Elephant Encounter
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Trip Highlights
• Elephant caring volunteer project
• Bangkok tour
• Language classes and market practicing
• Thai traditional massage
• Chiang Mai and Doi Suthep
• Hilltribe interaction
• Trekking
• Rafting
Your "Taste of Volunteering" Project
Elephant Nature Park is a unique project set in Northern Thailand - established in the 1990's providing a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants. Volunteer jobs are varied, from bathing elephants to basic health care. You will interact with the Thai people who are permanently caring for the elephants, as well as travelling in various modes of transport whilst volunteering – from 4WD’s to bamboo rafts! You will experience local and tribal lifestyles, culture and hospitality in this amazing, inspiring project.
Trip Summary
Starting from Bangkok, you have 4-hour of basic Thai language learning and a tour of this vibrant city. Your adventure continues to Chiang Mai, where you visit Doi Suthep and a holy Buddhist temple Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.
On day 5 you will be transferred to Elephant Nature Park to start volunteering at the elephant camp. In these 4 fulfilling days you have different volunteer jobs, from bathing elephants to basic health care. You will interact with the Thai people who are permanently caring for the elephants, as well as travelling in various modes of transport whilst volunteering – from 4WD’s to bamboo rafts! The next day you depart Chiang Mai heading north to Mae Malai where you have trekking and rafting experiences for 3 amazing days. On day 14 you arrive back in Bangkok, where your adventure ends with a group transfer to the airport.
This adventure begins with some hours of learning the Thai language, visiting markets for practicing Thai in real situations, sightseeing of the city, and a campus tour with students. What’s more, we also have one of Thai’s world-renowned traditional massages! All these blend smoothly to prepare you for devoting your energy to the elephants and adventurous trekking through isolated Hilltribe villages.
Trip Description
Day 1, Bangkok (-/-/D)
Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to your hotel.
Group meeting at 17:00 for project orientation. We will discuss the program and volunteer project. The topic of culture differences is also included. Please prepare a copy of your insurance and emergency contact numbers to give to us during the orientation.
Overnight at Trang Hotel (sup)
Day 2, Bangkok (B/-/-)
We transfer to the Thai Language School for 2-hour of basic Thai language learning. After the class time to have a field experience by visiting the Siam Square shopping center to practice your bargaining skills with the Thai traders. Traveling mode is by public transportation such as Thai motored-tricycle, so-called Samlor or Tuk Tuk, BTS Sky Train, taxi, etc. The guide will only be as an escort to encourage you to interact with Bangkokers as much as possible. Afterwards we visit Jim Thompson’s magnificent Thai-style house which contains an extensive collection of art objects and antiques. A night market walk is also possible as an option. We then return to our hotel.
Day 3, Bangkok – Chiang Mai (B/-/-)
We transfer to the Thai Language School for another 2-hours of basic Thai language learning. We then take BTS in connection with public express boat running along Chao Phraya River to Tha Chang market, with a short walk through the market to Silpakorn University of Arts. We meet university students and have a tour around the campus to learn about the Thai student activities (This activity might not be possible during the exam period). We then have a Tuk Tuk ride to visit the lively Pak Klong Talad, a wholesale market where varieties of flowers and vegetables are sold.
We later return to the hotel and get ready for transfer to train station for overnight train to Chiang Mai.
Overnight on the train.
Day 4, Chiang Mai (-/-/-)
Arrive Chiang Mai train station, transfer to hotel accommodation.
In the afternoon we visit Doi Suthep, a mountain about 15km from Chiang Mai hosting a holy Buddhist temple Wat Prathat Doi Suthep.
We spend the night at Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai.
Day 5, Chiang Mai - Elephant Nature Park (B/L/D)
After breakfast we transfer to Elephant Nature Park to start volunteering at the elephant camp.
Elephant Nature Park is a unique project set in Northern Thailand - established in the 1990\'s providing a sanctuary and rescue centre for elephants.
Elephant Nature Park is a unique project set in Northern Thailand - established in the 1990\'s providing a sanctuary and rescue center for elephants. Volunteer jobs are varied, from bathing elephants to basic health care. You will interact with the Thai people who are permanently caring for the elephants, as well as travelling in various modes of transport whilst volunteering – from 4WD’s to bamboo rafts! You will experience local and tribal lifestyles, culture and hospitality in this amazing, inspiring project.
These activities are suitable for all age groups with a good standard of fitness and health.
Day 6 - 8, Being a volunteer at Elephant Nature Park (B/L/D)
Continue volunteering at Elephant Nature Park.
Day 9, Elephant Nature Park - Chiang Mai (B/-/-)
After joining in the last day’s volunteering activities we farewell our new friends and transfer back to Chiang Mai.
Overnight in at Downtown Inn (Sup)
Day 10, Trekking (B/L/D)
We depart Chiang Mai by a pick-up truck, heading north for about 1 ½ hours to Mae Malai. We visit the local market and then continue for 40-50 minutes to Pang Lan waterfall for relaxation and lunch before continuing by truck for about 1 1/2 hours to Huay Nam Dang National Park. We start trekking through the forest for about 1 ½- 2 hours, (5-6 Km) to the Karen village of Baan Mae Jok. The Karen originated in Myanmar and is the largest tribal minority in Thailand. We enjoy a village walk to witness their way of living that links closely to nature. Dinner and overnight in the village in simple huts.
Day 11, Trekking (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we trek for 3 hours, (7-8 Km) to an elephant camp and after lunch take an elephant ride for 1-1½ hours, 3-3.5 Km. to a rafting camp near by the Karen village of Bann Pa Khaolam.
Dinner and overnight at the Karen village, again in simple hut accommodation.
Day 12, Trekking (B/L/-)
After breakfast we take a bamboo raft down river for 1½ hour (25 Km. in total) to the small Lahu village of Ban Pong Ngan. The Lahu are related to the Lolo of Tibet who migrated through China and Myanmar to settle in Thailand more than 50 years ago. We continue rafting for about 2 - 2 1/2 hours to a Shan village for lunch. The Shans are considered among the earliest inhabitants of this region of Thailand. The rafting can take up to 6 hours in the summer when the water level is shallow and the current is slow. After lunch we return to Chiang Mai by a pick-up truck and transfer to our hotel.
Overnight in at Downtown Inn (Sup)
Day 13, Chiang Mai - Bangkok (B/-/-)
We have the day at leisure until time for transfer to Chiang Mai train station for overnight train to Bangkok.
Overnight is spent on the train.
Day 14, Bangkok (-/-/-)
We arrive back in Bangkok, where your adventure ends with a group transfer to the airport.
Extension Trips
Thailand - Extension 1: Laos
Thailand - Extension 2: Cambodia
If you like this trip, you may also be interested in:
Cambodia - Cambodian Explorer
Cambodia - World Heritage Wonders
China - Home of the Giant Pandas
India - Sunderbans Smiles
