The focus is on felines in subcontinent wildlife parks

INDIA, NEPAL

SAVE the tiger while you explore the forests and grasslands of wildlife parks in India and Nepal on a 17-day nonprofit trip that raises funds to prevent the big cat’s extinction.

The March 21 adventure trip -- by elephant back, Land Rover and foot -- is an educational tour to areas where conservationists are waging war against poachers. Tigers are sought by hunters for their skins, bones and other body parts, which are used in some Chinese medicinal products.

The tour visits Bandhavgarh National Park in India and Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal. Participants will see tigers in their native habitat; also likely to be seen are rhino, elephants, leopards, sambar, spotted deer, sloth and bear.

“We see magical tigers,” said conservationist Brian Weirum, who has led the annual tour for nine years.

What’s a magical tiger? “Those are the ones that walk by a foot or two away from your Land Rover. You sort of suspend breathing.”

While in India, the group will meet conservationist Belinda Wright, who produced and filmed the National Geographic Special “Land of the Tiger.”

This is the 10th trip sponsored by Mountain Travel Sobek to raise funds for the California-based Fund for the Tigers. Money raised has been used to set up anti-poaching patrols, camera trapping units and sting projects.

Cost: $3,790, including accommodations, some meals, sightseeing, ground transportation, guide, airport transfers, entrance fees and permits. Not included: round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, the flight from Delhi to Katmandu and internal flights in India and Nepal.

Contact: Mountain Travel Sobek; (888) 687-6235, www.mtsobek.com.

MEXICO

Exploring a variety of religious experiences

Celebrate Easter week in Mexico on a six-day pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The tour, departing April 21, also will include two days exploring the Teotihuacan pyramids, the Temple of Quetzalcoatl, Tlaxcala and the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel in Puebla.

Cost: $1,498 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, accommodations, guides, daily breakfast, three lunches, farewell dinner and folkloric show.

Contact: Larry Bishop, (949) 581-9936, e-mail larryeb@pacbell.et. Bishop is coordinating travel arrangements for Nawas Tours.

ITALY

Heading to the hills for history,

art and culture

Explore the hill towns of Tuscany and the Cinque Terre on 13-day tours of Northern Italy.

The May 20 and Sept. 14 tours, led by a retired college professor, will focus on the historical, cultural and artistic significance of towns along the route.

Highlights include a cruise along the cliffs of the Cinque Terre, with walks through the area’s five villages; boat rides to Portofino, Isola Bella and Bellagio; and a walking tour of Venice. Guests also will see museums and historical sites in Florence, Pisa and Verona and cross the border to Locarno and Lugano in Switzerland.

Cost: $3,495 per person, double occupancy, including round-trip air fare from Los Angeles, bus transportation, accommodations, daily breakfast and dinner, excursions and activities, luggage handling and tips.

Contact: Alberto Benzi, retired humanities professor at Mesa College in San Diego; (858) 454-1434, e-mail ProfAlbertoBenzi@aol.com.

CALIFORNIA

College tours to Death Valley, gold country, Yosemite

Pack your sun hat and binoculars for a four-day springtime tour to Death Valley National Park with Glendale Community College.

The bus trip, which departs March 7, will include two nights at Furnace Creek Ranch, sightseeing and a tour of Scotty’s Castle. From there, the group will go to Las Vegas for one night at the Flamingo Hotel before returning to Glendale.

Another upcoming trip sponsored by the college will visit California’s gold country and Yosemite National Park by Amtrak and bus. This five-day trip leaves July 13.

Cost: The Death Valley trip is $385 per person, double occupancy. The Yosemite tour is $585 per person, double occupancy. Both trips include transportation, lodging and some meals.

Contact: Glendale College Community Services office, (818) 548-0864, Ext. 5015 or 5016, or Loretta DuBois, (805) 641-3131, www.californiadiscovery.com.

ENGLAND

Take tea and see some renowned tourist sights

Enjoy 11 days of tea parties and tours on a May 20 trip to England.

“Everyone’s favorite is when we have afternoon tea at a Georgian farmhouse owned by Prince Charles,” said tea maven Penelope Carlevato, who will lead the tour. “It’s so exciting to know you’re sitting in a chair where Princess Di once sat.”

The tour includes tea at Claridge’s hotel in London; a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show, one of the biggest in the world; a city tour; and shopping on Oxford Street. The group also spends three days in Bath, where participants will visit the Roman Baths, Royal Crescent and Jane Austen Centre. And there will be visits to Stratford-upon-Avon, medieval Warwick Castle and the Cotswolds region.

Cost: $2,995 per person, double occupancy, including accommodations, breakfasts, teas, dinners, sightseeing tours, entrance fees and group transportation. Air fare from Los Angeles to London is not included.

Contact: Marsha Frame, Del Amo Travel and Tours, (800) 553-2744; or Penelope’s Tea Time, (865) 675-6622, www.penelopesteatime.com.

The Times is not responsible for changes in prices, dates or itineraries. These should be confirmed with travel agents, cruise lines or tour operators.