Tunisia for $1,060
Two-week tour round trip from Tunis. When: Sept. 22; Oct. 6, 20; Dec. 22. SS: $105.

Information: Adventure Center, 800/227-8747, adventurecenter.com.

Fall Into the G.A.P
Toronto-based G.A.P Adventures sells some 1,000 land-only, small-group travel itineraries on all seven continents. It's adding over 100 more in 2008.

Venezuela for $1,525
A 15-day tour round trip from Caracas with local transportation, lodging, some meals, and a guide. Local payment: $300. When: Sept. 28; Oct. 12, 19, 26; Nov. 2, 9, 23, 30.

Pakistan for $1,275
A 12-day trip from Kashgar to Lahore tracing the Silk Road trade route, with transportation, lodging, and a guide. Local payment: $250. When: Sept. 23; Oct. 14, 28.

Malawi for $995
An 11-day tour round trip from Blantyre with lodging, transportation, some meals, and a guide. Local payment: $200. When: Sept. 15, 24; Oct. 3, 12, 21, 30; Nov. 8, 17, 26.

SS: Not available, but the company will pair single travelers with a same-sex roommate at no additional cost.Information: G.A.P Adventures, 800/465-5600, gapadventures.com.

Think You Know Canada, Eh?
Well, did you know there are islands belonging to France off the coast of Newfoundland? A five-night air/hotel package to St.-Pierre starts at $1,329. For more trips to little-known spots, see The Real Deals at BudgetTravel.com.

That Dammed River?
Now that a major dam project on China's Yangtze River is in its final stage of construction, visitors can really see its impact on the scenic Three Gorges. While rising waters have submerged many of the famous rock formations on the steep cliffs, they've also allowed cruise ships to travel further up shallow tributaries and to explore formerly inaccessible areas. This year, Victoria Cruises' sailings now include stops at the Mini Three Gorges and the Shennong Stream nature preserve.

$675
Victoria Cruises' Three Gorges Highlights is a four-day sailing; includes meals. Add $80 for all excursions. When: Sept. 1-Oct. 31 (from $720); Nov. 1-30 (from $675). SS: From $500. Information: Victoria Cruises, 800/348-8084, victoriacruises.com.

UNITED STATES
Houston for $120
For the first time since its discovery in 1974, Lucy, a 3.2-million-year-old hominid skeleton, will leave Ethiopia as part of a traveling exhibition. Its first stop is the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Themed deals combine VIP passes to the show with a stay at one of 16 area hotels. Prices vary, but start at $120 per night at the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Houston-Hobby Airport. Price is per room. When: Until Apr. 20. Information: GHCVB, 800/446-8786, visithoustontexas.com.

Lake Powell Kayaking for $1,999
A seven-day kayaking and hiking tour round trip from Salt Lake City, with all local transportation, five nights in tents and one in a hotel, most meals and equipment, park fees, and a guide. Land-only price. Nonmembers must first pay a $15 membership fee. When: Oct. 6-12; Oct. 15-21. SS: $99 (or none if you agree to be paired up with a same-sex roommate). Information: REI Adventures, 800/622-2236, reiadventures.com.