Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your leaders at the Los Angeles Airport, and fly together to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand.

Settle into your accommodations in the capital of old Siam, Ayutthaya, a province with ancient structures and temples. Get to know your fellow students, leaders, and On Assignment team as you visit the Chao Sam Phraya National Museum to learn about Thai history, bike amidst remnants of the old capital in Ayutthaya Historical Park, and frequent the many local food stalls and cafes near your guesthouse. Meet the National Geographic Explorer, then venture out to capture sunrise over the prang (reliquary towers) and Buddhist monasteries of this ancient city.

Travel to Thailand’s first national park, Khao Yai, and trek through the area’s lush, jungle landscape with local guides. Alongside a National Geographic Explorer, learn about and photograph the area’s variety of wildlife and many picturesque waterfalls. If you’re lucky, spot an elephant in the wild, or perhaps an arboreal gibbon swinging through the tree canopies. Spend the evening learning Thai folk songs around the campfire before retiring to a permanent tent with beds and ensuite bathrooms. Return to Ayutthaya before heading to the far north with your group.

Fly to Thailand’s northernmost province, Chiang Rai, to discover a completely different part of the country famous for its emerald green mountains and rich cultural diversity. See the jaw-dropping Wat Rong Khun, or White Temple, designed by famous Thai artist, Chlermchai Kositpipat, and the magnificent statue of Guanyin, Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, keeping watch over the hills of the province. Meet a local artist and guide who will teach you about northern Thai life while leading workshops on traditional pottery and handicrafts. In the evenings, head to Chiang Rai’s bustling “walking street,” where community members from the villages in the surrounding hills come to sell beautiful fabrics and trinkets.

Go on a day trip to Mae Salong, home to Santi Khiri Village, settled by defected Chinese soldiers belonging to the Kuomintang Army in the 1940s and ‘50s. Roam the hills of this unique mountain town, sampling the region’s famous oolong tea and learning about the many local communities.

Head three hours southwest to the largest city in the north, Chiang Mai. Hike to the city’s sacred mountain, Doi Suthep, via a former pilgrimage trail carved and maintained by monks, and learn more about the Buddhist practice of “making merit” at the golden temple on its peak. In the evenings, relax by Chiang Mai University’s famous Ang-Kaew Reservoir, where community members and university students gather to exercise and hang out with one another.

Walk around Chiang Mai’s old walled city, visiting its many markets and food stalls, and stopping in to see Wat Chedi Luang, an elaborate Buddhist temple where the City Pillar Shrine is located. Depart on a journey westward, stopping first at Doi Inthanon, otherwise known as the “Roof of Thailand,” or Thailand’s highest peak, resting at over 8,000 feet above sea level.

Continue north from Doi Inthanon to a Karen village near Mae Chaem District to spend a few days experiencing the slow, laid-back lifestyle of this quiet mountain town. Spend time learning about the tribe’s long standing relationship with elephants, making traditional meals, and experiencing daily life alongside Karen families. Cap your stay by visiting the village’s elephant sanctuary, where several adult elephants retired from the tourism industry roam free in the forest.

Return to Chiang Mai to reflect on your experiences and present your On Assignment project to the group. Celebrate with a nice, final dinner to celebrate your time in Thailand.

Fly from Chiang Mai to Los Angeles with your group and one leader.