Program Dates: May 13th – June 30th, 2010
Program Fee: $1899
(including all group meals, transportation, accommodation, excursions, etc.)
(excluding flight)
Fundraising Donation: $1000

Building off the success of our inaugural Southeast Asia trip in 2009, Operation Groundswell is proud to offer Operation Groundswell SE Asia Discovery 2010.

The trip will begin with a pre-departure orientation in Toronto followed by an in-country orientation in Bangkok. The in-country orientation will help participants acclimatize by trying local cuisine, visiting cultural sites and attending a briefing at the Thai Foreign Ministry. Highlights will include the “Great Bangkok Scavenger Hunt” and staying on Koh San Road, the epicentre of Bangkok’s backpacker district.

From Bangkok, the group will travel to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Home to one of the world’s best night markets, Chiang Mai’s historical status as the ancient capital makes it truly unique.

The major group project of the trip will be in the hill tribe villages near Chiang Rai. Working with the Mirror Foundation, an amazing NGO working with disadvantaged hill tribe communities, our group will spend roughly one week in a variety of villages. Participants will eat traditional food, learn bamboo cup-making techniques, stay with host families and visit development projects in action. From the hill tribes, the group will travel to the ‘Golden Triangle’ where Thailand, Laos and Burma meet on the Mekong River.

After leaving Thailand, the group will head to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Home to one of the ancient wonders of the world and an UNESCO World Heritage site, the group will visit the Angkor Wat ruins and the Canadian-funded Cambodian Landmine Museum.

From Siem Reap, the group will head to the capital, Phnom Penh. Participants will learn about Cambodia’s tragic past through visits to the S-21 Prison and the Cheong Euk Killing Fields. Our time in Phnom Penh will be dominated by experiences with Cambodia’s many street youth. One of our days will be spent volunteering with an organization that brings orphans out of local garbage dumps and another day will be with Tiny Toones, an orphanage where former street kids learn break-dancing as a positive art form.

After our time in Phnom Penh, participants will begin Independent Travel Time (ITT) – a staple of all Operation Groundswell programs. All participants will be given detailed travel guides and information on the best places to see and how to stay safe. You can travel independently if desired but most participants chose to travel in pairs or small groups. During this time, participants are not under the auspices of the organized program and are entirely responsible for themselves. Participants will be given emergency contact numbers of the trip leaders during ITT for advice and any safety concerns. Most participants will likely choose to travel to Vietnam, Laos, or Malaysia during this time.

At the end of ITT, the group will reconvene on Koh Phangan island in southern Thailand. Home to the famous “Full Moon Party”, the relaxing trip debrief known as the ‘Disorientation’ is a chance to summarize our experience and think about the future, prior to flying home.

For more info on how to apply, please visit the Apply page