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Our canopy adventure, while designed by New Zealand and Austrian experts, was fully built using local workers. During this process, we learned as much from them as they learned from us. For example, they taught us to climb up enormous trees using bamboo pegs and ladders, something they have been doing for generations. We then taught them the safety systems required to do high rigging and difficult aerial construction safely. Since this exciting beginning, we have continued this two-way trade in knowledge every step of the way.
Many of the staff that helped build the canopy adventure are now employed full time with the company as guides, office workers, cooks and maintenance staff. We hired most of our staff locally and gave them the necessary training. All our staff are Thai nationals and we regularly bring in foreign experts to do ongoing staff training and certification. All our senior guides have international certification. The staff members have health and accident insurance, a provident fund saving account and share in the profit. All proceeds from the restaurant goes directly to the village committee and the whole village benefits. Our office is working towards a near-paperless system and the village electricity is hydropower.
Our rock climbing guides go through extensive, ongoing safety trainings. But they are more than safety guides, they are also educators. Much of their training and work is in experiential education. These trainings, combined with working daily with international guests and school programs, gives our guides experience and opportunities that are difficult to find in Thailand. In addition, if the guides show commitment and excellence in their jobs, they are given the opportunity to travel outside of Thailand to gain even more experience, perspectives and opportunities.
The overnight homestay revenue, like the restaurant, is shared among the village. While we make sure that guests and accommodations are comfortable, the villagers have essentially created and direct the homestay program. Not only does this engage the villagers more in the process, but it makes for a more authentic experience.
A portion of our sales goes directly to reforestation and primate habitat restoration projects in the area. Working with the local village and temple, the forest service and Chiang Mai University, we have started a forest restoration project near our site. The goal is to restore an overused and overhunted forest to a more healthy, balanced state, such as the one we operate in. In addition, we have started a primate habitat rehabilitation project at a nearby a village. Again, working with the local villagers, the temple, the forest service, and reforestation experts at the University, we are working towards creating a food-rich sanctuary for a longtail macaque group whose number are in decline. This is one of the last-known groups in the area. Working with the forest service, we have started a nursery in order to sustain our reforestation efforts.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
