We are looking forward to host another program with our partner SIERRA CLUB in 2024.

SIERRA CLUB Trip overview:

“Bali is one of the world’s better known tourist destinations, and for good reason. Known as the Island of the Gods, the incredible countryside offers a broad array of natural wonders, engaging cultural experiences, and exhilarating outdoor activities. Ancient temples, lush rain forests, mountain gorges, beautiful beaches, and sea life are just a few of the treats awaiting us. Bali is also renowned for its arts, including traditional and modern dance, wood carvings, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. Our active adventure takes us across the island and includes trekking in tropical forests, whitewater rafting, and diving or snorkeling at world-class coral reefs.

Bali is an active volcanic island in the long Indonesian Archipelago. Though small in size (at 2,124 square miles, just a bit larger than the state of Delaware), it is nonetheless densely populated (almost five million people). Contrary to Indonesia’s majority Muslim population, Bali has maintained its Hindu faith. This cultural heritage has evolved over a millennium and has fascinated anthropologists and historians for many generations. At their religious core is the belief that the island was given to the Balinese by the gods. Therefore, it’s regarded as the sacred duty of all Balinese to pay homage to the gods with festivals, processions, and dances. The island is dotted with shrines and temples, and there are often special ceremonies and rituals that happen on the spur of the moment. We will make every effort to accommodate these spontaneous events, adding a unique twist to this spectacular trip. We even have a dinner planned at one of the palaces, with the possibility of the prince joining us for our meal.

In addition to religion, family and community obligations play a large part in Balinese life. Within each community there is a fixed social hierarchy based on the Hindu caste system. Each member of the community has a role to play, putting the community as a whole ahead of the individual. Additionally, the Balinese economy is driven by tourism and as such, the Balinese welcome tourists. Anyone who shows a willingness to better understand life in Bali will be a welcome guest in any home. Throughout our trip we will experience this warmth and hospitality of our Balinese hosts.

Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found. For comparison, this is about seven times as many as in the entire Caribbean. The coral reef that surrounds this island boasts of fabulous opportunities for us to dive and snorkel, and we will also witness some of the conservation efforts to preserve the sea turtles and grow new coral reefs.