Ethiopia
Starting in Addis Ababa, the capital, and finishing at the spectacular Blue Nile Falls in Bahir Dar, Wild Frontiers's 16-day Ethiopian tour is full of interesting day trips. Visit the ancient city of Gondar and its medieval castles; head up to the Simien Mountains for a night at the Simien Eco-lodge; spend two nights in Axum; drive through Eastern Tigray to the town of Lalibela, a World Heritage Site, to explore its stunning rock-hewn churches; and enjoy a village trek (in collaboration with a charity) and stay two nights among the local communities. The trip costs from £2,627 (Dh15,870) per person for 16 days, including accommodation, government passes and permits, entrance fees and all transport outlined in the tour itinerary. Visit wildfrontiers.co.uk for more information.
Thailand
Explore Khao Sok National Park and Lake Cheiow Laan in southern Thailand on a three-day jungle adventure with Limestone Lake Rainforest tours. Activities include canoeing on the Klong Sok River, kayaking on the lake, an elephant trek along a forest stream and trekking through the jungle. Accommodation on the first night (in Khao Sok) is provided in a canopy treehouse with fantastic views. You'll spend the second night on a comfortable houseboat on Lake Cheiow Laan. The trip costs from 7,200 Thai baht (Dh888) per person for three days, full board, including accommodation, all local transport, park entrance fees, canoe and kayak rental, the services of an English-speaking guide, sightseeing and wildlife spotting. International airfare is not included. The price varies according to the number of people in the group. Children travelling with a minimum of two adults are eligible for a discount of 50 per cent. Visit www.limestonelaketours.com or call 00 66 872 688 017 for more details.
Turkey
Take off to Turkey for a beach and watersports holiday on the Bodrum Peninsula. Located in the tranquil Gumusluk Bay, Club Hotel Zemda overlooks a beach and a little harbour, known for its fishing and great seafood restaurants. Activities around the area include sailing, windsurfing, sea kayaking, scuba diving and hiking. Also available are cultural tours to the nearby towns of Bodrum, Ephesus and Milet. The hotel, which is equipped with two swimming pools, a spa and tennis courts, has a sailing school that offers everything from equipment rental to training courses. Double rooms cost from €35 (Dh184) per person, per night, half-board (accommodation is free for children under six and half-price for children between six and 11, if sharing a room with parents). Visit www.clubhotelzemda.com or book at responsibletravel.com.
Spain
Set off on a self-guided walking holiday in the mountains of Alicante and the Matarranya region of Aragon. The trip offers all grades of walking with accommodation in recently refurbished and well-appointed rural cottages on the hillside. From €650 (Dh3,400) for five nights, full-board, with some beverages (available for a minimum of two persons and a maximum of eight people). International airfare not included. Departures in October. Visit www.mountainwalks.com for more information.
