TOURS & CRUISES

INDIA

Celebrate the Hindu New Year

Gain an insider’s view of India on a 16-day journey departing Nov. 1 from Los Angeles and headed for the state of Rajasthan.

The tour, which will visit private homes as well as historical sites, will be led by American travel agent Suraj Zutshi, an Indian native whose family has operated a travel agency in New Delhi for 30 years. Starting in New Delhi, the tour includes Udaipur, Jaisalmer and Agra, site of the Taj Mahal.

The group’s stay in Jodhpur coincides with Diwali, a Hindu festival celebrating the goddess Lakshmi and the Hindu New Year. “It is one of the most important festivals. Lots of sweets and lights and fireworks,” Zutshi said.

Accommodations include hotels, converted palaces and a royal hunting lodge.

Cost: $3,965 per person, double occupancy ($950 single surcharge), including airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco, most meals, admissions, scheduled entertainment and internal transfers.

Contact: Unique Journeys, Reno; (800) 421-1981, www.uniquejourney.com.

PALAU

Exploring coral lagoons

SNORKEL the dazzling coral lagoons of Palau, Micronesia, on nine-day tours beginning Nov. 16, Feb. 1 and April 19, sponsored by the nonprofit Oceanic Society.

Marine biologists will lead the tours to landmarks including Jellyfish Lake, where snorkelers float among nonstinging jellyfish. They will also teach evening classes on coral ecology and fish identification and behavior.

Cost: $3,135 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $600), including airfare from Honolulu, lodging and private boat charters. Most meals are not included.

Contact: Oceanic Society Expeditions, San Francisco; (800) 326-7491 or www.oceanic-society.org.

COLORADO

River rafting for the family

Raft the Animus River with the kids on a weekend getaway to Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. Visitors can view some of the 4,000 archeological sites in the park.

The park and the city of Durango are sponsoring a special package for any three nights through Sept. 30. Two adults and two children younger than 17 can stay two nights at the Far View Lodge in the park and one night at the Holiday Inn in Durango.

Guided tours of ancient Pueblo cliff dwellings, a half-day of rafting and a jeep tour of La Plata Canyon near Durango are included.

Cost: $769 for two adults and two children under 17, including accommodations and activities. Transportation to Mesa Verde is not included.

Contact: Mild to Wild Rafting & Jeep Tours, Durango, Colo.; (800) 567-6745 (ask for code MTR02) or www.mild2wildrafting.com.

MASSACHUSETTS

Berkshires

by bicycle

Bike through autumn foliage in the Berkshire Hills in western Massachusetts and stay in historic inns.

The six-day trips, scheduled for Sept. 26 and Oct. 3 and 10, will mix 25- to 50-mile daily rides with sightseeing stops that include the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge and Hancock Shaker Village in Hancock.

A challenging ride to the top of 2,491-foot Mt. Greylock, the state’s highest point, is optional.

Cost: $1,650 per person, double occupancy ($400 single surcharge), including accommodations, most meals and airport transfer. Transportation from LAX to Boston is not included. Bicycle rental is $115.

Contact: Easy Rider Tours, Boston; (800) 488-8332, www.easyridertours.com.

LIBYA, EGYPT

Into ancient territory

Stroll across the sands of time on a two-week educational tour to Libya and Egypt.

The Jan. 8 tour, which will be led by professor Arelene Wolinski of San Diego Mesa College, will visit Tripoli, Sabratha, Leptis Magna, Benghazi, Al Bayda and Tobruk in Libya and El Alamein, Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt.

Cost: $4,494 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge $696), including round-trip transportation from LAX to Tripoli, accommodations, most meals, air and bus transportation within Libya and Egypt, local guides and admission to all museums.

Contact: Classical Alliance of the Western States, San Diego; (800) 862-6220, www.ranchosdtravel.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or send e-mail to [email protected].