Hot Deals: A good cause

Free roaming elephants at Elephant Hills, Thailand.

Four nights in Hong Kong's 'L' hotel Causeway Bay Harbour View and return airfares from Auckland with Cathay Pacific, are priced from $1699pp, twin-share. The hotel is conveniently located, adjacent to Tin Hau MTR Station. Priced for departures from New Zealand on Monday through to Thursday. Fridays and weekend departures cost an extra $45. Book by March 31. Travel between May 1 and September 15.

helloworld.co.nz

Elephant in the room

Elephant Hills is fast becoming the conservation champion for Thailand's elephants, showing up other tourism operators that continue to promote the practice of elephant rides and keeping them tethered or in confined spaces. At Elephant Hills, tourists can "gently interact" with the beautiful creatures, where they roam in wide, open spaces. Riding elephants is banned. A two week Thailand adventure includes three nights at Elephant Hills Jungle Lake Safari, which was a finalist in National Geographic's World Legacy Awards in the "Conserving the Natural World" category. Return airfares from New Zealand to Bangkok, two nights' accommodation in Bangkok and nine nights in Phuket, before a three-night stay at Elephant Hills, is priced from $3599pp, twin-share.
ourasia.co.nz

Discover an ancient Rouen

Cruise the picturesque waterways of France over two weeks, beginning on the Cote d'Azur and heading to Paris via beautiful destinations such as Arles, Avignon, Lyon, Vienne and Rouen. Priced from $8867pp, your accommodation is a Riverview Stateroom, and all meals are included.

River cruising in Paris.

A night in Monte Carlo on the Cote d'Azur, before the cruise departs, and three nights in Paris are all part of this package, which is valid for a July 25 departure. Book by April 8. Flights from New Zealand are additional.

houseoftravel.co.nz

Culture and tradition

An 11-day, guided and private tour is priced from $2405pp and will take you to the ancient and astonishing treasures of Sri Lanka's north and east. You'll get an insight into Muslim communities, rich Tamil culture, Hindu temples, colonial forts, rarely visited National Parks, hidden bays and busy markets.

Leopard in Sri Lanka.

This 10-night culture journey includes hotel accommodation, some meals, activities, entrance fees, and a private car (with driver) and local, English-speaking guides.

adventureworld.co.nz

Precious cargo

A cargo ship might not sound glamorous, but Aranui 5 is a cargo and passenger ship designed to host tourists exploring Tahiti. Return airfares from Auckland to Papeete, where you'll stay for two nights before the cruise and two nights after the cruise, plus a 13-night cruise on board Aranui 5 with all meals included, is priced from $5499pp, twin-share.

Aranui 5 Cargo and passenger ship in Tahiti.

Book by December 20. Various travel dates are available.

ourpacific.co.nz