Volunteer at an Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai

Volunteers in this project work at an Elephant Camp located 45 minutes away from the main city of Chiang Mai. The Camp is surrounded by lush green mountains from all sides. Volunteers assist and work alongside elephant trainers and other Camp staff from 7:00 am – 5:00 pm (Monday – Friday).

The day starts early at the Elephant Park. Seven o’clock is elephant bath time, followed by breakfast for the elephants. Once the elephants are fed and before day visitors make their arrival is when volunteers and other staff can sit down, have breakfast and enjoy a cup of northern Thai coffee with the backdrop of the rolling mountains of northern Thailand. Volunteers may help with direction and safety procedures with day tourists upon their arrival. After lunch all volunteers will work with the elephants and learn how to be an elephant trainer.

Later in the afternoon volunteers will be broken up into different tasks. The elephant park is big and has a very large staff. It’s almost a community of its own. Everyone living in the surrounding village is either staff or a family member of a staff person at the park. Therefore volunteers will be asked to help out and work with the families and children of the park’s workers. Some volunteers will teach an hour or two of English at the local hill tribe school. Other volunteers will stay at the park and teach English to the elephant trainers and other staff.

Volunteers may be asked to help out with other areas of the elephant camp during their volunteer service. These additional things could be anything from taking care of one of the baby elephants to moving equipment. Any little bit helps in the development of the camp. Late in the afternoon/early evening, volunteers will be able to spend more time with the elephants and elephant trainers. This is when volunteers will really begin to bond with these lovely creatures and learn how to best care for them.

This program is highly recommended for animal lovers and for those who are looking to work outdoors.

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Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program and should be fit and healthy to work along with animals in the camp.

Project Location

The volunteer project is 40 miles from the main city of Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is Norther Thailand's largest city.It is a pleasant city, encircled by mountains and lush rice fields.

What we provide

Airport Receive/ Transfer: The project starts on 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Volunteers need to arrive 3 days prior to the start date, on a Friday. Volunteers should book their flights to arrive in Chiang Mai between 8am -8pm.

Orientation: All volunteers are provided with a two day orientation before starting their project work.The Orientation session covers areas like, local Thai culture, greetings, locations, transportation etc. Volunteers are also given a city Tour of Chiang Mai.

Lodging: Volunteers are provided with private accommodation within the elephant camp itself (From Mon- Fri). All rooms have an attached western toilet and showers. Volunteers are provided accommodation in tree houses that overlook the beautiful green mountains and river. On the weekends the volunteers are welcome to stay at the home in Chiang Mai (if space available). If room is not available at the House during a weekend, volunteers will have to cover the cost of their own accommodation for those two days.

Food: Volunteers are provided with all three meals a day at the camp from Monday – Friday. Typical Thai meals include Rice, noodles, meat, vegetables and soups.

Insurance: Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.

Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet by e-mail which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

During your Free Time

Weekends are the free time for the volunteers and you can come back to the main city of Chiang Mai. Volunteers can take part in the Thai Cookery classes or Thai Massage course which are available all around Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai also boasts of restaurants of every international cuisine. During the weekends, you can travel to the cities of Pai , Chiang Rai or fly down to the capital city of Bangkok.

Start Dates

The project starts on 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. Volunteers need to arrive 3 days prior to the start date, on a Friday.Volunteers should book their flights to arrive in Chiang Mai between 8am -8pm.

Program Costs

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.

USD GBP EUR

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
$1100	$1400	$1700	$2000	$2300	$2600	$2900	$300

Please Note: -An application fee of $200 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
£770	£980	£1190	£1400	£1610	£1820	£2030	£210

Please Note: -An application fee of £140 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

2 Weeks	3 Weeks	4 Weeks	5 Weeks	6 Weeks	7 Weeks	8 Weeks	Extra Weeks
€880	€1120	€1360	€1600	€1840	€2080	€2320	€240

Please Note: -An application fee of €160 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

What are you Paying For ?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup in Chiang Mai
2 Day Orientation and Half day city tour
Food - 2 meals a day
Accommodation at Elephant Camp and during orientation
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

What's NOT Included ?

Visa Fee
Airfare
Return Airport Drop
Meals on weekends

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Receiving a tourist visa for tourism purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a tourist visa before departing for Thailand. If needed, Volunteering Solutions do provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Thailand?

We are able to offer placements from every 1^st and 3^rd Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply in advance to secure their spots.

How long does it take to process my application?

Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 7-10 working days.

How do I get to the program location?

Your country coordinator will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

I want to know more about accommodation arrangements?

We provide you with accommodation from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will either be in the volunteer’s home or with a host family. Accommodation is shared along with other volunteers. You need to bring your own toiletries, mosquito net and sleeping bag.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Thailand-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are: -

-- Volunteers must be 18 years (for summer program, minimum age requirement is 17 years) or older at the beginning of the program

-- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

-- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.

-- Be in good health.

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations: -

Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Thailand?

Your program fee covers you for food, accommodation, airport pick up, Orientation, Pre departure information and in country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. However you should carry around $40 - $50 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

Is there phone and internet available on projects?

Yes there is usually a phone at every placement we provide. However you will have to use Internet café’s to use Internet. It is strongly recommended that you carry a mobile phone while travelling to Thailand. You can get international roaming or can simply buy a local sim-card from the airport when you arrive.

What hours will I volunteer every day?

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well.

Where can I change my money in Thailand? Are there ATMâ€™s in Thailand?

You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATM's located all around the Chiang Mai/Bangkok city.

Can couples or families join the volunteer program?

Yes, couples and families are welcome to join our programs. We make special provisions for families joining our volunteering programs; we will be able to provide them with program placements and accommodations together.

What will be the food arrangement?

The host family provides two or three meals per day. Depending on your host family you will be provided with two or three meals a day. Lunch and dinner will be rice, a bowl of soup, fried meat (chicken, beef. pork or fish) and a lot of vegetables. Thailand food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.

Do I need to buy health insurance?

Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

What sorts of clothes are required for Thailand?

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A pair of walking shoes is highly recommended as well.

Do you recommend any cheap airlines flying into Thailand?

We would recommend you to visit, http://www.kayak.com, http://www.orbitz.com to have more details on cheap airlines to Thailand.

When do I need to arrive in Thailand for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Thailand?

All volunteers need to arrive two days before their program start date. Volunteers are picked up from the Chiang Mai/Bangkok International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Thailand will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

Olivia Richmond (USA)

Olivia Richmond-Volunteering at an Elephant Camp

The activities at the camp, teaching at the school, walking through the jungle, visiting other elephant camps and grass cutting were all unbelievable. Accommodation was always set up for me and the meals were to die for. It was great getting 3 meals at the camp...... read more

Terra H Liddil (USA)

Terra H Liddil-Volunteering at an Elephant Camp

I loved the work I did at my site. It was literally a lifetime dream come true. I would love to return and spend even more time. Thank you all so much...... read more

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