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Ecuador, air/7 nights, from $1,199

Take advantage of this whirlwind itinerary that includes guided tours of Quito, a traditional market in Otavalo, the wild Amazon, and Cotopaxi National Park.
/ Source: ARTHUR FROMMER'S BUDGET TRAVEL

The Real Deal: Round-trip airfare to Quito on Lan Ecuador; two nights at the Sheraton Quito Hotel; one night in Otavalo at the PuertoLago Country Inn; one night in Papallacta at the Termas Papallacta; two nights in the Amazon at Casa del Suizo; and one night in Los Llanganates National Park at the Hacienda Leito Los Llanganates; all ground transportation and transfers; 19 meals; guided sightseeing tours; the services of an English-speaking guide; entrance fees; and fuel surcharges, from $1,199 per person—plus about $130 in taxes.

When: Sept. 6, 2010; add $100 for May 1, 24, June 7, 28, July 10, Oct. 11.

Gateways: Miami.

The fine print: Does not include taxes of $130 per person: $85 in airport taxes and fees and a $45 Ecuador departure tax that is to be paid in cash upon exit from Ecuador. Based on double occupancy; single supplement is $275. Maximum group size is 30 people. Use promo code d-000. Read these guidelines before you book any Real Deal.

Book by: March 31; after that date, the price goes up by $400.

Contact: Friendly Planet, 800/555-5765, friendlyplanet.com.

Why it's a deal: In a recent Kayak search, we found a $491 round-trip flight between Miami and Quito for travel in early September (Copa Airlines). For $793 more, including all airport taxes and fees (but not the departure tax; that $45 tax is only payable in cash at the end of the trip), this package includes airfare, plus seven nights' accommodations, most meals, ground transportation, guided sightseeing tours, and the services of an English-speaking guide—experiences and services that might be hard to book on your own. The trip price, including all airport taxes and the Ecuador departure tax, breaks down to about $190 per person per night.

More: Add nights in Quito for $130 per room per night, single or double occupancy. If you do extend your stay, you'll pay a $100 fee to book a later return flight.