River rafting up north

ALASKA & CANADA

RIDE the rollicking rapids of the Tatshenshini-Alsek rivers on 13-day summertime wilderness expeditions through Alaska and Canada.

The trips, planned for July 24 and Aug. 9, begin in Haines, Alaska, where the group gathers before traveling over coastal mountains by van into Canada’s Yukon. Participants embark in rafts for 11 days of mild to intermediate whitewater river rafting with layover days for hiking, photography and exploration. The rafting ends in Dry Bay, Alaska, and the group then flies to Juneau.

“It’s the most spectacular river in North America,” said Jimmy Katz of James Henry River Journeys. “It’s one of the few rivers in the world that cuts through three major mountain ranges.”

The groups are accompanied by guides who relate the region’s Tlingit folk tales, discuss natural history and teach landscape photography.

Cost: $3,095 per person, double occupancy ($120 single surcharge), including two nights’ hotel lodging, tent accommodations, meals and licensed guides. Airfare from Dry Bay to Juneau is included. Tatshenshini-Alsek Provincial Park fees and airfare from Los Angeles to Haines and from Juneau to Los Angeles are not included.

Contact: James Henry River Journeys, Bolinas, Calif.; (800) 786-1830, www.riverjourneys.com.

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EAST COAST

U.S. history for adults

Adults who are developmentally disabled can delve into American history on a six-day tour of Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.

The May 19 escorted trip visits the Boston church where Paul Revere began his famous ride. The group also tours the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building in New York. In Washington, participants visit the White House and the Smithsonian.

Cost: $1,530 per person, double occupancy (single surcharge not available), including five nights’ accommodations, meals, 24-hour supervision and excursions. Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Sundial Special Vacations, Seaside, Ore.; (800) 547-9198 or (503) 738-3325, www.sundialtour.com

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MIDWEST

Celebrating craftsmanship

JOIN the Decorative Arts Council of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art on a nine-day tour that explores the Arts and Crafts movement in the Midwest.

The April 25 tour, accompanied by LACMA curator Thomas Michie, travels to Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota to study the work of Frank Lloyd Wright and other pioneers of the movement.

Curators of museums in the region, including the Art Institute of Chicago and the Milwaukee Art Museum, will lead tours of their institutions’ decorative arts collections.

Cost: $2,950 per person, double occupancy ($640 single surcharge), including deluxe suite accommodations, most meals, admissions, excursions and airport transfers. Round-trip airfare and required membership to the museum and council ($175) is not included.

Contact: Drew Oberjuerge, Decorative Arts Council, Los Angeles Museum of Art, Los Angeles; (323) 857-6528, www.lacma.org

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COLORADO

Digging back in time

ExCAVATE dinosaur fossils on an archeological dig designed for grandparents and grandchildren.

The six-night adventure, which begins July 23, takes place in Colorado’s red-rock country, near Grand Junction.

The program focuses on digging in a quarry where scientists have found remains of eight dinosaur species. It is designed to appeal to children 7 to 9 and includes a visit to a paleontology lab.

Cost: $2,690 per adult, $2,240 for one child or $1,790 per child for two children, including accommodations, most meals, instructors, excursions, transfers, materials and tools. Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Grandtravel, Washington, D.C.; (800) 247-7651, www.grandtrvl.com

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JAPAN

Face to face with artisans

VIEW the arts and crafts of Japan from traditional to contemporary on a 14-day spring trip.

The May 24 tour concentrates on Tokyo and Kyoto. The group will visit the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto and the I.M. Pei-designed Miho Museum in Shiga prefecture.

The group will tour temples, shrines and gardens and will meet with artists and artisans in their studios.

Cost: $3,950 per person, double occupancy ($500 single surcharge), including accommodations, internal transportation, most meals, guides and admissions, airport transfers and baggage shipping. Round-trip airfare from Los Angeles is not included.

Contact: Esprit Travel, Los Angeles, (800) 377-7481 or (213) 346-9100, www.esprittravel.com

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