We invite you to join Cultural Crossroads as we explore the beauty and culture of Thailand. Nestled between Laos, Burma, Cambodia and Malaysia, Thailand’s people are warm, friendly and happy to share all their country has to offer.  The cuisine is excellent, and the arts and crafts are a rich tapestry of workmanship and traditions.  It is a country of extraordinary contrasts from the bustling city of Bangkok to jungles, forests, small villages and beautiful beaches.

On our cultural tour we will visit temples, bazaars, enjoy elephant rides, take a boat ride along canals, visit Bangkok, Khao Yai National Park (A UNESCO World Heritage Site), Chiang Mai, and the Golden Triangle.

We spend the day with an organization which enables travelers to watch and experience Thai culture and its traditional living arts through: Thai Etiquette, (walking sitting, social interactions, hand movements) Thai Dance (both movement and gestures), Traditional Flower arranging and Lai Thai or Thai Design.  These living arts are taught by master local teachers and show the common traditions that run through all of the arts.

Participants spend an evening tracking wild elephants with local rangers and discuss how they find them, trek into the jungle to enjoy the amazing ecosystem and animals, which includes Macaques, Hornbills and Gibbons.

Travelers spend a morning learning about traditional Lanna style textile weaving, visiting the house of an author and ceramics expert, and see his outstanding collection of ceramics he amassed over many years. Enjoy a Thai Cooking Class.  We begin by visiting a local fresh market, where with the chef we will purchase ingredients for a 4 course Thai meal.  We then return to the kitchen where we will cook the meal and enjoy the dishes.  

We spend a day at Voluntourism. Travelers have the opportunity to “give back” to the communities.  We provide three options: The Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), Teaching English in the Chiang Mai District, or working with villagers to maintain multi purpose hiking trails.

Travelers contribute monetarily through two programs listed above (donations to The Elephant Conservation Center and the village where travelers do forestry work (paying villagers).  Cultural Crossroads also donates a portion of our profits to communities through cultural sustainability projects.  On this trip the donation will be to help the local children gain skills to independently manage their village’s tourism services in the schools of the Chiang Mai District.

The tour is for 8-16 travelers only, so you can enjoy the company of others, or fill the trip with your friends and/or family. Our small group size provides you with special opportunities and private access for unique cultural experiences.