Dive into a world of coral

SNORKEL among the coral reefs of Palau on a natural history expedition to Micronesia in the western Pacific.

The 10-day expeditions, accompanied by a naturalist, will leave Los Angeles on Jan. 31, April 18, May 23, June 20 and Nov. 7.

“If you are at all interested in snorkeling or in the marine environment, Palau is probably one of the best places in the world because of the diversity of species,” said Birgit Winning of the Oceanic Society, which is offering the trips.

The group spends a week in Palau, taking day trips to snorkel or dive in Turtle Cove, Soft Coral Arch, Ngemelis Wall, Jellyfish Lake and the Rock Islands, known for their green hills, crystal waters and colorful fish.

Cost: $3,575 per person, double occupancy ($600 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles, accommodations, most meals and snorkeling excursions.

Contact: The Oceanic Society, San Francisco; (800) 326-7491, www.oceanic-society.org.

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TANZANIA & ZANZIBAR

Wildebeests, and early man

WITNESS Africa’s great wildebeest migration on a wildlife safari that visits Tanzania and Zanzibar.

The expedition, which begins Feb. 17, spends six nights in Arusha, Lake Manyara, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania and three nights in Zanzibar.

The group meets with Meave Leakey, National Geographic’s explorer in residence, and tours the Olduvai Gorge, where her father-in-law, Louis Leakey, discovered evidence of early humankind. In Zanzibar, participants snorkel and learn about the Swahili culture.

Cost: $6,590 per person, double occupancy ($1,000 single surcharge), including hotels, meals and excursions. Airfare from Los Angeles to Arusha and return from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, is not included.

Contact: National Geographic Expeditions, Washington, D.C.; (888) 966-8687, www.nationalgeographic.com/ngexpeditions.

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MOROCCO

History -- and a camel ride

WATCH the sunrise over the Sahara Desert on a trip to Morocco.

The 12-night tours, which depart Jan. 24 and Feb. 14 from Los Angeles, visit Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Marrakech. Participants tour several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the imperial city of Meknes and the ancient ruins of Volubilis.

The group takes tea with a Berber family in the Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains and rides camels in the Sahara.

Cost: $3,295 per person, double occupancy ($795 single surcharge), including round-trip airfare from Los Angeles to Casablanca, accommodations, most meals, ground transportation, excursions and most gratuities.

Contact: Odysseys Unlimited, Watertown, Mass.; (888) 370-6765, www.odysseys-unlimited.com.

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HAWAII

On the trail of nature

HIKE the Big Island and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park beginning March 26. The seven-day camping trip travels to rain forests, lava flows and northern beaches.

Base camp is at Namakani Paio campground in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. From there, participants hike the Kilauea Iki trail, the Mauna Ulu crater rim, the Hapuu fern forest, the lava flow to the ocean from the Puu Oo eruption and the tropical forest along the Kilauea crater, and visit the Puu Loa petroglyphs.

Cost: $695 per person, including meals, ground transportation, camping equipment (except sleeping bag), airport transfers, admissions and guide. Round-trip airfare from LAX to Hawaii, is not included.

Contact: Wilderness Inquiry, Minneapolis; (800) 728-0719, www.wildernessinquiry.org.

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The Times is not responsible for tour changes. Send information to Tours & Cruises, Los Angeles Times, 202 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90012 or travel@latimes.com.