Crazy Horse Elephant Adventure

1. 1–2

   Days 1–2

   Depart London, arrive Chiang Mai

   After flying overnight to Thailand, we will be met on arrival by our STC Leader and transferred to our guesthouse in Chiang Mai. This afternoon we will have an orientation from our Leader who will introduce Thai culture, food and language so that we can make the most of our experiences in Thailand.

2. 3

   Day 3

   Lanna exploration

   Our first day is kick started with a scavenger hunt across Chiang Mai. As a group we will have challenges to complete including navigating to historical landmarks across the ancient city, buying goods in local markets and testing out language skills by asking local people for clues! The hunt will be a great opportunity to explore the Lanna Kingdom with its old city walls and moat, 300 brilliantly adorned temples and rich Buddhist traditions. It’s a very friendly city and makes a perfect introduction to our time in Thailand. This afternoon we transfer approximately an hour to Mae On Valley to set up camp.

3. 4

   Day 4

   Climbing Crazy Horse

   Less than an hour outside of Chiang Mai, Mae On is a little-known adventure centre. Here we find today’s playground - the world class Crazy Horse Buttress. This limestone climbing and caving area provides unrivalled rock climbing and high rope activities, surrounded by picturesque mountains and forests. We will be taught climbing skills by US qualified Thai rock climbing guides and experience rock climbing on the ‘world’s greenest mega-crags’ - aka a huge, fun and eco-friendly limestone buttress! After an exhilarating day we will dine on Thai delicacies at a local market and return to camp for a well earned rest.

4. 5

   Day 5

   Caving, rappelling & more climbing!

   Adrenaline and adventure is on the agenda again today. We will build on the skills learned yesterday and push ourselves further to abseil and climb around the spectacular Crazy Horse cave system! These are some of the largest limestone cave systems in the Thailand, originating 300 million years ago from coral reefs stretching from Indonesia to China. We start small with demonstrations and practice abseils and throughout the day grow in confidence in the safe and experienced hands of our guides. Crawling and exploring our way through the tunnels and rooms, we’ll see an array of stalactites, flow stones and cave life. Whilst exploring the cave system we will learn of its geology, history and delicate environment. Finally, we can end the day with a whopping 55metre abseil into the mouth of the cave! Grounded once and for all, we’ll return to our camp in the Mae On Valley.

5. 6

   Day 6

   Community stay

   After breakfast and break down of camp, we make the short journey to Mae Tha, where we take part in a Learning Service program. Over the next few days we live amongst the Mae Tha community and learn about how global issues affect the local communities in Northern Thailand. Today we help the local farmers and learn first hand of the agricultural techniques and sustainable farming practices the villagers adopt in this quiet rural corner of Thailand. During our visit we stay with host families in a traditional homestay.

6. 7

   Day 7

   Watershed trek

   It’s off an another adventure today as we trek from the reservoir to natural water sources and learn about the village’s watershed. These are some of Thailand’s most remote areas where the trail takes us past wild orchids and over forest-covered hills and misty mountains. Our local guides will explain local beliefs, religious ceremonies and the fight to conserve the forests. We can also practice outdoor skills during the trek such as wilderness navigation, route planning and spotting wildlife. At the end of the day we return to our homestay for dinner.

7. 8

   Day 8

   Organic farming & harvest

   This is our last full day with the Mae Tha community so let’s make it count! Depending on the time of year of your visit, we can help with the harvest, sit in on organic farming workshops or assist with forest conservation projects. It all depends on where your help will be most beneficial at the time of your stay. Tonight we enjoy a traditional northern Thai dinner with our hosts.

8. 9

   Day 9

   Elephant Nature Park

   We say goodbye to our friends and set off by road to Mae Taeng for a full day at the world famous elephant sanctuary. The sanctuary is home to a large herd of elephants rescued from abusive or dangerous situations before they are reintroduced to the wild. Northern Thailand is unique in their approach to elephant tourism and provide sustainable educational and cultural experiences between visitors and the endangered Asian elephants. Whilst here, we will help with feeding, bathing and caring for these incredible animals which play such a powerful role in Thai tourism and culture. Tonight, we will have a final group meal and stay in a local guesthouse.

9. 10–11

   Days 10–11

   Return home

   This morning, we might have time for some last minute souvenir shopping before packing our bags and travelling back to Bangkok Airport where we will bid a final farewell to our STC Leader and the magic of Thailand, arriving back into the UK on day 11.

Itineraries can change with the seasons, local conditions and your group's needs. Ask us and we'll tailor it.