Hill Tribes of Northern Thailand: Environmental Conservation, Education & Elephant Trekking

Volunteering in Thailand was the best experience of a lifetime. I got to meet so many amazing individuals including local guides, fellow volunteers, and the overall community in Mueang Khong. Traveling with Give has been the best. I am able to travel in a safe and sustainable way. I get to be involved within the community. Give directly asks the community what they need help with. We get to directly interact and learn from those around us. In Thailand I learned to live in the moment and take in each experience!

Volunteering in Thailand was absolutely incredible and inspired me to continue being a proactive global citizen. Before getting to Thailand, I didn't know much about the country. Throughout this trip, it was amazing to learn about the culture, history, food, and people of Thailand. I was also able to gain important insight into the field of permaculture and how important it is to sustainably and ethically care for the lands we live on. I found myself in Thailand, and I am constantly inspired by the local guides who continue to better the lives of the people around them every day. Thanks to GIVE I now have incredible individuals who I can welcome into my second family.

I‘m gonna be honest, when I first learned about GIVE I was skeptical about it, thinking it was a scam. However, what sold me was the in person meetings with the GIVE staff. They settled my nerves and convinced me to go. In terms of the trip itself, it far exceeded my expectations. The local guides were SO amazing, they provided knowledge about the culture like no other. They were super fun, made relationships with everyone, and enhanced the trip so much. It was an experience that you can’t get anywhere else. All the staff cared for us and made sure we were all okay, no matter what we were doing. I made amazing life-long friendships with my fellow volunteers and the locals. I would definitely do it again. Thank you GIVE volunteers 😊

After going to Hawaii, Thailand, and Elephants, I highly recommend GIVE to anyone who wants to grow personally, open their minds, experience community, see the world, and fill their spirit <3. All of the trips have been extremely well-organized with wonderful, sweet, amazing guides that I have learned so much from. It’s so cool to actually be able to see how the money you pay for your trip genuinely impacts the local communities. It’s important that GIVE does establish longstanding relationship with communities so that the empowerment is sustainable. I will admit that maybe it’s scary or uncomfortable at first, but it’s so so worth it to open yourself up to new things, people and experiences. Every day is an adventure that is truly heartwarming.

This trip is absolutely amazing! The activities and volunteer work that we did were impactful, fun, and well distributed throughout the trip. They emphasized educating us about Thai culture and how to be respectful tourists, which made the experience more enjoyable! The staff were also incredible. They did a great job of making sure we were all safe, well fed, and having fun! This trip is a great way to really engage with the culture and beauty of Thailand! I really enjoyed how we also went to several different villages in Thailand too. We got to see the city of Chiang Mai, a small village in Mueang Khong, and one of the guide's local villages! We got to see a diverse array of people and places. We trekked with elephants, we taught English, we got to eat some really good food, we got tattoos, we visited Buddhist temples, and so much more!

Thailand was a life changing experience for me. I was able to get out of my comfort zone while also meeting like minded people and volunteering for important causes. The small hill tribes and local guides were the kindest people and it was very special getting immersed into their culture and learning their way of life. I made very special connections with the students that we taught and it was amazing to see their hard work and love for learning. Also learning how to be a global citizen and making a positive impact on our earth was special when doing things like working in the permaculture lot. Overall this trip was so special and eye opening and I plan to do more trips with Give in the future!

There is truly nothing that compares to embarking on a journey with GIVE. My trip to Northern Thailand with GIVE was an unparalleled experience that will resonate with me for a lifetime. The adventure not only exposed me to life- changing activities like bungee jumping and bamboo rafting but also connected me with extraordinary, like-minded individuals who have etched a permanent place in my heart. Exploring the culture of Northern Thailand proved to be immensely rewarding, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Engaging in permaculture practices and teaching English at local schools added an extra layer of love to the trip. It's challenging to articulate just how amazing and life-changing this trip was. I am profoundly grateful for these experiences and the friends I made along the way. I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone, taking the literal leap (bungee jumping), and saying YES to a GIVE trip!

Experiencing the wonders of Northern Thailand firsthand has changed my perspective on life in general. It was both inspiring and transformational. It also opened my eyes to see the world in a different light. To be out of my comfort zone and see the lives I was changing by being part of the action of contributing to help their local communities and everyday lives, I ended up being the one most changed by it. Additionally, the experiences in GIVE taught me how to feel alive again and live in the present moment. Meeting this group of people including the guides has indeed touched my heart which I call my family now. GIVE's Thailand trip was a SERENDIPITY that changed my life in the most positive and magical way! Go on yours now!!