Elephant Volunteering

Do You

Know  What to

Pack?

THE ALL IN ONE GUIDEdid someone say "ELEPHANTS"?

SPECIAL EDITION

E L E P H A N T P R O J E C T   |   T H E U L T I M A T E T R A V E L G U I D E

hey there!On behalf of everybody at Bamboo, I would like to offer you our sincerest thanks for

choosing this incredible experience with us. We guarantee you an amazing time and we’re

all very much looking forward to having you with us.

I imagine that right now you’re very excited about your upcoming volunteering experience

in Thailand.  This little guide has been put together to explain a little more about your time

with us on our Elephant project.

  

*Please note this is not a group project, we can not guarantee that other people will be on

this project, however, you will have a volunteer coordinator alongside you at all times. 

Peace, Love & Bamboo

Mark (& the other pandas, Steve & Colin)

highlights of your volunteering

A night on the world famous Khaosan

Road, in the heart of Bangkok's

backpacker hub.

BANGKOK

Share a mud bath with Thailands most

iconic gentle giants 

ELEPHANTS

Guided experience of some of the

most incredible signs of Bangkok 

SIGHTSEEING

Experience authentic and traditional,

mouth-watering Thai cuisine

FOOD 

Get your hands dirty helping out at

the Elephant Project in Chiang Mai

GIVING BACK

Come one, come all to the “city of angels, great city

of immortals, magnificent city of the nine gems, the

seat of the king, city of royal palaces, home of Gods

incarnates, erected by Vishwakarma at Indra’s

behest” – or, it’s more common name “Bangkok.”

Upon arriving at the airport in the Thai capital, we’ll

greet you in the “Land of Smiles” (how many names

can a city have?) and whisk you off to your

accommodation in the heart of the town.

From there, feel free to relax and recover from the

jet lag or, if you’re up for the adventure, dive into

the chaos of Southeast Asia. Those feeling extra

energized can meet up for an informal meet-and-

greet over some dinner and drinks and probably a

few more drinks before we let loose on this amazing

tour. 

DAY 1 (FRIDAY): ARRIVAL IN BANGKOK

Founded in the 15th century, Bangkok’s always

been a city a of contradictions, an ancient city

where the familiar and exotic collide into brightly

colored culture. The sterling skyscrapers exude the

wealth of New York while the hidden markets and

alleyways take us to old-world Asia, where you can

haggle over delectable curries or even a Rolex.

We’ll begin the day with an introductory

orientation to ease any anxieties over the tour—we

get it, it’s like the Wild West out here, except it

smells a little bit more like fried noodles.

From there, we’ll venture out into the sun-filled

streets for a half-day tour* of the city’s temples

along with a trip onto a floating market. It’s a

sensory overload for the eyes, certainly.

Once the tour concludes, we’ve given you the

afternoon for yourself to find love in the City of

Angels, be it in the city’s abandoned ghost tower,

Goddess Tuptim Shrine, or simply eating obscene

amounts of Pad Thai on a street corner. Just be sure

to return to the hotel by nightfall for our welcome

meal on the famous Khao San Road, where the

pulse of Bangkok lives and some things called

“buckets” reign supreme.

Meals Included: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 2 (SATURDAY): BANGKOK 

* The Grand Palace is not included in the

Bangkok tour

Our day begins with a flight to the city of Chiang

Mai in northern Thailand. We'll transfer you straight

from the airport  to your hotel in Chiang Mai. 

Once settled you have the evening to do as you

please. Head out around Chiang Mai, search for

some bargins at the night market or rest up in your

hotel and get read for the excitement tomorrow

holds!

Meals included: Breakfast

DAY 3 (SUNDAY): BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI

You will be spending Monday to Friday nestled deep in the jungles of Northern Thailand, just a jaunt

outside of the city, amid Thai rainforest, is a sustainable eco-tourism project launched by Karen hill-

tribes to protect the welfare of elephants. This is a truly perfect location to house some 85 elephants

spread across nine camps.

On arrival you'll be greeted by the 'mahouts', those selfless champions that devote their lives to

supporting and caring for the elephants. You'll be sat down and given the history of the project, it's

reason for existence, where the elephants come from and the work that goes on here and why.

You will have the evenings to relax along the river, take a dip in the waterfall or swap stories with others

at the bar! Your days will end, full of delicious Thai cuisine, in a traditional jungle house. It may be

rough-necking, but you’re on the elephant experience now. 

On the Friday we will transfer you back to Chiang Mai city and get you checking into your hotel. The

weekends are then yours to do as you please, explore the local area, check out some remarkable

temples, take a walk to the market or just chill by the hotel pool. 

On Monday you will be collected and taken back to the Elephant Project for another week of hard-

work and elephant fun!

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner whilst at project. 

ELEPHANT PROJECT

The true way to an elephants heart is to feed it - and feed it a lot. Some of these guys put away over

300KG of food daily - that’s a serious amount of bananas!

During your time here you can expect unprecedented animal interaction as you help exfoliate the

elephant's skin by giving them a mud-bath before joining them in the river, rising them off and

enjoying a gleeful splash with them. 

Activities involved walking alongside the elephants  in the camps jungle, giving the elephants mud

baths, and bathing the elephants in the river that runs through the camp

ELEPHANTS

Now, this is where the hard-work will happen. During your time in the camp, you will be involved in a

number of activities or projects.

When you’re not getting up close and personal with the elephants you’ll assist the mahouts with daily

elephant care and other tasks such as planting or chopping sugarcane, farming, wedding, fertilising, or

perhaps some other relevant infrastructure tasks that are required. 

This can be hard work, but not only are we helping feed the elephants, we are also supporting the

mahouts which makes it all worthwhile. Don't panic, a member of the team will be with you at all times

to show you how it's done. You’ll also have breaks throughout, so make sure you keep your fluids up

and wear sunscreen!

As well as helping the mahouts with day to day tasks you will also have the opportunity to meet the

veterinary or medical staff and learn more about the elephants health, behaviour and how to do check

ups on these incredible animals. 

Whatever you do rest assured your hard-work will make a difference.

VOLUNTEERING

What's includedELEPHANT PROJECT

1. Arrival pick up on tour start date

2. All accommodation

3. Meals as stated in the itinerary

4. Guided intro tour of Bangkok

5. An epic elephant experience

6. Support from our ground team

7. Donations to the project

8. Flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai

9. Transfer back to Chiang Mai on the

weekends.

FAST FACTS

ENTRY

REQUIREMENTSYour passport MUST have at least 6 months validity

from the date that you enter the country.

Depending on your country of citizenship you may

be entitled to a 30-day visa-free entry into the

Kingdom of Thailand. This means that you can

simply turn up at the airport, present your passport

and receive free entry for a maximum of 30 days.

These countries include the U.S.A., the U.K.,

Australia, Canada and most European nations.

To check if you’re entitled to this, find your country

in the following list:

http://www.thaiembassy.com/thailand/changes-

visa-exempt.php

Please be aware that you cannot obtain a visa for

Thailand from within Thailand.

T H E I N F O R M A T I O N Y O U N E E D T O K N O W B E F O R E W E B E G I N D I S C O V E R K O H S A M U I

THE NITTY GRITTY

TRAVEL INSURANCE

It is essential that you arrange travel insurance that

provides suitable cover for the duration of your trip

before you travel.

Bamboo offers a comprehensive policy through our

partners, AHI. Please contact us for more

information.

VISA and passport requirments

are YOUR responsibility

30 days free if from US, UK,

AUS or CAN (plus most  EU

countries)

Located in the heart of Bangkok’s nightlife,  this  hotel

includes free WiFi and air conditioning in every room.

It is also equipped with a private western-style

bathroom (no squatting!) .

Rooms are either twin (2 separate beds) or triple (3

separate beds) share. Double beds  may  also available

on request, subject to availability.

Breakfast is available in the restaurant across the

road.

ACCOMMODATION

BANGKOKRAMBUTTRI HOUSE

NORTH OF CHIANG MAI

ELEPHANT PROJECT 

Weekday accommodation

Your accommodation at the project   is basic but clean

and comfortable. Thai style mattresses are provided

for all guests in addition to mosquito nets - This is all

part of the full-on authentic, mahout experience.

All cabins have an outside sitting area where you may

be able to watch the elephants during the day. There

are shared bathrooms with western toilets and

showers. There is no hot water, but after a long hot

day with the elephants, a simple shower is the only

way to cool down!  

ACCOMMODATION

CHIANG MAI

Weekend accommodation

Rooms here will be twin share. All rooms include air

conditioning, a satellite TV, a mini fridge and a private

bathroom.  

Our chosen accommodation has a private restaurant

that opens daily and offers a variety of local and

International meals. Drinks are also available for

purchase.  

The hotel also offers a large pool, so feel free to take a

dip!

WANGBURAPA GRAND HOTEL

FAST

FACTS: MONEY

Basic costs of things :

Water 5 - 40 Baht

Beer 50 - 150 Baht

Street Meal 50 - 150 Baht

Restaurant Meal 100 - 250 Baht

Taxi to airport 350 - 600 Baht

T-shirt 100 - 500 Baht

Memories - Free of charge

The currency in Thailand is known

as the Baht or THB

Remember to tell your bank that

you are leaving the country to

avoid having your card blocked

When it comes to advice on how much

money to bring, it’s impossible to say. All our

intrepid explorers are very different. Where

some go all out, others are on a budget. You

can find both high end and budget

restaurants, bars and shopping across

Thailand.

Typical exchange rates are:

$1 - 33 Thai Baht

£1 - 44 Thai Baht

ATMs, or cash machines, are prevalent

throughout the big cities in Thailand and will

only issue Thai Baht, If you do plan to bring

your ATM card with you, we recommend that

you inform your bank. This may prevent your

card being suspended due to irregular

withdrawals.

There are no cash machines whilst on project

so please make sure you have enough money

before leaving Bangkok or Chiang Mai incase

you want snacks, drinks or souvenirs.  

We don’t recommend bringing travelers

cheques with you.  The reason is that banks

across Thailand have odd hours of operating,

and it may cause unnecessary hassle finding

a bank open when you wish to make a

transaction.

Negotiating a purchase, known as

“bartering”, still happens in the tourist areas

of Thailand. Outside of tourist areas,

however, bartering is seen as disrespectful

and the cost you’re told is the cost you pay.

If you’re unsure as to whether or not you

can barter for a discount please speak to

your guide or coordinator to avoid any

unnecessary faux-pas..  

MONEY

FAUX PAS

Take off your shoes when you step

indoors!

Whether you’re entering a temple or

someone’s home, always take off

your shoes. This also applies to some

old-fashioned places of business, but

not in most modern shops.

Packing for a trip to the unknown is always

tricky. It’s definitely worth doing a little bit of

homework on this one and to consider local

culture when deciding what clothes to bring.

For example, Thailand is predominantly a Buddhist

country so dress modestly and respectfully.

We live by the rule ‘one in, one out’- in other words,

you need to have either your shoulders or your

knees covered at all times. In addition, in Asia, it’s

often customary to remove your shoes before

entering a building so a pair of flip flops is very

much advised.

During the work at the Elephant Project you need

to be wearing long-sleeved tops and long trousers,

make sure you are aware of this when packing. It is

highly likely that your clothes will get dirty, sweaty

or ripped, so please consider this. You can, of

course, buy cheap clothes in Bangkok that you are

more than welcome to donate once you’ve finished

with them. Closed-toe shoes are also a must for

your volunteering work.

Being such religious countries, temples and

Buddhist monasteries are everywhere. During your

Bangkok tour, you will be visiting different temples

where you will need to cover both shoulders and

knees.

You should also consider the weather. Thailand has

two prominent weather seasons: hot and dry and

hot and wet. Hot and dry usually runs from

November to April, hot and wet from May to

October. The daytime temperature is quite

consistent throughout the year with highs around

33-38 degrees. The nighttime does vary with lows

ranging from 15 degrees to 28-30 degrees. We

recommend you bring a sweater/jumper for the

chilly evenings.

CLOTHING

FAST FACTS: TRAVEL

Did you know that?

Thailand is the world’s 20th most

populous country, with close to 67

million people.

Did you know that?

On a flight, the bathroom door isn’t

really locked when you’re inside.

Lavatory doors can be locked and

unlocked from the outside for a

multitude of reason. It allows flight

attendants quick access to locked

lavatories in case of emergencies. In

other instances, it allows the cabin

crew to restrict access to bathrooms

during takeoff and landing.

For up to date information about the best travel

vaccinations to have before arriving in Thailand we

urge you to contact your own GP, a travel health

clinic or to check the World Health Organisation 's

website. Bamboo are not medical professionals and

therefore can’t offer you medical advice.  

VACCINATIONS & FLIGHTS

VACCINATIONS

FLIGHTS

Thanks to the world wide web we all now have

access to great flight deals through websites such

as Skyscanner, Google Flights and more. If you’d

rather use the services of a booking agent, the likes

of STA Travel, Trailfinders and Flight Centre are all

available online.  

To be eligible for the airport pick-up, please

arrange your flight to arrive into Bangkok’s

International Airport, also known as Suvarnabhumi

Airport (BKK) , on the  Friday that your tour starts

between 6 am and 8 pm.

The tour ends on the Friday two or four weeks  later

in  Chiang Mai, Thailand. From there you’ll need to

make your own arrangements for onward

travel.  Chiang Rai  has a rather wonderful

international airport known as Chiang

Mai  International Airport (airport code  CNX) .

IMPORTANT NOTICEOnce you have booked and confirmed your flight to

Thailand, please make sure that you have shared

your flight arrival time and flight number with our

team. Without those details, we will be unable

to collect you on arrival.  

ARRIVAL INFO

Bangkok International Airport (Suvarnabhumi Airport - airport code: BKK) is one of the busiest airports in

the world and can be a confusing place. To ensure that your arrival runs without a hitch please make sure

that you read through and understand the following instructions. If you have any questions about your

arrival at Bangkok International Airport please do not hesitate to let our team know.

Please be aware that there are two international airports in Bangkok; Suvarnabhumi (BKK) and Don

Mueang (DMK) . We are only able to meet travellers arriving in BKK. If your flight is planned to arrive in

DMK then you will need to make your own way to our hotel. The details of that hotel will be sent to you in

a separate email roughly three weeks before your tour is due to begin.

To be eligible for the Bamboo airport pick-up at Bangkok’s International Airport, please arrange your flight

to arrive on the Friday that your tour starts. If you can manage to arrive between 6 am and 8 pm one of

our team will be at the airport to meet you.

If your flight arrives after 8 pm, we can arrange a night 's accommodation at a hotel close by to the airport.

A representative of the hotel will collect you on arrival at the airport and take you back to the hotel and

we will have a driver collect you from the hotel the following morning and transfer you to our starting

point. More details about this will be sent to you nearer your tour start date.  

To locate a member of the Bamboo team, once you have passed through Immigration (Passport Control)

you’ll need to collect your luggage from one of the carousels. You will then make your way to the main

arrivals area, passing through the green ‘Nothing to Declare’ channel. Once through you will enter the

busy main arrivals area.

As you enter the arrivals area Directly ahead of you is a large wall of glass windows. At points along this

wall, there are numbered ‘Exit’ doors. These are numbered 1 to 10. You will most likely be looking at doors

numbered between 6 and 10. At this point please turn to your right and walk towards Door number 3.

As you approach Door 4, directly ahead of you will be a mass of people holding name signs (please ignore

the people to your right) . As you walk past Door 4, please keep a look out for our team. They should be

easily recognizable with their Bamboo t-shirts and be holding a sign showing the Bamboo logo.

Once you’ve spotted our team, head over and introduce yourself. You’ll then receive further instructions.

Please bear in mind that we may be waiting for others to arrive, so your transfer to the hotel may be

slightly delayed but we will do everything in our power to get you on your way as quickly as possible.

In the unlikely event that you can’t find our team, don’t panic! As long as we have your correct flight

details one of the team will be there. Please check again at the area between Door 4 and Door 3. If you still

cannot locate one of our team, please call the following number: +66(0)92-594-9491. If you have supplied

us with a mobile phone number, make sure your phone is turned on as we may be trying to contact you.

Once we have everyone we’ll transfer you all straight to the starting point for your tour. On arrival, we’ll

help you to check in and give you more details of what’s happening for the remainder of the day and

tomorrow morning.

PLEASE PRINT

FACTS: TUK TUKS

Tuk-tuks got their name from the

sound that the earliest models make.

The engine makes a ‘tuk tuk tuk tuk

tuk’ sound. With the advent of better

technologies, the unique engine

sound has already been minimised.

Be sure to experience  them  for

yourself in  Bangkok, Chiang Mai and

Siem Reap!

TRANSPORT

To get back to Chiang Mai each Friday will take a

short 40minute drive using local trucks as above.  

CHIANG MAI - ELEPHANT PROJECT

BANGKOK - CHIANG MAI

ELEPHNAT PROJECT - CHIANG MAI

This first trip will take us from the centrally located

capital city to northern Thailand.

The short flight which takes just over an hour and

will see you in Chiang Mai in no time.

The next leg of the trip will take you directly from

Chiang Mai airport to the Elephant Project, located

about an hour away. We will be using local trucks

(called Songthaews) for this journey!

FAST FACTS: GUIDES

GUIDESAny tour is only as good as the guide – fact. The

input of a tour guide cannot be understated. Their

input into your tour, their little insights, the off-

the-beaten-track adventures, the knowledge and

experiences that they share with you will make or

break your time wherever you are in the world.

At Bamboo, we take the selection and training of

our guides and coordinators very seriously. Each

guide undertakes a structured training program of

three months and only once we’re convinced that

they are genuine representatives of Bamboo are

they signed up to the family.

Each of our tours has English-speaking guides to

support you, answer your questions, educate you

and to ensure that your time is unforgettable. From

time to time we may have new guides-in-training

on our tours. If you’re lucky to have a trainee on

your tour, please be patient. They are undergoing

training and therefore their knowledge won’t be

that of the trained and experienced guide who will

be accompanying them.  

TIPPING

Although not in any way expected or encouraged,

anybody who goes over and above the call of duty

to ensure that you have the very best time, may

deserve a special little thank you.

Did you have extra special service in a restaurant?

Did the bus driver make an additional pit-stop just

for you? Did your guide go out of the way so that

you could experience something unique? At

Bamboo we’re firm believers in Karma – what goes

around most definitely comes around!  

Our guides are the face of Bamboo,

and they come in all shapes and

smiles.

We love each and every one of them

more than Elephants love bananas.  

Whilst most of them are elite travel

mavericks in their own right, you may

come across newbies who are on the

path the greatness.

If you 're lucky enough to meet a

fresh-faced newbie, be sure to show

them your support and patience,

most guides remember their first

tours forever, so let 's play nice.

The 'must brings'HAVE YOU PACKED THE FOLLOWING?

0. An open mind

1. Backpack (or suitcase with

wheels)

2. Towel or travel towel

3. Long trousers & t-shirts

4. Flip flops or sandals

5. Trainers or sneakers

6. Daypack/bag

7. Insect spray

8. Hat & Sunscreen

9. Reusable Water Bottle

10. Multi-use plug adapter

11. Trekking shoes

The 'can brings'WHILST EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT, WE’VE COMPILED A MORE DETAILED

LIST FROM FEEDBACK OF SOME OF OUR PAST TRAVELLERS WHICH YOU

MAY FIND USEFUL AND ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER BRINGING:

1. Medical Kit

2. Toiletries

3. Padded gardening gloves

4. Small umbrella or water jacket

5. Pillow (for added comfort)

6. Earplugs

7. Bandana

9. Water shoes

10. Torch or flashflight

11. Home luxuries (anything you

just can't live without)

TERMS & CONDITIONSPlease read the Terms and Conditions carefully as they form the basis of your

contract with WeAreBamboo. This agreement is made at the time of booking

and becomes legally binding upon payment of your deposit. By booking a

program with WeAreBamboo, you signify you have read and accepted these

Terms and Conditions

All programs advertised on our website and/or on Facebook are offered and/or

operated by WeAreBamboo Ltd. (trading as Bamboo and referred to as Bamboo

or ‘we’ hereinafter) with company number 59926953 whose registered office is:.

WE ARE BAMBOO LEVEL 2 61 SEAVIEW ROAD LOWER HUTT, NEW ZEALAND 5010

All travel arrangements are sold subject to the following conditions. Bamboo

reserves the right to update the Terms and Conditions at any time.

Please view our full terms and conditions here:

https://www.wearebamboo.com/about/legal.php

Please note that the information in this pack is subject to change at

any time without notice.