Overview
Our explorer expedition fosters new mindsets and gives teenagers the opportunity to develop cultural sensitivity, teamwork, positive mental health and self-confidence skills.
Our experiential learning model is designed to develop life skills and increase personal growth and development in teenagers. “Core foundations”, “Global perspectives” and “Ready for today’s world” are the pillars of all our itineraries.
Travel to the mountains of Northern Thailand, where you'll be living and working within a traditional Karen community in a village five hours from Chiang Mai.
Here, you’ll collaborate with local community members to support wildlife conservation and community development projects.
Itinerary
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Arrive in Thailand
Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport where you’ll meet your GVI 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.
Thai street market
Markets are an important part of Thai culture. Walk through a vibrant local street market and learn about local handcrafts and Thai street food.
Outcomes:
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Cultural sensitivity
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Communication
Responsible travel practices
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.

Orientation
Start the day with a health and safety briefing, followed by training where you’ll learn about GVI's local projects and partnerships. As part of your training, you’ll learn how to prepare for your first expedition activities.
Outcomes:
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Health and safety
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Local projects and partners
All staff are trained professionals
Elephant training
Learn about mahouts, elephants and the history of the Karen culture. Receive training on how to collect survey data, analyse elephant behaviour, provide support for health checks, and safely conduct walking surveys with elephants.
Outcomes:
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Conservation issues
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Community development in practice
Practical conservation training
Receive a Karen good fortune blessing
Blessings are a core part of Karen culture. As a new guest to Huay Pakoot village, you'll receive a Karen blessing from an elder of the village. They will tie a string bracelet to your wrist, as part of a tying ceremony, with blessings of good fortune.
Outcomes:
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Cultural sensitivity
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Self-awareness
Community-embedded learning

Elephant monitoring
Hike through the nearby forest and hills to collect data on elephants. Take part in elephant health checks, and record information about their health and the behaviour you observe. Once you're back at base, you'll learn how to input the data into a local database.
Outcomes:
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Data collection
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Conservation survey techniques
Sustainable project outcomes
Learn basic Pakinyaw
Learn valuable language skills and key phrases in Pakinyaw (the language of the Karen hill tribe) to use throughout your journey. You'll start by learning Pakinyaw greetings before practising a few important Pakinyaw words and phrases.
Outcomes:
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Learn Pakinyaw
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Self-confidence
Permanent in-country staff
Continue elephant monitoring
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:
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Survey techniques
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Elephant behaviour
Sustainable project outcomes
Forage for forest medicine
You'll be guided on a foraging walk through the forest by a member of the community and learn how to respectfully harvest and utilise the healing properties of leaves and roots. You'll then learn how to process the plants for herbal teas, salves and other handmade herbal remedies.
Outcomes:
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Cultural sensitivity
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History
Local insights and knowledge
Make traditional Thai food
Using local recipes, you'll learn how to make traditional Karen dishes – like hot curries, noodles and rice – from scratch. Once the cooking is done, you'll all sit and share the food.
Outcomes:
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Cultural sensitivity
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Independence
Trusting local relationships built over many years
Visit the "Roof of Thailand"
Visit Doi Inthanon National Park, named in honour of one of the last kings of Chiang Mai, who focused on preserving the forests of Northern Thailand. The park forms part of the Himalayan mountain range and is known as "The Roof of Thailand" as it's the country's highest peak.
Outcomes:
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Cultural sensitivity
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Positive mental health
Local insights and knowledge

Master Muay Thai
Known as the "art of eight limbs", learn the ancient martial art of Muay Thai. Starting with a warmup, you'll learn the basics of shadow boxing and kicking.
Outcomes:
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Self-awareness
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Positive mental health
Developing global perspectives
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 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 GVI leader will accompany you to the airport for your flight home.
YOU'RE NOT DOING
CANCELED
Invoice
INCLUDED:
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Highly experienced and well-qualified field staff – one dedicated pre-trip coordinator and one on-site group leader
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Pre-departure support (webinar, resource list, packing advice and visa support)
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A comprehensive pre-departure online hub which supports students in preparing for trip
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Airport and in-country transportation
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All accommodations, meals, and cultural immersion activities and excursions
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Entry fees and transportation for pre-arranged excursions
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Guest speakers and lectures
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Community service work and materials
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Comprehensive health and safety procedures
NOT INCLUDED:
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Visas and vaccinations
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Spending money (maximum of $200/equivalent allowed)
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Personal gear and kit
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Pre-departure withdrawal insurance
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Cancellation insurance
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Personal belongings insurance
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Travel insurance – unless otherwise stipulated
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Medical insurance – unless otherwise stipulated
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Flights – unless otherwise stipulated
