Bali Bliss

CC
Cross Cultural Journeys
  • Email address verified
12 reviews
Jan 13 - 25, 2024
Group size: 12 - 15
Bali Bliss
Bali

Cross Cultural Journeys
  • Email address verified
12 reviews

Jan 13 - 25, 2024
Group size: 12 - 15

About this trip

BALI BLISS | SPIRIT, NATURE AND COMMUNITY


Join Cross Cultural Journeys on an amazing journey to experience the beautiful and enchanting Isle of Bali. Explore the Balinese practices of Tri Hita Karana, a Hindu saying meaning, "to live in harmony with the natural world, community, and spirit." From the cultural and artistic hub of Ubud, travel to remote villages nestled deep in the jungle, and to beaches along the north coast. Observe traditional ceremonies and rituals that the Balinese celebrate in joyful expression of reverence for their ancestors, gods, families, and the beauty of the natural world that surround them. Trip leaders will provide unique opportunities to unlock the secrets of Bali's deeply spiritual island way of living. You will return home with your world changed forever.

Journey Highlights

* Tour beautiful Ubud from the backroads to the rice fields, colorful market and the Ubud Palace

* Opportunity to practice morning yoga nearly everyday 

* Watch locals perform the magical Barong dance

* Visit artisan villages filled with batik, hand-woven fabrics, silversmiths and woodcarvers

* Experience a cleansing ceremony at a water temple

* Take a meditative walk around the rice terraces 

* Once-in-a-lifetime sunrise hike to Mt Batur

* Visit a local coffee plantation for a tasting and tour

* Partake in cultural workshops making offerings and learning Batik painting
* Relax with a sound healing experience

* Watch an evening performance at the Ubud Palace

* Stay at a luxury eco resort surrounded by lush nature

* Visit the Sangeh Monkey Sanctuary, Ulundanu Temple and Banyumala Waterfall

* Participate in cultural workshops like plant medicine, wood carving

* Learn Balinese cooking from our guide as he welcomes us to his village

* Explore meditative rainforest bathing and temple walks

* Visit North Bali: Lovina Beach and Banjar Hot Spring 

* Stay at a luxurious Balinese-run beach resort in West Bali

* Explore Bali West National Park


(Tour details subject to change)

Journey Details

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT:

Early bird discounts are available for bookings before April 30. Please enter "EARLYBIRDBALI" in the discount code box to activate. $100 will be taken off your final invoice.  

INCLUDED: All accommodations (double occupancy; or single room for a supplemental fee); breakfast, lunches and dinners per final itinerary (B, L, D); yoga (most days); local guides & guest speakers; all excursions and entrance fees on itinerary; preparation materials; transportation/coach bus; one CCJ trip manager.

CROSS CULTURAL JOURNEYS FOUNDATION:  

CCJ will funnel $50 per traveler to the Cross Cultural Journeys Foundation to support a local not-for-profit or charitable organization (TBA).

NOT INCLUDED: International air travel from mainland USA to Denpasar, Bali; alcoholic drinks; meals not on itinerary. Excursions not on the itinerary; tips for local guide and driver (optional, yet customary); travel protection insurance; bottled water (please bring your own water bottle to refill). 

TRAVEL PROTECTION: Cross Cultural Journeys is not responsible for cancellation expenses that you might incur before or during our trip.  You may want to check first to see if your current insurance policy covers travel abroad, but we have found that most do not. We strongly encourage considering taking out travel interruption and evacuation insurance to cover any emergencies abroad such as evacuation, or reimbursement for cancellation due to your own illness or an illness in your family. Some plans require you to take out this insurance within 21 days of your deposit to cover pre-existing conditions. CCJ has partnered with TravelSafe. You can visit our online portal to explore different plans. We encourage you to choose a plan that covers travel interruption before you depart, as well as during the trip. CCJ is not responsible for events beyond our control in this regard.  

Please visit the Cross Cultural Journeys - TravelSafe online portal to find a plan that works for you. You can also call TravelSafe directly at 1-800-523-8020. Make sure you mention that Cross Cultural Journeys is your tour operator to receive our special rates.

Journey Leaders

Cilla Utne
President, Cross Cultural Journeys

Cilla acquired CCJ in 2015. With a B.A. in language and intercultural studies, and an MBA in Sustainability from Bainbridge Graduate Institute, Cilla is passionate about the intersections between sustainable behaviors and cultural values. In an earlier corporate career, she facilitated intercultural training programs for executives living and working across cultures. A native of Sweden and a world traveler, she has lived in Spain, the UK, Chile, and Guatemala. Cilla is based on Bainbridge Island since 2006, where she co-parents her teen son; practices yoga & meditation; and takes long walks with her French bulldog. She's currently working on the final draft of a memoir about her mother’s childhood, contemplating how unresolved trauma can impact future generations.


Kat Sorensen
Journey Operations Manager, Cross Cultural Journeys

Kat joined CCJ in late summer 2022, overseeing and managing the 'backroom' coordination and trip-planning for most of our itineraries, as well as interacting with travelers for pre-departure logistics. Kat lives in Kingston, WA on a 10-acre hobby farm with her husband, Mat, and their menagerie of animals. When she's not chasing alpacas and goats, she can be found practicing yoga. Kat is a Certified 500-Hour Yoga Teacher and received trainings from schools in Bali and Costa Rica. In addition to farming and yoga, Kat loves to travel plan...almost as much as taking the trips themselves! So, when the opportunity to work with Cross Cultural Journeys came about, it was meant to be! This is Kat's second trip to Bali. She loves everything Bali to offer: yoga, spirituality, healthy food, rich culture, wonderful people and lots of time in nature! Kat cannot wait to share this experience with you.

Available Packages

Standard Double

Price per person who book two people in a double room.

$3,195
Deposit:$500
Multiple Occupancy

Price per person if you are willing to share with more than one person. CCJ will help finding you a roommate.

$2,995
Deposit:$500
Single Occupancy
$3,995
Deposit:$500

Available options

Extra Night in Ubud
$300

Please choose this option if you would like to arrive early or depart late. CCJ can book accommodation in Ubud.



Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Bali

You will be met at the airport and whisked away to Ubud, the artistic center of Bali, for a welcome dinner at our beautiful accommodations. (D)

Your Organizer


CC
Cross Cultural Journeys
12 reviews
For people interested in our planet and connections to the humans living on it. Cross Cultural Journeys provides socially and environmentally responsible travel experiences for individuals and organizations interested in global awareness, indigenous wisdoms and societies at the crossroads.

Reviews

CA
I enjoyed this trip very much. It was very well organized with timely communication and updates. The hotels were very clean and the meals provided offered great variety & were delicious.
By Catherine A for Momentum Music School on Jul 17, 2024
We loved our trip! Our tour guide Kat was amazing, she was so personable and on top of everything (and special bonus, she offered yoga on the beach at sunrise - one of my trip highlights). We also loved the Spanish tour guides! I would definitely use Kat and Cross Cultural Journeys for future travel plans!
By Rachel B for Momentum Music School on Jul 17, 2024
THANK YOU for the most amazing tour to Barcelona and Tossa de Mar imaginable!! I've heard back from all of the families and everyone had a spectacular time. Several of the families with younger children specifically said that the tour organization and community allowed them to do much more than they would have been able to had they been on their own. For me, it was a wonderful example of the potential of teamanship. We had 6 age groups on this tour: 4-5 year olds, 6-8 year olds, 10-12 year olds, 13-16 year olds, parents, and grandparents (Kat, do I have those ages correct?). The tour appealed to each age group for different reasons. The pool time at each hotel was a huge key to success. The flexibility to step in and step out of activities was also very important. The discussion we had at Marrakesh back in December helped guide important decisions about the activities we participated in. Everyone loved the boat tour, and the guided tours of Picasso and Gaudi were really important as well. It was terrific to have down time for the pool or for shopping (making the teens very happy!). Montserrat was incredible. Pol and his guides were very approachable, interesting, and personable. Kat was an incredible master tour guide. She was so adept at herding us all around, solving problems in the background so that everyone (especially me) could focus on the music and on making the activities relevant and right for their family. There was time and opportunity for serendipitous concerts, and Kat was so supportive of this. She was incredibly supportive of everyone. AND, she turned from master tour guide into master yogi and led us in two 5:45 a.m. yoga sessions on the beach - true highlights for me and for everyone that participated. The proof of the success of the tour was in the final dinner. I've never seen such joy and camaraderie, and this at the end of a very demanding 8 days! I put a day by day post with photos on Facebook. I'll put photos on my website and on the shared google drive as well. Please feel free to use anything to promote your incredible tour company! I sincerely hope that we can work together for the next studio tour. I'd love to offer one every three years. I hope that Kat will help us plan and guide us once again next time. Lots of love and gratitude, Tracy
By Tracy W for Momentum Music School on Jul 17, 2024
Vi hade en bra resa. Bra boende och god mat. Intressant att möta andra halvan av släkten.
By Mirja H for Dubbelman Family Reunion on Jun 26, 2024
Everything was well planned and the hotel choices were spot on. We had several wonderful guides to show us around and give us insights into their country, history and culture. Well done Kat !
By Mark S for Swaney Family Celebration on May 30, 2024
Mark, I am so glad you had a good trip!! Thank you for trusting CCJ for setting it up for you!
By Cross Cultural Journeys on Jun 26, 2024
CC
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