Asia, Africa and Middle East

Sign up for more savings Many travel companies let customers know about new destinations and fire sales on last-minute deals through their e-mail newsletters. Some offer subscriber discounts on all bookings. Check out their websites for more options; and tell them Budget Travel sent you!

How was your trip? Have you taken a 40 Best Deals vacation? E-mail us how it went at Letters@BudgetTravel.com.

It pays to book directly with an airline Shop for airfares on meta-search websites like Farecast, SideStep, and Kayak and then book directly with the airline—you'll have more clout in the event that your flight is canceled.

Beyond hotels Looking for an affordable place to stay during the holidays? Consider renting an apartment or even a house. Check out websites like rentalo.com, interhome.us, villasintl.com, vrbo.com, and craigslist.org.

ASIA

Deal of the Month!

A Peak Into the Past
Bhutan, a small Himalayan kingdom on the northeastern border of India, isn't afraid of discouraging tourism. In fact, independent travelers aren't allowed in at all. The country opened its borders for the first time in 1974 and has had a controlled-tourism policy ever since: Visitors are allowed in only on guided tours with set itineraries led by licensed Bhutanese tour companies. The government determines the amount each tourist must pay daily to travel within the country and levies surcharges on groups of fewer than three. Despite (or because of) the regulations, Bhutan's appeal—encapsulated in images of Buddhist monasteries built against improbably steep slopes—only grows.

Bhutan Tour from $1,610
An eight-day escorted tour round trip from Paro with one night of camping and day hikes in the Himalayas. The itinerary includes stops at the Taktshang and Cheri monasteries, the former capital Punakha, a weaving center in Changzamtok, the town of Thimphu, Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Park, and the fortresses of Drukgyel and Rinchen Pung. For groups of three or more, the price is $1,400 per person. Airfare isn't covered. When: Sept. 1–Dec. 31. SS: $70. Information: Jachung Travel, 510/558-3403, jachungtravel.com.

Batanes, Philippines from $1,599
Air from L.A., San Diego, or San Francisco to Manila; transfers; an onward flight to Batanes province; a six-day escorted tour; and most meals. Add from $270 for fuel surcharges. When: Wednesday and Saturday departures Dec. 3–31 ($2,299); Jan. 3–May 30 ($1,599). Other Gateways: Boston, D.C., New York (add $300); Chicago (add $400). SS: $165. Information: Pacific Asia Leisure, 212/661-3270, pacificasialeisure.com.

Cambodia from $1,299
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Siem Reap (via Tokyo or Seoul, returning from Phnom Penh), transfers, six nights' lodging, and breakfasts. The price includes three nights in Siem Reap, the gateway to Angkor Wat; an onward flight to Phnom Penh; three nights in the seaside town of Kep; and tours of Angkor Wat and Kep. Add from $390 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Nov. 30. Other Gateways: Denver, Phoenix, Seattle (add $200); Austin, Dallas, Houston (add $300); Chicago, Miami, New York, St. Louis (add $350). SS: From $210. Information: Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com.

Cathay Pacific All-Asia Pass from $1,199
Cathay Pacific Airways' All-Asia Pass covers flights from L.A., New York, or San Francisco to Hong Kong and two onward flights to a choice of 23 destinations, including Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Phuket, Seoul, and Taipei. Add $300 per additional onward flight (up to a total of four). Includes fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 1. Other Gateways: Las Vegas, San Diego (add $100); Denver (add $200); Boston, Chicago, D.C., Houston, Miami, Orlando, Philadelphia (add $360). Information: Cathay Pacific Airways, cathaypacific.com; pass must be booked through a travel agent.

Deccan Plateau, India from $570
A 14-day escorted tour from Mumbai to Goa with local transportation, 13 nights' lodging, and an overnight train. Highlights include a visit to the Ellora Caves with Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu temples. A local payment of $250 is due upon arrival. Add $225 for meals. Airfare isn't included. When: Oct. 19; Nov. 2, 30. SS: Not available. Information: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

Japan from $2,669
Air from L.A. or San Francisco to Tokyo; transfers; a seven-day Japan Rail Pass; four nights in Tokyo at Hotel Pacific Tokyo; two nights each in Kyoto and Tohoku (the northern region of Honshu, Japan's main island); some meals; half-day city tours of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara; and a chartered taxi to visit temples and hot-spring baths in Tohoku. Includes fuel surcharges. When: Sept. 1–Oct. 19 ($2,769); Oct. 20–Dec. 11 ($2,669). Other Gateways: Chicago, New York (add $270). SS: $582. Information: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.

Laos Tour from $2,269
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Bangkok and a 10-day tour with transfers and local transportation, eight nights' lodging (two each in Bangkok and Vientiane, three in Luang Prabang, and one in Xieng Khouang), a Mekong River boat ride, and breakfasts. Add from $500 for fuel surcharges. When: Sept. 1–Dec. 4. Other Gateways: Denver, Portland, Seattle (add $180); New York (add $250); Dallas, Houston (add $280); Boston, D.C., Philadelphia (add $340). SS: $1,000. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Northern Thailand Tour from $1,775
Bangkok or Thai Airways flights from Bangkok to Chiang Mai (returning from Chiang Rai) and a nine-day tour round trip from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son, Pai, Thaton, and Chiang Rai. The itinerary covers transfers, local transportation, eight nights' lodging, some meals, temple visits in Mae Hong Son, and elephant rides at Chiang Dao Elephant Training Center. The price includes fuel surcharges on mentioned flights, but not international airfare. When: Until Apr. 30. SS: $1,200. Information: Journeys Within Tour Company and B&B, 877/454-3672, journeys-within.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Cairo & Nubia from $1,799
EgyptAir flights from New York to Cairo and an eight-day tour with transfers and local transportation, six nights' lodging, and breakfasts. The price includes three nights in Cairo, an onward flight to Aswan, and a three-night cruise on Lake Nasser from Aswan to Abu Simbel with all meals and shore excursions. The price includes fuel surcharges. When: Wednesday departures Sept. 3, 10 ($1,799); Sept. 17, 24 ($1,899); Oct. 1–29 ($2,599); Nov. 5–26 ($2,699). Other Gateways: Boston (add $92), D.C. (add $98), Detroit (add $110), San Francisco (add $276), L.A. (add $332). SS: $399. Information: Foreign Independent Tours, 800/248-3487, fittours.com.

Egypt & Jordan from $2,195
EgyptAir flights from New York to Amman (via Cairo), a 10-day escorted tour with transfers and local transportation, eight nights' lodging, and breakfasts. Spend one night each in Amman and Petra, Jordan; three in Cairo; and three on a Nile River cruise with meals and shore excursions. Add from $350 for fuel surcharges. When: Monday departures Sept. 1–22 ($2,195); Sept. 29–Nov. 3 ($2,695). Other Gateways: None. SS: From $650. Information: Misr Travel, 800/223-4978, misrtravel.org.

Israel Tour from $1,699
United or Austrian Airlines flights from D.C. or New York to Tel Aviv and a nine-day tour with transfers and local transportation (bus), seven nights' lodging, a city tour of Jerusalem, and breakfasts. Spend two nights in Tel Aviv at Hotel Metropolitan, one in Galilee at Pastoral Hotel Kibbutz Kfar Blum, and four in Jerusalem at the Olive Tree Hotel. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Sept. 11 ($1,789); Sept. 18 ($1,929); Oct. 23 ($2,279); Oct. 30 ($2,109); Nov. 13 ($1,779); Dec. 4 ($1,699); Dec. 18 ($2,249). Other Gateways: Chicago (add $12); Miami (add $18); Boston, Philadelphia (add from $55). SS: $438. Information: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Madagascar from $2,060
A seven-day tour around Madagascar from the capital, Antananarivo, to Ifaty. The price includes transfers, a flight from Toliara to Antananarivo, six nights' lodging (two each in Isalo National Park and Ifaty; one each in Antsirabe and Fianarantsoa), park fees, and some meals. Itinerary highlights include lemur-viewing in Isalo National Park. International airfare isn't included. When: Until Dec. 31. SS: $895. Information: SITA World Tours, 800/421-5643, sitatours.com.

Morocco from $630
An eight-day tour from Casablanca to Marrakech with local transportation, six nights' lodging, an overnight train, a day trip to Tangier, and more. A local payment of €150 is due on arrival. Land-only. When: Sept. 20; Oct. 25; Saturday departures Nov. 1–22. SS: None. Information: Intrepid Travel, 800/970-7299, intrepidtravel.com.

Namibia from $4,995
Air from New York to Johannesburg (via Paris) and an 18-day tour round trip from Johannesburg with transfers and local transportation, 15 nights' lodging, game drives, park fees, guides, and most meals. Spend three nights each in Windhoek, in Namib Naukluft and Etosha national parks, and in a Damaraland game reserve; two in Swakopmund; and one in Johannesburg. Includes fuel surcharges. When: Nov. 24 ($4,995); Dec. 1, 22 ($5,095). Other Gateways: Chicago, D.C., Detroit, Houston, Miami, Philadelphia (from $5,095); Atlanta, Denver, San Francisco, Tampa (from $5,295). SS: $395. Information: Overseas Adventure Travel, 800/873-5628, oattravel.com.

Tanzania & Zanzibar from $4,095
Virgin Atlantic Airways flights from Boston, D.C., or New York to Kilimanjaro (via London and Nairobi, returning from Zanzibar); a six-day safari with stops at the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Serengeti and Lake Manyara national parks; an onward flight to Zanzibar; three nights in Stone Town (or a nearby beach area); and most meals. Add from $60 for fuel surcharges. When: Until Sept. 15 ($4,695); Sept. 16–Oct. 31 ($4,295); Nov. 1–30 ($4,095); Dec. 1–21 ($4,595). Other Gateways: Miami, Orlando (add $170); L.A., San Francisco (add $190); Chicago (add $210). SS: From $300. Information: Masai Travel, 800/587-1644, masaitravel.com.

Tunisia Camel Safari from $1,070
A 15-day tour round trip from Tunis with local transportation, 14 nights' lodging, guides, and some meals. Highlights include a three-day camel trek in the Sahara and visits to the troglodyte caves in Matmata. A local payment of 200 dinars ($173) is due upon arrival. Airfare isn't included. When: Sept. 20, Oct. 4, 18, Mar. 7 ($1,070); Dec. 20 ($1,110). SS: From $125. Information: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.