Thailand – Elephants & Islands Expedition
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Overview
Highlights
- Volunteer at a sanctuary caring for elderly and orphaned elephants
- Take elephants out for their morning walks through the jungle
- Relax on the world-class beaches of Koh Phi Phi
- Experience traditional village life on a small tropical island
- Uncover ancient temples and shrines in Phuket Town
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Trip includes
- 3 nights lodging at boutique hotel in Karon Beach
- 3 nights lodging at a coastal resort near the elephant sanctuary
- 2 nights lodging at 4.5 star Koh Phi Phi Island resort
- Expert local guides that are there to support, inform and guide you throughout the trip
- Reliable in-country transportation with experienced drivers
- Admissions and entrance fees to national parks, historic sites and other scheduled events throughout the trip
- An active daily itinerary including lectures, day trips and an interactive volunteer assignment alongside a local elephant sanctuary
- All gratuities for hotels, meals, baggage & transportation
- $50,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance
- Trip Literature & turnkey customer support from preparing for your trip to arrival back home
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Meals: Dinner
Fly into Phuket, in the south of Thailand, where you’ll be met at the airport by a Discover Corps staff member. We’ll spend the first few days in a charming hotel a few steps from the beach, where you’ll meet the other travellers in your Discover Corps group before a welcome dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today we’ll head out and explore the multi-cultural communities that inhabit the area, including the traditional Moken sea gipsy community of Siray Island. Explore the architecture of Old Phuket, dotted with ancient Buddhist a...
This morning we’ll hop on a speedboat to explore the calm turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay, dotted with tropical offshore islands and rock formations. We’ll spend the day at Koh Yao Noi, one of the area’s largest islands, spending the day with the villagers. We’ll learn about their lifestyle and traditions, such as fish farming, rubber production & batik cloth-making.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today, we’ll head to the elephant sanctuary for the next three days. Designed to mimic an elephant’s natural habitat, this sprawling tract of land is home to a growing number of elephants rescued from the tourism and logging i...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our morning starts with a mahout training program, teaching us what it takes to care for the elephants. Gather food for the elephants by cutting banana trees and grass, prepare sticky rice balls, and feed the elephants. We’ll also help clean their enclosures and walk the elephants through the jungle before a cooking class at night.
We’ll spend our final day at the sanctuary pampering the elephants as they enjoy a well-deserved spa day, bathing them in mud and herbal treatments. We’ll say our goodbyes to the elephants and staff, then spend a relaxing evening together at our coastal hotel.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
This morning we’ll catch a boat to Koh Phi Phi, a tropical paradise and one of the most celebrated island destinations in the world. How you spend the day is up to you – unlock the secrets of Thai cuisine at a cookery class, hike to a nearby mountain lookout, or just laze on the beach.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Today sees us enjoying a completely free, unguided day on Koh Phi Phi. Take a boat trip out to the coral reefs to go snorkelling, laze underneath a sun lounger, or zoom off on a speedboat to explore the island’s beautiful bays and coastline. Tonight we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner together at our oceanfront resort.
Meals: Breakfast
Your Thai adventure comes to an end today, as we enjoy breakfast before returning you to Phuket International Airport for your flight home.
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Discover Corps.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
Discover Corps Reviews & Ratings
Recently, I returned from the Island and elephant expedition in Thailand and it was a wonderful experience.
Recently, I returned from the Island and elephant expedition in Thailand and it was a wonderful experience. I liked that it included culture, hands on experience wit...
It was a wonderful experience
Recently, I returned from the Island and elephant expedition in Thailand and it was a wonderful experience. I liked that it included culture, hands on experience wit...
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Tour Operator
Discover Corps is a volunteer travel company that is pioneering a new way to explore life and culture around the world in a way that rejuvenates the human spirit.
Our vision is of a world where people value our shared humanity and promote global citizenship while celebrating our many unique cultures.
Our mission is to give travelers a deeper understanding of life in communities around the world while helping to improve the lives of the people we visit.
We accomplish this by operating enjoyable and safe, enjoyable volunteer vacation programs that provide real connections between travelers and the communities. We specialize in trips for adults and families.
Our Trips and Projects
Discover Corps volunteer projects are driven by the local communities — not by us. We respond to requests where our travelers can make a meaningful contribution in a short amount of time. In order to maximize your time, our local staff plan everything in advance and provide you with the support you need while you’re there. From building classrooms and improving water systems to creating eco-friendly homes, we partner with local communities to help them achieve their development goals.
While our trips only last a week or two, we strive for a long-term impact by partnering with organizations that have ongoing relationships with the communities where we volunteer. This allows each of our volunteer groups to become a link in the chain of our partner’s ongoing work.
We are a certified B Corporation, which means we have passed a rigorous independent audit of our social, environmental, and legal practices. B Corporations (or Benefit Corporations) are recognized by the State of California as providing a social good.
Discover Corps operates trips for the National Peace Corps Association as well as other non-profit organizations and universities.
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Logistics
What's excluded
- International airfare
- One dinner and one lunch on your own
- Tips for your guide and driver
Accommodation
8 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners
Optional activities during time on Koh Phi Phi Island (snorkeling, long-tail boat tours, sea canoeing, cooking classes, hiking on the island & more). Your guide can help you book these adventures!
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