Travel deals: Trips that take you closer to nature

Holidays that put you in touch with the natural world while helping to preserve it.

The Amanyara resort's Discovery Centre reveals the natural wonders of the Turks and Caicos to children and adults alike. Courtesy Aman Resorts

Conservation in Turks and Caicos

Amanyara, a luxury resort on the Turks and Caicos Islands, has just opened a Nature Discovery Centre run by a naturalist to give guests the opportunity to learn more about the island's marine environment and exotic plant and animal life. The centre is running a complimentary series of nature programmes to encourage children from the age of three upwards to get involved with marine and terrestrial research expeditions. For adults, there are hikes along coastal trails to see indigenous and endemic plant and animal species. Guided kayaking and snorkelling, night walks and lectures by visiting experts are part of the education programme on offer. A one-night stay at Amanyara costs from US$1,513 (Dh5,557) in a double pavilion, including taxes. The price includes airport transfers, some watersports and exercise classes, plus some refreshments. Visit wwww.amanresorts.com or call toll-free on 00 94 777 743500.

Safari and surf in Mozambique

Book a 10-night safari to Mozambique with Rainbow Tours (www.rainbowtours.co.uk; 00 44 20 7226 1004) departing in April and May and save up to £1,500 (Dh8,955) per couple. Known for its beaches and warm seas, Mozambique is also an emerging safari destination. You'll stay five nights at Explore Gorongosa tented camp, exploring Gorongosa National Park on foot, on game drives and on water-based safaris. Then transfer by road to the unspoilt coast at Baixo do Pinda for a five-night stay at Nuarro Luxury Eco Lodge. Accommodation is in a chalet set among the dunes and overlooking a white sandy beach. Activities there include diving, snorkelling, kayaking and fly fishing.

The tour costs from £2,990 (Dh17,850) per person, including local flights, return road transfers to Gorongosa and Nuarro, five nights in a classic en suite safari tent at Explore Gorongosa full-board, with house drinks and game activities, and five nights in a sea-view chalet at Nuarro full-board, with complimentary half-hour massage, eco-trails, bike rides, kayaking and dhow cruises.

Kayaking in Abu Dhabi

The Fairmont Bab Al Bahr is offering guests the chance to explore the capital's waterways on a two-hour kayaking tour. The "H20 package" includes one night's accommodation in a standard double room, with noon check-in if available, a two-hour mangrove tour, transfers to and from the tour, a picnic breakfast for two delivered to the room, and complimentary use of the hotel's pool and beach.

For every package booked, Fairmont says it will donate mangrove seedlings to a nursery plantation on Jubail Island. A programme spearheaded by the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi and Barari Forest Management, the project intends to mitigate the impact of climate change and offset carbon emissions, as well as provide a rich habitat for indigenous wildlife.

Package rates start from Dh1,275 per night, including taxes. Reservation is required one week in advance. Over-18s only. Visit www.fairmont.com/babalbahr or call 00 971 2 654 3333.

A luxury stay in Peru

Travel company Inkaterra has spent 30 years preserving Peru's natural and cultural heritage through carbon-neutral, luxury eco-tourism at its hotels and lodges in cloud forest near Machu Picchu, in Cusco and on the banks of the Madre de Dios River in the Amazon rainforest.

You can currently book two nights in a double room at the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, set in a 5-hectare private reserve, from US$516 (Dh1,895) per night, half-board including taxes, and receive a third night gratis. And for arrivals in the next 20 days, Inkaterra are offering a two-night stay at the same hotel, full-board, including an excursion to the citadel of Machu Picchu, a massage and a conservation tour of the cloud forest, from $937 (Dh3,442) per person. To book, visit www.inkaterra.com or call 00 51 1 610 0400.

To mark Earth Week, The National directs its focus on the environment with Green Issues, highlighting the need for education and attention to the needs of our planet.