A trip to Indonesia is an adventure you won’t forget. From smoldering volcanoes to abundant reefs to emerald green rice paddies; this island is awash in color and vitality. You’ll fall in love with the friendliness of the people as you experience Bali’s culture, traditions, and pace of life. Walk through the monkey forest, give a hand to farmers in the fields, and help local children with their English homework. Snorkel a world-class reef, eat dinner with your toes in the sand and bike past Hindu temples and water buffalo. Venture off the beaten path and experience an immersion in culture, creativity and community.
And did we mention, this trip is great for people of all ages! Our travelers range from preschool to retirement.
Start planning now for a winter adventure!
DATES:
Feb 16 – March 1, 2024
These expedition dates coincide with the public school winter vacation schedule for Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire (plus an additional week.) Immerse in the art and culture of Bali, make memories with a flexible itinerary and relax while we take care of all the details.
ITINERARY
Day 1-2. Depart the U.S. Cross twelve time zones and arrive in Denpasar, Bali on Day 2. Welcome to the Island of the Gods! After clearing customs, you’ll enjoy hassle-free private airport transfer to your hotel in the village of Ubud.
Days 3-6. To counteract jet lag, it’s best to stay active. Choose your own fully guided activity from a variety of curated favorites.
- Enjoy a leisurely downhill bike tour through villages and rice fields
- Visit a small local market, gathering food for an Indonesian cooking class and dine on the tasty results
- Create a masterpiece at a traditional batik class held in a family compound
- Craft your own silver jewelry at the home of a top-notch silversmith. Accompany his wife as she sets out the daily offerings.
- Tour terraced rice fields, ride an elephant, shop with local artisans, go surfing, visit seaside temples, or set your own plan with a personal driver and bilingual guide.
Days 7-10. Expect an enthusiastic arrival at our favorite Children’s Home. Easily make friends in this warm and welcoming environment as the only Americans who visit. Our program fosters gratitude and relationship building so your family can relax and fit in seamlessly. This segment includes swimming at oceanside natural springs and an optional off-the-charts OMG adventure.
Days 11-13. Journey by boat to Menjangan Island to snorkel or dive and get up close to loads of healthy sea life. Release a baby sea turtle, hike to a hillside temple, spend time at the spa, meet local families and dine on Indonesian specialties with your toes in the sand.
Day 14. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred by private car to the airport for your flight home. Cross the international dateline and arrive home the same day.
INCLUSIONS
We can’t wait to return to Bali with a limited number of families. The trip includes our guidance, here in the U.S. and in Bali every step of the way. We’re committed to exceeding your expectations.
Included is all transportation from the moment you touchdown in Bali until the moment you take off, an abundance of activities, some meals, boutique Balinese-style lodging, experiences with the Children’s Home kids, swimming pools to refresh at every stop, assistance with planning and problem solving, a massage for each adult, guided hikes, a car and driver day to suit your whims, waterfalls, temples… you get the idea.
The final inclusion costs nothing but has proven priceless—active reflection times guided by us, where families come together and process all we’ve experienced and learned.
FLIGHTS
There are many flights to Bali and search engines like Kayak and Google Flights allow you to easily search many options at once and set alerts to keep abreast of sudden sales. Some families add days before or after Bali to visit dynamic cities like Hong Kong, Amsterdam or Singapore. Although airfare is not included in our pricing, we’re happy to guide you through flight selection based on years of experience making this journey.
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION
The per-person price for 12 nights and 13 days:
Two-person family: $2085
Three-person family: $1860
Four-person family: $1890
Five-person family: $1890
A non-refundable $300 deposit per person is required at the time of booking. The balance payments are made following a schedule and may be paid by check or e-check.
Booking early gives you even more time to enjoy the anticipation of this robust family adventure and receive the most significant discounts on the trip cost. There’s time to get advice from past travelers, reserve preferred activities and meals, learn a little Indonesian, look forward to warm tropical weather, or start a pen pal correspondence halfway around the world.
OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
Where else could you go from here? The sky’s the limit.
- Stay in a hidden resort on a world-class surfing beach
- Relax in your tree house room at a mountain eco lodge
- Ferry to an offshore island and reach your hotel by pony cart
- Volunteer at a bird sanctuary or live with local seaweed farmers
- Travel the islands off Flores on a liveaboard boat, snorkeling or diving with manta rays and hiking to the home of komodo dragons
OUR TEAM
We offer small group adventures with our family as your facilitators and guides. Benefit from the years we’ve spent forging relationships with some of the finest and most giving people on the planet…all of whom would love to share their knowledge and culture with you. Having been to each of our destinations many times, we take care of the details; allowing you to relax, feel comfortable, trust your safety, and focus on experiences that become great family stories for years to come.
We’d love to help you create a milestone vacation for your family. If you’re at all curious, just give us a call or send a note—no commitment. We’re happy to talk with you to see if together we can create the Bali adventure of your dreams next winter.
~John and Susan