Argentina and Chile, $795

The Real Deal: Twelve nights' accommodations and bus and ferry travel from $795 per person.

When: Depart July 14; Aug. 6, 27; Sept. 15; Nov. 3, 26; Dec. 17, 2007; additional dates available in 2008.

The Fine Print: The $795 price for this trip breaks down as $595 paid in advance and a $200 local cash payment per person due on arrival, which covers local transportation by bus and ferry. This trip also runs in the reverse direction, but note that you will then incur the $100 arrival fee that Chile charges Americans. The price does not include airfare or airport taxes. Airport transfer is included only one-way; expect to pay $20 for a taxi ride the other way. Add approximately $250 for meals. Single travelers will be paired with a roommate of the same sex; no single supplement. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book By: No deadline; based on availability.

Contact: G.A.P Adventures, 800/708-7761, gapadventures.com.

Why It's a Deal: Consider that the $795 rate (including the $200 local payment) breaks down to about $61 per person per day and covers accommodations and local transportation. An English-speaking tour leader is available throughout the trip, especially handy in the more remote destinations on this itinerary.

Trip Details: The escorted trip begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where you'll spend one night at the Novel Hotel, an economical, business-class hotel. On the second day, you head by local bus to the lakeside resort town of Bariloche, in Upper Patagonia. For three days, stay at a simple local hotel while you set out on your own to hike the mountains, visit Cerro Catedral, and sample the fresh fish and beef in local restaurants. Then hop on an overnight train that passes through the Andes mountains to Chile. Spend two nights in a local hotel in Puerto Montt, a German-influenced former pioneer town.

In Chile, you'll have the opportunity to hike on your own through a national park, passing waterfalls, and spend two nights in the town of Pucon. Next comes an overnight trip by local bus to the Chilean capital of Santiago. Explore its museums, parks, and beaches.

Groups tend to eat together, but you are not obligated to join and the cost of meals is not included. While your group of up to 15 travelers is escorted, no guided tours or excursions are included in the price of the trip. Guided hikes and other excursions are an additional cost, ranging from $15 for a walking tour of a town to $65 for a tango show in the Argentine capital. You should be in good shape and up for an adventure.

For more information, check out these websites for Argentina and Chile.

Extend your stay at the Novel Hotel in Buenos Aires or in Santiago for about $15-$25 per person per night for a room with two twin beds (for two people).

Keep in mind that in Latin America seasons are the opposite of those in the United States. In the fall, between late March and May, temperatures in Buenos Aires and Santiago are mild--in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit--while they can drop to the 30s in the winter, June through August. Before you go, check out the current forecasts by clicking here. Find the exchange rates and local times at BudgetTravelOnline.com.

Getting There: Airfare is not included in G.A.P's package. To get a sense of the cost, here are the lowest round-trip fares (arriving in Buenos Aires and returning from Santiago) that we've found for a July 14 departure: $944 from New York City (Air Canada); $1,005 from Miami (Lan Peru); $1,091 from Los Angeles (TACA ); and $1,211 from Chicago (Delta).

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