Ages:

Worldwide youth ages 15-19

Trip Pace:

Moderate

Physical Activity:

Moderate

Highlights:

Care for elephants at a sanctuary in Chiang Mai, explore Thailand’s tropical islands by boat, relax on Krabi’s beaches and limestone cliffs, experience Bangkok’s floating markets, visit the Grand Palace and Railway Market

Vaccine Requirements:

None

Visa Requirement:

None

International Airport:

Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)

Illuminate Thailand isn’t a typical vacation. It’s waking up before sunrise to catch a flight north (included in trip fees), then spending the morning walking through the jungle beside elephants and helping prepare their herbal medicine. It’s trekking through Doi Inthanon National Park to waterfalls and mountain viewpoints, standing at the highest point in Thailand, and ending the night on floor cushions at a traditional Khantoke dinner with dancers and music all around you. You’ll climb the “sticky” Buatong waterfall, kayak off the coast of Krabi, get up close and personal with tigers, take a long-tail boat through the limestone cliffs of Phang Nga Bay to James Bond Island, and explore caves and floating villages built on stilts over the water. In Bangkok, you’ll boat through hidden canals, walk through the Grand Palace and temples you’ve only seen in photos, wander Chinatown at night, and watch a train roll straight through a market that clears in seconds. You’ll attend church in the jungles of Chiang Mai and participate in baptisms (optional) in the Bangkok temple. You’ll dive in to the beautiful culture through multiple service opportunities and learn how to cook a traditional meal.

What makes Illuminate different is who you’re doing it with. You’re not just seeing Thailand, you’re experiencing it alongside other teens who chose adventure and want to share the light of Christ with the world. The early airport mornings, night market food runs, conversations on bus rides, climbing waterfalls together, navigating busy streets in Bangkok, and watching sunsets in Krabi, that’s the magic of Iluminate and the part that’s hard to replicate. It’s the shared challenges, the inside jokes, and the moments that quietly change you. This isn’t about checking places off a list. It’s about stepping out of your comfort, serving, sharing the light of Christ, coming home a little more confident, connected, and aware of how much God loves you.

Itinerary is subject to change due to group size and availability.