SE Asia Adventure Retreat

*Please read trip details before starting the free application at the bottom of the page

SE Asia Adventure Retreat

January 11th - 22nd, 2027

Organized by Charlene Gaffney for Elevate Massage Training

You don't have to be an LMT to apply so you may share this with your friends! This is not a study trip. There will be many opportunities to RECEIVE massage. We are capping this trip at 8 participants.

Why is this called an "adventure retreat"?

• The adventure starts with an itinerary that will move us through three Southeast Asian cities in the course of 12 days. Take a boat ride on the River of Kings in Bangkok, explore the magical temple ruins of Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Cambodia and relax on one of Thailand's most popular islands!

• Throughout our time together there will be planned group excursions that include some of the most famous sites to see in each place plus great food and massage treatment.

• Free time is balanced throughout the trip leaving room in the schedule for you to decide if you want more retreat or more adventure.

• Curated, boutique accommodations offer ample opportunity to relax without ever leaving the property yet are also centrally located for easy access to most desired activities.

You don't have to be an LMT to apply so you may share this with your friends! (This is not a study trip.)

Traveling USA to SE Asia (Starting and Ending Point in Bangkok, Thailand)

By the time you add travel time on the front and back end of this trip you are looking at a total of just over two weeks for the entire experience. Traveling from the USA to Thailand takes in total about 24 hours including layovers. There is currently no direct flight available to Thailand from anywhere in the USA. From an international airport in the USA such as Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Chicago and Atlanta you can layover in places such as Taiwain, S. Korea, Japan and Hong Kong as examples. From there you can fly to Thailand.

Unless you live close to an international aiport, you will typically have to take at least one domestic flight within the USA to reach a US international airport with available flights to one of the main airport hubs in Asia. Although we do not include the cost of airfare with this tour we will facilitate two pre-scheduled group meetings online to help you prepare for travel.

Pre-Travel Virtual Group Meetings : We know you are excited. Now let us help you feel more organized and prepared! There are two, one-hour trip planning sessions scheduled virtually for all participants to attend at the same time. The purpose of these virtual meetings is to introduce fellow travelers and discuss trip related questions such as airfare booking, roommates, general travel expectations and more. Attendance to both online meetings is included and strongly encouraged.

*First online meeting is March 30th, 2026 at 8pm Central Time

Cost Details

$3,400 pp includes all shared lodging, transportation, group activities, daily breakfast and some dinners within SE Asia.

+$1,400 solo room (based on availability)

*Optional adventures/excursions are recommended in the itinerary and require prebooking for an additional fee. Selections must be made and payment rendered for these events no later October 1st and are based on availability. Please see the sample itinerary below for more information.

Application : We are only taking up to 8 participants so early application is encouraged. Please let us know you are interested in traveling with us by completing the free application below. Upon acceptance you will be required to submit :

• Signed travel and consent form

• Copy of your passport that is valid for at least six months past your arrival date in Thailand

• $650 deposit (per traveler) that is non-refundable and non-transferable

Please wait to purchase non refundable airfare or make additional travel plans until you have received notice of acceptance and the finalized trip dates.

Registration & Payments : A $650 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit is due per person immediately upon acceptance of the application. Each participant must complete their own registration form. You may indicate on the form if you are planning to travel together with another applicant.

The only way to reserve your space is to

• Complete the application

• Receive the acceptance email

• Submit all required documentation and signed forms

• Make the $650 deposit

If you are unable to make a payment upon acceptance then you will be added to the waitlist until payment is received.

The $650 deposit is credited to the total cost of the trip.

-  any remaining balance can be split into two payment due no later than June 1st and September 1st

- applicants accepted AFTER June 1st are required to pay deposit and first payment

- applicants accepted AFTER September 1st are required to pay in full

-optional adventure/excursion events must be selected and paid for no later than October 1st

- all credit card transactions will be charged an additional 3.5% transaction fee.

- any refunds issued will also be charged a transaction fee.

WHAT’S INCLUDED :

• Welcome dinners in Bangkok, Siem Reap and Koh Samui (excludes alcoholic beverages)

• Daily breakfast

• Transport and admission to Wat Po and the Grand Palace in Bangkok

• Three day pass to Angkor Temples in Siem Reap with transportation on scheduled group visits

• Transport and admission to Phare : The Cambodian Circus show

• A small, friendly group of up to 8 people

• Two, one hour trip-planning sessions online with your organizer and fellow travelers

• Full time services of your tour organizer who is available to help you with travel planning and make recommendations for things to do in your free time during the trip

• All group transportation within Thailand

• Accommodations in centrally located, boutique hotels with friendly staff

What’s Not Included :

• Round Trip International airfare to/from Thailand.

• Domestic travel and airfare within the US.

• Optional activities and independent transportation during the tour outside of group organized events.

• Personal shopping and anything that you do in your free time.

• Cost of food and drink outside of breakfast and planned group dining events.

• Cost of alcoholic beverages.

• Travel insurance - recommended is Allianz

PACKING

We strongly recommend packing light - which means one carry-on-sized bag that does NOT need to be checked at the airport and one personal item that can easily fit under the seat in front of you on the airplane. You can leave room in your bag for souvenirs and buy an extra bag in Thailand if necessary. We will send you a recommended packing list once you have been accepted to the trip.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Examples of physical activities that you will likely encounter on this trip include

1. Carrying your own luggage up and down elevators/stairways to reach your hotel room.

2. Being on your feet, walking and standing, for 4- 6 hours, indoors and outdoors, in all weather conditions. Climbing stairs and moderate outdoor trekking.

3. Sleeping with possible city noise and energy-conserving air conditioning systems that require you to be inside the room in order to turn them on and use them.

4. Navigating cities on your own after orientation and transportation lessons.

5. A general (and completely normal) experience of jet lag and culture shock that may cause you to feel a little bit discombobulated, tired and/or emotional.

We are dedicated to helping you have the best trip possible and strive for exceptional service, communication and organization.

Please feel free to get in touch with any questions you might have charlene@elevatemassage.training

We are happy to talk with you more about the trip before you apply.

Meet Your Tour Organizer : Charlene Gaffney - Charlene took her first trip to Thailand in 2014 to study Thai Massage as an LMT. In 2016 she spent three months traveling around SE Asia making connections for the first Elevate Massage Training Study Tour. In 2017 she led the first Thailand study group of LMTs and continues to organize tours to this day. She has traveled extensively through Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam and enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with fellow travelers. In addition to SE Asia, Charlene's international travel experience includes trips to Europe, Mexico and Central America. She completed her final undergraduate semester of college at the University of San Jose in Costa Rica.

SAMPLE ITINERARY : Itinerary is subject to changes as necessary to create the best travel experience for you. Please wait to purchase non refundable airfare or make additional travel plans until you have received notice of acceptance and the finalized trip dates.

SE Asia Adventure Retreat

January 11th - 22nd, 2027

Day One  : Welcome to Bangkok Orientation and Dinner

6pm is the official start of the organized tour, group orientation and dinner. All participants must arrive at the Bangkok Hotel by 6pm today. Once we have your flight information we will help you with transportation arrangements to/from the hotel. If you would like to arrive in Bangkok prior to this day then we will provide you with the name of the hotel so that you may book additional nights on your own.

Day Two : Bangkok - Chao Praya Boat Ride and Wat Po

After breakfast we will take a short boat ride on the River of Kings to explore the famous Wat Po Temple grounds. Afternoon and evening is free to enjoy as you wish. Suggestions will be provided at orientation.

Day Three : Bangkok - The Grand Palace

After breakfast we will take a walk through our neighborhood to visit the beautiful Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. Afternoon and evening is free to enjoy as you wish. Suggestions will be provided at orientation.

Day Four : Fly to Siem Reap, Cambodia

Upon arrival we will enjoy a delicious group dinner together and an orientation to the area.

Day Five : Siem Reap - Magical Temple Exploration by Tuk Tuk

After breakfast our tuk tuk driver will take us out to wander through some of the most important temple sites in the Angkor complex. Water and light snacks provided throughout the adventure. The afternoon is free. Evening at 7pm we will go together to enjoy Phare The Cambodian Circus

Day Six : Siem Reap - The Majestic Angkor Wat

After breakfast our driver will take us to explore Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, often considered an additional wonder of the world! Afternoon and evening is free to enjoy as you wish. Suggestions will be provided at orientation.

Day Seven : Siem Reap - Free Day

This is a special day just for you to spend exactly how you wish. One option would be to use the last day on your temple pass and go explore some temples on your own (we can help you arrange a driver and guide as needed). Another option is to relax poolside at the hotel and/or take a riverside stroll through the city center to enjoy a variety of markets, cafes and restaurants. Suggestions will be provided at orientation.

Massage appointments can be prebooked for today (+$90)

Day Eight : Fly to Koh Samui

It won't be easy to say goodbye to the charming city of Siem Reap, but, your pool villa by the ocean awaits! After our connector flight through Bangkok we will arrive on the island of Koh Samui and enjoy dinner together with a view!

Day Nine : Koh Samui

Relax or have an adventure today. Up to you! Options include (can select only one) :

Chill Day at the Villa Resort

Boat trip day to Ang Thong National Marine Park (+$150)

Spa Experience at the Resort (+$200)

Day Ten : Koh Samui

Relax or have an adventure today. Up to you! Options include (can select only one):

Chill Day at the Villa Resort

Jungle Ziplining (+$150)

Spa Experience at the Resort (+$200)

Day Eleven : Koh Samui

Relax or have an adventure today. Up to you! Options include (can select only one) :

Chill Day at the Villa Resort

Visit Elephant Sanctuary (+150)

Spa Experience at the Resort (+$200)

Day Twelve : Fly to Bangkok Airport

Today will will have an early flight to Bangkok Airport where you will have the option to catch a late flight back to the USA OR

stay one night in Bangkok and fly home the next day (+$125)