Details
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read our general
FAQs, where you can find essential information that applies to all of our programs.
Resources to Learn & Teach about Bali
Visit our
recommended reading page to see the list of books GEEO recommends reading before your program (this is not required reading). We also have
lesson plans and
Pinterest boards that may be useful for you as you learn about your destination and prepare to bring lessons back to your classroom.
Terms and Conditions
It is very important for you to visit our
Terms and Conditions page before signing up for this program.
GEEO Program Confirmation Process
Most GEEO programs are officially confirmed to run once 4 participants have registered. If at least 8 people sign up by our designated deadline, the program will run as a private GEEO trip. Should enrollment fall between 4 and 8, the trip will still take place, but it may transition into a
shared departure with our partner tour operator, G Adventures. In this scenario, the itinerary, dates, and pricing for those who have already registered will remain unchanged, although additional travelers from outside GEEO may join the trip.A large majority of GEEO programs remain private for just educators, retired educators, and their guests. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we’ll keep you updated throughout the process—first when 4 participants have registered and again once 8 people have signed up. As always, we recommend exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements (for example, booking flights with flexible change or cancellation policies) until your program is confirmed to run.
Cancellation Policy
All cancellations must be submitted to GEEO in written form by emailing your request for cancellation to
travel@geeo.org. If you do not receive a confirmation that we have received your written cancellation request, please call us at +1 347-433-6674. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.
- If you cancel 60 days or more prior to the start of your program, any payments will be refunded excluding your $350 deposit, which will be forfeited.
- If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to the start of your program, your $350 deposit will be forfeited, and there will be a cancellation penalty equivalent to 50% of the remaining balance of your program.
- If you cancel within 30 days prior to the start of your program, your $350 deposit will be forfeited, and there will be a cancellation penalty equivalent to the full remaining balance of your program.
Trip Notes & Expectations
Before you decide to travel with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program contained on this page. Our programs are quite adventurous, and we find that clients who read the trip details in full are happier with their experiences.
- ACCOMMODATION: Our program fees are based on double-occupancy accommodation (see "Single Travelers" below if you do not have a travel companion and would be interested in a private room). Our accommodations are chosen to provide a safe, conveniently located place to sleep. While you may be pleasantly surprised, please don't expect luxury, as we prioritize keeping our programs affordable.
- TRANSPORTATION: We use a mix of transportation that gets our guests from location to location safely. Sometimes you will have full days and nights of transportation as our trips tend to cover a lot of ground. The transportation will often be an adventure in itself.
- LUGGAGE: Pack light and bring luggage which is compact and lightweight, and which you can easily transport. The carrying of your luggage remains your responsibility at all times.
- ACTIVITY LEVEL & PACE: This trip should be appropriate for most travelers. There is light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels and nothing too challenging. Many of our programs occur in locations where it is very hot during the day. Please make sure you have thoroughly read the itinerary and can handle the group activities, which sometime include day hikes with your daypacks. We recommend always carrying snacks with you. Meals can sometimes be far apart.
- ILLEGAL DRUGS: Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travelers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter and in particular the local people who make the world the special place it is. The exploitation of people in the sex trade is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our tour leaders have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they utilize the services of paid sex workers, in any capacity.
- GROUP LEADER: Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip. All GEEO/G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of G Adventure's group leaders, which they refer to as Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues, and introduce you to our local friends. Our itineraries often have plenty of free time to explore on your own. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting – we think it’s the best of both worlds.
Single Travelers
Half of GEEO’s participants travel by themselves, so please don’t worry if you do not have a travel companion for your trip. Our program fee is for one traveler in double-occupancy accommodation, and GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender if you do not have a travel companion. Most of our programs have a “My Own Room” option, also known as a “Single Supplement,” which is an extra fee that you can pay to have a room to yourself. You will only incur an additional charge if you specifically request a single room. To see the price for the “My Own Room” option, please find your program on our
extra services page. If you want to room alone, please email
travel@geeo.org to request a single room.
Emergency Contacts
Should you need to contact G Adventures during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call their local G Adventures office. If for any reason you do not receive an immediate answer, please leave a detailed message and contact information so they may return your call and assist you as soon as possible.
If your call is specifically concerning Denpasar (Bali) Airport Transfer complications, please call the local transfer provider directly at
+62 8113803820,
+62 8113803821, or
+62 81337618480.
EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS
G Adventures Office in Bangkok, Thailand
From outside Thailand: +66 0 92 338 9222
From within Thailand: 092 338 922
If you are unable for any reason to contact G Adventures’ local office, they have a toll-free line which will connect you directly with their Toronto office:
Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100
Calls from UK: 0344 272 0000
Calls from Germany: 0800 365 1000
Calls from Australia: 1 300 796 618
Calls from New Zealand: 0800 333 307
Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999
Packing List
Please
read this article on GEEO’s blog for our staff’s suggestions on the best gear to pack for your upcoming travels. You must be prepared to carry your own bags and be comfortable carrying them up and down stairs, on and off transportation, and to hotels. As a rule, we try not to have to walk more than 15-20 minutes with your bags, which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 22-30 lb. Most travelers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size. No XXL bags please! A daypack is also essential for carrying everyday items. Space is limited on transportation, so there is a limit of one main piece of luggage per person plus a daypack per person.
Suggested (click to expand)
- Casual clothes for warm to hot weather, that ideally can dry quickly (shorts and t-shirts)
- 1 conservative outfit – clothing that covers knees and shoulders (long pants, long skirts, shirts that cover shoulders)
- Shawl or scarf (for temple visits)
- Jacket or sweater and shoes appropriate for hiking (for Mt. Batur visit)
- Day pack (used for daily excursions)
- 2 bathing suits
- Raincoat
- Umbrella
- Outfit for the airplane
- Sleepwear
- Sport sandals or flip-flops
- Insect repellent
- Sunblock (We recommend Thinksport Brand because it is reef safe.)
- Small travel towel
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Toiletries (preferably biodegradable) – your hotels will have soap and shampoo
- Digital camera (with memory card & batteries/charger) or smartphone with a camera
- Reusable water bottle
- First-aid kit, including: lip salve, aspirin, bandaids, anti-histamine, (Regular and non-drowsy formulas), Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, electrolyte powder, insect repellent, extra prescription drugs you may be taking, motion sickness medication
Optional (click to expand)
- Drybag (will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
- Binoculars
- Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
- Light weight silk sleep sheet
- Travel pillow
- Money belt
- Portable bluetooth speaker
- Phone/tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
- Chargers for electronics as well as converters/adapters, if needed
- AirTags or Tile trackers
- Packing cubes
- Earplugs
- Snacks – packing a few granola bars is a good idea; they feed you a lot on the boat, so don’t go crazy here
- Ziplock bags for wet clothing
- Reading/writing material
- Hand sanitizer/baby wipes
- Light fleece top (for flights)
Documents (click to expand)
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
- Travel insurance ID card
- Flight itinerary/boarding pass(es)
- USD/EUR cash
- Credit/debit card
- G Adventures vouchers
- GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent a few days before departure
Laundry
Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge. You can also use a local laundromat, if necessary. If you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.
Passports and Visas
All GEEO programs require that the participant have a valid passport. Please see our general
FAQ for information on obtaining a passport. As with all of our trips, we try to provide the most accurate information we can, but governments sometimes change visa rules. It is your responsibility to double check the information we provide below by searching
the U.S. State Department's International Travel Guidance.
Visa rules in Indonesia can change frequently.
PASSPORT
All travelers to Indonesia must have a passport that is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Your passport must also have at least two blank pages for visa and entry stamps.
VISA
A 30-day visa on arrival is available at Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport) and Bali (Ngurah Rai Aiport). The cost is 500,000 IDR ($35 USD). All travelers to Indonesia must be in possession of a passport valid for at least six months from the date of arrival, have at least 2 blank passport pages, and have proof (tickets) of onward or return passage.
Effective February 14, 2024, visitors to Bali are required to pay a Tourist Levy of 150,000 IDR ($10 USD). The fee can be paid online through the
“Love Bali" system, which will provide you with a digital notification as proof of payment to be scanned by Bali Officials upon arrival to the island.
Non-American participants should check with their government and local embassy to find out if they need a visa.
Money Exchange
The local currency in Indonesia is the rupiah (IDR). As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com.
We recommend that you obtain cash from ATMs while traveling; they will dispense the local currency. We do, however, recommend that you bring at least $200 USD in cash for emergency use or in case you have trouble with the ATMs. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but you may be charged an international transaction fee; ask your financial institution about their international fees. Please note that if you are carrying U.S. dollars, the bills should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and dated recently.
Tipping
It is customary to leave a small tip for service providers, such as waiters, if you are pleased with the service. Tipping is an expected, though not compulsory, component of this program and an expression of satisfaction with the people who assist you on your trip. Although it may not be customary to you, it is of considerable significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels.
There will be opportunities during the trip to tip your local guides or drivers. You may do this individually, or your tour leader may offer to collect the money and give a tip on behalf of the group. Ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and expectations. Also, at the end of your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. Tipping amounts are entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline:
- Service providers/Waiters: 10% of the bill
- Local guides and drivers: $1.50-3.50 USD per person per day
- Tour Guide (CEO): $20-25 USD per person per week.
Vaccinations
GEEO cannot provide any medical advice, so it is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. We recommend contacting Passport Health (http://www.passporthealthusa.com/), which has travel clinics located throughout the United States. You can also check the
CDC's recommended vaccinations for your destination. Please take this seriously!
Flights
We find the best prices for flights are often available around 90-120 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year.
You should wait until this trip is confirmed before you book non-refundable flights. GEEO and G Adventures bear no responsibility for any flights purchased before the trip is confirmed.
You will fly in and out of Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport for this program. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Sanur, which is about a 30-minute drive from Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. You may want to arrive in Bali one or more days early in case you have flight disruptions. You can arrive at any time you choose, but try to make it in time for our 6:00 p.m. Welcome Meeting on Day 1. You can depart Bali any time on the final day of the program, or stay longer to see more of the island. The program ends in Sanur.
Plugs and Converters
There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers (also called electrical converters). The adapter is for your device's plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two- to three-pronged power cord to fit the local outlets. The transformer/converter changes the local voltage to the voltage used in the U.S.
Indonesia uses a European-style Type C and Type F plugs with two circular prongs, and the voltage is 230V. (Standard U.S. electrical outlets are 120V.) Most new devices, including phones and laptops, are made to work with the different voltage rates, but some devices, like hair dryers, may only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device's plug or manual to see what voltage range it requires. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines its voltage capacity; for example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work with voltages between 100V to 240V. If your device can’t handle the higher voltage, you’ll need to purchase a transformer/converter. You can find world transformers/converters online or at many retail stores in the travel section.
Weather
Bali is only eight degrees north of the equator and has a tropical climate. The high temperatures don't change much through the year, although the Indonesian islands do have a distinct wet season that is brought in by the western monsoon from late October to April. July is in the dry season, and while you'll probably still see some rain, it is usually in short showers that leave fresh blue skies behind. Bali’s center is dominated by high mountains where you'll experience cooler temperatures and more rain. Things are warmer and drier the further away from the mountains you are, and you'll be warmest on the coast.
