OPEN SKY CIRCLES
INDONESIA
Mixed Gender
Find Your Inner Adventurer
Explore the wonders of the ocean and bond over the magic of island life
This retreat is for all misfits and rebels who want to experience the magic of small island life. Join us on a 6-day adventure retreat to Gili Trawangan & Bali with an intimate group of 8-12 people where unforgettable memories and bucketlist experiences await.
Picture this scene..
You are taking a leisurely ride around the car-free island, pedaling your bicycle along the palm-fringed beaches filled with powdery white sands, each turn revealing a new, picturesque vista.
You descend underwater during scuba diving, marveling at the diverse marine life that calls this place home. A sea turtle glides gracefully past you, and you feel a profound sense of connection to the ocean. What a time to be alive!
You are snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, surrounded by vibrant coral reefs and colorful schools of fish. As you glide effortlessly through the warm water, you enjoy every moment of being in the ocean.
You are walking through the narrow, winding paths in Ubud, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of daily life. You exchange warm smiles with locals, feeling a deep sense of connection in Bali.
You take a deep breath and focus your attention on the intricate patterns in front of you during a batik painting class in Bali. The scent of melted wax and dye surrounds you, and you carefully apply your brush to the fabric, creating delicate designs.
But there's something more — a sense of belonging you never knew you craved. Here, amidst the untamed beauty and shared adventures, you discover a tribe of kindred spirits.
Welcome to Indonesia - and this is ONLY the beginning!
Your spirit soars with newfound freedom, then finds solace in the ocean. Days brim with adventure, pushing your limits and igniting your creativity. Evenings whisper secrets under a canopy of stars, fostering a deep connection with nature and newfound friends.
This isn't just a retreat, it's a rediscovery of your wild, vibrant self.
Tentative Itinerary
DAY 01: TRAVEL DAY
You arrive at Bali Denpasar airport. We’ll arrange fixed-time transfers from the airport to the hotel. Rest and catch up on sleep. Check-in to a hotel near the airport.
Lunch on your own (as arrival timings might differ)
We’ll have a welcome and introduction session and group activity in the evening once all the guests arrive.
Dinner
DAY 02: Explore car-free island paradise
Gili Trawangan, a small island off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia, is a place where life slows down. Bicycles and horse-drawn carts replace cars and scooters. This day we explore this magical palm-fringed white sand beached island.
Breakfast at stay. Check-out from the hotel. 1-hour journey to Padang Bai ferry pickup point.
Take a 2-hour scenic boat ride to Gili Trawangan and enjoy the sights & sounds or the ocean
Check-in and lunch at the stay.
Then, we rent out cycles and go on a leisurely cycle ride around the circumference of the island. Just picture yourself taking a leisurely ride across the island’s quaint streets. Living the dream island life ;) ??
Hike to the top of the hill. Along the way, we can spot the remains of a machine-gun bunker from WW2. From the top of the hill, you can witness excellent views of the island during sunset.
Group activity & session on scuba diving
Dinner
DAY 03: BUCKETLIST - CHECK
Today, we explore the underwater world teemed with corals and marine life. Whether you are trying out scuba diving for the first time or you want to explore more - Gili islands offers some of the best diving sites in Indonesia. It’s time to push yourself out of your comfort zone!
Breakfast at stay
Scuba diving in Gili. Your Zindagi na milegi dubaara moment ;) This is suitable for both beginner and certified divers. You have to see it for yourself to realize that it’s a different world altogether and it’s always a pleasure for us to introduce new people into this incredible world. If you haven’t tried it yet, we highly urge you to try this life-changing experience.
Discover Scuba Diving or fun diving can be arranged. Scuba diving gear will be provided.
Lunch followed by group activity
You have the option to visit Sunset bar (drinks at your own expense)
Session on marine animals
Group Activity followed by dinner
Get ready for a surge of adrenaline as you emerge to the surface after the dive
“There’s nothing wrong with enjoying looking at the surface of the ocean itself, except that when you finally see what goes on underwater, you realize that you’ve been missing the whole point of the ocean.
- Dave Berry
DAY 04: ANOTHER TRYST WITH THE OCEAN
Today, we grab our snorkeling gear and explore the ocean from the surface. We visit 3 unique snorkeling spots where you can chance upon sea turtles, and green turtles and underwater sculptures.
Breakfast at stay
Half-day Snorkeling excursion around Gili islands where we visit 3 snorkeling spots. You’ll see statues and might chance upon turtles
Lunch
Free time to explore on your own. You could visit cafes, go shopping or just walk around the island or chill out at the hotel
Evening Yoga Session followed by a mindfulness activity that will help you stay in the present
Surprise Activity
Dinner
DAY 05: EXPLORE VILLAGE LIFE
Today, we head back to Bali from Gili Trawangan and spend a relaxing day with mindfulness exercises and exploring surrounding areas. Time to soak it all in and reflect on all you did so far.
Breakfast in Gili Trawangan
Scenic boat ride from Gili Trawangan back to Bali.
Transfers to our stay in Ubud
Take rest and have lunch. You’ll have some time to explore on your own.
Creative workshop - We usually have a creative workshop in each of our retreats - it could be a painting workshop or something else that could help you tap into your creative side. But we promise, it’s going to be fun!
Mindfulness activity that helps you stay present in the moment
Dinner
DAY 06: WORKSHOPS DAY
Today,we deeply explore Bali’s culture through cooking and Balinese batik workshops
Breakfast at out stay
Balinese Cooking Class - We start with picking up vegetables from the local market and we learn the secrets of traditional Balinese style cooking taught by a local. Lunch will be provided here. After this, you have an option of exploring around and have food at your own expense (if you want to try some non-Balinese food)
Post lunch, we go to another workshop where we learn the craft of Balinese batik with a hands-on workshop and take your craft home as a souvenir.
Mindfulness activity that will help you stay in the present
Farewell Dinner
“If I'm an advocate for anything, it's to move.
As far as you can, as much as you can. Across the ocean, or simply across the river. The extent to which you can walk in someone else's shoes or at least eat their food, it's a plus for everybody.
Open your mind, get up off the couch, move.”
~Anthony Bourdain
DAY 07: UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN
We bid farewell and go back to our respective cities
Breakfast
Check-out from stay and catch your flight back home
Your Stay
We’ll be staying in premium 4-star and 3-star accommodations in Gili Trawangan and Ubud, Bali. The stays will be quite comfortable with AC, spacious rooms, and various amenities.
The stay will be arranged on a 2-sharing basis. We’ll assign roommates but feel free to let us know if you have any issues or need any changes. If you are traveling with friends, of course, you’ll be assigned a room with your friend :)
If you are looking for a single-occupancy stay, feel free to check with us.
What’s Included
Stay: 6 nights accommodation in 4-star and 3-star accommodations
Meals: 5 lunch and 6 dinners are included in the retreat costs. Only Day 1 lunch is not included.
Transport: All land transportation including airport transfers, hotel transfers, and harbor transfers are covered.
Speedboat transfers from Bali to Gili Trawangan and back.
Please note that all transfers are group transfers not private transfers. Renting cycle on the first day is also covered.
Activities:
- Scuba diving - 1 dive for beginners & 2 dives for certified divers
- Snorkeling - This covers 3 snorkeling points
- Cooking Class
- Batik Painting Class
- Creative Workshop
- Yoga session
- Cycling around Gili Trawangan
- Mindfulness activity
- Knowledge sessions
- Trekking in Gili Trawangan
All Port Fees and local guides are also covered.
Tips to local staff (at hotels, diving centers, boat staff, etc) are included as we want to make sure that the local people are compensated fairly.
All supplies related to scuba diving, snorkeling, creative workshops, yoga, and mindfulness exercises will be provided to you at appropriate times.
What’s Not Included
- Airfare
- Visa Expenses
- Personal expenses like shopping, laundry, etc
- 1 lunch on the 1st day is not included in the retreat. Rest of the breakfasts, lunch, and dinner from Day 1 to Day 6 are included. Plus Day 7 breakfast.
- Any additional meals/snacks ordered at the stay. We request you to clear it directly with the hotel staff
- Any optional activities
- If you choose to opt for photos and videos during scuba diving/snorkeling, that needs to be paid separately to the dive center.
- Alcoholic drinks
- Beverages are not included in the meals.
- Any additional meals/snacks not mentioned above
- Travel and medical insurance - Travel insurance is mandatory and we expect all guests to buy travel insurance before their travel.
- Any medical expenses
- Additional transfer required due to any emergency or arriving by flight that does not match with the majority of the group.
- Any expenses caused by reasons beyond our control such as roadblocks, accidents & any medical evacuations
- Anything we haven’t mentioned above is not included in this retreat
✍️ Please Note
- The scuba diving and snorkeling activity mentioned above may be subject to change based on availability or things outside of our control like weather, ocean currents, etc. We’ll keep you informed about any changes that may arise.
- Since this is an adventure and experience-based retreat, we expect our participants to have a basic level of fitness to be able to enjoy the activities on offer.
- We’ll provide you with a medical form during the time of registration. We expect you to fill the form honestly so that we can be better prepared in case of any emergencies. Please note that all the details will be confidential.
Early Bird (Till August 4TH)
TYPE | COST | Deposit Amount | Balance Amount |
Retreat without scuba diving | Rs. 88,999/- | Rs. 44,499/- | Rs. 44,500/- |
Retreat with scuba diving | Rs. 95,999/- | Rs. 47,999/- | Rs. 48,000/- |
Standard Retreat Cost (from 5th August)
type | COST | Deposit Amount | Balance Amount |
Retreat without scuba diving | Rs. 90,999/- Rs. 103,999/- | Rs. 45,499/- | Rs. 45,500/- |
Retreat with scuba diving | Rs. 97,999/- Rs. 110,999/- | Rs. 48,999/- | Rs. 49,000/- |
- Deposit Amount: We request you to pay 50% of the package cost as a deposit amount to confirm the booking.
- Balance amount: The remainder of package amount (50%) needs to be paid before the due date (1st September 2024).
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel your holiday anytime provided you notify Open Sky Circles in writing. The Deposit Amount is non-refundable. The balance amount is subject to refund. The following amount will be refunded on any cancellation:
- 15 days or more: 25% of the balance amount
- 1 - 14 days or no-show: 0% of the balance amount
The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams
Oprah Winfrey
What Others Say About Us
I really loved the retreat and everything about it - the meticulous planning, dedicated involvement and supreme professionalism of the two Super-girls, the exclusive experiences that we got - river-rafting with the Kali river all to ourselves, the therapeutic painting session, yoga by the river, room with a beautiful view, mindfulness exercises in nature, sessions by experts on the species they have dedicated their lives to - hornbills and bees! Plus the nature walk and treks involved some physical activity that is the need of everyone, but seldom got in cities.
Avichal
There’s something so authentic and heartwarming about the way Raksha travels and shares her experience with others. Highly recommend.
Full credit to both the Raksha for introducing me to scuba diving. I am not into adventure - I might not trek but genuinely think I’ll come back and do scuba diving. It was nothing like I've seen before, and you have to see it to believe it. I don't think that photos would also do justice to it. The preparation before going underwater, and when you do - everything just goes in the background and it's just so much more calmer and peaceful. At the same time, there’s so much to see and experience. It didn’t feel like I spent 40 minutes underwater. The entire experience was special.
Ratna
If I have to describe my retreat in just two words, I would say it's soul satisfying. Every single thing that I did here - scuba diving, yoga sessions, the wellness journaling, everything was very well curated, very well thought of. And generally when we go on curated trips, it's all about like going to sightseeing places. This was more than that. We had different activities, but at the same time we had enough time to just relax, soak in the vibes of that place and just be ourselves. So I'm very thankful for that. I highly recommend Open Sky Circles and their amazing retreats!
Vandana
About Open Sky Circles
Our mission is to empower misfits to push their limits and deeply experience a place while giving back to the community with a group of amazing people.
Our vision is to build a world where everyone can embrace adventure and transform their lives through unforgettable experiences.
Your Hosts
Two woman travelers who live life on their terms despite what the society dictates.
They have a LOT more in common than their name so they came together to build a community for all the misfits who crave an open-minded community to foster deep and meaningful connections.
They are expert solo travelers and scuba divers who are well-versed in planning long complicated trips from end to end. They have been traveling for over 9 years each and explored 84 countries combined.
Raksha & Raksha
Raksha Rao
A Software Engineer who discovered a traveling heart in her 20s. She is a self-taught marketer and a brand builder. She considers herself a lifelong learner and hates small talk!
Raksha is a big fan of slow travel where you experience a new place like a local. She slow traveled in Europe for 3 months and Central Asia for 2.5 months.
Happily married to a rebel!
Countries Visited: 34 Countries
Raksha Nagaraj
A Product Manager, travel blogger, and entrepreneur based out of Sydney and Bengaluru. Raksha is an animal lover and dreams of owning an animal sanctuary one day.
She has visited all 7 continents, including Antarctica, the Southernmost continent. She has scuba dived in over 10 countries including the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and between two continents in Iceland.
Countries Visited: 53
general faq’s
Why are the prices expensive?
Haha! We don’t think the prices are expensive. As per the package cost, you will be spending less than Rs. 16,000 per day per person. Most of the other travel companies to Indonesia has a lot of exclusions including meals, transfers, water activities, etc which adds to the cost. This retreat is inclusive of activities like scuba diving and snorkeling which are usually excluded from the trip costs. This is an all-inclusive retreat - stay, activities, and most meals are covered. Besides, retreats this kind are at least 2-3x the cost.
Which airport do I fly into?
You’ll most likely land at Denpasar International Airport (DPS) - the main international aiport in Bali.
Can I arrive early? If yes, where do I stay before the tour starts?
Yes of course, you are welcome to arrive early before retreat starts or stay back after our retreat ends so that you can extend your personal travels. You can check with us regarding stay options and we can certainly provide you suggestions.
How to get Indonesia Visa
You can get Visa on Arrival for 35 USD (Rs. 3000) at DPS airport. The visa is valid for 30 days. Please make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months, 2 blank pages in your passport, confirmed return ticket, and a passport sized photo.
How many people are in the group?
We always host our retreats to an intimate group of 8-12 people so that we can help foster deep and meaningful connections. The group size is intentionally small and far more peaceful than the overcrowded 40-people group trips ;)
Can you book flights for us?
No, unfortunately, we won’t be able to accommodate it at the moment. We can certainly suggest flight timings so that it aligns with the rest of the group.
What if I don’t want to participate in some of the activities mentioned above?
Of course! You are welcome to not take part in any of the above-mentioned activities if you choose not to. Unfortunately, we may not be able to provide compensation as it’s pre-booked.
What kind of meals are available?
We have an option for both meals - vegetarian and non-vegetarian food will be available. However, variety and flavours might vary - so be mentally prepared for it. We’ll check with you regarding your dietary preferences so that we can serve you better! Usually, it might be a combination of Indonesian and/or continental cuisine.
Are the turtle or shark sightings guaranteed?
We’ll be diving and snorkeling in the WILD OCEAN, it’s NOT a zoo. As with any wild animal, sighting can never be guaranteed.
What can I expect from this retreat?
This is NOT your run-of-the-mill Indonesia sightseeing that any online tour operator provides. This is a premium retreat-style experience that’s thoughtfully designed to make sure you have an adventurous and transformational experience in Indonesia.
Can I choose single occupancy?
Yes, of course! We can arrange it if you don’t want to share a room with anyone. You can check with us regarding the cost.
Will Raksha & Raksha be present in the retreat?
Yes, all our retreats are personally hosted by us and both of us will be physically present. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to us.
Can I get my friend on this trip?
Yes, of course. You can ask your friend to join as well. But we don’t encourage big groups as this retreat is designed to meet new people.
Can I choose who my roommates are?
Same gender roommates will be assigned. If you are traveling with a friend, we’ll ensure that you get assigned the same room. Otherwise, we will be assigning the rooms as we see fit. If you are not happy with it, you are welcome to inform us.
What will be the weather like in Indonesia
Temperatures range between 27°C and 32°C almost throughout the year. The dry season in Indonesia runs from April to October. So during our visit, we’ll avoid the high season crowds and yet experience Gili islands in a fairly dry season. There might be occasional showers.
How much money do I need to carry for personal expenses?
Well, that totally depends on your personal preferences. Since this is an all-inclusive retreat we cover most of the expenses. You will need to take care of visa fees, Day 1 lunch, extra meals or snacks, any drinks at sunset bars, personal shopping, and extra days if you are extending your stay. It’s a good idea to carry USD with you and we can help convert it into IDR (Indonesian Rupiah)
How much should I pack?
We always suggest to pack light - only what you can carry. Since it’s an Asian country, you will receive help from time to time, but there might be instances when that’s not possible. For instance, from the parking point to the speedboat entry point, you have to carry your own luggage as no paid porters are available.
What type of bedding is available?
It could be either twin beds or double beds depending on the availability in the hotels. We will try to assign rooms based on your preferences but it might not always be possible. We hope you understand.
scuba diving faq’s
The PADI DSD is a chance to try diving without committing to a full certification course. It’s an opportunity to try scuba diving to see if you enjoy it – or simply to tick it off your bucket list. Many divers start with the Discover Scuba Diving experience, fall in love with the underwater world, and go on to become certified divers!
Can I signup for scuba diving if I haven’t done it before?
Yes of course. We have first-timers diving with us on our retreats and we sign them up for DSD (Discover Scuba Diving) which is suited for first-time divers. We are not joking when we say that it’s an experience of a lifetime - you have to try it once to know what its like.
Will I be in a pool or diving in the ocean?
Yes, you will be diving in the ocean and witnessing the marine life and corals underwater. Don’t worry - you will be briefed about the entire process and you might even have a pool session before depending on the dive center.
Can I go scuba diving even if I don’t know how to swim?
You do not need to be an Olympic swimmer to take a DSD; however, you should feel comfortable in the water and be able to maintain yourself at the surface.
Can certified divers join the retreat?
Yes, of course. We can offer 2 dives instead of 1 if you are a PADI certified diver.
How long will I dive for?
This varies from person to person and depends on how quickly (or slowly) you breathe the air in your tank. It could be anywhere between 30 and 50 minutes.
Who will teach my DSD?
DSD experiences are conducted by PADI Instructors, PADI Pros undergo rigorous training and exams to ensure that they can safely accompany and teach those who are new to diving.
I have a pre-existing medical condition, can I still take part?
This depends on the nature of your condition. If you have a medical condition, or think that you may perhaps have one, you will need a doctor’s statement confirming you are medically fit to dive. You will fill out a medical questionnaire before the experience and, once completed, you will either be able to take part immediately or you may be required to provide a doctor’s statement based on your answers. You can check out the medical questionnaire in advance here.
Do I need to be physically fit to do a try dive?
You do not need to have an extreme level of fitness; however, you should have at least an average level of fitness and be physically capable.
Can a female who is menstruating take a DSD?
There is no physical reason why women who are menstruating can’t go scuba diving. We suggest you to use menstrual cups which is a secure and leak-free option.
How to Apply for the Retreat
In order to curate a like-minded group, we only accept applications on an invite-only basis.
2.
We’ll reach out to you to determine if it’s the right fit for our group.
3.
If yes, you pay the deposit amount to confirm your seat
Address
Headquarters: Bangalore, India
Contact
Phone: +919880993583, +916361169361
openskycircles@gmail.com
Join our Community
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Thank You
We are elated that you have shown interest in our unique retreat. Looks like you have good taste ;) We can’t wait to take you on our trips and show you the world! 🌎
Can’t make it to our Indonesia retreat?
No sweat! We have other exciting retreats in store for you! 🌎