Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand: Environmental Conservation, Education & Elephant Trekking

Name: Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand: Environmental Conservation, Education & Elephant Trekking
Brand: GIVE Volunteers
SKU: 97814
Rating: 5 (64 reviews)

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5.00 Rating

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Location

Thailand
- Chiang Mai

Length

2 to 7 weeks

Project Types

Agriculture Climate Change Community Development Service Learning Conservation Environmental Conservation Reforestation Wildlife Conservation Elephant Conservation Education Teaching ESL Health Indigenous Rights Tourism +5

Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Age Min.

Timeframe

Short Term Summer Winter

Housing

Guesthouse Hostel

Groups

Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30) Large Group (31+)

Travel Type

Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price

2795

Price Details

What's included:
-All accommodations
-Group and ground transportation, including airport pick up and drop off
-All meals and drinking water
-Epic adventures and cultural immersion activities
-Funding toward volunteer projects

What's Included

Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation

What's Not Included

Airfare Travel Insurance Visa

Last Updated: Nov 05, 2024

Last Reviewed: Oct 12, 2024

Wish List

50 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel to the hill tribe villages of Thailand. GIVE's transformative Thailand trip includes elephant trekking, reforestation, English education, permaculture & bamboo rafting. It's the perfect introduction to Thai culture and community.

Our Thailand trip is two weeks but you can extend your trip with 3 unique add-ons in Southeast Asia. These destinations include Thailand, Laos Scuba (in Krabi), and Elephant Experience!

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Video and Photos

Face to face with Thailand's gentle giants

Bamboo Rafting down the mighty Mae Tang River

A little yoga at the GIVE Accommodations with new friends made family

Learning how to make local handicrafts from the community

Group photo at the elephant conservation center in Thailand

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Impact

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.

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Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

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Program Highlights

Plant the seeds of change with reforestation projects
Embark on a bamboo rafting journey
Thai cooking classes
Trek for elephants in the jungle
Be a teaching assist for local schools

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating

based on 64 reviews

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Rating Spread Volunteer

5 rating 100%
4 rating 0%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Impact 5
Support 5
Fun 5
Value 4.9
Safety 5

Good for Adventure travelers, Students, Solo Travelers

Showing 1 - 8 of 64 reviews

Like anyone I was hesitant at first but honestly it was the best experience of my life. The staff took such good care of you, I met so many amazing people, and I learned so much about Thai people and their culture. This trip honestly crosses my mind at least once everyday, I have made the best memories. The only con that i can even think of was the cost (the conversion rate from cad to american $$ is hefty) but me and my friends did some fundraising and saved up, it was worth it! Beautiful experience. 10/10 recommend

Pros

getting out of your comfort zone!
Learning Experience
meeting new friends

Cons

cost (especially if you’re paying in canadian)
not recommended for those who hate the outdoors

one of many beautiful sunsets you will see

My trip in Thailand was truly life-changing. From the people I met, the friends I made, the experiences I had, it was all so incredible. Those 2 weeks gave me a lifetime of memories and I learned more about myself than I ever have before. This trip taught me so much about the world and changed my outlook on so many things. You will come out of this trip a completely different person. From the agriculture, to teaching, to rafting, and elephant trekking, it was all so so incredible. I would do it all over again if I could.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?

Take in every moment, appreciate where you are and everything you are doing. The 2 weeks go by in a flash. You arrive, and suddenly its over and you become a whole different person.

Pros

Experiences you would never get doing a regular tour guided trip
Build close relationships with the locals and the local guides.
Learn not only about the country but also about yourself.

Cons

Mosquitos.
Rain - We got a lot of rain during our trip. It got in the way of some of our activities.
Heat

I just went to Thailand with GIVE, and it changed my life! We were immersed in the culture from start to finish, and my heart is so full of love and gratitude. From teaching English to local kids to working on the permaculture plot, I have learned so much about the incredible community and lifestyle in Thailand. I also had the privilege of partaking in the elephant experience— all of my childhood dreams have come true! What an epic and unforgettable adventure. I can’t wait to check every GIVE trip off my bucket list!

Response from GIVE Volunteers

We are so happy to hear how your trip has impacted you! Thank you so much for traveling with us this summer! Our hearts are just as full of love and gratitude for YOU! <3

By GIVE Volunteers on August 15, 2024

I love to travel and this experience thought me a whole new way to do so! It felt very liberating not having to think about an itinerary or what was next. The tour guides were great at communicating and making sure we were ready for the next activities. No matter how wild the adventure, we always felt very safe. From the learning discussions, to the volunteering sites (education and permaculture), to the cultural immersive activities, I felt the program was very complete. A mix of giving back to the community and enjoying the beauty of the people and the country. I'm very glad I went on this program!

If you're willing and fully immerse yourself this will be an experience of a lifetime. Some people on the trip seemed to want more of a vacation abroad with a focus on partying. This trip isn't like that, it's a cultural awakening. You get to experience a new way of life firsthand and you have amazing local guides to make everything fun and easy to learn. I can't put into words how wonderful it is to have local guides, they made the trip and I can't imagine Thailand without them. Something I've been saying to people who ask "How was Thailand?" is that Thailand is the land of smiles. That's its nickname and it holds so true. Everyone was happy and friendly, I smiled and waved at all the people I passed. As happy as you are to be halfway around the globe, the locals are so happy and proud that you came to them. Making connections despite the language barrier was so easy because both sides were happy to be with one another. If you think this is something you want to do, do it. You only live once, so conquer your fears!

What would you improve about this program?

I think you played it too safe with the food. I'm adventuresome so I was fully ready to eat some wacky stuff. I wish the meals prepared for us were more like what the locals ate instead of catered towards everyone. Push us out of our comfort zones a bit.

Pros

The Local Guides
The people in my group
The fact that we traveled to multiple village so we got to see so many ways of life

Cons

The food was not wacky enough for me
I didn't care for karaoke that much

Wow! Do it! Take the jump! This Thailand experience was like no other, absolutely life changing! From the amazing people from the land of smiles to being truly immersed in the culture from the hill tribes this trip will allow you to grow in ways you don’t expect! The beauty of this country is breathtaking and Give allows you to experience all of the beauty!! The Thailand Give trip is a unique experience that will teach you how to travel responsible while having the best time of your life!! Teaching in the class rooms with the kids will bring out your inner child, the students are so welcoming and talented! And volunteering with permaculture at a local farm allowed for me to be more knowledgeable about self sustainable living that I want to continue! This trip is like no other experience, take the jump!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?

Being able to stay with multiple hill tribes was so amazing! I learned so much about Hoi Ngu a tribe that is fully self sustainable and being able to ask Chief Ton about his village was something I will never forget!

Pros

Responsible traveling
Met amazing people
Being immersed

Here’s me learning how to weave! Our hosts were P’Sorn and the Wang Phra Village Women’s Union.

Response from GIVE Volunteers

Wow! Your words capture the global citizenship you embody, and we couldn't be more proud to have travelers like you on our trips! Thank you for sharing this inspiring reflection. We hope to see you on another trip in the future :)

By GIVE Volunteers on August 13, 2024

If you are ever questioning whether this GIVE is for you, I hope this will help. Going to Thailand was probably the best thing I could’ve done cause it showed me not just how much I can push myself, but also taught me how to be a global citizen. How to respect and learn about cultures and people in the best way possible. GIVE allows you to meet people like you and allows you, no matter how small, to plant a seed of change, not just in the communities that you visit but also in yourself. The world is full of beauty and kindness, you just have to be willing to see it.

Pros

Good for first time travelers
Very open and welcoming
Support every step of the way

Where do I even begin… when describing my trip to Thailand through give it leaves me almost speechless as I reminisce on all the opportunities, lessons, adventures, and feelings I get thinking about it. The guides are such authentic humans who hold so much passion and knowledge for the Thai culture and everything in between. Prior to my trip I’ve never traveled alone, let alone by myself out of the country, but the moment my feet were grounded in chiang mai, I have never felt safer and more present. This trip taught me so much about myself, the environment, Thai culture, human interactions, growth opportunities, and so so many insightful perspectives. I cannot express enough the gratitude I hold towards the give program and all their guides for believing in us and showing us how to truly live open minded and present. I warn you now, once you go, you’ll never want to come back home!!! Take the leap out of your comfort zone and join a give trip… it’s the trip of a lifetime 🫰🏼🫶🏼

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?

I would change the length of my trip. 2 weeks was not long enough with our local guides and with everything we learn and experience. I wished I stayed at least another 2 weeks!

Pros

Understanding myself and others better
Feeling loved and protected in my most authentic and vulnerable state
Building everlasting relationships with new people from all the over world

Cons

Not packing the right kinds of clothes to last me the whole trip

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I found GIVE Volunteers through my university and was so excited to see they had Thailand trips because my grandmother was from Thailand. I decided to choose Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand: Environmental Conservation, Education & Elephant Trekking for the diverse experience of Thai culture and meaningful efforts for conservation. In other words, I saw this trip as the best opportunity to give back to my heritage and to the country my grandmother loved so much.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

GIVE Volunteers was very helpful with assisting me in planning my trip! After I discovered GIVE at my university, I attended an in-person information session explaining the mission and purpose of the non-profit organization. The GIVE ambassadors taught me how to fundraise in order for me to pay for the trip, encouraging me to set up a GoFundMe that I then shared with friends and family. Once my payments were all set they helped me pick flights through my preferred airline and created a travel itinerary for me. Throughout the planning experience, their program coordinators are very responsive through both phone and email and are always incredibly helpful with any questions!

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

This will be one of the most valuable and meaningful experiences of your life. Go into your trip with an open mind and a giving heart to truly soak it all in. And to truly immerse yourself in the experience, set the intention to unplug from social media. You can always update others after you return home!

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Each daily agenda is different, but once you arrive at the main accommodation in Mueang Khong for 8 nights, most days will start with either Thai boxing or yoga (your choice), followed my breakfast, teaching English at the local school, lunch, working on the permaculture plot, free time to bond with other volunteers, discussion time, dinner, and a session of "good vibes" to celebrate the day. And throughout the week there is always fun field trips and cultural activities to mix it up!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

As someone who takes a while to trust new people, my biggest fear was connecting with the other volunteers I would be spending 14 days with. The night before the trip I had a moment to set my intentions—this can look like a prayer if you're religious, or simply a positive message to put out in the universe. I intended to go into the trip with an open heart, with the hopes of making new friends and having a fun time. What I didn't know then was that I was about to meet a group of the most amazing, kindhearted people. By the end of the trip, we all agreed we had never clicked with people this quickly or this deeply before. When people from around the world come to this beautiful place with this meaningful purpose of giving, you're bound to find a deep connection.

How did your experience extend beyond the trip dates?

Since I have returned home from Thailand, I have been able to permanently document experience through my photography and through my writing. After taking only a few photos in Thailand, I was able to come home to upload, and share my art with my family and friends. Two months after the trip ended, I finished writing a photo essay about my experience connecting with my heritage through giving back. I have now published the essay to my online portfolio and shared it with everyone who donated to the GoFundMe that helped fund my travel expenses. And since the last day of the trip, my volunteer group chat has continued with a series of updates, loving messages, and funny videos. We all intend to stay connected to each other and to GIVE, despite us all living in different parts of the world.

About GIVE Volunteers

Since 2011, GIVE has led hundreds of all-inclusive, award-winning & life-changing group trips around the world, inspiring more than 8,000 teenagers and young adults to travel with purpose. Our 1-7 weeklong summer programs engage young travelers in meaningful opportunities to learn through doing, such as locally-led volunteer projects, authentic...