BudgetTravel

The Real Deal Round-trip airfare, nine nights' accommodations, regional flights, bus travel, and two dinners, from $1,899 per person.

When Depart Feb. 18, Mar. 17, Apr. 28, June 9, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 3, 2008; add $100 for July 7, Aug. 4, Dec. 22.

Gateways Miami; add-on fares are available from other U.S. cities, but you will likely save money by buying tickets for travel on a discount airline to Miami (and changing planes there) instead. Be sure to check the websites of low-cost airlines, such as Southwest, because their fares may not be included in the search results of your favorite travel website.

The Fine Print The price for this trip includes fuel surcharges; airport taxes of $150 per person are additional. Airport transfers are included. Hotel stays, taxes, and admission fees to all sites on the escorted tour are included. Add approximately $200 for meals--only two dinners, and nine breakfasts are included. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $399. Read these guidelines before booking any Real Deal.

Book By Feb 29, 2008; afterwards, the price increases by $300 per person.

Contact SmarTours, 800/337-7773, smartours.com.

Why It's a Deal Consider that the $1,899 per person rate breaks down to about $173 per person per day and covers accommodations, international airfare, and intra-Peruvian plane and bus travel. Guided English-speaking tours are included at the major attractions, except for gratuities.

Trip Details The Enchanting Peru escorted trip begins when you arrive in Lima, Peru's capital, where you'll hop another flight to Cuzco, a onetime center of Incan civilization. You'll spend two nights at the 69-room Sonesta Posada del Inca Yucay Hotel in the nearby village of Yucay.

You'll visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, renowned in Peru for its enchanting ruins and colorful markets full of crafts sold by indigenous people.

Next up: Machu Picchu, "the Lost City of the Incas," which you'll reach by train. Marvel at how Inca workers transported huge blocks of limestone to the site.

After a day of sightseeing, you'll head to Cuzco for a three-night stay at the Casa Andina, which belongs to a Peruvian hotel chain that decorates its rooms ways that evoke the traditional styles of Andean indigenous peoples. Sightsee in Cuzco's central tourist area, which consists of a plaza from the Inca era and a 16th-century cathedral that was erected during colonial times.

Press on as a group across the snow-capped Andes by bus. You'll arrive at the quaint village of Andahuaylillas, plus pause for a tour of a llama and alpaca research center. Crash for two nights at the 62-guest room Sonesta Posada del Inca Lake Titicaca.