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Elephants & Islands-15 Days

Thailand Elephant Volunteer Program and Adventure

Do you want to travel through Thailand and experience some of the country’s most amazing attractions? Do you want to make a huge difference in the lives of endangered elephants by sharing your love and passion? Then this Global Crossroad’s elephant volunteer opportunity in Thailand is right up your alley!

Thailand is an amazing country with a deep and rich culture and history. The people will greet you with friendly smiles as you explore ancient ruins, mystical temples, jaw-dropping scenery and exquisite wildlife. No matter what you’re looking for in your travels, Thailand will have something for you.

Sadly, elephants suffer greatly on a daily basis in Thailand. Deforestation has destroyed huge amounts of habitats, and cruel and exploitative practices ensure that many captive elephants live painful and sad lives. Luckily, there are a few Thailand elephant volunteer projects aimed at changing this, but their lack of resources makes them reliant on foreign volunteers, which is where you come in.

By going on this tour and volunteering with elephants, you will provide kindness and care to these amazing animals that are so often abused for profit. Not only will this benefit the elephants you work with directly, but also the entire species as your efforts make it clear to locals and tourists alike that there is no need for cruel exploitation in order to make a living and interact with elephants.

Do you want to travel to amazing places, work closely with the famous elephant and make a huge positive impact on their lives by sharing your love and passion? Then contact Global Crossroad today for more information!


Volunteer Responsibilities & Impacts

You will assist in caring for the elephants during your time as an elephant volunteer in Thailand. This includes walking and bathing them and planting and harvesting their food. You will also get a chance to learn to cook Thai food by assisting with dinner each evening and make trips to the market to purchase supplies for the elephant sanctuary.

This work will provide great relief for the elephants and locals who take care of them. Your love and passion will not go unnoticed by these incredibly intelligent animals, and your efforts are sure to raise awareness with local elephant owners and tourists alike on how to coexist with elephants in a way that benefits both the animals and humans, without the need for cruel exploitation.


Skills and Qualifications

There are no specific requirements needed to take part in this Thailand elephant volunteer opportunity. All you need is a great love and passion for animals and a deep desire to see their lives improved. You should be patient and flexible and interested in immersing yourself in Thai culture.


Thailand Elephant Volunteer Program : Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival in Bangkok.

On arrival at the airport, you will be picked up and taken to your accommodation in Bangkok and given the rest of the day to relax and get to know your fellow travelers and volunteers.

Day 2 – Orientation and Bangkok City Tour.

You’ll spend the day being shown all the top sights of the Thai capital before enjoying an amazing night out with your new friends on Khao San Road.

Day 3 – Train ride to Surin.

It’s finally time to leave the big city and set out for an 8-hour train ride through amazing Thai scenery and charming villages. On arrival you will get the evening to settle in and prepare for the upcoming volunteer work.

Day 4 – 7 – The Elephant Experience.

During the 4th to 7th day of your elephant volunteer work in Thailand, each morning you will be picked up together with your guide and fellow volunteers and driven to the project by pick-up. A normal day will run from 8am to 3pm but may vary depending on the needs of the project. On day 7 you will be transferred back to the volunteer house for a final night there to prepare for your return journey to Bangkok.

Day 8 – Return to Bangkok.

It’s time to say farewell to your guide as you’re dropped off for the train ride back to Bangkok. You will be given detailed plans including your train tickets, accommodation and taxi money to get there. On arrival you can spend the evening relaxing or going out with your new friends.

Day 9 – Travel to Koh Phangan.

The 9th day of your Thailand elephant volunteer program is free to explore Bangkok before heading to the Lomprayah coach desk where you will board an overnight coach to Koh Phangan.

Day 10 -13 - Koh Phangan.

You arrive at the pier in the early morning and board a ferry, making it to your accommodation on the island before midday. During these days you can take part in any island activities you like, whether that’s relaxing, sightseeing, partying or immersing yourself in the tranquil island lifestyle.

Day 14 – Return to Bangkok.

On day 14th of your elephant volunteering project in Thailand, you return to Bangkok early in the morning and arrive right before dinner time. This is the final night of the tour so head out for one last crazy night on Khao San road before it’s all over.

Day 15 – End of tour.

Say your farewells over breakfast and plan your next moves, whether that’s returning home or traveling onwards.


Start Dates

Fees:

Global Crossroad is committed to offering quality volunteering in Thailand programs at the world’s most affordable price. We strive to keep our costs low. The humanitarian side of the business is our passion.

Global Crossroad's volunteer program in Thailand application and registration fee cost US $299. The application fee covers the cost of advertising, program promotion, and office expenses (rent, utilities, and staff salaries in USA office).

In addition to the application fee, you are required to pay a weekly program fee . You will pay your weekly fee directly to the country coordinator, who in turn will allocate it to your host family, project and other in-country support we offer to our volunteers. This way, the fees that you pay will benefit those who rightfully deserve them, and not for company profit.

The program fee needs to be paid in GBP to directly to the country coordinator before the project start date.

Program Fee: £679

Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day »

What’s included?

  • Airport pick-up on arrival
  • Two night guest house accommodation in Bangkok
  • Guided Bangkok Tour
  • Transfer to Surin
  • Accommodation throughout your trip – a range of guest houses / shared house / elephant village homestay and, if you choose the beach extension, an awesome beach front hotel
  • All activities listed in the itinerary – far too many to list here
  • Full orientation of project and surrounding areas
  • Daily transfers to and from project location
  • Full ongoing support
  • 24 hour emergency support

What Isn’t

  • Your flights
  • Meals – Please allow around $10USD/day
  • Visa to enter Thailand (if required)
  • Visa to enter Cambodia
  • Travel insurance
  • Any additional activities not mentioned in the itinerary

Accommodation and Meal

While volunteering in Thailand with elephants, you will stay in our safe and secure volunteer house. Here you will share a comfortable room with nice beds and modern bathroom facilities with volunteers of the same gender. There are 3 meals provided

Read more about your Accommodation and Meal.


Free Time and Weekend Exploration

Besides the exciting tour activities, you will also have plenty of free time during your volunteering days. You will have the chance to use your late afternoons and evenings to explore and discover everything Surin has to offer.

Read more about your free time and weekend exploration in Thailand.


Safety and In Country Support

Global Crossroad takes your safety as a volunteer very seriously, and we carefully vet all our project placements and facilities to ensure this. We also perform regular inspections to make sure that our standards are upheld, and your guide will always be available to support you should anything happen.

Read more about our safety and in-country support.


Thailand Elephant Volunteer Program: FAQs

Arrival and departure

You need to fly into Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok for taking part in this tour. Please provide us with your flight schedule as soon as possible and we will arrange your pick-up from the airport. If something unforeseen happens that results in a cancelled or missed flight, simply let us know and we will adjust the pick-up schedule accordingly.

Please be aware that transportation back to the airport for departure is not included in the project fees, but your coordinator will be happy to assist you in booking this.

Visa

You will need a tourist visa to take part in this elephant volunteering opportunity in Thailand. This can be arranged at the Thai embassy or consulate located in your home country. If you are a citizen of 21 select countries, you can also receive a visa on arrival in Bangkok. For more information visit this link:

Vaccination

Hepatitis B, Malaria, Japanese Encephalitis, Hepatitis A, Routine Vaccinations, Typhoid, Yellow Fever, and Rabies are among the most commonly recommended vaccines for travelers to Thailand.

Read the following link: to learn more, and consult with your doctor prior to vaccination and departure.

Why Thailand Elephant Volunteer Program?

This Thailand volunteer tour is a great way to experience all the best Thailand has to offer while also taking part in some incredibly rewarding volunteer work.

Travel and Work with fascinating people from all over the world

Your fellow travelers and volunteers will be made up of like-minded people from many different countries who you are sure to get along well with and become friends with for life.

Life changing experience

You will make many new connections and form lifelong memories as the tour broadens your horizons and reinforces your love for animals during your Thailand elephant volunteering project.

Make a difference for endangered elephants

Your love, passion and dedicated efforts will greatly improve the lives of endangered elephants and raise awareness of ethical elephant practices to help convince elephant owners and tourists to change their behavior for the betterment of elephants all across the country.

Immerse yourself in Thai culture

By working in the elephant volunteering program, you will get to deeply immerse yourself in Thai culture as you become part of their small community for a week.


Other Volunteering Opportunities in Thailand

Global Crossroad arranges many other volunteering opportunities in Thailand. You can
work with elephants in Chiang Mai or Surin,
teach English,
provide crucial healthcare,
help renovate and rebuild schools,
provide childcare and much more.
Contact Global Crossroad at the nearest opportunity to find out which project fits you best!