Your Programme
Week One
You will arrive into Bangkok Airport on Friday and be personally met on arrival by our friendly co-ordinators. They will take you to the youth hostel for your first two nights accommodation. Depending on when you arrive, you can relax or explore this exciting capital. We will arrange a welcome dinner on Saturday evening. This is a great opportunity to have fun, make friends with your fellow travellers and get to know the co-ordinators. There is also a tour of Bangkok included on the Saturday which will take you to all of the best sights the city has to offer.
On Sunday the group will travel for around 2.5 hours by bus/ train to Kanchanaburi where you will stay for the next six nights. You will be staying in guest house accommodation situated on the river Kwai, close to the town with lots to see and do. You will receive an orienation the day after your arrival in Kanchanaburi about the week's schedule and what to expect.
There is a full itinerary planned for your stay here and there will also be some free time to do some optional extra activities. Planned activities for this week include:
- Waterfalls in Erawan National Park
- Thai cooking lessons
- Tour around Kanchanaburi
- Visiting local temples to learn more about Buddhism
- Time to relax around the pool at your accommodation, enjoy a few drinks in the lively bars and do some sightseeing of your own
On the Saturday we leave Kanchanaburi and travel to Sangkhlaburi by mini van/ train. The journey is approximately three hours. On the way you will visit Hell Fire Pass. Sangkhlaburi is a beautiful and unspoilt area of Thailand. There are stunning views, friendly local people and there is plenty to do and see. The local town is very small that very few tourists get to visit, however has everything you need including shops, internet, bank, ATM, post office, bars, restaurants and a medical centre. You will receive a detailed orientation here, introducing you to Thailand, its people, culture, language, history and customs. You will also be given further information on the programme and more details on the project work available.
Week Two and Three
Weeks two and three will vary depending on if you have booked option A (volunteer option) or option B (adventure option). However there are some days where customers on both options will do the same activities.
OPTION A
Week Two
During Monday to Thursday, participants that have selected option A can choose between the following volunteer options. You must let us know which option you would like to do at time of booking.
Volunteer Options
- Teaching: Volunteers have the opportunity to teach in a number of locations; from the Thai government schools, which support the local community to one of the local children’s home providing education to abandoned, impoverished and/or orphaned children. The children are mix of Burmese, Thai and Thai Hill Tribe people. The learning of English is so important for these kids futures, a competence in English opens doors later in life.
Please note: this option is not available in March or September.
- Childcare: Both of the main orphanages in Sangkhlaburi have seen a massive influx of children in the last year, of all ages. There are many children who are pre-school (under 5). These kids require volunteers to play, interact, organise games and simply help them have fun. Many of them just simply want some attention. In return you will see their eyes light up, big smiles and you will be confident that your efforts are really appreciated. With so many children and so few carers these kids really need your help and attention. There is also the option of working at a childcare centre at the Hill Tribe
- Farming: Our farming work provides food and income to the local hill tribe people and children’s homes. From growing exotic fruits to your common garden vegetables you will be getting your hands dirty supporting the local community and children
- Hill Tribe: Thai Hill Tribe people have the same legal rights, or lack of, as illegal immigrants in Thailand. Not being registered as a citizen virtually destroys your opportunity to improve your life and that of your family. Our volunteer work supports the Karen People in Sangkhlaburi, approximately 45 minutes outside of the town, through income generating projects, farming projects and building projects. Along with making a big difference to the lives of the people, your own personal experience is hard to measure. You will come face to face with poverty and be met with a smile. These people are truly remarkable
On Friday both groups will enjoy a Mon Tribe visit and Kayaking - The Mon people of Thailand live on the other side of the Warichalongkon Lake from the local Thai people. You and the group will paddle in a kayak across the lake and visit the local people, taste the local cuisine and then kayak back. The lake is virtually still so it is a nice relaxing way to take in the surrounding beautiful sights.
You will have a free weekend to explore the local area.
Week Three
Monday – Thursday: You will continue with your volunteer work in Sangkhlaburi.
On Friday, both groups will visit a waterfall and hot springs. This area is approximately an hour and 20 minutes out of town and well worth the journey. There is lots to see at the waterfall with places to explore and climb. There is also a local shop to purchase snacks. The hot spring is about ten minutes from the waterfall and you will stop off here after the waterfalls for a while. In the evening you will take an overnight bus to Koh Pha Ngan (eight hours on a bus with reclining seats and then two hours on a boat to the island).
OPTION B
Week Two
Whilst those on Option A are volunteering Monday - Thursday, those in group B will do the following activities:
Monday: Bamboo rafting & elephants – The day starts with a boat trip on the lake where you will go to the Wooden Bridge and see the sunken temples. A simple lunch will be provided for you. After lunch, enjoy an elephant ride guided by a local mahout. The group will then be split into smaller groups and you will make your way back down the river whilst balancing on a bamboo raft. You can have a go at steering the raft with some long bamboo poles, quite a unique experience!
Tuesday: Hill Tribe experience. The hill tribe village is about 45 minutes outside of town and today you will visit the village(s), learn about the local life, have the background of the tribes explained and understand the problems these people face now. There will be local cuisine to sample and local places of interest to visit such as mountain rice planting, agriculture and view points. You will stay overnight at local accommodation which is basic.
Wednesday & Thursday: Trekking and camping. The trekking will be in the hills of Sangkhlaburi with a number of different routes taking in rivers, forests and villages. You will trek with experienced local guides. There are two days trekking of about 4-6 hours each day and camping overnight. Camping equipment will be provided and carried for you, you will just need to set it up on arrival and you'll need to carry a day pack with lunch and water provided to you.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be the same as Option A.
Week Three
Monday and Tuesday: Spend two days at the kindergarten project at the Hill Tribe Village. There are 40-50 kids under five years old that are present here every day. The centre is in a bad state of repair with poor facilities for the children, so during the two days that you are at the project you can get involved with various day tasks such a building a sand pit, painting and/or repairing walls or playing games with the children. Please note: Depending on the group size, you will either spend this night at the Hill Tribe Village in basic accommodation or back at your accommodation in Sangkhlaburi.
Wednesday: Today you leave the hotel early for your one day trek. Along the way, you will visit the Nun Pagoda Temple and Nun Children's Home and enjoy lunch at a local house in the forest.
Thursday: Visit Burma Border Market and enjoy a river trip where you can hire a rubber ring for a small fee and float down the river!
Friday, Saturday and Sunday will be the same as Option A.
Week Four - Beach
During week four, you have the choice to do one of the following options on the beautiful island of Koh Pha Ngan; either choose to relax on the beach or learn Thai Boxing. Both those on Option A and Option B will be together during this last week whichever option you choose.
Koh Pha Ngan is a beautiful, fun and chilled out island in the Gulf Coast. The island is famous for its full moon party which is held on full moon night every month. This famous beach party brings thousands of party lovers to the island each month. If you miss the full moon, don’t worry as the island has half moon parties and black moon parties! There is always some form of party going on! At all other times, the island is pretty chilled out. You can relax on the stunning white sand beaches, trek through the jungle, snorkel in the clear blue sea or simply chill out in one of the many cafés and beach bars. Optional activities and excursions such as a PADI open water course, which can be arranged at an extra cost. Please speak to your local coordinator for more details.
For all options in week four, the accommodation is close to the beach on the south of the island, Baan Thai. You will share a twin room and all rooms have a fan. Rooms will either be in a hotel room or in a beach hut. Breakfast is included.
Beach Option
This is usually the travellers most favourable option in week four. You will spend from Saturday morning to Friday morning on the gorgeous island of Koh Pha Ngan. This is free time for you to do what you want, when you want.
Boxing Option
If you choose this option for your final week you will train in elements of Muay Thai. Your instructor will take you through traditional training techniques and develop your overall skills as a Thai boxer.
Whether you are an absolute beginner or have been learning this martial art for many years, your instructor will be able to develop a training programme to suit you.
While you are training you will focus on many different areas, a large part of Thai boxing includes agility, speed and balance. In order to develop each discipline of Muay Thai (i.e. punches, kicks, elbows etc), you will learn exercises and training drills that promote these three important things.
You will have the opportunity to train from 9.30am to 11.30am. The gym is just ten mins from your accommodation and we will arrange transfers. After your training session you can return to your accommodation, use the pool or just relax on the beach. The training can be quite intense, so it is important that you have a “warm down” period each day.
Departure
On Friday we will transfer you back to Bangkok where you will spend your final night of the programme. The accommodation will be at the same hostel where you stayed the first two nights of the programme.
On Saturday you will make your own arrangements to go to the airport or continue with your independent travel plans. Our coordinators can give you advice and assistance with regards to transport.
Why not make the most of your Thailand Experience by adding on some extra weeks of volunteering in the beautiful province of Surin?
We have various volunteer options for you to choose from:
Child Care
Community and Elephants
Teaching
If you have chosen to do extra volunteer work after the Thailand Experience programme, you will spend Friday night in Bangkok and then transferred to the volunteer project in Surin on Saturday.
Alternatively if you're interested in learning the ropes of Thai Boxing, why not take a look at our Muay Thai programme based on the beautiful island of Koh Pha Ngan - we offer a £50 discount if you book this programme with our Thailand Experience!
Boxing
If you have chosen to learn Muay Thai after the Thailand Experience programme, you will stay in Koh Pha Ngan.
Please note: Activities and itineraries are subject to change.
What's included in the programme
- Personally met on arrival by a Real Gap representative
- Transfer from Bangkok airport to accommodation
- Two night twin share stay in Bangkok with breakfasts
- Bangkok tour
- Breakfasts throughout the entire programme
- 6 nights twin share accommodation at a resort in Kanchanaburi
- Tour of Kanchanaburi
- Evening dinner on River Kwai
- Swimming/trekking at the stunning Erawan Waterfalls
- Temples tour
- Thai cooking lesson
- 13 nights twin share accommodation in Sangkhlaburi
- Waterfalls & hot springs
- Visit to Mon Tribe and kayaking
- Overnight bus from Kanchanaburi to Koh Pha Ngan
- Six nights on the beautiful island of Koh Pha Ngan
- Return transfer to Bangkok and final night accommodation
- All accommodation – twin share
Extra activities included with option A – volunteer option
- 8 days volunteering from a wide range of options
Extra activities included with option B – adventure option
- 2 day Hill Tribe experience
- 2 days Trekking – overnight camping
- Bamboo rafting and elephants
- River trip, visit to temples and to a market at the Burma border
What's not included in the programme
- Tourist visa (You will receive a 30 day visa on arrival, the 60-day tourist visa costs approximately £28 / 32 euro / $40 – please note: costs may vary and you should check the embassy website.
- Travel insurance
- Flights
- Some meals
- Return transfer to airport
- Email and telephone calls
Prices and Durations
Thailand Experience - Option A with Beach Week
£899
Thailand Experience - Option B with Beach Week
£999
Thailand Experience - Option A with Boxing Week
£999
Thailand Experience - Option B with Boxing Week
£1,099
