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Trip Inspiration

Bali and Sumba Islands, Indonesia

Designed for Secondhand Hounds

Embark on a journey for the soul and senses! Indonesia is a masterful combination of natural beauty and deep culture. In Bali, the beautiful beaches, deep blue seas and meticulously groomed terraces greet you and offer countless opportunities to take your breath away. Arriving to Sumba Island will be a special treat: the Sumbanese have long perfected a relaxed approach to their daily lives and as soon as you arrive, you will sense it in both the peaceful simplicity of your surroundings and the luxurious comfort of Nihi Sumba Island Resort.

Trip Highlights

Locations

  • Five nights at two beautiful resorts in Central Bali (Ubud)
  • Three nights on the coast of Bali on spectacular Jimbaran Bay
  • Three nights on tropical Sumba Island in eastern Indonesia

Activities

  • Tour some of Bali’s most iconic spots with your private guide
  • Meet Dewi, a young Balinese girl known as “the dog whisperer”
  • Visit Ubud’s Monkey Forest to meet its cheeky resident primates
  • Enjoy a hot air balloon ride over Ubud’s rice fields
  • Relax on the beach or choose among many water activities
  • Participate in a variety active adventures including surfing, hiking, or biking

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About Indonesia

It is almost impossible to imagine Indonesia’s scope by looking at the numbers. Consider the following: The country includes over 17,500 islands. It is the world’s largest archipelago, stretching the same distance as New York to San Francisco. And, with 250 million people, it is the world’s fourth most populous country, made up of more than 300 unique ethnic groups! At the same time, Indonesia is a travel lover’s dream. It is a place of great natural beauty, deep and peaceful cultural diversity, and unique experiences. Whether you want to sample the incredible food, are a culture or history buff or just want to relax on beautiful sand beaches, Indonesia truly offers something for everyone.

About Bali

Bali is one of Indonesia’s crown jewels. It is an island where the mystical and magic define everyday life in a paradise framed by sweeping beaches and natural wonders. The rich and intriguing culture is both enthralling and hypnotic and the island’s beauty is eclipsed only by the smiles of its charming people. Sun drenched beaches and exotic temples, fascinating culture and world-class accommodations welcome you in style.

About Sumba Island

The story of Nihi Sumba Island is a rare and fascinating tale that began as far back as when Sumba’s ancestors, the Marapu, landed on its secluded beach centuries ago. While stories of their legendary powers vary, their spirit has remained a benevolent force, protecting the way of life on Sumba and attracting strong custodians to ensure the spirit and stories of the Sumbanese people – past and present – carry on. The heart and soul of Nihi will always be the Sumbanese.

Day 1

Arrive Ubud, Bali

Welcome to Indonesia! Upon arrival in Bali, complete airport formalities and make your way to the arrivals hall, where you will be met by your local private guide and transferred to Capella Ubud. Accommodations will be reserved for three nights in a Terrace Retreat Tent, including daily breakfast. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Capella Ubud Meals: N/A

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Day 2

Ubud

This morning, you will be met in the hotel lobby by a local private guide for a full day exploration of rural Bali, including lunch.

Your transport for today’s trip will be a classic VW 181 convertible, an off-road vehicle originally manufactured by Volkswagen for the West German Army in the late 1960s.  This colorful jeep accommodates two adults comfortably and offers a fun alternative to a more conventional mode of transport. Today you will have the great opportunity to meet and interact with Balinese people and experience how families live and work together in their natural daily environment. There will be plenty of photo opportunities as you pass scenic vistas and interesting villages en route to Subak Guliang, a traditional farming village and compound in the center of the island. The local houses in the village compounds are architecturally unique when compared with other regions of Indonesia: based on the Asta Kosala Kosali tradition of house building, the method is not dissimilar to the ancient art of Feng Shui.

Begin your exploration by preparing breakfast in the Balinese compound. Seasonal tropical fruits will be served as well as soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea and Balinese cookies. Invigorated by your fresh breakfast, the rest of your time here will be dedicated to exploring the local area – take a stroll through local farms, walk to the nearby school and interact with its friendly students, witness the rural life of the Balinese people or learn more about the complexities of rice growing – from planting and harvesting, to the best methods of cooking. See the simple, but effective irrigation system known locally as Subak or just sit back and take it all in while enjoying fresh coconut water, one of nature’s most delicious drinks. Lunch will be served right in the middle of the rice field with the soft background of traditional Rindik music played on bamboo instruments.

Next visit Pura Kehan, an 11th century temple complex near the town of Bangli that is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful on the island.

Thirty-eight steps lead to the Kori Agung (stone capped gateway) and an attractive courtyard that is guarded by a mythical dragon. Legend has it that inside the dragon there is a magic stone that glowed red when the location of the temple was finally decided many hundreds of years ago.

Following your day of exploring, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Capella Ubud Meals: Breakfast / Lunch

Day 3

Ubud

This morning after breakfast, you will be met by a local private guide for your transfer to a nearby village. Here you will meet Bali’s “dog whisperer” and will spend the morning playing and working with dogs being cared for in her local home. The village hero has adopted many dogs and has become a bit of a celebrity in the local area and even around the world.

The young Balinese girl, Dewi, and her family take care of over 50 dogs in her small, modest house. Jump in to help with the daily activities of feeding, bathing and walking the dogs. You are more than welcome to bring materials (towels, blankets, dog food) to donate to this inspiring young lady.

Following your time with the dogs, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Capella Ubud Meals: Breakfast

Day 4

Ubud

This morning after breakfast and checkout, you will be met in the hotel lobby by a local private guide for your half day exploration of Ubud.

Start the day with a visit to Ubud’s Monkey Forest.

Take care of any valuables while viewing the cheeky inhabitants of this beautiful forested area! With 700 monkeys in the 30-acre forest, you will need to keep on them! The Ubud Monkey Forest lies within the village of Padangtegal, which owns the forest. The residents here view the Monkey Forest as an important spiritual, economic, educational, and conservation center for the village. In addition to the monkeys, you will also see 186 species of trees.

Next you will drive to central Ubud and visit the town’s art market. Known locally as Pasar Seni, this colorful marketplace has a wide range of items on display including clothing, textiles, leather goods and locally designed jewelry. Have fun wandering and making purchases. Remember that prices are negotiable so bargain for a fair one!

Following your tour, you will be transferred The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah. Accommodations will be reserved for two nights in a one bedroom Pool Villa, including breakfast daily. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah Meals: Breakfast

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Day 5

Ubud

This morning after breakfast, you will be met by a local private guide for your shared sunrise hot air balloon ride over the property. (Alternatively, you may choose to have a 60-minute ancient Balinese massage.)

Despite the popularity of ballooning tours in some the world’s most exotic locations, Bali has been slow to pick up the practice. The Chedi Club’s tethered balloon adventure is the only opportunity on the Island of the Gods. Each flight climbs 164 feet above the resort’s rice fields, and floats at the end of a tether while passengers drink in views of Mt. Agung, expansive rice fields, the forests of Ubud and the 12-acre property of The Chedi Club. Each balloon experience lasts between 5-7 minutes and sets sail with a maximum of two adults and two children under 12 and a certified pilot. (Note: Total guest weight cannot exceed 500lbs.)

The Chedi Club at Tanah Gajah Meals: Breakfast

Day 6

Ubud to Sumba Island

This morning you will be met for your private transfer to the Denpasar Airport for your commercial flight to Tambolaka.

Welcome to breathtaking Sumba Island, situated in a tranquil corner of Indonesia! Upon arrival, you will be met for your private transfer to Nihi Sumba. Accommodations will be reserved for three nights in a one bedroom Villa, including all meals. (Drinks to be settled directly.) Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

During your stay, all your meals will be served at the resort or in conjunction with your activities. You will love the cuisine at Nihi Sumba Island! ‘Food miles’ are kept to a minimum, and the resort boasts two flourishing organic gardens, a chicken farm, fish fresh from the sea, a plethora of local fruits, vegetables, spices and herbs to round out a fresh and varied menu.

Take some time to get settled in and explore the area before deciding what to do first – the choices are many! Your stay will be customized to your particular passions and interests.

Nihi Sumba Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

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Days 7-8

Sumba Island

Waking at Nihi Sumba Island will cause you to seriously consider your options: get up and get active? Or, luxuriate in your comfortable bed and villa for a while?

Great news: the choice is yours!

At Nihi, you will build your dream day of activity. Explore the options and decide what looks exciting to you: Perhaps it has been your dream to take surfing lessons. Here, you can do that at Coconut Cove, alongside world class instructors.

You may be interested in the local culture and opt for a hike into one of the local villages. or indulge in a sunset massage overlooking miles of Indian ocean coastline. (Note: Early registration for some activities, especially surfing, is recommended!)

Nihi Sumba Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

Day 9

Sumba Island to Jimbaran Bay

This morning you will be met for your private transfer to Tambaloka Airport for your commercial flight to Bali.

Upon arrival you will be met for your private transfer to the Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay. Accommodations will be reserved for three nights in a Deluxe Villa, including breakfast daily. Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.

Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay Meals: Breakfast

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Day 10

Jimbaran Bay

Enjoy your day at leisure! Breakfast will be served at the resort.

Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay Meals: Breakfast

Day 11

Jimbaran Bay

Enjoy your morning at leisure. Breakfast will be served at the resort.

This afternoon you will be met for your privately guided excursion to Uluwatu Temple, followed by dinner.

Travel to the southern-most tip of Bali to visit the famous Uluwatu Temple. One of seven sea temples that are said to form a chain around the island, it is undoubtedly one Bali’s most venerable places of worship. Perched more than 225 feet above sea level on a steep cliff, the temple has one of the most dramatic locations on the island. It is the perfect place from which to observe huge waves as they roll in from the Indian Ocean and crash against the rock face below.

One of the highlights of this excursion is the opportunity to witness a traditional Kecak dance, regularly performed at Uluwatu. The dance features up to a hundred male performers who form a circle and sway and chant to hypnotic music. This ritual is based on an ancient story from the great Hindu epic, The Ramayana. King Rahwana captures Sita, the wife of Rama and the drama depicts the battle between King Rahwana and the monkey god, Hanuman.

Dinner this evening will be at Sundara Restaurant, where you will enjoy a three-course set menu including non-alcoholic drinks. Following dinner, you will be transferred back to the resort.

Enjoy your final Balinese evening at leisure.

Four Seasons Resort Bali Jimbaran Bay Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Day 12

Depart Indonesia

This morning you will be met for your private transfer to the Denpasar Airport and your onward flights home.(International flights not included.)

N/A Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Validity

VALID TRAVEL DATES

Travel dates are based on double occupancy and availability upon booking and are valid for travel January 11 – May 28, 2020 and September 1 – December 14, 2020.

BLACKOUT DATES

  • Not available for travel over the 2020 holidays of Easter (April 10-16, 2020) Chinese New Year (January 20-28, 2020) and Japanese Golden Week (April 28-May 6, 2020).
  • In addition to the validity noted above, the following blackout dates exist only for The Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay: May 13-20, 2020. As these blackout dates only apply to one property, you may be able to have some flexibility to schedule travel during this time and avoid that property on blackout dates.
  • In addition to the validity noted above, the following blackout dates exist only for The Chedi Club (May 22-24; September 4-6, 11-20, 25-27; October 2-4, 9-11, 16-18). As these blackout dates only apply to one property, you may be able to have some flexibility to schedule travel during this time and avoid that property on blackout dates.

Included

The price of this trip includes:

  • All land services, transfers and transport as noted on itinerary
  • All accommodation as per program (based on double sharing room)
  • Economy domestic air within Indonesia (Denpasar – Tambolaka – Denpasar)
  • All meals as specified in itinerary
  • English-speaking guide as mentioned in the itinerary

Excluded

The price of this trip excludes:

  • Commercial transatlantic flight costs (and domestic connecting flights within the US) and any ticket/airport taxes
  • Medical evacuation insurance/Travel insurance (required)
  • Personal expenses and items of a personal nature
  • All drinks, except for noted on the itinerary
  • Passports, visas, or visa fees
  • Tips and gratuities
  • Entrance fees, porterage, tours/excursions and transfers not specified above.
  • Any new government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control
  • Other expenses that are not mentioned on the itinerary
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