Adventure Camping in Bali

Adventure Camping in Bali
Photo Credit tropical island image by Dariusz Kopestynski from Fotolia.com

Bali is part of the island nation of Indonesia. A popular tourist destination, Bali offers a wide variety of activities for the sports enthusiast--from hiking and biking to camel riding and bungee jumping. Camping in Bali provides visitors with the chance to get up close and personal with nature and, potentially, to enjoy more of the area in a shorter period of time. Various companies offer adventure packages including camping. Individuals can also camp independently.

Camping Tours

Various companies in Bali offer camping tours with adventures built right in. These tours generally last two to three days, although they may be longer. Common activities for a tour include hiking, enjoying nature's waterfalls and hot springs, bicycling, and learning about Bali's unique culture. Tour companies generally provide all necessary camping gear, meals, and transportation between locations, as needed. Such tours provide visitors with the chance to experience the area with far fewer worries about getting lost or injured.

Independent Camping

National parks and other public areas offer independent camping for visitors. Camping sites are rugged. RVs, motor homes, cabins, and other facilities common in the United States do not play a role in Bali camping. Instead, visitors use tents or primitive structures such as a lean-to to camp out under the stars. Enough camping locations exist in Bali to give visitors a chance to hike to and enjoy most of the area's natural wonders, such as the Nunghung Waterfall and Puncak Mangu.

Passports and Visas

Visitors to Bali must have passports. Whether or not the visitor needs a visa depends on the country of origin for the passport. Generally speaking, individuals coming from nearby areas of Asia can enter the country on a short-term basis without a visa. Visitors from other countries must have a valid visa in order to enter Indonesia. Effective in 2005 visitors hailing from one of 52 approved countries can purchase a "visa on arrival (VOA)." These countries include the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. These VOAs are available at 15 airports and 21 seaports; restrictions regarding length of visit do apply.

Climate

The temperature in Bali remains consistent throughout the year at approximately 27 degrees Celsius or 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The precipitation varies significantly from month to month, with a high of 347 mm in January during the heart of monsoon season and a low of 23 mm in August. Humidity in Bali can be high, especially during the wet season. Many tourists visit Bali during June and July. The spring and fall are nice times to visit as rainfall has lessened and large numbers of tourists haven't yet arrived or have already departed.

Activities

Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities in Bali. These range from commonly enjoyed activities such as hiking, biking, and scuba diving to less common activities such as ATV exploring, bungee jumping, camel riding, para-sailing, and windsurfing. At the right time of year, visitors can even view the bull races in Negara. Visitors may also enjoy rock climbing on the Gunung Agung mountain, albeit only during the dry season. On a relaxed day, take a sea cruise and look for dolphins and other local sea creatures.

References

Article reviewed by Allan Burns Last updated on: Dec 7, 2010

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