FOOD FOR FUTURES

CHIANG MAI, THAILAND

 

For the travel+ food lover;
a SPECIALLY CURATED culinary experience like no other

WHERE DOES YOUR FOOD COME FROM?

By popular demand, Skillseed has developed this new course to take you on a culinary journey to the land of the old Lanna Kingdom to learn about Thai herbs, spices, and healthy living.

How do communities live off the land sustainably?

Leveraging concepts of farm-to-table, organic farming and urban farming, be challenged to become responsible consumers in an increasingly food-scarce world. Expect to be part of reflection sessions relating to food scarcity, the origins of our food, and ethical consumption, amongst many others, and appreciate the role of food in today's world and its impact on community health.

 

JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS

[PRE-TRIP: SINGAPORE]

warming up

Meet the other participants you'll soon be journeying with and befriending as we prepare you for a spectacular farming and foodie adventure like no other!

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Participate in the ancient and living Lanna culture of Northern Thailand - savour the food, dance alongside the locals, learn to make traditional handicrafts and of course, spend some time at the special local night markets.

FARM TO TABLE: COMMUNITY FARM EXPLORATIONS

Venture into community farms with your local guides to learn how food is planted and grown organically. Explore the concepts of farm-to-table and sustainability hands-on as you witness and take part in the journey of your food from the land into your stomach.

 

VILLAGE HOME STAYs

Relish the slow life as the locals do through home stays in charming rural villages with friendly hosts.

Cook, eat, and laugh alongside your host family and make yourself at home in your room with a view, as you support community-based tourism efforts to generate sustainable and equitable livelihoods for locals in rural Thailand.

CULINARY CLASS

Delight in the sensory experience of sights, smells and tastes when you delve into the art of Thai cooking through both formal and informal sessions with locals! Experience time-honoured cooking traditions, the infamous Thai food culture, and learn to prepare local culinary delicacies to fill the stomach and heart!

 

ETHICAL CONSUMPTION

Visit one of the world's most renowned social enterprise cafés for a cuppa (or two!) and be inspired by a dynamic social entrepreneur making a difference in the lives of low-income indigenous  communities in North Thailand by empowering farmers through sustainable social business.

 

 

ACCOMMODATION

home stays

Rooms are twin-sharing/ triple-sharing and furnished with comfortable beds and mattresses. Potable water is provided daily for drinking. Each home has a clean (and sometimes heated!) shower and seated toilet to be shared with the home-stay hosts, and guests are expected to be considerate users. Towels are provided for guests.

 

SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS INDIGENOUS GUESTHOUSE

Guests will have twin/ triple-sharing rooms and single room supplements are available. Towels are provided for each guest, and each room has its own ensuite bathroom. Common living spaces such as a function room, dining area and a library containing a collection of books on indigenous tribes are available and free for guests to use. Participants are advised to bring their own travel-sized toiletries for your own comfort.

 

$1095 (SGD) nett*

EXCLUDES FLIGHTS AND VISAS.

SKILLSEED is able to help you book your flights, purchase travel insurance and/ or apply for a visa at additional charges, contingent on airline charges at time of booking.

* Educators who sign up in pairs are eligible for a 10% discount #skillseedsupportseducators

*DBS SME WEEK Participants who sign with with a buddy are also eligible for a 10% discount- for both of you!

Fees include the following:

  • 3 nights at village home stays & 2 nights at accommodation in the city(triple/ twin-sharing)
  • Meals
  • Ground transport
  • Activity fees
  • 24/7 first-aid trained and experienced facilitators
  • Engaging local experts & community partners
  • Insurance coverage for land activities in Chiangmai itself (not inclusive of coverage for flight journeys before commencement of/ end of activities within Chiangmai)

 

Fees exclude:

  • Airfare (return flights departing from Singapore estimated to start from $270 for Budget airlines)
  • Full Insurance coverage
  • Visas
  • Single room supplement
    (+ $100)


Physical Requirements: There may be some steep inclines at the homestay, but travellers of all fitness levels are welcome to join.

 

  • the development of local communities through a community based tourism (CBT) model

  • a Thai social enterprise that works to streamline improvements in making the local communities more market-ready

  • Skillseed in developing more engaging socially-conscious travel journeys

  • Skillseed bursaries for low-income students who deserve equal opportunities to travel and experience our service-learning journeys

  • opportunities for course alumni to further develop their skills and passions with us and our partner organisations.

We always endeavour to pick socially/ environmentally responsible choices for meals and accommodation wherever possible, and every travel booking with us allows us to further our social mission by contributing to our community partners.

 

"i really wanna thank you for bringing us around! it was really awesome! and so much fun!

this must have been the only tour / non free-and-easy trip i've actually enjoyed!"

- xin yun, participant, food for futures july 2016

AVAILABILITY

registrations are now open!

(9 spots available)

Dates

8th-13th december 2016

 

Duration**

6 days 5 Nights

 

NO. OF PARTICIPANTS*

min. 8 / max. 10

 

ELIGIBILITY

18 YRS OLD& ABOVE

Terms & Conditions

*If we do not reach the minimum no. of participants by 1st Nov your full deposit will be refunded and the course will not proceed.

** Excludes a 1-day local pre-trip activity/ training by experts in Singapore.

 

THOUGHTS ON THE ORIGINS OF FOOD

In a reflective entry, our Skillseed staff member and facilitator writes about her experience in Chiang Mai and the lessons she gleaned about food and community health. Read about it here on the Skillseed blog!

See our snaps

from previous journeys to Chiang Mai here!