BALI & SUMATRA

Each program has a specific packing list that has been designed to fit the program’s activities, length, climate and cultural differences. Please click here to view the Sumatra: Operation Orangutan packing list.

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.

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 Sumatra and Bali. On this program we participate in two major service projects, an Orangutan Habitat Restoration project and a community project in Eastern Bali. Working with our Orangutan NGO partners we help restore illegal palm oil plantations to healthy orangutan habitat 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 one of the poorest locations in Indonesia, East Bali, where family income is about one dollar a day. Here we work with the community on various projects to improve village infrastructure with specific service projects dependent on what is most need by the community.

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).

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

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

Indonesian food is one of the most vibrant, colorful, and flavorful food 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.

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 Sumarta’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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. The group will be able to move much more efficiently if everyone is carrying their belongings on their back.

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.