Active holidays saving planet earth

With the BBC's Saving Planet Earth wildlife series starting this week you may well find yourself getting the urge to travel and learn more about the plight of some of the animals in the programme.

The documentary series will highlight India's endangered tigers, sea turtles in Sri Lanka and Borneo's orang-utan, among others species.

For holidaymakers wanting to follow in the footsteps of the television celebrities that will be presenting each of the Saving Planet Earth shows, the adventure and active holiday specialist Exodus has highlighted eco-tourism trips that echo some of the programmes in the series.

Holidaymakers inspired by the newsreader Fiona Bruce's programme looking at the future of tigers can follow in her footsteps with a trip to the northern India.

Tiger parks in the region include Ranthambore, Kanha and Bandhavgarh, with some itineraries also visiting the bird sanctuary at Bharatpur.

By visiting more than one tiger park holidaymakers could up their chances of seeing a tiger, along with getting a chance to see more animals such as deer, monkeys, wild boar and waterfowl.

Exodus has a Land of the Tiger 17-day escorted tour for £1,675 per person, which visits all of these parks and makes a contribution to a responsible tourism project in Bandhavargh.

Other tour operators with holidays to India's tiger parks include Intrepid Travel and www.explore.co.uk

If you think seeing less dangerous animals in the wild would be more fun, then visiting Sri Lanka's sea turtles in Galle, also featured in Saving Planet Earth is a great way of learning more about the endangered creatures.

Exodus has a 16-day Sri Lanka holiday, which includes a visit to the turtle hatchery, from £1,295 per person. The itinerary also visits ancient Buddhist cities, highlands, beaches, and includes walks in the jungle, national parks and wildlife tours.

Other tour operators with Sri Lanka tours include Kuoni and Iglu Tropical.

Also featured in Saving Planet Earth are the orang-utans of Borneo, which can be visited at the Semenggok orang-utan centre and also at Sepilok.

The country also has other national parks where orang-utans and other primates can be seen, such as the Bako National Park.

Exodus has a 21-day trip to Borneo where holidaymakers can visit the orang-utan centre and national park, as well as experience more of the country's tropical rainforests, wildlife and unique people, from £2,589 per person.

Other tour operators with tours visiting orang-utan conservation areas include Responsible Travel and Virgin Holidays