BudgetTravel

Egypt Tour for $2,195
Air from New York to Cairo; all transfers and local transportation (private bus, boat, and plane); 13 nights' accommodations (five in Cairo, two in Luxor, three in Aswan, and three on a Nile River cruise); most meals, excursions, and tours; and an English-speaking guide throughout. The 15-day itinerary includes visits to the Egyptian Museum, Valley of the Kings, the High Dam, the pyramids at Giza, and the Sphinx. When: Departures Mar. 7--28 (from $2,395), Apr. 2--30 (from $2,295), May 2--27 (from $2,195). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add $200); Denver, L.A., Miami (add $300); Atlanta, Chicago, Houston (add $350); Seattle (add $400). Details: Geared toward people over the age of 50. Single supplement $595. Add five nights in Jordan for $795. Contact: Overseas Adventure Travel, 800/248-3737, oattravel.com.

Kenya for $1,899
British Airways flights from New York (via London), all transfers with an English-speaking guide, one night in Nairobi at the Stanley hotel, five nights on safari (two at Sarova Shaba Lodge in the Shaba Game Reserve, one at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge on Lake Nakuru, and two at Sarova Mara Tented Lodge in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve), breakfast daily, all meals and game drives on safari, and all park entrance fees. When: Until Mar. 30 ($1,899), Apr. 1--30 ($2,099), May 1--31 ($1,999). Other Gateways: Boston (add $50); D.C. (add $100); Atlanta, Miami (add $150); Chicago, Dallas (add $200); L.A., Seattle (add $250). Details: Single supplement from $325. A free stopover in London is allowed in either direction. Contact: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtravel.com.

South Africa for $2,249
South African Airways flights from Atlanta or New York to Johannesburg, local transportation, 18 nights' accommodations (16 in simple lodges, two nights camping), all park entrance fees, most meals, and an English-speaking guide. The 21-day itinerary includes Kruger National Park, the Drakensberg Mountains, Addo Elephant National Park, the Garden Route, Cape Town, and the Cape Winelands. When: Mar. 13 ($2,249); Apr. 10, May 8, May 29 ($2,499); June 22 ($2,859). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C. (add from $140); L.A., San Francisco (add from $260). Details: A local payment of roughly $350 is due upon arrival in South Africa. Single supplement $520. Contact: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.

Asia

Bali for $699
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Bali (via Singapore), transfers, and five nights in Kuta, Sanur, or Ubud, or a combination of the three; breakfast daily; and a half-day tour. When: Until June 4. Other Gateways: Albuquerque, Seattle (add $175); New York (add $250); Houston (add $275); Boston, Pittsburgh (add $350). Details: Extra nights from $20. Single supplement $120. With afternoon flights from L.A. and San Francisco, you can add a stopover in Singapore for free (includes transfers, a one-night stay at either the Peninsular Excelsior Hotel or the Allson Hotel, and sightseeing excursions). Contact: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Seoul for $849
Air from L.A., New York, San Francisco, or Seattle and five nights at the Best Western Vision, in the Seongdong-gu area near Hanyang University. When: Until Mar. 31 ($849), Apr. 1--May 14 ($899), May 15--31 ($949). Other Gateways: Atlanta, Chicago, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Pittsburgh (add $130); Birmingham, Fort Lauderdale, Nashville, Providence, Tulsa (add $250). Details: Extra nights from $48. Single supplement from $250. Contact: Go-today.com, 800/227-3235, go-today.com.

Singapore for $899
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco, transfers, four nights at the Ritz-Carlton Millenia Singapore, and a half-day city tour. When: Until Mar. 25 ($899), Mar. 26--June 5 ($999). Other Gateways: None. Details: Extra nights from $185. Single supplement $418. Add three nights in Tokyo or Bangkok starting at $450 more. Contact: Globotours, 800/988-4833, globotours.net.

Thailand Tour for $1,195
Northwest/KLM flights from L.A. to Bangkok (via Tokyo), transfers, all city-to-city transportation (bus, train, and plane), seven nights' hotel and one overnight on a train, breakfast daily, two dinners, and an English-speaking guide throughout. The 10-day tour includes stops in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Ayutthaya, and a stay in a floating hotel on the River Kwai. When: Mar. 31, Apr. 14, May 5. Custom dates available for groups of two or more departing before May 20 (add $100 per person). Other Gateways: New York ($1,295), Chicago ($1,510), Miami ($1,540). Details: This is an itinerary designed exclusively for BT readers: It departs on a Friday and returns on a Sunday, maximizing weekend travel. Add approximately $250 for meals and expenses. Extra nights in Bangkok from $60. Single supplement $100. Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.

South Pacific

Bora-Bora for $1,659
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Papeete, transfers, one night at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti, an onward flight to Bora-Bora, and six nights in a garden-view room at Le Maitai Polynesia Resort with breakfast daily. When: Mar. 1--31 ($1,659), Apr. 1--May 31 ($1,839). Other Gateways: New York, with an additional night at Le Maitai Polynesia ($2,079). Details: Extra nights from $85. Single supplement from $662. Contact: Caradonna Dive Adventures, 800/328-2288, caradonna.com.

Cook Islands for $1,349
Air New Zealand flights from L.A., transfers, seven nights on Rarotonga at the Castaway Beach Villas, and breakfast daily. When: Until Mar. 31 ($1,349), Apr. 1--May 31 ($1,561). Other Gateways: None. Details: These are cash-discount prices; add $50 for credit card payments. Extra nights from $106. Single supplement from $527. Contact: Sunspots International, 800/334-5623, sunspotsintl.com.

Fiji for $1,541
Air Pacific flights from L.A., transfers, seven nights in a garden-view cottage at the Wananavu Beach Resort, and breakfast daily. When: Apr. 1--Mar. 31, 2007. Other Gateways: Dallas, Denver (add $390); Chicago (add $430); Miami, New York (add $455). Details: Extra nights $192. Single supplement $672. Contact: Exotic Escapes/Air Pacific, 866/666-8922, airpacificusa.com.

Australia

Sydney, Melbourne & More for $1,562
United Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco, four nights in Sydney at the Travelodge Wentworth Avenue, a five-day car rental, a four-night book-as-you-go Yellow Choice HotelPass, and four nights in Melbourne at the Travelodge Southbank. When: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday departures Mar. 1--29 ($2,109), Apr. 3--26 ($1,731), May 1--June 7 and Aug. 1--30 ($1,562). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $192), New York (add $240). Details: Extra nights from $58. Single supplement from $645. Contact: United Vacations/Tourism Australia, 877/793-2484, australia.com/united.

New Zealand

North or South Island for $1,499
Air New Zealand flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Auckland or Christchurch, an eight-day car rental, and seven nights of open vouchers valid at more than 90 Golden Chain motels across the country. When: Until Apr. 30 ($1,555), May 1--Sept. 30 ($1,499). Other Gateways: San Diego (add $140); Dallas, Denver (add $380); Chicago, New York (add $430). Details: Extra nights from $54. Single supplement $450. Book by Mar. 31 to receive free round-trip flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, or Cairns from either Auckland or Christchurch. Contact: Goway Travel, 800/387-8850, goway.com.

Reader Report

Sarah Perry of Mill Valley, Calif., writes: "Thanks for highlighting the Mekong Experience from Journeys Within (Sept. 2005). I read your article and signed up immediately--one of the best decisions I've ever made. There were many highlights on our four-week adventure from Jinghong, China, to the South China Sea, but my favorite was the annual Water Festival in Siem Reap, Cambodia. To celebrate the end of the rainy season, thousands of locals lined the riverbanks, cheering on their favorite teams in boat races. Afterward, we were treated to an evening of food and traditional dance at the Journeys Within B&B. The next morning, we rose at 4 a.m. to watch the sun rise over magnificent Angkor Wat. Journeys Within looked after our every need. I can't praise them enough." There are two Mekong Experience trips scheduled for 2006: Oct. 26 and Nov. 9 (877/454-3672, journeys-within.com).