3 Things Most Families Don’t Know About Our Thailand Trip
Families often ask about the elephants first.
That makes sense. The Thailand trip includes three days learning from local caretakers at an elephant conservation center.
But the trip is broader than that. Students also spend five days teaching English to elementary-age students, explore Bangkok’s temples and canals, snorkel and swim on Koh Samet, visit Chiang Mai’s night market, meet Buddhist monks for a conversation on mindfulness and faith, and learn traditional Thai cooking.
Here are three things families may not know before reading the full itinerary.
1. Students spend five days teaching English in local schools
Days 6 to 10 are focused on teaching English to elementary-age students.
Students help with lesson planning, games, and outdoor activities. They are not only observing. They are preparing, participating, adapting, and spending several days in a school setting.
That kind of service asks something different from a student.
They have to explain clearly.
They have to notice when younger students are confused.
They have to adjust when an activity does not land the way they expected.
They have to keep showing up the next day.
It is a strong stretch of the trip because it gives students a role with responsibility, while still working with support from leaders and local partners.
The Thailand trip includes 44 to 66 service hours.
2. Koh Samet gives the group a slower middle stretch
After Bangkok and the school service days, the group travels to Koh Samet.
Days 11 to 13 are spent on the island. The itinerary includes snorkeling, swimming, exploring bays, and time on white sand beaches.
That slower section matters.
The first half of the trip is full: international travel, Bangkok, temples, canals, and five days in schools. Koh Samet gives the group time to reset, spend time together, and experience Thailand from the water and coastline before flying north to Chiang Mai.
It is still part of the learning. Students are moving through another region of the country, with a different pace, landscape, and daily rhythm.
3. The elephant conservation work is hands-on
Days 15 to 17 are spent at an elephant conservation center.
Students learn from local caretakers and help with feeding, bathing, cleaning, and giving the elephants daily exercise. Each evening, the group returns to Chiang Mai.
This is one of the clearest animal service pieces in the RLT catalog because students are close to the daily care routines.
They are not only seeing elephants. They are learning what care looks like hour by hour: food, water, cleaning, movement, and attention from the people who work with the animals every day.
What the trip looks like
Days 1 and 2 are group travel from San Francisco to Bangkok, arrival, settling in, and getting to know the group.
Days 3 to 5 are in Bangkok. Students visit the Grand Palace, Emerald Buddha, Wat Po, Wat Arun, and take a boat tour through the city’s canals.
Days 6 to 10 are English teaching days in local schools.
Days 11 to 13 are spent on Koh Samet for snorkeling, swimming, and time along the coast.
Day 14 is travel north to Chiang Mai and an evening at the night market.
Days 15 to 17 are elephant conservation work.
Day 18 includes a conversation with Buddhist monks about mindfulness and faith, traditional Thai cooking, the final banquet, and reflection.
Days 19 and 20 are return travel.
What families should know before applying
Trip length and grade range. This is a 20-day trip for high school students completing grades 9 to 12.
Tuition. $7,495 for our 2026 Thailand trip.
Service hours. 44 to 66 hours of service work.
Location. The trip travels through Bangkok, Koh Samet, and Chiang Mai.
Travel. All participants fly together from San Francisco to Bangkok. Do not book flights until RLT sends official travel details.
Internal flight. There is one additional internal flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. RLT books this on behalf of the group and applies the charge to a final invoice.
Accommodations. Students stay in modest hotels throughout the trip. Rooms are shared by gender, with leaders in separate rooms nearby.
Bathrooms and showers. Accommodations have Western-style bathrooms and access to regular showers every day.
Food. All meals are provided by trusted local partners. Meals are a mix of food at accommodations, restaurants, and cafes. Students may help prep or serve meals in some locations. Meals include rice, vegetables, noodles, curries, grilled meats, and tropical fruits.
Dietary needs. RLT can accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other allergy-friendly options.
Packing. RLT recommends one checked soft duffel bag, not a rolling suitcase, plus a small carry-on backpack. Families receive a detailed packing list before departure.
Passport. U.S. citizens need a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date.
Trip insurance. Trip insurance is required for international programs.
Health preparation. Some parts of Thailand carry a risk of malaria transmission, and anti-malarial medication is recommended. Families should speak with a physician or travel health specialist and review CDC guidance before departure.
Phones. This program is phone-free. Leaders collect phones and personal electronics on Day 1 and return them at the end. Digital cameras and GoPros are welcome as long as they do not connect to the internet.
Questions families often ask
Is this mostly an elephant trip?
No. Elephant conservation is one important part of the itinerary, but students also spend five days teaching English, explore Bangkok, visit Koh Samet, spend time in Chiang Mai, meet Buddhist monks, and take part in a Thai cooking experience.
What kind of teaching do students do?
Students teach English to elementary-age students. Lesson planning, games, and outdoor activities are part of the experience.
Where do students sleep?
Students stay in modest hotels throughout the trip, with shared rooms divided by gender.
Does my teen need teaching experience?
No teaching experience is listed as required. Students should be ready to plan, participate, speak in front of younger students, and adapt with support from leaders and local partners.
Does my teen need to be comfortable with animals?
Yes. The elephant conservation days include feeding, bathing, cleaning, and daily exercise with elephants alongside local caretakers. If your teen has strong animal anxiety, talk with us before enrolling.
How to talk to your teen about this trip
Before they go, you might say:
“You’ll spend 20 days in Thailand. You’ll teach English in elementary schools, explore Bangkok’s temples and canals, snorkel and swim on Koh Samet, fly north to Chiang Mai, help with elephant care, meet Buddhist monks, cook Thai food, and be off your phone.”
After they come home, ask:
“What was it like teaching English?”
“What activity worked best with the students?”
“What did the elephant caretakers teach you?”
“What did you notice on Koh Samet?”
“What did the monks talk about?”
Explore the Thailand trip
For dates, tuition, itinerary, accommodations, packing details, paperwork, and the technology policy, see the full Thailand itinerary.
Explore Thailand: Elephants, Education, and Cultural Exploration