TOURS & CRUISES

CHILE

White-water river rafting in Patagonia

RIDE the rapids on the Futaleufu River on a weeklong women-only trip to Patagonia that begins March 10.

Besides river sports, the Chile adventure tour includes activities such as horseback riding and hiking with experienced guides, and yoga classes at a lodge and river spa in the Futaleufu Valley.

“This trip offers world-class whitewater rafting with the comforts of a lodge, wine tasting, gourmet meals, massage therapy and the riverside hot tub,” said tour company owner Deb Cisco, who has rafted around the world.

Futaleufu is in the Andes near the border of Argentina. Because it’s remote, it is mostly pristine wilderness.

The Gelves and Palenque canyons descend to the river, which features calm tributaries for kayaking as well as world-class rapids.

Cost: $3,800 per person, double occupancy ($700 single surcharge), including accommodations; meals; wine; internal airfare from Puerto Montt, Chile, to Futaleufu; excursions and equipment. International airfare to Argentina and tourist entry fees are not included.

Contact: Outdoor Beyond, Apache Junction, Ariz.; (888) 217-4287, www.outdoorbeyond.com.

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MEXICO

Gray whale science study

DOCUMENT migrating gray whales on research expeditions to Laguna San Ignacio, Baja California, Jan. 24 and Feb. 21.

Participants will spend 13 days helping research staff identify individual whales and record data. The group spends most of the time aboard small skiffs in the lagoon, photographing whales. On shore, they analyze photographs of whales and help compile a database for future research.

Cost: $2,395 per person, including meals, camping facilities, boats and instruction. Tents, sleeping bags and transportation to Loreto, Mexico, are not included.

Contact: Earthwatch International, Maynard, Mass.; (800) 776-0188, www.earthwatch.org.

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SOUTHWEST

Albuquerque, amid luminarias

JOIN in the holiday festivities of the Southwest on a bus trip that begins Dec. 21.

Participants on the eight-day trip to New Mexico and Arizona will visit Carlsbad Caverns and cruise the Pecos River in Carlsbad, N.M., on a pontoon boat, spend Christmas in Albuquerque -- a time when it is alight with luminarias -- and visit Santa Fe, N.M.

Participants will visit Santo Domingo Pueblo, N.M., for a Christmas Day Indian celebration and visit the Painted Desert Visitors Center in Phoenix on the way home.

Cost: $1,160 per person, double occupancy ($237 single surcharge), including bus transportation from Ontario, accommodations, most meals, admissions and door-to-door transfers.

Contact: Gadabout Tours, Palm Springs, (760) 325-5556, www.gadabouttours.com.

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SOUTHEAST ASIA

Ruins and a cruise to Cambodia

STUDY the cultures of Vietnam and Cambodia on a 16-day tour that begins Jan. 6.

In Vietnam, the tour travels to Hanoi, the islands of Ha Long Bay, the imperial city of Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.

Participants cruise to Cambodia aboard motorized sampan boats to tour the capital city of Phnom Penh and fly to Siem Reap to see the ancient temple ruins of Angkor.

The tour will be led by Son Kim Vo, a professor at Cal State Fullerton.

Cost: $4,590 per person, double occupancy ($890 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodations, most meals, internal airfare and ground transportation, entrance fees and taxes.

Contact: East West International Tours, Laguna Beach; (800) 359-6719, www.eastwest-tours.com.

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HONDURAS

Meet the people and the culture

INTERACT with the Maya and Garifunca people of Honduras on a cultural tour that begins Feb. 13.

The 10-day trip, sponsored by Global Exchange of San Francisco, will explore the effect of global trade and other outside influences on the traditional culture and people of the region.

Participants will meet with farm workers, human-rights workers and political prisoners. They’ll learn about environmental movements that challenge international mining and lumber interests.

The group also will tour the Maya archeological ruins at Copan and attend dance and musical performances in rural villages.

Cost: $1,330 per person, double occupancy ($250 single surcharge), including lodging, most meals, ground transportation, airport transfers and entrance fees. International airfare and tax-deductible membership fee are not included.

Contact: Reality Tours at Global Exchange, San Francisco; (415) 255-7296, www.globalexchange.org.

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 e-mail travel@latimes.com.