Bali Bliss

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

      Cross Cultural Journeys
      • Email address verified
      7 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



      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
      7 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

      I had a beautiful trip. I loved everything about it. The only criticism I have is to not make the schedule so tight because of unexpected events. Other then that it was fantastic.
      By Donna H for SFJazz New Orleans on Jan 16, 2024
      Exceeded expectations in most categories. Unexpected changes in the itinerary left us rushing around a bit, stopping in local lunch spots that were not good, and missing out on a banner dining reservation (Brennan's) due to a confirmation snafu. We enjoyed the tours and our guide was personable, knowledgeable and excellent. The hotel was great; accommodations, amenities and location. Might be good to schedule some down time along the way...most days downtime consisted of about an hour in the late afternoon...not a lot of time to explore on our own, unless we wanted to miss a scheduled activity, like a steam boat ride. All in all...a good trip, but fewer surprises would have been better.
      By Rodman M for SFJazz New Orleans on Jan 16, 2024
      A once in a lifetime experience given the unique opportunities to interact with New Orleans natives and residents who participate at the highest levels in the jazz and Mardi Gras communities. Felt the orchestration of activities was thoughtful and prudent (eg, ensuring a late afternoon break before commencing nighttime activities). The restaurants were all great, the hotel was terrific. Excellent support from members of the Cross Cultural team and the SFJazz team! I was disappointed in Keynin's efforts. While he was a lovely individual and certainly brought his local history to bear on his talks, he seemed disorganized and inefficient (ie, too much time at any one place when there was so much more to see). There didn't seem to be any rationale for many of our stops (eg, the torture house: why?), and I was surprised there wasn't more of an emphasis on the music history of New Orleans given the nature of our group.
      By Matthew M for SFJazz New Orleans on Jan 10, 2024
      What a wonderful adventure! My son and I had a great time traveling with our soccer community and had a chance to spend time with old friends and build new friendships as well. I personally loved the relaxed approach to travel and the openness to discovery. A big 'Thank you' to Cross Cultural Journeys for a memorable trip!
      By Heidi U for BIFC International Team Tour 2023 on Apr 19, 2023
      It was a good trip with lots of fun activités and sleeping arrangements were actually nice Maya Fletcher
      By Diane P for BIFC International Team Tour 2023 on Apr 19, 2023
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