Embedded Files
Welcome to your program
On this program, students will work with elephants and small animal medicine in Thailand! Chiang Mai offers a vibrant city experience with plenty to explore. Enjoy exciting activities with your group, including temple tours, night market adventures, ziplining through the jungle, and more.
This page will take you through everything you need to know about your program. You should READ every section. We've linked additional information under each topic as needed.
Housing
Housing at ECO is shared bathrooms and rooms with AC and a pool. Housing at ENP is more rustic with no central AC, shared a bedroom, and an ensuite bathroom.
Food
During the city week students will eat at a variety of Thai places and American style restaurants. At ENP students will have a variety of vegan food only.
Flights
Please book your travel to arrive in Chiang Mai by 1:00 PM on the arrival Sunday of your program and to depart from Chiang Mai after 3:00 PM on the departure Saturday of your program. Please book your travel to arrive at Chiang Mai International Airport (airport code CNX).
If you are traveling additionally on your own in Thailand, please plan your personal travel for after your Loop Abroad program so that we can assist you with Thailand entry requirements and minimize the risk of COVID regulations affecting your Loop Abroad itinerary. Loop Abroad will bring you to the airport with the group after your program ends, after that you are not on a Loop Abroad program and are responsible for yourself.
BEWARE that flights with more than one stop in China require a Chinese transit visa. We advise against booking flights with more than one stop in China; if you choose to do so, you are responsible for ensuring that you meet any visa requirements. Failure to meet visa requirements may mean that you cannot board your flight at home or your connecting flight in China.
Packing
The only items you are required to bring are those on the “required” lists. General required items (like your passport) are found on the ALL PROGRAMS packing list above. Program specific required items are found below under the REQUIRED section. For the rest of the items, you are welcome to use your discretion. There may be items missing from this list that you’d like to bring, and there may be items on this list that you don’t want to bring. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
Required for this program
4 scrub tops for surgery and outreach days (Loop Abroad scrub tops can be purchased on-site in Thailand for $20 each if you prefer)
Pants (leggings okay) and we suggest light-weight pants that can get dirty (scrub pants or hiking pants are great).
Closed-toed shoes for chores and elephant vet rounds.
One outfit you can wear to visit a Buddhist temple where your knees and shoulders must be totally covered. Lightweight loose-fitting pants (like scrub pants,Thai pants, a long skirt, etc) and a t-shirt works great!
NO acrylic nails, gel nails, or long nails, as these can affect medical procedures and sterile gloving. In order to scrub in to observe and support the veterinarian leader on surgery day, you must remove your gel nails first. Nails should be cut short for animal safety. On surgery days, you will not be permitted to wear jewelry, including rings, so we encourage you to leave any expensive or fancy jewelry at home.
Suggested for this program
Extra Socks- expect your feet to get wet on some days
Shorts for both chores and work and for city-wear
Bathing suit (any style is fine)
Tee shirts or tank tops (at least a few that cover your shoulders, most that can get dirty and yucky, and some for wearing in the city)
Long-sleeved shirt (you should bring at least 1 long-sleeved shirt to cover your arms for certain chores)
Surgical cap (optional but helps reduce waste and can be used throughout your career)
Some students have suggested that they should have packed more “city” clothes for evenings. You never have to dress up, but are welcome to bring “city” clothes to wear to dinner, markets, etc if you like
Sandals with a strap (similar to Teva, Chaco or Keen) (optional, but many people prefer these to sneakers for wet and muddy chores)
Rain boots (optional, but many people enjoy these for muddy chores)
Some students suggest they were happy to have hiking boots, TOMS, swimming shoes, Crocs, or other particular shoes; bring whatever makes you comfortable in wet, dirty conditions and also in city conditions. Many also suggested shower shoes for shared bathrooms.
If you are a picky eater who will not enjoy vegetarian Thai food for every meal at ENP, consider packing some items that can serve as meals. Jerky, prepared pouch meals, cheese, dried fruit, nuts, tuna pouches, items that can be prepared with boiling water (instant mashed potatoes, oatmeal), protein bars, applesauce pouches, and peanut butter are all good options. All food will need to be in a sealed bag that ants cannot get into. **Note: As of 2/1/23 if you are traveling through Taipei, you should NOT bring meat products.
Wet wipes and/or tissues – public toilets do not supply toilet paper (there is toilet paper in all our housing and major activity sites). Note you cannot flush wet wipes or toilet paper in most toilets in Thailand.
A pair of work gloves or gardening gloves
Any items you wish to donate (elementary-level books in English, simple no-battery toys, school supplies of any kind, baby supplies, and first aid items are always needed and appreciated. Used items are welcome. If you want to raise money to purchase donations, please contact Loop Abroad – it may be more efficient to arrange purchasing items in Thailand)
FAQ
Please try to keep your bag light - if you are flying domestically in Thailand, the domestic flight checked-bag limit is 20kgs (44lbs) - you will be responsible for transporting it through the airport. If your bag exceeds weight limits on any of your flights, you will be responsible for overage fees. You are NOT allowed to bring a hair dryer, hair straightener, or personal fan using a cord (cannot be safely plugged into 220V electricity in Thailand).
WIFI: Students will have WiFi at both housing locations but the WiFi at Elephant Nature Park is not reliable. If you are interested in a travel phone plan, please talk to your phone provider before your program starts.
Bedding: We will provide you with sheets, pillows and blankets.
Towels: Towels will be provided but wash cloths will not. We recommend bringing a luffa.
Laundry: Loop Abroad will pay to have your laundry done once. Laundry will be done approximately mid-trip and may take a few days. You can have laundry done at additional times at your own expense – approximately $1 per pound.
Outlets: You can use a regular 2-prong American plug. Some 3-prong outlets are available. You may find it helpful to have a 3-to-2 adapter like this for plugging in your laptop (if you are bringing one) in some locations. (Usually you can buy at the hardware store for about $1.)
Dress Code: There will be at least one occasion where you will be asked to have "temple clothes." This is nothing fancy! Just clothing that is loose and modest -- no yoga pants or low-cut tops. Your shoulders and knees must be covered for this activity. You will need a minimum of 4 srub tops for surgery day.
Money: Most students spend around $200 USD on a two-week program. You’ll likely want to buy things like souvenirs, laundry, snacks or drinks. So you don’t NEED any money, but you’ll want to bring enough that you can buy some things to bring home. We HIGHLY recommend contacting your bank and ordering Thai Baht before leaving for the program. There will be an ATM where students can withdraw money, and there is an ATM transaction fee each time.
Page updated
Report abuse