Program Overview

Experience the beauty of Bali and volunteer in a variety of projects for a well-rounded and meaningful adventure! Make friends with Balinese youth while you develop creative lesson plans and teach English at a local elementary school. Learn about sea turtle conservation—you may even have the opportunity to release a baby sea turtle into the ocean! Participate in a service project with the award winning Coral Restoration Project in Pemuteran that utilizes innovative technology to restore and encourage healthy reef growth.

In addition to these hands on projects, discover the best Bali has to offer! Get off the beaten path and explore parts of the island most tourists don’t even know about. This program is the perfect mix of culture, adventure, and community service.

Price

$3995 + Airfare

Departures
  • Jun 29 - Jul 11 Very limited
Days

13 Days

Finishing Grades

9, 10, 11, 12

Who Can Go On This Trip?

Students from around the world!

Where We Go

Ubud, Pemuteran, Sanur

Optional Group Flight There

Los Angeles (LAX) to Denpasar (DPS)

Optional Group Flight Back

Denpasar (DPS) to Los Angeles (LAX)

Countries

Indonesia

During this program, you will…

  • Earn up to 20 hours of community service teaching English at a Balinese elementary school and volunteering with marine conservation projects
  • Release baby turtles into the ocean and learn about sea turtle conservation at a local hatchery*
  • Work directly with the award winning and innovative Coral Restoration Project
  • Snorkel and discover a colorful underwater world
  • Meet and converse with a Balinese prince and watch a cultural show at his palace
  • Try your hand at a variety of Balinese arts, including wood carving, dancing, and Gamelan music
  • Go on a thrilling white water rafting adventure and admire waterfalls and terraced rice fields along the way
  • Come test your scuba. diving skills in some of Bali’s clearest waters!*
  • Take a surf lesson in one of the most iconic surf destinations in the world
  • Trek through West Bali National Park and spot a variety of monkeys and other native wildlife
  • Swim in a refreshing jungle waterfall
  • Laugh your worries away with a fun and light hearted yoga class
  • Visit iconic temples and dive into Balinese culture

* This is an optional add-on

** Please note, turtles are wild animals with various mating habits. If the hatchery has baby turtles that are ready to be released into the wild we will be able to participate but we cannot guarantee it.

Trip Itinerary

DAY 1: DEPART FROM LOS ANGELES (LAX)
DAY 2: CROSS THE INTERNATIONAL DATE LINE
DAYS 3-7: UBUD

Begin your adventure and community service in Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali. For our first service project we will be teaching English to students at a local elementary school. You will break up into teams and each team will be responsible for developing a lesson plan using a mix of traditional teaching methods, art, and games. This is a unique opportunity to work together with your peers and and get creative. TFT staff will be there to provide instruction and helpful tips for designing a great plan. The real fun begins when you get to put your lesson into action and see your efforts pay off with the children. You will form lifelong memories and lasting friendships after your time teaching!

In addition to volunteering, Ubud has endless activities to enjoy. Laugh your worries away with your new friends during a fun and carefree laughing yoga class followed by a walk through the picturesque rice fields. Participate in a workshop where you can try your hand at a variety of Balinese arts, including dancing, Gamelan Music, and woodcarving. Receive an introduction to Balinese culture and explore Ubud’s beautiful temples and colorful markets. Visit the famous water temple and participate in a traditional ceremony. Tour the Royal Palace and dress in your finest for dinner with a real Balinese prince followed by an authentic show. This is a special opportunity not available to tourists!

Cap off the adventures in Ubud with a thrilling journey down the Telaga Waja river before heading to our next destination.

DAYS 8-10: PEMUTERAN

Pemuteran is a hidden gem that is largely untouched by the tourism that has spread across other parts of Bali. This charming coastal town is the perfect place to unwind and dive into our marine conservation projects. Partner with the Coral Reef Project in Pemuteran, which supports rebuilding reefs using innovative”biorock” technology. In the past, Pemuteran’s reefs were destroyed due to lack of education and understanding. These biorock reefs stretch over half a kilometer and Pemuteran is now once again home to colorful and healthy reef, and plenty of fish. This project is the world’s largest and most successful coral reef restoration project and we are proud to have the opportunity to offer our support!

To complement our reef project we will have the opportunity to visit a turtle hatchery and release baby turtles into the ocean!* The hatchery not only supports Pemuteran’s turtles, but it also supports the local community and provides education and income. Learn about the hatchery’s fascinating history and bid your own turtle a safe passage as you set it free.

In addition to our community service projects we will have plenty of time to soak up everything Pemuteran has to offer, including hiking through West Bali National Park to spot the elusive black monkeys, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. For those who are more adventurous you’ll even have the opportunity to try your hand at scuba diving in our optional beginner course!

*Please note, as turtles are wild animals releasing the babies is not guaranteed, but it is highly likely.

DAYS 11-12: SANUR

After a stop for another refreshing swim in a waterfall hidden in the jungle, we will continue on to our final destination, Sanur. Sanur is a laid-back town with a beachfront boardwalk and plenty of places to explore. Learn to catch a wave and participate in one of Bali’s most iconic sports during a fun surf lesson and catch one last perfect sunset over the ocean while reflecting on the amazing two weeks you just spent with your new friends exploring Bali.

DAY 13: RETURN FLIGHT TO THE USA

Ready For Your Next Adventure?

Space is limited, reserve your spot! Then get ready for an authentic teen travel experience this summer!

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Authenticity is engrained in everything we do. Eat, stay, and travel like a local.

Check out what past travelers have to say about TFT and discover why we are consistently awarded “Top Youth Travel Organization” year after year.

See all program reviews

"Overall, A+ experience. I have a direct comparison, as Sophie's twin sister participated in a different teen travel program at the same time. I found the TFT experience to be superior in every regard. The blend of service, learning and fun activities - the mix was just right for our daughter. The level of communication was fantastic - the daily trip updates helped us understand what Sophie was experiencing."

Ted L. Wyomissing, PA

"I went on the Bali Ultimate Service and Adventure trip. At first, I was hesitant to sign up for this trip as it was 10,000 miles from my home and it was 21 days long. However, once I arrived, I knew that I had made the right decision. The counselors, other campers, and I immediately all clicked and we became so close that we called ourselves a family. On top of the close relationships that I formed, the trip and all of the activities that we did were amazing. TFT did a really good job of creating a schedule that was a perfect mix of fun, service, and immersion in the culture. When asked what day or activity on the trip was my favorite, I couldn’t choose. Every day was filled with amazing activities. Apart from the fun and adventurous activities that we did such as white water rafting, we also participated in life-changing service. One service activity that we did was tutoring children at the local schools. It was amazing to see the impact that just a couple of English classes had on those kids, it was truly a life-changing experience that I will never forget. I was able to check off Bali from my bucket list, while getting service hours, and making some of the best friends that I have ever had!"

Riley H. Vienna, VA

"Traveling to Bali with Travel for Teens on the Bali Ultimate Service and Adventure trip has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I was excited to embrace long-haul international travel and finally explore somewhere that far from my home. Like a lot of people, I was nervous about how I was going to fit in within the group. That was fear was quickly squashed and I formed some very close friendships with everyone on the trip, from other travelers to the counselors to our amazing local guides. This trip was very diverse in many ways: both in the cultures of the regions we visited, the activities that we did, and the composition of our surrounding environment. This trip had a bit of everything, which I loved! We went from cityscapes to mountains to beaches. We had valuable service opportunities, working to restore coral reefs and practicing English with local children and more. We also had adventures like white water rafting, mountainside hikes, and scuba diving. It is really difficult to answer the question “what was your favorite part of the trip” because there really wasn’t one singular event; however, a part of the trip that I found really valuable was eating dinner with the prince. Talking with him provided insight into their culture and their views. He answered our questions about Bali and we answered his about America and Canada. 21 days flew by so fast and while our group is no longer in Bali, the friendships and memories remain."

Walker S. Newburgh, IN

Travel with us and discover why we are consistently winning awards for Top Youth Travel Organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

See All FAQs

What is unique about the Bali Service & Adventure trip?

Come immerse yourself in Balinese culture! Our Bali Service & Adventure trip gives participants with great experience while working with the award winning, Coral Reef Restoration Project. This is truly unique experience!

What kind of teen typically participates in this program? What are the requirements to join?

Teens from all over the world join this program! Typically, our participants are culturally curious  individuals who are excited to make new friends, experience something unique, and interested in stepping out of their comfort zones and expanding their horizons.

This program is exclusively for students who are currently in grades 9th through 12th and approximately 14 to 18 years old. Students living outside of the USA are welcome to join!

What do students like most about the Bali Service & Adventure trip?

Bali Service & Adventure students love that they are able to get off the beaten path and explore parts of Bali that are largely untouched by tourism. The unique combination of community service components including teaching English and marine conservation provide a well rounded experience and a dynamic look at life in Bali.

Where do we stay?

Our hotels are chosen specifically in safe areas and are well suited to facilitating group supervision. We stay in centrally located accommodations, usually within walking distance of the main attractions. We do not use large, impersonal chain hotels on the outskirts of cities; we prefer to select smaller, family-run hotels where we establish personal relationships with the owners.

In Ubud we stay in a guesthouse that is traditional Balinese style and surrounded by lush gardens. In Pemuteran we stay a short walk from the beach in a traditional Balinese guesthouse. In Sanur we stay just a short walk from the beach.

For safety reasons, we do not publish the names of the accommodations we use. We do not feel it is safe to publish the name of a hotel where a group of teenagers is staying abroad. After registering, participants and parents are given access to our secure parent website where you will be able to see the names of all of the accommodations for the program.

Do most travelers go on their own?

Yes! In fact, over 75% of students who travel with us choose to come independently. This encourages teens to step further outside their comfort zone and make new friends. We believe that one of the most rewarding and exciting elements of travel is the new friendships that form along the way. When we travel by ourselves, we are bound to make new friends from all over the country and even the world. The best part is, you can travel again with your new friends on another TFT program the next summer!

If you are thinking about joining a TFT program by yourself but you are feeling unsure, please let us know! We have plenty of references from solo travelers who had great experiences and would be happy to chat with you about it.

Can I bring a friend?

Absolutely! We ask that if you do come with a friend, you and your friend(s) maintain openness to meeting new people and sharing this special experience with the entire group.

What is included?

Tuition cost includes ground transportation; accommodation; chaperones and guides; program-related activities and admissions; taxes and tips; all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Not included in cost (this is not intended to be an exhaustive list): airfare; visas and visa application fees; personal and medical expenses; activities and admissions that are not program-related or referenced in the itinerary; beverages other than filtered water at meals; participant expenses that are outside of the program description, such as excess baggage fees and damage to hotels; expenses related to unforeseen circumstances, such as transportation strikes and natural disasters.

How do the optional group flights work?

Upon registration, you will be contacted by our International Logistics Team to discuss the program’s flight details. There is no requirement to take the group flight, but there are several advantages to doing so. The group flight is usually chaperoned by a TFT staff member, and it also offers an opportunity for the students to get to know one another prior to the start of the program. Parents are responsible for coordinating transport to the departure airport – however, the logistics team will send out instructions detailing the exact meeting spot and airport point person. For additional information about flights, visit our dedicated flight page.

Who leads the program?

Our staff is a cut above the rest! We seek out two main characteristics in our counselors – extensive knowledge of and experience in our destinations, and a passion for working with teens. Our staff’s backgrounds include living abroad and working in summer camps or other educational settings. Team members are proven leaders and role models, who connect easily with others and form genuine friendships with each student – all while bringing each destination to life.

We celebrate diversity! Our staff represents 49 different nationalities, speak a combined total of 21 languages, and visited 142 countries. Additionally, 80% of our staff lived or worked abroad in their lives. With so many unique experiences to share, you are sure to gain a global perspective.

Our average minimum ratios are one staff member to every seven participants. Each program has one Trip Director with several support staff, depending on the group size. Directors must be at least 25 years old within the calendar year and have prior experience working with TFT.

What are the safety qualifications for our staff?

Our staff members undergo a rigorous hiring process. They receive the same background check as school educators, an extensive training process to go over all safety precautions and protocols, and are required to be certified in CPR and First Aid.  We exclusively hire responsible, multi-talented individuals who are safety-minded and are as passionate about teen travel as we are.

What is the average group size?

We pride ourselves on small group sizes to create a more authentic and personalized experience. Our group sizes fall between 13 and 24 students – the perfect size to facilitate new friendships without feeling lost in a crowd! We believe smaller groups eliminate the likelihood of cliques, and allows for a well-rounded, healthy group dynamic.

How does this program connect to other programs?

Our program dates are designed specifically so that participants can opt to combine trips throughout the summer.  When connecting to another program, your counselor will escort you to the airport on the last day of the program and assist you in meeting your next group at your new destination.

 

What is the food like on this program?

In a word – delicious! At TFT, we believe food should be an integral part of the travel experience and always make an effort to eat at authentic establishments when we can. What better way to immerse yourself in the culture of a place than by sampling the local delicacies, and we encourage students to do so whenever possible! Just as we stay away from Americanized hotel chains, we try to avoid restaurants with menus that cater only to tourists because every good traveler knows the best food is found wherever the locals are eating!

Balinese cuisine is bursting full of flavor, aromatic smells and vivid color, with lots of attention paid to balance, detail and variety.

Of course, we are always willing and able to accommodate vegetarians, vegans, gluten allergies, and other dietary restrictions.

Do we ever get time to go off on our own?

Our staff and teens are nearly always together, but we do provide the opportunity to break up into smaller groups to allow for flexibility and customization within the itinerary.

We offer free time in defined safe areas – for example, shopping in a market or exploring a museum. During these times, students remain in groups of at least two and are given no more than an hour. Of course, the counselors remain nearby and available. Additionally, a lifeguard-certified counselor supervises the campers any time they are involved in water activities.

Do I need to bring anything special for the community service portion of this program?

Due to the nature of our service being outdoors, please be sure to bring clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, waterproof shoes, and a hat. A sarong will be provided for you on day one of the program so you will have something to cover up with for temple visits and when we work at the school.

A more detailed packing list will be provided upon registration.

Do I need any vaccinations for this program?

We recommend checking with your family doctor regarding vaccinations and medical advice for the destination you are visiting. For more information, please check the World Health Organization’s website. Upon registration, we provide a list of recommended vaccinations that can be discussed further with your doctor. For Specific questions pertaining to the COVID-19 vaccine, click here.

What kind of visa do you need for this trip?

Any US citizen that enters Bali does not require a visa. Instead you will automatically receive a 30-day stay in the country.

When joining a TFT trip from outside of the US, please be sure to check your country’s specific visa requirements.

Do I need to speak the language?

No, our skilled staff members will help you get around and even teach you a few fun phrases!

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