Food is powerful. It is the great connector—shaping our memories and cultivating community. This Halloween, bring together your friends and family for a bowl of this hearty Thai pumpkin curry.
2024 Departure Dates
| June 17 – June 28 2024 | Very Limited | Enroll Now |
| July 1 – July 12, 2024 | Available | Enroll Now |
| July 15 – July 26, 2024 | Very Limited | Enroll Now |
| July 29 – Aug. 9, 2024 | Available | Enroll Now |
Adventure through the misty green mountains of northern Thailand and the beaches of southern Thailand. Swim in waterfalls, raft down rivers, and play with elephants. Make your way to the spectacular islands and limestone cliffs of southern Thailand and enjoy rock climbing, snorkeling, and relaxing on some of the world’s most exquisite beaches.
Student love climbing and snorkeling in the gorgeous southern region of Thailand!
Program Featured In
Program Profile
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Country:
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Department:
- Student Travel
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Duration:
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12 Days
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Ages:
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14-18
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Cost:
- $4,495 plus Airfare
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Service Hours:
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8
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Program Types:
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At-A-Glance:
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Accomodation Amenities
Adventure/Physicality
Educational Activities
On-Program Travel
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Program Featured In
Food is powerful. It is the great connector—shaping our memories and cultivating community. This Halloween, bring together your friends and family for a bowl of this hearty Thai pumpkin curry.
Activities
Accommodations
Food
Student Story
Here is a detailed packing list for your time in Southeast Asia this summer. Packing the right gear (and not too much of it) is the first step to an incredible travel experience. Remember that you’ll be responsible for carrying your belongings everywhere you go, so PACK LIGHT! If your bag weighs more than 35 pounds, you’ve overpacked!
Packing the right gear (and the right amounts) is the first step to an incredible travel experience. Follow these tips to pack like a pro:
Travel light. Pack only the essentials. You’ll need less than you think!
Consider no checked bag. We strongly recommend that you consider packing only a carry-on size bag. This prevents your luggage getting lost or separated from you, keeps your bag manageable, and helps you be more mobile on your travel day.
Bring the right clothes. Pack clothes that are culturally appropriate for your destination and acceptable for service projects. This means bringing long shorts (think Bermuda and basketball shorts), t-shirts with sleeves to cover shoulders, and appropriate footwear.
Leave your valuables behind. While traveling, it’s easier for things to get lost, stolen, or damaged. Keep any prized possessions safe at home.
Check with TSA. Make sure your luggage complies with TSA regulations, especially your carry-on. Useful tip: Pack an empty water bottle and fill it up after security.
Extra paperwork? If you need additional forms filled out to get credit for your service hours, no problem! Bring these forms with you so they can be completed in-country.
Weather in Southeast Asia
Summer in Southeast Asia is known as the “rainy season” or the “green season”—days are generally hot and humid, with brief and refreshing showers that keep the land very lush and green. Temperatures sometimes cool off once the sun goes down, making for more pleasant evenings. Because of the heat, you’ll need to drink a lot more water than you’re used to drinking to stay hydrated! Your clothes should be able to get wet, dirty, and / or destroyed during service work and program activities.
Our Dress Code Expectations in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian cultures are very conservative. Despite the hot climate, people in these parts of the world show less skin than in many Western cultures, and you’ll rarely see low-cut shirts or short shorts in rural communities. As we seek to respect and preserve the culture of the communities we work with, we ask that our students dress conservatively while in country. If you’re not wearing proper attire, we’ll ask you to change your clothes or abstain from the service project of the day.
To dress respectfully in Southeast Asia, please bring loose-fitting pants or shorts that cover just above the knees (think basketball length). Bring basic t-shirts that cover your shoulders, and please leave all tank tops, cut off shirts, low-cut, see-through, or crop tops at home. As mentioned in our packing lists, yoga pants and leggings are not appropriate because they are too form-fitting. The key is to show less skin and to stay cool by wearing loose-fitted clothing.
Temple Visits
Personal hygiene is important in Southeast Asia, so when visiting temples we want to clean up more than while doing service. Wearing modest, clean clothes that cover the knees and shoulders is a must, as per usual. Being respectful is the name of the game!
Laundry
Access to laundry can vary, but most programs find access once a week, though not guaranteed. If you’re getting laundry done in a village or rural town, expect to pay $1-2 per kg. If you’re at a hotel, it can be up to $20 per load.
Daypack
A school backpack is ideal as it will be used for daily activities and outings.
- Passport!
- Photocopy of passport
- Visa documentation
- Consent to Travel form
- Rustic Pathways emergency contacts list
- Additional community service forms if needed
- Wallet / money / ATM card
- Pens and journal
- Book
- Phone
- Chargers
- Outlet power converter (for transit only! Thailand uses the same plugs as the USA–just make sure all electronics are compatible with 220v)
- Camera
- Earbuds / Ear plugs
- Reusable water bottle
- Sunglasses
- Medication
- One change of clothing
Main luggage
A 40-50 liter duffel bag or backpack is ideal.
Clothing
• 2-3 pairs of lightweight pants, jeans (too hot to wear often) or capris; leggings are not culturally appropriate as they are too form-fitting
• 4-5 pairs of long, loose-fitting shorts/skirts, which must go to the knees or longer. Used for service work where you want to keep cool, covered, and protected.
• 7-10 tops (t-shirts and sports shirts) – they can be cotton, or quick-dry shirts like capilene or polypropylene; tank tops are generally not acceptable unless for time at the pool or beach; keep in mind you’ll find cool t-shirts and other clothing at markets you’ll visit throughout the summer, which can supplement the tops you bring over
• 1-2 light, long sleeve t-shirts – breathable is best for the sun and certain areas of the region can get buggy or chilly (if you’re lucky!) at night
• 1 lightweight hoodie – most likely needed on flights, in movie theaters, or in airports. Most people will be fine without one
• 7-10 pairs of underwear – quick-dry material is best
• 4-7 pairs of socks – lightweight cotton or quick dry athletic socks are best
• 1 swimsuit – one piece swimsuits are appropriate, quick dry shorts you can swim in are also great. We also recommend a swimming shirt for coverage and sun protection. We’ll get a chance to get in the water almost every day.
• 1 sarong / shawl / lightweight towel (not white!) – many accommodations will have towels for you to use, but it is handy to have something of your own for sitting poolside or visiting a waterfall
• A nice casual outfit – for special end of program dinners.
Important Items
• Flashlight or headlamp – rechargeable batteries are preferable
• Ultra-lightweight rainproof jacket – fear not if you don’t have one; ponchos are widely available and do a better job!
• Hat – for the sun
• Strappy sandals – like Tevas or Chacos
• Comfortable flip-flops or crocs – footwear that is easy to clean and easy to take on and off (you’ll be amazed at how often you’ll be taking your shoes off and on!); cheap flip-flops and crocs are widely available in Asia for a fraction of the cost
• Closed-toed athletic shoes – shoes that dry quickly, that you can hike short distances in and that protect your feet are best; shoes will get muddy and dirty, so don’t bring your favorite pair.
• A color photocopy of your passport
Toiletries
Most general toiletries are available throughout the region at a fraction of the cost. We suggest packing all items that could leak in a plastic or ziploc bag.
• Deodorant
• Shampoo and soap – you may want to bring biodegradable or natural soap and shampoo, but they’re not required
• Toothpaste and toothbrush
• Lip balm
• Insect repellent – we suggest a natural option or something with DEET
• Hydrocortisone/anti-itch cream or after bite
• Hand sanitizer – 1 small bottle; we don’t want you getting sick this summer!
• Contact lenses and solution
• Oxybenzone-free sunscreen (reef-safe) and aloe vera – good quality sunscreen is not readily available in Southeast Asia and is expensive!
• Feminine hygiene supplies – tampons aren’t widely available in Southeast Asia; past staff have suggested trying a diva cup; we recommend you bring what you think you will need for the duration of the program
Additional and Optional Items
• Local language phrasebook
• Deck of cards, portable games
• Digital camera – waterproof style shock resistant cameras are great for our programs; again, do not depend on your phone – we encourage our students to disconnect from their phones while on program.
• Pictures of family and friends
Important Reminders
• Please cover your shoulders and knees while in Southeast Asia.
• Dressing respectfully is very important. Southeast Asian culture is conservative, with ancient customs based mostly on Buddhism. Regardless of gender, Rustic students should be wearing loose Bermuda or basketball length shorts or pants. Please leave short-shorts at home, as well as leggings, which are too form-fitting. T-shirts should cover the chest and shoulders, nothing low cut, and no undergarments should ever be showing.
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