Elephant Conservation - Combine Volunteering and Adventure Tours in Thailand!

  Thailand

• Bangkok: 
Bangkok
• Chiang Mai: 
Chiang Mai
• All Other Areas in Thailand: 
Phitsanulok,  Rayong,  Pattaya,  Ratchaburi,  Saraburi,  Surat Thani,  Chonburi,  Trang,  Cha-am,  Hua Hin,  Sukhotai,  Hat Yai,  Songkhla,  Kanchanaburi,  Klaeng,  Mae Sot,  Nakhon Pathom,  Lampang,  Pattani,  Samut Prakan,  Ban Phai,  Khon Kaen,  Nong Khai,  Udon Thani,  Nakhon Phanom,  Surin,  Ubon Ratchatani,  Chiang Rai,  Ayutthaya,  Nakhon Ratchasima,  Nonthaburi,  Mae Hong Son,  Petchaburi,  Chiang Khong,  Mueang

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Programs depart regularly throughout the year

Description: Volunteer in an elephant wildlife sanctuary helping to educate tourists about the best practices when interacting with these wonderful creatures in a life changing conservation program. Feed bathe and care for endangered elephants this summer!

International Student Volunteers (a non-profit organization) offers you the chance to volunteer in a conservation program for elephants that had been rescued from the logging and tourism industry. After your project you will follow it up with an amazing two week adventure tour with activities such as an overnight sea kayaking adventure, snorkeling, white water rafting, a jungle/hill tribe trek and you will also get to visit the vibrant bustling city of Chiang Mai with its entertaining night markets and stunning temples.

About ISV's elephant conservations project:
This project is set in the North of Thailand in a nature park set in scenic valley. It is here that domestic elephants are provided with treatment and better health conditions after being rescued from the logging industry and elephant trekking camps where they are abused and mistreated.

It is here that the elephants are allowed to roam free around the park during the day and are surrounded in a natural wildlife setting. At the park volunteers provide the important work towards the care, feeding and bathing of the elephants plus the maintenance of the grounds and the infrastructure. The aim of this project is to help conserve these beautiful native animals in a natural setting. This is a great opportunity to get hands on and make a difference to save one of Thailand's most precious animals.

Other Volunteer Projects in Thailand:
elephant conservation, orphanage programs, monkey rehabilitation, teaching English, children's education, coastal environmental management.

Adventure Tour
You will travel throughout Thailand's northern and southern regions, exploring the cultural capital of the north in Chiang Mai, historic and enchanting temples, hill tribe communities, primary forests, wild rivers, limestone caves and islands, stunning beaches, an elephant sanctuary, national parks, and the nation's capital city, Bangkok. You will have the opportunity to participate on activities such as:

* Snorkeling around Koh Phi Phi
* Rock climbing, rappelling and exploring the deep spectacular caverns in the north of Thailand
* Sea-kayaking beautiful islands and hidden caves around Phang-Nga Bay
* Feeding and bathing elephants at an elephant conservation park
* Taking a two-day hill-tribe jungle trek, hiking in the jungles and to indigenous hill tribes in Northern Thailand
* Gaining an insight into the culture and tastes of Thailand at a cultural dinner and show
* Whitewater rafting the Mae Taeng River
* Attending a Thai cooking school
* Exploring the beautiful Khao Sok Lake and spotting a variety of wildlife

Highlights: Example achievements from last year:
Planted 11, 676 trees in buffer zones to national parks, forests and mangrove areas to improve habitat for local wildlife such as monkeys and elephants.

Taught English and facilitated children's activities with 350 orphans. Many of these children have physical and mental disabilities or are vulnerable Burmese refugees fleeing from political unrest in their home country.

Why travel with ISV?
* Combine meaningful volunteer projects with exciting adventure travel
* ISV has support offices in every program country we operate in
* Trained staff to guide your project and tour
* Group travel you will make friends from across the globe and not be alone
* Educational learn a lot and possibly receive academic credit (if applicable)
* ISV is not a sending agent we run our own programs with our own trained staff to ensure you have the most amazing experience possible.

Qualifications: No qualifications are necessary; ISV will give you all the training you need. To maximize your experience it is preferable you can speak English fluently. You do not need to speak the language of your host country, as you will have bi-lingual project and tour leaders to guide your experience. Minimum age is 18 years old by the time of departure. This program is open to everyone, not just students.

Cost in US$: Please see website for details.

The program cost also goes towards the equipment or building materials needed for your projects, your in-country support, your adventure activities, your amazing trained project and tour leaders, AND towards the ongoing sustainability and training of each project. We give you and our projects the support and structure many other volunteer organizations cannot, as we have an office in each country to look after your entire experience and develop lasting relationships with the communities in which we operate.

Cost does not include: passport costs, insurance, international flights, in-country domestic flights (if required), vaccinations, spending money, extra activities on tour (available through Optional Activity Package).

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Despite our name, any person may volunteer with ISV as long as they are over 18 years old. The majority of our participants are 18 to 30 years old, but we welcome anyone who wishes to join us and make a difference. You do not need any special skills to volunteer with ISV. We just ask that you are willing to give back to your host country; you are willing to learn as much as you can about the people, environment and issues facing your host country, and are ready to make the best friends along your adventure of a lifetime.

Age Range: 18+

This Program is open to American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Thailand Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

International Student Volunteers's Mission Statement: To create an environment that combines conservation, community development, education and recreation into the ultimate adventure travel program for anyone who desires to make a difference by volunteering in local communities abroad.

Year Founded: 1981