So what does life on the challenge actually involve? See below for an idea of what to expect…

Day 1: Arrival! Transferring to Khao Sok National Park, take a final opportunity to relax, meet your fellow challengers and enjoy a delicious traditional Thai meal. Overnight in jungle huts, immersed in the sounds of nature.

Day 2: Go through a health & safety briefing and Thai culture orientation, with all you need to stay safe and culturally sensitive during your stay in Thailand. Enjoy an afternoon forest walk with an introduction to some of the species you might expect to see in the coming days. Overnight in jungle huts, final rest before challenge starts!

Day 3: Starting early, the challenge begins! You will trek most of the day through the jungle amongst impressive flora and fauna, with opportunities to cool off at Bong Le Ap Nam and Ton Gloy waterfalls, arriving late afternoon at your campsite for the night. The day is still not over however, with a night safari to see some of the nocturnal creatures including ciet cats, slow loris, deer and even leopards.

Day 4: Another early start for a morning safari trek before packing up camp and once again heading off into the jungle. It is another full day on foot until you reach our campsite late afternoon, with an evening to relax the weary legs!

Day 5: Take in a longtail boat trip through the stunning limestone scenery of Cheow Lan Lake, enjoying lunch on the lake itself. Afternoon trek to our next camp on the river with a chance for a spot of swimming and a jungle-style dinner on bamboo plates. Another night safari and the chance to see barking deer, tiger, serow, bears, monkeys and rare birds.

Day 6: On this final day of the challenge, we pack up camp and head for Namtaloo cave, trekking through its streams and swimming the last 10m of the cave system. After one last short trek, we transfer to Ban Nam Khem, our base for our community volunteer projects in Phang Nga.

Day 7: The Project! - On this day we join in a regular project day with GVI staff and volunteers, meeting the team over breakfast. The focus of this day can vary, depending on the needs and requirements at any given time on the ground, but may include visiting English camps in local schools, activities for disabled children, community clean-ups or environmental education. You will get the opportunity to meet some of the local community, see firsthand the work that staff and volunteers do throughout the year. Your afternoon will be spent relaxing, speaking with current volunteers before enjoying a last celebratory meal to thank you for all the hard work! One final night in a guesthouse in Ban Nam Khem, and we return to Phuket the following day that marks the end of the challenge!

Field conditions

Your conditions will vary from guesthouses, to tented accommodation to basic jungle huts, with basic but tasty traditional Thai meals throughout. You should prepare for some early rises, late finishes, long days and weary legs…it’s not called a challenge for nothing!

In Phang Nga, together with the local community we work towards a number of project aims and goals that all fundraising will go toward. There is very little access to native English speakers and Thai teachers lack English skills. As such, they rely on foreign English teachers in schools. By providing Thai teachers with assistance, training and professional development we can help Thai teachers provide quality language classes for students on their own, breaking the cycle of reliance on expensive foreign teachers.

How this project makes a difference

The work carried out by GVI and the Charitable Trust has provided a huge amount of support to communities in the southern provinces of Thailand since 2007, when GVI partnered with the Ao Luk Non-Formal Education Center.

Because of tourism growth throughout Thailand, the ability to speak English opens the possibility of a well-paid job in the tourism sector, allowing the children to break the cycle of poverty in the future.

Additional teacher training for Thai English teachers provides them with professional development opportunities to learn better English and fun teaching techniques and activities to more effectively teach their students and provide student with the improved educational and career opportunities that English language skills provides

Without this project the schools would be without teachers to provide them with quality English language training. By donating you can help support professional development for local teachers working in rural schools.

Many decide to travel after their challenge, solidifying the lifetime friendships established. Our long term field staff are a great source of advice and are here to help you make the most of your time abroad. Remember to ask about discounts on local activities and side trips through your association with GVI. Our Phang Nga field teams have helped us put together the following information on trips and travel options in Thailand!

Please note if you wish to take any of these trips, you will need to extend your stay in Thailand beyond the dates of the challenge program.

Optional Side Trips

Take advantage of the amazing sites and scenery the Andaman region of Thailand has to offer. There are endless opportunities to visit islands, beaches, parks and caves and many can be done on weekends. While on the ground, we are here to help so make sure to ask our field staff to assist you with planning trips.

Khao Lak is a very popular tourist spot close by, with beautiful, seemingly endless beaches, so many dining options you’ll be spoilt for choice and hundreds of spas offering massages and treatments at reasonable rates. With a wide range of accommodation options, from luxury resorts to hostels, Khao Lak offers you the chance to spoil yourself for a few days, whether you’re on a budget or looking to splurge a little.

The Similan and Surin Island groups, both under the protection of their Marine National Park status, are home to some of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the region. You can take a day trip, stay on a live aboard boat or even stay overnight on the islands themselves.

Phuket Island, about 90mins south of Khao Lak and renowned for its colourful night life is also a great stop-off for divers and snorkelers, but if you’re not the diving type you can explore Phang Nga Bay by speed-boat or sea kayak, stopping off at James Bond Island, made famous by the 1974 film ‘The Man With the Golden Gun’ before visiting the floating Sea Gypsy village. Phuket is also very popular with surfers, playing host to annual surfing competitions, though there is a great ‘secret spot’ near Khao Lak…if you’re interested GVI staff will show you the way!

Neighbouring Krabi Province is a treasure trove for intrepid travellers; from the crystal clear Emerald Pond to the epic 1,237-step climb up to the Buddha image and stunning views at the Tiger Temple Cave to the enchanted scenery and pools of Than Bok Khoranee National Park to the shopping and late night bars of Ao Nang to the chilled out beaches of Koh Lanta Island to the parties of Phi Phi, where ‘The Beach’ was filmed – the options are truly endless!

Further Travelling Opportunities

Thailand is a country with a whole range of fantastic places that you could visit. If you have the time and budget, you could consider going to see the following; the waterfalls of the picturesque Khao Yai National Park, the mountain town of Chiang Mai, the local tribes of Nam Province, the beaches of Ko Tao and Mu Ko Chang Marine National Park, the golden kingdom of Ayuthaya, the temples and nightlife of Bangkok and many more…

Booking Information

Applying is a simple process and our team are available to help every step of the way. To book this fantastic challenge, click on the visit GVI website button at the  top and bottom of the page, which will take you through to the GVI website. On the right side of that page, you will see available dates and the Book Now tab. Here you will find the no obligation online application form.

1. Application phone call - You will be contacted by GVI’s Country Experts within two working days to chat through your application. GVI’s specialists have a wide range of knowledge from their travels in our host countries.
2. Securing your place – A deposit will be required in order to confirm your place. You will also receive pre-departure information and a fundraising manual for your challenge
3. Pre-departure support – GVI have sent over 10,000 people away over the last 10 years, so they have a lot of experience in making sure you are ready.

Departure Dates:

• 29th June 2013
• 5th October 2013
• 25th January 2014
• 10th August 2014
• 4th October 2014

Program Duration: 1 week       

Program Cost