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Highlights

Work alongside the Karen people, a hill tribe community in the lush mountains of northern Thailand, relax on the beautiful beaches of Ko Samui and experience the bustling city of Bangkok.

Enjoy the beautiful country & culture of Thailand, work alongside the Kareni people, a hill tribe village, while learning about immigrant issues. 10 days in Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and Bangkok with an optional 3 day Samui island excursion
Mae Hong Son is a remote, mountainous province in northern Thailand, bordering Myanmar (Burma). Though sparsely populated, it is ethnically diverse and home to hill tribes such as the Shan and Hmong. The capital, also called Mae Hong Son, is a gateway to the region’s hills.

The Karen people or Long Neck Tribe people are subsistence farmers and live in a small mountain village, and growing rice and vegetables and raising animals. They originally come from Karen State in Burma or Myanmar and fled to Thailand to escape persecution and forced labor by the military. They are refugees in Thailand and not allowed to work in the cities. They must stay in the Mae Hong Son area in the hills. This makes life difficult to earn an income.

Adventure

The wondrous and holy temple of Wat Phra That which is located near the top of Doi Suthep (Mount Suthep). Built as a Buddhist monastery in 1383 it is still a working monastery today. Funds raised by donations and the lift fee go to support the monks living there and for maintenance of the various temple buildings. The architecture, statues, murals, and shrines seen here are nothing short of breathtaking. On a clear day, you can see the whole city of Chiang Mai.

Open every night, you can find a huge variety of brand name designer goods (real and fake) (clothing, T-shirts, belts, shoes, jewelry, watches, DVD’s) and local Thai goods at really low prices. It is a good place to find gifts while practicing your bartering skills.

A hands-on experience learning to take care of an elephant. You’ll learn how to interact with elephants, daily care, during which time you are trained to approach your elephant correctly, know the elephant’s temperament, feed and check its health, learn about and take care of your own elephant, bathe and brush it in the river. The program is meant to create trust and good relations between you and your elephant.

Learning to cook with Thai spices and herbs. You’ll learn step by step on how to cook Thai dishes. You’ll first visit the market to learn about the Thai herbs and vegetables and then on to the cooking school to make a delicious dinner!

There are long beaches to walk and surf on. Activities include fishing, swimming, and boating in the natural marine reserve which is made up of a mangrove forest, iguanas, crocodiles and many species of birds.

The Grand Palace is located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. The palace has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam. The present monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej (Rama IX), currently, resides in another Palace in Hua Hin, but the Grand Palace is still used for official events. Several royal ceremonies and state functions are held within the walls of the palace every year. The palace is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Thailand. It is considered a must see palace in Thailand.

Correctly known as the “Four Regions Floating Market”, the sub-sections of this 100,000 sqm development represent the four major areas of Thailand – the north, northeast, central and south. This representation comes in the form of shops and stalls selling souvenirs, fruits, food, art, handicrafts, postcards and clothing as well as regular cultural shows and demonstrations. Some of the 114 vendors do indeed float, selling their wares from traditional boats and canoes. The rest are built into a sturdy stilted village, with covered walkways and stout bridges connecting them.

The so-called “Big Buddha” certainly deserves its name, being the biggest in the region at 18 meters in height. Positioned nearly 100 meters above sea level, it watches over Pattaya and Jomtien Beaches from its position on the hill dividing the two. The temple complex around the highly detailed golden seated Buddha
creates a reflective mood in its many visitors’ thanks to its many bells, burning incense, numerous smaller statues and impressive views over the area.

With its white-sand beaches hemmed in by coconut palms, private beach resorts reachable only by boat, and swathes of lush rainforest; Ko Samui comes as close to paradise as anywhere in Thailand. Marooned off the Gulf of Thailand coast and reachable by ferry from Chumphon and Surat Thani, Samui island is the largest of the Chumphon archipelago and ranks second only to Phuket for the title of Thailand’s most visited island. On the east coast, is the island’s party hub, while Lamai Beach, Choeng Mon Beach, and Bophut offer more laid-back alternatives. Away from the beach, dramatic viewpoints abound, with highlights including Na Muang Waterfall, the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks, and the dazzling gold façade of Big Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Yai). The island also makes a popular basecamp for exploring the surrounding islands and speedboats.
We’ll be doing a boat tour of Ang Thong National Marine Park—a cluster of jungle-clad islands, ringed by jagged rocks, sandy coves, and a rainbow of coral—a truly most enchanting day trip.

Itinerary

Duration: 10 days with a 3-day optional excursion

Countries: Thailand

Experiences: Community service, touring, island beaches

Ages: All ages

Starting Point: Bangkok

Ending Point: Bangkok

Base trip: August 12-21, 2019, $2485

Samui island add-on: August 21- 24, 2019, $1200

All itineraries can be customized

Download the trip itinerary

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Project Description

Day 1 Arrival Bangkok then Fly to Chang Mai. Evening activities include orientation and Thai language survival skills.
Day 2 Day in Chiang Mai, Enjoy a city tour, a trip to the elephant sanctuary and a dinner of Northern Thai cuisine.
Day 3 Day two in Chiang Mai. A morning bike tour in the countryside followed by a visit to Tom Yum Thai Cooking School. In the evening a trip to the Night market.
Day 4 Community service in Mae Hong Son
Take a 45 min flight to Mae Hong Son meet the members of the community and learn about the issues there.
Day 5 Community Service in Mae Hong Son
Day 6 Adventure- Visit natural springs, Visit a spa with natural mud baths and hot springs Then visit a Chinese village and tea
tasting, hike in the mountains.
Day 7 A day in Bangkok. Take a short flight to Bangkok then take a city tour in the evening visit Khaosan Road.
Day 9 Visit the floating market by boat with a free afternoon to shop.
Day 10 Fly to Ko Samui
Depart Thailand or fly to the island of Samui spend the afternoon on the beach
Day 11 Day 1 Ko Samui
Ang Thong National Marine Park boat tour.
Day 12 Day 2 Ko Samui
Enjoy a free day
Day 13 Depart Samui

Please remember that this is a guide only and we typically customize each safari trip. 

Please contact us if you have any questions!

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  Airport pick up, Transport

Breakfasts and lunches

Accommodations

One local guide

Volunteer project donations -($150)

5 internal flights

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED

Items of a personal nature, personal insurances, visas and gratuities

All flights

Dinners – free time

Internet (most hotels have free wifi)

Optional extra activities, not specified above

Laundry

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