Bali & Sumatra

Protecting Reefs and Rainforests

$5,495

Tuition

*Airfare for group flight from New York additional

20 days

Trip duration

9th – 12th

Grades

20 days

Jul 3 - Jul 22, 2025

New York, NY

Arrival & Departure

$5,495

Tuition

20 days

Trip duration

Jul 3 - Jul 22, 2025

9th – 12th

Grades

*Airfare for group flight from New York additional

Overview

Embark on a 20-day journey through the lush landscapes of Sumatra and the serene island of Bali, where conservation efforts meet cultural immersion. In Sumatra, explore the rainforests of Gunung Leuser National Park, home to the critically endangered orangutan, and contribute to restoration projects designed to protect their habitat. Then, head to Bali to dive into marine conservation by earning your SCUBA certification while contributing to coral reef restoration. Along the way, engage with local communities, hike through dense jungles, and experience the vibrant traditions of Indonesia. Each step of the journey fosters a deeper connection to the environment, as well as the people and ecosystems working to preserve these endangered regions.

Highlights

Witness Wild Orangutans in Their Natural Habitat
Trek Through the Rainforests of Gunung Leuser National Park
Float the Bohorok River While Spotting Native Wildlife Along the Banks
Participate in Critical Orangutan Habitat Restoration Projects
Immerse Yourself in Bali’s Rich Culture and Breathtaking Scenery
Earn Your SCUBA Certification While Exploring Bali’s Vibrant Coral Reefs
Partner with Marine Biologists on Coral Reef Restoration Initiatives
Complete 15 Hours of Environmental Conservation Service

Get the itinerary

Want to learn more about traveling with ARCC or have more questions about this program?

Schedule a Call with Amy Coolidge

Explore Balinese Culture in Ubud

Ubud, the cultural heart of Bali, offers an immersive journey into the island’s rich traditions and artistic heritage. As you wander through lush landscapes, you’ll visit ancient temples, bustling markets, and the sacred Monkey Forest. Dive deeper into Balinese customs with traditional dance performances, and learn about the island’s spiritual practices. See local artisans in action, skillfully creating beautiful batik textiles, intricately carved wooden sculptures, and finely crafted silver jewelry, offering a unique glimpse into the region's rich artistic traditions. This cultural immersion not only introduces you to Bali’s unique way of life but also highlights the harmonious relationship between its people and the environment.

Culture

Explore

Jungle Trekking and Wildlife Observation in Gunung Leuser National Park

Accompanied by experienced park rangers, embark on a multi-day trek through the dense rainforests of Gunung Leuser National Park. As you hike through this pristine jungle, keep your eyes peeled for wild orangutans, gibbons, and other unique species native to Sumatra. Along the way, learn about the delicate balance of the rainforest ecosystem and the ongoing efforts to protect it from deforestation. The trek concludes with a relaxing float down the Bohorok River, offering a peaceful end to your jungle adventure as you reflect on the sights and sounds of this incredible environment.

Jungle Trek

Service

SCUBA Certification and Reef Conservation in Bali

Over four days, earn your Open Water or Advanced SCUBA certification in Bali’s crystal-clear waters. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you’ll explore the island’s coral reefs, encountering vibrant marine life such as sea turtles, tropical fish, and manta rays. Once certified, you’ll collaborate with marine biologists on a reef restoration project, engaging in activities like coral planting and artificial reef construction. This work supports the recovery of fragile ecosystems affected by overfishing and climate change. Your efforts will help restore the underwater environment while building essential skills in marine biology and conservation.

SCUBA

Common Questions

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Is the cost of airfare separate from program tuition?

All food, lodging, transportation, and activities are paid for with your trip tuition. Group airfare is additional and the cost depends on the program.

In order to be sure there are enough seats available on international group flights, ARCC books the international tickets in advance and families are invoiced for the cost of the international airfare.

Families are also responsible for booking flights or arranging transportation for students to meet their leaders and other group members at the program’s arrival airport. The leaders and students then fly internationally together as a group.

What should I pack?

Each trip has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate and cultural differences. The packing lists are refined each year and will be included in the Pre-Trip Welcome Packet.

What is the weather like in Bali and Sumatra?

The Indonesian climate is tropical, warm, and humid all year around with two main distinctive seasons; dry season and rainy season. Our visit to Indonesia will fall during the dry season but there is always a chance of a pop-up shower so it is best to be prepared. The day-time temperatures in the summer months usually fall between 72-86 degrees with varying percentages of humidity depending on location and elevation.

What are the service projects like?

Through various travels throughout Southeast Asia ARCC has been able to make strong relationships with local organizations and communities to provide meaningful community service projects in both Bali & Sumatra. On this program, we participate in two major service projects, an Orangutan Habitat Restoration project and a Reef Conservation Project in Northern Bali. Working with our Orangutan NGO partners we help restore illegal palm oil plantations to healthy orangutan habitats by collecting wild seedlings, working in the nursery, and planting hundreds of native trees that will help provide much-needed habitat for the Sumatran Orangutan. Our second project takes us to the coast where we work with marine biologists to understand the plight of our oceans. With solution-oriented thinking, we will lend a hand with efforts such as beach cleanups, coral planting, and building artificial reef structures.

What kind of health precautions should I take before traveling to Indonesia?

Indonesia is a relatively clean and safe place to travel. However, ARCC does recommend that you take some health precautions before your trip to Indonesia. When you enroll in the program, you will receive more complete information on pertinent travel vaccinations and immunizations. Please also refer to the Traveler’s Health section of the CDC website. Our leaders carry a full first aid kit, and are all certified Wilderness First Responders (WFR).

Where will we sleep?

During this program we sleep in a variety of accommodations: hotels, rustic camping shelters, a jungle lodge, and dorm-style bungalows.

What is the transportation like once we are in Indonesia?

We use a variety of transportation on the Bali & Sumatra program. We travel by private buses and vans arranged by our in-country partner.

What is the food like?

Indonesian food is one of the most vibrant, colorful, and flavorful foods in the world. We will have the opportunity to sample traditional Indonesian cuisine such as Rendang (spicy meat), Nasi Goreng (fried rice), and satay (skewered and grilled meat) throughout our program.

How much spending money should I bring?

In Indonesia the official currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). For this program we suggest you bring about $75 USD per week. We recommend that you bring some of your money in cash (small denominations… 5s, 10s, and 20s) and the rest on an international ATM card. ATM’s are found in Sumatra’s capital, Medan, and throughout Bali, but are limited outside the cities.

This money is for souvenirs, laundry, and other incidentals. ARCC pays for all meals, lodging, transportation and activities. There will be some time to shop for souvenirs in Bukit Lawang, Medan, Lovina and Ubud during the program.

As with any international program, we strongly recommend talking to your bank about its international withdrawal policies to avoid any surprise fees or card cancellations.

Do I need a passport?

Yes, all students traveling to Indonesia need to have a valid passport. Please make sure the passport expiration date is at least six months after your program start date. Be sure to make a photocopy of your passport and keep it in a separate place. If you lose your passport and you have a photocopy, it is much easier to replace.

Do I need a visa?

For our Sumatra & Bali program we will be purchasing a Visa Upon Arrival which cost $35 at the airport in Medan, Indonesia. Please be sure to have $35 in an envelope in your carry-on bag on the first day of program so that we can ensure to have a smooth visa process upon arrival. This visa will allow us to stay in Indonesia for the entirety of our program.

What is the time difference between Indonesia and the USA

The Indonesian archipelago actually stretches across four time zones, however during our visit we will only be traveling two different time zones. During their time in Sumatra the students will be 11 hours ahead of New York (Eastern Time), 12 hours ahead of Chicago (Central Time), and 14 hours ahead San Francisco (Pacific Time). When we travel to the southern island of Bali we will cross into a new time zone which adds one additional hour making Bali 12, 13, 15 hours ahead the U.S, respectively.

Do I really need to bring a backpack or can I bring a rolling luggage on this program?

Although you will not be doing traditional backpacking on this program, it is important that you bring a backpack as your main piece of luggage. During the program, the group will be navigating through airports, on and off buses, up and down stairways, and taking short hikes on unpaved paths. Everyone must be able to carry all of their own belongings which is more comfortable and efficient with a backpack.

What kinds of goods and supplies can we bring to donate for the people we meet?

We have the chance to live amongst some people who have the very basics for survival. With education being a tool to better their lives, basic school supplies are welcomed with open arms. Pens, pencils, notepads, and books are widely accepted. Sporting equipment such as soccer balls, volleyballs, and badminton are also an incredible way to cross the cultural border and share smiles. Because of limited space on our vehicles, ARCC would ask that every person bring no more than a gym bag of goods to donate

Have questions? Speak to one of our Program Directors, give them a call at (415) 332.5075 , they love talking about their trips!