Build the trail, then take a hike

CHILE

Hike a trail that you helped build when you take a volunteer vacation with the Patagonia Project in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile.

The two-week program, sponsored by the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with Chile’s park service, begins March 12. Participants will spend several days building and repairing trails and performing other chores.

Two days will be set aside for recreation.

“People can hike from Refugio Pehoe [the hostel at the worksite] to Gray Glacier, part of the largest ice field in South America,” said Richard Tobin, director of Conservation Partnerships, Los Padres National Forest, in California. It takes about two hours to get to the glacier, Tobin said, a “moderate” hike at 5,000 feet. Ice climbing equipment will be provided.

Cost: $2,200 per person, including round-trip international airfare from Los Angeles, internal airfare, hostel lodging, boat transportation and meals.

Contact: Richard Tobin; (805) 961-5748. The Patagonian Foundation; (888) 570-1122, www.thepatagonianfoundation.org.

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NEW YORK

Catch 3 shows on Broadway

SEE the bright lights of Broadway on a spring theater tour to New York City.

The eight-night tour, led by theater veteran Stan Mazin, begins April 11 and will take in three Broadway shows including “Spamalot” and the revival of “La Cage aux Folles.” The group also will have lunch at Tavern on the Green.

The rest of the time in Manhattan is unstructured.

Cost: $1,975 per person, double occupancy ($625 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from LAX to Newark, N.J., hotel accommodations, breakfasts, transfers and show tickets.

Contact: Stan Mazin Travels, Sherman Oaks; (818) 786-6845 or (818) 645-0336, www.stanmazin.com.

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CALIFORNIA

Bird walks in Yosemite

GET a bird’s-eye view of the birds of Yosemite Valley on daylong walking seminars planned for April 30 and May 1. The sessions, led by birder Michael Ross, will be in Yosemite Valley and Big Meadows. Ross will teach birding skills and discuss the region’s birds and their history.

In the valley, participants will look for returning songbirds, swifts, swallows and peregrine falcons. Big Meadows is considered one of Yosemite’s birding hot spots and is the springtime home of Western tanagers, lazuli buntings, Vaux’s swifts and mountain quail.

Cost: $80 per person, per class, including instruction, park entrance fees and campsite.

Contact: Yosemite Assn., El Portal; (209) 379-2321, www.yosemite.org.

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CHINA

Fine arts and a little antiquing

EXPLORE China’s cultural heritage on a 22-day tour led by Chinese art and antiques dealer Harry J. Lawrence of Orange County.

The tour, departing April 11, includes visits to museums in Beijing, Xian, Shanghai and Hangzhou. The group will cruise the Li River and visit the tombs of the terra-cotta warriors near Xian. In Hong Kong, participants will tour Victoria Island and shop for antiques.

Cost: $5,250 per person, double occupancy ($1,000 single surcharge), including round-trip international airfare from L.A., internal airfare, accommodations, most meals, hotel taxes, transfers, local guides and gratuities.

Contact: Harry Lawrence, Far East Art & Adventure Travel Inc., Laguna Beach; (949) 494-9778, www.warrenimports.com.

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CALIFORNIA

Wine, films in Sonoma

INDULGE in five nights of wine, film and food at the Sonoma Valley Film Festival. The event, March 30 to April 3, features 75 independent films from around the globe.

The tour, coordinated by Southern California film critic and historian Stephen Farber, will include unlimited access to film screenings, panels and discussions.

Cost: $1,425 to $1,675 per person, double occupancy ($325 to $545 single surcharge), depending on hotel. Included are accommodations, some meals, festivities, movie passes and Sonoma Valley wine tasting. Transportation from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Ilene Koenig, Let’s Travel, Santa Monica; (800) 458-7477 or (310) 451-5805, www.letstravel-sm.com.

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MOROCCO

Casablanca for those 50+

ROCK the casbah on a 15-day tour of Morocco and the Sahara for travelers 50 and older.

Highlights of the April 7 tour include visits to the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the Royal Palace in Rabat and the Roman ruins of Volubilis and three nights in tents in the Sahara.

Cost: $2,645 per person, double occupancy ($195 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from L.A., airfare and ground transportation in Morocco, hotel and tent accommodations, meals, activities, an Arabic lesson and local trip leader.

Contact: Overseas Adventure Travel, Boston, which is part of Grand Central Corp., (800) 321-2835, www.oattravel.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.