Itinerary
Thailand Itinerary
Trip Length: 14 Days
Day 1
Arrival & Introductions in Chiang Mai
After a warm welcome and orientation from your GIVE guides, the evening is free to explore the city, try out some amazing Thai cuisine and get to know your fellow travelers!
Day 2
Reforestation Project & Night Market
After breakfast, we’ll dive into the details of the journey ahead, learn more about Thai culture and then take an introductory Thai language lesson.
In the afternoon, we’ll volunteer with Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration and Research Unit (FORRU), helping with anything from tree planting, seed germination, seedling potting & care, seed collection, weeding and fertilizing at one of their tree nurseries or reforestation plots.
That evening, we’ll hop in iconic tuk-tuk taxis to the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar to peruse endless stalls of Thai street food, handicrafts & souvenirs.
Day 3
Buddhist Temple & Chiang Dao National Park
After breakfast, we’ll head to a Buddhist temple to learn about the history of Chiang Mai and the Lanna Kingdom, the basic principles of Buddhism, and how it all integrates into Thai culture.
From there we’ll drive 3 hours north through the mountains and jungle of Chiang Dao National Park towards our home for the next week – the hill-tribe villages of Mueang Khong. After settling into your bungalows, we’ll head out on a tour of the surrounding community and then gather to learn more about our volunteer projects!
Days 4-10
Hill-tribe Volunteer Projects & Cultural Immersion
Start your day with a Muay Thai boxing lesson or misty morning yoga (or sleep in). After breakfast, we will volunteer on our English education or Farm to Cafeteria projects until lunchtime. In the afternoon, we will have a bit of free time to relax and digest before returning to the project site for the rest of the afternoon.
In the early evening, we will wrap up volunteer work and head out on one of our daily excursions, such as exploring limestone caves, Thai cooking lessons, playing sports with local kids, learning to make traditional handicrafts, or just relaxing by the river.
After dinner, the evening is free to join nightly dialogue circles, play games and music, or hang out around the bonfire.
Day 11
Build Bamboo Rafts in the Jungle
After breakfast, we’ll embark on an off-road adventure to the Karen hill-tribe village of Ban Kao Lam, which is home to several semi-wild elephants and their mahouts (elephant caretakers). After exploring the community, we will help build the bamboo rafts we’ll be taking downriver for the next couple days. In the late afternoon, we’ll prepare nutritional elephant supplements and gather for a discussion on elephant welfare and conservation in Asia.
Day 12
Elephant Trekking & Bamboo Rafting
Just before dawn, we’ll follow our mahouts (elephant caretakers) into the jungle to track elephants in their natural habitat, learn about their behavior and anatomy, and feed them nutritious herbal supplements. After lunch, we’ll bamboo raft down the mighty Mae Tang River to the Lahu hill-tribe village of Pong Ngen. Here we’ll celebrate our final night in the jungle, sharing a delicious dinner with our hosts and learning traditional dances around the bonfire!
Days 13-14
Bamboo Rafting, Bungee Jumping & Trip End
Our bamboo-rafting journey culminates with the fastest rapids and best views yet! Strap in and enjoy the ride or grab a bamboo pole and steer us towards our final adventure in Thailand… a 160-foot BUNGEE JUMP! (Or drift karts if heights aren’t your thing). After that it’s back to Chiang Mai for one final night of reflection and celebration.
All good things must come to an end. Soak up your last few hours in Thailand before heading home, or continue onto your next Southeast Asia adventure with GIVE!
Want to continue your journey in SE Asia?
Learn how you can extend your trip for up to 5 weeks and save up to $1500 by combining trips here.
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
Once you arrive at your destination, everything is organized and included, so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without having to worry about your wallet GIVE helps you organize all your travel logistics to make your trip preparations and travel smooth.
- Flights and Travelers Insurance (mandatory)
- Passport, visa (if required), and vaccinations (if required)
- Immigration entry/exit fees (depending on location)
- 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
* Winter trips are slightly shorter due to school/holiday breaks
Learn how to Extend Your Trip
Extend your stay in Southeast Asia, Add-on GIVE’s Laos Volunteer Program!
SE Asia Package: Thailand & Laos
Trip Length: 27 days – Save $500!
Your journey doesn’t have to end in Thailand. Cross the border into Laos and complete your Southeast Asia experience. In Laos, you will work to protect Asiatic Black Bears, meditate with Buddhist monks, support rural communities, and summit limestone peaks. Come see for yourself why Laos is the best-kept secret in SE Asia!
