Bac pro CGEA
In the province of Chiang Mai, in the North of Thailand, is the small town of Huay Pakoot which is home to our elephant reserve. Saved from tourist activities, the elephants are placed in a reserve where they are well treated, well fed and can evolve in a natural environment in semi freedom.
Just like all of our English gap year programs. If you’re wondering: “What to do for a gap year before a master’s degree,” we’ve got a solution for you.
We also organize the Gap Year Fair every year — an event that allows you to explore the many opportunities available during your gap year.
Our partner organization works closely with local caretakers (mahouts) to ensure the well-being of animals often traumatized by past mistreatment.
– Daily forest hikes with coordinators to observe and study elephants in semi-wild conditions. The animals on this project have been rescued from unethical local tourist attractions that exploited them under unacceptable conditions.
– Data collection and behavioral analysis of the elephants in the sanctuary. Teamwork with mahouts (traditional Thai elephant caretakers) and local communities to explore alternatives to elephant exploitation.
– Project coordinators train volunteers in research techniques, animal behavioral studies, biodiversity, and Thai culture.
– Volunteers work from Monday to Friday, weekends are free.
Volunteers participating in the elephant conservation project in Thailand are fully immersed in the Thai environment, surrounded by the forests and mountains of northern Thailand. They are hosted within a rural community in a small village in the heart of the forest. On this project, everyone gets involved — helping children at school, giving a hand here and there… This program is a true training experience in environmental and animal protection within a different culture. Volunteers will learn about the challenges and stakes of such a commitment, while being in daily contact with elephants.
The elephant conservation project in Thailand can also be undertaken as a long-term internship (6 months), providing a deeper experience for volunteers who wish to receive training on the environment, animals, and culture alongside their volunteer mission.
- Daily hikes in the forest with the coordinators to observe and study the elephants in semi-freedom. The animals on this project have been rescued from unscrupulous local tourist attractions that force them to work in unacceptable conditions.
- Data collection and behavioral analysis of elephants in the reserve. Teamwork with mahouts (traditional Thai healers) and local communities to explore alternatives to elephant exploitation.
- Project coordinators train volunteers on research techniques, animal behavioral studies, biodiversity and Thai culture.
- Volunteers work from Monday to Friday, weekends are free.
The volunteers who participate in the elephant protection project in Thailand live in total immersion in the Thai environment between the forests and mountains of northern Thailand. They are housed in a rural community in a small village in the heart of the forest. Everyone is involved in this project: we help the children at school, we lend a hand here and there... This program is a real training course on the protection of the environment and animals within of a different culture. Volunteers will learn the issues and challenges of such a commitment, while being in daily contact with elephants.
The elephant protection project in Thailand can also be the subject of a long-term internship (6 months), an in-depth experience for volunteers who wish to receive training on the environment, animals and culture in addition to their volunteer mission.
Our partner organization is a member of the United Nations International Sustainable Tourism Commission.
All their initiatives and volunteer projects are led by experts in collaboration with the local population and national governments.
As a non-profit organization, our conservation project is as transparent as possible. The volunteer contribution helps cover project planning at the reserve (scouting, team recruitment, and logistical support), direct field costs (transportation, accommodation, meals for staff), and ultimately supports the project itself and its sustainability. Without the physical and financial support of volunteers, this project would not have come to life.
All their initiatives and volunteer projects are led by experts in collaboration with the local population and national governments.
As a non-profit organisation, our conservation project is completely transparent. The volunteer contribution is used to cover the planning of projects on the reserve (reconnaissance, team recruitment and logistical support), direct field costs (transportation, lodging, staff meals) and finally to support the project itself. Without the physical and financial help of the volunteers, this project would not have been possible.
This program is available for up to 24 weeks, contact us to learn about prices and availability.
| Duration | Fees to be paid upon registration |
|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | 1795€ |
| 3 Weeks | 2295€ |
| 4 Weeks | 2795€ |
| 5 Weeks | 3245€ |
| 6 Weeks | 3645€ |
| 7 Weeks | 3995€ |
| 8 Weeks | 4295€ |
| 9 Weeks | 4695€ |
| 10 Weeks | 4945€ |
| 11 Weeks | 5245€ |
| 12 Weeks | 5645€ |
Housing is allocated by local NGOs, not by Freepackers - the descriptions are there to give you an idea of the type of accommodation, as it is very likely that conditions will vary on site depending on the number of volunteers, weather conditions, availability, etc. Each volunteer will be accommodated according to the stated conditions, but it is possible that the accommodation may not match the description or images shown on this site word for word, for example, in the case of annexed housing, renovations, relocations, etc.
This project allows you to live like a local, as each volunteer stays with a local family to fully immerse themselves in the Karen culture and its warm-hearted people. Host families usually provide a private room or hut, located throughout the village, generally within walking distance of the base camp. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy the fresh morning air and village life.
There is cold running water for showers, bottled water for drinking, and shared toilets at the base camp. Volunteers take part in daily chores, including cleaning and cooking (all part of the experience)!
Breakfast is served at the base camp before the morning hikes, while lunch and dinner are usually home-cooked meals provided by the individual host families.
The food is simple but nutritious, mainly vegetarian, with fish or meat available as an option once or twice a week. During the first week, a team member usually eats with each participant at their host family's home to help them integrate into the family.
WiFi is generally available at the Root café in the village, but please note that power outages and storms can make this option unreliable. We recommend buying a local SIM card upon arrival to ensure a stable connection.
The camp is located in the mountains, and despite the heat and humidity during the day, temperatures can be cool at night, especially from November to February. Don’t forget to bring warm and rain jackets, especially during August and September (rainy season).
To view our additional excursions and activities, click here.
Please contact the embassy or immigration website of the country you wish to enter.
You can find all ressources on the World Organization Website, in the Travel Advice section A vaccine vial.
For any international project, Realstep requires the subscription to a travel insurance policy that includes coverage for accidents, illnesses, repatriation, and civil liability as part of a professional activity abroad
For full protection during studies or an internship abroad, you can subscribe to the Cap Student insurance online by following this link which will give you a 5% discount.
If you subscribe to another insurance policy, we will ask you to send us a copy of your certificate in English.