Bali & the Gilis: Island Adventures

Fly into and out of Denpasar International Airport (DPS).

Before 3 pm ideally. The welcome meeting and dinner will be from 5 pm onwards starting at the hotel, which is located approximately 30 minutes away from the airport.

Check-out time is 11 am but you can leave anytime that suits you. The airport is approximately 30 minutes away from the hotel, and your Pack Leader can help you book your transfers the night before if needed.

If you arrive on Day 1 of your adventure, or you book pre-tour accommodation with us, your airport arrival transfer will be included. If you book alternative pre-tour accommodation or are arriving by another mode of transport you must arrange your own arrival transfer.

Arrival transfers are private to Flash Pack and will be in groups depending on flight times. Sometimes this means waiting in the airport for a short while until other flights have arrived.

We don’t offer a departure transfer as Flashpackers leave at different times of the day and many stay for extra nights. We will offer you support with finding a local taxi, which will cost around 150- 200,000 IDR /10-13 USD.

Please note that tips are not included in the cost of this adventure. Suggested amounts per person are:

• Pack Leader: 3-4 USD per day
• Drivers: 2 USD per day
• Local tips: your Pack Leader will be able to advise on how much to tip local guides, restaurants, etc. Some Pack Leaders will collect a tipping kitty at the welcome meeting to take care of local tips.

However, all tips are at your discretion depending on what you feel comfortable with.

Up-to-date visa and entry information can be found using our official partner, Sherpa, who can help you arrange a visa if needed.

You can also find essential travel advice – including security and local laws, as well as passport and visa information – on the government website of your home country:

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.
• Residents of other countries: refer to the travel advice provided by your own government or local consulate.

Please be aware that passport and visa requirements can change before departure, so it’s important to stay updated with the latest information.

From February 2024, a new tourism fee of 150,000 rupiah (approximately 10 USD) will apply to all foreign tourists. This will go towards protecting local culture and nature and ensuring a sustainable future.

The easiest way to pay is through the Love Bali website before departure to Bali https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id/gov_notice. You can pay by bank transfer, virtual account or QRIS.

If you’re unable to make payments through the Love Bali system, there are Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) counters available at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and Benoa Harbour. Payment methods include debit/credit cards or Electronic Data Capture (EDC).

Make sure you keep your proof of payment receipt as this will be checked at the travel document inspection stage on arrival.

While we are not medical professionals and cannot offer personalized medical advice, we want to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure. Here are some tips to help you prepare.

1. Consult with a healthcare professional

We recommend scheduling an appointment with your travel nurse or doctor at least eight weeks before your adventure. This will give you ample time to receive any necessary vaccines or medications.

2. Up-to-date medical advice

• UK residents: visit the NHS Fit For Travel website for the latest medical advice.
• US residents: check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for specialized health information.
• Australian residents: refer to the Smart Traveler Health website for current medical advice.

3. Government travel advice

• UK residents: review the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Travel Advice before your adventure.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice for important travel information.
• Australian residents: check the Smart Traveler website for up-to-date travel advice.

4. Medication tips

If you take prescription medication, ensure you bring enough to last the entire adventure, plus a few extra days in case of travel delays. Carry a copy of your prescription with you in case you need to visit a clinic while abroad.

We hope this information will help you prepare for a safe and healthy adventure.

We take a speedboat over to Gili Trawangan. The crossing can experience some rough seas, so if you suffer from seasickness please be aware and prepare. Sometimes, due to extreme weather, all speedboats are canceled, and in this situation, it may be decided to reroute the trip to overnight in Amed on the way there. If this occurs on the way back, there are two options:

1. Spend another night on the Gili Islands

2. Go on a shorter boat transfer over to Lombok and get a flight back to Bali instead. Your Pack Leader will discuss the best options with your group if this does occur.

We recommend budgeting 300,000 – 400,000 IDR, the equivalent of 20-25 USD per day.

We recommend having a read-through of the itinerary above, and getting in touch if you have specific questions on fitness. The most challenging activity on this trip is the Mount Batur climb, which is about a three- to four-hour walk up a steep hill in the dark (which is why we recommend bringing a head torch!). Hiking shoes are recommended to navigate the loose rock and sandy terrain. Overall, the trip is relatively relaxed.

On Day 9, there is a 10-minute bike ride between the hotel and the snorkeling jetty – a journey of around 2.3 kilometers. If you’re not confident cycling alone, let your Pack Leader know and they will arrange for you to ride in tandem.

We don’t advise drinking tap water in Bali, however most hotels have a water fountain or cooler where you can re-fill your water bottle.

We also suggest avoiding swimming pools if you have open wounds that could become infected.

The hotels we stay at in Bali are all four and five stars and have been chosen for their excellent locations and comfortable accommodation. While we always take care to give you the best experience, we hope you can appreciate that different countries have different standards.

We know part of the unique experience travel provides is exploring local cuisine. Hotels in Bali often cater to international tourists and you can expect to see Western influences in their menus. Our Pack Leaders will work hard to maximize your opportunities to experience authentic cuisine.

Please be aware that the itinerary, activities, and hotels are subject to change. These changes are rare but can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting which we will always try and communicate to you.