Thailand Summer Volunteer Program 2019

Day 2 – Thursday – Orientation,  Bangkok Tour and Welcome Meal
In the morning, you will formally meet your Guide and fellow group members. During the orientation,  you will learn more about Thailand and your itinerary. Later the Bangkok tour will take you on a journey through the old city and includes magnificent temples and a private canal boat trip around old Bangkok, Wat Arun, Wat Pho. Take rest after you come back so that you can prepare for an exciting evening with your group on the world famous Khao San Road. 
(Meals – B,D)
 
Day 3 – Friday – Volunteering in Bangkok
Join our team running games and activities for children at Wat Pho School in Bangkok. Wat Pho is one of Thailand’s most iconic temples and home to the gigantic, golden reclining Buddha. This is a privilege that most tourists may never experience. The activities will provide the children to practice their English with you and also be a lot of fun for all involved.
(Meals – B)

Day 4 – Saturday – Chatuchak Market Day
Today you will visit the largest outdoor market in Southeast Asia. It is packed with hundreds of stalls selling vintage clothing, antiques, DVDs, electrical equipment, paintings and more. There are also dozens of great food shops and even a few bars to relax in. 
(Meals – B)

Day 5 – Sunday –  Transfer to Surin
You’ll travel to Surin approximately 7 hours away with the rest of your group. When you arrive into Surin, you’ll check into your hotel and then meet the Surin team for a local orientation. After that, it’s time to relax ready for your project work.
(Meals – B)

Day 6 - 9 – Monday – Thursday – Surin School Renovation

You will work together with your group to help renovate part of a local school or community center. Surin is one of the poorest regions in Thailand and many facilities are desperately underfunded. During these four days, you will complete a project identified by a local school as benefiting the local children. Don’t worry, no specialist skills are required – just a bit of commitment and teamwork. Past projects have included the renovation of school playgrounds, development of sports fields/facilities for school and also renovating and decorating school libraries. Your project will be assigned and discussed with you on arrival in Surin. This is a great opportunity to really leave your mark on the local community and be proud that your efforts will benefit those that live in the local area.
(Meals – N/A)

Day 10 – 12 – Friday – Sunday –  Free weekend in Surin
Today there are no planned group activities giving you the opportunity to relax or explore the city of Surin at your own pace. The in-country team will help you with ideas and offer advice on what to do. You can also head out to Siem Reap in Cambodia and the local team shall help in suggesting some options. Siem Reap is approximately 4 hrs drive from Surin and is definitely worth a visit as you can go to the world famous Angkor Wat Temple.
(Meals – N/A)
 

Day 13 - 16 – Monday – Thursday –  Elephant Experience
Immerse yourself in traditional life and get up close and personal with one of Thailand’s most iconic creatures.  You will stay in the village and support the mahouts caring for the elephants. Later in the day you can relax at the house or join in activities organized by the team. Your hosts are excellent cooks and all meals while at the village are included. You will return to your previous accommodation in Surin city in the late afternoon of day 16.The week's activities include elephant trekking (no riding), elephant bathing, elephant feeding, depending on the time of year may include crop planting or harvesting plus kayaking in the local river. In addition there is the opportunity to make elephant paper from dung and potentially other community based activities in the village.
(Meals – LD on Day 13, BLD on Day 14-15 and BL on Day 16) 

Day 17– Friday - Travel to Khao Yai National Park
You will leave Surin around 9.00am and travel towards Khao Yai National Park. Khao Yai is one of Thailand’s most beautiful national parks and has stunning scenery. The journey is approximately 4 hours. Once you arrive at your accommodation you’ll have the evening free to relax and prepare for the Jungle Trekking tomorrow.
(Meals – N/A)

Day 18 – Saturday –  Jungle Trek
You will join an experienced local guide and spend the day trekking to one of Thailand’s most iconic waterfalls and take in a breathtaking view at Pha Drew Dai. The Jungle Trek is often regarded as one the highlights of the trip for its sense of adventure. The trek is very pleasant and provided you are in good health, not particularly challenging. Lunch is not provided but you will be allocated time to eat the National Park headquarters. Around 15:00 you will transfer back to your accommodation and have the evening free to discuss today’s activities with the rest of your group.
(Meals – N/A)

Day 19 – Sunday – Transfer to Bangkok
At around 10:00 you will depart the resort to head back to Khao San Road. The journey will take approximately 4 hours. Once on Khao San Road you will check into the hotel and have the evening free.
(Meals – B)

Day 20 – Monday – Bangkok Bike Tour
Join an exciting one day bike tour around the Old Bangkok. For those doing the Beach Week, they will leave for Ko Tao by overnight journey and reach their the next day.
(Meals – B)

Day 21 – Tuesday –  Finish or Start Beach Week
Tour finishes for customers who chose the three-week option.  If you are leaving today then you are free to make your own arrangements for onwards travel or making your way to the airport. 

Those who booked the additional week beach extension will be reaching Koh Tao today to spend a great week on the beach.

BEACH WEEK EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)

If you’re choosing the beach extension option (and why not – the beaches of Thailand are rightly famous not only for their beauty but also some of the best parties around) your itinerary will be as follows:-
  Cost for Beach Week Extension is $399