* This is a preliminary itinerary. The final itinerary may change a little based on the needs of our partners and new opportunities which present themselves. This should give you a really good idea of what the program will look and feel like.
Day 1-5: Orientation in the Big Mango
Our group will be introduced to Thailand's bustling capital, Bangkok. In a citywide scavenger hunt we'll get to know the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of this modern yet distinctively Thai city. Your program leaders will take you on a food crawl through Bangkok's Chinatown, the epicenter of street food culture in the city. We will also be meeting with a local chef who'll give us the rundown on the essential elements of Thai cuisine. Temple hopping and a crash course on Thai language basics will, of course, also be part of the agenda!
Day 6-8: Floating Markets and Rural Livin'
From the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, our group will journey to the countryside of Nakhon Pathom. Spending a few days camping along the Thai Chin River, we'll take day trips to visit the Lam Phaya Floating Market and partake in a bike tour that will see us weaving through and stopping at Central Thai farming communities. We will get a sense of rural Thai life and learn about food production from the source! All, of course, while trying delicious local delicacies.
Day 9-13: Organic Farming Adventure
Taking an overnight journey to the province of Chiang Mai, we'll waste no time as we head into the lush green hills and get settled in at an organic farm. Stripped down to the basics, we will learn hands-on about principles of organic gardening, seed sharing, and self-reliance. Our lessons will be contextualized in a local Thai environment, as well as in the bigger picture of global food production.
Day 14-16: Cooking and Exploring in Chiang Mai
No jaunt to northern Thailand is complete without a stay in the beautiful city of Chiang Mai. Ancient temples, mouth-watering cuisine, and a funky modern vibe are just some of the reasons we love this city! We will partake in a two-day cooking class and then hit the streets to see if what we've whipped up compares to the real deal. Visiting museums, temples, markets and a nearby waterfall and just exploring the city's winding streets will give us a good sense of all that Chiang Mai has to offer.
Day 17-23: Into the Hills with the Mirror Foundation
From Chiang Mai, our group will take a short bus ride to the neighbouring Chiang Rai province.. There, we'll meet with our partner, the Mirror Foundation - a Thai NGO working towards improving the livelihoods of underprivileged ethnic minority groups in the country. Guided by one of our friends from Mirror, we will visit remote villages nestled in the lush hills of northern Thailand, sleep in homestays, and learn about the cultures and traditions of local hilltribe communities. We will look specifically at the struggles of maintaining a traditional lifestyle while integrating into a modern market-based agricultural society.
Day 24-26: Fun with Gentle Giants
After an intense week of trekking and living remotely, our crew will stay in the city of Chiang Rai. Famous for its night bazar and northern-style cuisine, we will take some time to take it easy and enjoy the ambience of this quiet town. The highlight in Chiang Rai will certainly be a visit to a nearby elephant sanctuary at Elephant Valley Thailand, where we will have the chance to learn about an important conservation project aiming to put an end to the mistreatment of elephants in the tourism industry. We will, of course, also have a chance to meet the resident elephants and hear their individual stories from the dedicated staff.
Day 27-37: Independent Travel Time
A staple of all Operation Groundswell programs is Independent Travel Time (ITT). You can travel independently if you desire, but we encourage everyone to travel in pairs or small groups. This is the ideal time to learn more about your specific interests, volunteer, travel, or just relax. Southeast Asia is bursting with gems! From the pristine beaches of southern Thailand to the ancient temples of the mighty Angkor Empire, from hiking into the territory of the northern hill tribes in Chiang Rai to the unreal views of Ha Long Bay, there's no shortage of things to do here!
Day 37-40: Disorientation in Bangkok
The group will reconvene for a program debrief known as 'disorientation' prior to flying home. This will take place in Bangkok, back where all the fun began! We will discuss our accomplishments, how we can stay in touch and what future projects we can collaborate on before we go off on our way!
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