The Real Deal: Roundtrip airfare and fourteen nights' accommodations in Rajasthan, India from $1,795 per person

When: Feb. 9 - 25, 2006. Add $95 for travel from Feb. 23 - Mar. 11, Mar. 9 - 25 or Apr. 8 - 22, 2006

Gateways: San Francisco, Los Angeles; New York City, Boston, Washington D.C. (add $150)

Details: Hotel taxes are included. Airport taxes and fuel surcharges can total up to an additional $255 per person. $135 must be paid in cash to the tour guide upon arrival in Delhi. Most sightseeing activities are optional and any admission fees are not included. The total of all admission fees would be $60

Book By: December 31, 2005

Contact: Adventure Center, 800-228-8747, adventurecenter.com

The package includes roundtrip airfare to Delhi on Cathay Pacific and fourteen nights' accommodations: 12 in hotels, one night camping in the desert near Jaisalmer, and one night in the heritage hotel Chandelao Garh.

There are almost 80 unique heritage properties in Rajasthan, which grant travelers the opportunity to stay in historic and often lavish castles, mansions and forts. (The trade-off is that modern conveniences are not always up to par.)

The guided tour makes stops at the Taj Mahal in Agra; the regional capital and shopping mecca of Jaipur; the tiny desert town of Pushkar near the holy Brahmin lake; Jaisalmer, noted for cobblestone streets and Jain temples; Meherangarh Fort in the "blue city" of Jodhpur; the markets in lakeside Udaipur; and the teeming capital Delhi. Transportation is by private coach, train and rickshaw. Optional camel and jeep safaris are also included.

In February, Rajasthan averages temperatures in the mid-60s.

For those who prefer to book airfare and hotel stays independently, Air France has discounted flights between New York City and Mumbai from $535 for travel Jan. 1 - Apr. 30, 2006, with additional gateway cities available. Book by Nov. 30, 2005.

American Airlines just launched nonstop, 7,500-mile flights between Chicago and Delhi, with rates around $1,100. The film and food options en route have been carefully chosen to reflect both American and Hindu tastes.