Program Overview
Come adventure in Thailand with Travel For Teens, where you will have the amazing experience of working with elephants and exploring northern Thailand. Earn service credit working with the magnificent Asian elephants of Northern Thailand at our partner elephant sanctuary. You will be directly involved with their care, spending all day with them forming wonderful bonds and lifelong memories while learning about the conservation of these gentle giants.
We will explore historical city of Chiang Mai, basking in the down-to earth charm of this northern gem, shopping at local markets, enjoying a traditional Thai massage, and seeing lavish historic temples. Get ready to spend a day white water rafting down the mighty Pai river, taking in the scenic mountain surroundings and enjoying each others company on the quiet river banks.
Next get ready for the Southern islands as we swap the jungle for the beach! We’ll swim, snorkel, scuba dive (optional), trek and relax through this idyllic part of the world on the tropical island paradises of Koh Phi Phi and Krabi. Finally, jump into the bustling hub of Southeast Asia, Bangkok. Explore culturally historic icons including the Royal Palace, Emerald Buddha, and Ayutthaya, before immersing yourself in the fast-paced street food scene savoring pad thai and hunting for a bargain on Khao San Rd.
Please note, we do not ride elephants on any of our programs. TFT is very proud to be one of the only teen tour operators to take this stance and support ethical tourism.
During this program, you will…
- Earn up to 20 hours of community service credit volunteering with a local school working alongside Thai students to create a sustainable food system
- Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary and spend the day caring for rescued elephants
- Explore Chiang Mai’s stunning temples and discover the beauty of Northern Thailand
- Learn authentic Thai recipes and participate in a Market Cooking Challenge
- Trek through the jungle and discover hidden jungle waterfalls and amazing views
- Practice your cross-cultural skills as you shop for souvenirs in the captivating night markets of Chiang Mai and Bangkok
- Embark on a beautiful hike to the summit of Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak (please note- this hike is appropriate for all skill levels and will be tailored to the group)
- Explore stunning Koh Phi Phi and dare to discover new underwater worlds as you snorkel or scuba dive* on the incredible reefs
- Catch a longtail boat over to Railay Beach and admire the limestone cliffs
- Take a Thai culture and language lesson
- Watch a traditional fire show
- Wander the majestic Buddhist temples in Bangkok and Chiang Mai
- Catch a Muy Thai performance
*This is an optional add-on
Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAY 3: CHIANG MAI
Your adventure begins in the vibrant city of Chiang Mai. After a delicious lunch, we’ll head to our home base. Get settled in, meet your fellow travelers, and dive into an exciting program presentation. As the sun sets, we’ll kick off the fun with a “Baht Builder” team challenge and engaging night games.
DAY 4: CHIANG MAI
Fuel up with a hearty breakfast before heading to start our “Food For Thought” project at a local school in need. Here, you’ll roll up your sleeves and make a tangible difference in the lives of local students. Work alongside your team to build a sustainable Mushroom House and contribute to other impactful service projects. The Thai students will be joining us in our project for a true cross cultural connection.
After a fulfilling day of service, return to campus for a delicious lunch. In the evening, choose your adventure: scale new heights with rock climbing or test your aim with archery. As darkness falls, gather around a campfire for stories, laughter, and new friendships.
Day 5: CHIANG MAI
Today, we’ll step back in time and explore the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam. Engage in a hands-on Lanna Cultural Challenge, where you’ll immerse yourself in local customs by learning traditional crafts including pottery, cooking, and dance with local experts. After lunch, discover your inner chocolatier at a Chocolate Making Workshop. As the day winds down, wander through the bustling famous Night Market, a feast for the senses.
DAY 6: CHIANG MAI
Return to the local school to complete your service projects with “Food For Thought” and leave a lasting legacy. Plant fruit trees and prepare saplings for a greener future. In the afternoon, we’ll venture into the lush countryside for a Coffee Village visit and a chance to connect with the Hilltribe people. As the sun dips below the horizon, enjoy a picnic dinner and prepare for an exhilarating hike to Thailand’s highest peak, Doi Inthanon.
Day 7: CHIANG MAI
Lace up your hiking boots and embark on a full-day trek through the breathtaking landscapes of Doi Inthanon National Park. This hike is appropriate for all skill levels. Along the way, learn about the region’s unique ecology and local agriculture. Visit vibrant ethnic markets, cascading waterfalls, and stand in awe atop Thailand’s tallest peak. In the evening participate in an exciting “jungle survival” cooking lesson and learn essential jungle survival skills, like bamboo cooking and water filtration. As night falls, enjoy a campfire under a starlit sky and stay overnight in a cozy cabin right in the national park for a truly unique experience and deeper connection to nature.
DAY 8: CHIANG MAI
Put your culinary skills to the test in a Market Cooking Challenge. Divide into teams, learn authentic Thai recipes, and design your own menus. Then, head to the local market to source fresh ingredients and prepare a feast for your fellow travelers. In the afternoon, nurture your green thumb with Sapling Nursery Work with your “Food For Thought” project at a local school. In the evening, enjoy a BBQ dinner, compete in a Mini Olympics, and reflect on your incredible journey.
DAY 9: CHIANG MAI
Spend the day meeting the most famous animal in Thailand- the elephant! Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary that provides care for these majestic creatures. Learn about the plight of the elephant, work alongside their mahouts (handlers for life) caring for, feeding and becoming friends with our elephants in their jungle sanctuary. Please note, TFT does not support riding elephants and the sanctuary we visit has been carefully vetted to ensure it meets ethical standards.
DAYS 10-12: KOH PHI PHI
Coming out of the jungle, we’ll jet down to the most famous island in Thailand, Koh Phi Phi, for a taste of tropical nirvana. Snorkel and dive in the crystal-clear blue waters and relax on the most beautiful beaches you’ve ever seen. The picture perfect sunsets will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Get in touch with nature as you hike gorgeous scenic trails and take a longtail boat to a beach featured in movies.
DAYS 13-14: KRABI
Continue the adventure in paradise with a couple of days in Ao Nang, exploring the best of Krabi. Head inland to relax in the the stunning hot springs of the Emerald and Crystal Pools of Khao Phra-Bang Khram Nature Reserve, before climbing to the the top of the the Tiger Cave temple, one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in the region for jaw-dropping views. Catch a traditional longtail boat to nearby beautiful Railay beach, well known for it’s iconic limestone cliffs that rise right from the sandy beach.
DAYS 15-16: BANGKOK
Take it up a notch as you swap the laid back charm of the islands for the organized chaos of the capital Bangkok! Check out the opulent Royal Palace, serene reclining Buddha and the most iconic temple in Bangkok, Wat Arun. Be transported to a bygone era as you explore the vibrant Bang-Pa-In, the old summer palace of the kings. Embrace the sights, sounds and smells of Bangkok as you hunt for bargains along Khao San Rd, enjoy some of the best street food of your life and if you choose, witness an exhilarating Muay Thai performance. Cap off an incredible Thai adventure as you enjoy a delicious fancy final dinner, celebrating an amazing couple of weeks with your new-found best friends!
DAY 17: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is unique about the Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands trip?
Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands participants love the variety of locations we visit and experiences we offer on this program. From volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in the jungles of Northern Thailand, to the incredibly diverse marine environments of Koh Tao and Koh Samui, this program highlights the best parts of this amazing country.
The ability to get an intense, hands-on experience working with the endangered Asian elephants at the sanctuary near Chiang Mai is a truly unique experience. Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands gives our students a profound experience, giving them a new understanding of the world we live in and the role they have to play in conserving it for generations to come.
Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands participants love the variety of locations we visit and experiences we offer on this program. From volunteering at an elephant sanctuary in the jungles of Northern Thailand, to the incredibly diverse marine environments of Koh Tao and Koh Samui, this program highlights the best parts of this amazing country.
The ability to get an intense, hands-on experience working with the endangered Asian elephants at the sanctuary near Chiang Mai is a truly unique experience. Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands gives our students a profound experience, giving them a new understanding of the world we live in and the role they have to play in conserving it for generations to come.
Where do we stay on this program?
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Near Chiang Mai we stay at a locally run non-profit with apartment style housing and excellent communal facilities. In Pai we stay at a well-appointed resort right on the Pai River, decorated in traditional Lanna Thai decor. On our rafting adventure we stay for one night in a basic peaceful and secluded bamboo hut on the river. On Koh Samui we stay at an elegantly appointed resort right on the beach. On Koh Tao we stay at a boutique style resort right on the beach. In Bangkok we stay in a modern three-star hotel in close proximity to the main attractions and best parts of the city.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
Students stay in centrally located, safe, and well-supervised accommodations in each city.
They are well suited to facilitating group supervision and usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.
Near Chiang Mai we stay at a locally run non-profit with apartment style housing and excellent communal facilities. In Pai we stay at a well-appointed resort right on the Pai River, decorated in traditional Lanna Thai decor. On our rafting adventure we stay for one night in a basic peaceful and secluded bamboo hut on the river. On Koh Samui we stay at an elegantly appointed resort right on the beach. On Koh Tao we stay at a boutique style resort right on the beach. In Bangkok we stay in a modern three-star hotel in close proximity to the main attractions and best parts of the city.
For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.
What is included on the Thailand Elephant Service & the Islands trip?
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
Tuition cost includes: ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.
Not included (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.
What is the food like in Thailand?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
Thai cuisine is bursting full of flavor, aromatic smells and vivid color, with lots of attention paid to balance, detail and variety. You’ll savor the best Pad Thai of your life and that’s just to start. Take your pick from hundreds of incredible dishes featuring mouth-watering combinations of rice, noodles, seafood, meats and fresh vegetables. What will your new favorite be?
The food on this program is authentic, delicious, and a central part of the cultural travel experience.
We prioritize eating at local, authentic establishments rather than Americanized chains, encouraging students to sample the local specialties wherever we go. We fully accommodate all dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten allergies, and other restrictions.
Thai cuisine is bursting full of flavor, aromatic smells and vivid color, with lots of attention paid to balance, detail and variety. You’ll savor the best Pad Thai of your life and that’s just to start. Take your pick from hundreds of incredible dishes featuring mouth-watering combinations of rice, noodles, seafood, meats and fresh vegetables. What will your new favorite be?