TOURS & CRUISES

COSTA RICA

It’s a birder’s paradise

JOIN birders of all skill levels on a 10-day expedition in Costa Rica beginning Dec. 29.

Starting along the central coast of the Central American country, participants will visit the complex river and forest environments of Carara Biological Reserve.

That’s an important transition zone between the dry climate of Guanacaste in the northwestern part of the country near the Nicaraguan border and the humid climate of Costa Rica’s southern coast. More than 200 species of birds live in both habitats.

Tour participants will be contributing to fieldwork by joining in the Fila Costera Christmas Bird Count.

“It’s exceptional birding in great locations,” said Jason Lopez, owner of Pacific Conservation Services, the trip’s organizer.

The last part of the journey will be spent at about 9,000 feet elevation in the mountains of Cordillera de Talamanca, home to the quetzal, once the sacred bird of the Mayas.

Cost: $979 per person, double or triple occupancy (single supplement not available). Includes cabin accommodations, ground transportation within Costa Rica, airport transfers, guides, some guided tours and some meals. Airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Pacific Conservation Services, San Diego; (619) 835-9705, www.conservationvacation.com.

ARIZONA

New Year’s at the canyon

WELCOME the New Year on an eight-day train trip to the Grand Canyon departing Dec. 29.

Revelers will travel by train from Los Angeles to Arizona for a day of sightseeing, then board the historic Grand Canyon Railway for the trip to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

They’ll spend two nights at the Maswik Lodge and take part in a New Year’s Eve celebration as well as a bus trip to the North Rim on New Year’s Day.

The last three nights will be spent at the Venetian Resort, Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

Cost: $1,795 per person, double occupancy ($500 single supplement). Includes accommodations, meals, transportation, airfare to Los Angeles from Las Vegas, and tour of the North Rim by bus.

Contact: Uncommon Journeys and Train Holidays, Oakland; (800) 543-2846, www.trainholidays.com.

CANADA

Mush through the Rockies

Snowshoe in Banff and go dog sledding in Kananaskis on six-day tours beginning Feb. 20 and March 6 in the Canadian Rockies.

After a day of snowshoe instruction in Canmore and one night at a local inn, tourists move to a rustic back-country lodge.

From there they can explore Rummel Lake, or they can go by dog sled across the Spray Lakes Valley.

Day 3 will include the Marushka Lake Trail, Smutts Creek and Hogarth Lake.

Then they’ll travel across the Continental Divide to Marble Canyon and on to Lake Louise, where they’ll spend two nights at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.

The terrain is easy to navigate, but more challenging options are available.

If you book by Dec. 15, you’ll receive one pre-tour night free at the Georgetown Inn in Canmore and a snowshoe accessories gift pack.

Cost: $1,898 per person, double occupancy ($350 single surcharge). Includes meals, accommodations, guides, ground transportation and airport transfers. Airfare from Los Angeles to Calgary, Canada, is not included.

Contact: Country Walkers, Waterbury, Vt.; (800) 464-9255, www .countrywalkers.com

PERU

Machu Picchu and beyond

SEE the ancient sites of Machu Picchu on 10-day tours offered year round. Upcoming departures are Feb. 17 and March 17.

Participants will explore archeological sites, visit villages and see native markets. The itinerary includes a day in Lima, which dates to 1535, visits to Cuzco, once the capital of the Inca empire, and the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and a rafting trip on the Urubamba river to Ollantaytambo. They’ll stay two nights in Yucay at a converted colonial monastery.

Travelers have the option of hiking a part of the Inca Trail through the “Gate of the Sun” to Machu Picchu, or they can travel the entire route by train.

Cost: $2,250 per person, double occupancy ($295 single surcharge). Includes round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodations, meals, all transportation and airfare in Peru, guides and sightseeing tours.

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

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