Thailand 101: An Elephant, Culture, and Outdoor Adventure

It was an amazing experience. I not only had the opportunity to learn and engage with Thailand's culture, but also from elephants in their natural habitat. I also had the incredible opportunity to assist a veterinarian to provide adequate welfare for elephants, dogs and cats.

I did this program when I was only 16, and went into it knowing no one. It was an amazing experience where I learned so much about myself, and met some close friends that 5 years later I am still in touch with. Working with the elephants hands on for a week and talking with Lek really educated me on the issues these gracious animals face not only in Asia, but everywhere they are found in the world. LoopAbroad cares deeply about the volunteers it’s taking care of and they are very personal to each person making sure you feel safe, healthy, and cared for.

Thailand 101 was an absolutely incredible adventure and a life-changing experience for me. The Elephant Nature Park was a wonderful place to stay and interacting with and caring for the elephants was indescribable - a dream come true for me. The city of Chiang Mai was beautiful and all of the activities we did (white water rafting, zip lining, etc.) were very exciting, thrilling, and fun. I felt completely safe during every part of the trip - the Loop Abroad staff is welcoming, reassuring, skilled, very familiar with Thailand, and very accommodating, happy and fun. On this trip I was always confident that I was safe, comfortable, full of the best food I've ever eaten, and smiling. I would recommend Loop Abroad to anyone!

Hello everyone! I traveled with the Thailand 101 group. I got to interact with the beautiful elephants and even got to experience the culture in Thailand. The first week we stayed in a hostel where we got to try all different Thai fruit, had a Thai cooking class, went zip-linning, visited temples, had a meditation class and much more. You also volunteer at an elementary school to play with the kids or help them in class. The second week we stayed at the elephant nature park. It was so beautiful and peaceful. At night you can sit on a huge porch and stare right at the stars while listening to the crickets. The stars seem so close to you, it feels like your right in space! The elephants were my favorite. They are kind and gentle creatures. Giving them baths, feeding them, following them around for a day, getting to know some of their stories and why they are there is amazing. "They say elephants eyes speak the greatest language in the world. Who else could make you feel so much without saying a word" (Tarzan). I can truly say that this quote is true. Obviously with everything I mentioned above, there are so many more activities you will do and it's all so fun and life changing experience. You won't regret going on this trip. I know I loved it and hope to take another trip with Loop Abroad soon!

As stated in the title, this had been my first time on an airplane. We drove 14 hours to New York the night before and I was so scared. Now I feel like I am really good at getting through airports and enjoy flying. I made new friends and got to do so many adventurous things, and see elephants (my fav). The second day of the trip I had a friend back home pass away in a car accident. My roommates and my group leader we’re all so comforting and I really appreciated that. Thanks to them I was able to really enjoy my experience that I had worked so hard to pay for. I highly recommend this program to anyone who is adventurous, loves elephants, and is looking to get some cool photos of temples. And of course make friends and awesome memories. If I could go back, I definitely would. It was worth every penny. Best trip ever!

Summer of 2015 was by far the best summer I've ever had. I had the AMAZING opportunity to go to Thailand to volunteer at the Elephant Nature Park, to explore, and to learn and immerse myself in the Thai culture. I have nothing but great memories from my trip, the Loop staff were just helpful and friendly people, the Elephant Nature Park staff were great to know and befriend, and working along side the animals was just a dream. I still wear my Loop Abroad and Elephant Nature Park shirt, and I always get asked questions about it! Still hoping to go back to Thailand with Loop Abroad because I just loved it so much! I really hope people apply for this program because it is honestly the best experience.

The adventure I embarked on with Loop Abroad was under their special program, “Thailand 101” which allowed me to experience as much culture and animal wildlife as possible in two weeks! Loop Abroad makes first time foreign travelers feel not only safe but comfortable to ask as many questions as one could think of. Our program was simply wonderful. The first week was spent in Northern Chiang Mai at the Elephant Nature Park where we, as a group, obtained hands-on experience with the beautiful rescued elephants the park has sheltered. We learned about their diet, their way of living, and some of their difficult pasts. The second week was spent in the city and country of Chiang Mai which was needless to say: breathtaking. Our guide, Noom, was excellent! He showed us all aspects of life in Thailand all the while having the most fun possible and being extremely safe! I made such great, unique friends from all over the country on this trip and I wouldn’t change anything for the world. So far, this trip to Thailand has been the best thing to EVER happen to me. Highly recommend, 10/10!!! -Maggie Reid

Volunteering in Thailand created a lot of firsts for me. It was the first time I had ever flown on a plane and was the first time I’d ever gone off on my own. Yet all the staff were friendly, helpful and understanding of all of these situations. I met people who will be my friends for the rest of my life, and even more than that we became family. This trip made me take a step back from my life and take a clear look at it. I will forever be grateful and can’t say enough about how great Loop Abroad is!

I had the most amazing experience visiting Thailand with Loop Abroad. Everything was perfectly scheduled, the activities were so fun, and the staff was extremely helpful and kind. The experience was so much better than I could have even imagined. I made so many friendships and can’t wait to go back as a group leader one day soon!

I seriously never wanted to leave this trip! The leader of our group was awesome the girls that were in the group were awesome and the experience itself was awesome. Safety was their biggest priority which was a high turn on in my parents decision to let me go on this trip! The food was another thing I wasn’t sure about but it was all so amazing.