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 Indonesia

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

We require a minimum of 6 participants for most GEEO programs. We officially confirm that a program will run once at least 8 people have signed up, which provides a margin for individual cancellations. Nearly all GEEO programs ultimately meet this enrollment quota, and in the rare event that a program does not meet the minimum requirement and GEEO cancels the program, we will work with you to find a suitable alternative or provide a refund of your deposit if you prefer. We encourage you to sign up for any program that interests you, and we will notify the entire group once 6 people are booked and again once 8 people are booked. We always emphasize the importance of exercising caution when making non-refundable travel arrangements, especially given the unpredictable nature of travel. For example, we typically recommend booking flights with flexible change/cancellation policies.

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 will be traveling through areas where cold water showers are the accepted norm. Hot water facilities are often unreliable even when they are available. In keeping with our authentic tours, many of our hotels will not have hot water showers.
3. Indonesian cooking contains fermented shrimp paste (terasi) as a basic ingredient. Although there are many vegetarian options available, please be specific when ordering food, as often a little chicken is included with most dishes.

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. 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.

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 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.

Joining Instructions

Day 1 is an arrival day, and no activities have been planned. Upon arrival to the city on Day 1, or earlier if you have booked pre-accommodation with us, please make your way to the joining hotel. Please note: Check-in time will be in the afternoon. Once you arrive at the hotel, look for a note at reception from your tour leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on Day 1, usually between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., during which you will get a chance to meet your tour leader and other travelers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don’t see a note, please ask reception for details. If you miss the Welcome Meeting, your tour leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need and with instructions for the next morning. Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport is situated 22 miles west of the city. The taxi rank is situated outside the International Arrival Hall. There are many taxi companies but we recommend Silverbird or Bluebird Taxis. Both these companies have metered cabs and will cost approximately 180,000 Rupiah plus 10,000 toll (~$20). Journey time to the hotel can take from 1 to 2 hours depending on traffic. If you have paid in advance for an arrival transfer, a G Adventures representative will be at the airport to meet you. If for any reason you are not met at the airport, please call our local support line. If you are unable to make contact for whatever reason, please make your way to the joining point hotel via taxi.

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. EMERGENCY CONTACT NUMBERS G Adventures Office Bangkok, Thailand From outside Thailand: +66 92 338 9222 From within Thailand: 092 338 9222 After hours emergency number From outside Thailand: +66 87 049 6074 From within Thailand: 087 049 6074 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. Health & Safety

• N95/KN95 face masks (at least a few just in case there is an outbreak within your group)
• Hand sanitizer
• Rapid Covid tests/antigen tests (at least 3)

Suggested Checklist

• Casual clothes for warm to hot weather, that ideally can dry quickly (shorts and t-shirts)
• Fleece/sweater/jacket for Mount Bromo (you can also rent a jacket there
• 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)
• 1 bathing suit
• 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 Checklist

• Binoculars
• 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)
• 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 here. 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. 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

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 in Asia to tip service providers such as waiters, at approximately 10%, depending on 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. Tipping is also one of the most direct ways that you can have a positive economic impact within the local community. 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. Your tour leader will offer to collect the money and distribute the money to service workers throughout your trip. 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 your program, if you felt your G Adventures tour leader did an outstanding job, a tip would be appreciated. The amount is entirely your personal preference, but as a guideline, $20-25 USD per person per week would be appropriate.

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 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. This program begins in Jakarta and ends on Bali; you will fly into Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta Airport and out of Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport. Please double-check our itinerary for the date by which you must arrive in Jakarta. You may want to arrive in Southeast Asia 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 from Sanur any time on the final day of the program, or stay longer to see more of Bali. Sanur is about a 30-minute 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 (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.

Expectations

Before you decide to travel 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!

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.

Weather

The weather is one of the best things about a vacation to Indonesia over the summer. It is warm and sunny, with temperatures in Java averaging 88-93°F midday before coming down to the 73-79°F at night. Bali is cooler than some of the other Indonesian islands, with daytime highs lingering around 82-84°F and evenings dropping to roughly 71-77°F. Unlike earlier in the year when storms pummel the islands with rain, late June and July see almost no precipitation.