Cultural Immersion & Elephant Conservation

location
1 - 2 weken  ·  Leeftijd 18 - 50+

rating  Buitengewoon 4.9  · 
  Geverifieerd door Volunteer World
  Uitstekend Responsgraad

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


Vooral geschikt voor

Leeftijd 18+
Alleenstaanden
Koppels
Families
Groepen
50+

Over het programma

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 ...

Over het programma

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.


Dagelijkse activiteiten

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 ...

Dagelijkse activiteiten

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.

Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

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.

Vrijetijdsactiviteiten

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.


Voorwaarden

Voorwaarden

Minimum leeftijd: 18 jaar

Om deel te nemen aan het programma dien je tenminste 18 jaar oud te zijn op de startdatum van het programma. Er kunnen uitzonderingen gemaakt worden indien je een bewijs van toestemming kan aantonen van uw wettelijke voogd(en) of samen met je ouders deelneemt.

Taalkennis

Je dient over volgende taalkennis te beschikken Engels (basis niveau)

Nationaliteitsbeperkingen

Geen beperkingen. Helpende handen van over de hele wereld zijn welkom.

Tijdsinzet

Uw helpende hand wordt verwacht op maandag, dinsdag, woensdag, donderdag en vrijdag van 07:30 - 15:30

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten ingesloten

Diensten door 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

Accomodatie

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.

Eten & Drank

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.


Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Wat is er NIET inbegrepen?

Afhaal aan de luchthaven op Mae Sot Airport

Afhaling van de luchthaven is ook niet inbegrepen in de programmakosten.

Internet toegang

Onze excuses, geen toegang op de project site

Vlucht tickets

De dichtste luchthaven is Mae Sot Airport (MAQ) in Mae Sot. We assisteren u met het vinden van goedkope vluchten naar Thailand. VIND GOEDKOPE VLUCHTEN

Reisverzekering

Naar het buitenland reizen is een avontuur en het is best om goed voorbereid te zijn. Plots ziek worden of gewond raken, annulaties of diefstal - een reisverzekering voor Thailand biedt zekerheid en is een meerwaarde. KRIJG EEN OFFERTE

Vaccinaties

Als je de intentie hebt om als vrijwilliger aan de slag te gaan in Thailand dien je eerst medisch advies in te winnen alvorens je eropuit trekt. Kijk de benodigde vaccinaties na voor Thailand. VACCINATIE CHECKER

Gegevens over jouw aankomst

We accept volunteers all year round.

Beschikbaarheid
jan. feb. mrt. apr. mei. jun. jul. aug. sep. okt. nov. dec.

Programmakosten

1 week (min. verblijf) 878€
2 weken (max. verblijf) 1.756€
Gemiddelde kosten 878€/week

Programmakosten

878€ per week 1 - 2 weken Leeftijd 18 - 50+

Betaalmethodes

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

GEEN CREDITCARDKOSTEN


Duurtijd

1 - 2 weken

Waarborg

De waarborg dient om je plek als vrijwilliger te verzekeren. Betalingen worden door PayPal behandeld, onze betrouwbare betalingsprovider. Indien je niet over een PayPal account beschikt, kan je ook met een credit kaart betalen.


Finale betaling

Uw finale betaling zal worden goedgekeurd door Mahouts Elephant Foundation gedurende de aanmeld procedure. Veel voorkomende oplossingen zijn een banktransfer of contante betaling op de projectsite.


Ontmoet je organisatie

Mahouts Elephant Foundation

Buitengewoon 4.9 rating (5 beoordelingen)

NGO - opgericht in 2015

Geverifieerd door Volunteer World

  Uitstekend Responsgraad

Gepresenteerd door

Phoebe

Gesproken talen: Engels

Over de organisatie

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

Ontmoet je organisatie

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 beoordelingen · 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 ...

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