Tabor in Thailand

Location: Thailand (Chiang Mai, Feng, De’Kashor and Doi Pumuen) 

Dates: June 5 – 16, 2025 

Program Leader: Dave Wellstead

Description: Students will experience Thailand through various, exciting perspectives and be afforded the opportunity to learn firsthand about different landscapes, cultures and ways of life. Starting in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, students will learn to cook traditional Thai dishes, visit historic temples and explore the vibrant city. An off-road adventure will take students to into the foothills of the surrounding mountains, where there will be opportunities to learn from different community groups in local homes and schools. In De’Kashor, students will walk in the jungle with, bathe and care for elephants under the care of a government program for previously exploited animals. Students will build their own rafts and travel gently down a local river, before enjoying rafting of the white-water variety! Living in the hillside community of Doi Pumuen village, there will be various opportunities to learn about local agriculture and commerce, especially in the areas of tea and coffee cultivation.

Itinerary:        

• DAY 1: Thursday, June 5 
  • Flight from Boston to Chiang Mai 
• DAY 2: Friday, June 6 
  • Transfer/continued flight to Chiang Mai 
• DAY 3: Saturday, June 7 
  • Arrive in Chiang Mai 
  • Transfer to hotel 
  • Traditional Thai cooking class 
  • Brief city exploration 
  • Meal at local restaurant, near hotel 
• DAY 4: Sunday, June 8 
  • On- and off-road travel to De’Kashor Elephant Home 
  • Teaching and learning at community village school 
  • Cultural activities, learning from De’Kashor community 
  • Local, traditional group meal in homestay setting 
  • Homestay in De’Kashor community 
• DAY 5: Monday, June 9 
  • Short hike to nearby village 
  • Lunch in nearby village 
  • Teaching and learning at community village school 
  • Local wildlife walk with elephants 
  • Elephant care and bathing in De’Kashor community 
  • Traditional raft building 
  • Local, traditional group meal in homestay setting 
  • Homestay in De’Kashor community 
• DAY 6: Tuesday, June 10 
  • On- and off-road travel to Karen community  
  • White water rafting (Tabor swim test required) 
  • On-road travel to the town of Feng 
  • Introduction to local NGO promoting agroforestry and tea culture 
  • Hotel stay 
• DAY 7: Wednesday, June 11 
  • On- and off-road travel to Doi Pumuen village 
  • Community-based programming (e.g. learning about coffee and tea cultivation and preparation) 
  • Community-based programming 
  • Homestay 
• DAY 8: Thursday, June 12 
  • On- and off-road travel to Doi Pumuen village 
  • Community-based programming (e.g. learning about local micro-financing initiative) 
  • Homestay
• DAY 9: Friday, June 13 
  • Community-based programming 
  • Homestay
• DAY 10: Saturday, June 14 
  • Community-based programming 
  • Homestay
• DAY 11: Sunday, June 15 
  • On- and off-road travel to Feng 
  • On-road travel to Chiang Mai 
  • Flight from Chiang Mai to Boston
• DAY 12: Monday, June 16 
  • Transfer/continued flight to Chiang Mai 
• Return to Boston

Requirements: Students must have passed the Tabor swim test in order to participate in the white-water rafting activity. Students must be in good academic and community life standing to participate. Students will be covered by school trip and travelers’ insurance that covers emergency care and evacuation, although they must also have personal health insurance.