Explore and volunteer your way through a Thai kaleidoscope of colour, culture, food, and landscapes!
Location
Bangkok, Thailand
Khao Sok National Park, Thailand
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Best Time To Go
Cool & Dry Season (November to February) – Best overall time to visit
Programs
Leadership
Service Learning
Youth Development
Cultural Exchange
Program Overview
From immersing in Bangkok's bustling mega-city vibes to climbing on the limestone ocean cliff walls of Railay - our trip in Thailand is incredibly diverse. The mountainous northern jungle is populated by minority tribal groups and has stunning national parks, while tropical islands in the south have some of the world’s best beaches and snorkeling spots. Traveling with us, you’ll have the chance to get off the beaten track and uncover the true essence of a South East Asian experience.
From cultural immersion in the mountains to island living, the program is deliberately staged with the ideal combination of adventure and relaxation. You’ll get a taste of everything from volunteering at an elephant sanctuary, practicing thai cooking and muay thai, rock climbing on the sea cliffs of Railay, tubing down rivers in Khao Sok National Park, and getting zen at a meditation retreat near Pai!
This impactful program takes participants off the tourist track to volunteer with an international community development project near Chiang Mai.
Here, we work alongside a non profit that takes a grassroots approach to working with at-risk populations in ethnic minority communities. This is an authentic insight into rural community life in Thailand.
Join us on this truly scintillating and sensory journey that captures the ‘real’ Thailand.
Program Components and Highlights
Service Learning & Volunteer Projects
- Get up close and personal with elephants during a volunteer project at an elephant sanctuary
- Work with an organisation that helps to break the cycle of poverty in Thailand
Outdoor Adventure
- Kayak, swim and explore the beaches and islets surrounding Railay Beach
- Rock climb on the karst limestone cliffs of southern Thailand
- Tube through the amazing rivers of Khao Sok National Park
- Take a mountain bike trip through the stunning temple complex of Ayutthaya
Cultural Immersion
- Explore the modern day capital Bangkok, the old world capital of Ayutthaya, and the northern capital of Chiang Mai
- Learn about the local culture through working alongside local communities on a community development project
- Try your hand at Muay Thai (or Thai boxing), the country’s national sport
- Learn to make authentic Thai food during a cooking workshop
Personal Development
- Become a global citizen with a global perspective on environmental issues
- Step up with confidence to new opportunities and challenges
- Transfer the applicable learning activities to benefit both school and personal life
Our Process
From the initial program launch and student registration, through to comprehensive pre-departure training and on-the-ground administration, Unearthed Education provides comprehensive and in-person support to students, parents, and school leaders.
FAQs
What's included?
✓ All in-program travel and transport
✓ All accommodation
✓ All meals
✓ All expeditions, activities, excursions, volunteer projects and entry fees as described in the itinerary
✓ Experienced Program Instructors and local guides
✓ Informal lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism
✓ Experiential core curriculum that pushes students to reflect and ask questions of themselves
✓ Certificate in Human and Environmental Development with 30 hours of service
What is the accommodation like?
Our accommodation will vary from simple guesthouses and community homestays with shared facilities, to modern hotels with private bathrooms. Laundry and Wi-Fi will be available often, except while on expeditions or on homestays. Accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to fit our needs.
What food is served?
Food is undoubtedly a highlight when traveling in Asia and throughout there will be the opportunity to eat authentic Asian food. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the program cost. Any snacks are at an additional cost, which we recommend budgeting around $10 per day for.
All meals are eaten out at restaurants due to the local culture and accommodation. An average day on program would consist of the following:
Breakfast: Toast, eggs, rice, toast, fruit, omelet, Jok (rice porridge), dim sum
Lunch: Noodles, soups, Tom Kha, dim sum
Dinner: curry (Green, red, yellow, massaman), rice, noodles, Pad Thai, grilled meats, fried rice, Som Tam (spicy green papaya salad), Laab (spicy salad), some Western food available in Western areas, but not in the mountain communities
How active is the program?
Medium Activity Level: Anyone with an average fitness level and an enthusiasm for the outdoors and new experiences will have a great time on this summer program! You will need to be prepared for some physical work during the volunteer projects on the program, like trail building or the removal of invasive plants. We will also head out on a two day hike and go on some fun adrenaline adventures- no experience necessary.
What level of volunteering is involved?
Medium Service Learning Level: You will be able to make a difference to the local community during your stay. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some hands-on learning about local issues.
Do you need to be a confident camper?
No. Low Camping Level: You will spend most nights on this Summer Program in comfortable guesthouses and modern hotels.