Asia, Africa and Middle East

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ASIA

This Month's Reader Report
Third Time's a Charm
"During a 14-month period, my sister Pat Hendry and I took three trips with Sayang Holidays," says Candy Haggard of San Clemente, Calif. "First, we went on its Great South India trip, and we were so pleased with it that we immediately booked a trip to Vietnam. On our Rajasthan Express trip, we had a private car and driver and were treated like maharanis everywhere we went. We would never have found this company without 40 Best Deals!" Sayang Holidays' 16-day Rajasthan Express trip with airfare starts at $3,050 (Sayang Holidays, 888/472-9264, sayangholidays.com).

China Tour from $1,188
Air China flights from San Francisco to Beijing (returning from Shanghai), transfers and local transportation, and a 12-day tour to Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, Tongli, and Hangzhou with 10 nights' lodging and most meals. Add from $415 for taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Nov. 23, 30 ($1,188); Dec. 7 ($1,199); Dec. 21 ($1,759); Friday departures Jan. 2–16, 30 ($1,199). Other Gateways: L.A. (add $140), New York (add $200), Chicago (add $310). SS: $380. Information: China Focus, 800/868-7244, chinafocustravel.com.

Hong Kong, Bangkok & Singapore from $2,299
Cathay Pacific Airways flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hong Kong (returning from Singapore via Hong Kong), transfers and local transportation, three nights each in Hong Kong and Singapore, and four nights in Bangkok. Includes fuel surcharges. When: Thursday departures Nov. 6, 20 ($2,399); Dec. 4, Jan. 15–Feb. 26 ($2,299); Dec. 11 ($2,799); Dec. 18 ($2,999); Dec. 25 ($2,499). Other Gateways: New York (add $100), Boston (add $125). SS: From $908. Information: Globotours, 800/988-4833, globotours.net.

Japan from $2,089
Air from L.A. or San Francisco to Tokyo, transfers and local transportation, and six nights' hotel split between Tokyo and Kyoto. The price includes a seven-day Japan Rail Pass and half-day city tours of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara. The price also includes fuel surcharges. When: Nov. 1–Dec. 11, Jan. 9–Mar. 24 ($2,089); Dec. 12–19 ($2,349). Other Gateways: Chicago, New York (add $270). SS: $394. Information: NTA America, 800/682-7872, japanvacation.net.

Vietnam, Cambodia & Singapore from $1,749
Singapore Airlines flights from L.A. or San Francisco to Hanoi (via Singapore, returning from Siem Reap); all transfers and local transportation (plane); three nights each in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; two nights in Siem Reap, Cambodia; and one night in Singapore. The price includes half-day tours of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a tour of the ruins of Angkor Wat, and most breakfasts. Add from $500 for airport taxes and fuel surcharges. When: Until Dec. 5, Jan. 8–May 31 ($1,749); Dec. 6–Jan. 7 ($2,099). Other Gateways: Denver (add $180), D.C. (add $320), Chicago (add $350). SS: $420. Information: Escapes Unlimited, 800/243-7227, escapesltd.com.

Tahiti from $1,998
Air Tahiti Nui flights from L.A., all transfers, five nights at the oceanfront Le Méridien Tahiti, and a beach-toy kit. The price is for one adult and one child aged 2–11. Fuel surcharges are included. When: Wednesday and Friday departures Nov. 5–Dec. 10; Jan. 14–May 29. Other Gateways: None. SS: $932. Information: Air Tahiti Nui, 866/456-6000, airtahitinui-usa.com.

AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

Jordan & Egypt from $2,399
EgyptAir flights from New York to Amman (via Cairo, returning from Cairo) and an 11-day escorted tour of Jordan and Egypt with transfers and local transportation, nine nights' lodging, and most meals. Spend three nights in Jordan (two in Amman and one in Petra), three nights in Cairo, and three nights on a Nile River cruise aboard Le Serenade with shore excursions and meals. The price includes fuel surcharges. When: Monday departures Dec. 15 ($2,999); Dec. 22 ($3,199); Dec. 29 ($2,799); Jan. 5 ($2,559); Jan. 12–Feb. 9 ($2,399). Other Gateways: None. SS: From $437. Information: Gate 1 Travel, 800/682-3333, gate1travel.com.

Tanzania from $3,799
Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways flights from Boston, Chicago, D.C., L.A., Miami, New York, or San Francisco to Kilimanjaro (via London and Nairobi); all transfers; and a seven-night safari to Ngorongoro Crater Conservation Area, Olduvai Gorge, and Arusha, Lake Manyara, and Serengeti national parks. The price includes eight game drives, 21 meals, and a guide. Add $322 for fuel surcharges. When: Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday departures Nov. 2–30, Jan. 11–Feb. 26 ($3,799); Dec. 2–Jan. 8 ($4,749). Other Gateways: None. SS: From $450. Information: 2Afrika, 866/462-2374, 2afrika.com.