THE ECO BUNGALOW PROJECT
Global Goals Covered
Highlights
Assist in the building of sustainable eco-bungalows for use by tourists and local people
Become an expert in Thai cuisine with a Thai cooking lesson
Volunteer at Lanna Kingdom in Chiang Mai
Hike to a beautiful Buddhist temple in the jungle around Chiang Mai
This week-long trip will take you to the beating heart of Chiang Mai, away from the city & into the rural village areas. You will learn all about village life, including farming, cooking and local cultures and customs, in addition to actively engaging in a much-needed project to build a community centre that will allow local Thai children, as well as children from Myanmar, to study in order to improve their chances at school. Secondary uses for the centre will be for local adults to meet and make important decisions for the village. The trip will end with a magical day at the Lanna Kingdom, where you will help in caring for and looking after elephants who are being rehabilitated after mistreatment.
An Overview
Mountain Quests has recently partnered with a local social business in Chiang Mai province; together we aim to bring more opportunities for development in the village that they are based in. Thailand is the second most visited country in South-East Asia, and a lot of visitors are interested in traditional Asian culture. However, tourism often leads to ecologically destructive behavior, which the Ecotourism movement tries to reduce. Similar to Mountain Quests, this organization looks at making tourism a sustainable and beneficial practice for all and that is why they operate a large eco-built guesthouse.
Students participating on this Chiang Mai program will contribute to the development of various village infrastructure. We have been working with our local partner to best assess the needs of the community and we have started with the renovation of three eco-buildings that were started nearly ten years ago, but were never completed. These three bungalows will have multiple features as they lie on community land. The completed buildings will play two main roles; firstly, they will offer a place for local students to study and learn in order to improve their grades at school. Secondly, they will be used as a focal point for village life, where adults will meet to discuss issues relating to the village and for making decisions to benefit the local people.
Wrapped around the core service project students will engage in many fun activities, designed to further integrate us with our Thai hosts during our time in the country. These will include learning to cook Thai cuisine, learning sustainable farming practices in the form of permaculture and even learning some of the basics of meditation and yoga.
A real treat at the end of our time in Thailand will be when we have the opportunity to meet the rescued elephants of the Nature Park, even assisting the park in some of the daily chores needed to look after these incredible animals.
Pre Trip Activities
In order for the participating students to get as much experience, knowledge and enjoyment from the trip to Chiang Mai as possible, Mountain Quests will prepare the students before the departure in a seminar. The preparatory seminar sessions can be arranged at the school or online. The seminar usually includes topics on cultural sensitivities, detailed information with regards to the service project, kit requirements and other important aspects of the trip. An information session can also be arranged for parents before the trip departs.
This Trip Is Best For
Students who are:
Looking for a service project that assists in creating a community centre that benefits local Thai and Myanmar students
Wanting to learn all about Thai culture and way of life in rural Chiang Mai
Excited to interact with elephants being rehabilitated from cruelty after misuse in the mass-tourism or other industries
The Itinerary
Today you will arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport where an experienced Mountain Quests’ team will be waiting. Minivans will pick us up at the airport and take us to our hotel. From there we’ll head out to a nearby temple where we will receive a blessing from a Buddhist monk!
After spending some time at the temple we’ll then visit the local fresh market for a tour where we’ll learn about the culture of Thailand.
After breakfast we’ll be picked up at the hotel and we’ll head straight to the village. The journey is about one hour and a half. Once we arrive at the village we will divide and meet our homestay families before a tour of our local surroundings; this walking tour will focus specifically on organic and sustainable food and farming.
Let the work begin!, We’ll meet at the project site where we’re divided into working groups that rotate at the various working stations as the day progresses. We have a short break with a Thai snack and have a lunch break at 12.
It is then time to have our first local Thai dinner before an early night. All participants will get a phrasebook in order to be comfortable with the host.
Second day in the village! After breakfast we go back into the mud and the laughs. You will be amazed by how much needs to be done to create a mud building.
After a relaxing lunch we will head off to trek to a forest temple where we will have lots of amazing photo opportunities along the way. Then we’ll travel back to the village to learn all about permaculture and how it’s used to help the environment, followed by a fun experience to create and throw seed bombs into the forest that will help grow even more vibrant trees. After we reflect on what we learn’t, we’ll then head to bed and get ready for day 3 of the project!
Today is our final day in the village! After breakfast we go back to the project site to complete what we’ve worked so hard on creating. After lunch, we’ll be doing something very special as a reward for all of hard work! You can’t go to Thailand without learning how to cook its incredible food, and we’ll be learning how to cook with the local families. Once the food is ready and prepared, we’ll have a big farewell celebration ceremony with the local families and enjoy the delicious food that we made together before we head to bed.
After saying goodbye to the locals, we’ll drive back to Chiang Mai and drop off our bags at the hotel. Then we’ll head out for a tour of the Buddhist Doi Suthep Temple where we’ll be able to learn more about the Thai culture and take lots of memorable photos. Then we’ll visit the night market for some souvenir shopping before we go back to the hotel for a nice warm shower and well deserved rest.
Today we will learn all about how dedicated groups of people in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar are helping to protect and rehabilitate conflict and abused elephants used in the tourism industry. Our day will start with an overview, before we get involved in some more focused learning and volunteering opportunities at the park. When we’re finished at the park we’ll drive to the night market for some final shopping and learning and then back to our hotel for a celebration dinner since it is our last night in this amazing country.
You will wake up this morning and have one more breakfast at the hotel before being transferred to the airport. If you have a later flight then there will be a visit the biggest temple in Chiang Mai.
Heath And Safety
Health and sanitary conditions will vary depending on location. Major cities like Chiang Mai have a higher level of sanitation than remote areas. In the village there will be a mix between bucket showers and normal showers. Toilets are also a mix between squat and Western style.
International private hospitals have good standards and can be found an hour and a half away in Chiang Mai. Health services in the major cities are easy to access and include big hospitals and small clinics. Minor issues such as cuts or bruises are easily handled at a local hospital or clinic. For major issues such as broken bones, surgery, head injuries etc, a trip back to Chiang Mai is often recommended. It is important that students are covered with the correct insurance to deal with this, and we can assist with how to apply for this.
All of our guides are first aid trained. We have with us at all times a full and well- equipped medical kit. The contents of this can be shared with you prior to departure.
Students are required to provide us information on dietary requirements, allergies and their health and travel insurance before departure. All allergies and dietary requirements can be taken into consideration and managed.
FAQs
What’s the accommodation like?
During the time in the village you will be sharing a nice room in a homestay with a few of your friends from school. This is a truly unique learning experience. During our time in Chiang Mai you will be staying at a comfortable 2-star hotel.
What is the weather like?
February is one of the best months to travel in Thailand. Mostly crisp, clear weather, 20-27C.
Health and safety?
All of our trip leaders are first aid trained to a high standard. We have many years of experience working with students and have strict safety protocols and risk assessments in place.
What clothes should I wear?
Mostly light clothes, including t-shirts, shorts, hats and sneakers. There are no special kit requirements, although a full kit list will be provided before the trip.
How fit do I need to be?
You don’t have to be a fit person to join this trip. It is accessible to all fitness levels.
Is the food and water safe?
During our time in the village all of our meals will be prepared by our host families, who have been trained in food preparation and hygiene in order to ensure safe food. In Chiang Mai we will be eating at well-known restaurants that we know to serve good quality food. All water will be provided by our staff from sealed containers to ensure that students only drink safe drinking water.
Inquiries?
If you have questions about this trip, would like to know more or thinking about booking this trip with us, then please contact us at: