36 replies to this topic

[WreckWench]

How many hours are flights from the east coast to Bali and Sorong? I did a quick search and it looked like abut 43 hours. Is that right?

 

its a lot of flying and is determined on the routing. If you fly via Emirates or Quatar it longer than that and if you fly via Korean Air its shorter. Its a time/money trade off. We are far enough out NOW that you can still get good deals. AND...if you break it up by doing a day or so (or more) in Bali then you can get more acclimated and have a buffer if you have ANY delayed flights. The only drawback is that the connection from Bali to Sarong is not as elegant as they are from Jakarta. Jakarta is NOT RECOMMENDED for American's to spend much time in Jakarta. First off there is nothing touristy about it ...its an industrial city and so nothing to do and no beach...and its not the safest city to spend time in. IF YOU NEED A VETTED SAFE ROOM FOR 1 DAY IN TRANSIT I HAVE 1-2 SAFE HOTELS TO BOOK YOU IN. But Jakarta is best for passing thru.

 

We do plan to have a 1-2 day option AT THE GROUP TRIP HOTEL for those who want to stay there but there is limited tourist options and extremely limited rooms 1-2 days prior. The resort is completely booked 3 days prior and nearly booked 2 days prior. I will know shortly exactly how many rooms they are giving me for those who may wish to arrive early and stay there vs staying in Bali, Jakarta or Sarong. (NOTE: If you arrive early your transfer from Sarong to Waisai will be included but you won't get the VIP service we have set up for the group on the group transfer days)

[Cmdr. Clownfish]

 

How many hours are flights from the east coast to Bali and Sorong? I did a quick search and it looked like abut 43 hours. Is that right?

 

its a lot of flying and is determined on the routing. If you fly via Emirates or Quatar it longer than that and if you fly via Korean Air its shorter. Its a time/money trade off. We are far enough out NOW that you can still get good deals. AND...if you break it up by doing a day or so (or more) in Bali then you can get more acclimated and have a buffer if you have ANY delayed flights. The only drawback is that the connection from Bali to Sarong is not as elegant as they are from Jakarta. Jakarta is NOT RECOMMENDED for American's to spend much time in Jakarta. First off there is nothing touristy about it ...its an industrial city and so nothing to do and no beach...and its not the safest city to spend time in. IF YOU NEED A VETTED SAFE ROOM FOR 1 DAY IN TRANSIT I HAVE 1-2 SAFE HOTELS TO BOOK YOU IN. But Jakarta is best for passing thru.

 

We do plan to have a 1-2 day option AT THE GROUP TRIP HOTEL for those who want to stay there but there is limited tourist options and extremely limited rooms 1-2 days prior. The resort is completely booked 3 days prior and nearly booked 2 days prior. I will know shortly exactly how many rooms they are giving me for those who may wish to arrive early and stay there vs staying in Bali, Jakarta or Sarong. (NOTE: If you arrive early your transfer from Sarong to Waisai will be included but you won't get the VIP service we have set up for the group on the group transfer days)

 

 

I agree to avoid Jakarta, if you go there you should plan to not leave the airport as that is not advisable for Americans.  You may want to consider flying to the west coast and going through to Bali from there.  Bali is a peaceful place and a stay there to rest will greatly enhance your vacation IMHO.  There are numerous excellent flights to Bali out of LAX and SFO but your options on the east coast are limited.  The LA flights will take you to Tokyo, Seoul, or Hong Kong where you make a transit to Bali.  Typically you can book all the way through to Bali and the chances of losing luggage are low. 

 

I have gone to that part of the world three times.  Twice to Indonesia and once to Thailand.  The Thailand flight and one Indonesia flight went over the east coast and I can honestly say they both rank up there as the worst flights I have ever had.  One went through Moscow and one went through Dubai, neither location was very friendly to Americans.  Dubai can be but you need to know the ropes and it helps to have an escort.  Avoid the Moscow flights at all costs.  Moscow is a miserable dystopian place and their security did not know what a dive computer was so I nearly got detained over having one.  These flights over the east coast were also much longer than they needed to be.  Flying through an EU country may be a more palatable option from the east coast if it is available but I think you would enjoy a flight from the west coast better and it may be cheaper since there is more competition on the west coast. 

 

I would suggest overnighting in LA and flying on to Bali from there.  You can make a ticket to LA and a separate one to Bali.  Trying to combine them into one ticket is complicated but it is possible and it is questionable if you gain much by doing that versus overnighting in LA.  You do have to check in again to do this so the overnight becomes useful.  It's alot of flying so breaking it up is helpful but it is your call.  The flight over the Pacific will be roughly 13 hours and then 5 to 8 more on the Bali.  Cathay Pacific is a very good option if Hong Kong settles down but until we find out what China is going to do there it is a risk.  People report good experiences with Nippon, Singapore Air, and Korean Air as well. This is your least stressful option and possibly cheapest.  The flight from Bali to Sarong will take anywhere from 9 hrs to 40hrs all by itself depending on the flight.  Garuda is the preferred airline inside Indonesia.  You can see their routes here.  

 

https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/other-countries/en/index.page  

 

Someone may want to start a start a thread on the Garuda flight since it would be good for everyone to take the same one if possible or at least share their plans.  I have a gut feeling that one can be stressful and that thread may help people finalize their plans.

 

FYI, if you do make separate tickets to LA and Bali do not try to combine them at the airport.  The ticket or curb agent may encourage this but it virtually guarantees loss of your bags.  I guess they get a commission since the lost bags people told me that it virtually 100% guarantees that you WILL lose your bags if you do that.  I know because I did it.

 

hope this helps

[WreckWench]

Thanks Scott...great info! Our air consolidator will be helping everyone arrive as they desire. One member has offered to help put a 2-4 day Bali tour pkg together which I can certainly help with since I've done Bali numerous times now.  She has sent me info so we will finalize and offer for those wanting to arrive a few days early in Bali and sight see as its iconic, cultural and amazing!

[Cajun Diver]

 

UPDATE on Non Diver Pricing and Add-On's:

 

NON DIVER PRICE:

 

The non diver d/o price should be for the same pkg contents as the diver less the diving of course $2038CASH or $2100 credit. I expect this to be verified by Monday so we can set this pkg up for people to book.

 

ADD-ON's:

• Diving - Special Night Dive (incl. beach refreshment afterwards) (min 10 pax)      $75  CASH  $78 Credit
• Diving - 2 Tank Dives (min 10 pax)   $150 CASH $155 Credit
• Sunrise/Sunset Paddle Boarding Safari (min 10 pax)   $75  CASH  $78 Credit
• Kayak Rental (not yet purchased, part of 2020 plan)      PRICE TBD
• Local Tour - Birds of Paradise (min 5 pax, max 10 pax)      $75  CASH  $78 Credit
• Local Tour - Blue River (min 5 pax, max 20 pax)           $43 CASH   $45 Credit
• Local - Massage (available when min of 6 scheduled per day so will be scheduled in advance)     $40 CASH  $42 Credit
• Local - Scooter Rental (150,000 IDR for 24 hours)  approx  $11.00 CASH  (limited numbers avail and varies per day so only avail to sign up AT THE RESORT)
• Taxi short return trip to Waisai town (car can fit 5 pax)(+- 200,000 IDR)  $14.00 CASH (Number of taxi's varies per day so only avail to sign up AT THE RESORT)

 

The D/O Non diver package and the listed add-ons plus the marine park fee have been added to the booking system.

 

Still waiting on the revised snorkeler package.

[WreckWench]

UPDATE:

 

Great news! The snorkeler and free diving pkg has now been negotiated. I am pleased to say that it is only $500 more than the non-diver pkg so $2498 CASH or $2573 credit and will enable a snorkeler or free diver to have the same number of snorkel/free dives on the boat as the divers have dives. So wherever it says DIVE it will now mean SNORKEL or FREE DIVE for the snorkeler and/or free diver.  (We will update the itinerary to reflect this shortly and expect to have the new pkg and associated discounts ready for booking by Friday)

 

We are working on a few other options for the free afternoons but that will not hold up your joining us on this amazing trip. ALSO in the event that one or more dive sites are not conducive to good snorkeling or free diving we have arranged several substitutions for the snorkelers/free divers. This means you are 100% part of the group and only if we happen to have a site that is not conducive to snorkeling or free diving will you enjoying sites different than the divers. Otherwise where ever the divers are...so you will be!

 

The delay in getting this set up has been rewarded with a fantastic price because NORMALLY a spot on the boat is a spot a diver can not take so they charge the diver price or very close too it. We've negotiated a very large discount for our snorkelers and free divers because as some of our members know... snorkeling with us should be as amazing as diving/free diving is with us!

 

DISCOVER RAJA CULTURAL TRIP EXPERIENCE PKG PRICING:

 

d/o Diver ONLY $3511 or $3408 CASH

s/o Diver $4373 or $4245 CASH

d/o Non-Diver $2058 or $1998 CASH

s/o Non-Diver $2921 or $2835 CASH

d/o Snorkeler or Free Diver $2573 or $2498 CASH

s/o Snorkeler or Free Diver $3436 or $3335 CASH

 

 

 

And because it took so long to get this ironed out the icing on the cake are the following early booking discounts for the snorkeler/free diver and non-diver pkg.

 

ADDITIONAL EARLY BOOKING DISCOUNTS FOR NON-DIVER, SNORKELER & FREE DIVER ONLY:

 

• Pay in full at time of Booking by Sep 30, 2019: for $50 off any S/O or D/O (Use COUPON CODE: 20SOQ75EBDnsf)
• Pay in full at time of Booking by Oct 30, 2019 for $25 off any S/O or D/O  (Use COUPON CODE: 20SOQ50EBDnsf)
• Pay in full at time of Booking by Dec 30, 2019: and get a guaranteed $25 gift certificate off any merchandise SingleDivers.com sells including partner products.
• Deposit by Dec 31, 2019: Get (1) chance to win a FREE Stream2Sea Travel Product Pkg & (1) Chance to Win $25 gift certificate good on any merchandise sold via SingleDIvers.com
• Social Media Discounts: 1 chance to win a FREE $50 gift certificate for purchases from anyone of our Corporate Sponsors such as Big Blue Dive Lights, Stream2Sea, Coreskin, Cochran, BottomCrawlers or SD merchandise for 1) signing up on our Facebook Trip Event for this trip AND 2) for liking SD.com if you haven't already AND 3) for sharing the FB Trip booking on your personal page! (GET A BONUS ENTRY FOR EVERY GROUP OR FRIEND'S PAGE YOU SHARE IT TOO...must tell us in the email below)
• (Must do all three!) - To enter send an email to trips@singledivers.com with links to your postings along with RAJA SOCIAL MEDIA ENTRIES in the title.
• Cash Discount: Use our e-check option to pay for your trip and our RED CASH DISCOUNTED PRICES will be applied at checkout.
• Active Duty Military Discount: $25 OFF Active Duty Military Discount for any active duty military of any country that fights for freedom. Thank you for your service. (Please be prepared to provide proof of service in person at time of check in)
• Member Rebate: File for your $25 member rebate within 30 days after the trip for SD premier and above membership levels (See my forums signature for link to the forms forum or click on the green Paper Forms button at the top of the forums . If you are new to the site send an email to admin@singledivers.com to get the password. PLEASE follow the directions on the form for proper submission & processing.)
• SAVE $75 by submitting your Documents within 21 days of booking this trip. If booking within 45 days of the trip please submit your documents within 3 days. Otherwise the $75 document processing fee will be added to your final invoice.

Only one (1) coupon code can be used per order

[Ksue44]

Thank you Kamala!! I will book Friday afternoon for S/O Snorkel 👍👍🥂 Im excited 🥂🥂

[WreckWench]

Thank you Kamala!! I will book Friday afternoon for S/O Snorkel Im excited

 

AWESOME!! We should have the pkg set up by then if all goes well! We will post when open for booking. Our awesome volunteers all have day jobs so have to help in the evenings or whenever they have a few minutes of spare time.

[Cajun Diver]

 

Thank you Kamala!! I will book Friday afternoon for S/O Snorkel Im excited

 

AWESOME!! We should have the pkg set up by then if all goes well! We will post when open for booking. Our awesome volunteers all have day jobs so have to help in the evenings or whenever they have a few minutes of spare time.

 

The packages are set up so you can now book.

[Deep Thought]

Been working my flight options, and it's hard to make Bali work for me (I'm coming from a small Colorado airport through Denver). Plus, getting from Bali to Sorong looks really inconvenient (8-10 hours traveling).

 

I can get to Jakarta without much trouble, and may overnight there in an airport hotel to recover from jet lag, then take the 12:30AM Garuda Air flight to Sorong. 

 

That Jakarta-Sorong round trip is pricing about $500. Has anyone found a better price/option? Can Kamala's consolidator do better on this leg? Keeping in mind that there are some Indonesian airlines you probably don't want to fly.

 

If anyone's found anything clever, please share.

 

Thanks.

[WreckWench]

Been working my flight options, and it's hard to make Bali work for me (I'm coming from a small Colorado airport through Denver). Plus, getting from Bali to Sorong looks really inconvenient (8-10 hours traveling).

 

I can get to Jakarta without much trouble, and may overnight there in an airport hotel to recover from jet lag, then take the 12:30AM Garuda Air flight to Sorong. 

 

That Jakarta-Sorong round trip is pricing about $500. Has anyone found a better price/option? Can Kamala's consolidator do better on this leg? Keeping in mind that there are some Indonesian airlines you probably don't want to fly.

 

If anyone's found anything clever, please share.

 

Thanks.

 

If you go via Jakarta you need to REALLY REALLY BE CAREFUL. We have a vetted hotel and vetted drivers to make sure you are safe. I'll have that and flight options from our consolidator.

 

ALSO our consolidator gets you HIGHER LUGGAGE ALLOWANCES. He can book from Jakarta for you. And we are working to get sample flight options for everyone by tomorrow. NOTE: All Indonesian flights will experience flight changes. Some minor and some not so minor. SO YOU WANT A FULL TIME AIR AGENT WORKING THIS FOR YOU. If you find out at the airport or have to spend precious vacation time trying to fix flight snafu's you will hate me. SO THIS IS ONE OF MANY REASONS I HIRE THE AIR  CONSOLIDATOR TO BOOK FOR EVERYONE.  He is an American Expat so gets it...and he is QUICK.. REASONABLE and PROFESSIONAL.  You will love working with him and he will be the same price or cheaper. On the outside chance he is a few bucks higher...you'll more than make up for it with higher luggage limits and personalized 24/7 service. HE IS AWESOME!!! 

[WreckWench]

For those planning the Bali option we usually set up a tour as part of the airport trek. Once I see the flight options I will know more. The flights have been changing a lot. The best connections are via the unsafest city.

[Zinfandel]

When will your consolidator have flight times and prices from Bali? My husband (who I just got an acct for and will get signed up as snorkeler as soon as I get the go ahead) and I will already be in Bali and return to Bali after Raja. We will join the Bali departure group at the airport or hotel depending on timing of flight. We will be staying a few hours from Dempasar and will need to join at hotel if the flight is early, if flight is later in the day we can join group at the airport. Not sure yet if Carolyn and Curt will be with us before hand in Bali. 

[dive_sail_etc]

When will your consolidator have flight times and prices from Bali? My husband (who I just got an acct for and will get signed up as snorkeler as soon as I get the go ahead) and I will already be in Bali and return to Bali after Raja. We will join the Bali departure group at the airport or hotel depending on timing of flight. We will be staying a few hours from Dempasar and will need to join at hotel if the flight is early, if flight is later in the day we can join group at the airport. Not sure yet if Carolyn and Curt will be with us before hand in Bali. 

Hi Erica, we are stoked to see your spouse Kent aka Zinfandel+1 is joining you on this Bucket List trip! Kamala is literally off the grid this week aboard DV Turks and Caicos Explorer, putting final critical details into place for the Raj Ampat flights are at the top of her "Git 'er Done" list when she returns. Just wanted you to know we hear and the other members who have recently asked about this!

[Diver Ed]

Been working my flight options, and it's hard to make Bali work for me (I'm coming from a small Colorado airport through Denver). Plus, getting from Bali to Sorong looks really inconvenient (8-10 hours traveling).

 

I can get to Jakarta without much trouble, and may overnight there in an airport hotel to recover from jet lag, then take the 12:30AM Garuda Air flight to Sorong. 

 

That Jakarta-Sorong round trip is pricing about $500. Has anyone found a better price/option? Can Kamala's consolidator do better on this leg? Keeping in mind that there are some Indonesian airlines you probably don't want to fly.

 

If anyone's found anything clever, please share.

 

Thanks.

 

I recently returned from Raja, and flew LAX to Seoul to Jakarta to Sorong.  I timed the flights to catch the midnight Garuda air flight from Jakarta to Sorong, so I could catch the morning ferry to Waisai.  It all went smoothly.  I had a 9 hour layover in Korea, and a 4 hour layover in Jakarta.  There are nap lounges in the Seoul airport where I was able to stretch out and relax.  Minimal sleep, but many others there were sleeping well.  There were nice comfortable lounge recliner type chairs by gate 13 in the Jakarta airport that I rested in as well.  Wifi at both spots too, so.  This may be a bit late for you if you already booked flights, but figured I would pass it along in case it helps.  Have a great trip.  Raja is an amazing place.

 

Ed

[LovesToDive]

What time are the ferrys coming and going?