Thailand (40+)
Culture & Community
Journey beyond the beaten path in Northern Thailand—where hill-tribe culture, wild jungles, and grassroots change come alive.
Thailand (Ages 40+)
Culture & Community
Find purpose and connection in Northern Thailand’s jungles.
Designed for travelers 40+, this immersive volunteer trip offers a safe, comfortable, and deeply rewarding way to explore Northern Thailand. Start in Chiang Mai, where you’ll learn Thai cooking, visit ancient temples, and wander vibrant local markets. Then venture into the hill-tribe communities of Chiang Dao, where you’ll volunteer teaching English in local schools and support community-led organic farming projects—building real connections and making a lasting impact. Cap it off with a 3-day jungle adventure, featuring elephant trekking and bamboo rafting through breathtaking mountain landscapes. See the heart of Thailand—off the beaten path and full of meaning.
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Thailand (40+) Itinerary
Trip Length: 12 Days – Chiang Mai • Mueang Khong • Mae Taeng
Days 1-2
Welcome to Chiang Mai
Arrive in Thailand’s cultural capital and enjoy a warm welcome dinner along the Mae Ping River. Settle in with your GIVE guides and fellow travelers. The next day, dive into Thai culture with an orientation, basic language lesson, and hands-on Thai cooking class. Explore the famous Night Bazaar for local eats, crafts, and souvenirs.
Day 3
From Temples to the Hills
Start the day with a visit to a sacred Buddhist temple to gain insight into Thai history, spirituality, and cultural values. Then, journey deep into the mountains to the remote hill-tribe village of Mueang Khong—your home base for the week. Get settled, meet local community members, and prepare to make a meaningful impact.
Days 4-10
Volunteer & Immerse
Wake to misty mountain views and start your day teaching English in local schools. In the afternoons, roll up your sleeves for hands-on work on organic farming projects that support student nutrition and community well-being. Evenings offer cultural connection and relaxation—join a women’s co-op, take a Pad Thai cooking lesson, float the river, or enjoy karaoke and artisan workshops. Each day brings connection, purpose, and joy.
Day 11
Into the Jungle
Travel to the Karen hill-tribe village of Ban Bpa Kao Lam, where you’ll craft traditional bamboo rafts with local guides. Gather around the bonfire for stories about elephant conservation and ethical tourism—shared by the leaders championing this work in their own communities.
Day 12
Elephant Trekking
Rise early to trek into the jungle with local mahouts and observe semi-wild elephants in their natural habitat. Help feed them herbal supplements and learn how local traditions protect these gentle giants. That afternoon, raft down the Mae Tang River to Pong Ngen village, where your day ends with a celebratory dinner, music, and dancing by the fire.
Days 13-14
Final Float & Farewell
Your final stretch on the river brings jungle views and thrilling rapids. Then it’s back to Chiang Mai for a relaxing Thai massage and one last group celebration. Reflect on the journey, swap photos and memories, and prepare for your departure—or onward adventure.
What's Included
When you travel with GIVE, you won’t be surprised by hidden fees upon arrival. Dive into all that’s included in our all-in-one trip prices.
- All accommodations
- Transportation (not including flights)
- 3 meals per day & clean drinking water
- 24/7 guide support
- All adventures and cultural experiences
- Funding for volunteer projects & sustainability initiatives
- Pre-trip & in-transit support from GIVE’s Travel Specialists
- Access to your personalized GIVE Profile
- Access to GIVE’s preferred insurance & flight partners
- Trip preparation tools, guides and checklists
- Access to GIVE’s Ambassador Community post-trip
Simply put: we care. GIVE goes above and beyond for our travelers before, during and after your trip. See all that’s included in your GIVE trip here!
What's Not Included
Pretty much everything except your flights, insurance and travel documents, but GIVE will help you organize it all! Dive into what’s included here.
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), & vaccinations (if required)
- Personal souvenirs, snacks and refreshments (drinking water is included 24/7)
- See all that’s included in your GIVE trip here!
* GIVE reserves the right to change program dates
Thailand (40+) Accommodations
Chiang Mai
Nights 1-2 & 11
Mueang Khong
Nights 3-8
Village Homestays
Nights 9-10
Trip dates
Thailand Culture & Community (40+) I 12 days
$3,495
Flexible Payment Options
Planning your GIVE trip should be exciting—not stressful! That’s why we offer payment options to make it easy. Whether you’re ready to pay now or spread payments into smaller, manageable installments, we’ve got you covered. Choose to secure your spot with a deposit, set up automatic recurring payments, or use Book Now, Pay Later (even after your trip)— all designed to keep budgeting simple and stress-free.
How to Book a Trip
Lock in your spot with a $595 USD trip deposit in your GIVE Profile. For add-ons or multi-trip packages, it’s just $295 more per trip. Your deposit counts toward your total cost, never expires, and can be transferred if plans change.
Pay the rest on your own schedule by your payment deadline or set up a payment plan to extend payments, even after your trip! Need more time? We’ve got you. [Terms & conditions apply.]
No Hidden Fees
Your GIVE trip includes everything you need—from meals, guides, and accommodations to local transport, epic adventures, cultural experiences, and funding for the volunteer projects you’ll help bring to life. Just show up ready to make an impact—we’ll handle the rest.
Worry-Free Booking
Plans change—we get it. Your deposit is fully transferable, never expires, and lets you switch trips or dates for free. Total flexibility, zero stress. [Learn more about our worry-free booking policy.]
We Got Your Back
We’ve got your back—every step of the way. Before your trip, we’ll help you book flights, secure travel insurance, and handle passport or visa needs without the headache. On the road, our team’s on call 24/7 to help with anything that comes up.[Learn more about our 360° travel support.]
Small Groups, Big Vibes
Travel with a tight-knit crew, guided by a team of local and international GIVE guides. With an average group size of 16-20 people, a 5:1 traveler-to-guide ratio, and 24/7 support, you’ll never feel lost in the crowd.
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