Thailand Community and Elephant Volunteers

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From £799, 2 weeks, Thailand Trip code: THCE

Adventure 2 out of 5
Relaxation 2 out of 5
Culture 3 out of 5

Thailand Community and Elephant Volunteers

Trip Highlights

Make friends with the largest living land animal in Asia (slightly smaller than its African cousin and of course it has smaller ears)
Work on volunteer projects that help keep the elephants from being sent to the cities
Be more than just a tourist, live with Thai villagers and learn about their culture

Trip Summary

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This programme offers you the opportunity to become part of the local Thai community and gain a true understanding of the Surin province and its people. The rewarding hands-on work at this elephant sanctuary in Thailand will involve helping maintain and plant crops to feed the local elephants, giving them a wash down at the river and offering support to the local communities. As a volunteer abroad in Thailand you’ll really get under the skin of local life and see Surin from the inside.

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When do I want to go?

Showing all departures (38)

Dates of Departures	Duration	Price (Land Only)	Trip Status
7 June 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
7 June 2013	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
5 July 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
5 July 2013	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
2 August 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
2 August 2013	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
6 September 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
6 September 2013	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
4 October 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
4 October 2013	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
1 November 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
1 November 2013	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
6 December 2013	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
6 December 2013	4 weeks	£999	Limited Availability	Call Us 01892 882 737
10 January 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
10 January 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
7 February 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
7 February 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
7 March 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
7 March 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
4 April 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
4 April 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
2 May 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
2 May 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
6 June 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
6 June 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
4 July 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
4 July 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
1 August 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
1 August 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
5 September 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
5 September 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
3 October 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
3 October 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
7 November 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
7 November 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now
5 December 2014	2 weeks	£799	Available	Book now
5 December 2014	4 weeks	£999	Available	Book now

What will I be doing?

The project (2 or 4 weeks)
Volunteer Role (2 or 4 weeks)
Typical itinerary (2 or 4 weeks)

The project: 2 or 4 weeks

Next Leg

Destination info

Thailand is just a beautiful country – outstanding natural gorgeousness, impressive architecture, eye-catching temples, lovely, friendly people and just the best Thai food you ever ate and a lot cheaper than over here.

Tha Thum is the most northern district of Surin Province on the border with Roi Et Province. It is Surin’s ‘District of Elephants’. There is believed to be approx 250 elephants living in Tha Thum. The village where your homestay is located has about 50 houses along a main street. There is a school, two small shops and a river close by. This village is very typical of rural Thailand - you will be experiencing true Thai life first hand! Expect big smiles from the local people and an amazing experience with your elephant and homestay family.

Location: Surin, NE Thailand

Tha Thum is Surin’s ‘District of Elephants’. There is believed to be approx 250 elephants living in Tha Thum. Historically elephants worked in 'logging' (removing trees from forests) creating an income for their owners. As logging has now been banned for many years in Thailand, domesticated elephants are now unemployed.

In an attempt to reduce the expense of caring for domesticated elephants, many of them are sent to the bigger cities and used for tourism. This is bad for two reasons; firstly many elephants are involved in traffic accidents while working in the cities and secondly elephants are grazers and need to be constantly eating to maintain their weight and health which is obviously not possible while living in the cities.

The aim of this project is to generate income for the families ensuring the elephants can remain in the rural areas. The elephants are well treated in this region and their handlers are proud of their standard of care.

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Previous Leg

Volunteer Role: 2 or 4 weeks

Next Leg

Destination info

Location: Surin, NE Thailand

You can actively get involved by helping the communities that look after the elephants in Tha Thum. Your duties may include; planting bamboo, wild grass and other crops to help feed the elephants during the dry season. Adult elephants can eat an incredible 250kgs of food in one day, so you can understand the importance of providing enough food for them. The project work also extends to supporting the local community with a number of development projects planned every year. These include helping local schools, poor families and planting and harvesting crops amongst others. You may also have the opportunity to learn traditional Thai fishing methods and kayak on the local river.

You will volunteer in the mornings leaving your afternoons with the opportunity to learn to control these magnificent creatures under the supervision of the elephant's handler (also known as a mahout). Most afternoons you will take your elephant down to the river for a swim. After the heat of the day elephants love to cool off and roll in the river. This will be an amazing experience and one of which we are sure you are unlikely to forget! Your weekends will be spent close to the town of Surin.

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Previous Leg

Typical itinerary: 2 or 4 weeks

Destination info

Location: Surin, NE Thailand

After your first couple of days in Bangkok it you will travel to Surin to start your project. Your typical week will consist of volunteering Monday to Thursday in Tha Thum. You will spend three nights each week living at the home of the village elder, his family, your fellow volunteers and your coordinator. On Thursday afternoon, after your day volunteering, you will then head back to Surin for a long weekend to relax or travel. The project staff will work alongside you throughout your day to answer any questions that you may have.

Please note: Itineraries and activities are subject to change. We ask that you are flexible with the itinerary; the more you are, the more you will get out of the programme.

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Trip Notes Download

Trip Notes include a full itinerary, country guides and travel advice on visas, money, insurance and the local weather. By filling in your details you'll also be kept updated on all the latest news, offers and stories on this particular trip. Happy reading!

What's included?

Airport meet and greet
Arrival airport transfer
Accommodation
Food whilst in Tha Thum on project

What's not included?

Flights
Travel insurance
Food whilst in Surin at the weekends
Return transfer from Surin to Bangkok

Additional Information & FAQs

Minimum age

Minimum 18 years, maximum decided on potential participants’ health. Please be prepared that you may be working with volunteers of all ages.

Accommodation

During the project you will be staying in basic homestay accommodation with the village elder and his family. You will be staying in a mixed room sharing with all other volunteers. A toilet and shower/ bucket bath will be available for you to use.

At the end of your volunteering week (Thursday afternoon/ evening), you will be taken back to Surin to spend the weekend in the town or you can make travel arrangements to visit other areas. In Surin you will stay in a volunteer house in a twin share room.

Meals

During the project there is two small shops where you can purchase snacks and drinks. All volunteers are urged to help your host family and coordinator to prepare your meals, a great way to learn the amazingly complex skill of Thai Cooking. All meals are provided during your time in Tha Thum. All volunteer houses have a basic kitchen including a hob, sink, toaster, kettle, fridge and utensils for self catering, or you may choose to walk to one of the many local restaurants to buy a meal.

Orientation

On arrival at your project location your project coordinator will help you settle in to your accommodation before going for evening drinks on the famous Khao San Road. The following day you will be taken on a tour of Bangkok and the local area as well having a welcome meal so you can get to know your fellow volunteers. Your guide will also talk you through your volunteer schedule.

The following day you will be travelling to Surin in the north of the country, departing from Bangkok mid-morning you will travel by train to Surin which will take approximately 7 hours. On arrival you will be taken for some food and another orientation at the Surin volunteer base.

In the morning of day 4 you will be able to experience Thai Culture as you visit one of the nearby temples where you will have the opportunity of giving alms to monks, this will be followed by a welcome ceremony at the temple where a blessing, bracelet and holy water will be given. Later on in the day you will begin your volunteer work.

All project staff work closely with volunteers and are always on hand to answer any questions that you may have.

Advice & Safety

Throughout your programmes you will have the support and guidance of the programme co-ordinator and team. You will be provided with competent assistance and help with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.

You will be assigned a personal travel advisor who will co-ordinate your programme with you. Feel free to contact them at any time before you go, or when you are on your travels.

In addition, you will have access to a 24 hour emergency contact number so you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.

FAQ

1. What are the typical group sizes?

Groups sizes vary depending on the time of year, but generally you can expect to be with between 2 and 5 fellow travellers.

2. How much spending money would you recommend I take?

If you are on a tight budget you can get away with £80 per week. If you want to do some travelling in your free time then you will need a bit more.

3. What are the average ages of travelers on this trip?

The majority of participants on this program are aged between 18-30, however it is popular with travelers of all ages.

4. I am a first time traveler, and a bit apprehensive about travelling on my own. Do many people do this by themselves?

The majority of our participants are solo travelers, so you will be one of many in the same position. We e-mail out a buddy list 2-3 weeks before you start, so you can begin to get to know one another beforehand.

5. Is Thailand safe?

Absolutely, and you have co-ordinators with you at all times to ensure your safety.

DBS

You have booked a programme which requires an enhanced Disclosure Barring Service check to be completed. We can carry this out for you and your travel advisor will explain the charges at the time of booking.

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What will I see in Thailand?

16 photos

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What other travellers thought

I've done this trip

Write review

Lisa Jones - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Unforgetable and unbelievable. I'm clinically depressed now that I'm home.

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(10/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(10/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(10/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

The actual voluntary work was amazing. It didn't even feel like work. The elephants were amazing and the kids that we played with and taught a little English to were fantastic. The culture was great and suited me well. Sugar was a highlight in herself. She is an amazing co-ordinator and you are lucky to have her!! Pleasent. Honest. Funny. Perfect!

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

- Do something you have never done before. - It's OK to travel alone, when with an agency. You are never by yourself, and you don't have to worry about pleasing anyone else. You're also forced to interact more = more friends! - Take photos! People back at home won't believe you when you share your expericences.

Would you travel with our company again?

Yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

Laurie Dickson-smith - July 2011

How would you rate your overall experience?

(10/10)

Give us up to 10 words that sum up your experience: for example - "Great experience, made new friends, totally unforgettable!"

Amazing experience, had a phenomenal time, wish it lasted longer!

Please rate the service received from our team before departure

(8/10)

Please rate the service provided by the team in country

(10/10)

Please rate the accommodation during your stay

(7/10)

Please rate the worthwhileness of any volunteering in your trip if applicable.

(10/10)

What were the highlights of your trip?

Riding the elephants and staying with the family in the villiage. Being part of helping out with everyday chores. Getting to know new people especially Sugar our translator!

Do you have 3 top tips for future travellers?

Pack lots of toilet roll and tissues. Bring clothes you can leave behind. Bring an extra bag to take lots of presents home as everything is so cheap.

Would you travel with our company again?

Yes

Would you recommend us?

Yes

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