The Bali volunteer program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Bali on the Sunday before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport (DPS). Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarised letter from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation. If you are travelling in Bali prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Ubud or Denpasar on the day before your program orientation.
There are two options for orientation for the Bali - Ubud Program:
- 1-day Orientation
- 5-day Cultural Immersion Week
1-day Orientaion
The 1-day orientation that starts on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules, expectations, and safety. This will be followed by a project-specific meeting with the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day.
Volunteers on the Turtle Conservation project choosing this option will need to arrive into Denpasar International Airport (DPS) on the Sunday before 1pm. As you will be transferred straight to Nusa Penida for your 1-day orientation the following day.
5-day Cultural Immersion Week
The popular Cultural Immersion Week is hosted by our local team in Ubud. This begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first 5 days of your stay. Please note that if you choose this option it will add an extra week to your time on the program and costs US$358. It is an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Bali, plus you’ll learn more about the culture and get to tick off a must-do Bali experiences! The Cultural Orientation Week will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
The Cultural Immersion Week schedule is as follows:
Monday |
Introduction to the IVHQ Bali - Ubud program and the local staff, Indonesian customs, rules and expectations, safety and a Ubud walking tour (2 - 3 hours). This will be followed by a welcome dinner and Balinese dance show |
Tuesday |
Bahasa Language lesson and a Batik painting class |
Wednesday |
Indonesian cooking class and Bahasa Language lesson |
Thursday |
Local village walk through the countryside and nearby rice fields, Garba Cave and an Indonesian flower making class (flower offerings are a daily ritual in Bali) |
Friday |
An introduction to your project which will help you prepare for your placement on Monday. Followed by a Temple visit to “Pura Tirta Empul”, the Holy Water Temple where you can enjoy a swim in the Holy Water |
Please note, this schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on the needs of the program, local weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Once the Cultural Immersion Week is complete, Turtle Conservation volunteers will travel to Nusa Penida to start their project. Volunteers in Ubud will prepare for the start of their projects the following week.
If you would like to join the Cultural Immersion Week, just make a note in your application or contact your IVHQ Program Manager after you register.