Local Tour Operators
There are pages of travel/tour operators listed in the most current
Bali phone book under Travel Bureaus. The most ubiquitous agency—the traveler's
agency—is Perama Tourist Service, Jl. Legian Kuta (tel. 0361-751551,
751875, or 751170, fax 751170) with offices in Ubud, Candidasa, Padangbai,
Lovina, Kintamani, Bedugul, and Sanur. Get ahold of their latest brochure
listing all their addresses and phone numbers. Perama now have large, new
coaches heading for all parts of Bali. In Ubud, pick-up is at major hotels
and locations, especially along Monkey Forest Road. Perama also offers
land-sea adventures and cultural tours to Lombok and beyond using modified
Bugis pinisi schooners.
Established in 1988 by an experienced Balinese
group, Nagasari Tours and Travel (102 Jl. Danau Tamblingan, Sanur,
Bali 80227, tel. 0361-288096, fax 289285, e-mail nagasari@dps.mega.net.id)
provides services, in Bali and throughout Indonesia, ranging from economy
itineraries to deluxe packages, but always with the same emphasis on originality
and efficiency. For special-interest groups of for individual travelers,
Nagasari can arrange for natural history, cultural, spiritual, or just
plain relaxing vacations. Rates are competitive and service is excellent.
Established in 1984, experienced and professional
Nusa Dua Bali Tours and Travel, Jl. Bypass, 300 B, Box 3419, Denpasar
80034, tel. (0361) 51-223, fax 52-779, organizes both packaged programs
and first-class tours. The company features competitive rates, excellent
service, and a consistently high standard of accommodations and guides.
Nusa Dua has cut its teeth in the business by catering to demanding and
discriminating European clients.
Natrabu has more than 34 years of experience
in leading tours. Its U.S. headquarters can be reached at (800) 628-7228
(U.S. and Canada), fax (415) 362-0531. Award-winning Vayatours Inc.,
tel. (800) 999-8292 (U.S. and Canada), fax (213) 487-0838, one of Indonesia's
largest tour companies, staffs a sales office in North America at 6420
Wilshire Blvd., Suite 420, Los Angeles, CA 90048, tel. (213) 655-3851.
A reliable operator is PT Bali Avia Ltd.,
P.O. Box 1094, Ngurah Rai Airport, Tuban 80361 (tel. 0361-751257, 755840,
or 752282, fax 752282 or 75333. They offer the "Sasak Traditional Tour,"
which takes in the sights and culture of the Sasaks of Lombok, as well
as tours to Borobudur, Yogya, Torajaland, and Mt. Bromo in East Java.
Tunas Indonesia Tours & Travel,
Jl. D. Tamblingan 107, Sanur (tel. 0361-288450 or 288581) and in the Hotel
Bali Beach in Sanur (tel. 0361-288056), specialize in wildlife and adventure
tours to Komodo, Baluran (East Java), Kalimantan. They also do daily air-conditioned
coach tours of Bali.
Grand Komodo, Jl. Bypass, Sanur, Bali
(tel. 0361-287166, fax 287165), sells three and four-day packages to Sumbawa
and Komodo with scheduled departures. Also ask them about other adventure
packages to Irian Jaya (Baliem Valley), Flores (Gunung Kelimutu), and Lombok
(climbing Gunung Rinjani). Tours start at about US$275, including accommodations
with all meals, transfers, and English-speaking guide. Price doesn't include
airfare and laundry.
Other reputable, locally based companies:
PT Motive Bali Tours & Travel, Jl. Bypass 21, Sanur (tel. 0361-289018
or 286248, fax 289018); PT Gloria Bali Jaya Tours, Jl. Raya Krobokan
(tel. 0361-730272 or 730273, fax 730273); Nagasari Tours & Travel,
Jl. D. Tamblingan 102, Sanur (tel. 0361-288096, fax 289285); Media Tour,
Jl. Kartika, P.O. Box 1008, Tuban (tel. 0361-753556, fax 753555). Catering
to demanding Europeans, the most efficient Bali-based operator I ever worked
with is PT Nusa Dua Bali Tours & Travel, Jl. Bypass 300 B, P.O.
Box 419, Denpasar 80001, tel. (0361) 751223, fax 752779.
Elderhostel Indonesia is an organization
serving the travel needs of mature adults. It leads various three-week
study tours in Java, Bali, and Sulawesi. The emphasis varies depending
on the location, but academics are always stressed. Contact address in
Bali is Agung Dewaputra, Elderhostel Indonesia, Puri Kapal, Peliatan, Ubud
(tel. 0361-975180, fax 975162).
Another educational outing is the "Bali Archaeological
Tour" offered by Santa Bali Tours & Travel, Grand Bali Beach
Hotel, Sanur (tel. 0361-287628 or 288057, fax 236508), which takes in sites
including Pura Durga Kutri, the Royal Temple of Bedulu Kingdom, Gunung
Kawi, and Pejeng, which departs at 0830 and returns at 1630, for US$37.50
(lunch included).
The art lover, dancer, and spirit quester
should get in touch with Bali Living Arts, 8600 East Alameda No.
17106, Denver, CO 80231, which caters to such specialized clientele that
the result is a smaller, more focused, and more spontaneous group experience.
You get 18 days of yoga on secluded atoll beaches, study of Balinese culture
and language, participation in a full moon ceremony, an inner-island cruise,
snorkeling, hiking, relaxation. Trip leader is Marya Mann, gypsy yogini,
Ph.D. artist, dreamweaver, and world dancer. Call (303) 355-3278 or (800)
641-Bali, or fax (303) 757-8287.
Overseas-Based Tour Operators
The Big Three Indonesian companies represented in North America are:
PT Garuda Orient Holidays (tel. 800-665-2254 in the U.S. and Canada,
fax 604-736-7154), the tour arm of the Indonesian national carrier Garuda
Indonesian Airlines; Natrabu (tel. 800-628-7228 in the U.S. and
Canada, fax 415-362-0531), an Indonesian travel agency with more than 33
years experience; and Vayatour (tel. 800-999-8292 in the U.S. and
Canada, fax 213-487-0838), one of Indonesia's largest tour companies. All
sell tour and accommodation packages on Bali. Call the Indonesian Tourist
Promotion Office (tel. 213-387-2078, fax 380-4876) in Los Angeles for a
complete list.
Since they believe that Bali is too commercialized,
Danu Enterprises is taking their clients to more and more out of
the way places. The founders, American Judy Slattum and Balinese I Made
Surya, have conducted high quality, personalized tours since 1980. The
instructor of their Yoga tour to Bali, Ann Barros, teaches the lyengar
tradition. Their new "Healing Arts" tour to Bali has been especially popular,
and their "Discover the Back Roads" of Bali is designed for trekkers and
water-sport enthusiasts. This trip includes in-depth seminars in Balinese
history, language, culture, and religion with Made, the founder of Bali's
mountain climbing club. The price US$2850 includes the 14-day tour, roundtrip
air on Singapore Airlines, two meals a day, accommodations in small, locally
owned bungalows, and five days in Bali's only Hindu ashram. For more details,
contact Danu at P.O. Box 156, Capitola, CA 95010 or call/fax (408) 476-0543.
A first-class outfit. Their office in Bali is at Jl. Kepundung, Gang XII
No. 1, Denpasar 80231.
Backroads (1516 5th St., Suite PR,
Berkeley, CA 94710-1740, tel. 800-462-2848 in the U.S. or 510-527-1555)
sells a nine-day walking vacation that takes in Lake Bratan, the lower
flanks of Gunung Agung, a rafting expedition on the Ayung River, performances,
open-air markets, local arts and craft shops, swimming, snorkeling, scuba
diving, first-class meals and accommodations, and the services of highly
trained professional guides. Backroads also offers cyclists two to 17 day
excursions with daily mileage options, maps, catered meals, directions,
and van support (see "Bicycling," under "Getting Around").
Naropa Institute (2130 Arapahoe Ave.,
Boulder, CO 80302, tel. 303-444-0202), America's only Buddhist university,
sponsors a Study Abroad program in Bali which runs from mid-January to
mid-March, combining classes in meditation, Balinese gamelan and
the Indonesian language, discussion groups on Bali's arts and culture,
field trips, attendance at performances and ceremonies, and independent
research projects. A 50-minute video on the US$3800 program is available.
Passport to Indonesia Inc., 2731 Tucker
Lane, Los Alamitos, CA 90720, tel. (800) 303-9646, offers personalized
tours for independent travelers as well as walking and cultural tours of
Bali. Archaeological Tours, 271 Madison Ave., Ste. 904, New York,
NY 10016, tel. (212) 986-3054, specializes in high-end cultural and educational
tours.
In Britain, Bales, Bales House, Junction
Rd., Dorking, Surrey RH4 3HB, tel. 01306-885991, sells tours to Bali from
around £1000. Also check out Earthwatch Europe, Belsyre Ct.,
57 Woodstock Rd., Oxford OX2 6Hu, tel. 01865-311600, which hosts ethnological
tours of south-central Bali. Hayes & Jarvis, Hayes House, 152
King St., London W6 OQU, tel. 0181-746-5050, gives holiday tours to Bali.
Thomas Cook Holidays, P.O. Box 36, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough PE3
6SB, tel. 01733-332255, offers hotel-based holiday tours to south Bali
and the Ubud area.
Warning
Most operators are reliable, but watch the budget-priced, fly-by-night
outfits. They will tell you anything: that you'll get all your cold drinks
free, that all entrance fees are included, and even promise you lunch—but
then you'll end up paying for everything! Exploiting your ignorance of
the island's upcountry attractions, drivers or guides may try to pocket
all these expenses and not report it to their superiors. For example, your
tour leader might not offer to take you inside Klungkung's Kerta Gosa,
telling you that the beautiful detailed paintings can be appreciated from
the outside. Not so.
These outfits could also keep you waiting
until about 1500 or 1430 before they take time to stop for lunch; then
they'll take you into a tourist restaurant where you have to pay Rp7500
for a simple nasi goreng. Just tell them that you want to go to
a warung instead, and take all your friends with you! Don't forget
that you are the clients; they should respond to what you want from your
tour. You can bargain with the guide and driver to modify the tour, pay
extra (which they can pocket) to take you way out of the way. Be creative.
Boat Tours
The oldest continually operating ship in the world—older than the Statue
of Liberty—is the 115-year-old gaff-rigged ketch Golden Hawk
which takes passengers daily to Nusa Lembongan. She carries eight sails
and is 63 meters long. Hotel pickup, food and drink, snorkel gear, and
glass-bottom boat trips are included for US$85 price. Children half-price.
Reserve tickets by calling Tour Devco, tel. (0361) 231591 or 231592, book
through your hotel, or direct to Golden Hawk Cruises, Jl. Danau Poso 20
A, Sanur, Bali (tel./fax 0361-287431).
Another tall ship, the 115-meter-long 1902
Dutch clipper Adelaar, sleeps 18 passengers and a crew of
five. When not away on charter, it operates day cruises to Nusa Lembongan
for US$77 and US$55 (budget cruise, alcoholic drinks not included). For
information, phone Enno Schulze at (0361) 261190.
All the following boats can be arranged through
Tour Devco (tel. 0361-231591 or 231592): Helsal III, a legendary
racing yacht that at one time held every racing record on Australia's east
coast, gives day tours for up to 15 guests. For US$66, your day includes
a trip to Nusa Lembongan, pick up and return transport, fresh buffet lunch,
boat transfers to island, complimentary teas, cocktails, and Aqua, snorkeling
and sailing tuition, toilet and shower facilities. The 176-meter-long,
powerful Island Explorer gives leisurely day tours. On the
way, try your hand at game fishing. Famous for its flame-grilled barbecue
with crisp salads and fresh tropical fruit. Ocean Lady II
offers day (US$69) and overnight (US$165 per person) tours to Nusa Lembongan.
This 47-foot sloop sails from Benoa Harbor at 0900, returns at 1700. Price
includes all food and drink, coral viewing, and island exploring. Call
(0361) 287739. The Anne Judith II, a 65-foot timber ketch,
comfortable and roomy, offers two and three-day tours. The Kriez
An Ael, a 20-meter French-built yacht, offers three- and five-day
itinerary for six to seven guests in four cabins.
The Simone III is a specialized
Blackwatch game-fishing boat with state-of-the-art electronics and a speed
of up to 25 knots. Range of heavy and light fishing tackle for fishing
tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, mackerel, and marlin. Day cruises start at US$660,
maximum six persons. Call Camar Yacht Charter, tel. (0361) 231591, 231592,
or 287446, fax 231592 or 287446.
Catamaran Tours
Most cruises make the passage over to Nusa Lembongan, an island 24
km to the southeast of Bali, which takes two-and-a-half hours. The vessels
anchor in a quiet bay. Explore inland, visit local villages and seaweed
farms, swim and snorkel, sunbathe and beachcomb. The cruise almost always
includes a hot buffet lunch and ice cold drinks. At around 1500, the boat
sails back to Bali into a tropical sunset, arriving in Benoa at 1700 or
1730 for free transport back to your hotel.
The Wakalouka is a 23-meter
luxury catamaran which sails from Benoa Harbor every morning at 0900 for
a two-hour cruise. At the exclusive Waka Nusa Resort, enjoy a sumptuous
barbecue buffet lunch with many Balinese specialties, view the amazing
coral formations offshore from the glass-bottomed boat or while snorkeling,
swim in the floating pool, play volleyball and deck games, visit the aviary,
or just laze and enjoy the sun and fresh air. Return at sunset (1800).
Cost (including hotel transfers, unlimited soft drinks) US$70, children
five to 15 half-price. Contact PT Tour Devco, tel. (0361) 231591 or 231592.
Quicksilver, a modern, spacious
catamaran with three air-conditioned decks for over 300 people, sails daily
to Nusa Penida. Popular with Asian groups. International buffet lunch,
ride on submersible coral viewer, and excursions to village, seaweed farm,
etc. on Nusa Lembongan, 25 km from Benoa Harbor. All for US$85 per person.
Reserve a place by calling (0361) 771997 or 771977.
Moggy is a sailing catamaran
with a relaxed atmosphere that sleeps eight. Day and extended charter.
Call Surf Travel Company or B.B.S. at (0361) 261051 or 261052. Use the
same number to charter the Mimpi Manis, a traditional Indonesian
pinisi which cruises to Nusa Lembongan.
Bali Hai II is a 34-meter luxury
catamaran for 300 people, featuring several decks, air-conditioned interior,
lavish international buffet luncheon, two bars. Day tours (starting at
0930) to Nusa Lembongan, rides in semi-submersible coral viewer, snorkeling
instruction from a moored pontoon (all equipment provided), a ride on a
glass-bottom boat, unlimited water sausage rides, and shore excursions—all
for US$75. An introductory scuba diving course ($40) is optional. Returns
at 1600. Children under 15 half-fare. The sunset dinner cruise, departing
at 1800 (two and a half hours) with disco, laser disk karaoke, Batak
singers, is US$35. Book through a travel agent or call (0361) 234331, fax
234334.
Hobie Cat Tours
Run by two Frenchmen, Aloha Sailing Tours (tel. 0361-701888,
ext. 7605), offers a different kind of sailing experience for adventurers
who enjoy sailing, surfing, and fishing from a small fleet of Hobie Cats.
The seven-day tours take place off the coast of North Bali, an area of
beautiful bays and reefs, untouched beaches, hot springs, temples, good
fishing spots, consistent wind conditions. The price of US$600 includes
sailing an average of six hours each day, a stop at a different losmen
each night, food and refreshments, and an assistant boat to keep an eye
on everyone.
Chartered Yachts from Bali
Indonesia maintains one of the largest fleets of schooners in the world.
Itineraries in the archipelago are only limited by your time, imagination,
and money. The charter companies on Bali will pick you up at your hotel
for an early morning departure from Benoa Port. The crews prepare delicious
meals of fresh seafood, and amenities include private cabins with a/c,
stereo, snorkeling gear, fishing tackle, hot showers, and shaded decks.
Yachts are fully equipped to meet international safety standards, and they
employ fully licensed, usually Western-trained captains and Indonesian
pilots.
Australian-owned Rasa Yachts (tel.
0361-88756), the largest and longest established yacht charter business
in Bali, operates three big, safe, luxury yachts on day trips or extended
cruises. Maximum 12 passengers per yacht at US$79 per person per day, all
inclusive.
A sturdy, 24-ton, 14-meter-long steel-hulled
sailing yacht, the Wyeema, can be chartered for safe and
comfortable sailing adventures. Marvel at the unpeopled islands, deserted
beaches, and magnificent diving on reefs discovered on previous sailing
safaris by Captain Bruce Collins. Their specialty is a seven-day, six-night
package to Komodo (Bali, Komodo, Sape, Bima, then a flight back to Bali).
This package may be extended to 12 days and 11 nights. Book at Jl. Pemamoran
12, Taman Sari, Sanur (tel. 0361-287593).
The Sirius, a 20-meter-long
pleasure schooner built in 1935, fully restored and renovated with every
modern convenience, is also available for extended charter throughout the
Indonesian archipelago. Capacity is eight people. To reserve, call (0361)
262824.