Thanksgiving in Bali
Location: Bali - Sanur, Tulamben, Ubud, Nusa Penida, Kintamani (Mt. Batur), Uluwatu, and more!
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Only 3 days off work to do and see the best of Bali, as we do a deep dive into Balinese culture, activities, and sights!
Here are some of the things we will be doing or have the chance to do in beautiful Bali!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Guided snorkeling in Tulamben at the famous USAT Liberty shipwreck.
- See the most epic sites in Ubud: Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Lempuyang Temple/Gate of Heaven, Lahangan Sweet, and more!
- Experience Bali through your senses as we explore: Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, the Bali Swing, Tegenungan Waterfall, and make a visit to a traditional art village.
- Beautiful downhill relaxed cycling land tour through rice fields and local villages.
- Snorkeling at the stunning Nusa Penida island.
- Barong & Kris Balinese dance show (for those arriving early).
- Kintamani (Mt. Batur) sunrise tour in 4WD and hot springs with an incredible view to follow.
- Spectacular upscale spa experience set in the Balinese jungle (space is limited at the spa, so we will be prioritizing the first sign-up's for this really special place).
- Morning yoga in Ubud.
- Thanksgiving dinner on the beach in Sanur.
- Visit to Uluwatu temple with Kecak dance and seafood dinner at Jimbaran beach.
- Stays in hand selected 4-star hotels, including at a modern Balinese resort on the beach in Sanur.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 19 - ARRIVE IN SANUR | TRANSFER TO TULAMBEN
OPTIONAL BARONG & KRIS DANCE FOR EARLY ARRIVALS
Arrive and take a big deep breath! You have arrived to Bali after all! We will transfer early in the afternoon to Tulamben, where we will kick off our Balinese adventure. If you arrived early (November 18), you have the option of taking in a morning Barong and Kris dance, a typical Balinese ritual dance. In the dance, you will see the story of the fight between good against evil.
After our afternoon transfer to Tulamben, we will have a group dinner and orientation meeting.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Kajane Tulamben 4* or similar.
MEALS: Dinner.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 20 – TULAMBEN | SNORKELING AT THE USAT LIBERTY SHIPWRECK | OPTIONAL DISCOVER SCUBA DIVING
Today we will get more than our feet wet and jump right into our incredible trip! After breakfast, we will dive in for two epic snorkels at the USAT Liberty shipwreck (which is uniquely shallow and makes for a great snorkel exploration!). For those interested, you will have the option to opt for Discover Scuba and have your first scuba diving experience with two dives, or you may just opt for this dive if you are already a diver on the land tour!
The US Army cargo ship is a casualty of WWII, hit by a torpedo in the Lombok Strait in 1942. While being towed toward Northwest Bali for repairs, it took on too much water and was beached in Tulamben. The cargo and fittings were subsequently salvaged, but the ship remained on the beach until 1963. When Mount Agung started to erupt, the tremors caused the ship to slide off the beach and it ended up in shallow water. These days the dive site is one of the top wreck sites for diving and snorkeling.
After exploring the wreck you will have lunch in a nearby restaurant and then head back to the hotel for a free afternoon and evening.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Kajane Tulamben 4* or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast & Lunch.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 21 – TULAMBEN TO UBUD
TIRTA GANGGA WATER PALACE | LEMPUYANG TEMPLE | LAHANGAN SWEET
Today we head out for an epic day seeing many of Bali’s most famous sites, as we make our way to Ubud. First, we head to Tirta Gangga Water Palace, a former royal palace along Mount Agung and through rice fields. The water palace was built in 1946 by the King of Karangasem but was almost completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount Agung in 1963. Luckily it was restored and is a very special place to visit.
Our next stop is Lempuyang Temple. The gate of this temple is probably one of the most photographed buildings in Bali. It is situated on the peak of Mount Lempuyang, and you will have a stunning view of Mount Agung through the gate.
After that, we head to Lahangan Sweet, another incredible place to be, see, and remember in person and by photograph. If you are adventurous, you can climb on the wooden platform to get an even better view.
We arrive early in the evening to our hotel and can chill or go out to further explore on our own.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Kajane Yangloni 4* or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22 – UBUD
OPTIONAL KINTAMANI (MT. BATUR) 4WD SUNRISE TOUR & HOT SPRINGS |
OPTIONAL AFTERNOON JUNGLE SPA PACKAGE
A day to be free, or to truly indulge all your senses with the options offered. Yes, of course, we made it so you can do both! If you choose a free day in Ubud, there are many shops and restaurants to explore, or you can head to the art market or royal temple if you fancy.
Optional AM Sunrise Jeep Tour: An unforgettable morning that you will never forget. We will depart around 3AM an hour away to the start point of the jeep tour. We will ride to the viewpoint on Mount Batur to admire a sunrise like no other, above the cities, above the clouds, above the world. We will have a light breakfast to follow. Be prepared with warm clothing for this adventure, as we are going high into the sky and it can get chilly (gloves and a hat are advised). Oh no, we won’t stop there! Next we will take a detour to the Batur natural hot springs to warm up after our chilly but oh-so-rewarding time high in the sky. We will arrive back in Ubud around 1PM and have the option of enjoying a free afternoon, or indulging in the optional afternoon spa visit.
Optional PM Spa Visit at Tjampuhan Spa: Positioned at the base of the valley mere steps away from the natural splendor of the river flow, Tjampuhan Spa is dedicated to the therapeutic properties of water. Composed of several semi-open treatment pavilions and an extraordinary hot/cold spring water Jacuzzi created within a mythical stone cavern, you will be able to indulge in your choice of: a 90-minute massage and facial, or a spa package with one-hour massage, facial, body scrub, and yogurt rub (package availability depends on the final count for the spa and will be prioritized by order of trip registration), with extra time to spend in the hot and cold pools, sauna, and steam area. Or, you may choose to go to the spa without services and enjoy the majestic surroundings and pool/sauna/steam areas. A car will be on call to escort you back to the hotel when you are ready.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Kajane Yangloni 4* or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23 – UBUD TO SANUR
OPTIONAL AM YOGA | SACRED MONKEY FOREST | BALI SWING | TEGENUNGAN WATERFALL | OPTIONAL THANKSGIVING DINNER ON THE BEACH
This morning, before we head back to Sanur, we open with optional yoga in our hotel, because, we are in Bali after all! Next, we move on to the place where no visit to Ubud would be complete without: The Sacred Monkey Forest. The monkeys live here completely free but beware they can sometimes get a bit playful and naughty and try to run off with your sunglasses or phone.
After some fun monkeying around, we’ll go swinging at the famous Bali Swing, where you can choose from various swings to create your perfect memory in the air! We will satiate our worked-up appetites with lunch before heading back to Sanur.
On the way, we will visit one of the villages famous for Balinese art and handicraft. After this, we will head to the spectacular Tegenungan Waterfall, nestled in the forest a bit south of Ubud. We expect to arrive in Sanur around 5:30PM, in time for the optional Thanksgiving dinner on the beach tonight.
The optional Thanksgiving dinner on the beach will be hosted at Tandjung Sari hotel and feature authentic Indonesian cuisine as well as a welcome drink.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Puri Santrian 4* or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast. Optional Thanksgiving Beach Dinner.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24 – NUSA PENIDA | SNORKELING
Off the coast of Bali, about 45 minutes by boat, are three small islands called Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. These three islands make up the Nusa Penida Marine Protected Area and offer amazing marine encounters. We cannot promise which sites we will visit because of the changing currents and shifting swell, but our plan is as follows: Manta Point, Crystal Bay, and one site on the north side, such as SD Point or Toyapakeh. The sites in the south offer a great chance to see Mantas, while the other sites have bigger coral, different kinds of small and big fish, and turtles.
We will have lunch on the boat between the second and third snorkel sites. Our guides will accompany us in the water and point out all the interesting marine life we will see.
We will arrive back around 4PM, when we can go straight back to the hotel, or those who wish may take a walk along the beach (the boat comes ashore only about an 8-minute walk to our hotel). We will have a free evening to explore Sanur.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Puri Santrian 4* or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast and Lunch.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 25 – SANUR
MORNING SCENIC CYCLING RICE FIELDS & VILLAGES |
OPTIONAL PM ULUWATU TEMPLE VISIT, KECAK FIRE DANCE, FAREWELL BEACH DINNER.
This morning we will explore on wheels, with a wonderful and relaxed downhill cycling tour through villages and rice fields. We will be picked up around 6:30AM, and head a couple hours to our starting point, where we will choose our bikes, get adjusted, and have a safety briefing. The views today are breathtaking and scenic, and unique to Bali. We will stop for breathtaking views of traditional houses, rice fields, Banyan trees, and more. We’ll re-energize during the tour with a coffee break. We will arrive back just in time for those going to the optional temple visit, Kecak dance, and seafood dinner on the beach.
Optional temple visit, Kecak dance, and farewell dinner on the beach: This evening we head to one of the most famous temples in Bali, Uluwatu. Situated at the southern tip of Bali on a cliff, the view from this temple is nothing short of magnificent. Mind the cheeky monkeys that call the temple home and whom we will surely encounter. After a tour through the temple and taking in its views, we will head to the arena for the Kecak and Fire dance that will be seared in your mind as the performance of a lifetime. This is a very famous dance that tells the story of the ancient King Rama. The story is set at sunset and continues into the night, and will go into the dark lit only by the bamboo torches in the center.
Afterwards, we will enjoy a farewell dinner on Jimbaran Beach, recounting our incredible Thanksgiving week memories over a seafood BBQ, arriving back to the hotel around 10PM.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Puri Santrian 4* or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast. Optional dinner on the beach.
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 – SANUR | DEPARTURE DAY
It’s so hard to say goodbye. So instead we say “Sampai jumpa lagi”!
Checkout time is 12PM, but you can store your luggage at the hotel. A vehicle will take you to the airport if you depart according to FLIGHT GUIDELINES. And, we will wish each other farewell until we meet again, and thank each other for this epic journey we took together.
ACCOMMODATIONS: N/A
MEALS: Breakfast.
- 7 nights of accommodations at double-occupancy (please see OCCUPANCY below).
- 7 Breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 1 dinner.
- 2 snorkel sites at the USAT Liberty Shipwreck.
- 3 snorkel sites at Nusa Penida.
- Visit to Tirta Gangga Water Palace.
- Visit to Lempuyang Temple.
- Visit to Lahangan Sweet.
- Visit to Bali Swing.
- Visit to Sacred Monkey Forest.
- Visit to Tegenungan Waterfall.
- Cycling tour of villages, rice fields, and other Balinese scenery.
- Entrance to all activities, tours, & locations listed in the itinerary unless otherwise listed as optional, noted below.
Optional Activities (at a cost):
- Barong and Kris dance for early arrivals (those arriving on the 18th)
- Discover Scuba in Tulamben (instead of included snorkeling at the same time)
- Kintamani/Mt. Batur 4WD Sunrise Tour & Hot Springs
- Afternoon spa package at a beautiful Balinese open-concept spa set in the forest.
- Guided yoga class in Bali!
- Thanksgiving dinner on Jimbaran beach.
- Uluwatu temple visit with Kecak fire dance and farewell seafood BBQ dinner on Jimbaran beach.
Guides & Transportation:
- English-speaking guide, local activity guides, and 1000 Treks group leader(s) throughout the tour.
- Transportation to and from Denpasar (DPS) airport to the hotel if you arrive within the guidelines on FLIGHT GUIDELINES below. If you arrive or leave at a different time, you may have to arrange your own transportation.
- All transportation to our scheduled activities as well as to and from accommodations while with the group. If you do your own activity or arrive/leave on a different day, you’ll have to arrange your own transportation.
- Flights (see FLIGHTS below).
- Optional activities, or any activity not described in the itinerary.
- Meals other than those specifically stated in the itinerary.
- Tips to guides, drivers, staff, etc.
- Any potential rentals.
- Souvenirs or anything extra you would like to get.
- Double-occupancy: You will be paired up with someone of the same gender as a roommate, unless you have someone that you are already coming with.
- Single supplement (if you want a room for yourself, subject to availability): $600
- The last people to RSVP and pay the deposit MAY have to be put in triple-occupancy rooms (if we end up with an odd number of men or women).
Flights are NOT included. Flights are very easy to book on your own, and, as some people choose to do side trips or use miles/points to purchase airfare, we allow you flexibility in booking these. So instead of including air, we give guidelines so you may book your own. Shuttles will be provided if you meet the FLIGHT GUIDELINES below:
FLIGHT GUIDELINES
- Arrive in Denpasar at Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on Sunday, November 19th at or before 4PM. We suggest an early arrival if possible for this trip.
- Leave Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on Sunday, November 26th between 10AM to 5PM.
- Price: $1,595
- In order to save you money, we don't add the cost of credit card processing to the price of the trip, so this price is for check, bank transfer, or any form of payment that does not incur a fee. We can take the deposit via credit card, but need the remaining balance to be paid by a direct form of payment. If you want to pay for the remaining balance with a credit card, we can accept it, but have to add a 5% fee.
- A deposit of 500.00 (non-refundable, but movable) starts your reservation. Once we receive your deposit, we'll send you a questionnaire and a contract that will need to be returned to us in 72 hours to guarantee your spot. You can read the contract in advance HERE.
- Once you return the filled-out questionnaire and signed contract, we will send you an invoice for the remaining amount. You will have until August 19, 2023 (three months before the trip) to finish making your payment.
- Once you are confirmed, your deposit becomes movable. That means, if you need to cancel your participation on the trip for any reason, you may request a credit for 100% of your deposit that can be applied to any 1000 Treks Trip which departs within one year of the departing date of the original trip.
- When you make your deposit, you will be asked for your email. MAKE SURE YOU LIST AN EMAIL YOU CHECK DAILY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR PAYMENT. THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL RECEIVE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE, INVOICE, AND ALL THE EMAILS IN REGARDS TO THE TRIP.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT.
- Full payment is only due by August 19, 2023, three months before the trip. You can make payments when and how you prefer so long as you are fully paid by the due date.
- If you make payments or pay in full before the due date, your payments (minus the deposit) are refundable before the due date. After that, all payments are entirely non-refundable.
- All trips are governed by our comprehensive contract. You should familiarize yourself with it prior to signing up for any of our trips. You can access it by clicking HERE or visiting https://www.1000treks.com/contract/. A link to the contract can also be found at the bottom of all our web pages under CONTRACT.
- Travel insurance is REQUIRED. You may purchase insurance with any company you wish, but we require that your policy covers personal injury, death, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and treatment, repatriation, and personal liability, with a minimum coverage of USD $200,000. You will be required to submit proof of insurance no later than (seven) 7 days prior to the start of the trip or you will not be allowed to participate in the Trip and will forfeit all your payments. Although not part of the requirement, we STRONGLY suggest that you get insurance right away (within 15 days of making your deposit), and that you buy a policy that will cover you in case you need to cancel your trip for any reason.
- Because of the adventurous nature of our trips, our itinerary and some locations are subject to change due to weather, tides, road conditions, logistics, and other unforeseen circumstances. It’s not likely, but it could happen. Whenever we make a change in the itinerary, we will do our best to maintain the integrity of the trip.
- A passport is required for all international travel. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date. If you don't have a valid passport, or if your passport expires before 6 months after the date you will arrive back in the U.S., make sure to get started on a new one ASAP. Here's the link for the Department of State Passport section: http://travel.state.gov//content/travel/en.html
- At the time of this posting all nationalities require a visa for Indonesia. Visas are available upon arrival, or you may purchase online in advance (https://molina.imigrasi.go.id/). U.S. citizens may obtain the Visa on Arrival at a cost of IDR 500,000 (approximately $35 USD), which is advised to be paid in cash if purchasing at the airport on arrival.
- At the time of this posting, travelers to Indonesia are required to show printed or digital proof of full vaccination against Covid-19 at least 14 days prior to your departure. The SatuSehat app should be downloaded prior to arrival to complete the health protocol application.
- If you need to take care of any of the aforementioned issues, make sure to get on them ASAP so you don't get held up because of some unexpected delay. We've had people miss trips and lose money because they waited too long or had unexpected issues come up and couldn't take care of them before the trip started.
- Having a valid passport and all the required visas, proof of vaccination, and any other necessity to enter the country, or countries, which we are visiting is your responsibility. Please make sure you have those, and any other necessary issues, resolved prior to the trip. 1000 Treks is not responsible for any problems resulting from you not taking care of issues ahead of time.