ADVENTURE, SERVICE CONSERVATION, AND CULTURAL IMMERSION IN BALI
JULY 3 - JULY 18, 2025
LENGTH 16 Days
COMPLETING GRADES 9-12
SERVICE HOURS 10 - 15
ARRIVE/DEPART Denpasar Airport, Bali (DPS)
TUITION $5,995
Spend 16 days discovering some of the best hidden gems that Bali has to offer. From tropical underwater reefs to ancient temples, and bustling cities to remote coastal villages, our Bali trip allows teens to immerse themselves in island life. The group will also help with marine conservation service work learning about coral reef restoration and mangrove ecosystems. We will also surf, raft, hike, paddle board, snorkel, swim and explore the country on this incredible high school service and cultural immersion trip.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
CHECK OUT IMAGES FROM THE TRIP BELOW!
TRIP OVERVIEW
ACTIVITIES
Snorkeling: Along the northern shore
Hike: To explore rural Bali and the ancient village of Tenganan
Paddleboard: Through the mangroves helping protect them
Surf: Ride the Indonesian waves
Explore: Tirta Empul Water Temple
Experience: A Balinese Cultural Ceremony
Boat Ride: Relax on an evening boat ride to watch the sunset
Cooking Class: Take a Balinese Cooking Class
White Water Raft: Telaga Waja River
Waterfall Exploring: Hike through the jungle to find the hidden waterfalls
Urban Exploring: Immerse yourself in Ubud, Sanur and Pemuteran
SWIMMING ABILITY
Due to the nature of this program, it is required that participants are comfortable being in the water and swimming in various depths.
SERVICE
A Certificate of Community Service indicating the total number of hours worked, and a group Presidential Volunteer Service Award will be issued upon successful completion of the program. Service work could include some of the following:
Beach clean-ups
Planting Magroves
Clearing debris in the mangroves by paddleboard
More details being released soon!
WHAT IS INCLUDED AND EXCLUDED IN TRIP TUITION
The trip tuition listed above includes accommodations, activities, meals, and group gear. The tuition does not include personal gear and clothing, travel insurance, spending money, and travel expenses such as airfare to and from the start and end of the program, unaccompanied minor fees, and baggage fees.
ACCOMMODATIONS AND SHOWERING
Accommodations are in rustic hotels as we travel through the country. Rooms are shared between 3 and 6 people and divided by gender.
Bathrooms and showers can be rustic, so please be prepared. In an effort to save time and conserve water resources in the areas we are traveling, participants will have access to showers every 1-2 days, but will be able to rinse off daily after being in the ocean. Bathrooms are a mix between flush toilets and latrines.
FOOD
All meals on this trip are planned and prepared by our in-country community partners. There may be opportunities to assist in food preparation depending on the preference of the partner.
Expect to eat meals that are consistent with the culture we are visiting. While other food options may be available, we will be sharing meals with our community partners, and eating what they eat as part of our cultural exchange.
We are able to accommodate all dietary requirements and preferences.
TRAVEL
Families are individually responsible for travel arrangements to and from their program destination.
Due to limited flights to Bali, RLT requires that all US-based participants meet at Newark (EWR) in New Jersey, and then fly to Denpasar Airport in Bali (DPS) together as a group. The return flight will be a group flight back to EWR as well.
RLT plans to offer travel coordination assistance in the spring when we release these program-specific details. If it would be more convenient for your participant to book another flight, please contact the office for assistance. It is imperative that no one make any travel arrangements until RLT directs them to do so. For more details, please contact the office.
PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS
For all international travel, we require participants to have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 MONTHS past the end date of your participant's RLT trip. If your participant's passport is due to expire within those 6 months, please work on updating your participant's passport as soon as possible upon enrollment. According to the State Department, routine passport renewal will take 10-13 weeks and expedited processing, which costs an additional $60, will take 7-9 weeks. It is your responsibility to ensure your participant's passport is up to date and meets these requirements. We encourage families to familiarize themselves with the U.S. Department of State website for all up-to-date and accurate passport recommendations.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
A tourist visa is required for U.S. citizens to enter Bali. Families are individually responsible for applying for and purchasing this visa for their child. There is also a required tourist levy to be purchased prior to the trip. RLT will provide detailed instructions and guidance in the spring to assist you with the visa application process. These instructions will include information on the necessary documents, fees, and application procedures.
As The Road Less Traveled is a U.S.-based company, we provide guidance primarily based on visa requirements for U.S. citizens. For those with citizenship from other countries, it is your responsibility to seek out the most up to date guidance on visa requirements. We are happy to provide any paperwork or support for documentation that is needed in the process of seeking out visas in those situations.
TRAVEL INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS
The Road Less Traveled does not provide its own insurance. However, we require participants to purchase travel insurance through a third party for all international programs. For additional details, please visit our FAQ page or you may contact a member of our team at info@theroadlesstraveled.com or 773-342-5200.
VACCINE & MEDICATION INFORMATION
Please note that travel to Bali typically includes a recommendation for additional vaccinations and medications. We encourage you to review the CDC website for the most up-to-date information and consult with your physician or a travel nurse before trip departure. More information will be provided to enrolled families from our Admissions Team in the Spring.
TECHNOLOGY
As part of the RLT experience, our trips are electronic-free. While it is encouraged to travel with cell phones, leaders will collect phones and any other personal devices after all participants arrive on the first day. It can feel tough initially to not have access to your phone, but it really helps everyone in the group to connect and have a really great trip experience. This includes phones, iPods, tablets, gaming devices, music devices, smartwatches, etc. All electronics will be held by RLT leaders, kept safe and dry for the duration of the trip, and returned at the end of the program. All cameras, go pros, etc. are acceptable and can be kept with you! If you do not have a camera, please note that leaders will also be taking photos throughout the program, and these photos will be shared through an online gallery.
“I can’t say enough good things about the Road Less Traveled, their communication and support during the whole experience was outstanding!”
-SUMMER 2024 ALUM PARENT -
SAMPLE ITINERARY
*Please note the itinerary listed below is the intended itinerary for this trip. No two trips are exactly the same. All itineraries are subject to change to ensure the best possible program experience. Weather, group dynamics, new opportunities, and the unpredictability of travel all shape the final trip itinerary - and it's all part of the adventure!
Travel days (Days 1 and 2)
We leave the US on Day 1 and arrive in Bali on Day 2. We meet our local guides at the airport and briefly transfer to our first night's accommodation in Ubud to settle in.
Welcome, country introduction and Banjar workshop (Day 3)
On our first full day, participants will immerse themselves in the Balinese culture and learn more about the country and its heritage with a Banjar workshop. We meet teachers of traditional Balinese gamelan music and Legong dance, and learn about each of these disciplines. All of the activities we try are central to Balinese culture, and this authentic experince is a great first day in Bali.
Visit Holy Spring Water Temple and take a Royal Palace tour (Day 4)
Tirta Empul Water Temple is an important Hindu Temple located near Ubud in a valley between two hills, in the village of Tampaksiring. This pool water is considered sacred by the Hindu society in Bali and they believe that this water source can heal various diseases; hence every day this place is visited by Hindu devotees to do rituals. In the afternoon we visit the Royal Palace of Blahbatuh, which is one of the biggest Royal Palaces in the Gianyar area. Built in the 16th century, the royal palace consists of several compounds that still preserve its original architecture. This royal palace also has a park called Taman Yasa in the middle of lotus and waterlily pond that was used as a place for the king and his warriors to discuss war strategies as well as a meditation place before entering the sacred temple. Currently, the royal palace serves as a place or foundation to preserve the traditional art and artists in Gianyar.
Bike tour and exploring Ubud (Day 5)
Today, we explore by bike to allow us to see more if this incredible country. Our local guide is on hand to share more about the places we visit, and to answer questions the group may have. We stop off for a picnic lunch along the way, and also meet a traditional Balinese healer who shares more about their native plants and herbs for therapeutic, medicinal and health-enhancing purposes. We will have time to explore Ubud on foot. Known as the spiritual heart of Bali, there is plenty to see and do, from vibrant markets to traditional architecture and local produce.
Cooking class and batik workshop (Day 6)
There is no better way to understand and learn about a culture than through its food. We will participate in a cooking class in the morning and learn how to make traditional Balinese food. In the afternoon, we will attend a Batik Workshop. In this workshop, we will try the wax drawing and dyeing techniques Bali is famous for!
White water rafting and coffee plantation (Day 7)
It's time to get our adrenaline pumping! Our morning will begin with an adventurous 10-mile rafting journey on the beautiful and scenic Telaga Waja River—Rapids on this river range from class 2 to class 4 through breathtaking rural backdrops. Later in the day, we visit a rural Coffee plantation to learn about their traditional methods of producing coffee!
Tenganan hike and Indigenous Village lunch (Day 8)
We spend the day hiking to see more of the beautiful natural surrounding of Bali. We stop of in Tenganan village, one of the oldest ancient Balinese villages, for lunch and to see the highlights of this historic village.
Transfer to Pemuteran and sunset boat ride (Day 9)
Today we transfer to Pemuteran, to explore the western part of the island. On the way, we will visit the Ulun Danu Beratan Temple and other sites along the way. After settling into our new accommodation, we finish the day with a stunning sunset boat ride. This is a great way to relax, and reflect on our travels so far, while keeping an eye out for local wildlife!
Snorkelling, coral restoration and turtle hatchery (Day 10)
We will learn about the Coral Reef Restoration Project to start our day. Pemuteran Biorock Coral Restoration Project has been running since 2000 as a collaboration between the Karang Lestari Foundation and the Global Coral Reef Alliance. The project, which has planted around 70 “biorock” coral reef structures, each of a different size and shape, has restored the devastated coral reefs and fisheries of Pemuteran Bay. The alliance claimed the project to be the world’s largest, longest running and best coral reef restoration project. In 2012, this project was awarded the Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). We then jump in to the warm tropical waters to snorkel amoungst the rich marine life and underwater habitats.
Service work and West Bali National Park (Day 11)
Hike to explore the West Bali National Park. In the afternoon, we head into the Mangroves and helping with ongoing service work to restore and rejuvinate this habitat. We help with Mangrove Planting and other work to help this great local organization.
Snorkelling and service on Menjangan Island (Day 12)
We take a short boat ride to Menjangan Island for more opportunities for snorkeling in some of the best tropical waters for marine life. We also help with protecting this beautiful island with trash collection and recycling.
Waterfall hike and transfer to Sanur (Day 13)
We move on from Pemuteran and head to Sanur. To break up the travel day, we will stop along the way to hike up to a picturesque waterfall. Once in Sanur, the group will settle into their hotel for the evening and explore our new surroundings.
Surf lessons and beach day (Day 14)
The last full day in Bali will be spent on Legian Beach, named after the Balinese word for "sweet and pleasant." Legian Beach is the perfect place to enjoy the sun and water sports. We spend the morning surfing the waves as we test our balance and develop our surfing skills. We will stay at Legian Beach for the afternoon before returning to Sanur for our final celebration dinner.
Homeward bound (Days 15 and 16)
After a busy 2 weeks, we say our final goodbyes before boarding our flights home.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Check out and follow @therlt on Instagram for a behind-the-scenes look at photos from past participants and leaders.
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