Description

What More Could You Want?
Discover a fascinating new land, immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and develop a connection with some of the friendliest pachyderms on the planet. Elephants and Amazing Thailand is our most popular program combination in the world - and it is the perfect way to experience the Kingdom of Thailand for the first time. Earn your junior mahout (elephant trainer) certification, spend a night in the jungle with your elephant, experience a real Hill Tribe home-stay, shop at some of the region's coolest markets, take a long-tail boat ride to a long-neck Karen village, and explore the world-famous highlights of Bangkok. Since most students do these programs as a combination, expect the vast majority of the group to be there with you for both weeks, allowing for some lasting friendships to develop.

The One and Only Elephant Conservation Program
The first week of the program will be spent at the magnificent Royal Elephant Reserve, which is one of the finest elephant study and management facilities in the world. Your enthusiastic participation here will help to ensure a strong future for Asian elephants.

You will attend classes and gain hands-on experience with elephants and their mahouts at a renowned training facility that is set in the picturesque hills of a large reserve. Learn basic Thai commands for communicating with your elephant, as you ride through the conservation; bathe your elephant in nearby lakes and help care for injured elephants in the elephant hospital. You will live and experience the day-to-day lifestyle of a Thai mahout: weave a harness, dress in a traditional mahout outfit, sing the "elephant song" and carve dishes out of bamboo. Your contributions to these projects and heightened awareness about the challenges Asian elephants face will help ensure the well being of both the elephants and this great facility. At the conclusion of your program you will receive a formal certificate of participation from the Mahout School, as well as up to 36 community service hours.

Cool Mountain Cultures, Tiger Kingdom, and Night Markets Galore!
After your awesome week in the jungle with the elephants, we'll pack up the vans and get ready for the Amazing Thailand Adventure. Starting in Chiang Mai, we'll head out of town to swim at cascading waterfalls, check out the sweeping views from atop Doi Suthep, and have the chance to get up-close and personal with real tigers at Tiger Kingdom. Practice your bargaining skills at the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, learn the basic tenants of Buddhism at a 700 year-old temple, and sample the tasty local cuisine. This is Amazing Thailand!!

Road Trip Rustic Style!
Hopping in our VIP vans, the journey continues north as we wind through lush mountains and terraced rice fields. As we arrive at the Pai valley, explore the bustling afternoon market and peruse the funky shops here for unique handicraft souvenirs. Next, we'll head further up the mountain just outside of town to our Base House, where you will spend a night in a real Lisu village. Accommodations here will be simple but fine, and the view from your front porch is breathtaking. In the morning, the adventure continues as you ride a bamboo raft ride through some of the longest caves in Asia and experience the tiny capital of Thailand's most diverse province - Mae Hong Son. Ride a long-tail boat to a remote outpost that is home to the long-neck Karen people. Breathe in the wonderful fresh air while you can, because tomorrow you will be in the heart of modern Thailand - Bangkok.

Brilliant, Bustling Bangkok
The trip will wrap up in Bangkok, where you will tour the city's rivers and canals by long-tail boat, explore the King's Palace, eat at a floating restaurant, and relax during a one-hour traditional Thai foot massage. You will also tour Wat Po, feed fish for good luck, see the Royal Barges, and visit the Temple of the Reclining Buddha! By the end of this two-week adventure, expect to have a new place in your heart for the diverse wonders of Thailand, and a new crew of friends for life.

Want to continue your summer adventure? This program connects to our other great programs in Southeast Asia, China and India.

Highlights

MERGE the Amazing Thailand Adventure with the Thai Elephant Conservation Project and experience the diversity of Thailand and the power of rewarding community service.

WORK with elephants under the guidance and supervision of professional handlers, skilled Rustic Pathways leaders, and trained mahouts at a world-renowned facility under the patronage of Thailand's royal family.

LEARN to feed, ride, bathe, and care for elephants and return home with a certificate attesting to your experience and achievements.

EXPLORE Thailand from the bustling metropolis of Bangkok to chilled-out Chiang Mai and the northern Hill Tribe regions.

HEAD HOME having seen the fascinating diversity of Thailand from Bangkok's sprawling metropolis to the colorful Hill Tribes of the north and with a new appreciation for the brilliance of elephants and the struggles they face in today's world.

Travel Types

• Environmental Studies
• Overland Tours
• Tours
• Student Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 14-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

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration
• Student Tours

Languages

• English
• Thai

Cost in US$:

USD 3,295 + 285 Internal Airfare

Cost Includes:

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

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

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of 10-24 students

Scholarships are Available

Scholarships are available annually for students interested in Rustic Pathways programs on an application basis. The scholarships are for all Rustic Pathways programs across the world and not only for this particular program. Applications for scholarships are available starting in late January or early February for students and interested parties should contact Rustic Pathways directly to learn how to apply.

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