Experiencing monastic life and culture

DELVE into the Buddhist culture of Bhutan on a tour that begins April 20.

The 12-night trip stops in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Bhutanese cities of Paro, Thimphu, Trongsa, Jakar and Punakha.

The group, which will travel with American Buddhist scholar Judith Lief, will get a rare glimpse into monastic life in the country.

“If you want to understand the Bhutanese culture, you have to understand the monastic culture,” said Tina Patterson, the trip’s organizer. “That is the focus of the trip: making connections and building an understanding.”

Participants visit ancient holy monuments, including Avalokiteshvara at Kyichu near Paro and Kurjey Lhakhang in the Bumthang Valley.

Cost: $5,980 per person, double occupancy ($695 single surcharge), including international airfare from Los Angeles, airfare from Bangkok to Bhutan, hotels, meals, ground transportation, sightseeing, entrance fees and transfers. Visa, passport fees and travel insurance are not included.

Contact: Shambhala Mountain Center, Red Feather Lakes, Colo.; (888) 586-9958, www.shambhalamountain.org.

INDIA

On horseback to help the needy

RIDE through rural Rajasthan on horseback on a 16-night tour.

The tour, which begins Feb. 25, accompanies a caravan delivering medical and educational supplies and services as well as goats to villages along the route.

The group spends 11 days riding Marwari horses outfitted in English trekking tack. They visit the Indian villages of Kumas, Sotwara and Meetwas.

Besides relief efforts, participants stay in luxury camps or historic forts and attend regional music and dance performances, besides helping in relief efforts.

Cost: $5,400 ($600 single surcharge), including accommodations, meals, support vehicles, taxes and gratuities. International airfare to New Delhi, airport taxes and travel insurance are not included.

Contact: Relief Riders International, Great Barrington, Mass.; (413) 329-5876, www.reliefridersinternational.com.

HAWAII

Queen Mary 2’s island debut

CRUISE to the Hawaiian Islands on an 11-day round-trip voyage aboard the Queen Mary 2. Eight nights are spent at sea.

The Feb. 25 sailing is the first round-trip cruise from Los Angeles to Hawaii for the Queen Mary 2. Ports of call include Lahaina, Maui; Honolulu; and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. On the return trip, the ship stops in Ensenada, Mexico, for a day before docking in Los Angeles.

Cost: $2,499 to $36,619 per person, double occupancy ($2,436 to $36,619 single surcharge), including meals, onboard lodging, entertainment and port charges. Shore excursions and travel insurance are not included.

Contact: Cunard Line, Valencia; (800) 728-6273, www.cunard.com.

CZECH REPUBLIC & HUNGARY

A do-it-yourself trip back in time

WANDER the historic cities of Prague, Czech Republic, and Budapest, Hungary, on seven-night self-guided tours that begin March 16, 23 and 30.

Participants explore the Royal Palace and thermal mineral baths of Budapest. An all-day train trip to Prague takes sightseers to the castle district, the Jewish Quarter and Old Town, with its 15th century astronomical clock.

Free lectures are offered during the tours.

Cost: $2,895 per person, double occupancy ($450 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, hotels, breakfast daily, lectures, airport transfers, airport taxes and fees.

Contact: AHI International, Rosemont, Ill.; (800) 323-7373, www.ahitravel.com.

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.