photo by kar_jirayu

There are plenty of reasons to visit exotic Thailand, from its glittering golden temples to its wild and tasty cuisine. Here's one more incentive: when you book smartly, a portion of your trekking fee can be donated to a local charity in need.

ResponsibleTravel offers various charity treks including a 10-day adventure to Thailand's Golden Triangle region. The trek emphasizes respectful and responsible immersion in the Thai culture to get a true sense of the region. In addition to the initial hotel stays in Bangkok you will spend overnights in villages in stilt houses, bamboo long houses, and other local accommodations. You won't be separated from Thailand by the glass windows of a tour bus, you'll be down on the ground, seeing village life up close and interacting with the locals. You'll hike through lush jungles, cross streams, shop in local markets, and sample true Thai food. Stunning cave temples, pagodas, and a visit to an elephant farm are also scheduled.

The trek encourages learning about the Thai culture while causing as little environmental damage as possible. The tour company donates money through Climate Care to offset the equivalent CO2 emissions of your international flight. Best of all, approximately $300 of each trek is donated to The Pattaya Orphanage Trust.