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Ornate golden stupas and intricate temple architecture in Thailand stand under a blue sky, representing the country's rich culture and religious beliefs.
Thailand

Thailand for Women: Culture, Community & Conservation

Program No. 25628RJ
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
27 meals ( 12B, 7L, 8D )
3 expert-led lectures
19 expert-led field trips
2 flights during the program
7 hands-on experiences
An experienced Group Leader
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 2:00 p.m. Remember to bring your name tag.
Afternoon:
Check in to the hotel and settle in after your long journey to Thailand. Orientation at 5:00 p.m. in the hotel lobby. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will learn from the Group Leader as well as local experts who will give lectures and lead field trips. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of minivans; driving 12 miles one way, under 1 hour riding time. Walking 1-2 miles, approximately 1.5 hours in the morning. Walking 1 mile, approximately 1 hour in the afternoon along cobblestones in the old city center with light traffic.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
In the early morning, we will depart by minivans for Doi Suthep, an icon of Chiang Mai. Situated on a mountain, rising high above the city, this sacred pagoda offers a fabulous view of Chiang Mai and its surroundings. Here we will learn about the significance of this temple to Chiang Mai. Then, we will continue by motorcoach to visit the Lanna Folklife Museum, where the rich traditions, culture, and history of Northern Thailand are brought to life within a beautifully restored colonial building. From here, we’ll walk to Chiang Mai Women Correctional Institution for a meaningful and inspiring visit to the Vocational Training Centre and Ruen Phathamrong Museum. This unique initiative offers inmates the opportunity to rebuild their lives through professional training in traditional Thai massage and spa services. With hands-on experience and language skills, participants are prepared for meaningful employment beyond the institution. The Ruen Phathamrong Museum tells a powerful story of transformation—from confinement to rehabilitation—highlighting personal journeys, resilience, and hope. This visit reflects a deeper purpose: supporting empowerment, restoring dignity, and encouraging second chances within society.
Lunch:
We’ll enjoy a local lunch featuring Khao Soy, Chiang Mai’s signature dish, an authentic taste of Northern Thai cuisine.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we will return to our hotel to freshen and relax. In the late afternoon, we will be picked up by minivans and transfer to a local family’s home. Here, we will explore the property, learn about Chiang Mai architectural styles, and visit the organic garden to select some ingredients for an interactive cooking experience.
Dinner:
We’ll end the day with a traditional Khantoke dinner, enjoying a home-cooked meal together for an intimate and memorable cultural experience.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of minivans; driving about 24 miles one way, approximately 1 hour riding time to elephant sanctuary. Walking 1-2 miles on reasonably flat natural surfaces.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will travel by minivans to an elephant sanctuary and an elephant interactive experience. Here, we’ll learn about the Asian Elephants in Thailand in a relaxed forest environment. We will have the opportunity to meet and speak with the mahouts. This sanctuary is dedicated to providing a natural and relaxing environment for their rescued elephants in their retirement.
Lunch:
Vegetarian lunch at the elephant camp.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll board our minivans and transfer back to Chiang Mai for a visit to a local textile studio to learn about textile arts in Southeast Asia. Founded in 1986 in Northern Thailand, a community of women weavers, embroiderers, designers, and support staff who compose the women’s group “Weavers for the Environment” (WFE), bringing together craft makers from various ethnic groups to create high quality, environmentally friendly and sustainable products. Their aim is to encourage pride in traditional techniques and empower women within their villages, with the concept of “working together with respect for one another and the environment.” Here we will hear a presentation on the natural dyes, Thai ikat technique, and the story of Weavers for the Environment. We’ll then return to our hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 24 miles one way, approximately 1 hour riding time. Walking 1-2 miles in a local village throughout the day.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will transfer by motorcoach to Ban Pong Huai Lan, a local village that is part of the Royal Initiative Project, where local people live their life in a sustainable way. Upon arrival, we’ll receive a warm welcome from locals and a fresh herbal drink followed by an introduction to the community. We’ll learn about the royal initiative project which established the forest preservation unit and helped build Huai Lan Reservoir. We’ll hear more about King Bhumibol’s initiatives and ideas on how the land and area can be properly managed for a sustainable livelihood. We continue with a visit to the Fishery Department and learn how the fishing farm has become a significant food resource for the local community. We’ll then continue by motorcoach to Huai Lan Reservoir and enjoy the natural panoramic views overlooking the reservoir.
Lunch:
In the village.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll visit Grandma Som’s Farm, a sustainable-living farm based on the inspiration of the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy – growing enough to eat first and selling off surplus. Here we’ll get hands-on experience using traditional handloom weaving, thread-spinning, and all the weaving processes from the professional women’s group of the village. These women help preserve the traditional handicraft and local wisdom. We’ll watch and learn from the locals on how to make wicker/weaving crafts. Before saying goodbye to the community, we’ll take an afternoon break and try a delicious local dessert, “Kanom-Khee-Maeo,” cooked with rice flour and coconut, served with a fresh herbal juice. We will then transfer to Baan Kang Wat, a small, sustainable crafts village. At the village, there are many activities that we can take part in. The activities are all laid out in a village format so we can walk from house to house. These are all locals from the Chiang Mai area allowing guests to join in their workshops while showing their own works to guests too.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 4.5 hours riding time with rest stops. Easy to moderate walking for approximately 3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the hotel and depart for Mae Chan. En route, we stop in Chiang Rai and visit the Buddhist temple Wat Rong Khun with the Group Leader. Commonly referred to as the White Temple, the silvery-white buildings appear to shimmer from a distance.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll continue our drive to our hotel in Mae Chan. After we check in at the hotel, we will have some time to relax. In the early evening, we’ll enjoy a one-hour meditation at the resort to calm the mind and relax the body. Meditation is the act of focusing the mind to relax, improve inner awareness, and make positive mental or physical changes.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 25 miles one way, approximately 1 hour riding time. Easy to moderate walking about 1 mile, approximately 2-3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
First, we’ll enjoy a one-hour yoga class at the resort. We’ll then leave by motorcoach with the Group Leader to the Mae Fa Luang Botanical Garden in Doi Tung, a lush highland oasis founded by the Princess Mother (Somdet Phra Srinagarindra) as part of her mission to restore the region’s environment and improve the lives of local communities. The garden, set on the slopes of Doi Tung Mountain, features beautifully landscaped areas that showcase a variety of plants, including the Royal Garden, which highlights the Princess Mother’s vision for sustainable agricultural development. We will explore the Orchid and Tropical Plant Garden, home to a stunning array of orchids and rare tropical plants, as well as the Tropical Rainforest Section, which mimics the natural biodiversity of Southeast Asia. The gardens are designed to reflect the beauty and ecological importance of the region, making them not only visually captivating but also educational. After visiting the gardens, we’ll discover the nearby Doi Tung Royal Villa, the former residence of the Princess Mother. Here, we’ll gain insight into her tireless efforts to uplift the local people through sustainable development, reforestation, and agricultural initiatives. The villa itself is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
Lunch:
At Doi Tung Cafe.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we’ll continue by motorcoach to Choui Fong Tea Plantation, located in the highlands near Chiang Rai at around 1,200 meters above sea level. Choui Fong has been producing some of Thailand’s highest quality teas for nearly half a century. Here we’ll learn from a local expert about tea cultivation and its history in this area. We will return to our hotel and participate in a one-hour meditation class.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer, and our flight to Bangkok in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 52 miles, approximately 1 hour riding time. Getting on/off an airplane; flight time under 1.5 hours. The evening walk from our hotel to a nearby restaurant is approximately 10 minutes.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of the hotel and transfer by motorcoach to the Chiang Rai airport for our morning flight to Bangkok. Upon our arrival in Bangkok, we will ride to our hotel and check in.
Lunch:
Light lunch served on the plane.
Afternoon:
We have some down time after lunch to settle into our hotel or head out for a walk nearby the riverside hotel. In the late afternoon/early evening, we’ll take a walk to a local restaurant owned and operated by a Thai entrepreneur. Before dinner, we’ll learn about this restaurant called Poomjai and how this place was transformed from a deserted land to its current setting. We’ll meet the women who started all of this and what they hoped to accomplished from this restaurant.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting in/out of a long-tail riverboat. Walking about 1.5 miles throughout the day from river pier to the Grand Palace, to lunch, then to Wat Pho. Note: We do not go inside the Grand Palace, but we do explore the surroundings. Wat Pho is a sacred site. Please dress conservatively (no shorts or tank tops); shoes must be removed to enter the temple, but socks are allowed. Photography is not permitted.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will take a local river taxi to the Grand Palace area. The Grand Palace with its surrounding complex is Bangkok’s most famous landmark. Built in 1782, the extraordinary architecture, artistic detail, and amazing history have made it a cultural icon. The Grand Palace is no longer the royal residence, but it is still used for important ceremonial occasions. We will explore the Palace exterior. In addition to the Palace itself, there are more than 100 structures within the grounds. Many of these are beautifully designed and decorated, including Wat Phra Kaew, Thailand’s most important and sacred temple. We will then visit the Wat Phra Kaew temple that houses the so-called Emerald Buddha, painstakingly carved from a single block of green jade. It was discovered in a Chiang Rai stupa in 1434, covered in plaster! Legend says its history goes back to India in the year 43 BCE. It now sits in splendor on a golden throne and watches over the Thai nation. Afterwards, we’ll visit the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum to learn about Thai textiles past and present. We’ll then continue by foot to Wat Pho, adjacent to the Palace. The oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok, it contains more than 1,000 images of the Buddha. One of the most famous is the Reclining Buddha, nearly 150 feet long and 50 feet high. Wat Pho was also the country’s earliest center for public education. It is the national headquarters for preserving and teaching traditional Thai medicine, including Thai massage, which is still practiced here.
Lunch:
We will take a short walk to have lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a colorful longtail boat and cruise up the river, admiring the Bangkok skyline as we go. We will discover an intricate network of waterways, dotted with traditional teak houses as well as modern mansions. Bangkok’s waterside reveals some of the city’s history and shows how it has evolved into the cosmopolitan capital we see today. We will return to our hotel and adjourn for the day.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy the local fare.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out, transfer, and our early morning flight to Phuket tomorrow morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving 11 miles, up to 1 hour riding time to airport. The flight from Bangkok to Phuket is approximately 1.5 hours. Short drive from Phuket airport to the hotel. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will check out of our hotel and transfer to Bangkok Airport for our flight to Phuket, located in southern Thailand.
Lunch:
At own arrangements on the flight to Phuket.
Afternoon:
We will disembark our flight at Phuket airport and transfer to our hotel. We will check in to our hotel and have the remainder of the afternoon to settle in and relax.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a vessel; riding approximately 2 hours in the morning, 1 hour in the early evening. Getting in/out of kayaks; riding approximately 2-3 hours.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will enjoy some time at leisure before our late-morning departure for Phang Nga Bay. At Ao Po Grand Marina Pier, we will board a vessel from which we will explore the sea caves and hidden lagoons. We will discover the pristine beauty of Phuket as we take in the limestone cliffs and turquoise waters of Phang Nga Bay.
Lunch:
We will enjoy lunch aboard the boat as we cruise around Phang Nga Bay.
Afternoon:
We’ll hop aboard smaller boats to explore the Phang Nga Bay Caves. Local guides will do the paddling as we take in the stunning surroundings. Look out for macaques, water monitors, kingfishers, mudskippers, egrets, sea eagles, and Brahminy kites as you explore the hidden caverns and picturesque lagoons surrounded by giant cliffs.
Dinner:
On the main boat, we will enjoy a Thai seafood dinner (with vegetarian options) underneath the stars of Phang Nga Bay.
Evening:
We will finish the day by floating our self-made flower “Krathong” and return to the pier after sunset. From the pier, we will head back to the hotel, arriving at around 10:00 p.m.
Activity Note
Walking in town for 2 miles, approximately along small and sometimes busy roads. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will explore Phuket Old Town on foot with the Group Leader, who will tell us about the island’s past while exploring different architectural styles. We’ll view former Chinese schools that have been repurposed into museums and restaurants as well as Chinese shrines. We will walk past Sino-Portuguese buildings that stand in testimony to the influence of the migrants who came to Phuket during the tin mining days of the 19th century. We’ll take a closer look at the past with a visit to Thavorn Museum led by the Group Leader. Located in the hotel of the same name, this museum boasts an impressive collection of old calculators, typewriters, tin toys and more. Seeing these relics gives us a sense of what life was like in Phuket in earlier times. During our walk, we have the opportunity to sample various local snacks and delicacies.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration.
Dinner:
On your own.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After a leisurely morning, we will transfer by motorcoach for a special spa treatment. We will go for a refreshing aromatherapy hot oil massage at Oasis Spa. We will start with a healing treatment including an aromatic herbal steam treatment followed by oil and Thai massages.
Lunch:
On your own.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Please note that the period scheduled for free time is subject to change depending on local circumstances and opportunities for independent exploration. In the late afternoon, we’ll join the Group Leader for a program wrap-up.
Dinner:
At the hotel. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out at 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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