Experience an inspiring travel semester abroad on this Southeast Asia gap year program through the Buddhist countries of Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Southeast Asia can’t be beaten for the sheer diversity of cultures, histories and landscapes in a geographically small area. Your days will be as varied as the countries you visit, with a fusion of hands-on volunteer work with elephants, connecting with locals during community volunteer projects, trekking through ethnic minority villages, and healthy doses of jungles and beaches.

Join us on this epic journey through the remote minority villages of Laos, the diverse landscapes of Vietnam, the world-famous Cambodian temples of Angkor Wat, all the way to the stunning beaches of Southern Thailand. This 70-day gap year program offers you an enriching fusion of community and animal rescue volunteer projects, cultural immersion, Vietnamese cooking, Buddhist meditation, kayaking, and of course, non-stop adventure!

 

    Voted Best Gap Year Program

 

This Gap Year Program Is For You if You...

✓ Want to relax on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world

✓ Are interested in immersing yourself in new cultures

✓ Love activities like rock climbing, hiking, and kayaking

✓ Are enthusiastic about animal welfare and community volunteering

✓ Want to discover spectacular temples, jungles, and vibrant markets

 

Thoughts From a Former Southeast Asia Student

   Before heading across the world to Southeast Asia, I’d had a rough couple of years. I was at a crossroads in my life. The program opened my eyes to whole new realms of possibilities, as well as giving me a chance to step back, take a deep breath, relax and reflect. The pace of the itinerary has been honed and perfected over years and years. There is a great mix of physical activity, cultural immersion, and rest time. The friends and experiences I made along the way gave me more confidence than I ever thought possible. I have Pacific Discovery to thank for that. I can confidently say that my time in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia has re-inspired me to be excited about my future. I wouldn't trade that for anything in the world.” 

- Trevor Cheitlin

 

Not sure where you want to go yet?

Our Program Quiz can help you find your perfect Program match! Or get the full Program run-down in our catalogue. This catalogue provides information about Pacific Discovery's values and program design, as well as program descriptions and testimonials!

Request Online Catalogue

  • Service-learning and Volunteer Projects
    • • Care for elephants during a volunteer project at an elephant sanctuary
    • • Work with an NGO that helps to break the cycle of poverty for at-risk girls in Thailand
    • • Visit local organizations that work on issues of clearing landmines and wildlife conservation
  • Outdoor Adventures
    • • Experience Krabi from above the ground on a rock climbing adventure 
    • • Trekking through Northern Laos with visits to ethnic minority villages
    • • Riverboat journey down Asia's most legendary river, the Mekong River
    •  Kayak around the beaches and islets in Southern Thailand
    • • Hike in the amazing jungle, rivers and lakes of Khao Sok National Park 
  • Cultural Immersion
    • • Live in a traditional hill tribe village in northern Thailand and observe their simple way of life
    • • Learn to make authentic Vietnamese and Thai food during cooking workshops
    • • Find inner peace during a Buddhist meditation retreat led by Thai monks
    • • Learn about the culture through working alongside local villagers in small communities
  • Personal Development
    • • Become a global citizen with a global perspective on environmental issues
    • • Take control of the itinerary and learn to work as a team with a self-led section!
    • • Step up with confidence to new opportunities and challenges
    • • Transfer the applicable learning activities to benefit both school and personal life

TO THAILAND

Week 1. Bustling Bangkok & Ancient Temples

We arrived in Bangkok, having journeyed from the West to the East. In Bangkok, cultures entwine in a symphony of sounds, scents, sights and tastes – it’s a sensory overload! Our first few days will focus on getting to know each other and creating a positive and reflective group culture to support us in realizing our program goals. Then enjoy a yummy meal at the market, where we can sit back and watch the hustle and bustle of market life around us. Hidden in the busy Bangkok streets are some of Thailand’s most beautiful religious and cultural sites, and this week we get to visit them and see their beauty in person. Including Wat Pho, The Grand Palace, The Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Arun, and many more!

After orientation, we take the train to the jungles and ruins of Ayutthaya, a historic city and kingdom in Thailand. This UNESCO World Heritage site was the capital of Siam for around 400 years and holds many grand monuments and temples. In Ayutthaya, we will head out on a tour of this magical city, seeing all of the sights and wonders that it has to hold, and all from a mountain bike!

Departing Ayutthaya, we journey to Sukhothai, another UNESCO World Heritage site that is famous for its ancient temples. 1000 years ago, Sukhothai was the capital of Thailand. Today it is a tranquil quintessential Thai town. We will explore the complex of temple ruins before continuing by minivan, north to Chiang Rai.

Week 2. Living in a Traditional Hill Tribe Village

We make our way further north to the hills of Thailand, where we have some time to explore the sights of Chiang Rai. This city is a lot smaller and less developed than neighboring Chiang Mai, and has the added advantage of featuring the striking all-white Buddhist temple Wat Rong Khun.

From Chiang Rai, we head to the countryside! We will spend a few days in a small hill tribe village to observe their simple way of life. A member of the Lahu community will talk us through the history of the village, their distinct traditional clothing, and the strong commitment to maintaining the Lahu way of life. We will also get hands-on by building a coffee nursery to help the community, head into the jungle, and learn about the irrigation purposes of the local dams. To end this immersive stay, we can join in a dance and cultural exchange during a traditional Lahu dance performance, also called the ‘Ka Kuk We’. 

After we have said goodbye to our host families, we make our way to Chiang Mai. Although Chiang Mai is the third largest city in the country, it has the appearance of a large village. We explore the historic center during the day, and spend the evening browsing, shopping and snacking in Chiang Mai’s night markets. We‘ll even visit monks while they are at Buddhist University and chat with them about what a monk’s life is like, Thai culture and Tradition, Buddhism, Meditation, and anything else we are curious about!

Week 3. Elephant Conservation & Community Volunteering

Everyone's favorite, we will be staying at an ethical elephant conservation park that aims to solve some of the problems surrounding elephant exploitation in Thailand. Despite a ban on logging, elephant habitat is still being lost and as few as 500 wild elephants are left within Thailand and they are threatened. Over 2,000 domestic elephants, trapped in the traditional elephant tourist industry, have a bleak future. We will be up close and personal with these kind and unforgettable animals for a few days, helping care for them and exploring the complex issue the animal conservation world is currently facing.

By the time we leave the sanctuary, we will have learned an enormous amount about elephant conservation, will be very sad to bid farewell to these gentle giants, and will feel incredibly satisfied at the rewarding work we have done to ensure their protection.

The rest of the week is all about empathy and understanding. We will be based in the forest just outside of Chiang Mai and work to support one of the minority tribes in northern Thailand. We will work alongside a transparent NGO that helps to empower at-risk girls to end trafficking and exploitation within their communities and works to break the cycle of poverty in Thailand.

TO LAOS

Week 4. Buddhist Meditation Retreat & The Mekong River

We make our way to Pai, a relaxing town nestled in a forested valley. Changing gears, we enjoy three days of reflection and insight at a peaceful Buddhist Meditation Retreat taught by Thai monks. We begin our days with chanting and meditation, before getting a Buddhism and meditation workshop. We will also head out into the open to discover meditation with nature, the perfect way to find inner peace.

We travel further north to the town of Chiang Khong, on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. From any vantage point in the town we can gaze across the waters to the Laotian town of Huay Xai. Tomorrow… new country, new currency, new language, new food! Our first official border crossing. We cross the Mekong River to Huay Xai, Laos, and begin our journey down the Mekong River.

We begin our 2-day boat journey down the Mekong River with plenty of space to lay back and enjoy the river views – jungled hills, people fishing, kids playing on the riverbanks. Our last day on the river takes us past the Pak Ou Caves, believed to be the most spiritually significant site in Laos and containing hundreds of Buddha images, before continuing to Luang Prabang.

Week 5. Trekking, Temples and Waterfalls

From Luang Prabang we embark on a 4-day trek through a remote region of northern Laos. We'll develop our resilience, our team work and our understanding of life in rural communities. In the evenings, we will listen to fascinating folktales about the origins of the Khmu and Hmong people, practice a few local Lao phrases, pick up a game of football or volleyball with some of the village children, and perform a baci or other traditional ceremony. During this trekking, we will be amazed at the villages nestled into steep hillsides as we hike through rice paddies, tropical jungle and limestone mountains. On our final day we will return to Luang Prabang for some rest and relaxation.

Described by a program alumni as a town of ‘colonial-French-Buddhist-jungle-rainforest fusion’, this World Heritage City – with its glistening temple roofs, crumbling French colonial architecture and fantastic food, is hard to leave. We explore the temples, visit an impressive waterfall nearby, and wake at dawn to watch the colorful procession of monks collecting alms (their day’s food) from the local residents.

TO VIETNAM

Week 6. Student-led Section from Hanoi to Hoi An

We fly from Luang Prabang to Hanoi, the cultural heart of Vietnam. Our Laotian Kip currency becomes Vietnamese Dong and we’ll have the chance to try another new language and take part in local life at streetside restaurants and markets.

We base ourselves in the Old Quarter of the city, where daily life spills out onto the street. Enjoy some free time to explore the colorful streets of the Old Quarter, where streets are named for the products they sell. See artisans creating a myriad of products, gravestones being carved, silk merchants haggling, flower markets and everything imaginable being bought and sold on the streets.

You’ll have some time to plan before commencing the student-led section of the program between Hanoi and Hoi An. We will split the group in half, with one instructor accompanying each small group. Each group is given a budget and date they need to arrive in Hoi An. Then each group plans and executes their own travels and manages their budget for 6 days.

Wandering the streets of Hoi An, you really feel embraced by history. The town now has UNESCO World Heritage status and its old houses, quiet streets and covered bridges are being preserved and restored. Hoi An is renowned for its diverse architectural heritage, masterful tailors, abundant silks and superb cuisine. While we’re here, we will use local ingredients to cook our own authentic Vietnamese dishes during a cooking workshop! We’ll finish our time in Vietnam by visiting the historical Cu Chi Tunnels used by the Viet Cong during WWII and get some final exploration in before heading to our next destination: Cambodia!

TO CAMBODIA

Week 7: Cambodian Culture and Island Relaxation 

Finally, the time has come to explore majestic Cambodia. We will spend the first few days exploring Phnom Penh, from the beautiful Buddhist temple Wat Phnom to the wonderfully chaotic Russian Market, undoubtedly one of the more interesting markets you’ll ever visit. We also uncover the tragic history of the Khmer Rouge regime with a visit to the infamous Killing Fields and to Tuol Sleng Museum, a former Khmer Rouge prison turned museum.

It’s time to head south to the beach city of Kampot to visit Epic Arts and participate in a movement workshop. Epic Arts is an organization that promotes integration of people of all abilities using the arts as a form of expression, empowerment, education and employment – vital in a country where an estimated 1 in 250 people have some form of disability. Our last couple of days in the south are spent heading out on a speedboat to the island of Koh Rong to relax and chill as a group. It’s time to head back to the mainland to catch an overnight bus to Siem Reap for our next chapter in the kingdom of wonder.

After our busy first few days, we take a boat to the peaceful and tranquil island of Koh Rong, where we will spend 2 days reflecting and letting our experiences so far settle in-  and what better place to do this than from a gorgeous white sand beach.

Week 8: Sunrise at Angkor Wat and Battambang Bat Cave

After our reenergizing two days - It’s time to head to Temple Town, otherwise known as Siem Reap! We will start our day by watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat. We’ll learn all about the religious history of this incredible architectural wonder, along with many others, such as Ta Phrom Temple, made famous by the Tomb Raider movie! This beautiful temple has been reclaimed by nature, with trees and plants growing throughout.

We break up the week with a boat ride through one of Cambodia's floating fishing villages, where the residents live in wooden houses floating on the water, or on stilts. Don’t forget a student favorite - attending the Phare Circus! Don’t worry - only humans are a part of this circus. Phare artists are students and graduates from Phare Ponleu Selpak’s vocational training center in Battambang, a school dedicated to offering free arts education to high risk youth in Cambodia.

Next we head to the quaint riverside town of Battambang, featuring friendly Khmer people and beautifully preserved colonial architecture. For the next few days, we will explore the markets and French colonial buildings on foot and by bike, hop onto a bamboo train, visit a memorial site for the victims of the Khmer Rouge, and watch millions of bats take to the skies from the caves of Ship Mountain. A few Cambodian families will also show us how they have been making traditional products like dried bananas and bamboo sticky rice for generations. We get to taste and experience the pleasures of these products fresh off the fire.

BACK TO THAILAND

Week 9: Khao Sok National Park

It’s time to say goodbye to Siem Reap and head back to Thailand. After a quick visit to Bangkok, we will travel to Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park is a remnant of the oldest and most diverse rainforest in the world, and is home to the largest flower in the world. Based in our very own treehouse, hidden amongst the jungles of this National Park, we will explore the area. We will spend our days hiking and exploring this lush green jungle environment. It’s also time to open your mind and free your soul with a full day of yoga and meditation. There isn’t a place in the world more perfect to find inner peace than Khao Sok National Park. Bursting with beauty and tranquility, you’re sure to find your peace here.

Week 10. Rock Climbing & Kayaking in Southern Beaches

Say goodbye to the jungle and hello to the beach as we head back down South to Railay Beach! Railay is a peninsula on the mainland only accessible by boat, surrounded by stunning limestone cliffs, jungle and the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. It’s one like no other, and you are sure to fall in love with its golden sand and crystal clear water! We’ll also head over to the famous peninsula of Railay beach. We’ll go rock climbing before taking out a kayak to explore the islands.

It’s been a wild ride and now it’s time to bid farewell to Thailand, your new friends, and your guide, as you hop on board your flight in Krabi and head off on your next adventure, wherever that may take you! In the evening we will enjoy a final night dinner, to reflect on our time in Thailand, share hugs, laughter, memories and photos.

*Each week there will be some designated free time so that you can catch up on email, laundry, rest, and explore independently with others in the group.
**Pacific Discovery reserves the right to alter and/or change the order of the itinerary, the focus of the projects or the activities themselves due to dates, availability, and safety precautions.

For full program details, please request the information booklet

What's included?

✓ All in-program travel and transport, excluding flights

✓ All accommodation

✓ All meals

✓ All expeditions, activities, excursions, volunteer projects and entry fees as described in the itinerary

✓ Experienced Program Instructors and local guides

✓ Informal lectures from resident experts on conservation and eco-tourism

✓ Experiential core curriculum that pushes students to reflect and ask questions of themselves

✓ Visas for Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia - Visa not required for Thailand for most nationalities

✓ Certificate of Program Completion

Activity Level

    

Medium Activity Level: Anyone with an average fitness level and an enthusiasm for the outdoors and new experiences will have a great time on this gap semester! You will need to be prepared for some physical work during the volunteer projects on the program, like trail building or the removal of invasive plants.

Camping Level

    

Low Camping Level: You will spend your nights on this gap year program in comfortable guesthouses and modern hotels.

Volunteering Level

    

Medium Service Learning Level: You will be able to make a difference to the local community during your stay. Be prepared to get your hands dirty and do some hands-on learning about local issues.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Our accommodation will vary from simple guesthouses and community homestays with shared facilities, to modern hotels with private bathrooms. Laundry and Wi-Fi will be available some days, except while on expeditions or on homestays. Accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to fit our needs.

Food is undoubtedly a highlight when travelling in Asia and throughout there will be the opportunity to eat authentic Asian food. Special dietary requirements and vegetarians are catered for. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the program cost. Any snacks are at an additional cost, which we recommend budgeting around $10 per day for. 

All meals are eaten out at restaurants due to the local culture and accommodation. An average day on program would consist of the following: 

  • Breakfast: rice, toast, fruit, omelet, Jok (rice porridge), dim sum
  • Lunch: Noodles, soups, Tom Kha, dim sum
  • Dinner: curry (Green, red, yellow, massaman), rice, noodles, Pad Thai, grilled meats, fried rice, Som Tam (spicy green papaya salad), Laab (spicy salad), some western food available in western areas, but not in the mountain communities

Camping meals will be adjusted to the cooking equipment at hand

To make things easy for you, we partner with a full service travel agency that can arrange flights, appropriate travel insurance and post program arrangements for our students.

They have access to a "Cancel For Any Reason" or CFAR travel insurance for US citizens in participating states. This optional travel insurance product allows travelers to cancel for any reason whatsoever up to two days prior to departure and still receive a significant refund. This allows you to keep planning for the future while avoiding the stress and the financial worry of canceling a program if you need to.

Our program locations and itineraries have been carefully selected and modified to minimize risk of exposure to anyone outside the group with most being located in rural areas. This allows for a more focused learning environment, as well as a safe haven from the stress of our modern world.

We've been working hard and watching closely to any CDC recommendations about group sizes and testing requirements to come up with options that will allow you to have a safe, healthy, and stress-free Gap Year experience. We do the hard work so you can come and enjoy the fresh air, adventures, and new friends!

We have been running successful gap year programs in Spring, Summer and Fall 2021. The students shared their experiences in testimonials and wrote their stories down in blog posts - feel free to have a look. 

Check out the information on our COVID-19 page to find out more about our Covid-19 policies, procedures and updates.

We have answered the most frequently asked questions in the FAQ SectionIf you still have any other questions, feel free to schedule a call with our admissions team for more information.

Fall Dates 12 Sep - 20 Nov, 2024
Spring Dates 6 Feb - 16 Apr, 2025
Duration 70 days
Program Tuition $14,495 USD Estimated Flight Cost $2,400 USD Save up to $2,500 USD with the new Exploration Scholarship!
Availability Open
Group Size 14 Students & 2 Instructors Ages 17 - 22 ideal Covid-19 Vaccination Requirement Vaccination Strongly Recommended
Optional College Credit Yes Start/Finish Start in Bangkok
Finish in Krabi