Thailand High School Program

Pack your bags and get ready for to fly to the other side of the world! Before leaving, you'll have access to a packing list, flight roster and important contact information. We'll also send you a Bold Earth t-shirt so you can easily find other students at your departure gate. Students fly and arrive together from either Los Angeles (LAX) or New York (JFK) to Bangkok airport (BKK). Our second day is lost as we cross the international dateline, but we get this day back on the return trip! You are met upon arrival by your Bold Earth trip leaders. Once all together, we travel in private transport to our hotel where we will get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, trip safety, expected responsibilities and all trip logistics are explained. The process of growing together as a group begins!

Our first adventure in Thailand is a bike ride around Bangkok. One of the best and most exciting ways to get in touch with the charm of old Bangkok is on two wheels. With the help of a local guide, we will be able to discover several floating markets, local industries, klongs and different types of Thai villages. Throughout the day, we'll get a close-up view of Thai village and city life. This is as real as it gets! At night, we board an overnight sleeper train bound north for Chiang Mai.

We arrive in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand's cultural capital, in the morning and immediately start exploring. We head off to discover the heart of ancient Thailand deep within the lush, forested mountains of the North. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure allows us to meet local hill tribes and experience an ancient way of life. We travel between tribes during the day and spend evenings with host families whose lives and customs have changed little over the centuries. On Day Five, we spend an amazing day riding elephants and bamboo rafting through the jungle. We spend the night just outside of Chiang Mai.

Just outside of Chiang Mai, we will volunteer at an orphanage for HIV children. After two days of giving back, we will return to Chiang Mai in the evening.

Arriving early in the morning, we have a full day to enjoy the vibrant Chiang Mai. Past and present collide here, as centuries-old chedis (famous Buddhist worship centers) and stunning temples sit next to modern convenience stores and hotels. We begin the day with a visit to the hill-top temple of Doi Suthep and participate in a hands-on cooking lesson to learn how to make authentic Thai food. We have the afternoon to relax and explore the area.

After eating breakfast and spending a few final hours in Chiang Mai, we fly South to Phuket and drive to Krabi. We revel in the natural splendor of our new surroundings -- towering, forested cliffs looming over immaculate turquoise waters and white sand beaches -- as we get settled in our hotel for the night. Locals are friendly and welcoming, and always delighted when a foreigner stops by for a soft drink and a chat!

We wake up bright and early in anticipation of exploring this coastal paradise! Our adventures begin with sea kayaking and snorkeling the Andaman Sea. We paddle through tidal sea caves into lagoons called "Hong's ( Thai for "room" or "chamber"). We will also have time to swim and relax on the postcard-like beaches of Phangnga Bay. This area is truly paradise, and an amazing place to spend our last week in Thailand!

Today we gear up for enjoy a day of adrenaline-pumping rock climbing on Railey Beach! Our professional instruction includes proper equipment use and essential safety techniques, as well as belaying, rappelling and climbing skills. Participants will only climb routes appropriate to their ability. This is a fun, focused activity which builds group spirit, and gives everyone a great sense of accomplishment and confidence. Afterwards, we cool off by jumping into the Andaman Sea, just steps away from our Railey's staggeringly beautiful climbing site.

Krabi has a great holiday atmosphere, with long stretches of beautiful beaches and striking granite outcroppings. We do some more swimming and exploring of the area. Tonight we climb aboard a sleeper train headed to Bangkok. Each of us will have plenty of room to get a good night's rest.

All great things must come to an end! On our last day together in Thailand, we pack up our gear and celebrate our successes. We share our memories and challenges and say our good-byes. We go to the airport, confident, tan and strong after your most incredible summer of adventure, fun and friends. We arrive back home on the morning of our trip's 17th day.