Thailand – Road Trip Thailand

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Embark on a four-week road trip with GoEco to see the best of Thailand, while lending a hand to the various communities that our participants pass through. From the center of Thailand participants will venture to the mountainous northern region to the agricultural Isaan and down to the beach areas of Southern Thailand. Volunteers will travel by bus, train and even boat to their various destinations!

 

Itinerary:

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK). Participants will be picked up from the airport and taken to accommodations.

Day 1, Monday: Travelers will transfer from Singburi to their homestay and receive a welcome barbeque dinner.

Day 2, Tuesday: Participants will take part in a traditional Thai agricultural activity before a four-hour train ride to Uttaradit, followed by a visit to Hero Monument, dinner in a local restaurant and overnight stay in a hotel.

Day 3, Wednesday: Travelers will teach in the morning at a local school, visit the Tungyang Temple to learn about Buddhism from the monks and visit a local shopping area. Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 4, Thursday: Following breakfast, participants will take a three-hour train ride to Lampang, followed by lunch and visits to a Burmese Temple and the local market. Overnight in a hotel in Lampang.

Day 5, Friday: Wildlife time! Participants will visit an elephant conservation center on this day after breakfast, followed by lunch, cultural site visits and dinner. Participants will travel by train to Chian Mai. OVernight stay in a Chiang Mai hotel.

Day 6, Saturday: Travelers will head for a cultural experience in the Doi Pui villages to learn about the Hill Tribes, followed by visits to Doi Suthep Mountaing and Wat Phrathat temple before having the rest of the day free to explore Chiang Mai.

Day 7, Sunday: Participants will head to Chiang Rai and have the day free to spend how they wish! Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 8, Monday: Travelers will transfer to the Akha Hill Tribe where they will receive an introduction to the indigenous tribe, have lunch and then volunteer to help clean around the Huai Phaking Temple. Night-time visit to the market and overnight stay with the hill tribe.

Day 9, Tuesday: Following breakfast, participants will cycle to another Hill tribe village, visit an elephant camp and visit the White Temple, a farm and the jungle of Khun Khon National Park! Overnight stay in tents in the park.

Day 10, Wednesday: Breakfast in the park will be followed by a trek to the Khun Khon Waterfall, cycling to a lake and trekking to an Akha Hill Tribe village. Overnight stay in tents in the park.

Day 11, Thursday: This day will be packed with trekking through hills to visit five different villages! Overnight stay in the Doi Chang village.

Day 12, Friday: Continue the trek on this day to two more hill tribe villages.

Day 13, Saturday: Hill Tribe Week has come to an end. Travelers will trek to a dam, canoe on a lake, visit a hot spring and take an overnight bus to Loei.

Day 14, Sunday: Check in to a hotel in Loei, have breakfast and enjoy a free day.

Day 15, Monday: Participants will spend the morning teaching to children or monks at a temple school before heading to the Srisuthawat monsatery to learn more about Buddhism and help clean before heading to the Phu Pha Lom forest park.

Day 16, Tuesday: Travelers will take a bus to Khon Kaen and enjoy a Thai massage. Dinner will be in the market and participants will have a free night at the market. Overnight stay in a hotel in Khon Kaen.

Day 17, Wednesday: Participants will volunteer in the morning at a disabled children’s home, playing with the children and teaching English, followed by a visit to a national museum and shopping.

Day 18, Thursday: This day entails a visit to the great lake and its temple in Bung Kaen Na Khorn, followed by a visit to a city shrine and a six-hour bus trip to Bangkok. Overnight stay in a hotel in Bangkok.

Day 19, Friday: This day’s highlights include a ferry boat ride down the Chao Phraya River and visits to temples along the way.

Day 20, Saturday: Visit the Chatchak weekend market before transferring to the beach area of Hua Hin.

Day 21, Sunday: Enjoy a free day in this beach town!

Day 22, Monday: This day entails visits to the Huay Mongkol temple and Plearnwan market, and a scenic train ride to Bang Saphan Yai.

Day 23, Tuesday: Explore Thailand’s glistening, turquoise waters with a three-hour boat ride combined with sighteseeing and snorkeling! Overnight train to Surat Thani.

Day 24, Wednesday: Take a two-hour boat transfer to the tropical Thai island of Koh Samu. Participants can explore the beach hotel before having dinner at a guesthouse and experiencing the night market.

Day 25, Thursday: Take a boat ride to Angthong National Park – breakfast is served on the boat! Enjoy hiking and snorkeling before returning to Koh Samui.

Day 26, Friday: Travelers will visit the Wat Phra Yai, Grandmother and Grandfather Stones and visit a waterfall for an afternoon swim!

Day 27, Saturday: Enjoy a free beach morning before taking a boat and bus back to Bangkok.

Day 28, Sunday: Today the adventure ends. Transfer from Bangkok back to Singburi.

Important note: Participants can join any week of the year, but where you start will depend on which week you begin. Every participant will be visiting all four areas of the program, but may be starting during different “Weeks.”

Please note: This schedule may altered and/or be amended, depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

 

Location icon Location of the Project: Thailand (multiple locations)

Project length Project length: 4 weeks

Arrival Airport Arrival Airport: Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) or Don Mueang Airport (DMK)

Volunteer Work Volunteer Work:  Teaching, temple maintenance

Age Age:  Min age of 18

Number of Volunteers Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international participants

 

What’s Included

Accommodations Accommodations: Various tents, hotels and home stays

Food Food: 3 meals per day included during weekdays and 2 per day on weekends

Airport Transfers Airport Transfers:  Airport pickup is provided upon arrival

Support Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

 

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, personal expenses

On this road trip, participants will get to experience the uniqueness of Thailand. This adventure takes participants through three main regions: from the mountainous northern highlands to the hill tribe villages to agricultural Imaan, to the beautiful south and island of Koh Samui. Participants will see the diverse scenery of Thailand, from urban areas to mountains to white, sandy beaches. Participants will visit various temples, several indigenous tribe villages, hike through national parks and indulge in all that Thailand has to offer.

In addition to these must-see tourist destinations, participants will be volunteering with the local communities, making this trip the perfect balance of traveling and giving back.

 

The schedule of this project is filled with visits to several travel highlight destinations. Some of these include: trips to temples, a visit to the Elephant Conservation Center in Lampang, visits to national parks, a visit to the Great Lake (Bung Kaen Na Khorn), cultural excursions to various hill tribe villages and several snorkeling adventures during beach trips.

Some of your volunteer tasks may include:

  • Assisting at local schools
  • Temple maintenance

 

A typical day: Each day the schedule will vary depending on the current location and set activities for that day. There are several free nights throughout the four weeks. Sundays are free days.

Please note: Specific activities may vary and are subject to change.

Internet icon Internet: WiFi may be available at specific accommodations but cannot be guaranteed.

Laundry icon Laundry: Some of the accommodations may have laundry facilities. Sundays are free days, as well, where volunteers can find laundromats in the cities to use at an additional fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Various tents, hotels and home stays

Food icon Food: Thai-style dishes will be served throughout the project. Traditional Thai dishes usually include rice and noodles.

Please take note of this project’s minimum requirements:

  • Basic level of English
  • Police clearance
  • Good level of physical fitness

Travel Extras (Not Included):
You can extend your stay in Thailand with one or more great program add-ons for an additional fee. Here are the opportunities we recommend:

  • Thai Boxing: Sign up for authentic and traditional Thai boxing classes under the provincial champion of the Sing Buri district. Learn the basic principles and foundations of the exquisite art form, Muay Thai.
  • Hua Hin Beach & Volunteer Week: This jam-packed week will help you make the most of your experience in Thailand. You will have the chance to go on cultural excursions to learn about Thai Buddhism and assist monks with daily chores. You will also have the opportunity to teach local children with some time dedicated to beach conservation. On a few afternoons you will have free time to relax at the beaches of Hua Hin!
  • Jungle Trek: Get ready for adventure as you trek through the tropical forests west of Sing Buri. You’ll have the opportunity to sleep under the stars, trek to spectacular waterfalls and caves hidden in the jungle and more!
  • Thai Buddhism Immersion in Wang Nam Khiao: During this week-long program you will be introduced to Buddhism. You will have the chance to discuss Buddhism with a local monk and enjoy a two-day stay at the Wat Suptawee Temple to learn walking and sitting meditation forms as well as experience the daily life of monks.

Volunteer Experiences

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