Field Trips

The 2026 International Geography Championships will feature three off-site field trips. The cost of these is included in the standard tuition for Competing Students or in the costs of the Family and Friends Program. Note that in addition to these, the hotel itself organizes numerous other trips and activities along with various amenities and recreation facilities for all guests; these are bookable through the hotel directly for the standard costs, if any, that the hotel charges – they are not included in the program fees for IGC.

Home to breathtaking vistas, karst topography, dramatic cliffs and more, Maya Bay and the Phi Phi Islands are some of the most famous and beautiful beaches anywhere in the world. This full day trip (we will leave after breakfast, arrive back in time for dinner, and lunch will be included). The trip will include chances to snorkel, swim, shop, and just relax (or play practice questions on the beach with our battery buzzer systems). This trip requires a 2 hour shuttle each way to get to the Phuket Marina, and then we will travel by speedboat. An itinerary similar to ours can be found here. Note that we hope and expect to have sufficient guests to charter a private boat on each of the two days this trip is offered. This trip is not advised for anyone prone to seasickness, and though unlikely, may experience delays due to weather. Students under age 18 coming on this trip must be accompanied by an adult who assumes responsibility for supervising them while in the water, and must therefore be enrolled in the Family and Friends Program.

On this trip, we’ll have a chance to explore the beautiful rain forest and coastal ecosystem in and around Khao Lak. This trip will include a brief nature walk with a stop at a waterfall and an explanation of the rain forest ecosystem of Thailand. A second stop will be made at the Sea Turtle Conservation Center at the Phang Nga Royal Thai Navy Base. Finally, this tour concludes with a 30-40 minute bamboo rafting trip! Please wear a swimsuit / running shorts and expect to get wet, as you sit directly on the bamboo raft that a guide steers down through some light rapids. A natural pool along the river provides a chance to go swimming for anyone accompanied by an adult on the Family and Friends Program who can assume responsibility for supervising them while in the water, and who must therefore be enrolled in the Family and Friends Program.

This trip will give participants a chance to discover the local culture of Southern Thailand in the town of Takuapa which has been influenced by Chinese, Malay, Islamic, Indian, and European travelers and civilizations through the years as well. On this trip, we will also visit the Tsunami Museum on most days, and the Tsunami Memorial Park on Monday (when the museum is closed). A highlight of this tour will also be a 20-30 minute canoe trip (guides paddle the canoes, not participants) through the mangroves of the “Little Amazon.” Kingfishers (such as this one, seen during our scouting trip), lizards, monkeys, and other wildlife may all be seen. Participants will have the chance to stay on in the town of Khao Lak as well, which has cafes, foot massage salons, and other amenities for travelers.