BALI UNTAMED– CELEBRATE NYEPI,
CELEBRATE THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY BALINESE RITUAL OF THE YEAR
Dates
March 21 – April 2, 2025
Program Overview
Join this once-in-a-lifetime adventure into the very heart of Balinese ceremony and ritual — during the time of Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu New Year. Discover the joy of honoring your own inner darkness and releasing that which no longer serves you. Be in harmony with ancient ceremonies that wake up your own unique indigenous wisdom. Spend a full 24 hours in total silence throughout the island, giving time for self-reflection, healing and affirmations for a year of blessings.
Let us take you on an inspirational adventure of a lifetime. Unlike a regular tour, our trips are designed for small groups exploring one-of-a-kind experiences. Enjoy a delicious private dinner and fascinating discussion with the King of Bali in his palace. Meet with young Balinese changemakers and visit hidden ancient temples. Witness Bali’s breathtaking scenery, lush green rice terraces and private tropical beaches. Choose from authentic local foods and explore delicious culinary delights.
Most important, we’re told that our trips are life changing. We hope so. Our love and deep respect for the Balinese and their island carries thru everything we offer. Come join us.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Celebrate Nyepi in rich cultural immersion with local Balinese people and witness the once in a lifetime Ogoh Ogoh festival of giant statues parading through the village streets.
- Explore Bali’s most sacred purification temple.
- Visit the studio of a third generation traditional mask maker and learn how he brings his creations to life.
- Dinner at a local Women’s Center where you’ll hear the founder’s story and her dream to create a space where Balinese women can support each other and learn new skills.
- Observe a balian, or traditional Balinese healer, practicing, and learn about healers’ important role in Balinese communities.
- Take a boat ride and snorkel in crystal clear water over one of the world’s most biodiverse array of coral reefs and marine life in the world.
- Join the Royal Family for a private tour & dinner. Special opportunity to ask the family questions about Bali’s traditional culture as well as modern-day challenges.
- Delicious Balinese food, incredible scenery, culture and art.
About Bali Institute
Bali Institute is about shifting perspectives, one experience at a time. We believe that Bali is a living classroom with something special to share with the world beyond its shores. That’s why for more than 15 years, Bali Institute has been collaborating with extraordinary leaders, organizations, and communities in Bali to offer premier educational travel programs for all ages.
In the heart of our work is the belief that every unique experience we offer has the power for self-discovery. Bali, as a living classroom, invites you to tap into your deepest curiosities and engages you to explore the world in new ways. Bali reminds us what it means to be human and connects us to the beauty of the world.
At Bali Institute, we believe in the power of deep connections and meaningful experiences. We custom design programs to introduce you to the people, places and experiences in Bali that will excite, challenge and inspire — all while having the time of your life.
Our cross-cultural team has a genuine care for the well-being of the island’s people, culture, and environment. We are excited to share the magic of Bali by harnessing our deep roots in the community to create unique and transformative programs for learners of all ages.
Pricing & Registration
Program Price:
- Program Fee per Participant – $3,895 (shared room)
- Single Supplement Fee – $975 (added onto the program fee if you would like to be placed in a private room without a roommate)
–> If you are not traveling with someone you would like to share a room with, we will pair you with another solo traveler, if no one is available, single room occupancy fee may apply. Each traveler will have their own bed unless you have indicated otherwise.
FEE INCLUDES:
- 12 nights at beautiful 4 and 5-star Balinese-owned boutique hotels (double occupancy)
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches, 6 dinners
- All transportation in air-conditioned buses and vans throughout the program for activities listed on the itinerary
- Airport transfer on the start and end date of the program
- English speaking tour guide(s) and coordination team
- All activities listed on final program itinerary are included in the per person ground costs, including entrance fees, lectures and donations
- Gratuities for drivers
- Customized program booklet for all participants with itinerary, program descriptions and other useful information
- 24/7 Medical and emergency staff support for the entire duration of the program
- Special gifts including sarong, sash and journal
- MORE!
NOT INCLUDED:
- Visa costs (if applicable)
- Tourist Levy
- Airfare
- Trip cancellation, lost baggage, or medical insurance
- Laundry and personal items
- Meals not listed on itinerary
- Gratuities for local guides
- Optional activities outside of the program itinerary
- International phone calls
Nyepi is one of the most important festivals in the Balinese calendar, and it marks the new year according to the Hindu calendar. It is a day devoted to self reflection. The Balinese will not speak a word or engage in any type of entertainment for 24 hours and all shops and businesses are closed. Only hotels and emergency services are allowed to stay open. The local people take their period of silence seriously and even foreign visitors will be expected to stay in their hotels on this day. Spirituality plays a key part of life on Bali, and the Balinese believe that they need to perform regular offerings to the gods and placate demons. The new year is seen as a time of renewal, and the local people use it as a chance to purify their bodies and mind. It is hoped that by doing so it will mean that they will enjoy prosperity over the coming year. On Nyepi Eve there will be a real celebration atmosphere with parades and fireworks – probably the noisiest day of the year. And then, all of this excitement is followed by a day of complete silence. There is no other festival quite like it anywhere else on the planet.
The preparations for Nyepi begin months before, with each village preparing its own unique “Ogoh Ogoh” – a giant artistic representation of a favorite “demon”. These Ogoh Ogoh’s are being built on every main village road, and at night, as members of the community work together to create these monsters, the excitement is building. About three to four days before Nyepi, all Balinese prepare with the purification of temple objects – this is called the Melasti ceremony. The holy symbols that are of importance to the Balinese are taken to the sea for cleansing. This event involves processions and gamelon music.
Celebrations on Nyepi Eve (aka Tawur Kesanga) tend to be very noisy gatherings for an important reason — the goal is to drive out evil spirits. With this in mind the villagers parade their Ogoh Ogohs proudly through the streets and into the main village square. Songs and skits are often developed by different village groups. As they pass through a village the procession will stop at every crossroads and turn the Ogoh-Ogoh around three times – the aim is to confuse the spirits so that they will be forced to leave the island. As well as trying to frighten away demons and spirits, the local people will cook enough food to last them for the next couple of days. Nyepi Eve is one of the days when cock fighting is allowed because it is believed that the spilling of this animals blood can have a purifying effort for the entire island.
Reserve your Spot Today and receive our Early Bird Discount of $250 – only until November 1, 2024!
–> A nonrefundable deposit of $500 is due upon registration with the balance due no later than 90 days before your program session’s start date.
–> Register with peace of mind: if the program must be cancelled or postponed for any reason, program fees are refundable less the initial deposit of $500. If the program is postponed to a later date, participants have the option to use deposit and program fees as credit for the rescheduled program.