Thailand Chiang Mai Impact Expedition - Sample Itinerary

Arrive in Thailand

Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport where you’ll meet your lead 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.

Impact of language

Learn a few key Thai phrases to order food while walking around a local street market. On your way home, reflect as a group on language privilege.

Outcomes:

• Learn Thai

• Privilege

Developing self-awareness

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:

• Health and safety

• Local projects and partners

All staff are trained professionals

Asian elephant conservation

Learn about Karen cultural traditions and the history of mahouts. You'll learn about the different conservation practices and the role elephants play in the community. As a group, you'll discuss the pros and cons of different types of elephant sanctuaries.

Outcomes:

• Ethical animal encounters

• Community development in practice

Rigorous science and ethics training

Local traditions

Learn about the traditions of a Geju ceremony and how blessings are a core part of the Karen culture that are typically done at weddings, at the end of planting and harvesting seasons, or when new guests enter the village. As a new guest, you’ll receive a Karen blessing.

Outcomes:

• Self-awareness

• Cultural sensitivity

Trusted local relationships built over many years

Ethical elephant monitoring 

You'll learn about animal behaviours, how to engage ethically with wildlife, and the ethical practices for monitoring elephant populations. Apply what you've learned when you go out on a hike to observe the elephants and collect data. 

Outcomes:

• Ethical animal encounters

• Elephant monitoring

Ethical conservation practices

Language privilege

Learn about the history of the village and the Pakinyaw language. As a group, you'll explore language privilege and the barriers and obstacles people face due to language. You'll then learn some basic Pakinyaw phrases to use throughout your trip.

Outcomes:

• Inclusivity

• Learn Pakinyaw

Holistic personal development

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:

• Survey techniques

• Elephant behaviour

Sustainable project outcomes

Indigenous knowledge

Generations of Karen families have turned to nature for healing and protection – both for themselves and elephants. An elder from the Karen village will take you on a journey through the forest to explore traditional plant and herbal medicines, a subject that was passed down to him by his ancestors.

Outcomes:

• Positive mental health

• Cultural sensitivity

Developing global perspectives

Local food systems

Learn how to make traditional Karen dishes with local ingredients and traditional methods of cooking. As part of the cooking class, you'll discuss how different ingredients are sourced from local producers.

Outcomes:

• Cultural sensitivity

• Sustainability practices

Community-embedded learning

Thailand's royal family 

Learn about the significance of Thailand's royal family and visit the famous chedis (Buddhist stupas) in Doi Inthanon National Park. Once you reach the summit of Doi Inthanon, you'll be treated to views of forests, rice paddies and, on a clear day, the whole of Northern Thailand. 

Outcomes:

• History

• Teamwork

Responsible travel practices

Learn Muay Thai self-defence techniques

Learn the significance of Muay Thai practices and traditional Thai culture. The main focus of the class will be on self-defence and learning commonly used techniques.

Outcomes:

• Self-awareness

• Positive mental health

Permanent in-country staff

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 GVI leader will accompany you to the airport for your flight home.