On the yoga terrace there are two classes a day, and pranayama (breath work) too. In the spa you can choose from a menu of massages, reflexology and other treatments, which from next month will include outdoor mud wraps and a flotation tank.And there is safari, if the beach begins to pall. There’s a full yoga programme but how much or little you participate is up to you – and the resort’s luxurious spa is a divine place for skiving.
The timetable kicks off with meditation at 7am and ends with yoga at 7pm, but it’s punctuated by fresh juices, vegetarian meals and massages. But wildlife watchers can now combine exploration of the natural world with a healthy dose of well-being at this holistic retreat on the shores of the Indian Ocean

This is no deprivation vacation. From dusty elephants to basking crocodiles, safari is Kenya’s main attraction.

Since then, a comprehensive study has reviewed the interaction between humans and leopard seals in the Antarctic More information: 01223 221 400, antarctica.ac.uk. In July 2003, Kirsty Brown, a marine scientist based at Rothera, was attacked and drowned by a leopard seal. Expect no sunlight whatsoever for several weeks in mid-winter (late June), while those enjoying a very white Christmas will encounter 24-hour daylight.The BAS will advise you on everything you need, including how many pairs of long johns to pack But the threat is not just from the weather. Stays range from a couple of months to semi-permanent postings. The moving ice is a constant danger and the base at Halley, located on a floating ice sheet, edges hundreds of metres closer to the water each year. While there is currently a vacancy for a “molecular phylogeneticist”, maintaining a working population in an environment where temperatures can plummet to -50C also requires support staff such as engineers and chefs.Anywhere else, the term “field assistant” would mean little more than a gofer; here it can translate as a fully qualified mountaineer.

Research is conducted from five BAS stations: Rothera, Halley and Signy on the Antarctic continent, King Edward Point and Bird Island in the sub-Antarctic region of South Georgia.The range of volunteers is probably more diverse than for any other scientific field project in the world. More information: hvo.wr.usgs.gov/volunteer Antarctica The British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has conducted research in and around Antarctica for the past 60 years. BAS data is used by scientists all over the world (particularly those who monitor ozone levels and climate change). On the plus side, participants will gain experience not only in geo-logic mapping but also in the various field techniques used by vulcanologists.Those wishing to take part are expected to make their own travel arrangements to and from Hawaii, but the USGS provides rent-free accommodation as well as bikes and vehicles on the islands. In addition, “applicants should not have respiratory or other health problems that might be aggravated by exposure to volcanic fumes or intense heat.”While the location is undeniably glamorous, the reality can be rather more prosaic; you must be willing to spend days hiking over uneven ground in the rain, often with a heavy pack while carting cumbersome equipment. “Volunteers must be in top physical shape,” reads the official literature, “and have a working knowledge of location and outdoor survival skills in a wide range of environments, ranging from arid desert and dense rainforests to alpine snowfields”, all of which occur on Mauna Loa. The primary goal is to produce geologic maps of the volcano and compile a record of its eruptive activity during the past 10,000 years.Most applicants tend to be studying for a degree in geology or environmental science, but there is more to it than that.

By far its biggest project is taking place on the active volcano of Mauna Loa, the world’s largest. Details: earthwatch Volcanoes The Hawaiian Volcano Obs-ervatory, part of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), measures volcanic activity on the islands’ five active peaks. In contrast, winters are dry and cold, particularly at night, when temperatures can touch 0C Prices start at £1,800 for a 14-day stay, excluding flights. Under the direction of a field team leader, participants will be taught all the skills they need, including radio tracking and how to monitor a meerkat’s weight.In addition, volunteers can also join biodiversity surveys, recording the size and activity of native bird colonies, and outreach projects, helping the local community to conserve this pristine environment.Fourteen-day packages are offered during the Kalahari winter, from April to September, which means you will be spared the punishing desert sun; in summer, temperatures can reach 40C. Meerkat behaviour in neighbouring Namibia has been well documented and the Earthwatch scheme, run in conjunction with the University of Cambridge meerkat project, hopes to discover parallels with their South African cousins: primarily, how the breeding behaviour of these sociable animals affects their survival. Earthwatch has 142 projects in progress, and one of the more popular is the chance to observe meerkats, the little mammals made famous by Sir David Attenborough’s documentaries, at South Africa’s Kuruman River Reserve.The 25 sq km reserve is located in the Kalahari Desert, 17km south of the Botswana border. Since its inception 35 years ago, around 80,000 volunteers have contributed 10.8 million hours of scientific research.