The plan: a festive time away

REVEL in the merriment of the annual Kandy Perahera festival this summer in Kandy, Sri Lanka.

A 13-day tour, which begins Aug. 7, focuses on the Buddhist religious and ethnic festival that draws dancers and drummers from around the country. Entertainers perform, and elephants are paraded through the streets.

The tour also will visit the cities of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya and Dambulla and the beach resort of Bentota. The itinerary includes an elephant ride in the jungle of Habarana and a visit to an orphanage and a school on the southern coast.

“Apart from the fact that Sri Lanka is full of history, beauty, culture and nature in a small country, the [Dec. 26] tsunami has shown that the people are really stoic and resilient,” said Varini de Silva of Ceylon Express International. “Pity and aid are not what they need for survival; they need the tourists to return.”

Some of the profit from the excursion will benefit the Foundation for Coexistence, which helps people displaced by the tsunami.

Cost: $3,895 per person, double occupancy ($795 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodations, most meals, ground transportation, excursions, tickets, entrance fees and transfers.

Contact: Ceylon Express International, Huntington Beach; (714) 964-6896, (800) 423-9566; www.ceylonexpress.com.

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INDIA

Lope through the Thar

RAMBLE through the Thar Desert by camelback on a 21-day tour of the state of Rajasthan and other points of interest.

The tour, which begins Sept. 17, will visit Jaisalmer Udaipur, Jaipur, the Taj Mahal in Agra Mumbai (Bombay), and New Delhi.

Cost: $4,655 per person, double occupancy ($1,895 single surcharge), including accommodations, most meals, ground transportation and internal flights, transfers and admission fees. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Glorious Adventures, North Hills; (818) 893-9030.

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PERU

Machu Picchu awaits above

HIKE the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, the fortress city of the ancient Incas built in the 15th century.

The 12-day tour has departures July 15, Aug. 12 and Sept. 16.

The core of the trip is a 3 1/2 -mile, four-day climb at elevations from about 8,000 feet to 13,780 feet. Other highlights include whitewater rafting and visits to craft and art markets and archeological sites.

Cost: $2,695 per person, double occupancy ($325 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Lima, hotel accommodations for nine nights, meals, internal flights and ground transportation, guides, sightseeing tours, porters and camping services.

Contact: Andes Adventures, Santa Monica; (800) 289-9470; (310) 395-5265; www.andesadventures.com.

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MEXICO

See Oaxacan crafts, festivals

CELEBRATE Guelaguetza, a preColumbian festival held in midsummer in the state of Oaxaca.

The seven-day tour, which begins July 22, visits several villages known for specific crafts. Included are Atzompa, recognized for its green pottery; Teotitlan, known for its weaving; and Arrazola, home of woodcarvers.

In Oaxaca, the group will tour the Church of Santo Domingo, the Santiago Cuilapan and archeological ruins.

The festival celebration, which features dancers from the seven regions of Oaxaca, is July 25.

Cost: $1,719 per person, double occupancy ($270 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from San Diego, accommodations, some meals and guided tours.

Contact: Baja California Tours Inc., La Jolla; (800) 336-5454; www.bajaspecials.com.

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SCOTLAND

Learn to paint in a castle

STAY in a castle and paint the Scottish landscape during a week at Blackcraig Castle in Perthshire.

Jill Meuller of Washoe Valley, Nev., will teach a four-hour watercolor class daily. Students are free in the afternoons to explore the region.

The itinerary includes the Pitlochry Festival Theater in Pitlochry, Perthshire, and an evening of Celtic music.

Cost: $1,495 to $1,595 per person, double occupancy ($350 single surcharge), including accommodations with shared bath and most meals. Airfare from Los Angeles and ground transportation in Scotland are not included.

Contact: Lady Jill’s Fine Arts, Washoe Valley, Nev.; (877) 700-7769; www.ladyjill.com.

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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.