Trip Highlights
- Volunteer at an Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand and assist the mahouts in taking care of the elephants
- Explore the beauty of the ancient temples of the region
- Go for an enthralling jungle trek in Chiang Mai
- Relax, detox and get tanned on the beaches in Krabi
- Hop along the bustling streets of Bangkok and enjoy a funfilled night at Khao San Road
- Meet lots of fellow volunteers and make friends for life
Overview
Be a part of an incredible Elephants & Beaches Voluntour in Thailand with Volunteering Solutions, which will let you discover the country like never before! In a span of just 2 weeks, participants will get to experience the goodness of volunteering for animals and feel the love, as well as indulge in some fun activities and tickle their adventure cells! No matter whether you are a high school student or a backpacker, gap year traveler or seeking a family vacation - you'll definitely enjoy every bit of this trip.
It's an incredible opportunity to explore the amazing elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, relax and detox by the beaches in Krabi, explore the madness of Koh Phangan, go for jungle treks and meet some fun people from different parts of the world. Undoubtedly, this is one of the best volunteer adventure programs in Thailand and it'll turn out to be one of the best journeys of your life!
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Bangkok
Once you arrive in Bangkok, our coordinator will meet you and transfer you to your Bangkok accommodation (arrivals must be between 06:00 and 22:00). Alternatively, you can also reach the accommodation on your own (in case your arrival timings vary) where the Guest House staff will have your name and be able to check you into your shared room.
Once all travelers have arrived, the group usually head out for dinner/drinks together and to explore the lively Khao San Road area.
Day 2: Bangkok City Tour
After breakfast, there will be a quick orientation about your trip followed by our Bangkok city tour. You will experience some of the most famous sites of Bangkok including the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun) and the Giant Golden Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho) and of course a classic long-tailed boat ride. Then later that evening you will head back to Khao San road for a few drinks with your new travel buddies.
Day 3: Transfer to Chiang Mai
The next part of the adventure begins today, as we leave Bangkok straight after breakfast, heading to your next location, Chiang Mai. We usually travel by train or bus – a pleasant 6 to 7 hours journey. Once you arrive in Chiang Mai, you'll meet our local staff, who'll take you to the elephant home. The elephant home has WiFI, dorm-style accommodation with fans. It's in a great location and there are a few local restaurants and shops within a few minutes walk.
Day 4: Volunteering at the Chiang Mai Elephant Home
This is what you've been looking forward to! It's time to befriend the gentle giants and share some love with them. Your main activities here would be - Walking with the elephants to the local river and helping bathe them, Learning how to make elephant vitamin tablets, Helping plant/harvest crops for the elephants, Feeding the elephants, etc.
Days 5 and 6: Experience a thrilling Jungle Trek
Set out in the morning for an amazing trek through the jungle and hills of Chiang Mai. You will pass farmlands, rice terraces, hill tribe communities, fantastic viewpoints and enjoy lunch, next to a waterfall. In the afternoon, you'll arrive at the top of the valley to relax at your homestay. The next morning you trek back, down the hill and have one last chance to spend time with the elephants before your transfer to Chiang Mai City.
Day 7: Free Day to explore Chiang Mai
You and your group have a free day to explore Chiang Mai, you can organize an activity if you wish or just relax. Whatever you decide - make sure that you get to enjoy to the fullest!
Day 8: Beach time begins! Transfer to Krabi
Today is the start of your beach week. You will have already been given your flight details and pick up timings from our Chiang Mai hotel. If you miss your flight you will be responsible for organizing your new flight! On arrival at Krabi Airport, you'll meet our coordinator who'll transfer you to the hotel in Ao Nang. Get mesmerized by the gorgeous beaches of Krabi and gaze at the picturesque sunset.
Day 9: Explore Mangrove Forests and Caves while Kayaking
In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken by private taxi to the village of Bor Thor, where you will spend the next few hours exploring the local mangrove forests on a kayak. In addition, within the mangrove forest, there are several caves to explore which have cave drawings dating back 3000 years. Your trip ends at a local restaurant where you can buy lunch before being returned by private transport to your hotel.
Day 10 to Day 12: Exploring the beaches
These are your free days to relax, use the pool or explore Krabi. You'll be living only 200m from Ao Nang Beach. You can take the local taxi boats to explore Railay or book an independent trip/adventure. There are lots of hidden bays and beaches to explore – for the adventurous – cafes and bars for those looking for a wild night out and also more relaxing pursuits like Yoga retreats and Massages dotted around the island.
Day 13: Set out for an amazing Island Boat Trip
Get ready for a fun day out on the waves! Your last full in Krabi ends with a real treat! Exploring the local islands on a boat. Your full-day trip including visits 2-3 local islands, snorkeling, and lunch.
Day 14: Time to head back to Bangkok!
It's time to wrap up and head back to the capital city. You'll be provided with all the details by our coordinator, regarding your transport. You’ll get back to Bangkok, check back into your accommodation and have one final night to enjoy your time in the City of Angels.
Day 15: Take a flight back home or to your next destination!
Living
As a VolSol volunteer you are provided with best of living standards available in Thailand. Our dedicated coordinator and staff will assist you with your airport pick up, stay, meals and even weekend sightseeing and travel. Arrive in peace and have the best time of your life.
Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok by the local coordinator or representative on the program start date. Please note that airport pickup is only provided between 6am – 10pm at night. Those participants who are already in Bangkok will need to make their own way to the hotel/guest house accommodation details of which shall be provided.
Orientation
On day 2, after breakfast, there will be a quick orientation about your trip followed by our Bangkok city tour.
Accommodation
While in Bangkok, volunteers will be accommodated in twin-sharing rooms, having AC facilities, in Khao San Road area.
In Chiang Mai, volunteers will be staying in the Elephant Home which is surrounded by traditional rural area, having WiFI, dorm-style accommodation with fans. During the trek, you'll be staying in a shared accommodation where mattresses will be provided. It'll be an experience to live amidst the wilderness!
In Chiang Mai city, you'll have the hotel accommodation, mostly a twin or triple shared room having air-conditioning and private bathroom.
In Krabi, you'll be staying at a hotel in Ao Nang beach. Rooms will be shared between 2 to 3 people, having AC and private bathrooms.
If anyone wants private rooms, you can notify about it while booking the trip and that can be arranged at an additional cost.
Meals
Majorly, all breakfasts are included and will be provided during your stay. Other than that, lunches are mostly on your own, and dinner will be provided on some days. You’ll be further notified about the details once you join us for the journey.
We shall encourage you to try the authentic local cuisine - because when you’re in Thailand, you just can’t miss Thai food!
Start Dates & Program Cost
| Week | Select Your currency |
| 2 Weeks | £779€893 |
| Months | 2020 | 2021 |
| January | 10 | 08 |
| February | 07 | 05 |
| March | 06 | 05 |
| April | 03 | 0216 |
| May | 0129 | 0721 |
| June | 0519 | 0418 |
| July | 0324 | 021630 |
| August | 21 | 0620 |
| September | 18 | 0317 |
| October | 16 | 0115 |
| November | 20 | 0519 |
| December | 04 | 0417 |
What are you Paying for?
- All accommodations in twin/triple sharing basis and meals
- Airport pick up and transfer (BKK airport only)
- Orientation Session
- Bangkok tour (excluding entry fee to The Grand Palace)
- Transfer to Chiang Mai (train or coach)
- Transfer to the Elephant Home
- Jungle Trek in Chiang Mai
- Airport transfers and flight Chiang Mai to Krabi
- One day activity by boat to 2-3 local islands including lunch and drinking water in Krabi
- One day kayaking adventure in the mangrove forests of Bor Thor
- 100% Financial Protection
- UK Based Support
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- International/Domestic Airfare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (available at nominal cost)
- Departure transfer to airport (can be arranged at nominal cost)
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses, TIPS, beverages, laundry and any other services which are not mentioned (approximate personal expenses for food and traveling per week would be USD 50 to USD 60 per week)
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with elephants and outdoors. You should also be proactive, have the ability to take initiative and willing to work outdoors. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.
Reviews
FAQs
FAQ's Application and Program Details
As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee of $250. You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
For medical and healthcare interns, the following requirements are there:
Age limit is 20 years and above.
Statement of motivation is required.
Interns have to submit a CV/Resume.
Letter of recommendation from medical professional/doctor you’ve worked with is also needed
Interns are required to give a list of their preferred departments where they would like to work in the hospital.
Other Projects:
For Volunteers working at the kindergarten project, orphanage project as well as women empowerment project, mandatory criminal background check needs to be provided.
We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.
In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.
If you are already in Bangkok, we can arrange for a pickup from your local address/lodging/hotel. However, you will need to inform your in-country coordinator well in advance of the same.
Early arrivers can check for the local services, sim cards, from the airport itself. Telco sales counter is at the arrivals area (on exiting the customs).
For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
Flights and Visa
We can also help you attain 90 days Non-Immigrant Visa as well. However, this takes a longer time to apply for and requires a lot of paperwork. Please contact us for further information on the same.
Please Note: During your time of volunteering, if you leave Thailand (for example: to spend a weekend in Cambodia and Laos), it will be your responsibility to re-enter Thailand and get the relevant Visa at the border.
Also, note that the maximum duration of visa at the Surin - Cambodia border is 15 days.
Etihad
EVA Air
China Airlines
Jet Airways
Thai Airways
Virgin Australia
Air Asia
Health and Safety
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid
If you already have an insurance, you do not need to buy it from us. However, it is recommended to carry your insurance documents with you while you are traveling.
Accommodation and Living
Sandals or flip flops are a comfortable option and will come in handy as well.
For those traveling between November and February, please note, that the evenings can get cool, so a sweater/light jacket will be required.
Medical Interns need to carry their scrub, lab coats and professional clothing as the program requirement. More details will be provided to enrolled participants in their pre-departure booklets.
The house has a good road connectivity via BTS Skytrain system. A ride to Sky Train station would cost you around 20 Thai Bahts (80 US cents).
Breakfast is to be prepared by the participants on their own. The cooking supplies will be provided to the volunteers in the house. Lunch is usually provided at the project site and for dinner, you can go out with other participants and enjoy the Thai cuisine at any of the restaurants in the bustling city.
We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the ‘Add-on Tours’ section in your ‘My Account’. The in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you reach Thailand.
There are several temples (known as Wat) – Wat Arun, Wat Saket, Suthat and more. Wildlife enthusiasts can also go to Safari World, Bangkok National Museum, Crocodile zoo, Memorial Parks and a lot more.
A walking tour of the city is recommended as it allows you to explore the Thai culture in a fantastic manner.
Also, you can explore the popular floating markets of Bangkok and savor the tastes of the delicious local food that’s available there.
Connect with Past Volunteers
To read alumni interviews, visit the Meet a Volunteer section on our website.
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Is There Something More That You'd Like To Know ?
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