June 1-14 2012

Bali, the justly renowned diamond in the necklace of islands that makes up the world’s largest archipelago, is well-known for its inner and outer beauty. Bali Hinduism is the predominant local religion and one that nurtures and encourages the arts. Bali’s stunning geographical beauty includes majestic volcanoes surrounded by terraced rice fields that gently spill into an azure sea.

Virtually every act in Bali is influenced by Bali-Hinduism, and it can be said that the Balinese literally Live their spiritual practice on a daily basis. In front of shops, in family compounds, and in the many village shrines and temples, visitors regularly observe Balinese making offerings to their deities in order to preserve balance and harmony in the universe.

Balinese temples are striking, baroque affairs, animated with numerous carvings, both decorative and representing Gods and demons. A temple becomes alive when it celebrates its birthday once every 210 days. Shrines become adorned with brightly colored fabric, stenciled with gold paint, trimmed with hand-made parasols and towering flags that sway in the breeze. Alters are heaped high with elaborate offerings of flowers, rice cakes, fruits and incense. It is said that “everyone is an artist in Bali,” and no more is this so than in the creation of the numerous offerings that are dedicated several times a day.

This itinerary focuses on two areas of central Bali: Ubud, known as Bali’s “Cultural Center, and located in central Bali, was the home of Bali’s early Kingdoms in the 9-11th centuries, one of Bali’s golden ages. From here we have access to nightly performance of music & dance, visual art and architecture, and easy day-trips to explore Bali’s east and southern areas and sacred sites. Our second week is spent in the cool highlands of North Bali in the shadow of sacred volcanoes. We visit small villages, sacred hot springs, a Buddhist monastery, and learn to make Balinese offerings.

On this trip, you will be provided with a window into the religion and culture of Bali by one who is dedicated and passionate about sharing his island home with visitors. Made Surya is the son of a Hindu priest, and therefore given advanced religious training during his youth. He performs traditional mask dance and carves his performance masks. He sings traditional a capella music in Balinese and old Javanese language at temple ceremonies, and has written about his culture in international publications.
He has been guiding visitors to discover Bali’s mystical interior since 1986, and is on the Board of Directors for Sacred Sites International. www.sacred-sites.org

Sacred Sites in Bali 2012 Itinerary

Day 1 Fri.. June 1: Transit BLD Depart USA aboard regularly scheduled airlines from San Francisco, L.A., or New York. As your flight departs a little after midnight, you must arrive at the airport Friday night. Cross international dateline and lose one day, which is made up on your return. Several meals, films and free beverages in transit.

Day 2 Sat. June 2: Ubud B Arrive in Bali where you are met by your guide and are transported to Ubud, the “Cultural Center” of Bali where you will spend the next week.

Day 3 Sun. June 3: Ubud B Wake up to breakfast served in an open-air pavilion overlooking a tropical garden. First orientation session, with a class in basic Indonesian and a talk on manners and customs. The we take a walking tour of the village, to acquaint you with traditional architecture, the banjar (community hall), and we visit the three temples that all villages contain, concluding at the Temple of the Dead, dedicated to the Goddess Durga. Here, your guide will discuss iconography in the bas-reliefs. Lunch and downtime. In the evening, your first performance of traditional Balinese dance and music.

Day 4 Mon. June 4: Ubud B After breakfast, our second language session, and seminar on the Bali Hindu religion and temple system.  We walk to the ARMA museum, one of the best in Bali, and tour the galleries, focusing on the themes in sculpture and paintings related to culture and mythology. Then we outfit you in your sarongs and temple scarves, required clothing for entrance to sacred sites and ceremonies.  In the afternoon we are dropped at the Heron Preserve at Petulu village and walk back to Ubud at sunset, through rice terraces and small villages, concluding in dinner.

Day 5 Tues. June 5: Ubud BL Early morning departure for  the Sacred Springs of Tampaksiring, believed to have healing properties. There will be a purification ceremony for those who wish to participate.  Lunch at nearby Senang Hati, an educational and social organization for disabled Balinese adults. Late afternoon seminar on language, the caste system, and rites of passage in Balinese traditional life, followed by another performance of traditional dance and music.

Day 6 Wed. June 6: Ubud B Final language session and seminar on Balinese history. Then we venture to the 11th century temple of Goa Gadjah, and the nearby equally old temple, Pura Penataran Sasih, that houses the old and venerated bronze drum known as the “Moon of Pejeng.” Return to Ubud for lunch. Late afternoon demonstration, breaking down the elements of Balinese dance, before another dance performance.

Day 7 Thur. June 7: Ubud BL Tour Day: South Bali Depart hotel for visit to the Mask and Puppet Museum, housing the largest collection of traditional masks and puppets in the world. The further south to the capitol city of Denpasar, and tour the Anthropological Museum to see implements used in Rites of Passage and temple festivals. Then visit your guides home, and tour the traditional family compound and enjoy lunch prepared by his family. On your way back to Ubud, stop at the home studio of a Balinese carver who makes sacred masks. Evening free.

Day 8 Fri. June 8: Ubud Tour day (East Bali) Island tour to East Bali, taking us through striking visions of terraced rice fields and craggy mountains, ending up at the aboriginal village of Tenganan to watch the double ikat weaving process (created only two places in the world), and a demonstration of Balinese lontar or palm leaf books being made. Lunch at Ashram Candi Dasa, and a tour of the facility.  Our next visit is to Pura Kehen, a beautiful and important temple in Bangli Regency. Late afternoon discussion of trance, followed by a performance of the Kecak dance and Fire trance dance.

Day 9 Sat. June 9: Munduk BD Depart Ubud, traveling north through the heart of the island’s produce basket,. Our first stop is Pura Taman Ayun, a stunning temple surrounded by two beautiful moats. Then we stop at a mountain market, brimming with numerous varieties of tropical fruits, vegetables, spices and many species of orchids. Stop at Pura Ulun Danu, Bali's most beautiful temple, floating on a flower-draped crater lake. Arrive in volcano country, and our romantic cottages, surrounded by rice fields, clove and coffee plantations. Evening family-style dinner together.

Day 10 Sun. June 10: Munduk BD Following breakfast, a guided tour of natural medicinal herbs both growing wild and cultivated in the hotel herb garden. Then take off for an easy walk to Bali’s tallest waterfall with a chance for the adventuresome to take a dip. Lunch, downtime, and late afternoon class in making Balinese temple offerings. Family-style dinner together.

Day 11 Mon. June 11: Munduk BD  Breakfast, followed by walk through the neighboring countryside: small villages, rice fields, coffee and clove plantations, culminating at the magical Growing Stone.  Return to hotel by mini-bus for lunch. Late afternoon watch a village children's dance class, followed by family-style dinner.

Day 12 Tues. June 12: Munduk B Excursion the village of Pedawa, unique in the style in which they build their family temples. Box lunches in the village. Then on to the Holy Hot Spring for a dip, and last, we visit Bali’s only Buddhist monastery, perched on a hillside. Return to hotel for dinner.

Day 13: Wed. June 13 Munduk BD Final day in Bali. Free day to enjoy relaxing or engage some of the many activities offered by the hotel: music or cooking classes, further treks, or walk to the village. Final dinner and performance of traditional dance by the villagers.

Day 14: Thur. June 14: Departure, or add on the 3 night excursion to Yogyakarta to visit Borobodur and Prambanan temples.
All activities are optional, however anyone who leaves the tour at any time, for any reason is on their own.

Hotels:
Munduk: Puri Lumbung Cottages www.purilumbung.com

Ubud: www.sarenhotel.com

Not Included:
Extra drinks at meals (bottled water only provided). Most meals, laundry services, extra baggage and overweight charges, passport fees, single room supplement, airport taxes.

Price: $3491.00 based on two people sharing a room with twin beds and a private bath.
Minimum 7 participants, Maximum 14. Price may be affected by airlines price hikes. A $350.00 deposit is required to secure space. Ground only: $1941.00

Single Supplement: Those traveling as singles may choose roommates from among the group. If no roommate is available, the client will be advised before departure, and must pay a single supplement $265.00.

Cancellations and Refunds: After tickets are issued, refunds for air fares will be governed by regulations listed in flight contract. For the land portion, a cancellation fee of $75.00 is charged until 6 weeks prior to departure when 1/2 the entire payment will be charged. There will be no refunds one week before departure. Final payments due April 16, 2012.

Passport, Visa and Health: A passport, valid six months from date of entry with proof of onward transportation. Indonesian visa for 30 days granted on arrival to US citizens for $25.00 fee. No inoculations are suggested or required.

Excursion to the Cultural Center of Java:

Day 1 Fri. June 15 : Yokyakarta - On arrival in Yogya, your are met and then transferred to your Hotel accommodation. In the evening attend the Ramayana Dance performance with dinner. (D)

Day 2 Sat. June 16 : Yogyakarta – Borobudur & Prambanan Temples. Breakfast --then a full day visiting the world famous Buddhist Temple “Borobudur,” situated 27 miles North west of Yogyakarta, then continue visit to the 9th century Prambanan, Plaosan and Kalasan Hidu Temples. Return to hotel. (B)

Day 3 Sun. June 17 : Yogyakarta Breakfast, then a half day city sightseeing tour of Yogya; visit the Sultans palace, Sonobudoyo Museum, the water castle of Taman Sari, Batik Home Industry and Kota Gede silver works center. Evening free.

Day 4 Mon. June 18 Early morning flight to Bali to connect with your flight home, or stay on for further adventures.

Cost for add-on: $645.00 based on shared room. Single supplement: $105.00

Registration contact Danu Enterprises: danu@earthlink.net, (831) 476-0543. www.danutours.com