Thailand: Thai Elephant Conservation Project

Students stay in a combination of simple cabin-style rooms at the elephant conservation center and comfortable hotels in northern Thailand. At the conservation center, students live in basic, no-frills cabins located near the forest. Each room typically has two beds, screened windows, air conditioning, and an en suite bathroom, providing a clean and comfortable home base close to the elephants.

During hotel nights in Chiang Mai, students stay in shared rooms, separated by gender, with en suite bathrooms. These hotels offer Western-style toilets and hot showers. All accommodations used by Rustic Pathways are vetted for safety, cleanliness, and suitability for teen travelers, and specific properties may vary based on availability.

Most meals are prepared by a team of chefs at the elephant conservation center or served at local restaurants in Chiang Mai. Breakfasts may include fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal, eggs, pancakes, and Thai rice soup. Lunches and dinners are often served family-style, featuring multiple dishes such as stir-fried noodles, soups, curries, mixed vegetables, rice, and other Thai favorites so students can sample a variety of flavors.

Safe drinking water is provided throughout the program. Students drink bottled or filtered water and are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to refill during the day to reduce plastic waste.

Dietary Requirements / Food Allergies – Many dietary needs can be accommodated, including vegetarian diets, but some severe food allergies may be difficult to support given local kitchen practices and ingredients. Families with specific concerns should contact Rustic Pathways before enrolling to discuss whether this program is a good fit.

Most students travel to Thailand on escorted group flights arranged by Rustic Pathways. These flights typically depart from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and arrive in Chiang Mai (CNX). A Rustic Pathways Flight Leader meets students at the airport in the United States, assists with check-in and security, and travels with the group to Thailand. The advertised program dates include international travel time from the United States.

Visa – Students traveling on United States passports generally do not need to obtain a Thai visa in advance for a short stay of up to 30 days. For longer stays, Rustic Pathways may help arrange an additional visa waiver as needed. Students traveling on passports not issued by the United States are responsible for confirming their own visa requirements with the appropriate consulate or embassy well before departure.

The Thai Elephant Conservation Project includes a moderate level of physical activity. Students spend time walking around the conservation center, helping with daily care tasks for the elephants, assisting with reforestation or habitat restoration projects, and joining outdoor excursions such as biking, hiking to waterfalls, and visiting hot springs. Many days are spent outside in warm, humid conditions.

No advanced athletic experience is required, but participants should be comfortable being on their feet, working outdoors, and engaging in light to moderate physical tasks for several hours a day. Students who are accustomed to regular physical activity at home typically adjust more easily to the daily routine.

Service on the Thai Elephant Conservation Project focuses on ethical elephant conservation and protecting the surrounding environment. At the elephant conservation center, students support staff and mahouts with tasks that may include preparing food, maintaining feeding areas, helping with enrichment activities, and assisting with basic care routines that promote elephant welfare.

Students also participate in environmental projects such as reforesting degraded areas, caring for seedlings, and supporting habitat restoration work that benefits elephants and other local wildlife. In addition, visits to the elephant hospital and nursery help students understand the veterinary care and long-term conservation efforts that protect Thailand’s elephants.

Students may bring their phones on the Thai Elephant Conservation Project, but they are expected to follow Rustic Pathways’ cell phone policy. Phone use is limited during group activities, meals, and other times when it would distract from the experience or group connection. Staff may collect phones if students are unable to follow the policy.

Internet and cell service are available only at limited times during the program. Wi-Fi may be accessible at hotels in cities like Chiang Mai and occasionally at the conservation center, but students should not expect continuous connectivity. Parents receive updates from Rustic staff during the program and can contact Rustic’s 24/7 emergency line in case of urgent concerns.

The program fee includes core expenses such as accommodations, most meals, in-country transportation, internal flights, and scheduled activities. Students are responsible for personal costs like souvenirs, snacks outside of provided meals, checked baggage fees, optional free-time purchases, and any extra phone or internet use.

Rustic Pathways generally recommends bringing around US $150 per week for souvenirs and incidentals, though actual spending will vary by student. Thailand uses the Thai baht (THB) as its currency. Students are encouraged to exchange money into baht before departure or at the airport on arrival, and any remaining baht can often be changed back to their home currency at the airport on the return trip.

The program takes place during Thailand’s “green” season, when students can expect warm, humid weather and occasional rain showers. Daytime temperatures are often in the 80s to low 90s °F, and humidity can make it feel warmer, especially during outdoor work at the conservation center.

Short rain showers are common several times a week, but heavy rain rarely lasts all day. Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing is recommended, along with a hat and sunscreen. Evenings in the mountains can feel cooler, so a light long-sleeve shirt or thin layer is useful. Bulky rain gear is usually not necessary, as umbrellas and simple ponchos are readily available in Thailand.

Yes, students typically have access to laundry during the Thai Elephant Conservation Project. Laundry services are available at or near the conservation center and in town every few days, depending on the schedule. Clothing is usually washed, dried, and folded for a small fee.

The average cost is around US $10 per load, though prices can vary slightly by location. Students should still pack enough lightweight, quick-dry clothing to be comfortable between laundry opportunities.

Students should plan to dress modestly and practically for work with elephants and visits to temples. While at the conservation center, students wear a traditional mahout-style outfit or camp clothing suitable for outdoor work, which helps protect personal clothing and maintains appropriate standards around the elephants.

For temple visits and time in rural or more conservative areas, shorts should be longer (approaching the knee), and tops should cover the shoulders and neckline. Short shorts, low-cut tops, and tank tops are not appropriate in these settings. In more relaxed environments, such as hotels or pool areas, casual attire and swimsuits that provide reasonable coverage are acceptable.

If clothing is deemed inappropriate for a particular activity or location, Program Leaders may ask students to change or purchase suitable clothing at a local shop.

Student health and safety are top priorities on all Rustic Pathways programs, including the Thai Elephant Conservation Project. Rustic uses trained Program Leaders and local partners, vets accommodations and activities, and follows established risk management procedures throughout the itinerary. Staff are present 24/7 to supervise students, support the group, and respond to emergencies.

Families are encouraged to review Rustic Pathways’ detailed Health & Safety measures for more information about supervision, emergency response, medical support, and safety protocols while abroad.

Rustic Pathways offers an optional Travel Protection Plan for students participating in the Thai Elephant Conservation Project. This plan is designed to help protect families in the event of covered situations such as trip cancellation or interruption, medical emergencies, lost or delayed baggage, and certain travel delays.

Specific benefits, limits, and exclusions depend on the policy selected. Families should review the full policy documentation provided by Rustic’s insurance partner before purchasing. Learn more about the Travel Protection Plan.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get to spend some hands-on time with Thailand’s most revered animal, the elephant. Learn about them, play with them, and care for them at a leading ethical conservation site. You may have seen elephants at the zoo before, but there are not many opportunities in the world to see AND interact with elephants in their more natural environment. Like a lot of the majestic wildlife in the world, the number of Asian elephants has been drastically reduced in recent decades. This is a chance to work with one of the most well-known elephant facilities in the world, and get up-close and personal with one of the most intelligent and social mammals on earth.