Unique & Ethical Hill tribe experience in Thailand

5.0

(1 review)1

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The experience

This unique volunteer program invites participants to immerse themselves in the daily life of a hill tribe community. Volunteers will explore stunning natural landscapes, enjoy hiking, learn Karen crafts and language, Learn of traditional agriculture and elephant keeping practices, teach English to local children, help with waste cleanup and animal care.

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What you offer

32 hours of help per week

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

Teaching Languages: Teaching a language to the host, guests, or local communities.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 480 Per week

Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers, Materials for volunteer activities, and Donation to project

Description: 3 meals per day Basic homestay accomodation All activities

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What you get

1 day off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

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Requirements

Intermediate English

Between 18 and 50 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

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What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

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Program Details

Volunteers will stay in homestays hosted by local families, offering a genuine cultural exchange and a deeper understanding of village life. Meals include traditional Thai dishes from the Chiang Mai region, with special occasions to try authentic Karen (Pga K’nyau) cuisine—an opportunity to experience unique local culinary traditions.
Activities & Involvement
Hiking: Expect to spend a lot of time hiking in nature and exploring the forest. Trails can be challenging, so a good level of fitness is essential.
Teaching English: Support local education by teaching basic English to school-aged children, helping improve their future opportunities.
Village Clean-Up Projects: Promote environmental awareness by organizing and participating in community waste collection and introducing proper waste management practices.
Animal Welfare Assistance: Help care for local dogs, cats, and our beloved resident pig.
Waterfall Visits: Enjoy scenic hikes to a nearby waterfall where we stop for lunch in nature.
Traditional Agriculture: Depending on the season, join local farmers in planting, harvesting, and maintaining crops—experiencing sustainable highland farming firsthand.
Local Crafts: Learn to create traditional Karen crafts such as weaving cloth and basket-making.
Cooking: Spend time with local villagers preparing sticky rice and other traditional Karen dishes.
Ethical Elephant Observation: Observe elephants living freely in their natural forest habitat. Learn about traditional, non-exploitative elephant care, with minimal human interference.
Accommodation
Homestays are typically made of wood or bamboo and located in the mountains. Accommodations are basic but comfortable, with a private room, thin mattress, bedding, and mosquito net, cold bucket shower and squat toilet.

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Activities & Shift

Typical day

Sunday: 
You will travel 2.5 hours out to the village, (with a lunch stop) meet your friendly host family & fellow guests


Monday - Saturday: 

First half of the day is spent hiking in the stunning forest enjoying nature

In the afternoons there will be an activity planned depending on season:

-teaching at the school
-learning the local language
-Karen crafts like basket weaving, weaving the tradition cloth, work on our germination project
- tree planting
- help our veterinary nurse care for the pets, strays and livestock 
- football matches with the locals 
- visit a waterfall
- hanging out with fellow visitors the voli-house
- Care for our resident pig at the project


Sunday: Free time or travel back to city

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Rules

Please note: A good level of fitness is required to volunteer, the hikes can be intense depending on where they are each day. Prior to arrival we require proof of travel medical insurance for the length of your stay and a filled out medical form. Please note all fees are non refundable.

This project is situated in a remote Karen Hill Tribe village, enveloped by jungle. You must be prepared to fully immerse yourself in jungle life, which includes adapting to different foods, cultures, languages, primitive ways of life, as well as the absence of luxuries. Be ready to encounter bugs, spiders (which cause no harm), and all aspects of jungle living. Please refrain from booking this project if you are not prepared to accept these conditions.

This is really an incredible, life-changing experience for everyone who comes!