some crew acted out an original fairy tale…. Priceless. Lisbon, though beautiful, especially Belim neighborhood, was way too hilly for me. I am glad I didn’t do a post trip. Our weather was perfect, just a little rain in Barcelona. I was glad I went a day ahead and ordered tickets to go inside Gaudi’s amazing cathedral. I was also glad I brought winter pj’s for the ship. I found the cabins to be chilly but that may be because of my age! I ended up buying a fleece jacket on the ship. Every day they featured items for sale. My diet starts now! Food and wine plentiful and so good. Enjoy.
Reviewed June 4, 2024
OAT has never failed to provide a fascinating experience for us. Unlike big cruise ships that stop hours or a day or two someplace, OAT makes you feel like you really got to learn about the people & their culture.
Reviewed June 3, 2024
We went on the Morocco trip and pretrip. It was outstanding for three main reasons. First, Morocco is an amazing country (History, culture, people, scenery). Second, our tour leader was terrific in every respect, especially his dedication to the travelers and his knowledge of Morocco. Third, OAT established a great agenda with the perfect mix of activities and logistical arrangements. The briefing packages prepared by OAT were very helpful.
Reviewed June 2, 2024
Our trip to Northern Spain/Portugal was wonderful. Our trip leader, Ricardo was well informed, remembered specific interests of individual group members, and ready to help whenever situations arose. The itinerary had varied activities and allowed time for individual pursuits. I would have rated it at 5 if it hadn't been for the difficulties we had with OAT pre trip for both this trip and our previous trip. These ranged from being scheduled on a different date than the one we had requested, doing what seemed like bait and switch charges (these were eventually corrected), being left on hold after office hours were over, and people who answered written requests after apparently not even reading them and being told "I know how you feel" without trying to correct the issue. It's too bad the office staff in the US aren't as competent as the trip leaders.
Reviewed May 26, 2024
I just came back from a fabulous 3 weeks trip in Morocco. This was my first experience with OAT and what a great experience it was! Our guide, Hmed was the best! Every detail was perfect and well organized. It won’t be my last trip with OAT!
Reviewed May 25, 2024
We just finished our Overseas Adventure Travel “Alpine” trip in the Alps. It was wonderful and our trip leader, Gabriel, was the best. We have used OAT many times in the past and love the very small groups (16 or less) and the immersive experiences. We spent time on a goat farm and made cheese and had dinner with a local family. We had So many other opportunities to interact with the locals too.
Reviewed May 23, 2024
My first group tour so my experience may be personal. Trip was packed full of scheduled activities, places to see, people to meet. Hard to keep up for an old lady, but the leader Mai was full of energy, knowledge, warm and kind to all, not just trip members but also general community such as vendors, hosting families, servers.. bringing the world closer in loving understanding, mutual respect and honor. Mind you, I'm ** so I can attest to the truth of her translations. :-) It's nice to see world peace make possible thru travel, for both the young and old. People speak differently, eat differently, look differently but all need peaceful lives with clean air, water, food, smiles, love and respect. Peace.
Reviewed May 22, 2024
"Ultimate" Africa delivered on its name. The guides, glamping accommodations and wildlife viewing far exceeded our expectations. It felt like a VIP tour of the Garden of Eden. We saw literally hundreds of elephants, lions, giraffe, water buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and exotic birds living, hunting and playing freely in their natural habitat. We were hesitant about going due to the long flights until we decided to break up the flights with 3-day stopovers in Paris on the way there and back.
We were surprised to learn that Africans love Americans. Travel is the #1 industry and creates millions of jobs. The people were so friendly, open and genuine (not a fake friendliness). They were the highlight of the trip--singing, dancing, casual conversations and serious conversations about our two cultures. This trip is for anyone who loves adventure and can step up into a Land Rover. We've traveled the world and I can honestly say that if I had to pick the trip of lifetime, this is the one.
Reviewed May 17, 2024
Joining an Italian family at their home for lunch was a memory I’ll never forget!!! Pompei, The Forum… Mt. Etna, Mt, Vesuvius and Stromboli with an active volcano spewing fire in front of our eyes! Oh my... what a thrill!!!
I also want to mention the wonderful travelers in our group… most were world travelers and treated me and my maiden trip to Europe as an opportunity to share their adventures (many had joined 5-10 OAT trips). The boat was immaculate and the entire staff was both friendly and more than helpful!! More food than I could even eat! The entertainment in the evenings was 5-star fun!!! This was the best experience of my life aside from birth of my kids!!
Reviewed May 9, 2024
The heart of the Ultimate Africa tour lies in its thrilling safaris. Our group sighted all of the ‘Big 5’—lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and Cape buffalos—among other magnificent African animals and birds. The experience is enhanced by knowledgeable guides at each camp who shared fascinating insights about animal behaviors and tracks, making each game drive an educational adventure.
The tented camps offered a blend of rustic charm and comfort, allowing us the African bush experience without forgoing modern conveniences of comfy beds, our own bathroom and running water. The sounds of the wild provide a natural lullaby as we drifted off to sleep, and the camp staff ensured a welcoming and secure environment.
The tour doesn’t just cater to the spirit of adventure but also to the palate. With great food that reflects the local cuisine, we had variety of dishes prepared with fresh ingredients, adding another layer of cultural immersion to the journey. It was amazing what the chef could do out in the bush! Beyond wildlife, the tour provided rich cultural experiences. Meeting local communities and learning about their traditions and history was a tour highlight. It gave us a deeper understanding of all the countries visited. In short, the trip was fantastic!
Reviewed May 7, 2024
We did the Mediterranean trip and it was amazing. Every day is filled with something new to discover and learn. The "day in the life" was an experience - one that we will remember forever. Our guide was incredible, the local guides were great. I would recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see this part of the world - Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia were absolutely amazing - was blown away! 5 Star review across the board!
Reviewed May 6, 2024
This was our first trip with oat and what a great experience it was! Our guide, Francesco, was so fun and attentive to our needs. Loved all the wonderful surprises! We had a great group! It won’t be our last trip with OAT!
Reviewed May 5, 2024
I just returned from my 7th OAT trip - Ultimate Africa. I can't say enough about how wonderful all my trips have been. The experiences and trip leaders have always been top notch. I am comfortable traveling solo as my small group of fellow travelers are always friendly and welcoming. I usually buy my own flights and insurance, and appreciate that OAT will provide transfers for a fee if I need them. There are a number of ways to save money on these trips with OAT discounts and specials. No single supplement fee is important to me as well. Love OAT!
Reviewed May 5, 2024
This was my first trip with OAT, but I did not select them randomly. After much research (personal approval from my sister, Patty, who visited Morocco with OAT) and numerous, random individuals (ALL of whom had nothing but praise for their experiences), I was comfortable and confident in my decision. After two weeks with our amazing tour leader, Eduardo, and an itinerary that did NOT disappoint, I know this will prove to be the first of many future adventures with OAT.
Reviewed May 5, 2024
The Overseas Adventure Travel land tour of Sicily is one of the most enriched tours I have ever been on. If you go, take as many of your friends with you as possible, so that you can experience the OAT Welcome on this intriguing island. Every day is packed with surprises, and our guide, Davide, loved introducing us to new (street) foods, arts and traditional crafts such as colorful puppet-making and horse-cart decoration, and fascinating characters, such as a pianist who warmed up Maria Callas.
We visited family-owned businesses such as a jewelry shop owned by sisters, a winery owned by sisters, and a family farm, where we made cassatella ragusana, a ricotta-filled pastry that we enjoyed for dessert, and met family members from babies to grandparents as they arrived for a celebration of Sicily’s “Independence Day.” We visited splendid Baroque churches and learned about Jewish and Muslim history on the island. Sicily has been ruled by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Saracens or Moors, Arabs, Spanish Bourbons, the French, all of whom had an influence on the food, the culture, and the uniqueness of this island which is of Italy, but different than the Italian mainland. We would go back to Sicily any time!
I can hardly list all of the things we did, even in one day. One highlight was the Controversial Topic presentation, by two men whose families had been affected by what we call the Mafia in different ways. While the Mafia as such no longer exists, the effects persist, and the experience was intense. We were proud of OAT for continuing to present this highly charged topic, despite criticism. And that night we had a cooking lesson by a Michelin chef and enjoyed the results in a fine restaurant looking at the Mediterranean Sea.
And the food was fantastic — always fresh out of the garden, mostly plant-based! We enjoyed a varied array of first courses, such as grilled eggplant, orange and fennel salad, potato croquettes, sfincione (like focaccia), arancine (rice balls stuffed with meat), asparagus, etc. The second course was pasta, often home-made, with a simple sauce (I really enjoyed the pasta con le sarde, with fresh-cooked sardines in the sauce). The third course was fish or meat. and we always had some creamy baked dessert, or on our own, the best gelato ever! Sicily is largely still an agricultural land, most farms we saw were organic, and the crops we saw most of were durum wheat, grapes, pistachios, and always ripe tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers. For the food alone, let OAT take you to Sicily.
It’s hard to put into words what makes this OAT trip so special. The guides connected us with real people; the local guides really wanted us to understand their city or town; they were bold in walking up to anyone and asking something about their daily life. They make it all special, extraordinary, intimate, in ways you could not do on your own. Our guide was so organized and took excellent care of us, keeping in mind each person’s needs and wants. At the same time, he was personal, sharing his love for this island. We had fun together!
Reviewed May 1, 2024
Our trip was better than we could have expected. Our guide during the trip (Carolina **) was extremely knowledgeable, hard working, attentive to our needs and just a delightful person. The trip had a culinary focus that added such pleasure to the whole experience. The in-country guides were very enthused to share their love of the various cities we visited. Valencia & Seville were our favorites. The entire shipboard staff was professional and personable. The on board meals were exceptional. This was our sixth OAT adventure and one of the best.
Reviewed April 28, 2024
I just returned from the 16 day turkey's magical hideaways. Our guide Oz was so knowledgeable and fun to be with. Every aspect of the trip went smoothly and efficiently. Our group of 11 people meshed like a group of traveling friends. The accommodations were top notch and unique, the food plentiful and tasty and the sites extraordinary. I just booked Ancient Egypt and The Nile with my mother over Christmas/New Year's.
Reviewed April 25, 2024
I paid for a May 2024 tour to Japan for my wife and I from Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT) on 6-15-23. At that time, OAT's terms and conditions (updated on 5/12/23) stated that "The majority of applicable refunds are processed within 30 days of receipt of your cancellation". My was diagnosed with Cancer in February of 2024 and I cancelled the tour on 03/08/24 incurring a 10% cancellation charge. It is now been 48 days and no refund has been received and I was told by two earlier email responses that the refund would be made within 45 days. Today I talked to OAT customer support who said that their policy is "really" 45 Business days...9 weeks and I should call back then (5/10/24) if I have not received the refund. I guess OAT can pay their customers whenever they feel like but I had to pay for the tour 11 months prior to the start. Just want to let everyone know what OAT's real policy is on refunds.
Reviewed April 25, 2024
My second adventure with OAT was the beautiful Azores/Madeira trip and it was everything advertised and more. The locations we visited were beautiful... Lisbon, Terceira, Sao Miguel, and Madeira... And each had its unique and breathtaking qualities. There was time to do some personal exploring, and we had many great suggestions for activities. Our guide, Jessica **, was reflective of the best OAT has to offer - she is from the area and was extremely knowledgeable; she was always there for us, and she was fun! There is so much about these beautiful, diverse, and productive islands that I learned from her and the local guides and people with whom we came into contact.
I came away with a sense of history and learned experience that I could not have received had I booked a trip on my own. The OAT experience is one of cultural immersion, rather than typical "touristy" site visits. The groups are small and this one was a cohesive, happy bunch of travelers with whom I shared a friendship. I have already booked my third trip for 2025 and I know I will expand my knowledge of the country, its history, its environment and its culture.
Reviewed April 23, 2024
We just returned from the OAT trip "Inside Vietnam" and the pre-trip "Hill Tribes of Vietnam: Journey into Ancient Cultures. The entire trip can be described in one word - incredible. It was truly an in depth exposure to the country, its people, culture, food and even politics. Every day brought a new and unique experience. The hotels on the trip were very good as was the transportation via small bus, plane, scooters and boats. The included meals were varied and gave us a real feel for Vietnamese cuisine and the variations between areas and tribes.
Our trip leader, Mai, was amazing with an incredible depth of knowledge. Our group size of 16 was ideal which allowed us to visit smaller and more unique places than some of the large groups of 30 or 40 we would occasionally encounter. Every day was unique with a good balance of organized and "free" time. This was our second OAT journey, Morocco last year, also fantastic. Can't wait for "Ultimate Africa" later this year.
Reviewed April 20, 2024
This is the first tour we had ever taken so we weren’t sure what to expect. The best thing about our tour were the personal encounters we had with the Sicilian people arranged by OATS. They welcomed us into their homes, and ate at their dinner tables where they shared recipes and told about their lives. There were many other “off the beaten track” experiences like speaking to people who had relatives in the Mafia, speeding through a small town in Fiat race cars, and hearing a fisherman tell the story of how he and his crew found the Dancing Satyr, an Ancient Greek bronze statue from 200BC. We felt as though we had taken a college course on history and Sicily.
Reviewed April 16, 2024
I just returned from two weeks in the south of Africa. Four countries in 16 days. The experience was one that I will not soon forget. Each camp was such a unique experience. The staff was great. The guides were fabulous and our group leader did everything his power to make sure we all had an unforgettable experience. This is my fourth trip with OAT and I will continue traveling with them as I know the experience will be fabulous. The attention to detail in the itinerary is remarkable. So many great memories and great game drives. I felt like I was on Nat geo on most days. Still looking at my pics in astonishment.
Reviewed April 16, 2024
Overseas Adventure Travel might have a corner on the market for delivering outstanding service - and my experience warrants every accolade they receive. From itineraries that provide rich cultural experiences to tour guides whose knowledge, skill, and customer focus is unmatched in the industry, I could not want for more.
Reviewed April 9, 2024
Just returned from my 4th trip with OAT. Each one I take I wonder will I ever be able to top the last one? Well, this last trip to So. America that included Rio, Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Calafate, Patagonia and a cruise through the fjords ending in Santiago Chile definitely met the challenge. It was truly a phenomenal trip through incredible countries, cities, locations, etc. OAT does an incredible job with handling all of the intricacies of travel through multiple countries, not to mention the many activities, experienced local guides they provide at each location that help make the trip so memorable and enriching.
Torres del Paine Nat'l park was truly a sight to behold. The cruise on Skorpios III through the Patagonian fjiords was phenomenal. The many glaciers we saw and hiked to and the scenery were spectacular, the experience was everlasting. So much more I could say, but would be writing a book - the trip was a wonderful experience overall. Highly recommend it!
Reviewed April 9, 2024
This trip was perfect on many levels. First, the group leader was exceptional. She was able to bring the best out of everyone. Nature did not disappoint. Glaciers are to be seen and NOW! The food and lodging were wonderful. The service and people are Argentina were friendly and made us at home in their country.
Reviewed April 8, 2024
A great trip of Tuscany and Umbria which was well planned and organized because of the hard work of our tour leader and bus driver. The hotels were all excellent and food and wine were delicious. All the activities were fun and interesting and there were many extras offered which were not part of the itinerary thanks to the efforts of the tour leader and bus driver. Beautiful scenery throughout and good pacing of the trip.
Reviewed April 4, 2024
I loved my first trip with OAT on the Ultimate Australia tour. The small group size allowed us to get to know each other and enjoy traveling together quickly. Our tour director, Blake, was actively involved in sharing his love of his country, its history, and its people and encouraging the group to get to know each other. The outdoor experiences of a semi-arid desert, the oldest raintree forest, and the great barrier reef were beautiful beyond words! Even an evening stroll to see the Opera House was a wonderful memory. Plenty of koalas, kangaroos, sea turtles, and more. I can't wait for my next trip.
Reviewed April 4, 2024
We just returned from OAT Ultimate Galapagos Exploration and Ecuador's Amazon Wilds plus pretrip Peru, Sacred Valley and Machu Pichu. This trip was amazing from start to finish - the places we visited, the many included guided tours, meals, lodging, airport transfers and flights, and most wonderful - our tour guide managers - Cesar, Marcello, and Israel. This was our first trip with OAT but definitely not our last! We are hoping to book next year's adventure soon!
Reviewed April 1, 2024
The trip through Sicily was exceptional, and our trip leader, Isabella **, was amazing. I am new to group travel and had some trepidations, but the wide range of types of visits (cultural, archeological, personal visits with residents, and some surprise "discoveries") made the trip a varied experience. The local guides were exceptional - very knowledgeable and personable, each was memorable for their unique presentations. I especially valued Isabella's flexibility - as a frequent solo traveler, I appreciated the ability to opt out of planned activities from time to time, without any sense that I was causing a disruption. The itinerary speaks for itself - great visits, comfortable transportation and lodging, and a terrific sense of camaraderie that developed among the group.
Reviewed March 31, 2024
I just LOVE Overseas Adventure Travel!!! Finally found a tour company that has the right pace, kind of travelers and the experiences that I love. Done two trips and signed up for the third in June. I seem to be their ambassador - all my friends want to sign up!
Reviewed March 31, 2024
I wish I had read the plentiful negative reviews about OAT (Grand Circle Travel) before I booked a tour with them. 40% of the Yelp reviews are a 1 or 2 star rating. The complaints lodged with the Better Business Bureau add up to a 1.33 rating out of 5. Buyer beware. Do your research before booking with OAT. I will never travel with them again nor recommend them to anyone. My negative experience started when I booked an India trip but was not allowed to board my connecting flight in Europe because my visa was "incorrect." After much frustration and $2,000 in extra expenses while I applied for a new visa online, I joined my tour several days late and heard several horror stories from other travelers about visa issues. OAT has heard there is a problem but does nothing to correct it to ensure it doesn't happen to other travelers.
Due to inadequate and misleading directions from OAT as to how to apply for a visa, my evisa was indeed incorrect, according to Indian rules. This has happened before with other travelers, but rather than change their directions to reflect what travelers need to know in order to get an adequate visa, they simply refuse to acknowledge any responsibility for their actions and fall back on "it is the passenger's sole responsibility....blah, blah, blah." My experience with their Customer Service Department after my return yielded only frustration as they refused to acknowledge their culpability in the matter. Steer clear of this company! There are plenty of others who get much more positive reviews, especially when problems occur.
Reviewed March 31, 2024
Fantastic trip in every way. Highly recommend the pre-trip to Bolivia, which has little tourism, so is quite an eye-opening view into real life for locals. Guides in both countries were amazing: great story tellers and ready to help with whatever we needed. In Colombia, everyone was welcoming and ready to show us that they have turned their country around, from a violent country run by drug cartels, into a true democracy, growing stronger every day.

Reviewed March 29, 2024
Their customer service just sucks. Do they even train these people? We have a trip planned for Spain in October, but after reading so many negative reviews on CS and our own negative experiences, no callbacks, incorrect information, etc. My gut is telling me to cancel. I went with OAT on the recommendation of a friend who has traveled with them several times. I have never had so many problems booking a trip. It’s only been a week since we booked and we have talked to at least a dozen customer service reps. Give me a good, professional travel agent any day.
Reviewed March 28, 2024
I had a great experience, learned a lot. OAT took control of everything in the trip by air, road and water. The leader was awesome and had a great experience with the country guides too. The trip took us to really life in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Of course, we meet de Ancient Kingdom and the history of the countries visited. Had the opportunity to meet local families too.
Reviewed March 28, 2024
I came for Roman ruins and colonial architecture. OAT’s Tunisia tour gave me so much more. Excellent guide in Ridha. Always helpful, concerned for our well being and took a personal interest in our enjoyment of his country. A friend and I wanted to visit Tunis synagogue, not open to the public. He not only arranged the visit but met us at the site to ensure there were no problems.
Tour featured a variety of experiences all over the country. Since my knowledge of Tunisia was limited, the whole experience was one of discovery. High points included overnight in the Sahara, camel ride, visit to 2 traditional sites used in a Star Wars movie, MANY extraordinary Roman sites, a visit to a high ranking mosque and amazing meal with family in Kairouan. All in all, a perfect experience — including cool spring weather (Mar. ‘24).
Reviewed March 27, 2024
I took The Route of the Maya Overseas Adventure Travel tour in March of 2024. This was one of my favorite tours! One thing I love about OAT is that they give you experiences that other tour companies don't. For example, we started our tour in San Salvador to see the excavations at Joya de Ceren. We visited 3 more Maya ruins at Copan, Tikal, and Lamanai. The local guides at each site were exceptional, and our trip leader was one of the best - Carlos **. My personal favorite stop was at the villages of Santa Catarina Palopo and San Antonio Palopo along Lake Atitlan. While in these two villages, our group was the only tourist group that I saw. OAT always has a home-hosted meal, controversial topics, spontaneous activities, and groups sizes of 16 or less. All of our lodgings were clean, perfectly located, and had great food. Everything was perfect and I'd highly recommend this tour.
Reviewed March 21, 2024
If you've never tried OAT, give it a look. We just returned from our 3rd trip w/ OAT, The Andes to Patagonia, with the pre-trip to Easter Island. It was phenomenal. There is so much that we love about OAT trips. The emphasis is on cultural immersion and meeting local people, both planned and spontaneous. OAT teaches you things about each location, they don't just show you things. We love the emphasis on talking about controversial topics, and learning about the history, current conditions, etc. of each spot. And every Trip Leader we've had has been wonderful; smart, problem solvers, fun and they are backed up by a great back office should there be a disruption that needs changes to the schedule.
People who travel w/ OAT come back over and over again. The value is tremendous, partially bc they don't spend $ on unnecessarily extravagant hotels and meals. All of the hotels are clean, convenient, comfortable and safe. But they are not 5*. Same w/ the food; always good but not spending hours sitting in a restaurant. The trips are active, covering a lot of territory. The balance between planned activities and free time to explore on our own is something we really appreciate. Try OAT. You will come home richer for the experience, while getting so much for your travel dollars.

Reviewed March 14, 2024
This was my first trip with OAT (Senegal, Cape Verde and The Gambia) and my first trip to Africa, a continent with which I was totally unfamiliar. I do a lot of research and planning on my own before I travel and OAT's information was thorough except for the information on currency. I didn't need to concern myself with currency exchange since the locals accepted Euros and American dollars for the most part. Additionally, the actual hikes were even more difficult than indicated in the itinerary and this was a disappointment. Also, I think in the future I will be much more diligent about my flight schedule and choose to do it on my own if I can shorten the travel time. I enjoyed the small group experience. The accommodations in the hotel and on the ship were excellent and the food was good. The crew on the ship could not do enough for us. Our trip leader and the local guides did a great job.

Reviewed March 14, 2024
We began our trip on our own, flying into Dubrovnik on Wednesday, November 8. Our tour guide, Mario **, had already established contact with us via WhatsApp to give us suggestions regarding our week on our own. We spoke with him as we drove along the coast to our first stop in Split, and we cannot say enough about how comforting it was to us during that week on our own to know that we already had a friend in Croatia. If we had a problem or a question, all we had to do was contact Mario on WhatsApp and he would get back to us with helpful answers. Little did we know at that time what a blessing he would be to us later in our trip. On Thursday, November 16, we checked into the Dubrovnik Palace. We could not have asked for a better group of people to travel with.
Palace Hotel Dubrovnik was outstanding—beautiful location with lovely rooms and balconies overlooking the sea. We especially loved the indoor pool and spa since we were there in November, but also loved the outdoor pool area and beach which provided beautiful sunsets. In addition, the public bus to the old town conveniently stopped at the front door. We enjoyed the guided city tour and Mario’s special tour of Rector’s Palace, as well as time on our own in the old town on Friday, November 17. On Saturday morning (18th) we took a day trip to Montenegro, but by the time we arrived, Dave was feeling tired and having some balance issues so he sat in a cafe in the square while the rest of us took the walking tour.
On Sunday (19th) Dave seemed better so we went with the group on the morning trip to the fortress and heard the tragic story of the 1991-92 siege from Mato who survived it. We were able to join the group again for the trip to Konavle to meet Dario and learn about his family’s experience during the siege, as well as his family’s olive oil business, and to enjoy a wonderful local meal and entertainment. Monday (20th) We boarded the bus for or trip to Sarajevo. Although Dave seemed fine at the beginning, by the time we stopped for a break in Ston, he was having trouble walking well, slightly dragging his right foot. When we stopped in Mostar for lunch, Dave said he was not hungry, but he was tired and just wanted to stay on the bus and sleep.
While we were gone Dave tried to get off the bus to use the restroom, but his right leg collapsed and he fell on the bus steps. A few minutes later, he was able to stand again and made it to the restroom but collapsed again. Dario (our bus driver) was so kind—he returned to the bus as soon as he finished eating and took food with him for Dave. When he got there he discovered Dave on the restroom floor. I cannot say enough about how wonderful Dario was and how thankful we are to him for everything he did to help Dave in the restroom and then getting back on the bus. Meanwhile he called Mario, who immediately went with me to help. Fortunately, the rest of the group was not far behind.
Mario assessed the situation and told me that we had to get Dave to Sarajevo as soon as possible because there was no health facility in Mostar that could deal with this emergency. We were able to get him to the back seat in the bus where he could lie down for the 3-hour ride. By the time we arrived in Sarajevo, Dave was able to walk, with help, to get off the bus and into our hotel room. He was able to walk across the room toward the bed, but collapsed again and could not get up. Mario came quickly back and called an ambulance. He went with me to the hospital and stayed with me while the doctors examined him, did a CT scan, and determined that he needed immediate surgery for a subdural hematoma. He sat in the waiting room with me until 1:00 am, as we waited for news.
At that point, he went to the nurse’s station and talked to them (which I could not have done). Apparently the surgery was just beginning and we were told that there would be no further news until tomorrow, so Mario took me back to the hotel. I cannot imagine what I would have done without Mario in this situation. He was amazing. He knew just what to do and whom to talk to—not to mention that he spoke the language. Tuesday (21st) Mario took me to the hospital, helped translate with the nurses and staff, and waited with me 2-3 hours until we could speak to the doctor who assisted with the surgery.
Mario then took me back to the hotel to meet up with the group, filled out his incident reports and contacted the OAT office in Dubrovnik to set up the additional 10 days that we anticipated having to stay in Sarajevo before Dave would be allowed to fly home. Krsimir **, with the help of other staff members in the Dubrovnik office, began immediately to help us with arrangements. Wednesday (22nd) Since we could not visit the hospital until afternoon, I went with the group and our wonderful guide, Neira, to see Sniper Alley and the Sarajevo tunnel and hear the story of the siege from her. Then we traveled back to the Old Town to meet with Vuk ** to hear his story of the siege.
Afterwards Mario went with me to the hospital. He waited 1-2 hours with me to see the doctor. I was able to see Dave for a brief 5 minutes. He was doing so well that the doctor said he would be released the next day, so Mario immediately talked to the nurse in charge to find out what I would need to do to get him released. Together we spent another 1-2 hours going from one office to another to gather paperwork, signatures, etc. to make sure I had what I needed for the next day, since he would be leaving with the group then and I would have to deal with everything myself. It was after 4 pm before Mario and I were able to return to the hotel to meet up with the group again and prepare for our home-hosted dinner.
I was so grateful to be able to attend that evening with some of my fellow travelers and to experience the hospitality that Sara, Zara, and her grandmother provided us. It really helped me after going through such a traumatic experience with Dave’s surgery. It was comforting to feel a part of a family for a short time—and this family was so generous, warm and loving. The food was amazing and I really got an insight into what life was like for all of them. I was glad to be able to give Sara the Colorado University Buffaloes cap that I had brought along so she could remember us. Thursday (23rd) I had one last breakfast with the group before they left Sarajevo for Karanack.
Thanks to all the help Mario gave me, I was able to get Dave checked out of the hospital and back to the hotel with no real problem. From that point on Dave improved daily and, with the help of the wonderful staff at Hotel Europe and many kind people whom we met everywhere in Sarajevo, we were able to navigate all the medical appointments, make arrangements to get back home, and still enjoy our time together in that beautiful city. We stayed at Hotel Europe in Sarajevo from November 20-December 3 when we were finally able to fly home.
We cannot say enough about how lucky we felt to be staying in such an amazing hotel. It was steps from the Old Town full of shops, places of worship, and restaurants. Not only was it an historic landmark with spacious, comfortable rooms and gorgeous public spaces, complete with furniture and chandeliers in the style of old Vienna, but the staff and service was beyond compare.
Everyone—from the maid who cleaned our room (Emina), to the bellhops, to the waiters and the chef, to the bartenders, to the front desk staff, to the general manager went out of their way daily to ask how Dave was doing and to ask what they could to help us. One bellhop even moved a huge comfortable chair from the hallway into our room so Dave would have his “man chair” to relax in. We felt like we were at home there. We especially want to thank the entire front desk staff, but especially Benjamin and Sanela who made phone calls and translated for us every day.
Mario kept in touch with us via WhatsApp for the rest of the trip, even though he was busy with the group. I could always contact him with questions or to get help with connections to the Dubrovnik office. When I repeatedly told him how much we appreciated everything he was doing for us, he told me that it was his job to do everything he could to help us, but even if it weren’t his job, we were visitors in his country and he would help us because it was the right thing to do. I cannot tell you how lucky we were (and OAT is) to have such a wonderful human being as our tour guide. He also arranged with Neira (our outstanding Sarajevo guide) to allow us to reach out to her if we needed help with anything in his absence.
In fact I did call her on Sunday evening as we thought we might need help getting a prescription for Dave on Monday and she again assured us that she would be glad to help. As it turned out we were able to manage on our own, but we really appreciated knowing that we had a friend in Sarajevo if we needed her. She was an incredibly knowledgeable and thorough guide who gave us a first-hand understanding of Sarajevo and its tumultuous history from her own point of view as one who lived through the events of the siege, but she also really went above and beyond to make us feel at home in Sarajevo.
Kresimir ** (Dubrovnik office) researched options for our return flight to the US, even though we had arranged our own airfare. He continued to contact us via WhatsApp every few days to see how Dave was doing and to see if we needed any assistance until we reached home in Las Vegas. We are so glad we were on an OAT trip when this happened. The care and support everyone provided us was unbelievable. We also want to thank Andrew ** (OAT Travel Relations) who picked up where Kresimir left off when we got home. He helped us navigate the insurance claim with Allianz for the refund of the days we missed on the trip + medical expenses + hotel + taxis. If it had not been for him, we would not have gotten what we were supposed to receive.

Reviewed March 9, 2024
Poor experience when cancelling an additional night at hotel 34 days before our stay. Overseas Adventure Travel gave us a sevice fee of $300. I think this is excessive.
Paul ** - Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Reviewed March 3, 2024
My wife and I have been on a number of Overseas Adventure trips and have had pretty good success except with the last two trips we took this last fall and this winter. To start with, the price in OAT’s advertising did not match what was in their computer, so we had to get the booking person to acknowledge the price change and honor it. Secondly, we upgraded the airline part of the trip to economy plus, which was very important to us because of our size, I am 6’5” tall. As it turns out the upgraded seating didn’t get put into the system except for the first long flight and the airlines had no knowledge of the rest. Even with three weeks advance knowledge OAT was helpless in getting us upgraded seats and at one point denied that it was even their mistake. Their attitude in this matter has been “how can I not help you”.
We were told that eventually we will get a refund plus a $500 credit for our pain and suffering for two 11 hour red eye flights in economy seats literally at the back of the plane. The compensation is hardly enough for trying to fit a 6’5” frame into a seat that left one leg hanging out in the isle that every person who walked by ran into as well as the attendants and their carts. Further, on the trip that we were supposed to have economy plus seats, the first flight to our destination was late and the second flight (that we were supposed to have economy plus seats on) didn’t fly again till the next day.
When we called OAT to let them know that we would be arriving a day late, they insured us that they would notify the trip leader. Our trip leader was never notified and was stuck at the airport waiting for us to arrive. We were thankful that there was another tour arriving the next day and there had someone at the terminal to take us to our hotel to join our group. On another trip we were quoted an internal air fair that was suppose to be included. They corrected the error before we left the US for the trip, but we were hounded by the tour guide for the extra $50 during the trip. He acted like a bill collector for something that we didn’t even owe.
In summary, do not count on the person booking your trip at OAT Travel to know the quoted prices and options. Doublecheck your flights to be sure that they gave you the seats in the section you expected, and check your statement to be sure they don’t add in an extra fee that is supposed to be included in the trip. Another thing to check is the amount of time you have to get from one flight to another. By the time the plane leaves the gate till it arrives at the next are never what is scheduled. If you thought you had an hour to get from one plane to the next, you probably won’t make it. Two to 3 hours between flights takes a lot of stress out of making sure you make your next flight on time.
Reviewed Feb. 27, 2024
Friends of ours told us about OAT and invited my husband and me to go on the “Inside Vietnam” tour with them. It was our first OAT trip. It was special, because it was TET, so we saw thousands of flowers. We also did the post-tour to Cambodia. Our weather was fortunately almost rain-free. My favorite activity was sleeping on the junk! Our guide, Harvey, was extremely conscientious, friendly, and knowledgeable!
Reviewed Feb. 26, 2024
The O.A.T. trip to Costa Rica was exceptional. Our guide, Roy, loved showing us his country, was extremely knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and able to find and identify over 130 species of birds, 2 of the 3 kinds of monkeys, and many reptiles including crocodiles, caimans, and lots of iguanas. We even saw a sloth in nature and was active and climbing! Costa Rica is a beautiful country. A boat trip through Tortuguero was like being on a real Discovery Channel nature excursion. Also, along the way we were able to meet many of the local people of Costa Rica, from traveling to visit a school in a small hamlet and teach a lesson to the 29 students, to helping a local women's coop by shopping for, preparing, and enjoying a feast for lunch. Want to learn how to make tortillas? This was the place. The pacing of our trip was excellent, with many options for additional activities, free time, or a choice to take short, to medium, to long hikes. I highly recommend O.A.T. for your next trip!
Reviewed Feb. 26, 2024
The trip was perfectly planned and organized! We had a nice compatible group of 9 and were able to get a in-depth exploration of Morocco. Our trip leader, Mohamed **, had the perfect combination of skills to lead, inform, and inclusively incorporate all the members of our group. He was a teacher, helper, cultural interpreter and ambassador. He tirelessly answered our many many questions and fulfilled our requests. He was open about his own life, family and experiences and everyone in the group felt a caring connection from and with him. My sense is that every OAT trip leader is well vetted and trained and that even if you don’t travel with Mohamed the trip leader will be excellent.
On the Morocco trip we stayed in well located 3-4 star hotels and Riads (former estates now turned into charming guest houses). All of the OAT trips over 8 participants, in Morocco, are assigned a very comfortable 45 person coach and driver. We were very comfortable and though there were a couple of longer drive days we had stops every couple of hours. The driver was excellent and kept the bus in perfect shape.
The trip provided walking tour orientations at each stop and then activities designed for us to have a deeper connection with the country and the people. In addition to our bus we took a local ferry, had a carriage ride and stayed at the comfortable OAT tent camp in the desert and had a camel ride. We met crafts people, semi-nomadic people, a desert farmer, and a village family. We were invited into their homes for tea, snacks and meals.
We love that OAT has no charge single supplements. While we travel as a couple, it is great that singles can participate without having to share a room. In terms of meals and activities no one is ever left alone unless they want to be. The group and the leader are inviting and inclusive. We find that when we travel with OAT we are able to do so much more in a day and have a much richer experience than we possibly could on our own.

Reviewed Feb. 19, 2024
Wow! What an incredible adventure to Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The highlight was visiting the Eco Valley Elephant Sanctuary where we learned about elephants, got to bathe and feed them, and had a wonderful lunch there! Really fun. You can save $100 if you mention Nancy **. Our group was amazing and we did the most activities our tour guide of 30 years has ever done! Here they are:
All activities from Bangkok to Saigon LVC 01/26/2024 - 02/14/2024
Sun Jan 28th Bangkok- Orientation briefing
- Food demonstration and lunch at Jim House
- Jim Thomson House Museum
- Orientation walks
Mon Jan 29th- Royal Grand Palace and The Emerald Buddha temple
- Discussion with the girl who work for opposition house party and Lunch
- UNESCO Mask dance then take a Tuk Tuk ride from Theatre to Wat Po the hotel
- Wat Po, The Reclining Buddha temple then take a subway and sky train back to the hotel
- Dinner cruise
Tue Jan 30th- UNESCO SITE 1990, Ayutthaya the Ancient city
- Candy cotton tasted
- Boat ride with the elephants bathing pictures
- Back to the hotel
Wed Jan 31st, Luang Prabang, Laos- Lunch at Joma Bakery
- Orientation walked
- Phousi hill 328 steps (Choice)
- Night market
- Dinner
Thu Feb 1st- Mekong River Cruise
- Stop at Baan Muang Kam Village, Hands on Mekong fresh water weeds and Rice cake
- Visited 1,000 Buddha images limes stone cave
- Weaving village
- Big brother mouse chat with highlander kids
Fri Feb 2nd - Day in the life, Grand Circle Foundation site (GCF)- Alms giving
- Tasted Laos black coffee with condense milk
- Shopping at the morning market to buy the ingredient for stirred fired noodle
- Visited Baan Non Sa-ad, Grand Circle Foundation site
- Visited school
- Visited Hmong village with discussion, cross bowl
- Demonstration to make rice wine and taste
- Helping local economy
- Lunch at Head man house
- Helped cooking stirred fired rice noodle
- Nancy, Luanne and Bob visited Kwang Si waterfall
Sat Feb 3rd Luang Prabang - Vientiane- Luang Prabang Palace Museum
- Hi speed Train from Luang Prabang to Vientiane
- Home Hosted dinner
Sun Feb 4th- Monk Chat and visited Wat Sisaket Museum
- COPE center rehabilitation center, discussion with Bomb survivor
- Lunch
- Poppet shows
- Orientation walk to Mekong River front
- dinner on own
Mon Feb 5th, Vientiane - Phnom Penh- Champey Academy dancing school
- Orientation walked
- Bus drive to the river front for dinner
- Remok ride back to the hotel
Tue Feb 6th- Killing field
- Discussion with Survivors
- Genocide Museum, S 21
- Lunch
- Phnom Penh Palace
- Russian Market for Ted and Don for KEEN shoes
- Daughters of Cambodia, Sex workers
- Sunset cruise
Wed Feb 7th, Phnom Pen - Siem Reap long bus drive- Stop and buy lotus seeds
- Tarantulas village at Sakon district
- Stone craving village
- Lunch at Pre-Pros by manmade lake
- Stop at pounding village, rice serial
- Stop at Ancient Bridge 12nd century
- Dinner at the hotel
Wed Feb 8th- Sunrise
- Angkor Wat 1113 - 1350
- Lunch
- Apopo, Hero rat
- Bayon temple late 12nd century - early 13rd century with 54 Buddha faces at Angkor Thom
- Pub street
- Acrobat show *Diane **
Thu Feb 9th- Water Buffalo cart ride, Cambodian Lexus
- Visited fisherman house
- Tonle sap lake floating village
- Boat ride to the floating village
- Lunch
- Artisan school
- visit Ta Prohm or Jungle temple 1186
- Apsara, dinner dance
Fri Feb 10th, Siem Reap – Saigon, * TET Holiday- Optional tour to Banteay Srei year 967, Pink and Yellow sand stone temple 146 years earlier than The Angkor Wat
- Stop at rice Noodle house
- Lunch
- Angkor National Museum
- Late check in at Huong Sen hotel, Saigon
Sat Feb 11st- Mekong Delta trip at My Tho city then cross the River to Ben Tre visited organic farm, Tasted Pomelo and Jack fruits, rice crispy
- Stop at hammock coffee
- Visited coconut factory
- Boat ride at My Tho
- Experiences with Sampan boat and Lambro local transportation
- Lunch
- Back to hotel dinner on own
Sun Feb 12nd- City tour, Book Street
- Post office, Notre Dam Cathedral
- Benthan, Central market
- Independence Palace (Presidential Palace)
- Lunch with Pho
- Secret Bunker
- Optional tour: Saigon Adventure Street food with scooter ride
Mon Feb 13rd- Cu Chi Tunnel
- Lunch and discussion with the owner at the lunch place
- Back to the hotel
- Wrap up trip
- Farewell party dinner
Tue Feb 14th- Return back to USA or Break away. And then I slept for two days. Can't wait to go on another trip.

Reviewed Feb. 18, 2024
This was our first OAT trip and we were hesitant as we typically plan our own and travel independently. But to go to the Galapagos and Amazon was something we knew required a guide and was more than we wanted to take on ourselves. The trip was actually 3 segments, the city Quito, the Amazon Rainforest and the Galapagos. From the start, OAT was thorough in all aspects of the planning and provided great detail. In fact, we were overprepared if nothing. (They need to update the packing list - less from the pharmacy!) We were also a bit nervous given the recent violence in Ecuador. At no time did we feel at risk and we were reassured. We thoroughly enjoyed the immersive components, the history and controversial topic in Quito. The Amazon was breathtaking.
Our guide, Delfin, truly native to the rainforest, was knowledgeable, an excellent guide, flexible, and just plain delightful. We had one challenging situation with our canoe stuck on a sandbar, but Delfin and Christian handled it brilliantly. Our group of 13 was compatible and everyone heeded the "rules" to be on time, not whine, etc. Great travelers - many of whom were on their 3rd or 4th trip!
The Galapagos portion was equally life enhancing. Daniel was a superb and knowledgeable guide as well. We had one incident with a fellow traveler falling on the boat, but Daniel made sure she was well cared for and went above and beyond by often carrying her into the Zodiac or onto shore so she could enjoy the visits. At no time, did the group suffer from the one traveler's issue. Overall, we were thrilled with our trip. It was not an "easy" vacation as the location pushed us with hikes over challenging terrain, but we were well prepared and can't wait for our next trip to Japan in October. We are definitely sold on OAT and small discovery group travel!!! Thanks OAT, Delfin and Daniel!!!
Reviewed Feb. 10, 2024
New Zealand trip was my 8th trip with OAT and yet again our Trip Leader - David - was the key to making this a perfect trip. Every detail and every activity exceeded expectations and David's encyclopedic knowledge of his country and culture educated us all each and every step of the way. Looking forward to a few more OAT trips. I always travel solo and have made many great friends from all the OAT groups I have traveled with. I love the "learning and discovery" aspect of all OAT trips, as well as Day In The LIfe and Home Hosted Dinners. These make the trip experiences last a lifetime.

Reviewed Feb. 9, 2024
We just returned from a 14-day tour of Morocco with Overseas Adventure Travels and had a wonderful time. We visited a wide variety of very different places throughout the country including a 2-night desert stay, saw the major sights, but also had numerous activities to meet and interact with the local population and learn about their lives both in the cities and in the country including an Amazing home/family in the middle of nowhere. Our guide, Hassan, was excellent and everything was very well planned and executed seamlessly. We stayed in beautiful riads right in the medinas in Fez and Marrakesh. We learned a lot about the history and culture of this pretty incredible country. We highly recommend them.

Reviewed Feb. 5, 2024
This was my 6th trip with Overseas Adventure travel. I have been very happy with them overall. This trip was exceptional as our tour guide, Julio, was fantastic! We got to see many great things from Buenos Aires and into the Patagonia area of Chile. We had many great experiences exploring the beautiful scenery. We spent some time on the ship Stella Australia. The Zodiac transfers and the guides off the ship were great. We sailed down to Cape Horn and experienced the rough seas and high winds. During our trip, Argentina experienced a strike closing the airports. OAT anticipated this and changed our itinerary so we were not stranded at the airport. I love the hotels OAT picks, usually within walking distance of local restaurants, shopping and scenery. We were able to walk to a bird sanctuary, a hummingbird garden and the cemetery in Buenos Aires just to name a few. I would highly recommend OAT for couples or singles.

We're so glad to hear how much you enjoyed your trip with us, Lorie!
Reviewed Feb. 4, 2024
OAT provides small group (maximum 16) trips all over the world. In January 2024, we went with two others on a 4 day pretrip to the Kilimanjaro area for game viewing, visit to a Massai village and much more, and then joined 12 more to experience 12 more wonderful days visiting Tarangire and Serengeti National Parks and the Ngorongoro Crater. Our main guide, Deo, who was excellent in every way, put together a superb team of three driver-guides, Solomani, Riziki and Walter, who catered to our every need 24 hours a day, and made sure that every detail of our trip was unforgettable. We saw every animal imaginable and were immersed in the people and culture of Tanzania that few other tour companies provide. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who wants to not only experience the joys of seeing the animals of Africa in their natural habitat, but also feel a part of the wonderful people of Tanzania. Thank you OAT and Deo for giving us a trip of a lifetime.
Reviewed Feb. 2, 2024
This was my first OAT trip. (I'm already booking more.) I was amazed at the level of detail that OAT attended to in order to make this an educational, eye-opening, experience. The trip size (16) was perfect. I am a solo female traveler and felt safe throughout the trip. From my pick up in Bangkok to my drop off in Saigon, I never felt alone, or felt like a fifth wheel. Our trip leader was nothing less than phenomenal at his job. He made sure our every need was met, that we learned about each country and their culture, and that we experienced things we could not have experienced on our own. I could go on for days and not convey all the things I loved about this trip. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.
Overseas Adventure Travel Company Information
- Company Name:
- Overseas Adventure Travel
- Website:
- www.oattravel.com
