Thailand Elephants

Thailand

From £1,495

Program Capacity: 24 Program Focuses Will get involved in a variety of activities such as:

This Project has several key areas of impact that show impact in the following areas. Our project has both community and conservation focused parts which run in the following ways: elephants, biodiversity hikes, teaching english and education opportunities.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

Itinerary
Itinerary

Need to know

The program is a hands off program. Volunteers will not get in direct contact with the elephants but will watch them from a distance while taking data and observing behaviour. We are an elephant reintegration project not reintroduction/rescue. We reintegrate them into their natural environment.

The hikes are only in the mornings. Other types of community and conservation activities are available in the afternoon but they will not include hiking.

The expectations of the program should include learning survey techniques, elephant knowledge, watching elephants under semi wild management in the forest, and teaching English at the local school as well as integrating into the community here.

Basic overview of location, province and places of intrest

Volunteer in the mountain forests of Northern Thailand and spend time in the fields with elephants relieved from working in tourism industry. Leaving behind their lives in the tourism industry, these gentle giants now live more natural lives as a semi wild herd in the Chiang Mai Province - an area famous for its traditional elephant keeping communities.

Orientation and training

Saturday: Orientation meeting. Confirm personal details. Initial H+S briefing

Sunday: Travel to site, tour of base and village. Meet homestay. Presentations and risk assessments.

Monday: Elephant presentation. Meet the Eles! Ongoing presentations and training as required for each activity/aspect including basic language lessons. First few days are information heavy, this relaxes as vols get settled. Constant opportunities for feedback and questions.

Free time

Often, there is a chance to relax in the afternoon giving the volunteers the opportunity to read a book, relax and enjoy the view! Vols must be proactive about getting involved with the community (learning the language, teaching English and joining their families in the fields).

Main attraction, activities and nature

Become immersed in the Karen tribe culture by learning the language and living with an amazing homestay family. People come for the elephants and end up loving the community even more.

Being able to observe Asian Elephants in their natural habitats and social groups rather than in unnatural, damaging and often solitary environments. Being able to see the benefits of our ethical elephant tourism model in the elephants' physical and psychological health.

Having the opportunity to teach English at the local school and participate in other community activities. This will improve your own confidence and your relationship with the community.

Living in a small, secluded community really encourages you to forge a unique relationship with your homestay family and mahouts as well as other volunteers and interns from all around the world.
Trip Overview

Trip Overview

Visa Information:

You will need a Non-Immigrant-O Visa for this Program. In order to volunteer in Thailand, you should first acquire a Non-Immigrant-O Visa. For most nationalities, this must be arranged in advance. Volunteers and interns staying for longer than 90 days will need to make a visa run/renew in-country during travel ban and quarantine restrictions to get another Non-O visa. This can cost a total of $400-$500 due to extra documentation that is needed in order to do this visa run. Field staff on-site can assist you with preparing for the visa run. When you arrive in Thailand, it is advised to open your passport on the page that shows your Non-O visa. Please make sure the immigration officer activates the visa and gives you a 90-day stamp. Please keep the white card (TM30) that you will be given at immigration, as you will need this when you leave.

Communications:
You will have limited access to long-distance communications whilst on the program, so make sure friends and family know how often they can expect to hear from you. Wi Fi is available at Root’s coffee shop in the village, but be aware that power cuts and storms make this unreliable. On visits to towns, internet cafes are available. Mobile phone reception is possible and relatively reliable on site, and sim cards with AIS 1-2-GO company can easily be purchased in the city. The AIS sim card is the most reliable in the village and the staff members can help you purchase one on Sunday before leaving for the village. If you are using a Thai Sim card you will need to have an unlocked smart phone and a phone that can use 3G.

Physical address:

(Delivery of larger items by courier, e.g. lost luggage) ATTN: GVI Eco Resort Chiang Mai 109 Bumrungrad Road, T. Watkate, A Muang, Chiang Mai, 50000 THAILAND
What's Included?

What's Included?

Program Logistics Arrival Information:

Airport pick-ups can be arranged from 12:00 PM - 05:00 PM on your project start date, please request this from the GVI office. If you are not arriving within the pick-up window you will find regulated taxi stands to your left upon exiting the baggage pick-up area where you can arrange a taxi to the Eco Resort. The fee should be a flat rate of 200 THB.

Accommodation:

First night accommodation is in shared rooms with shared bathroom facilities. In the village, each volunteer has their own room in a local homestay. This will either be in the homestay with the family (private room) or in a private hut away from the main house. There is cold running water for washing and drinking water is provided. Asian style squat toilet facilities are available. Participants will also be given at least one base duty day whilst on project to help keep base hygienic for everyone to use.

Food:

All meals are provided in the village. Most meals are rice based with fresh vegetables and meat/fish/egg. The food is typically richly flavored with chili and local herbs. Vegetarians can easily be catered for and spice levels can be adjusted. With dietary requirements, keep in mind the food will be basic. Breakfast is served at base on a daily basis. Lunch is provided by the homestay as a pack-up each day. Dinner will be served for the homestay in the evening, but volunteers do not eat with the homestay family.

Side Trips:

It is a 2 hour drive to the town of Mae Chaem. Travelling around the local area is easily done on foot. There is no public transport but visits into the city by car can be arranged at your expense In your down time you will be free to travel in the local area. The program is unscheduled during weekends. In this time you could visit Doi Inthanon National Park, go bamboo rafting, or make a trip into the Chiang Mai or Mae Hong Son for some western comforts. There is the opportunity to go into Chiang Mai every two weeks, with the staff and volunteers going in for the new volunteer intake. Short or extended trips to neighboring Laos or Thailand's beautiful islands and beaches are also possible after completion of the program.
Pricing & Availability

Cost for additional weeks:

2 week total: £1695.00

3 week total: £1895.00

4 week total: £2145.00

5 week total: £2345.00

6 week total: £2595.00

7 week total: £2745.00

8 week total: £2945.00

9 week total: £3145.00

10 week total: £3445.00

11 week total: £3645.00

12 week total: £3845.00

For extra info please contact:

Email: info@whereaboutsholidays.com Phone: 0161 703 8161

Date From Date To Price
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