Step off the beaten path and into Northern Bali in boutique comfort — where every moment has meaning. Explore temples and rice terraces, meet local artisans, and make a real difference through hands-on experiences with a baby orphanage, a women’s community initiative, and Bali’s largest dog rescue.
This isn’t just travel. It’s travel that gives back, connects, and leaves a lasting impact — for you and the communities you visit.
Travel Dates: August 30-September 6, 2026
Women Only Retreat
All Inclusive Package Price:
$4,200 / Shared Room
$4,800 / Private Room
Travel has always lit something up in me. So has helping people. For a long time, they felt like two separate passions. But over the years, I realized they were never meant to be separate.
She Dares to Wander was born from that realization.
I created this because I know what it feels like to crave more. More connection. More depth. More purpose. More friendships. I wanted a space where women could gather in small, intimate groups and experience the world in a way that actually changes us — not just our scenery, but our hearts.
That’s why every single journey we take includes a hands-on volunteering or give-back experience. It’s not something extra we tack on. It’s part of who we are. When we visit a place, we show up with humility. We learn. We listen. We serve local women, children, and families in ways that are meaningful and respectful.
Because I never want us to just pass through a destination.
I want us to connect to it.
This isn’t just women traveling together.
It’s women choosing to use our presence for good.
And somehow, we always leave with more than we came with.
If you’ve been feeling that pull to see more of the world and do some good along the way, I’d love to have you join us.
Agung is truly what makes this trip so special. He’s full of energy, keeps me laughing, and brings a warmth that you immediately feel. I met him over 20 years ago, and he is still, without question, the best guide on the island. He’ll be with us throughout our journey, sharing his deep knowledge of Bali’s sacred sites and offering insight into the culture and traditions that shape daily life here.
This journey requires no extensive walking and is ideal for those with lower activity tolerance. All activities are thoughtfully designed to be comfortable, accessible, and enjoyable, ensuring everyone can fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Participants should be able to walk on uneven surfaces and climb stairs when visiting the temples and rice terraces.
September is one of the best times to visit. It’s the dry season, with consistent sunshine, daytime temperatures in the mid-80s, and comfortable evenings. The landscapes are lush, the ocean is warm, and conditions are ideal for exploring temples, rice fields, and local villages.
5 Star Boutique Hotel
8 days, 7 nights
Small Group
Maximum Group Size 14
GIVE Back
Financial contribution to each of our local charity partners
Airport Transfers
Arrival and Return Transfers
Meals
Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Private Transportation
Private drivers throughout
All Temple and Rice Terrace Entrance Fees
Silver Making Workshop
All-inclusive beach club day
Spa Treatment
Traditional Balinese Dance Show
Tips
Local host in Bali and driver tips
She Dares to Wander Host
Every step of the way, I will be your cheerleader and fellow wanderer.
Local Expert
Agung will guide us on every adventure
International Airfare
Your flight to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS)
Travel Insurance
MANDATORY travel insurance
Hotel Incidentals
Laundry services and tips to hotel staff
Entry Visas
Required for US Citizens
Alcoholic beverages
All personal items
When I discovered this hidden gem just outside Ubud, I knew it was perfect for our group. Nestled among secluded rice terraces and lush gardens, it feels like a private sanctuary. The rooms are exquisitely designed with elegant touches, the spa delivers world-class treatments, and every meal is a culinary experience — artfully presented, made with the freshest local ingredients, and bursting with flavor. Impeccable five-star service completes the experience, making it the ultimate base for our Northern Bali journey.
Your group will be arriving throughout the day. Take this time to unpack, unwind, and settle in after your long journey—you’ll want to be refreshed for tonight’s welcome dinner.
After a long day of travel, we stay close to home and enjoy a beautiful dinner overlooking the rice fields. This hidden gem is only minutes away and the perfect spot to try local dishes.
We start our trip with purpose! Our first give-back is at the Bali Baby Home. Together, we’ll pack up the donations we’ve brought from home and head to the local market to shop for additional supplies — every item matters, as this organization runs entirely on donations.
Once there, we’ll meet the children and spend time learning about the daily realities the foundation faces. We’ll also hear about their current programs and initiatives, giving us a deeper understanding of the meaningful work happening here and the impact our support makes.
This incredible foundation focuses on three projects.
Baby Protection Home – Here, babies receive care, education, and support for all their basic needs until they can safely return to their biological families. If a child cannot be reunited, the foundation continues to nurture and guide them as they grow.
Women’s Protection Home – This program provides shelter, guidance, and support to women facing unwanted pregnancies, helping both mother and child through challenging times and reducing the risk of neglect or abandonment.
Foster Child Program – The foundation supports children from underprivileged families with education, daily needs, and guidance so they can continue at least through the mandatory nine years of schooling.
Shop Til You Drop!
Along the main road in Tegallalang, you’ll find a long stretch of wholesale craft shops and artisan showrooms.
The storefronts are stacked high with handwoven bags, rattan purses, carved wooden décor, stone statues, macramé wall hangings, batik fabrics, silver jewelry, home goods, and intricate handicrafts. Many of these shops supply boutiques and retailers across Bali. This is your chance to bargain hunt!
For those not wanting to shop, the driver can drop you back at the hotel.
Besakih Temple, known as Bali’s “Mother Temple,” sits on the slopes of Mount Agung, the island’s highest volcano. The complex is huge, with over 80 temples connected by stone stairways, courtyards, and detailed carvings — it’s easy to get a sense of the history and devotion woven into every corner.
As we walk through the shrines, I love watching locals in traditional dress making offerings and hearing the soft ringing of temple bells. The views of the rice terraces and mountains beyond are incredible, and there’s a quiet energy here that makes it impossible not to pause and take it all in.
At Tirta Gangga Water Palace, you’ll wander among tiered fountains, lotus-filled ponds, and intricate stone carvings, all framed by lush hills and rice fields. Step across the stone pathways to feed the koi fish, soak in the peaceful atmosphere, and marvel at the artistry and culture that make this palace so unforgettable.
Goa Gajah, also known as the “Elephant Cave,” is an ancient sanctuary near Ubud that feels both mysterious and serene. Carved into the rock in the 11th century, the entrance is marked by a dramatic stone face with wide eyes and fanged mouth, designed to ward off evil spirits.
Inside the cave, you’ll find small shrines and niches that reveal Bali’s rich spiritual history. Surrounding the site are tranquil gardens, bathing pools, and flowing fountains that create a sense of calm as you explore.
We’ll spend a full day immersed in Bali’s rich artistic traditions. Our journey begins in Celuk, the island’s famed silver village, where we’ll try our hand at a silver-making class and see how skilled artisans transform raw metal into delicate jewelry.
Next, we’ll explore Mas, the hand-carved wood village, wandering through workshops where master craftsmen create intricate sculptures and traditional carvings. Along the way, we’ll visit local oil painting galleries, admiring contemporary and classic Balinese works and learning about the stories behind each piece.
Finally, we’ll return to Batik studios, watching artisans bring fabric to life with vibrant colors and traditional techniques. It’s a day of hands-on learning, cultural discovery, and creativity, giving you a true sense of the heart and soul behind Bali’s artistic heritage.
At Mengening Temple, we’ll experience the melukat, a sacred Balinese ritual.
The water purification ceremony is a ritual meant to cleanse the mind, body, and spirit. Participants move through a series of stone fountains or spring-fed pools, allowing the sacred water to flow over them. Each fountain often represents a different aspect of purification, washing away negative energy, stress, or spiritual impurities.
The ceremony is deeply symbolic and rooted in Balinese Hindu beliefs. It’s both a personal act of reflection and a communal ritual, with water considered a gift from the gods that restores balance and harmony. You can choose to participate or simply observe.
The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are one of Bali’s most iconic landscapes — layers of vibrant green rice fields cascading down the hillside in perfect symmetry. Shaped by the traditional subak irrigation system, these terraces are both a working farm and a living piece of Balinese heritage.
Here's your chance to live out your Instagram dream on the Bali swing overlooking the rice terraces. Dress rentals are available on site. (Option add on)
Kawi Resto Restaurant - Lunch Stop
Take a break from the heat with lunch overlooking the rice terraces.
PKP Community Centre provides a thriving, welcoming space where members of the Balinese community can grow, collaborate, and learn together. It’s a safe and supportive environment where everyone works hand in hand, as equals, to foster creativity, skills, and collective development.
Our group will be sponsoring food kits that we’ll personally distribute to the women of the village, offering practical support to their families.
We’ll spend time listening to their stories and learning about the founder’s journey and the work being done in the community.
Dinner will be prepared by the women — a simple, meaningful way to share a meal together and support their efforts directly.
Today we’ll escape to Sundays Beach Club, a secluded stretch of white sand tucked beneath the cliffs of Uluwatu. After descending into the private cove, we’ll settle into our reserved loungers and take in the turquoise water and ocean breeze.
The day is ours — swim in the crystal-clear sea, paddle along the shoreline, or simply relax with your feet in the sand. Lunch is fresh and beautifully presented, best enjoyed slowly with sweeping ocean views. As the sun begins to set, the sky turns golden and the atmosphere shifts. Live music fills the air, bonfires are lit along the beach, and we’ll gather for s’mores under the fading light — the perfect ending to a day of effortless, barefoot luxury in Bali.
After our beach day at Sundays Beach Club, we’ll make our way along the cliffs to Uluwatu Temple for one of Bali’s most iconic cultural experiences.
We’ll arrive in time to wander the dramatic cliffside pathways and take in the sweeping Indian Ocean views before the Kecak Fire Dance begins at sunset. As the sky turns gold and the waves crash below, the rhythmic chanting and flickering fire create a powerful, unforgettable atmosphere.
It’s the perfect transition — from barefoot luxury on the beach to ancient ritual at one of Bali’s most sacred temples
The day is yours. Relax at the hotel pool, take a yoga class or guided walk through the rice fields, or enjoy the spa one more time.
If you’re feeling adventurous, head into downtown Ubud to explore the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Ubud Palace — all within walking distance of the charming shops and restaurants that line the streets.
In the evening, we’ll come back together for our farewell dinner.
Animals have long struggled to survive in the streets, beaches, and villages of Bali facing hunger, illness, mistreatment, and uncontrolled breeding.
Amidst a lack of understanding, education, and enforceable laws against improper treatment of animals, BAWA works tirelessly to protect them from harm.
BAWA’s programs are designed to tackle Bali’s animal welfare issues from all angles.
They take action to directly relieve pain and suffering, and work within communities to influence a positive shift in attitudes and behaviors, in order to stop animal mistreatment before it occurs.
Optional Volunteer Shift Walking Dogs
Luckily for us BAWA is only minutes from our hotel. The Rescue relies on volunteers to help walk their rescued dogs. You may even fall in love! Miss Alena was adopted by one of our travelers and now lives in Rhode Island.
If you’re interested, you can sign up directly with BAWA for a shift:
🕘 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🕐 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Our time in Bali has come to an end. Enjoy one last breakfast with your new friends, taking in the views and savoring the memories.
When you’re ready, your driver will transfer you to Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) for your journey home, carrying the stories and connections from this unforgettable trip.
Payment Schedule
Payment Schedule
$500 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot per person.
$500 interest free monthly payments per person due on the 1st of each month to keep reservation current
Balance due in full 90 days before trip start date
Cancellation and Refunds
Our group rates and prepaid arrangements allow us to offer affordable pricing; therefore, all trips are non-refundable. You may transfer your spot with approval. Travel insurance is mandatory—please review your insurance policy for covered cancellation reasons.
In the event a trip is cancelled by SDTW a full refund will be given
Please refer to our terms and conditions for full policy details.
Before You Book:
Please take a moment to read through our Terms & Conditions before reserving your spot. We want to make sure this journey is the right fit for you, so a quick consultation is recommended before you make your trip deposit.
All travelers agree to follow our Code of Conduct to help create a safe, supportive, and empowering experience for everyone in the group.
Travelers' insurance is required to protect your investment and health on the trip. SDTW does not endorse any particular insurance. However, these are a few reputable agencies you can request a quote from.