VOLUNTEER IN AN ELEPHANT CAMP WITH OUR THAI FAMILY PROGRAM

 
Day 1-2. Bangkok. We pick you up from the airport in Bangkok and check you in to the hotel. We will show you around the city of angels and the grand palace. In the evening you will see the Thai night market and experience real Thai food from among the finest Thai restaurants in town!

Day 2-3. Kanchanaburi. On the way to our house we will stop at Suphanburi province. This 100 year old market is famous among Thais, trying a traditional set of ancient style cooffee or tea is a must here. Arriving at our house, it is time to explore the world famous the bridge over the River Kwai and learn the history of our town both from before and after the 2nd world war. There is a famous old temple in the cave near the River Kwai and the death railway museum for you to enjoy. After a long day of walking you will enjoy the famous Thai traditional massage! After showering we will take you to a Thai restaurant by the river which is well known by locals... but most tourist would not have a clue about.                                                                                                            

Day 4-16. Elephant volunteer program. After a Thai or American breakfast, you will take the train on the death railway across the bridge over the River Kwai all the way to the camp. There you will be taught about Thailand's gentle giant and learn to be a mahout. Bathing and caring, feeding and getting to know them are some of the experiences you will encounter. During these 2 weeks you will be doing varied and valuable work at the camp. Everyday while you're there you will feel a connection with an adorable gentle hearted giant!  You won't realize just how much you love your elephant until you experience it personally. When the time comes to go, you will depart with beautiful memories that you will never forget...for a short time in your life you will have lived with and formed a close relationship with an amazing animal. Before we leave this jungle we will take you to visit the world famous TIGER TEMPLE, which is only few kilometers from our house.                                                                      

Day 17-18. Sukhothai and Pitsanulok. Leaving our home you will visit Ayuttaya, historically the 2nd capital of Thailand before Bangkok. We will stop for photos at this ancient city and beautiful temples before we continue to the first Capital of Thailand; a UNESCO world heritage site. Some of the most beautiful and famous ancient buddha statues of all time can be found here, even famous Praputtachinarach "The golden Buddha" in Pitsanulok.

Day 18-20. Chaing Rai. We will leave Pitsanulok to one of the most beautiful temples in our Country. Located in Chaing Rai, Wat Rongkhun was redesigned by national artis A. Chalamchai who is a local. After checking into a hotel in the old city area, dinner will be at one of the most famous river restaurants in Chaing Rai where the locals dine. Then it is time for digesting and shopping at the Chaing Rai night bazaar! The next morning after brekfast we will take you to the DOI TUNG palace and see the King's project. This magnificent garden was conceived and designed by our King, he built this beautiful place for his mother to live in when she still alive. This project is to help hilltribe peoples to stop growing opium and farm winter friuts instead. The palace is designed like a large log home from Switzerland. The fresh coffee in this garden can't be missed! Coffee plants are one of the highlight in this project. After relaxing with good coffee, taking in the beautiful flowers and fresh air, we will continue to the infamous Golden Triangle.This is the only place where you can see Thailand-Lao-Myanmar in one spot, they are divided by Mekong river. This is the place where all the drug trafficking used to take place. Today you will be able to shop for inexpensive handicrafts from Laos and Myanmar and the Hill tribes. Lunch will be next to the Mekong River. MaeSai, the highest point of northern Thailand is our next stop. The Burmese border and handicrafts are famous here.

 After showering we will go to one of the oldest restaurants in town and a hi-light dish of this

place is pan fried morning glory water vegetable which is delicious! Afterwards you are free to take a short walk for night shopping before heading back to hotel.

Day 20-22. Chaing Mai. On the way to the Capital of the north of Thailand we will visit a hilltribe village, here you can see how these people live their everyday life and witness their culture. After checking in we will visit some handcraft villages, and see classical folk dances during dinner before the touring the famous night bazaar. The next morning after breakfast its time for the most famous temple in ChaingMai, Doisutep. Inside the top of this solid gold pagoda is a relic of the lord Buddha . Then we will take a look where famous teak furnitures are made, silk umbrellas, silverwear and lackerwear too. After relaxing and a nice shower we are off for a nice dinner. Browsing the night bazaar or setting in for a traditional massage before you end your last night here are a few of your options. There are many nice things to buy here and not expensive, you will love it! 

Day 22-23. Nakonsawan. Before we leave Chaing Mai we'll make a quick stop at Walorod market for some local famous home-made pork sausages and sticky rice with grilled eggplant chili paste. This is for the roadtrip and is what most Thais would pick up. We'll do a quick city tour in this Thai-Chinese Capital of Thailand and check in to the hotel after dinner.

Day 23-24. HuaHin. A 4 hour drive is not too bad, because we are going to the beautiful beach! On the way there we will see mud crab farms, seabass and other seafood farming areas. After we drop our bags in the hotel the afternoon is yours to relax on the whitesand beach. Thai fresh seafood, b.b.q, or a nice European meal is your call for dinner!!! If you want to know what the Thais do at night here you have to come with us. Check out the 'night walk shopping street'and have a goodnight.                                                                                                  

Day 24-25. Sintana farm. Leaving HuaHin after breakfast, our destination is the oyster farmstay. We will spend this night at a unique house on stilts in the sea. Here you will learn how the fishermen farm their oysters, mussels, clams and catch their prawns. Overnight in the sea at this place is like nothing that you've ever experienced.

Day 25-29.  Koh Samui. Taking a ferry across the sea for 2 hours, we'll check in to a comfortable guesthouse by a white sand beach.

After working in the camp and 10 days of traveling, this is a reward. Swimming, sunbathing and more... relax at this island paradise of coconut trees and beautiful surroundings. However there is a waterfall and a monkey school if you would like to visit them. There are many different cuisines here, we will show you everything available and it's your choice to make.

Day 29-30. Pranburi. We leave KohSamui in the morning and head directly to Pranburi.We will stop at this small fishing town before heading back to Bangkok the next day.

Day 30-31. Bangkok. We will be with you one last day here before we say goodbye, but it doesn't mean forever right? On day 31 if you wish to be dropped off at the airport we will do so, or if you wish to stay longer by yourself you are free to do so.

 OUR PROGRAM NOTES

FOR VOLUNTEERING IN THE ELEPHANT CAMP,CULTURAL AND ADVENTURE TRAVEL WITH A THAI FAMILY IN THAILAND...

YOU SHOULD BE; A STUDENT OR NON STUDENT AGE OF 18-30. ENTHUSIASM FOR CONVERSATION, HUMANITARIAN WORK, AVERAGE FITNESS, OPEN MINDED, SOME PHYSICAL WORK WILL BE NEEDED WITH THE ELEPHANT IN THIS PROGRAM. YOU DON'T NEED TO HAVE ANY PARTICULAR EXPERIENCES TO BE IN OUR PROGRAM.

ACCOMMODATION; THE FIRST 2 WEEKS YOU WILL BE STAYING IN OUR HOUSE, YOU WILL HAVE YOUR OWN PRIVATE ROOM. AFTER THIS 2 WEEKS YOU WILL STAY IN A HOTEL, RESORT, OR GUESTHOUSE -IT WILL DEPEND ON THE PLACES BUT YOU STILL HAVE YOUR OWN ROOM. ACCOMMODATIONS ARE VERY CAREFULLY CHOSEN TO FIT YOUR NEEDS.

MEALS; 2WEEKS IN OUR HOUSE YOU WON'T BE DISAPOINTED WITH OUR HOME COOKING AND YOU CAN LEARN FROM US TOO! APART FROM WHAT WE'LL OFFER YOU, WHATEVER YOU LIKE TO EAT OR TRY IF ITS AVALIBLE AT THAT TIME, IT'S DONE! DURING 2 WEEKS OF OUR TRIP WE'LL GO WHERE THAIS GO THE MOST.

TRANSPORTAION; THIS IS A FAMILY PROGRAM, SO WE'LL BE TRAVELLING IN OUR OWN AIR CONDITIONED VEHICLE EXCEPT SOME PLACES WHERE A LOCAL TAXI IS THE BETTER CHOICE.

PROMGRAM FEE; THIS 31 DAY UNFORGETABLE LIFE EXPERIENCE WITH EVERYTHING INCLUDED WILL COST YOU ONLY  4,200 USD. NET

PROGRAM FEE 31 DAYS INCLUDES; 2WEEKS ELEPHANT VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND TIGER TEMPLE, ALL TRANSPORTATION, ALL MEALS AT OUR HOUSE AND ANY OTHER RESTAURANT IN THIS 31 DAYS, 2WEEKS WITH FAMILY EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES AS DESCRIBED IN THE ITINERARY. YOU WILL ONLY PAY FOR YOUR OWN SHOPPING THAT'S IT!

NOT INCLUDED; flight, your own shopping, and travel insurance .

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