Bangkok, Ayutthaya & Northern Thailand Service & Recreation (9 days)

Departs anytime (2021-2022)

Please note: This itinerary can be modified in any way to best suit your school’s aims, learning objectives and budget.

Friendly and fun-loving, cultured and historic, Thailand radiates character. From its glittering temples and pulsating cities through to the ever-comforting Thai smile, this country is the ideal destination for students new to travel as well as those who are very acquainted with the region.

This 9-day trip is for students wishing to discover all the country has to offer. It will include a journey into the heart of its northern provinces, a hands-on cooking class, a vigorous Thai boxing activity, white water rafting as well as several student-initiated cultural and outdoor activities.

This itinerary will further entail a carefully fostered service-learning module working alongside villagers in the construction of an irrigation system. The purpose of the program is to assist a rural village in accessing year- round irrigation for important crops whilst simultaneously promoting awareness of indigenous and developmental issues in the region.

Most importantly, this trip is designed to be enjoyable and features several educational activities to provide students with a memorable introduction to the Kingdom of Siam.

Billy Penfold Director

www.studenteducationaladventures.com Bangkok, Ayutthaya & Northern Thailand (9 days)

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Day 1 Arrive Thailand (Bangkok)

With so much of its daily life conducted on the street, there are few cities in the world that reward exploration as handsomely as Bangkok does. On arrival, we will be greeted by our tour leader and transfer to our hotel. En route our tour leader will teach us some rudimentary Thai language and regale us with all the essential things we need to know about travelling in Bangkok – once regarded as the Jewel of Asia (depending upon who you ask!) In the early afternoon, we will visit ‘Asiatique’ – a market and arts precinct. Here we will try our first taste of the cuisine for which Thailand is famous before returning to our hotel for a well-anticipated night’s rest. (meals: lunch, dinner) Flight details to be advised

Day 2 Bangkok Ayutthaya Chiang Mai

City of Angels – Whilst Bangkok could perhaps never be described as a beautiful metropolis, its personality and multifaceted vibe are always surprising and invariably intoxicating. Our exploration of this city of contrast will begin with a boat trip along its chief water thoroughfare, the Chao Phraya River. From this vantage point, we will enjoy the city from a grand perspective, stopping to visit the famous Grand Palace, Wat Pho and other famous neighbourhoods. We will also enjoy travelling on the city’s modern sky train to visit the Siam youth culture district. After lunch, we will farewell Bangkok and travel to Ayutthaya – a delightful array of enigmatic temples that is a testament to the glory days of Thailand until 1767, when the city was brutally sacked by the Burmese. Only ruins remain from this period of thriving trade and art, but dozens of crumbling temples evoke Ayutthaya’s past grandeur. Dinner will be a local affair before we begin another adventure as we board an overnight train to travel to Chiang Mai province in the country’s far north. Whilst long, the trip will afford us views of rural Thailand as we travel some nine hundred kilometres through the night. NB: Snacks and drinks can be purchased on board. Train carriages are air-conditioned, soft sleeper style. Blankets and pillows are provided. Toilets are western style. As we will be departing on the train this evening, it will be impractical to eat as a group. Thus, students are required to purchase their own takeaway meals tonight before departure. Meals/ snacks are available for purchase (meals are approx. US$7). (meals: breakfast, lunch)

Day 3 Chiang Mai

Early this morning we will be greeted by our local guide at Chiang Mai central train station. From here we will board our bus that will take us to breakfast. Following this, we will begin our orientation tour around the city, its famous citadel as well as its first monastery, Wat Chedi. We will also visit the mountain temple ofWat Doi Su Thep to enjoy great views of Chiang Mai. Here we will learn of the history and local traditions of this religious site, including the ringing of the bells before descending the dragon staircase. We will travel back to town to take part in a hands-on cooking class to learn the secrets of Thai cooking. Well known for its spiciness, Thai cuisine is amazingly diverse—the secret to which is a balance of five flavours: sour, sweet, salty, bitter, and spicy. After dinner, there will be ample time to explore the market quarter adjacent to our hotel. (meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

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Day 4 & 5 Chiang Mai Chiang Dao (community dam construction project)

This morning we will travel into the country’s interior to the mountainous province of Chiang Dao. This region of Thailand was for several decades used to shelter Karen & Kayan refugee tribes who fled from neighbouring Myanmar in the 1990s. These days the Karen are permanent settlers in Thailand and welcome foreign visitors. We will travel deeper into the Chiang Dao hinterland on foot, to a village where we will spend the coming days working alongside villagers to construct a water reservoir and irrigation system. Our project will involve working in groups digging long trenches, laying pipe, cementing and bricklaying among other tasks. The purpose of the water system is to provide the village with water all year round, particularly needed in the dry season. Water will be stored and released when required for crop irrigation, showers and toilets. Our time in the village will also give us a great opportunity to learn about the ethnic minority groups as well as Thai cultural beliefs and traditions. NB: While Chiang Dao is truly one of the trip highlights, the facilities are basic. A thin mattress, pillow and mosquito net will be provided in each longhouse. Sleeping arrangements are communal style. Toilets are of squat style, and showering facilities are very simple. It is recommended to wear good quality walking shoes/boots. (all meals)

Day 6 Chiang Dao (white water rafting) Chiang Mai

After two days of significant effort, we will aim to complete our project this morning. This will be followed by a short handover formality, after which we will farewell our village for the return trip to Chiang Mai. En route back we will visit a school to interact with our Thai contemporaries, as well as learn about the education system in Thailand and students’ aspirations. For a safe and fun adrenalin rush, there is nothing quite like rafting – an activity we will enjoy this afternoon. After a comprehensive safety briefing, we will travel by rafts down a series of grade 2 & 3 rapids, accompanied by our expert river guides. Returning to town there will be a short time to freshen up before dinner at a popular local restaurant. (meals: breakfast, lunch) (NB: life jackets/helmets are included for the rafting activity).

Day 7 Chiang Mai (Student-initiated activities)

Prior to travelling, a Student Educational Adventures staff member will talk to teachers and students about specific activities that students might like to add to their overseas experience. These activities can be included based on students’ knowledge of the country or their interests or passions for any aspect of the country’s culture. The activities can include many and varied programs such as accessing a country’s creative or performing arts scene, interaction with local contemporaries, an ‘Amazing Race’ style activity, outdoor educational pursuits such as hiking, bike riding or a plethora of cultural programs. Please contact us for further ideas.

A very early start this morning will allow us to take part in an authentic Thai boxing class (Muay Thai). The art of Muay Thai has been Thailand’s most popular sport for hundreds of years. It is unique among other kinds of fighting disciplines in its approach to close-quarter fighting, providing us with a fun and very energetic workout. After lunch we will take part in one of the activities described below:

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Activity 1 (afternoon activity) Jungle Ziplining: We venture deep into Thailand’s northern interior to enjoy a zip line adventure. The thrill of sitting in a harness and flying at roller-coaster speeds (and above) makes for a great way to see the flora of this region of Thailand. We will be in the care of highly experienced instructors, who will give us a safety briefing before the activity. Our exhilarating zip line course begins, flying above the jungle canopy and walk along a suspended rope course. We will return to Chiang Mai and take in a performance of Thai traditional dancing.

Activity 2 (afternoon activity) Grand Canyon: Also known as the Hang Dong Canyon, the Grand Canyon in Chiang Mai is an old soil quarry less than an hour’s drive from the city. The Canyon is filled with collected rainwater, where we can swim and enjoy time frolicking in an inner tube. This is a popular spot with the locals, especially in the hotter summer months (March-May). The water is very clean, and the manmade and natural soil formations make for a great photo opportunity. We will return to Chiang Mai and enjoy a performance of Thai traditional dancing.

Activity 3 (afternoon activity) Day Safari or Night Safari: Chiang Mai is home to over 300 animals including the white rhinos, kangaroos and water buffalos. It is also a vocational study centre that builds on the concept of environmental protection and wildlife conservation. This enjoyable activity will entail travel by open-top vehicles to observe hundreds of species, including tigers, lions, wolves and crocodiles. As we travel around the park, our local guide will stop and point out the various animals. Others include leopard cats, Tapirs, sloth bears and flying squirrels.

Day 8 Mae Ngat Lake (cycling activity)

This morning we will travel to Mae Malai township from where we will enjoy a not too strenuous bike ride through this remote area and the delightful Mae Ngat Lake district. The floating villages in this vicinity offer an enjoyable and off-the-beaten-path interlude to our Thailand journey. Whilst here we will board a fast boat and travel across the lake to a floating village before taking part in some kayaking team race activities with prizes for the winners. Tonight we have time to refine our bargaining at the local night bazaar before our final Thai dinner. (meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 9 Depart Chiang Mai

On this morning, our final in Thailand there will be limited time to pick up any last- minute keepsakes for family and friends back home, as well as time to experience an excruciatingly ticklish, Thai fish massage. As far as relaxing spa treatments go, fish pedicures have to be dead last in the running, although our feet will most certainly feel great when it’s all over. Following this, we will prepare for our journey home. Our tour leader will take care of all our onward travel arrangements, escort us to Chiang Mai Airport and wave us farewell. (meals: breakfast) Flight details to be advised

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Summary Bangkok, Ayutthaya & Northern Thailand Service & Recreation (9 days) Grading

Challenging; Students will be required to be in good # Please contact Student Educational Adventures for a health to get the most out of this trip whilst anyone of competitive flight quote for flights from your country to reasonable fitness will be able to take part. There are no Thailand. real physical difficulties however students will be expected to walk every day, particularly during the community project component of the trip. You will also be Inclusions expected to work diligently during the days of the • All accommodation, transport, activities, entrance community service project. It will be necessary for you to costs and other programs as described in the carry your own luggage throughout the trip but only for itinerary short distances.  Professional Student Educational Adventures tour leader throughout trip & additional specialist Group Size guides  Community project sourcing and arrangements Minimum group size 20 students & 2 staff members  Extensive destination-specific risk management travelling free of charge. and assessments ▲ Smaller group sizes can be quoted upon application  Meals (and drinking water) as listed in the itinerary  24 hours IN COUNTRY support from Student Educational Adventures staff  Specific Trip Activities  Pre-departure support, briefings and planning meetings for students and parents BANGKOK  All equipment  Asiatique galleries  Parents information evening presentation  Sky train journey (BTS) through the city  Parental & student advice for vaccinations &  Riverboat exploration of city canals equipment etc.  Grand Palace & Wat Po  Tips for local guides & drivers

AYUTTHAYA Exclusions  Boat cruise orientation tour • International flights to/from Thailand  Ayutthaya temple excursion • Cost of Dam construction Project (approximately  Overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai US$2,000-3,000 • Some meals CHIANG MAI • Thai Visa (not required by many nationalities)  Tuk-tuk orientation tour  Doi Su Thep Temple excursion  Thai cooking class Accommodation  White water rafting on Mae Taeng River Student accommodation is on a twin/triple share basis.  Muay Thai boxing class Teacher accommodation is on a single room basis. Hotels  Student-initiated activities (options): hold a 3-star equivalent rating.  Jungle zipline  Grand Canyon  Day Safari or Night Safari Transport

CHIANG DAO Modern air-conditioned buses, sky train, rafts, train  Light trek (overnight soft sleeper)  Hill tribe homestay and community project Please see below: 7 things to check before choosing a student travel company # 5. How authentic are your service-learning programs?

MAE NGAT LAKE & MAE TAENG  Bicycle ride through the countryside

 Boat trip, kayaking and swimming

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7 things to check before choosing a student travel company

Choosing the right travel company is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for your students. As you compare different school travel providers, you’ll need to weigh up everything from staffing arrangements to overall trip cost – and, of course, educational value. To help you choose with confidence, we’ve created a checklist of seven essential factors to consider when you’re assessing travel companies. You’ll be pleased to know that these factors are a feature of every trip we run.

1. Does your travel provider have a truly local presence?

You might not know it, but many school travel companies have no local presence in the countries they send your students to. Behind the façade, these providers are marketing companies who outsource their trips to in- country operators – often importing a foreign manager at your schools’ expense. Value for money aside, running trips in this way has far-reaching consequences in an emergency, when access to language skills and local knowledge are vital. To make sure you’re getting a genuinely local experience, it’s important to choose a bonafide in-country travel company who has a real local presence in the country you’re travelling to. For example, we use our own in-country supervisors and tour leaders to manage the school trips we run. As local experts, they travel with you and your students throughout your entire trip and are responsible for every aspect of your students’ wellbeing.

2. Is your school trip really of value to your students?

A trip abroad with friends will appeal to any young person, and many will relish the chance to explore a world away from home. But to be of real and enduring educational value, a school trip should challenge students beyond the kinds of basic touristic experiences they might just as easily have on a family holiday. To this end, your school travel provider should provide a customised itinerary that shows quality and depth of engagement. We tailor each of our itineraries to push students beyond a surface-level exchange and maximise their time in-country so they’re learning the whole time they’re travelling. Our activity-rich programs are big on cross-cultural interaction, team-building and authentic local experiences. We also include community service projects wherever possible, which make our trips not only highly educational but life-changing, too.

3. Is the person leading your students up to the task?

The best people to lead you through a country are the folk who live there. But on top of having expert local knowledge, the people leading your students should also be expertly trained to deal with young student travellers. A tour leader who’s up to the task can teach across the full range of personalities, interests and abilities found among every student group. For this reason, we make sure our tour leaders have at least three years’ experience leading student groups before they go in-field with yours. And they’re more than just guides – they’re also teachers, translators and troubleshooters. Our tour leaders will welcome you warmly when your group arrive, manage all of your trip logistics, and work responsibly to make sure you and your students always stay healthy and safe.

4. How safe is your travel provider, really?

While some travel companies offer a 24-hour call centre, there’s no substitute for having local people by your side and looking after you where you are. The local staff know the lay of the land, how to access the best medical attention in times of crisis and which dialect or language to speak when you need it most. This is especially important outside of major cities, where major providers’ services can be limited. www.studenteducationaladventures.com Bangkok, Ayutthaya & Northern Thailand (9 days)

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Our in-country staff and tour leaders not only access the best international providers (such as SOS, Global Rescue and Columbia Asia), but also complement these with expert knowledge of the nearest and most appropriate medical attention within every local area. So, if a worst-case scenario happens – when you need to communicate with non-English speaking doctors; when a comprehensive first aid kit won’t do the job; or when the phone number of an international medical provider just isn’t sufficient – you can be sure your student group is in the best of hands, no matter where they are.

5. How authentic are your service-learning programs?

Today, having students raise money for their overseas trip is a common way for schools to give back to the places they visit. However, exchanging skills – and smiles – with local communities can leave a positive legacy that’s even more powerful. Fundraising, while well-intentioned, can be in vain if it’s not done in consultation with local communities. To make sure your impact isn’t simply an add-on, choose a school travel company that facilitates projects that solve real community problems and which help build local capacity. Take our community service projects, for instance. We develop them through extensive cooperation with local people’s committees, NGOs and women’s organisations to ensure your students’ altruism has a lasting impact. All our service components are meticulously planned, designed to be meaningful and transparent, and, most importantly, provide tangible long-term benefits for communities.

6. Does the program you’re being offered match your students’ learning needs?

No two school groups are the same, which is why no two school trips should follow the same itinerary. Check that the travel company you choose offers a customised program that’s flexibly designed to match your students’ unique interests. In our experience, nothing inhibits a successful trip more than ‘off the shelf’ programs with generic activities. For this reason, each trip we run is tailored to your school’s curriculum and your students’ distinct learning needs. We also like to involve students in co-designing their itinerary. Prior to their trip, we run a series of student-initiated activities to promote agency and collaboration, setting them up for success once they’re overseas.

7. Is the tour priced competitively?

A foreign travel experience for your students needn’t cost the earth. And while variations in destinations, flights and trip durations add complexity to the task of pricing your trip, the school travel company you choose should offer you that transparency, without question. Alongside integrity in pricing sit sound educational outcomes. If your trip provider can’t quantify how your students will benefit from the trip, then you might ask whether they’re the right fit for you and your school. Because we operate entirely in-country, with exclusively local staff, our overheads are significantly lower compared to those of other travel companies. With us, your money goes directly toward creating your tour, rather than to overseas administration costs or third-party suppliers.

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