Seeing the wilderness by tall ship

Sail to the site of ancient villages of the Haida Gwaii Islands near British Columbia, Canada, on the heritage tall ship the Maple Leaf.

The nine-day cruises leave May 8 and 19, a period when humpback whales often can be seen.

“Sometimes it’s difficult to navigate because there are so many whales,” said Kevin Smith, captain of the 92-foot-tall ship, which carries nine passengers and five crew members.

Native Haida people will take the group to see carved cedar memorial poles and explain ancient symbolism.

“It’s a spiritual experience,” Smith said. “It’s in the middle of total wilderness. The only way to get there is by boat or plane.”

Cost: $2,900 per person, including meals, accommodations, shore excursions, wine with dinner. Transportation to the embarkation point, Sandspit, British Columbia, is not included.

Contact: Maple Leaf Adventures, Victoria, British Columbia; (888) 599-5323, www.mapleleafadventures.com.

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MEXICO

Make pottery in Mata Ortiz

Learn pottery making in the Casas Grandes style during a seminar in Mata Ortiz, Mexico.

The nine-day workshop and tour April 28 will cover the process from mining clay in the Sierra Madre foothills to firing the earthenware creations.

Master potter Juan Quezada, whose work can be found in galleries and museums throughout the Southwest, will teach the class.

The group will visit the studios of other potters in the village practicing the ancient art, tour the archeological ruins of Casas Grandes and visit El Museo de Cultura del Norte at the site.

Cost: $1,499 per person, double occupancy ($250 single surcharge), including round-trip transportation from Tucson or El Paso to Casas Grandes, accommodations, meals, travel insurance, workshop fee and materials, museum entrance fee, lodge taxes and tips, guides and drivers. Airfare to Tucson or El Paso, entrance fee to Mexico and beverages are not included.

Contact: Vanessa Acosta, Cultural Arts Tours and Workshops, Highland Park; (323) 344-9064.

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OREGON

River cruise in the Northwest

CRUISE the Columbia, Snake and Willamette rivers aboard the 161-passenger riverboat Columbia Queen.

The eight-night tours are offered weekly April 1 through Nov. 18.

The group gathers in Portland, Ore., then travels by bus the following day to Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and the Willamette Valley where they will embark.

The riverboat will sail to Astoria on the Willamette River, visiting significant sites of Lewis and Clark’s 19th century expedition. It will traverse the Bonneville locks in the Columbia River Gorge and see Multnomah Falls, the second- highest year-round falls in the nation.

The boat will stop in Pendleton and Umatilla, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash. It will also stop in Hells Gorge, Idaho, for an optional ride on the rapids. The cruise continues on the Columbia River with a visit to the Maryhill Museum in Goldendale, Wash.

Cost: $1,169 to $4,589 per person, double occupancy depending on season and type of stateroom. (Single cabins are $2,589 to $3,689.) Included are hotel and ship accommodations, hotel taxes, porterage, evening reception and hotel breakfast, meals and entertainment on board and scheduled excursions. Airfare from Los Angeles, port charges, gratuities and beverages are not included.

Contact: American Rivers Cruise Line, Seattle; (800) 901-9152; www.americanrivers cruiseline.com.

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CALIFORNIA

Flower season in the desert

See the desert in bloom during a one-night stay at La Casa del Zorro Resort in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

The luxury package is offered through April and includes an off-road wildflower tour led by naturalist and author Paul Johnson. Wildflower season in the 600,000-acre park is expected to peak in March.

The resort also offers golf, tennis, swimming, hiking and other activities.

Cost: $250 per person, double occupancy ($170 single surcharge); includes poolside accommodations and half-day tour. Transportation to Borrego Springs, meals and hotel taxes are not included.

Contact: La Casa del Zorro Desert Resort, Borrego Springs; (800) 824-1884; www.lacasadelzorro.com. For wildflower information, call (760) 767-4684; for park information, see www.theabf.org.

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The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or write via e-mail to travel@latimes.com.