Thailand: Wilderness First Aid and Community Health

Meet your group at your home airport. Fly together as a group to Thailand. Total travel time will depend on your departure location and flight schedule. Be sure to get some rest so you arrive ready for adventure!

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.

If your travel to Thailand crosses the international dateline, you’ll likely lose this day to travel. Not to worry – you’ll get it back on your return!

Sawatdee and welcome to Thailand! Arrive at Chiang Mai Airport (CNX) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel in Chiang Mai and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Set in the beautiful mountains of northern Thailand, the charming city of Chiang Mai will be your base of operations as you study the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course material and immerse in the local lifestyle. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead and an introduction to the Lanna culture that predominates the region.

Overnight: Suan Bua Resort, Chiang Mai (or similar)

Jump right into the Wilderness First Aid (WFA) curriculum. Develop your skills in wound care, first aid, CPR, and emergency medical response. Get immersed in classroom lectures, group discussions, and hands-on simulations. Learn how to assess medical situations and determine the appropriate medical response in an emergency. In the afternoons visit local landmarks like Doi Suthep Temple and the old city of Chiang Mai.

Overnight: Suan Bua Resort, Chiang Mai (or similar)

Embark on your final day of WFA training. Go into the field for more lessons and then undergo a simulation to test your new medical skills. Finish up the day with a chance to practice Muay Thai at a nearby gym. This ancient martial art that combines discipline and novel striking techniques is the national sport of Thailand and is steeped in local culture. Have dinner at a night market that’s popular with local students.

Overnight: Suan Bua Resort, Chiang Mai (or similar)

Spend the day exploring Chiang Mai and its outskirts. Hop onto a bike to travel through the scenic countryside outside the city. Enjoy the quiet meandering roads that pass by orchards and over rolling hills.  Stop at the Grand Canyon – a vast complex of inflatable jungle gyms on the water. Cool off in the water while you slip, slide and jump. Finish the day with dinner and shopping at Chiang Mai’s famous Night Bazaar. Wrap up your program with a closing discussion and our traditional Rustic Ties ceremony that allows students to reflect on their experiences and discuss how to use the lessons they’ve learned back home.

Overnight: Suan Bua Resort, Chiang Mai (or similar)

Wake up early to the sounds of the village and say goodbye to your new friends.  After an early breakfast at the hotel, drive to the airport for your flight home. After a week in the “Land of Smiles” it will be hard to say goodbye, but the new medical skills that you have acquired, the experiences you have had, and the people you have met will serve you well in your future endeavors. Chok dee and come back soon!

Flight Details: Rustic Pathways will be happy to book your flight as an add-on service.