Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand - Chiang Mai

Overview

If there is one thing that Thailand is known for apart from its scintillating beaches, it is definitely the Elephants. Elephants are immensely popular in Thailand and are highly revered as well. The love and affection for these giant mammals in Thailand is pretty evident, and that is exactly what the elephant camp volunteering is all about.

Gap year travellers who are wildlife enthusiasts and looking for volunteer opportunities for wildlife conservation and welfare can join this program in Chiang Mai.The Camp is located in a beautiful setup, located amidst lush green forests and surrounded by tall mountains from all sides. Every little bit helps in the development of the camp. Late in the afternoon/early evening, volunteers will be able to spend more time with the elephants and elephant trainers. This is when volunteers will really begin to bond with these lovely creatures and learn how to best care for them. This program is best suited for wildlife enthusiasts and those who are willing to do some outdoor hard work.

Currently there are about 6 elephants with 10 workers. Most of the workers are of ethnic hill tribe descent, which makes them an ethnic minority in Thailand. Many of the workers are unable to speak, read or write in Thai very well.

The camp receives foreign day visitors. The cost of admission from the day visitors keep the elephants healthy and the camp in operation. Elephants are incredibly large animals and take a lot of money to keep properly fed.

There are very few elephants in the wild in northern Thailand. Therefore camps such as Chang Land, are the only real place where elephants can live in sanctuary from poachers and where people can safely visit, learn and experience the Asian elephant. Some claim that if it wasn’t for camps such as Chang Land, Asian elephants would no longer exist outside of zoos.

For this reason, just volunteering in the project is helping further the plight of the Asian elephant in Thailand

The elephant camp project is an hour and a half drive (almost) straight north from the city of Chiang Mai. The campsite is beautiful, as it is nestled in a mountain valley.

Volunteer Work Schedule

Arrive into Chiang Mai on the Friday before your service begins.

Saturday and Sunday – Pre Volunteer Service Orientation (accommodation starting Friday evening – Monday morning will be at the volunteer house or in the area of the house – Costs of accommodation during orientation are covered in one’s project fee)
Monday morning - Local team will transfer volunteers to the elephant camp by transport or administrators from Elephant Camp will escort volunteers to the camp. Volunteers normally arrive at the project by 10:30am
From Monday to Friday afternoon, volunteers will stay at the camp
Friday afternoon,volunteers will come back into Chiang Mai and stay in volunteer house accommodation for the weekend.
Monday morning - volunteers will return to Elephant Camp

Note: Please note, the schedule may vary depending on the particular project the volunteer is participating in.

The daily schedule for volunteers during their service at the Elephant Camp :

6:00 – 6:30 am - Wake up, get dressed and help with the stall sweeping then feed the elephants and help out in the garden
8:00 am – Prepare your own breakfast at the Elephant Camp and enjoy breakfast
After breakfast - Volunteers will learn about some of the safety procedures with the elephants. After spending a few days learning about these safety procedures, volunteers may be asked to help out with explaining the safety procedures to day visitors upon their arrival at the Camp
Around 9:30 am to 9:00 pm - There will be different activities for each day such as joining the walk with the Elephants around the Camp, bathe with the elephants at the creek, small dam making over the creek,gathering herbs for elephant, making herb balls for elephants, helping at the organic garden. Getting to know how smart elephants are and how close their relationship with their mahout or elephant trainers are will also be revealed. Volunteers normally will be able to talk with the mahouts while doing the activities.Some activities take all day to get it done and some activities will be combined if it takes only half-day
12:00 pm - Lunch time of each day
6:00 / 7:00 pm - Dinner
8:00 pm - Feed the elephants, feeding will be the last activity of each day

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

Volunteers joining the elephant camp program in Thailand, Chiang Mai will be living at the camp itself. Their routine work starts from early morning 06:30 am or 07:00 am with taking the elephants for a walk followed by a bath. The rest of the day goes by in doing some of the other caretaking work for elephants at the camp. A generic routine duty that volunteers need to execute during their volunteer work at the elephant camp program includes;

Taking elephants for a walk followed by a bath in the morning.
Prepare and feed breakfast to the elephants.
Help with direction and safety procedures with day tourists upon their arrival.
Work with the elephants and learn how to be an elephant trainer.
taking care of one of the baby elephants
Moving equipment at the camp.

This program is highly recommended for animal lovers and for those who are looking to work outdoors.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. Participants should have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and have a passion for working with elephants. You should also be proactive, have the ability to take initiative and willing to work outdoors. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report.

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Living

Volunteering Solutions provides end to end services as far as living arrangements of the volunteers are concerned. VolSol volunteers just have to land at the placement destination and the rest is on us to arrange it for you.

Airport Transfer

Volunteers are picked up from the Chiang Mai International Airport in Chiang Mai by the coordinator or representative. Volunteers who’d be present already in Chiang Mai will be met by the staff at a designated meeting point decided beforehand. Please note that volunteers are provided pickup from the airport between 8am and 8pm only.

Orientation

All volunteers are provided with a two day orientation before starting their project work. The Orientation session covers areas like, local Thai culture, greetings, locations, transportation etc. Volunteers are also given a half day city tour of Chiang Mai and are given a cultural welcome dinner to make them feel immersed in the local culture.

Accommodation

Participants in the Elephant Camp Project spend their Mondays to Fridays in the volunteer accommodation at the camp. On the weekends, volunteers return to Chiang Mai where they stay with fellow volunteers at the volunteer house. The accommodation at the camp is rustic and off beat.

Accommodation at the Elephant Camp is quaint, but very basic. The rooms are not equipped with air conditioning, but the area of the Camp (because of being in the mountains) gets rather cool at night. Electrical lines do not reach the nursery, therefore electrical appliances are run off solar cells. The energy derived from the solar cells are enough to charge a cell phone, keep a couple light bulbs lit, and that’s about it. All the rooms have an attached, shared bathroom with a hot water shower. In most cases volunteers with have private accommodation, unless traveling with a companion.

Meals

Volunteers in the elephant camp project are provided with all meals from Monday to Friday afternoon at the camp. When back at Chiang Mai city accommodation for the weekend, participants can have self made breakfast at the house. Lunches and dinners on the weekends are not included and can be eaten at numerous restaurants and cafe’s in Chiang Mai city.

During your Free Time

Volunteers can take part in the Thai Cookery classes or Thai Massage course when you are back in Chiang Mai city on the weekends.During free time at the camp, volunteers usually spend their evenings strolling the grounds of the elephant nursery, helping the cooks prepare dinner and getting a tighter grasp of the local culture and nature.

Dates

January

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Available

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Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
1 Week	$840
2 Weeks	$1140
3 Weeks	$1440
4 Weeks	$1740
5 Weeks	$2040
6 Weeks	$2340

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.

What are you Paying for?

24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Airport Pickup in Chiang Mai
2 Day Orientation and half day city tour
Cultural Dinner and Show
Accommodation in Chiang Mai city during weekends at volunteer house
Food - All meals while at the elephant camp
Accommodation in Elephant Camp
Transportation from Chiang Mai city to Elephant Camp
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Certificate of Participation (On Request)

What's NOT included?

Airfare
Visa Fee
Return Airport Drop
Meals during weekends in Chiang Mai city
Vaccinations

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted?: After you complete your application, your personalized ‘My Account’ will be activated.You will need to upload your CV/Resume along with your photo in the same. Our backend team and the placement site takes around 10-12 days to review your application. After we review your CV and documents,your booking is confirmed and booking confirmation is updated in your ‘My Account’. Some projects need mandatory criminal background check and the same is mentioned in the project info of your program. Approval of your application depends on your qualification and eligibility criteria for each project.
How much of ‘hands on’ work experience will I get from the Medical Internship?: As a medical intern, you will be working under a professional doctor. You will be assisting the doctor in various medical practices, observing the processes and would also be allowed to shadow them in critical surgeries or operations. Some pre-meds will be allowed to handle the procedures, depending on your skill set and knowledge level and confidence of the doctor on you.
Does VolSol provides with a reference or a certificate after program completion?: Yes, we will provide you with the Certificate after successful completion of your program. The certificate is provided on request.
When do I need to arrive in Chiang Mai for my program? What will happen once I arrive here?: Volunteers are provided with the airport pick up from the Chiang Mai International Airport by the coordinator or representative. Volunteers already in Chiang Mai will be met by the staff at a designated meeting point decided beforehand.

Please note that volunteers are provided with the airport pickup from the airport between 8 AM and 8 PM only. The volunteers are advised to book their flights accordingly.
What are the benefits of doing an internship with VolSol?: Some major benefits include:

Working in a live environment and gaining hands-on medical experience

Being able to work with minimum resources available and help out the ones in need

Being able to work with patients of different cultures and understand cultural dynamics of a new city or country

Being able to travel during weekends and in the evenings to explore your destination
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?: VolSol volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program type. You will have weekends off so you can go for traveling on weekends. However, in some projects, you will have to work on Saturdays as well.
Will VolSol provide discount if I choose more than one program or if I am a returning volunteer?: If you are planning to come for multiple programs in your trip, you will have to pay the application fees just once. Your application fee is valid for a year's time (from the date of applying). You will not have to pay the application fees again if you come within the mentioned time frame.

For our returning volunteers, $50 discount is provided for the application fee for their next Vol Sol program.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the internship programs?: Minimum age requirement to participate in any of the programs in Chiang Mai is 18 years and above.

For medical and healthcare interns:

Age limit is 20 years and above

Statement of motivation is required

Interns have to submit a CV/Resume

Letter of recommendation from medical professional/doctor (you’ve worked with earlier) is also needed

Interns are required to give a list of their preferred departments, where they would like to work in the hospital

For Journalism Internship program, requirements are as follows:

You need to be 18 years and above

You need to provide a Statement of Motivation

Resume/ CV and photo is needed

Interns are required to submit 2 samples of their writings and published work
When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Chiang Mai, Thailand?: As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on first come first basis, it is recommended that potential volunteers book their programs well in advance to get confirmed placements. You can book your slot by filling the application form online and pay the application fee of $250 You can pay your program fee later and also, in installments. However, the complete payment should be made 45 days prior to the starting date of the program. If you are volunteering in a group, you can also fill a group application form.
What is the difference between an internship and medical volunteering project?: Medical internships are recommended for pre-meds, nursing and healthcare students. These internships are designed to gain experience and insight into global health and also help you gain a mature understanding of the healthcare field. Interns are placed in the various hospital departments and work under professional doctors and nurses.

Medical volunteering, on the other hand, is valid for all practicing doctors and healthcare professionals. 3rd and 4th-year medical students are eligible for both the projects, i.e. medical volunteering as well as internships.

This, however, is destination specific and you must consult the program advisor before booking.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?: We encourage our participants to volunteer in a group. We take special care in providing you a placement and also customize your itinerary to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Also, we can design special group programs for groups of 5 or more. Our programs are designed to be safe, affordable and offer a great group volunteering experience to the volunteers.

In our experience of more than 12+ years we have enabled and facilitated volunteer program placements for college groups, university groups, high school groups, group of families, group of couples as well as groups of colleagues.

Health and Safety

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?: Carry general medicines with you, other than that consult your doctor before flying. We recommend these basic vaccinations for your safety:

Hepatitis A and B

Typhoid
Do I need to buy a health insurance?: Yes, for all volunteers it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
How safe is Thailand, and Chiang Mai in particular?: Thailand is one of the most popular destinations in the World and attracts liable travelers all around the year. The locals are friendly and helpful as well; however, it is recommended to consult your in-country coordinators before you step out alone or go to any other locations in Chiang Mai. Also, it is recommended to be with your group whenever you venture out or stay out late in the night. It is strongly recommended to follow the safety rules and regulations provided by the in-country coordinator.

Accommodation and Living

Can vegetarians be accommodated?: Yes – please do ensure that you inform the local team about your food preference and they can help you to try the best food available. Also, please do mention your specific food preference in the application form as well.
Which all places can I explore during my trip?: Some of the places you can visit include Wat Chedi Luang, Chiang Mai Cabaret show, 3D art Museum, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Museum of World Insects and Natural Wonders, Catmosphere Cat Cafe Chiang Mai, Wattana Art Gallery, Wat Phra Singh and more.

If you are planning to head out of the city on the weekends, you can go to Pai or Lampang or even head out to Bangkok for a short 2-day trip.
Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program?: Depending on your project, VolSol volunteers are required to put around 5-6 hours of volunteer work for 5 days a week. Evenings and Weekends are free for you to roam around and indulge in your personal work or activity.

We encourage our volunteers to travel. We have designed various weekend tours which can be booked under the Add-on Tours section in your ‘My Account’. Your in-country coordinator will also help you book and organize the tours once you are in Chiang Mai.
How do I get to the program location?: Your program coordinator will take you to your program location and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will also be told about the local transportation and how to get to your project every day from the accommodation.
What sort of clothes are required for Chiang Mai?: Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended for the day and warmer items of clothing for the evening (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A pair of walking shoes is highly recommended as well.

Sandals or flip flops are comfortable options and will come in handy as well.

For those traveling between November and February, please note, that the evenings can get cool, so a sweater/light jacket will come in very handy.

Medical Interns need to carry their scrub, lab coats and professional clothing as the program requirement. More details will be provided to enrolled participants in their pre-departure booklets.
Where can I change my money in Chiang Mai?: There are ample money exchange counters at the Chiang Mai International Airport. You can change money at any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATMs located all around the city. You will not face any problems in regards to changing money while in Chiang Mai.
Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements?: In Chiang Mai, volunteers are provided accommodation in Volunteer’s house.

Located in a convenient area in the middle of Chiang Mai city, our volunteer houses are only minutes apart from each other and can accommodate up to 35 people in air-conditioned bedrooms. Both the volunteer houses have wireless internet, fully equipped kitchens as well as washing machines for volunteers’ convenience.

Breakfast is self-made and volunteers are provided with all the resources to cook their own breakfast. Lunch is usually at the project site and for dinner, you can go out with other participants and enjoy the Thai cuisine in one of the many restaurants in the city.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?: Most volunteers participating in a short-term volunteer travel experience in Thailand can enter the country on a 30 days tourist Visa which is available to a majority of nationalities on arrival at the airport itself. It is also possible to attain a 60 days tourist Visa prior to the arrival in Thailand.

We can help you attain 90 days Non-Immigrant Visa as well. However, this takes longer time to apply for and requires a lot of paperwork. Please contact us for further information on the same.

Please Note: During your time of volunteering, if you leave Thailand (for example: to spend a weekend in Cambodia and Laos), it will be your responsibility to re-enter Thailand and get the relevant Visa at the border.

Also, note that the maximum duration of Visa at the Surin - Cambodia border is for 15 days.
What are the recommended inexpensive airline options to reach Thailand?: Although all major carriers fly to Thailand, we recommend the following:

Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways, Tigerair flights, Dragonair flights, Bangkok Airways, AirAsia, Korean Air, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Air China flights, Thai AirAsia, SilkAir.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Chiang Mai alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/volunteeringsolutions/">Facebook Group to connect with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit ?the Meet">https://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">Meet a Volunteer section on our website.