Bali, Indonesia 2016 Photography by Christian Del Rosario
ENCHANTING BALI
MAY 1-11,2017
A LUXURY 10 day PHOTO-VACATION HOLIDAY
WITH CHRISTIAN DEL ROSARIO
LOS ANGELES BASED TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER/ARTIST
THIS IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE ENCHANTING BALI THROUGH THE LENS OF PROFESSIONAL TRAVEL PHOTOGRAPHER CHRISTIAN DEL ROSARIO, WHOSE UNIQUE EYE AND SPECIAL TALENT FOR FINDING THE PERFECT PHOTOS MEANS YOU WILL TAKE HOME AMAZING PHOTOS OF YOUR VACATION, EXPERIENCE A NEW CULTURE, AND OF COURSE, THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN PRACTICAL PHOTOGRAPHY FROM CHRISTIAN HIMSELF! Not interested in learning photography? no problem, You'll come home with super amazing photos of YOU on your vacation taken by christian himself!
THIS TOUR IS OPEN TO 15 PARTICIPANTS ONLY. SO RESERVE QUICKLY.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - MAY 1, 2017
- GUEST arrivals
Welcome to Bali, island of the Gods! ! Selamat Datang! After your international flight and upon arrival at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, meet your English speaking local guide and be transferred to the gorgeous Komaneka Bisma Hotel in Ubud.
The town of Ubud is Bali's heart center. Here, just outside the hustle and bustle of Monkey Forest Road, you will find a retreat dedicated to the finer things in life: beauty, tranquility and excellent food -- the fabulous 5-star Komaneka Hotel in Ubud! Lounge by the pool or take a walk into the rice paddies, or luxuriate for hours at the amazing spa.
The restaurant, where you will enjoy a custom, locally-sourced breakfast each day, is delicious, and the on-site spa is delightful. The Komaneka offers WI-FI, a stunning pool, a Balinese restaurant and a full spa, all on site.
All rooms feature views of the rice paddies and rain forest, down to the Tjampuhan River below. Laundry, dry cleaning, and 24-hour room service are all available.
Komaneka Bisma Hotel Bali, Indonesia
DAY 2 - MAY 2, 2017
- Pura TIRTA Empul and Tagalalang Rice terraces tour
Breakfast at the hotel - enjoy an organic, made-to-order breakfast, as well as wonderful local delicacies.
At 9:30 AM, we will have an introduction to Bali and your orientation meeting. Then depart for one of the most sacred sites in Bali - Pura Tirta Empul; a popular local Balinese temple. This water temple is dedicated to Vishnu, and your local guide will explain the importance of the water cleansing ceremonies in Hindu culture. If you like, immerse yourself in these holy waters for the ultimate spiritual experience. You don't want to miss this opportunity to be photographed by Christian while you immerse yourself in the holy waters of this temple. See the photos below.
We will then continue on to Bagus Jati restaurant to enjoy a healthy lunch menu, including freshly squeezed juices.
Then we will visit Tagalalang, where we have views of arguably the most beautiful rice terraces in Bali. This will be your third amazing photo opportunity of the day, and it's only your first day!
Return to Komaneka Bisma Hotel for afternoon tea.
After freshening up, this evening, meet your guides and drive to the beautiful restaurant of the exclusive Chedi Club. Upon arrival you will be welcomed with a traditional Kichek and Legong dance, followed by a spectacular Balinese traditional dinner, as you dine surrounded by beautiful rice paddies. Accompanied by the gamelan music of talented local musicians, your elegant meal will be served by costumed Balinese ladies offering you the same service that has been given to the Balinese Royal Family for centuries.
Overnight at Komaneka Bisma.
Pura Tirta Empul and Tagalalang Rice Terraces, Chedi Club
DAY 3 - MAY 3, 2017
- Munduk & Melanting Waterfalls,Bratan Lake, ULUN Danu Temple, CANdikuning Market
After breakfast at your hotel, we'll have an 8:30 AM pick up to explore the Munduk and Melanting waterfalls in the Munduk area.
A 20-minute walk drops you at the foot of the Munduk waterfall, then you can continue to Melanting waterfall. Christian and one of the Photo Ninjas will continue to take your photographs to showcase this wonderful journey.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant overlooking the lake.
On the way down, we will stop at Bratan Lake. Located at 1200 meters above sea level, this volcanic lake is surrounded by spectacular views. Take a walk to the water to the famous Ulun Danu Temple, which sits on a small island on the far shores of the lake.
Afterwards, we will explore the colorful market of Candikuning. Your photos will be so special here as you mix with the local Balinese people.
Return to your hotel, where you can explore some of Ubud's many fine restaurants. Enjoy dinner on your own at a restaurant of your choice on this night.
Overnight at Komaneka Bisma.
Munduk & Melanting Waterfalls, Bratan Lake, Ulun Danu Temple, Candikuning Market
DAY 4 - MAY 4, 2017
- ART Tour, Batuan, MAS Village & Photography Workshop Day 1 with christian
Breakfast at your hotel, then this morning, we'll explore the artisan colony nearby Ubud.
Start with a visit to the best silversmith in Bali where you can see the pieces being made and choose jewelry from their "I am Unique" line - a limited line of gorgeous jewelry where the artist agrees to never make that piece again.
Continue to Batuan Village - well known for its traditional style paintings, where incredible artists paint room after room of fabulous pieces. Plus the gallery is in a Balinese family compound, so you will get to see how locals sleep, eat, and live too.
Your next visit is to Mas village, where all the local woodcarvers live, blending humanism and naturalism into carvings from hibiscus, monkey, sandal, and other exotic woods. Das village is world-renowned for its amazing works.
Return to Ubud where you will have lunch in a delightful local restaurant.
At 4 PM, Christian will lead the first of his incredible photography workshops -- you won't want to miss this! This is your opportunity to learn practical techniques on how to take great photos!
But if photography is not the main reason you're coming to Bali, don't worry... between the local spas, the museums, and the wonderful shops, all within walking distance, you'll have plenty to do!
Dinner on your own this evening, then overnight at Komaneka Bisma.
DAY 5 - MAY 5, 2017
- RURAL BALI EXPERIENCE
Breakfast at your hotel, then take a morning journey to Sidemen, famous for its rice field views. Upon arrival, you will be brought to the house of one of the local weavers where you can see this age-old process. A half-hour trek through the rice fields is next on our activity list, and you will enjoy the terrific vistas here.
Back at the main compound, enjoy the most beautiful surroundings of unspoiled rural Bali while you relax in the traditional pavilions. Locals show you how to make Balinese offering ornaments and how to play traditional Balinese gamelan orchestra. Discover the spiced flavors of Bali’s unknown cuisine in a Balinese cooking demonstration, a fascinating introduction to the exotic ingredients and unique culinary heritage of Bali.
See how Balinese Legong dance is performed, take part in an Arak-distilling demo, and spend time with a farmer plowing as you see the simple life. Your lunch is a delicious buffet at this private, tranquil Balinese compound that offers locally-sourced, sustainable food, drink, and utensils - have you ever sipped from a lemongrass straw? Of course, vegetarian dishes will be included for those who prefer them. This is native Bali…
We will be back at the Komaneka Bisma in time for afternoon tea and maybe even a massage.
This evening, relax and dine on Balinese delights at one of the best restaurants in Bali, the delicious Cafe Wayan.
Overnight at Komaneka Bisma again.
DAY 6 - MAY 6, 2017
- PHOtography workshop Day 2 with Christian, or free day in UBUD
After breakfast, at 10:00 AM, another 2-hour Photography workshop with Christian will be held at the Komaneka. This morning you will learn really practical photo editing techniques. You’ll practically be a professional by now - and certainly well on your way to being a Photo Ninja!
Lunch is at your leisure and the afternoon is free for more spa treatments, or to explore the delightful town of Ubud. You can visit the Monkey Forest. or the colorful and fascinating Ubud Market as well.
Around 18.00 PM, you will be transferred to The Bridges Restaurant for dinner. Perched on a ridge above the Campuhan river, this restaurant combines breathtaking views of hills, rivers and its bridge. It is a casual fine dining restaurant serving delicacies from Asia and from the West.
Overnight at Komaneka.
Monkeys at the Monkey Forest in Ubud
DAY 7 - MAY 7, 2017
- JATILUWI, Taman AYUN temple, TRANSFER to ULUWATU (Suarga RESORT)
Breakfast at your hotel, then your morning is at leisure to pack until 11:30, when we checkout of the Komaneka and depart to the Jatiluwih area. Drive up into the Bamboo forest restaurant. Located in the middle of a tranquil rainforest, this is a relaxing setting for a traditional and lush Balinese lunch. Cap off your meal with a locally-grown mountain coffee (perhaps with cognac!) before continuing your trip to Jatiluwih. Without a doubt, this is one of the most picturesque area of Bali. Explore Jatiluwih with an easy trek; listed as UNESCO Heritage site, our guide will explain the incredible irrigation systems that allow the people to harvest rice up to four times a year.
Continue to our hotel in the Uluwatu area, stopping at another UNESCO Heritage site, the Taman Ayun temple. It was built in 1634 to serve as the Royal family temple of the Mengwi dynasty. The temple is a truly stunning piece of historic architecture, surrounded by a moat with multi–roofted meru shrines and intricately carved wooden gates. Another perfect photo opp!
Late in the afternoon, we check into the delightful Suarga Padang Padang Resort in Uluwatu. Watch the beautiful sunset while relaxing at the resorts main bamboo structure lobby. Dinner on your own tonight -- we highly recommend trying the resort's restaurant.
Suarga Padang - Padang Resort, Uluwatu
DAY 8 - MAY 8, 2017
- unwind at Suarga padang padang resort & a night of surprises
Enjoy this unique, and most environmentally responsible resort in Bali. Suarga Padang- Padang resort is built upon three pillars of sustainability: environmental, social, and economical. The resort's garden's and landscaping are engineered to use the natural functions of vegetation, soil and organisms. Renewable energy, in combination with energy-efficient technology, is applied to the lighting, air conditioning and all other equipment in the resort.
After a freshly made breakfast, take a day off! Maybe a drive into Nusa Dua or Jimbaran, shopping in one of the local beach towns, or a relaxing time at one of the many spas in the area.
Around 4pm, wheels up for… a surprise!! Christian has FUN planned for you and a spectacular evening with some terrific (and unique) picture opportunities!
Overnight at the Suarga Padang Padang Resort.
DAY 9 - MAY 9, 2017
- photography workshop Day 3 with christian, Tanah lot temple
After breakfast at our hotel, Christian will offer you a third photography workshop designed to help you maximize your pictures on this great tour! Learn how to apply your new editing techniques on actual photos that you have taken on the tour.
Lunch is at your leisure, then late this afternoon, you will visit Bali’s most famous site, the sea temple of Tanah Lot. Located on a barren volcanic rock in the ocean, the temple is sometimes pounded by huge waves: a magical setting any time of year.
We continue on to Jimbaran for an incredible seafood dinner right on the beach at Nelayan Restaurant in the Belmond Jimbaran. Don’t worry if you don’t eat seafood - there will be plenty of vegetarian or carnivore options available!
Overnight at the Suarga Padang Padang Resort.
Tanah Lot Temple
DAY 10 - MAY 10, 2017
- FREE DAY & farewell dinner
You’ll enjoy a final day relaxing cliffside overlooking the Indian ocean or sightseeing on your own, then this evening, we will have our wonderful and delicious farewell dinner at Bumbu Bali. This amazing restaurant is considered perhaps the most authentic and charming in all of Bali.
Overnight at Suarga Padang Padang Resort.
DAY 11 - MAY 11, 2017
- Departure day & TRANSFER TO THE AIRPORT
Breakfast at our hotel, then private transfers to Denpasar Airport for your flight back home.
You’ll bring back a world of memories, and photos galore!!
DETAILS
Price: $4,991
w/ optional $1662 Single Supplement ( Single room of your own )
Admin fee (when paying by credit card) $141
Tour Price Includes
• Hotel Accommodation - 10 nights’ room accommodations are provided at the hotels indicated on this itinerary. Accommodations are per person, based on two persons sharing a twin-bedded room or king room with private bath
• Tours and Sightseeing - by private, air-conditioned vehicles, as specified in itinerary; all admissions and entrance fees to places visited as per the itinerary.
• Private airport transfers and transfers between hotels.
• All breakfasts (10), 6 lunches, and 5 dinners (including Welcome and Farewell dinners)
• Professional Photos taken by Photo Ninjas led by Christian. A private gallery web page will be available for all guests where all high-resolution digital copies of the photos from the trip will be available for download and use of all guests. Photos will be in digital format. Prints are not included.
• 3 Professional Photo Workshops and Hands-On Coaching throughout the tour by Christian
• Bottled water on bus daily
• Taxes - all local taxes and hotel taxes of 21% are included in the cost of the tour
Tour Price Does Not Include
• Gratuities to local guides & drivers are not included. Guide tips of $200/guest will be added, to be paid on arrival.
• Documentation costs (if any)
• Travel insurance (will provide quotes on request)
• Excess baggage charges
• Beverages, except water, unless noted
• Laundry or any other item of a personal nature not specifically mentioned herein.
• Roundtrip Airfare to Bali
PAYMENTS & Cancellation
- AN INITIAL DEPOSIT OF $1000 IS REQUIRED TO IMMEDIATELY RESERVE AND SECURE A SPOT.
- THIS DEPOSIT IS REFUNDABLE UNTIL FEB 28, 2017. FULL PAYMENT IS REQUIRED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 15, 2017.
- GUESTS CANCELING PRIOR TO MARCH 15, 2017 WILL RECEIVE A FULL REFUND LESS THE INITIAL $1,000 DEPOSIT
- GUESTS CANCELING PRIOR TO MARCH 31, 2017 WILL RECEIVE A 50% REFUND OF ALL MONIES ABOVE THE INITIAL DEPOSIT
- ON OR AFTER MARCH 31, 2017, NO REFUND – WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE ALL TRAVELERS TO BUY TRIP INSURANCE IN CASE OF CANCELLATION.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
All travelers need a passport valid for at least six months AFTER the date of entering the country. Please note that this rule is enforced by Indonesia.
Got a question?
Please go to: http://toursandretreats.com/get-info
This link will take you to Halle Eavelyn's Transformational Tours & Retreats website, who partnered up with Christian to make this amazing tour happen. Halle will make sure all of your questions are answered in a very timely manner.