Essential Bali & Gili Islands

Trip Code: TIYB

Why we love it

Float in the ocean, sunbake on the beach, and conquer a volcano at sunrise – the island landscapes of Bali make for an epic experience., Bike around Gili T on a tour of the remote island, with a local leader who knows all the best recommendations – maybe spot sea turtles while snorkelling or just kick back with a good book and a cocktail (or few)., Wake up at 3 am and climb a mountain – this sunrise is worth it! Watching the day come alive at the top of Mt Batur is worth every minute of sleep you lose., Let a local show you their favourite dishes, from nasi campur to all kinds of other delicacies during a street food tasting in Seminyak. We know you didn’t come all the way to Bali to eat spaghetti!, Soak up every drop of Ubud's relaxed atmosphere, from the calming jungle to the rice paddies waiting to be explored. Is this heaven or just Indonesia?, By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Coral Triangle Center Foundation. Donations help expand their coral restoration project and support their educational outreach activities for local schools in Nusa Penida. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for me?

Part of what makes this part of the world so appealing is the warm weather, so it probably won’t come as a surprise that Bali can be extremely hot and humid. It’s also important to note that the temperature can drop in the evening. Layers are the best way to tackle this disparity in weather.

Climbing Mt Batur on Day 4 to watch the sunrise from the top of the volcano is one of the highlights of this trip, just be aware that this will involve starting the hike at 3 am. The climb takes around 2 hours and requires a good level of fitness.

This trip affords lots of free time so that you can experience Bali the way you imagined. If you need activity options, your leader will be on hand to help.

Important information

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 4 (Candidasa) where there is no availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

What to bring/pack

We recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage and walk with it for short distances or up or down a flight of stairs. Our travellers usually find the smaller their luggage is, the more they enjoy the trip not having to worry about carrying heavy bags! Aim to keep your main luggage under 15kg.

Many travellers carry their luggage in a compact smaller suitcase or backpack with wheels. We recommend your bag has carry straps or handles so it is easy to lift and carry for the times you are unable to wheel it (ie. on rough surfaces or up steps)., What you need to bring will vary according to when you are travelling. Generally speaking, we recommend you pack as lightly as possible and make sure that you are able to carry and lift your own luggage, and walk with it for short distances. It will also be easier for jumping on and off small boats. As well as your underwear, toothbrush and other items you always need to pack for travel, below are some items that you specifically need for this trip.

ESSENTIALS
- Day pack: for carrying essentials when exploring destinations.
- Lightweight clothing: A mixture of covering lightweight clothing and some warm layers (depending on the season) are recommended. It is best to check the weather and seasonal information before travelling.
For visits to religious sites you will also need to wear clothing that covers shoulders and pants/skirts that go past the knee. Perhaps carry a scarf or sarong for these visits. Modest and covering clothing is also preferable in Lombok, which is more conservative in general than neighbouring Bali.
- Walking shoes or hiking boots with a good grip: Closed-in shoes that are comfortable to walk for an entire day are recommended for city and countryside walks, and are necessary for optional cycling activities
- Sandals/flip flops/shoes that can get wet: For the waterfall walk in Senaru you will walk through a shallow river. Sandals with straps or shoes which are not likely to fall off are preferable
- Sun protection – hat, reef safe sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm
- Insect repellent
- Waterproof jacket (particularly if travelling from October until March)
- Warm layers (it can get cooler in Tetebatu and Senaru due to the elevation).
- Swimming costume

RECOMMENDED
- Headtorch/hand held torch/flashlight: many areas we visit have minimal street lighting at night
- Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit but we recommend you carry items such as, mild pain killers, adhesive bandages and electrolytes.
- Camera with spare batteries/charger/power bank: You will have access to power to recharge your electrical items most days, however these are a good backup.
- Electrical adapter plug
- Hand sanitizer
- Water bottle – some hotels may have filtered drinking water to refill your bottle.
- Money belt or pouch

OPTIONAL
- A good book, a journal and music player
- Playing cards
- Travel washing line and Bio-degradable washing detergent

MORE!
If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list., https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

Physical rating

 
2

Joining your group

The Evitel Resort Ubud, Jl. Monkey Forest, Br. Padangtegal Gianyar - Ubud, Bali. Indonesia, Ubud, 80571, INDONESIA, Phone: 0361 9080168

The Evitel Resort Ubud is centred around lush rice fields, featuring an outdoor pool, free Wi-Fi, laundry services and an onsite restaurant. The comfortable rooms are filled with natural light and feature air conditioning, a balcony and a en suite bathroom with a shower, slippers and free toiletries. Ubud Monkey Forest is only a 5-minute walk from The Evitel Resort Ubud, while Ubud Market is about 15-minute walk from the property.

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

An arrival transfer from the airport is available if purchased at the time of booking. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.

If you have booked an airport transfer please proceed to the Golden Bird Lounge.

If you are arriving on an international flight, turn left after the exit gate and the Golden Bird Lounge will be on the right side (around 50 meters from exit gate). Please provide your name to the Golden Bird staff and they will then take you to your driver. The transfer driver will wait up to 4 hours from when your plane has landed. If your flight has been cancelled and you are arriving on a different flight number than planned, please call Golden Bird to advise on: + 62 361 701 621/+62 361 701 111. If there are any complications please call Intrepid’s 24 hour emergency number on +62 822 3553 2507

If you are arriving into the domestic airport the Golden Bird Lounge is located around 50 meters after the conveyor belt (baggage claim) just before the exit gate.

Alternatively, taxis are cheap, safe and reliable. As you exit from Immigration you will see a sign for public taxis. At this booth you buy a coupon which is given to your driver. There is no bargaining - the system is straightforward. Expect to pay about IDR550,000. It takes up to one and a half hours to get to Ubud from the airport.

Finishing your trip

Favehotel Sunset Seminyak, Jl. Sunset Road No.89,, Kec. Kuta, Seminyak, 80361, INDONESIA, Phone: +62 361 4741111

Favehotel Sunset Seminyak is conveniently located on the northern end of Sunset Road, which is the main road of this vibrant area and very easy to locate. Our hotel is just a 10 mins walk from La favela and a 5-minute drive from all the best adventures in Seminyak.

Alternate Finish Point


If you have pre-booked a departure transfer your transfer driver will meet you approximately 3 hours before your departure time. Please ask your leader to reconfirm your pick up time.Alternatively, the hotel can help you book a taxi to the airport. Expect to pay about IDR300,000 (increased rates at nighttime) for the 25-40 minutes journey to the airport.

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 9

Lunches included: 

Dinners included: 1

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

INDONESIAN FOOD:
Here are 10 quintessential dishes you have to try while travelling in Indonesia: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-eat-in-indonesia/

VEGETARIANS & VEGANS:
Strict vegetarians should be aware that a lot of Indonesian cooking contains fermented shrimp paste (terasi) as a basic ingredient. Chicken and eggs are also common in many dishes. Although there are many vegetarian options available, please ensure you are specific as possible when ordering food to ensure that your meal suits your dietary needs. If you are travelling to Ubud, see our guide to vegan and vegetarian eats: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/vegan-vegetarian-guide-to-ubud/

Climate & seasonal information

FLOODS & MUDSLIDES:
Floods and mudslides can occur during the wet season (October - March). Heavy rains during this time can result in areas of the Jakarta region being affected by flood waters. Key services, such as emergency and medical care, telecommunications, transport, and the supply of food and water are often disrupted during floods and mudslides. Should our trips be affected by floods during this time we may need to reroute our itineraries and travellers may need to use their contingency funds to cover additional costs.

VOLCANOES:
Indonesia has many active volcanoes that can erupt at any time and cause widespread disruption. Alert levels may be raised and evacuations ordered at short notice. Follow the instructions and advice of local authorities, including any evacuation orders. In the event of or following an eruption you should contact your travel insurance provider directly to ask if your policy is affected by the volcanic activity. For information regarding whether your itinerary has been affected, see our Travel Alerts page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts

The most recent eruptions have been:
- Mt Agung, East Bali. Mount Agung has shown increased volcanic activity since late-September 2017. Ash from the volcano has disrupted flights. There is currently an exclusion zone around the crater, which may change at short notice.
- Mount Merapi (near Yogyakarta). Following an eruption in May 2018, people in the area were evacuated by local authorities.

EARTHQUAKES:
Indonesia is in an active earthquake region with a high level of earthquake activity, sometimes triggering tsunamis. Earthquakes can occur anywhere in Indonesia. In the event of a natural disaster, follow the advice of local authorities. In the event of or following an earthquake you should contact your travel insurance provider directly to ask if your policy is affected by the event. For information regarding whether your itinerary has been affected, see our Travel Alerts page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/travel-alerts

The most recent earthquakes have been:
- Lombok & the Gili Islands. A series of powerful earthquakes caused widespread damage and loss of life in northern Lombok and the Gili Islands in July and August 2018. Tourist facilities such as hotels and restaurants that temporarily closed as a result of the earthquakes are progressively reopening and ferry services are operating.

NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY:
Always celebrated on August 17, this is Indonesia's national day and marks Indonesia's declaration of independence from the Netherlands in 1945. Around this time you may experience some delays to transport due to events, or alternative accommodation may be need to be sourced due to it being a peak time.

NYEPI - BALINESE NEW YEAR :
Nyepi is a Balinese "Day of Silence" that is commemorated every Isakawarsa according to the Balinese calendar. It is a Hindu celebration mainly celebrated in Bali. Custom requires that all people in Bali observe a day of silence and do not leave their homes. Flights to/from Denpasar airport will be suspended for this day and majority of services and businesses do not operate. It is expected that travellers will respect the traditions of the Balinese people during Nyepi and stay within their accommodation at this time. Dates for Nyepi may change, but are currently: 11th March 2024, and 29th March 2025

RAMADAN
The important month of Ramadan will be in progress 10 March to 08 April 2024 and 1 March to 30 March 2025 and  and the Eid ul-Fitr festival will be held directly at its conclusion for 3-4 days. Ramadan is a festival of sacrifice where the devout refrain from eating or drinking during daylight hours. During Ramadan, business hours are shortened, including opening hours at some tourist attractions. Alcohol is not permitted during daylight hours and many restaurants will be closed. While you should expect some delays and inconveniences during this period, the month is a fantastic opportunity to travel in a Muslim country and witness this unique period, particularly the nightly celebrations when the sun sets and the fast is broken. Please note that although the Eid ul-Fitr festival can also be a fascinating time to travel it's a period of national holiday. Most government offices and businesses will be closed and some tourist site opening hours may be affected.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +62 822 3553 2507

Accommodations

Transportation

TRANSPORT IN BALI:
In Bali we travel by private minivan in order to access more remote areas such as Bedugul, and for safety on the busy and narrow Balinese roads. Depending on the size of your group you may be split over multiple vans and your leader will alternate between the vehicles throughout the journey.

On Gili Trawangan there is no motorised transport, only Cidomos (horse drawn carts). Your luggage will be transported by Cidomo between the port and our accommodation.

BOATS between Bali & Lombok
Please note that from time to time due to strong winds the fast boat services might be cancelled between Bali and Lombok – in this case we will take a larger slow ferry. The ferry can take upto 8 hours and will arrive in Lembar on Lombok mainland we will then drive a further 2 hours across Lombok mainland to Teluk Kode to take a boat to Gili Trawangan (20mins). Note if the fast boats are cancelled on the day we are due to travel back to Bali we will also need to take the Slow ferry service