Where Tut-mania started

TRACE the history of King Tut on a two-week tour of Egypt.

The tours, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1 and 29, and Nov. 26, coincide with the new “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs” exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art through Nov. 15.

Tutankhamen, born about 1343 BC, ruled only about a decade, but unlike other Egyptian pharaohs, his tomb was mostly intact when unearthed in the 20th century.

“Ever since [British archeologist] Howard Carter discovered the tomb in 1922, the world has been crazy about King Tut,” said tour representative Jim Berkeley.

The tours will begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Cairo, home of a collection of artifacts from King Tut’s life, including toys from his childhood and items used in the elaborate preparations for his afterlife.

The group then travels to Tell el-Amarna in middle Egypt, where the young king lived. Visitors will explore the royal palaces and the tomb of Ay, King Tut’s successor.

They’ll see the ancient city of Abydos, home of the temple of Seti I. They’ll also cruise the Nile on the 50-cabin cruise ship Sonesta Sun Goddess, visiting Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, location of more than 80 tombs, including the tomb of King Tut.

Cost: $2,995 per person, double occupancy ($995 single surcharge), including hotels, meals, ground transportation in Egypt, cruise, sightseeing and airport transfers. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Destinations & Adventures International, Los Angeles; (800) 659-4599, www.daitravel.com.

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NEPAL

Part work, part play

Restore a monastery as a volunteer with the Cultural Restoration Tourism Project in the Annapurna region of Nepal.

The 10-day project and tour, which begins Dec. 20, will include three days of work rebuilding a monastery in Chhairo Gompa.

There will be sightseeing in Katmandu and visits to villages and local festivals.

Part of the trip fee is tax-deductible.

Cost: $2,495 per person, including airfare and ground transportation in Nepal, accommodations and meals. Airfare to Katmandu, travel insurance, passport and visa fees are not included.

Contact: Cultural Restoration Tourism Project, Pacifica, Calif.; (415) 563-7221, www.crtp.net.

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CALIFORNIA

Wining and wheeling

MINGLE with singles on a six-day cycling tour of the wine country.

The tours, July 10, Aug. 7, Sept. 18 and Dec. 18, will go from Healdsburg to Bodega Bay, stopping at some of the more than 500 wineries in the region for tastings, restaurants and picnic spots.

Highlights include dining in Yountville, visiting the historic town of Sonoma and riding Napa Valley’s Silverado Trail and along the Pacific Coast.

Cost: $2,398 per person, double occupancy ($700 single surcharge), including hotels, most meals, wine tastings and bicycle rental. Transportation from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Backroads, Berkeley; (800) 462-2848, www.backroads.com.

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ISRAEL

Walk among ancient sites

Explore some of the world’s most revered sites on a 10-day tour of Israel.

The Nov. 29 tour includes stays in Netanya, Tiberias and Jerusalem.

Sightseeing venues are Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, the Roman ruins of Scythopolis (Beth Shean), the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Via Dolorosa and Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. The group also sails on the Sea of Galilee.

Cost: $1,995 per person, double occupancy ($395 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, hotels and hotel taxes, most meals and ground transportation in Israel. Contact: Adult Customized Tours, Palm Springs; (760) 322-1247 or (888) 605-8280, www.act-tours.com.

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FRANCE

Divine treats and sights

GO day-tripping in the south of France and stay in a 19th century French country home.

The nine-day tours, Oct. 1 and 15, include visits to wineries, chocolatiers, cheese makers, abbeys, monasteries and a market. The itinerary includes the Alps, Provence, Lyon and Chartreuse.

The tours are designed for gay travelers, friends and families, but are open to all.

Cost: $1,970 per person (no single surcharge), including lodging, meals, ground transportation, airport transfers, chauffeur and guides. Airfare from Los Angeles to Lyon is not included.

Contact: Venture Out Tours, San Francisco; (888) 431-6789, www.venture-out.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.