BudgetTravel

Portugal River Cruise for $1,096
TAP Portugal flights from New York to Porto; transfers; five nights aboard the Infante D. Henrique cruise ship for a round-trip sailing on the Douro River, with stops including Peso da Régua, Pinhão, and Porto Antigo; and all meals and entertainment while aboard. The price covers all port charges. When: Mar. 26, 31 ($1,096); Apr. 5 ($1,138). Other Gateways: None. Contact: Abreu Tours, 800/223-1580, abreu-tours.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Egypt for $1,897
Air from New York, all local transportation (private car and domestic flights), four nights at a five-star hotel in Cairo (Le Méridien Pyramids or similar) with breakfast daily, and four nights on a five-star cruise ship (Al Jamila or similar) sailing on the Nile, including all meals and shore excursions. Bookings guarantee availability, but confirmations for specific hotels and cruise ships are made 21 days before departure. When: Until Feb. 28 ($1,897); Mar. 1-31 ($1,941); Apr. 16-May 17 ($1,991). Other Gateways: Dallas (add $200), L.A. (add $300). Contact: Karell's African Dream Vacations, 800/327-0373, karell.com.

Kenya for $1,999
British Airways flights from New York to Nairobi (via London); all local transportation with an English-speaking guide; one night in Nairobi at the Stanley Hotel; five nights on safari (two at the Sarova Shaba Lodge in the Shaba Game Reserve, one at the Sarova Lion Hill Lodge on Lake Nakuru, and two at the Sarova Mara Tented Lodge in the Masai Mara Game Reserve); breakfast daily; meals and game drives while on safari; and all park entrance fees. When: Until Feb. 28 ($2,299); Mar. 1-May 27 ($1,999). Other Gateways: Boston (add $50); D.C. (add $100); Atlanta, Miami (add $150); Chicago, Dallas (add $200); L.A. (add $250). Contact: Lion World Tours, 800/387-2706, lionworldtours.com.

ASIA

Shanghai Made Easier for $1,115
In response to American Airlines' introduction of daily nonstop flights from Chicago to Shanghai last year, the company's travel-planning branch, American-Airlines Vacations, has begun selling its first land packages in China. The new packages are currently only for Shanghai, but they include acrobatic shows, city sightseeing and shopping tours, a Huangpu River cruise, and accommodations at five partner hotels: Crowne Plaza, Rendezvous Merry, St. Regis, Pudong Shangri-La, and The Westin. AAdvantage members are eligible for additional discounts: Travelers can pay for packages using their frequent-flyer points--flights bought with points are calculated at reduced mileage levels until Apr. 30--or earn 10,000 bonus miles on trips booked before Mar. 31. The company's Shanghai packages begin at $1,115 and include American Airlines flights from Boston, Chicago, or New York; four nights at the Rendezvous Merry Hotel in the city's business district; and breakfast daily. When: Until Feb. 28 ($1,115); Mar. 1-31 ($1,205). Other Gateways: Dallas (from $1,120), Miami (from $1,226). Contact: AmericanAirlines Vacations, 800/321-2121, aavacations.com.

China Tour for $999
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing; all transfers and local transportation (train and private bus); 10 nights in four-star hotels divided between Beijing, Jinan, Tai'an, Qufu, Suzhou, and Shanghai; one overnight train; most meals; and an English-speaking guide throughout. Trip highlights include visits to Tiananmen Square and the Great Wall, an acrobatic show in Shanghai, and a cable-car ride up Mount Tai. When: Feb. 23 ($999); Mar. 9, 16, 22 ($1,099); Friday departures Apr. 6-May 25 ($1,299). Other Gateways: New York (add $200). Contact: China Focus, 800/868-7244, chinafocustravel.com.

Northern India Tour for $2,295
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Singapore, one night at the Furama RiverFront hotel, onward flight to Delhi, all transfers and local transportation, and 13 nights' hotel accommodations in India (two each in Delhi, Jaisalmer, Udaipur, and Jaipur; and one each in Mandawa, Khimsar, Jodhpur, Pushkar, and Agra). The price covers break-fast daily, an elephant ride, a visit to the Taj Mahal, and more. When: Until Apr. 30. Other Gateways: New York (add $150); Denver, Phoenix, Seattle (add $175); D.C. (add $250); Austin, Dallas, Houston (add $275); Chicago (add $325). Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.

Thailand & Cambodia Tour for $2,310
Northwest Airlines flights from L.A. to Bangkok (via Tokyo, returning flight from Siem Reap), transfers, 18 nights' lodging (15 in simple hotels, two in Hill Tribe housing, and one on an overnight train), all local transportation (boat, plane, private bus, train), and English-speaking guides throughout. The 22-day trip includes visits to the River Kwai, Chiang Mai, and Angkor Wat, and an optional two-day trek in northern Thailand. Add $275 a week for meals and entry costs. When: Feb. 23; Mar. 9, 23; Apr. 6, 20. Other Gateways: New York ($2,410), Miami ($2,535), Chicago ($2,625). Contact: Djoser, 877/356-7376, djoserusa.com.

Tokyo for $899
American Airlines flights from L.A., transfers, five nights at the Tokyo Prince Hotel in the Minato-ku neighborhood, and a half-day city tour. When: Until Feb. 28 ($899); Mar. 1-28 ($999). Other Gateways: Boston, Chicago, D.C., New York (add $100). Contact: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.

Vietnam Tour for $1,198
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hanoi (via Singapore), all transfers and local transportation (private car and plane), and eight nights' accommodations: three in Hanoi, one on a traditional junk in Halong Bay, and four in Ho Chi Minh City. Includes visits to the the tunnels of Cu Chi, a full-day tour of Hanoi, all meals on the boat, and breakfast daily. When: Until Apr. 30. Other Gateways: New York (add $150); Denver, Seattle (add $175); Austin, Dallas, Houston (add $275); Chicago (add $325). Contact: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.

SOUTH PACIFIC

Moorea for $1,479
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A. to Papeete, Tahiti, transfers and inter-island air to Moorea, six nights at the beach-front Club Bali Hai on Cook's Bay, and lei greetings. When: Thursday departures until Mar. 31. Other Gateways: None. Contact: Pleasant Holidays, 800/448-333, pleasantholidays.com.

AUSTRALIA

Sydney, Cairns & the Outback for $2,499
Qantas flights from L.A. to Sydney, flights within Australia, and 12 nights' hotel accommodations. Spend four nights each in Sydney and Cairns, and two each in Alice Springs and Ayers Rock/Uluru in the Outback. When: Feb. 1-Mar. 28 ($2,799); Mar. 29-Apr. 30 ($2,499). Other Gateways: New York (add $300). Contact: Qantas Airways/Tourism Australia, 800/369-6863, australia.com.