Description

Expanding on our popular Come With Nothing concept, Rustic Pathways is proud to introduce a new itinerary for one of our most popular programs in Southeast Asia! If you come, you can only bring one carry-on bag. Pack one change of clothing, necessary hygiene items and medicines, and no more than five THINGS you feel might be important during your trip. THINGS might include a camera, a notebook, a tape recorder, or a book it's up to you. Just leave all unnecessary THINGS at home.

Come With Nothing
The adventure will begin in the far north of Thailand, just a short distance from the border with Burma and Laos. Upon arrival, you'll be given a locally made backpack and 50 USD to buy clothing for the next three weeks. You'll be surprised how much this buys at the local market. You may also be surprised to learn that many families in villages around the world live on less than 50 USD per month.

A Service Voyage up the Mekong River
The first village that you'll visit is in the mountains of Chiang Rai Province, one of the least developed areas of the country. This area is home to various tribes that traditionally hail from as far away as China's Yunnan Province and the Tibetan Plateau. Rustic has many friends here, and you'll be received with open arms by the local villagers.

You'll step back in time and discover what it is like to live in a small village far away from the influences of modern society. Your leaders will arrange clean food and water but expect living conditions to be very rustic and humble. People here don't have many things, and students find it refreshing to discover their sincere approach to life and to spend time with these close-knit families. After just a few days, you will find that you have left the world you know behind. You will soon begin to groove to an entirely different beat here in the mountains of Southeast Asia.

Live Like a Villager
You will visit three villages, one in Thailand and two in Laos, for about five days each. You'll meet with government officials, local NGOs, village leaders, and respected elders along the way to give you insight into the needs of the area. As you travel, you will reflect on what you have seen and heard, assess the needs of these villages, and work on both short-term and long-term sustainable service initiatives that you design. This means making a plan, gathering materials, working within a budget, and setting a timeframe to complete the project. You will then work with the villagers and your leaders to put your plan into action. Build lifelong friendships in the villages where you work and develop skills that will help you organize service projects back at home.

Cruise up the Mekong
After your first village, you'll begin a memorable two-day boat trip down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang in Laos. Expect conditions to be challenging this is a long, rugged trip that includes an overnight stay along the banks of the Mekong. For those who are up for the challenge, this introduction to life on the river in Laos may end up being one of the program highlights.

Go Home Rich!
This trip has a way of leaving lasting impressions and positive memories with students and villagers alike. You will likely go home inspired, with a desire to continue service long after you have left this program. The villagers will also be left with wonderful memories, and they will be grateful for all of the hard work and dedication you have put into these projects. You will not only go home a 'richer' person, but by doing your small part you will have made this world a 'richer' place. You'll never forget this trip!

Want to extend your summer adventure? This program connects to our other trips in Southeast Asia, China, and India.

Highlights

COME WITH NOTHING! Bring only what will fit in one carry-on bag and buy the rest of your wardrobe in local markets.

CHALLENGE yourself in just about every way, live the life of a Hill Tribe villager, pour your energy into grassroots service, and make a real difference in the places you visit.

HOP across borders as you visit seldom-seen areas of Southeast Asia, explore the UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang in Laos, and check out Chiang Rai Province in Thailand.

CRUISE down the Mekong as you travel from Thailand to Laos on a memorable overnight river adventure.

SHARE your journey with like-minded peers who care about community service and want to help these rural people who live far from the rush of modernity.

GO HOME RICH! Expect to leave richer in spirit and to understand more about yourself and your world at the conclusion of this life-changing service program.

Travel Types

• Overland Tours
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 16-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

3,695 USD + 425 USD Internal Airfare + International air

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Other

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983