Details

Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here to go to our general FAQ, which has 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.

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 1-877-600-0105. Verbal cancellation requests will not be honored.

• If you cancel 60 days or more prior to departure, all your program fee payments will be refunded besides your $350 deposit which is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel between 30 and 59 days prior to departure, you will receive a 50% refund and your deposit is kept on file for future use
• If you cancel within 30 days of departure, you will receive no refund, but your deposit is kept on file for future use

Trip Notes

1. 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.
2. We have upgraded all of the hotels for this program other than the first night in Sanur. We feel this trip is still affordable even after upgrading the hotels and this way you can have some extra comfort. This is the reason our version of this trip is more expensive than the version our partner tour operator offers in their catalog. If you want the less expensive version of this trip, please let us know and we can book you on a G Adventures, "non-teacher specific" departure that has not been upgraded.

Group Leader Description

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. 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.

Fitness Level

This trip should be appropriate for most travelers. There is light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels and nothing too challenging.

Single Travelers

Half of the people that travel with GEEO are traveling by themselves, so please don’t worry if you have no one who can join you on your trip. Our pricing is based on double occupancy or, in other words, two people to a room. You never have to pay for a single room unless you want one. GEEO can find you a roommate of the same gender. Most of our trips have a "My Own Room" option, also known as a "Single Supplement," which is an extra fee that will allow you to have a room to yourself. If you want to room alone, please email travel@geeo.org. To see the price for the "My Own Room" option, please click here where you can look up your trip in the extra services spreadsheet.

Joining Instructions

When arriving at Denpasar Airport in Bali, you will exit Customs into the arrival hall. Once here, there are money exchangers, but they do not offer the best rate, so it's best to wait until you arrive in Kuta. There are ATMs available that distribute Indonesian Rupiah (the local currency). Once you have stepped outside, there is a taxi stand with set rate taxis to various destinations on the island. The prices are listed on the wall and can be paid in Rupiah or US Dollars. Here, you book and pay for your taxi and receive a voucher. They will then show you to your taxi. The drive to Sanur is approximately 30 minutes but can take much longer if the traffic is bad. If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you. Our representative will stand at the meeting area of all travel/hotel representatives. It is located approximately 50 yards from the exit doors after luggage check. Our transfer representative will be waiting for you with a G Adventures sign board in hand. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line listed in the emergency contacts section below. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi. Please note that Day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned for that day other than your welcome meeting in the evening, so you can arrive at any time. Your tour leader will organize a short meeting soon after arrival, during which you will meet other tour participants and receive information about general and specific aspects of the trip. A welcome note will be left for you in the hotel so you have all the necessary information regarding the meeting time. If you arrive late, they will leave you a message detailing what time and where you should meet the next morning.

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 our local G Adventures Transfer provider directly at +62 8113803820, +62 8113803821, or +62 81337618480. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Office in Bangkok, Thailand During Office hours (Weekdays, 9 am-5 pm Local Time): +66 2 508 8630 After hours emergency number: +66 87 049 6074 If you are unable for any reason to contact their local office, they have a toll-free line for North America, which will connect you directly with their Toronto office. In the event that you cannot get through, you can reach a member of their Operations department at the mobile number below. Toll-free, North America only: 1 888 800 4100 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. Your rooms onboard the ship are very small, so you will probably end up unpacking your suitcase into the cabinets in the room and placing your luggage in storage on the ship. Please try not to overpack as you really won’t need many clothes. No XXL bags, please! Health & Safety (Required!)

• N95/KN95 Face masks (At least three per week)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)
• Quick Covid Test/Antigen Tests (At least 5, and for longer trips, 3 per week of travel)

Suggested Checklist

• 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)
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions)
• 2 bathing suits
• Raincoat
• Umbrella
• Outfit for the airplane
• Sleepwear
• Sport sandals or flip-flops
• Insect repellent
• Reef Safe Sunblock (We recommend Thinksport Brand. You will use a lot of it!)
• 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 Checklist

• Drybag (Will help keep cameras and essentials dry)
• Binoculars
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Silk sleep sack
• Travel pillow
• Money belt
• Portable Bluetooth speaker
• Phone/Tablet for internet – most hotels have WiFi
• Chargers for electronics as well 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)

Document Checklist

• Passport (with photocopies)
• Travel insurance (with photocopies)
• Flight info (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• EUR/USD cash
• Credit or debit card
• G Adventures vouchers, pre-departure information, and dossier
• Any entry visas or vaccination certificates required
• GEEO Classroom action plans for your group – this is sent 10-30 days before departure

Laundry

Laundry facilities are offered by some of our hotels for a charge, or ask your group leader where the nearest laundromat is. If you want to do your own laundry, we suggest you bring your own non-polluting/biodegradable soap.

Passports and Visas

All GEEO trips 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 here. A 30-day free visa is available at some arrival locations in Indonesia for US, UK, and Schengen passport holders. This visa is non-extendable. This free visa is available at: Jakarta (Soekarno-Hatta Airport), Bali (Ngurah Rai Aiport), Medan (Kualanamu Airport), Surabaya (Juanda Airport) and Batam (Hang Nadim International Airport). 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. US passport holders can learn more here. We strongly encourage all travelers to check with their embassy about entry requirements to Indonesia. The situation with visas in Indonesia changes frequently.

Money Exchange

As currency exchange rates fluctuate, we ask that you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com. ATMs are also widely available that distribute the local currency and this is what we recommend as your primary source of cash while traveling. Please make sure you bring at least $200 USD in cash as emergency money, just in case you have trouble with the ATMs or lose your bank card. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2-4% transaction fee. Visa and MasterCard are useful for cash advances in an emergency situation. Please note: If you are carrying U.S. Dollars, they should be in good condition (i.e., not torn, wrinkled, or marked on in any way) and printed recently.

Tipping

It is customary in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on the service. Tipping is expected - though not compulsory - and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. 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 are several times during the trip where there is an opportunity to tip the local guides or drivers we use. You may do this individually, or your tour leader will offer to collect the money and tip as a group. Recommendations for tipping drivers and local guides would range from $1.5-$3.5 USD per person per day depending on the quality and length of the service; ask your tour leader for specific recommendations based on the circumstances and culture. At the end of each trip, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, but as a guideline, $20-25 USD per person per week can be used.

Vaccinations

We legally cannot give you any medical advice. Please see here for our most recent health and safety updates. It is very important to consult your doctor or a travel clinic about which vaccinations you will need for your trip. Please take this seriously!

Flights

We find the best prices for flights are often available 60 days before departure, but of course this varies greatly from route to route and year to year. We advise that you wait until this trip is confirmed before booking non-refundable and non-changeable 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. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Sanur, which usually means departing the U.S. 1 to 2 days prior. You should schedule a flight that is scheduled to land in time for you to arrive at the hotel for the 6:00 pm welcome meeting on day one. Our trip ends in Candidasa, which is about a 1.5-hour drive to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. Your tour leader can help you arrange a transfer to the airport.

Plugs and Converters

There are two components to provide external power to your device: adapters and transformers. The adapter is the plug, adapting the prongs on a standard U.S. two to three-pronged power cord to match the prongs required by the local outlets. The transformer changes the local voltage to that required by your device. The standard used in Bali is a round two-pin plug like you find in many European countries. Bali uses 230V, 50 Hz, and C and F type plugs. U.S. outlets are 120V. Most new devices (phones and laptops) can handle the different voltage rates, but some devices only work on the U.S. standard of 120V. Check your device to see what voltage range it handles. Most transformer blocks will have an “Input” line that defines their voltage capacity. For example, “Input: 100-240V” means that it will work on voltages from 100V to 240V. If your transformer can’t handle the different voltage, you’ll need to purchase a voltage converter. You can find world regional voltage converters power packs at various vendors.

Itinerary Disclaimer

While it is our intention to adhere to the routes described on our website, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The information on our website is a general guide to the tour and region, and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

Expectations

Before you decide on traveling with GEEO, it is important that you read all of the information about the program you are considering. Remember, our programs are quite adventurous.

• The purpose of the accommodation is to provide a safe, well-located place for you to sleep. Sometimes you will be pleasantly surprised, but do not expect luxury as we are trying to keep these trips as inexpensive as possible.
• 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.
• You must be able to easily carry or roll your luggage, so do not over-pack.
• 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.
• Please make sure you understand the role of your tour leader on this trip, as they are not the traditional “guide” you may be expecting. While our trips are educational, they aren’t study/lecture trips. We want you to learn through exploring and much of your experience will be based on how active you choose to be in acquiring knowledge and interacting with locals.

Hopefully this is the kind of adventure you are interested in!

Weather

Bali has tropical weather as it’s just eight degrees north of the equator. The high temperatures don't change much through the year, although the Indonesian island does have a distinct wet season that’s brought in by the western monsoon. This is from late October to April, so July’s in the dry season. You'll still get some rain, but it’s usually in short and heavy showers that leave fresh blue skies behind. Bali’s center is dominated by high mountains, and here you'll get 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.