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  • Our Adventures
    • Africa
      • Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari 2012
      • Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari 2012
      • The Best of Kenya & Tanzania 2012
      • Out of Africa: Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya & Tanzania 2012
      • Namibia & the Skeleton Coast: Africa's Last Wilderness 2012
      • Morocco Sahara Odyssey 2012
    • Antarctica
      • Antarctica's White Wilderness 2012
    • Asia
      • Heart of India 2012
      • Soul of India: The Colorful South 2012
      • Nepal & the Mystical Himalayas 2012
      • Imperial China, Tibet & the Yangtze River 2012
      • NEW! Mongolia & the Gobi Desert 2012
      • Ancient Kingdoms: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam & Cambodia 2012
      • Inside Vietnam 2012
      • Discover Thailand 2012
      • From Siam to Saigon: Thailand & Vietnam Revealed 2012
      • NEW! Burma: Land of Golden Temples & Floating Gardens 2012
    • Central America
      • Real Affordable Costa Rica 2012
      • Costa Rica: Natural Parks & Tropical Forests 2012
      • Route of the Maya 2012
      • Panama Canal Cruise & Panama: A Continent Divided, Oceans United 2012
    • Europe
      • Hidden Gems of the Dalmatian Coast & Greece 2012
      • Treasures of the Aegean: Greek Island Cruise, Athens & Istanbul 2012
      • Cruising the Adriatic: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina 2012
      • Turkey's Magical Hideaways 2012
      • Turkey's Sacred Lands & Ancient Civilizations 2012
      • The Baltic Capitals & St. Petersburg 2012
      • Untamed Iceland 2012
    • Middle East
      • Israel: The Holy Land & Timeless Cultures 2012
    • South America
      • Machu Picchu & the Galápagos 2012
      • Ultimate Galápagos Exploration & Ecuador's Amazon Wilds 2012
      • Amazon River Cruise & Rain Forest 2012
      • Real Affordable Peru 2012
      • NEW! Colombia's Colonial Jewels & Caribbean Coast 2012
      • The Wilderness Beyond: Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego & the Chilean Fjords 2012
      • Chile & Argentina: The Andes to Patagonia 2012
    • South Pacific
      • Pure New Zealand 2012
      • Ultimate Australia 2012
      • Australia & New Zealand: An Adventure Down Under 2012
    • New Adventures
      • NEW! Mongolia & the Gobi Desert 2012
      • NEW! Burma: Land of Golden Temples & Floating Gardens 2012
      • NEW! Colombia's Colonial Jewels & Caribbean Coast 2012
    • Cuba with the Foundation
      • A Bridge Between Cultures 2012 – Read more on the Grand Circle Foundation website
  • Ways to Save
    • Solo Friendly Travel
      • 10 Reasons to Travel Solo with OAT
      • Lowest Solo Traveler Prices in the Industry: Guaranteed
      • Solo Traveler Challenge
      • Find a Roommate
      • What Solo Travelers Have to Say About OAT
      • Top Solo Adventures
    • Refer and Earn

      • Refer and Earn

        When you refer new travelers to OAT through our Vacation Ambassador Referral Program, you’ll earn $100 per person in CASH or credit—and the more travelers you refer, the greater the rewards. New travelers you refer enjoy instant savings of $100 per person off their first adventure.

        » Learn More

    • Group Leader Program
      • Group Leader Offers
      • Group Leader Tips & Tools
      • Meet the Group Sales Team
      • FAQs
      • Group Leader Spotlight
      • Popular Group Adventures
    • Good Buy Plan

      • Good Buy Plan

        Guarantee your trip price—and save up to 10%—with OAT's exclusive Good Buy Plan.

        » Learn More

    • Frequent Traveler Credits

      • Frequent Traveler Credits

        Every time you travel with OAT, you'll receive a Frequent Traveler Credit worth 5% of the advertised cost of your trip, applicable toward the next OAT adventure you take within one year.

        » Learn More

    • Travel Protection Plan

      • Travel Protection Plan

        When you purchase OAT's Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel your OAT adventure at any time—up to the day of your departure, and for any reason—and retain the FULL value of your trip, including your deposit.

        » Learn More

    • Last Minute Travel Deals

      • Last Minute Travel Deals

        Act now to take advantage of these terrific savings on last-minute departures, available exclusively on our website. You won’t find these deals anywhere else!
        Last updated: Friday, February 3, 2012

        » Learn More

    • Maximize Your Savings

      • Maximize Your Savings

        Travelers love the value we provide—and we’re proud to offer discovery-rich adventures and the lowest prices in the industry. Learn how you can save even more, whether you’re traveling with a companion or solo.

        » Learn More

    • Lowest Price Guarantee

      • Lowest Price Guarantee

        Reserve a 2012 departure of any OAT Land Adventure and you’re guaranteed to receive our lowest price. If we reduce the price of your main departure, we will automatically refund the difference to you.

        » Learn More

  • OAT Difference
    • Adventure Travel

      • Adventure Travel

        Adventure travel with OAT is a journey beyond the familiar, one that takes you into the very heart of a destination—to meet people where they work and live.

        » Learn More

    • OAT Advantages

      • OAT Advantages

        Journey with the leader in adventure travel and watch your dreams take flight, thanks to the principles which ground every OAT adventure: value, choice, discovery, and carefully paced itineraries.

        » Learn More

    • Small Groups, Big Discoveries

      • Small Groups, Big Discoveries

        When you discover the world in an OAT small group, you’ll journey off the beaten path to the places the big tour groups miss—and enjoy an intimate, discovery-filled adventure filled with personal connections, shared experiences, and treasured memories.

        » Learn More

    • Trip Leaders

      • Trip Leaders

        No matter where in the world you venture with OAT, you'll have one of our resident, expert Trip Leaders by your side. All are fluent in English and possess the skills, certification, and experience necessary to ensure an enriching adventure.

        » Learn More

    • True Choice

      • True Choice

        New for 2012, you can customize your trip, creating the OAT adventure that's right for you. When you make your reservation, you can choose our standard air routing—or you can request that one of our Air Travel Consultants contact you to discuss other options.

        » Learn More

    • Sir Edmund Hillary Team

      • Sir Edmund Hillary Team

        Many OAT travelers return to discover the world with us time and time again, and to show our appreciation, we've created the Sir Edmund Hillary Team, a membership rewards program for travelers who've joined us on three or more adventures.

        » Learn More

    • Awards
      • Just Announced: Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 Gold List and Platinum Circle
      • Condé Nast Traveler's 2011 Gold List
      • Travel + Leisure Magazine's 2010 Global Vision Award
      • Condé Nast Traveler's 2010 Reader's Choice Awards
      • Travel + Leisure Magazine's 2010 World's Best List
    • Grand Circle Foundation
      • Index

        Grand Circle Foundation

        Simply by traveling with OAT, you support the work of the nonprofit Grand Circle Foundation. Alan and Harriet Lewis created the Foundation with the mission of changing people’s lives through travel—which includes both the travelers who journey with OAT, and the local people who welcome us so warmly into their homelands.

        » Learn More

    • About Us
      • The Grand Circle Family of Travel Companies
      • Our History
      • OAT: Our Story
      • Our Vision, Mission, and Values
  • Community
    • Harriet's Corner
      • Harriet's Journal
      • Travel Talk
      • Community News and Views
      • Traveler Stories
      • Global Kitchen
      • Harriet's Favorite Adventures
      • Video Collection
      • Upcoming Events in Boston
      • Harriet on Facebook
    • Travel Forum

      • Travel Forum

        Exchange thoughts, experiences, and opinions openly with other travelers, whether you're looking for information on a future trip, or have valuable insights from your own travels you'd like to share.

        » Learn More

    • Travel Companions

      • Travel Companions

        Connect with like-minded OAT travelers and meet new people who not only share your love for travel, but who might also become your new friends as you explore the world together.

        » Learn More

    • Facebook

      • Facebook

        Learn more about our Facebook online community, a place where you can stay connected with OAT and your fellow travelers. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions, get advice, find travel companions, learn what’s new at OAT, share your photos, videos, and stories, and more.

        » Learn More

    • Traveler Celebration Events

      • Traveler Celebration Events

        Our regional Traveler Celebration Events are opportunities for you to meet other world travelers who share your passion for learning and discovery, swap travel stories, and give us feedback on how we can to make your experience even better—plus, you’ll be one of the first to preview upcoming trips.

        » Learn More

    • Traveler Photo Contest

      • Traveler Photo Contest

        This year, we received thousands of Photo Contest entries, representing countries all around the world. Congratulations to all of our winners—and to everyone who entered our contest.

        » Learn More

    • Grand Circle Gallery

      • Grand Circle Gallery

        Grand Circle Gallery in Boston invites you to view our extensive collection of vintage travel posters and breathtaking black-and-white photography from Alan and Harriet Lewis’ private collection, as well as special exhibits on other travel-related themes.

        » Learn More

    • On the Road with Alan
      • Travel Experiences & Cultural Discoveries
      • Global Impacts
      • Meeting Worldwide Challenges
      • Leadership & Development Programs
      • Driving With No Brakes Book
The OAT Difference
  • Adventure Travel
  • OAT Advantages
  • Small Groups, Big Discoveries
  • Trip Leaders
  • True Choice
  • Sir Edmund Hillary Team
  • Awards
    • Just Announced: Condé Nast Traveler’s 2012 Gold List and Platinum Circle
    • Condé Nast Traveler's 2011 Gold List
    • Travel + Leisure Magazine's 2010 Global Vision Award
    • Condé Nast Traveler's 2010 Reader's Choice Awards
    • Travel + Leisure Magazine's 2010 World's Best List
  • Grand Circle Foundation

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Awards

At OAT our #1 commitment to our travelers is delivering the best travel experience at the best value, and we work hard everyday to accomplish that.

So, we are extremely gratified when our travelers honor us by giving us award-winning high marks in independent surveys. We’ve listed some of our recent awards below, including accolades we’ve received for our workplace and for the Grand Circle Foundation.

Condé Nast Traveler Awards

Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises

Platinum Circle

2012

Platinum Circle Member

Conde Nast 2012 Gold List

Gold List Awards

2012

 World's Top Cruise Lines
Ranked #6

2011

 World's Top Cruise Lines
Ranked #5

2010

 World's Top Cruise Lines
Ranked #7

2009

 World's Top Cruise Lines
Ranked #6

2008

 World's Top Cruise Lines
Ranked #3

2007 & 2006

 World's Top Cruise Lines
Ranked #5

Readers' Choice Awards

2011

 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #2

2010

 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #3

2009

 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #5

2008

 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #4

2007

 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #2

2006 & 2005

 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked in Top 5

Top Cruise Ships Worldwide (Cruise Poll)

2008

 5 Grand Circle small ships among Top 10 Small Cruise Ships Worldwide
8 Grand Circle small ships make "Best Of" list
M/S Bizet ranks #1, M/S Anuket ranks #2

2007 & 2006

 3 Grand Circle small ships among Top Small Cruise Ships Worldwide

Travel + Leisure Awards

Overseas Adventure Travel

2010 Global Vision Award for Philanthropic Travel
2010 World's Best Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked in Top 20
2008 World's Best Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked #12
2007 World's Best Value Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked #3
World's Best Service Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked #10
2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 World's Best Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked in Top 15

Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises

2010 World's Best Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked in Top 20
2009 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #10
2008 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #4
World's Best Tour Operator/Safari Outfitter
Ranked #14
2007 World's Best Value Cruise Line
Ranked #1
World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #5
World's Best Service Cruise Lines
Ranked #10
2006 World's Best Small Ship Cruise Lines
Ranked #5

Grand Circle Corporation

2006 Humanitarian Award received by OAT
Tanzania Tourist Board
2006 Top 15 Corporate Charitable Contributors in MA
Corporate Philanthrophy Summit and Boston Business Journal
2006 25 Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work for in America
Great Place to Work® Institute, Inc. and Society for Human Resource Management
2006 New England Social Entrepreneur of the Year received by Grand Circle CEO Alan Lewis
Ernst & Young
2006 Excellence Award
Committee to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy
2005 Top 20 Best Places to Work (large company division)
Boston Business Journal
2000 & 1998 Friends of Thailand Award
Government of Thailand

Grand Circle Foundation

2006 Citizenship Award received by Harriet Lewis
City on a Hill Public Charter School
2004 Cornerstone Award
Neurofibromatosis Foundation
2004 Circle of Giving Award received by Harriet Lewis
The New England Women's Leadership Award (NEWLA)
2004 Thompson Island Outward Bound North Star Award
Thompson Island Outward Bound
2003 UNESCO World Heritage Centre Partners in Conservation Program
UNESCO

2002 AIDS Action Corporate Partner Award
AIDS Action Committee
2001 Big Sister Association Achievement Award
Big Sister Association of Greater Boston
2001 Recognition Award
Shelter, Inc.
2000 Hero of Philanthropy Award
National Society of Fund Raising Executives (NSFRE)
1998 Thompson Island Founders' Award
Thompson Island Outward Bound
1996 Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Founders' Award
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Traveler Favorites

Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari (2012)
Travel from only
$350 per day
17 days - including international airfare - from only
$5945
» See Adventure Details

Heart of India (2012)
Travel from only
$214 per day
17 days - including international airfare - from only
$3645
» See Adventure Details

Safari Serengeti: Tanzania Lodge & Tented Safari (2012)
Travel from only
$319 per day
13 days - including international airfare - from only
$4145
» See Adventure Details

NEW! Burma: Land of Golden Temples & Floating Gardens (2012)
Travel from only
$262 per day
16 days - including international airfare - from only
$4195
» See Adventure Details

The Grand Circle Family: Grand Circle Travel Overseas Adventure Travel Grand Circle Foundation
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Land Adventures
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Video Highlights
Regions
Africa
Antarctica
Asia
Central America
Europe
Middle East
South America
South Pacific
Ways to Save
Solo Friendly Travel
Share Your Love of Travel
Group Leader Program
Good Buy Plan
Frequent Traveler Credits
Travel Protection Plan
Last Minute Travel Deals
OAT Difference
Adventure Travel
OAT Advantages
Small Groups, Big Discoveries
Trip Leaders
True Choice
Lowest Price Guarantee
Sir Edmund Hillary Team
Awards
Grand Circle Foundation
Community
Harriet's Corner
Travel Forum
Travel Companions
Facebook
Traveler Celebration Events
Travel Photo Contest
Grand Circle Gallery
On the Road with Alan
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