10 days, 9 nights on the South Island’s west coast, October-November 2015 & 2016. Hikes 2-8 miles per day. Group-prepared meals. Highlights: From Christchurch, drive across Canterbury Plains to Southern Alps/Arthur’s Pass National Park for short hike/drive to Greymouth/Pancake Rocks/Paparoa National Park/town of Hokitika, known for pounamu (jade)/guided kayaking in Okarito Lagoon, home to black swans, herons, tui/Rob Roy Glacier. Land, $2,995 ppdo. Single supp., $400. Wilderness Inquiry...

10 days, 9 nights, Dec. 3-12, 2015. (TIP: Take easy-to-slip-off shoes for frequent trips outside for bird-viewing.) Highlights: In Quito, Yanacocha Reserve, home to sword-billed hummingbird, glossy flowerpiercer, Tyrian metaltail and more/mountain town of Mindo, home to over 360 bird species/at Sachatamia Lodge, view birds, butterflies/walk trails with family at farm of Angel Paz, home to giant antpitta, Andean cock-of-the-rock/Milpe Reserve/Bellavista Cloud Forest Reserve, home to orchids,...

7-day, 6-night, moderate-level walking tour in WALES, Sept. 27-Oct. 3, 2015. Lodging in country hotels. Highlights: From St. Davids, walk along medieval pilgrimage trail/Chapel and Holy Well of St. Non/17th-century woolen mill Melin Tregwynt/at Nevern Church, 10th-century cross/Treffgarne Gorge/in Trenby, 13th-century castle/Stackpole Head. Land, from $4,195 per person, double occupancy (ppdo). Single supp., $565. The Wayfarers (Newport, RI; 800/249-4620, www.thewayfarers.com).