Smiling Albino

Intro

Total Trip - 17 days

This 17-day adventure combines classic Smiling Albino adventure components with three community outreach programs: mentoring mentally challenged persons for two days at one of Bangkok's largest girl's homes, a few days of teaching at a large suburban Bangkok elementary school and three days pitching in at Highland Farm & Gibbon Sanctuary in remote northwestern Thailand. On this innovative adventure you'll experience some of the greatest hidden treasures of the Kingdom, and also leave your mark by helping at local volunteer projects.

Besides having fun and feeling good, what are the real personal benefits?

• skills in teamwork and planning
• managing events with foreign cultures
• experience dealing with children and school officials in Thailand
• experience dealing with conservation project employees in Thailand
• an opportunity to try your hand at lesson planning and classroom teaching
• a chance to partake in a cultural activity exchange with mentally handicapped Thai girls
• become part of the on-going mission of Highland Farm and Gibbon Sanctuary

Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Thailand

We'll be waiting when your plane touches down, to brush off the pretzel crumbs and welcome you to The Land of Smiles. You'll be whisked to your home away from home and introduced to your surroundings. Upon check-in you'll receive your personalized Adventure Kit, lots of neat tidbits and your complimentary mobile phone. The phone is yours for your entire journey. Sit back, relax, enjoy a swim and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. You'll enjoy accommodations at the comfy Citi Chic during your stay in Bangkok.

Day 2 - Bangkok Multi Transport Adventure

Today explore five must-see sites, while using all forms of urban transport (tuk-tuk, motorcycle, rapid train, boats and taxi) in a citywide blitz of temples, alleyways, rivers, canals and fine eats to give you a true appreciation of the City of Angels. Not only can you tick Bangkok off your list, but you'll do it in swinging style!

Meals: B,L

Day 3 - Ancient Ayutthaya

After a wonderful breakfast, we'll board our private minivan to the ancient capital of Ayutthaya. This former Siamese capital features magnificent ruins, tranquil canal-side villages and classic Thai summer palaces. Exploring the fortress of Ayutthaya on bicycle provides a stunning and intimate glimpse into Thailand's glorious past.

Biking: 10km (paved roads)
Meals: B,L

Day 4&5 - Ban Rachawadee Ying, Bangkok

Located in northern Bangkok, Ban Rachawadee Ying (BRY) is home to more than 500 young women, mostly between seven and 18 years of age. The objectives of BRY is to provide a safe environment to live, support, rehabilitation, technical training and most importantly, to make their lives as happy as possible.

Volunteer travelers can expect a range of activities from helping make beds, playing games with the kids, facilitating snack time, leading games in the playground, or simply sitting with some of the children and communicating in Thai and English. We also try to lead a field trip to a local attraction such as a swimming area or kid's museum, etc.

For more details about Ban Rachawadee Ying, please visit our community page.

After our second day with the kids, we'll return to our hotel and rest up for our three-day teaching program at the Surowa Huamark Noi School in eastern Bangkok!

Meals: B,L

Day 6-8 - Surowa Huamark Noi School

Located close to Smiling Albino's headquarters in eastern Bangkok, this school has over 700 students from Grades 1 to 6. As foreigners are few are far between in this corner of the city, you'll be thrust into the limelight and reach instant celebrity status while teaching at the school. Don't worry; you don't need to be an experienced teacher, just have a willing attitude and a sense of humor.

After teaching on Day 8 we'll catch an early evening flight to the country's northernmost province, Chiang Rai. Tonight enjoy a dip in the infinity pool or perhaps a traditional Thai massage, and your stay at the Bird's Nest.

Meals: B,L,D

Day 9 - Bikes, Boats & Elephants

Using bicycles, then a longtail boat we'll head up-river to a Karen hilltribe elephant camp. Mount your very own pachyderm, ride through the hills then enjoy a light lunch along the river. We'll then set off on a beautiful country cycle back to Chiang Rai city, passing through quaint villages and quiet temples.

Tonight we'll celebrate with a dinner of champions at a charming outdoor restaurant.

Biking: 20-40 km, paved or dirt roads
Meals: B,L,D

Day 10 - Hilltribe Hiatus

For those who wish to summon their sense of adventure, strap on a helmet and learn how to ride a Thai motorscooter for the journey ahead. With our comfy van and scooters we'll leave the city and make a picturesque drive through a stunning valley, passing hilltribe villages and water buffalo en-route to the tiny riverside town of Mae Salak. Here we'll enjoy superb bamboo mountain chalets with panoramic views of the Mae Kok River. After a tasty lunch you can either chill-out at the riverside pool or embark on a river kayaking expedition and jungle hike, passing quaint villages and lush forest along the way. A signature northern Thai experience!

Motorcycling: 85 km, paved road
Paddling: 1-2hrs, low-grade river currents
Hiking: 2 hours
Meals: B,L,D

Day 11 - The Golden Triangle

Today we'll ride up to one of the kingdom's most stunning destinations - Doi Mae Salong. Originally settled by indigenous hilltribe groups and more recently by Yunnanese settlers who fled China's Communist Revolution, this outpost was once opium country but is now home to Thailand's premier Oolong tea production. After sampling some tea and a local Thai-Chinese lunch, head into the hills for a great hike through terraced tea and rice plantations, coffee fields and several small hilltribe villages. We round out the day with a twisty drive over the hills to a renowned mountain resort, the Phu Chaisai Mountain Resort and Spa . Today's journey will impart lasting visuals of the spectacular landscape and endearing faces of Chiang Rai's highlands.

Motorcycling: 75 km, paved road
Hiking: 1-3 hours
Meals: B,L,D

Day 12 - Mountains to the Mekong

Mount your scooter or hop in the van and drive up to Doi Tung Royal Gardens, a renowned development center for hilltribe groups and a stop for a robust local coffee. From here a gorgeous ascending ridge brings you to one of the province's highest mountains, Doi Chaang Mub, then down one of the most spectacular roads on earth along the Thai-Myanmar border. With spaghetti-like turns and gorgeous backdrops these quiet mountain roads bring us out to Thailand's furthest frontiers. After lunch we'll pass the Golden Triangle's lush farmland towards a small resort on the banks of the Mekong River. After an awe-inspiring day, we're rewarded with deluxe cottages commanding grand views over the river with Laos facing us on the other side. Enjoy a beverage on your balcony and soak it all in.

Motorcycling: 125km, thrilling descents, exhilarating mountain passes
Meals: B,L,D

Day 13 - The Golden Triangle

Your final day in the north is a wild one! Board a rocket-boat for a thrilling, 60km/hr ride, up the Mekong River to the Golden Triangle. En-route you'll visit a Laotian trading port then experience the impressive Hall of Opium, which provides a fascinating history of the drug and its role in the region. After lunch we'll board our private van to the colourful northern capital of Chiang Mai where you can enjoy the night relaxing, exploring the legendary Night Market and feasting on northern Thai delicacies. Tonight you'll be staying at the Shewe Wana Resort.

Meals: B,L,D

Days 14-17 - Highland Farm and Gibbon Sanctuary

On Day 14 we'll board our private van and head southwest to stay at the Highland Farm & Gibbon Sanctuary, located just kilometers from the Burmese border. The next few days will be spent learning about the Farm and its many animal residents. Started in 1991 by Bill & Pharanee Deters, Highland gives hope that the world can be a better place. This is truly an inspirational woman and an amazing place!

If you have particular skills that may be beneficial to one of the on-going projects at Highland Farm (e.g. marketing, construction, landscaping, etc.) please let us know and we can work together to do something special during our stay up there!

On Day 17 we'll say goodbye to new friends made, both human and animal, then catch a private van back to bustling Bangkok. As we say goodbye you'll be filled with amazing memories of your supreme adventure. Krang na, pope gan mai na (see you again next time).

Meals: B,L,D

 

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FAQs

Why Chiang Rai and not Chiang Mai?

While one destination is not necessarily better than another, we specialize in Chiang Rai Province for a few reasons: size, laid-back vibe and access to the outdoors. Chiang Rai city is a smaller regional centre (population 80,000), while Chiang Mai is a large city with about a million people.

Chiang Mai truly is one of the kingdom's most famous destinations, as the center of Thai Lanna culture, art and design, and a great place to experience Thailand, northern style. Chiang Rai on the other hand is less visited and many people say is like Chiang Mai was 30 years ago.

See the location of both cities on the Thailand map.

What kind of clothing should I bring?

Travel in clothing you feel comfortable wearing in hot weather for an entire day. Quick-dry, wick-away fabric is ideal for active days. For a more on this subject, check out What to Pack.

What if I don't ride a bike?

No problem. Our trips are designed to be flexible. When others in your group are biking we can take you to see some other sites and activities. It's that simple!

What if I don't ride a motorscooter?

No problem. Roughly half our guests ride motorscooters on our adventures. Motorcycling or motorscootering is best-suited to those with some prior experience. If you have no experience but are very keen, we run a comprehensive training course prior to riding that you can try. If motorcycles aren't for you, enjoy the trip from the comfort of our van, with relaxing music, big windows and chilled beverages. You're also welcome to ride on the back of your guide's motorscooter to experience the wind in your face.

*Safety note*: while our Team is willing to train you on the motorscootering portion, it must be understood that in the interests of overall safety we can not guarantee that everyone interested will ride. The final decision must ultimately rest with your ground team. A safe, injury free vacation is a fun vacation!

What if it rains?

Our adventures run year-round, rain or shine. During the rainy season (July-Oct) it's a good idea to bring an umbrella and be prepared to get a bit wet. When it really pours we take shelter, enjoy a beverage and let it pass, which is usually quickly - then we'll continue exploring. It's a great experience to see a SE Asian rain shower up close!

Are mosquito nets provided during the trip?

Generally they are not necessary for our trips in South East Asia. Lodgings we use have sealed doors and windows. Should you wish to enjoy the extra peace-of-mind of a mosquito net, feel free to bring one along and we're always happy to help you put it up.

Our group includes a variety of ages, interests and abilities - will we enjoy the same trip?

Yes, our adventures are flexible. If one member of your group doesn't want to ride a bike, we'll have a van waiting while you enjoy a good pedal. You may not want to ride a motorscooter, so you can enjoy the comfort of our van or even try riding on the back of your guide's bike for a while. We are experienced in ensuring everyone has their own perfect holiday while traveling together.

Read our Testimonials to learn more about how flexible our trips are.

I've never volunteered. Can I enjoy this adventure?

This adventure is designed for both experienced volunteers or first timers. Most participants have never taught, worked with the mentally handicapped or had experience handling gibbon apes. What is important is to be flexible, have an open mind and positive attitude.

Have more questions?

We have lots more information in our Travel Tips section that will give you an idea of what it's like to travel with Smiling Albino. You can read more on food, weather, language, history and culture, see where you'll be travelling, and maybe find a book or two that you can read before your adventure.

Visit the Travel Tips area.

 

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Upgrade Options

Need time on the beach when you're done? Our Thailand beach escapes are second to none.

Smiling Albino has an extensive selection of amazing beach resorts and destinations. Check out our options and let us know if we can add a beach escape to your trip.

Flights to & from Bangkok can be arranged.

Need a hotel in Bangkok before or after the trip?

Either downtown or at the airport we can accomodate you.

Downtown: Majestic Grande $115US/night or the Four Seasons $300US/pp/night (double) or $600US/pp/night (single).
Airport: Novotel Suvarnabhumi $220US/night.

Like to customize this adventure as a private trip?

Any of our trips can be changed up and moved around to give you the perfect experience. Take a look at one of our custom trip examples and let us know what we can do for you.

 

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