Itinerary

Day 1: Monday July 5 depart USA-usually around midnight depending on your airline.

Day 2: Tues. July 6 Candi Dasa Having arrived in Bali (usually about 3:15 pm), we will transfer to east Bali and our beachfront bungalows overlooking the azure Indian Ocean. Check into the hotel and unpack before our first dinner together with Joe, where we share who you are and why you were inspired to travel with us.

Day 3: Wed.July 7: Candi Dasa BD. Buffet breakfast starts at 7AM, then travel in our mini bus for a snorkeling expedition in the clear shallow waters of the Indian Ocean. Many coral reefs and tropical fish to seduce you. Return to hotel for clean up and have lunch.

Then at 3 pm, meet in the restaurant with Chef Joseph for an introduction to Balinese herbs and spices: and making bumbu, the 8 fresh and 4 or 5 dry spices that flavor most Balinese dishes.

We will have a dinner together of Nasi Campur, the most common dish for the locals in Bali.

Day 4: Thurs. July 8: Candi Dasa. BD Breakfast begins at 7 am, followed by a second orientation and language session focusing on the Balinese community organization (banjar) and the caste system. Our morning excursion is to the Capitol City of our district, first for a guided tour of the market, and then to the  royal palace of our district: Amlapura,  to get a sense of Dutch colonialism and its impact on Bali. Afterward, we venture on to Tirtagangga (the last Raja’s water palace) for lunch and an opportunity to dip in their extensive  pools.

At 3 pm, meet in the restaurant for a workshop on the coconut, the primary product of East Bali, and a mainstay of all of Indonesia.  We will watch a local expert shimmy up the hotel coconut tree, harvesting both the nut and some tender palm leaves (for offerings.) The coconuts are then opened, and we will learn from Chef Joseph how to harvest the meat and grate the coconut. In the final at stage we learn how to prepare Bali-style sate, which will then be cooked on a brazier, fired by coconut shell briquettes, after which we sample. Dinner at the hotel

Day 5: Fri. July 9: Candi Dasa BD We all have breakfast and a final language class on bargaining, then a demonstration of how to wrap a traditional sarong. Our morning excursion is to nearby Tenganan, an aboriginal village populated by many artists, weavers (double ikat) and basket makers. We will return to Candi Dasa for lunch and a workshop with Surya in making Balinese offerings. Enjoy some downtime and then watch a demonstration by India Joe cooking one fish five different ways, with samples of each.   Included dinner is outside, under the stars—spectacular and fun.   

Please pay your bill tonight to avoid a back-up the following morning.

Day 6: Sat. July 10 Day 6: BL Transition to Ubud After breakfast, check out of our hotel and travel to Ubud, stopping along the way at Bhakti Senang Hati, an social and educational NGO for about 100 disabled Balinese, funded mostly by serving a tasty Balinese buffet lunch to tourists, by the 20 members who reside there full time. They lead a demonstration for us in making a traditional soup, their chicken dish and Bali corn fritters. After lunch, continue on our way to Ubud & check into our hotel. Afternoon free until the first evening traditional dance and fire trance performance.

Day 7 Sun. July 11 Ubud BD Today we learn about and sample the famed Balinese Rijstafel, and also about the one of the two most important meats in Bali, Bebek be Tutu (Smoked Duck.) Morning visit to a cooked duck factory to observe the process. Afternoon free to shop, return to hotel, have body treatments or visit one of Ubud’s great art museum. Early evening travel to  to Oka Wati’s Hotel for a private rijstafel dinner.

Day 8 Mon. July 12: BL  Late morning travel to the Capitol City of Denpasar for a Babi Guling (smoked suckling pig) lunch, and to see what Anthony Bourdain and other celebrity chefs were raving about. Then we visit your guide Made Surya’s family home where he demonstrates different ways of cooking tofu and tempeh, including samples. Next we  explore of the Pasar Badung Night Market—the biggest in Bali.

Day 9 Tues July 13: BD Depart for Taman Dukuh Cooking School, a unique farm and firefly preservation experience a short trip from Ubud for a hands-on workshop and lunch. Return to hotel and Dinner at Cafe Wayan with Joe and Sasha or on your  own

Day 10 Wed. July 14 BD Free Day. Visit the Monkey Forest, another of Ubud’s fabulous museums, or take Bird Walk or White Water Rafting trip!

Day 11 Thur. July 15  BD Depart Ubud and travel north to volcano country and Bali’s fruit and vegetable basket, and where many spices are grown. Our first stop will be the jaw-dropping Ogoh Ogoh museum in Mengwi.Then onward and upward to the fruit and flower market and fun shopping for fresh spices grown in the area. We will arrive in Munduk mountain village for lunch and check into our hotel. Free time until Happy Hour at the Sunset Bar, followed by the first of four nighty group, family-style dinners.

Day 12  Fri. July 16 BD In the morning we gather for a slightly more challenging  2 hour hike to Bali’s tallest water fall, through coffee and clove plantations. Besides numerous vegetation you are likely to see cacao fruit, nutmeg, and vanilla beans growing before we reach the waterfall Afternoon cooking class where we prepare our 5 course evening meal. Sunset followed by family-style dinner together.

Day 13 Sat. July17  BD Today is the Tumpek Uduh -when the Balinese make special offerings to fruit bearing trees, thanking them for their gifts.

This morning we take another slightly more challenging 3 hour walk with different terrains, and bag lunches through small villages and rice fields to the magical and sacred Growing Rock. Return to hotel for rest and down time before our next cooking class for this evenings dinner—different menu. Late afternoon another sunset gathering. Evening dinner our creations, family style.

Day 14 Sun. July 18 BD Full Moon This mornings excursion will take us to a local coffee processing plant—very much a simple home operation and then a small village where palm sugar is tapped from trees. Both great spots to purchase souvenirs. Before returning to hotel we stop at a temple festival in Gobleg village. After lunch, we have our third and final cooking class. Farewell sunset, then dinner and a performance by the village dance and acclaimed Gamelan orchestra with special guest dancer.

Day 15 Mon. July 19 B Depart for the USA or stay on in Bali. Arrive home the same calendar day.

There will be no refunds for any missed activities. Anyone who leaves the tour at any time, for any reason is on their own.

Included:

• Airport transfers for those arriving and departing on tour dates only.

• 4 nights Lotus Bungalows Candi Dasa

• 1/2 day Snorkeling excursion

• Herbs and Spices workshop

• Puri Amlapura/Tirtagangangga excursion

• Coconut workshop

• Tenganan aboriginal village excursion

• Grill Night Dinner

• Transfer to Ubud

• Lunch at Senanag Hati NGO plus demo

• 5 nights at Ubud Wana Hotel Nyu Kuning/Ubud Bali

• Smoked Duck cooking demonstration

• Tofu/Tempe Cooking Class

• Ristaffel Dinner

• Babi Guling lunch

• Two performances of traditional dance

• Transfer to Munduk

• Chocolate, palm sugar and Coffee Processing demonstrations

• 2 Walks in Munduk mountains

• 4 nights-Puri Lumbung Hotel Munduk mountain village

• 4 dinners and 3 cooking classes at Puri Lumbung Hotel

Not Included:

• Round trip airfare. Most meals, snorkeling equipment, airport transfers, laundry, tips.

Details:

Cost: $4200.  based on two persons sharing a room with bathroom. A single supplement is available. Minimum of 8, maximum of 12.

Roommates: Single people may sign up for accommodations desired on a shared basis; roommates can be chosen from other tour members. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a single supplement: $405.00 The number of single rooms are limited and available on a first come, first serve basis.

Deposit: A deposit of $500.00 per person is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Deposit, minus a $300. cancellation fee, is refundable until 60 days prior to departure, after which 5O% will be charged. No refunds will be made after departure.

Passport, Visa, and Health: A passport, valid six months from date of entry with proof of onward transportation is required for entry into Indonesia. You will need to get visa on arrival, with payment of a $35 fee, which is valid for 4 weeks. If you wish to stay longer, apply to the Indonesian Consulate for a 2-month visa prior to arrival. Everyone participating in this trip is expected to be in good health and able to walk at least three miles unaided. Anyone testing positive for Covid will be released from the tour.