Southern India, 6 nights, from $399

The Real Deal: Two nights in Kochi one at Casa Linda and another in a homestay in Alleppey; two nights each in Periyar and Varkala at guesthouses or hotels; one breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner; guided activities including a tour of Fort Kochi, visits to Periyar Tiger Reserve and spice plantations, and a boat tour in Kerala; all entrance fees; and transportation by bus, boat, taxi, and rickshaw; from $399 per person—including all taxes.

When: Depart Mondays Sept. 28, 2009–May 10, 2010, Sept. 6, 2010–May 9, 2011, Sept. 5–Dec. 26, 2011.

The fine print: Airfare is not included. The starting rate includes a local cash payment of $100 per person. Airport-hotel transfers start at $20 per person each way. Based on double occupancy. Solo travelers can be paired with a roommate or pay $139 for a private room. Maximum group size is 15; the average group size is 10. U.S. citizens must obtain an entry visa for India through Travisa Outsourcing, at a cost of $73. Use booking code AHBB. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

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FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

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Book by: No deadline; based on availability.

Contact: Gap Adventures, 800/708-7761, gapadventures.com.

For Subscribers

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCBP leaders cut out of Trump ad buy decision

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAmerican passenger drafted goodbye texts to her family as Flydubai plane plummeted

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCornell rape allegation pushes embattled New York prosecutor into national spotlight

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAbdul El-Sayed tries to woo MAHA voters as Democrats seek inroads with RFK’s supporters

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKratom-like substances are popping up in a typically benign supplement

FOR SUBSCRIBERSGOP super PAC increases its spending for Sen. Jon Husted in tough Ohio race

FOR SUBSCRIBERSRecords reveal tumultuous marriage between slain New York Times executive and wife

FOR SUBSCRIBERSFrom clean energy warrior to ‘wall of shame,’ James Talarico reverses on a fossil fuel money pledge

FOR SUBSCRIBERSCongressional staff planned official trip with luxury stops in Italy and France weeks before election

FOR SUBSCRIBERSA harrowing ordeal aboard an Israel-bound plane

FOR SUBSCRIBERSOpenAI CEO Sam Altman to skip congressional hearing on rogue AI agents

FOR SUBSCRIBERSKey DOJ lawyers departed Trump ‘grand conspiracy’ probe amid pressure to produce, source says

FOR SUBSCRIBERSTrump’s new AI chatbot often links to a site launched under Clinton 26 years ago

FOR SUBSCRIBERSAt MAHA summit, industry CEOs the movement once vilified take the stage

FOR SUBSCRIBERSThis Paralympian has two goals: Win medals and give away $500,000 to her teammates

Why it's a deal: The cost of the Beaches & Backwaters package breaks down to less than $67 a night, and it covers almost everything—accommodations, sightseeing tours, entrance fees, transportation within India, and a few meals. Plus, a tour leader will be at your services throughout the trip to make sure it goes smoothly.

More: Additional nights in Kochi start at $40 per room per night at Casa Linda. Want more time on the beach? Tack on this four-night stay in Goa, which starts at $469 per person (trip code: TAHGBC).