Khao Sok, Thailand

The Worldschool Pop-Up Hub provides super casual, budget-friendly opportunities to gather, connect with other worldschoolers, learn about the local area, instill new friendships, share your insights, and immerse in a friendly, accepting mobile community. Our activities highlight local nature, history, food, and culture… but you’ll also have plenty of time to relax, get to know each other, and even stray from the itinerary to add activities that cater to the group’s interests.

Pop in for a few days or the full week. Join as many activities as you’d like. It’s up to you!

Our itinerary will include activities such as the following:

*Swimming in the river, lakes, & waterfalls
*Soaking in the hot springs
*Visiting Buddhist & Hindu Wat/Temples
*​​Exploring Khao Sok National Park with ancient rainforest, limestone cliffs, and waterfalls
*Hiking to find rare flora & fauna
*Swimming and water sports at Lake Chiaw Lan
*Exploring Khlong Phanom National Park & hoping to spot the rataflesia (the world’s largest bloom also known as the corpse flower)
*Visiting Rajjaprabha Dam
*Touring a local permaculture farm
*Taking a Thai cooking class

Add-ons include: Takua Pa walking street, longtail boat rides, the Khao Sok Elephant Sanctuary, nighttime trekking through the forest with a guide, and some families may even opt for a night in Khao Sok National Park, with the option to stay in a floating hut and witness the sunset / sunrise on the lake.

SUPER EXCITING ADD-ON: This pop-up will be followed by a 3-4 week opportunity to volunteer at Gaarawé Village. The volunteer stay will be arranged separately from the pop-up and our hosts will share all necessary information including rates & amenities, expectations, timelines, etc, within the Facebook Group listed below. More information will be added as we solidify the details, this opportunity will be limited to 5-7 families depending on the size of families who sign up.

COST per Family

This event is limited to 12 families
US$100 Early Bird Rate, expires December 1, 2023
US$140 Regular Rates (a $25 discount is available for families in need use KhaoSok25 at checkout)

MEET YOUR HOST:

This pop-up will be hosted by Tanja & Chris: We are a family of four and are advocates of self-directed education. Our crew consists of two amazing girls, aged 8 and 12, who inspire us daily with their boundless curiosity and zest for discovery. Our desire for unique educational experiences led us to Costa Rica, Africa, and most recently Ibiza, Spain, where we resided for two transformative years. During our time there, the adults were staff members, and our girls were students at a democratic school. It felt very rewarding to be an instrumental part in launching a self-directed style school on the island.

We have never called ourselves Worldschoolers, yet here we are. Our passion for exploration, community building, and permaculture has taken us on exciting adventures across the globe. We thrive on uncovering obscure gems in our travels and cherish opportunities to help build communities. While we’re currently situated in the United States, our next chapter awaits in Thailand, where we’ll be volunteering on a permaculture farm near the Khao Sok National Park. We hope to cultivate a sense of community with both people/families and the planet. Join us on this journey of growth, learning, and adventure. The world is our classroom, and you’re invited to be part of our remarkable story!

LODGING & NEIGHBORHOODS:
This region of Khao Sok is what remains of the oldest tropical evergreen rain forest in the world, a 160-million-year-old ecosystem. Khao Sok National Park is known for its clear waters and signature fern-covered limestone cliffs that shoot straight up into the air like crocodile teeth. We will be surrounded by nature and all of its beauty! The pop-up activities will be centered near the Khao Sok National Park Headquarters where there is a wide range of lodging possibilities and tourist facilities. Google pin: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GYFJ7mE1M1ds9WyS8

Once the pop-up concludes, families are invited to join a 3 – 4 week hands-on volunteering opportunity with Chris & Tanja’s family at Gaarawé Village. The opportunity is arranged directly with the hosts in conjunction with the permaculture farm. Gaarawé Villages nominal rates include lodging, three daily meals, and other amenities such as laundry facilities and high speed internet. The farm is in the Phanom District in the southwest of Surat Thani province of southern Thailand, not far from Khao Sok National Park. When not volunteering at the permaculture farm there are opportunities to hike, swim, paddle, soak, and explore a less beaten path in this more remote area of Thailand. There will be a limit to the number of families who can be accommodated within this volunteer opportunity. More info to be shared soon, please check the Facebook group listed below.

TRANSPORT CONSIDERATIONS:
The national park is a touristed area on a main east – west throughway. Local buses, minivans and taxis can take you from Phuket, Surat Thani, or Krabi to the National Park headquarters (2-3 hours one-way). Additionally, Grab (an app that works like Uber) is used in the area. Some families may opt to rent a car or scooters, though many will plan to use public transport.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Join the private Facebook group to ask questions, stay up to date on activities in the area, meet the host, and interact with other potential attendees:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/khaosokpopup2024

Learn more about the permaculture farm experience here: Gaarawé Village Volunteer Opportunity