Chiang Mai Challenger Expedition

Arrive in Thailand

Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport where you’ll meet your tour leader who will be with you for the duration of your expedition. You’ll start with an orientation discussion about what to expect and an introduction to Thailand.

Challenge your taste buds

Walk through a local street market and agree as a group on what local food you'll sample from tasty desserts to strange smelling durian or crunchy fried bugs. Each small group will also have responsibility for overseeing their market visit budget.

Outcomes:

• Self-awareness

• Budgeting and currency conversion

Local insights and knowledge

Traditional Thai dinner 

A Thai style welcome dinner will act as an icebreaker for your group as you sample local cuisine together. Settle into your accommodation for the first night in Thailand. You’ll be sharing a room with your group throughout your trip.

Start the day with a health and safety briefing, followed by training where you’ll learn about our local projects and partnerships. As part of your training, you’ll learn how to prepare for your first expedition activities.

Outcomes:

• Health and safety

• Local projects and partners

All staff are trained professionals

Team challenge

Learn about mahouts and undertake training on elephant conservation techniques. Then as a group, plan your project work days and assign team roles for each person. Your team's challenge is to hike through the forest and collect data on elephants. You'll work together to support each other on the hike while performing your assigned roles.

Outcomes:

• Teamwork

• Planning

Clear roles and specialised training

Local and global leadership styles

As a group, you'll learn about different leadership styles and the leadership structure of the Karen village. You'll then reflect on these different leadership styles before taking part in a Geju ceremony.

Outcomes:

• Leadership

• Cultural sensitivity

Team conservation challenge

Applying teamwork and planning, you'll split into teams to collect data on elephant behaviour and health, and then compare and contrast your data with other teams. Learn to work together and how to effectively contribute towards local conservation efforts.

Outcomes:

• Leadership

• Planning

Pakinyaw language challenge

Pair up with a buddy from your group and learn a few key phrases in Pakinyaw to use throughout your expedition. Your challenge is to see how many phrases you can learn and how often you can use these phrases as a team.

Outcomes:

• Teamwork

• Learn Pakinyaw

Developing global perspectives

Continue team conservation challenge

Continue contributing to local conservation efforts through elephant monitoring. As a group, you’ll take notes and record data on elephant behaviour, which will be entered into citizen science databases.

Outcomes:

• Teamwork

• Data collection

Sustainable project outcomes
Forest healing plants

Explore the forest with a member of the local community and learn about the benefits of traditional medicines and how to harvest sustainably from the forest. After foraging through the forest, you'll learn about the traditional processes of making herbal teas or salves.

Outcomes:

• Environmental awareness

• Cultural sensitivity

Culinary team building

Working as a team, you'll take turns to help with the preparation of local Karen dishes – cutting and preparing vegetables and making delicious rice. Learn about the strengths and weaknesses of your group and how best to support one another.

Outcomes:

• Teamwork

• Self-awareness

Authentic local experiences

Hike Thailand's highest peak

Hike Doi Inthanon National Park. You'll need to work as a group – ensuring everyone stays hydrated, motivated and happy – as you make your way up the challenging mountain range and enjoy taking in the biodiversity and spectacular scenery.

Outcomes:

• Resilience

• Teamwork

Developing global perspectives

Kick, flex and stretch with Muay Thai 

Challenge your stamina, strength and fitness in a Muay Thai class at a local gym. You'll learn from experienced trainers in a beginner-friendly environment.

Outcomes:

• Teamwork 

• Resilience

Developing positive mental health

Final celebration

Enjoy your last night together with a special leaving dinner where you reflect as a group on your journey, celebrate your achievements and start preparing for your trip home. During or after the dinner your group will learn how to continue making an impact.  

Depart from Thailand

At the end of every expedition, groups reflect on their experiences, the issues they engaged with, and how to apply what they’ve learned. After final packing and goodbyes, your tour leader will accompany you to the airport for your flight home.