Cultural Immersion & Elephant Conservation

location
1 - 2 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Experience deep cultural immersion
  • Enjoy hands off elephant interactions - observational interactions only
  • Spend time hiking in pristine untouched forest

Highlights

  • Experience deep cultural immersion
  • Enjoy hands off elephant interactions - observational interactions only
  • Spend time hiking in pristine untouched forest
  • Live with a local family and learn about their way of life
  • Create memories that will last you a lifetime


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Join us for a unique culturally immersive community based experience, observing elephants living freely in their natural habitat and help with community based projects.

    Turn your holiday into a rewarding, interesting and challenging volunteering experience.

    Join us in the beautiful mountains of northern Thailand, for a unique opportunity of watching our elephants roam freely from a respectful distance in their forest home and immerse yourself in the rich and ...

    About the program

    Turn your holiday into a rewarding, interesting and challenging volunteering experience.

    Join us in the beautiful mountains of northern Thailand, for a unique opportunity of watching our elephants roam freely from a respectful distance in their forest home and immerse yourself in the rich and ancient culture of the Karen people that call these mountains home, by becoming a part of their household for the duration of your stay. 

    Learn about the history of Karen people in Thailand, their traditions, their long history of living along side elephants and with the help of our English speaking staff learn how to communicate and connect with your host family.

    Whilst you are with us, you will not only be spending time with and contributing towards keeping our beautiful elephants here, but you will be helping villagers in their daily lives and assisting with projects throughout the community. 

    Help us to make a positive impact in this mountain community and we promise that your stay and hard work will make a memorable and lasting impact on you in return.

    We operate under the system of community-based tourism; this means the whole village benefits from our presence and your stay.


    Our Elephants; our elephants are living deep in the forest, which is our intention for the rest of their lives. They are safe here and are able to wander freely foraging in the forest, providing them with a rich and varied diet.

    While our elephants are captive and somewhat used to people being around them, we encourage them to live as naturally as possible, exercising their freedom of choice and always being treated with respect – this philosophy is at the very core of our mission and project.

    We do not feed or force the elephants to interact with us, instead we offer observation based experiences - allowing our guests to watch the elephants simply being elephants.


    Community work; there are many projects that the villagers need assistance with throughout the year, these projects change with the seasons. You could be involved with helping with our reforestation program, assisting villagers to plant of harvest crops; such as mountain rice, coffee or other smaller household crops or any other task that the village requires assistance with.

    These projects are likely to require physical labour and may mean spending long hours outdoors exposed to the elements. A medium to high level of fitness is advised.


    Typical day

    Your Schedule
    Day prior;
    - Arrive in Mae Sot

    Day one;
    - Be picked up from hotel in Mae Sot
    - Arrive in the village and meet your host family
    - Introduction to the village and Karen culture
    - Welcome ceremony and dinner

    Day two;
    - Cultural immersion/ assist with village projects

    Day three;
    - Hike out to see the ...

    Typical day

    Your Schedule
    Day prior;
    - Arrive in Mae Sot

    Day one;
    - Be picked up from hotel in Mae Sot
    - Arrive in the village and meet your host family
    - Introduction to the village and Karen culture
    - Welcome ceremony and dinner

    Day two;
    - Cultural immersion/ assist with village projects

    Day three;
    - Hike out to see the elephants
    - Enjoy lunch in the forest

    Day four;
    - Cultural immersion/ assist with village projects

    Day five;
    - Hike out to see the elephants
    - Enjoy lunch in the forest
    - View sunset at the local temple, looking out over the mountains of Myanmar
    - Farewell dinner

    Day six;
    - Return to Mae Sot

    For a 2 week stay - volunteers can expect a repeat of week 1, with a rest day in the village to further bond with their host family or to simply take time to relax into village life and collect energy for a busy second week.

    Please note: The schedule is subject to change depending on the season and needs of the villagers.

    Free-time activities

    We are based in a very remote location. Free time activities are all village based.

    We recommend volunteers take time to bond with their host families, walk around the village and enjoy the scenery or take time to simply relax and rejuvenate for the busy days ahead.

    Free-time activities

    We are based in a very remote location. Free time activities are all village based.

    We recommend volunteers take time to bond with their host families, walk around the village and enjoy the scenery or take time to simply relax and rejuvenate for the busy days ahead.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 07:30 - 15:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Mahouts Elephant Foundation


    589.00 USD /per person - is the discounted price when booking 2 or more people/week.

    * Transportation is not included in overall fee.


    ** We are always happy to match solo travelers with each other to create a group volunteering trip - when possible.

    Fees go towards; accommodation, meals, transport when on site, mahout salaries and community activities

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is with a home stay is basic, clean and comfortable. The rooms are private with clean bedding and a mosquito nets. There is limited electricity to charge devices, so be sure to travel with a fully charged powerbank/ spare batteries and a flashlight, as access to electricity is not guaranteed. The bathrooms are clean, with traditional cold water bucket showers and Asian style squat toilets.

    Food & Beverages

    Once volunteers arrive on site all meals are provided; breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    All meals are served with rice and are usually a combination of vegetables with meat and/or eggs.
    Volunteers with special dietary requirements can be catered for - we simply need to be aware in advance to inform your host family.
    Free filtered water is provided.


    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Mae Sot Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Internet Access

    Sorry, no access at the project site

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Mae Sot Airport (MAQ) in Mae Sot. We assist you to find cheap flights to Thailand. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Thailand provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Thailand you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Thailand. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    We accept volunteers all year round.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    1 week (min. stay) 881€
    2 weeks (max. stay) 1,762€
    Average fees 881€/week

    Program fees

    881€ per week 1 - 2 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    1 - 2 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Mahouts Elephant Foundation during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Mahouts Elephant Foundation

    Outstanding 4.9 rating (5 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2015

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Phoebe

    Spoken languages: English

    About the project

    Mahouts Elephant Foundation is a UK registered not for profit charity, dedicated to improving the welfare of captive Asian elephants and their mahouts.

    Meet your organization

    Mahouts Elephant Foundation mission is to work toward a shift in attitude within the tourism industry that is able to facilitate the return of captive, working elephants to a protected forest habitat. 

    the Foundation works on the ground to develop sustainable, welfare-focused tourist experiences in order to support the needs and livelihoods of the mahouts, their families, and the local communities, in conjunction with the needs of the elephants. 

    We hope to raise much needed awareness on the issues surrounding elephant tourism in Asia and build a supportive community of like-minded individuals that leave us sharing in our passion and goal.

    We offer outstanding culturally immersive and genuine experiences at two unique community based project sites, located deep in the forested hills of northern Thailand. Both of our sites offer stunning scenery, encounters with native wildlife, rich cultural immersion and of course the opportunity to observe Asian elephants living in their natural habitat, from a safe and respectful distance.

    5 reviews · rating4.9

    Mikaela Gerwing rating5

    2019 at Elephant and Community Conservation

    The study abroad research program was an incredible experience. I am so grateful for every moment in Huay Pakoot and with Thong Kam, Bai Fern, Mario, Sunti and the amazing staff of Mahouts. ..
    Danielle Courtemanche rating5

    2018 at Elephant and Community Conservation

    My stay in Huay Pakoot was the best time of my life. I lived in the village for a month on an education program linked through my university, to learn more about ecotourism and develop my researching skills by working with the elephants. This was my first time travelling, I must say I now have high ...
    Becci England rating5

    2018 at Elephant and Community Conservation

    In June 2018 I spent 6 days in Northern Thailand with Mahouts Elephant Foundation participating with their Walking with Elephants volunteer program. I had known before coming to Thailand that I wanted to see elephants, but was very aware of the poor conditions and treatment that many of the ...
    Laurelie Menelon rating4.8

    2018 at Elephant and Community Conservation

    Mahouts Elephant Foundation is an excellent community-based conservation effort that creates a high standard of welfare for both the elephants and the people. Incredibly fun, immersive and insightful program for field based research and the state of elephant tourism in ...
    Maria Chen rating4.8

    2018 at Elephant and Community Conservation

    This experience was truly special in the sense that we had a chance to live in the Karen village and bond with the local people, who cared deeply for their elephants. We were able to meet the elephants in their natural environment, which is a lovely alternative way of elephant care compared to many ...

    Location

    Asia > South East Asia > Thailand > Mae Sot

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