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Location
  • Thailand
Length
1 to 7 weeks
Project Types
Climate Change Family Service Learning Conservation Environmental Conservation Wildlife Conservation Elephant Conservation Tourism
Financial Support
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Short Term Summer Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Host Family
Groups
Small Group (1-15)
Travel Type
Budget Family Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
1995
Price Details
What's included:
- All accommodations throughout the trip
- All group transportation, including airport transfers
- All group meals (days 1 and 7 include one meal)
- Drinking water 24/7
- Guides
- Project materials
- Adventure activities
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Equipment Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare SIM cards Travel Insurance Visa Wifi
Jan 30, 2024
Feb 01, 2024
Wish List
2 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

This elephant welfare experience takes you through Northern Thailand to trek with elephants in the jungle, play with baby elephants and volunteer at an ethical elephant sanctuary. Different from our other hands-on trips, you’ll give local experts the resources they need to promote Asian elephant welfare and conservation. We only work with individuals that love and respect these gentle giants, which ensures that you have an unforgettable and ethical elephant experience.

If one week isn't enough, check out our add-ons in Thailand and Laos to customize your ultimate adventure.

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Video and Photos

Feeding elephants in sanctuary
Trekking with elephants
Local Thai cuisine
Preparing enrichment for elephant sanctuary
Observing elephants from a distance
Group photo in front of waterfall

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Impact

Sustainability

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
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Ethical Impact

Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.
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Program Highlights

  • Trek with elephants through the jungle and end with river bathing
  • Explore the Doi Inthanon National Park and hidden waterfalls
  • Travel and volunteer at 3 unique elephant sanctuaries
  • Enjoy local cuisine and homestay
  • Visit infamous Chiang Mai Bazaar

Program Impact

Elephant conservation and welfare

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 4 reviews
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  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
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  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 4.75
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.5
  • Safety 5
Good for Students, Photographers, Adventure travelers
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Default avatar
Sophie
20
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best week of my life!

Feb 1, 2024

This trip is absolutely amazing. This was my first time leaving the country, so I was a little nervous going in, but my expectations were blown away! The GIVE staff is so nice, educated, and inclusive! I'm absolutely confident I made life-long friends on this trip. Overall, Its amazingly planned out. Getting-to-know-you activities are super helpful, and I felt so close to everyone after only one day! I learned so much on this trip, and I have so much love and appreciation for the region I was in and the people I met. Accommodations are wonderful, and was nothing like I had ever experienced! I felt changed, in the absolute best way, after this trip. Elephants are the most beautiful creatures, and I have even more respect for those communities and the species as a whole after visiting them. Highly recommend! It's a great first trip for those who are a little anxious to leave home, or as an extension for those who want to meet these beautiful animals and people!

What was your funniest moment?
While bathing the elephants, one of them shook their ears and I got mud all over me. Like in my hair, teeth, all over my face. It was hilarious.
Pros
  • Friendly and inclusive staff
  • Amazing cultural education
  • Supporting local businesses
8 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Doi Inthanon waterfall!
Feeding the elephants!
seeing elephants in their natural habitat!
Default avatar
Hanna
23
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Life Changing Experience with Elephants

Oct 31, 2023

My experience with GIVE Volunteers and Hand2Trunk was nothing short of life changing. P’Ann was an incredible guide and friend who was so knowledgeable about everything she showed us; the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of elephant tourism and its history. I’m so grateful for my experience where I learned so much more in this hands-on, culturally immersive adventure than I ever could in a classroom. If you want to truly see the elephants of Thailand and their people, this is how you should do it.

Pros
  • Cultural Experiences
  • Staff Support
15 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Hiking with Elephants
Default avatar
Ava
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Adventure of a Lifetime!!

Aug 9, 2023

I learned so much about Thai culture and elephants, but I also got to learn about myself as I pushed myself out of my comfort zone!! The tour guides, food, adventures, and mahoots were great. The guides knew how to handle any injury throughout the entire trip. All meals were delicious and included with the trip. There was enough down time so you didn't feel completely drained. This trip gave me the opportunity to experience something that many tourist traveling wouldn't have the chance to do. Thank you Give!

Pros
  • Guides are well-trained for emergencies
  • Food is great
  • Not many tourist get the opportunity to have this same experience
Cons
  • Cliques can be formed
  • AC isn't always available
  • Your clothes likely will smell
33 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Graciela
20
Female
United States
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Life-Altering Experience

Jul 26, 2023
32 people found this review helpful.
Helpful

Questions & Answers

Location

Location:
Thailand
Currency:
Thai Baht
Weather:
Jan-Mar
95 F / 57 F
Apr-Jun
91 F / 72 F
Jul-Sep
90 F / 73 F
Oct-Dec
88 F / 59 F
Airports:
Suvarnabhumi Airport
( BKK )
Don Mueang Airport
( DNK )
Phuket Airport
( HKT )

Thailand has become the most tourist visited country in Southeast Asia. This country provides dense jungles, beautiful beaches, world-class shopping, and stunning architecture. No matter your budget, there is something for you to take part in in Thailand.

About GIVE Volunteers

Since 2011, GIVE has led hundreds of all-inclusive, award-winning & life-changing group trips around the world, inspiring more than 8,000 teenagers and young adults to travel with purpose. Our 1-7 weeklong summer programs engage young travelers in meaningful opportunities to learn through doing, such as locally-led volunteer projects, authentic...
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
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  • Go Overseas Award

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