Thailand Community Service by 360° Student Travel
Location
Thailand: Ayutthaya, Bangkok, Chiang Mai and 2 other cities
Description
From the canals of Bangkok and nearby floating markets, to magnificent stone ruins and truly spectacular temples in Ayutthaya, and on through the limestone islands and Phagna Bay in the southern province of Krabi we experience it all! Rewarding community service experiences with children deepen our understanding and relationship with our hosts as we learn about this nation and are won over by the hearts of its people.
Highlights
* Adventure
- Bamboo rafting Mae Kok River
- Waterfall hike & zip line adventure
- Kayaking Phagna Bay
- Muay Thai kickboxing class
- SCUBA diving and snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi
- Bike Tour of Chiang Mai and Ayutthaya
* Touring Highlights
- Golden Triangle boat trip
- Impressive Bangkok sites including the Erewan Shrine, Golden Mount, Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha)
- Floating markets and mangrove forests
- UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Ayutthaya
- Rice farming and Lahu village cultural exchange
- Boat cruise on the Chao Phrya River
* Community Service
- Chiang Rai Special School
Beautify their classrooms or dorms by painting and designing murals or building a playground.
Establish special connections with the students as we stage our own Fun Fair and Mini Olympics
- Golden Triangle Asian Elephant Foundation
Assist in a fascinating behavioral study on elephants
Learn to feed, bathe, and care for your own elephant with a mahout (trainer)
- Lahu Tribal Village and Community
Build a welcome center for local families
- Mae Salak School
Teach English to Thai children at a small local school
- Mangrove Plantation Project
Plant and clean up mangroves to help sustain this important ecosystem
* Bangkok - Adventure & Touring Highlights
After a warm welcome greeting and orientation to Thai customs, we experience this intriguing city with multiple modes of transport - by elevated Sky train, canal boat, three wheeled tuk-tuk and longtail boat. As we take in the major sights including Erewan Shrine, Golden Mount, Grand Palace and Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), its people continue to amaze you with their warmth. South of the city, we venture to the wetlands where we explore canal communities and the floating markets and learn about initiatives to rehabilitate the mangrove forests and maintain their traditional way of life. Be amazed by the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ancient Ayutthaya on our biking tour to see the stunning temples in the former capital of Thailand.
* Chiang Rai - Service Partners and Projects
The Chiang Rai Special School is devoted to providing housing and education for more than 400 children from northern Thailand living with autism and other mental disabilities. We help to beautify their classrooms or dorms by painting and designing murals or building a playground. We bring many smiles and establish special connections with the students as we stage our own Fun Fair and Mini Olympics. You will surely be enriched.
* Chiang Rai - Adventure Highlights
Take a long tail boat through the countryside to Ban Ruammitt, a hill tribe elephant camp, where we'll embark on an elephant ride through the countryside and rice fields. In Chiang Rai city, we visit the Night Bazaar and Wat Rong Kuhn, and enjoy a well deserved Thai massage.
* Golden Triangle Service Partners and Projects
Assist in a fascinating behavioral study on elephants by collecting data, helping with intelligence experiments and getting up-close and personal with these amazing animals. Working with your own mahout (trainer) you will learn to feed, bathe, and care for your elephant.
* Golden Triangle Adventure Highlights
Travel by boat down the Mekong River to what is known as the Golden Triangle at the junction of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. The interactive museum engages us in the history of the area.
* Mae Salak - Service Partners and Projects
The service work we perform in a hill tribe village further develops our cross cultural experience. We help build a welcome center for local families to have a place to read, gather and to display their crafts to tourists who come to see their way of life. We will also teach English to Thai children at a small local school - an experience that is sure to leave us with many new little friends.
* Mae Salak - Adventure Highlights
Construct bamboo rafts and float down the Mae Kok River. Work hand in hand with the community members of Lahu Village to rice farm and then make a traditional Thai lunch from scratch.
* Chiang Mai - Adventure Highlights
Get ready for what is no ordinary zip line! From multiple platforms, and with diverse experiences, zip from tree to tree with spectacular views of one of the province's oldest forests. Relax and unwind with a waterfall swim. Discovery the region's beauty and history as we bicycle to the old city and some of its most famous temples (including Doi Suthep) before a fully involved learning experience of the country's national sport, Thai kickboxing. Learn how to cook traditional dishes and of course, enjoy the feast at our very own Thai cooking school.
* Krabi - Service Partners and Projects
Venture down small rivers and tributaries to learn firsthand about the mangroves - trees that line the coastal areas of Thailand. We join the increasing efforts to clean up and plant mangroves to help sustain this important ecosystem.
* Krabi - Adventure Highlights
Kayak by stunning limestone islands in Phagna Bay. In Koh Phi Phi, whether you choose to snorkel or SCUBA dive in the emerald waters of this paradise, you will see exotic fish, sea turtles and coral. Enjoy a second snorkeling opportunity at Chicken Island and chilling on the beach at Railay Bay.
* Bangkok
We fly back to Bangkok where it all began and enjoy a boat cruise on the Chao Phrya River through the small canals of Bangkok Noi (Little Bangkok). At our farewell dinner, there is much laughter as we reminisce and reflect on all we have learned, seen, tasted and experienced. After our time with the friendly Thai people, we understand why it is called "Land of the Smiles"!