Athaya Carissa

Our Bali trip was absolutely incredible, and so much of that was due to the thoughtful planning and exceptional service of our travel agent, Athaya. She created an itinerary that gave us a wonderful mix of adventure, excitement, relaxation, culture, and luxury, while also allowing us to experience the dramatically different regions and topography of Bali. Every part of the trip felt intentional, and we came away feeling like we had truly experienced the island rather than simply visited it.

One of the absolute highlights was the team Athaya arranged for us. Our driver, Sang, was amazing. Anyone who has experienced Bali traffic knows that getting around the island is an adventure in itself, but Sang maneuvered through it like an expert! We always felt completely safe and comfortable with him, and his skill behind the wheel was truly impressive.

And then there was our wonderful guide, Mr. Oki. I cannot say enough good things about him. He was incredibly kind, patient, attentive, and genuinely cared about making sure we had the best possible experience. He taught us about Balinese customs, traditions, and culture in a way that made everything we were seeing so much more meaningful. He stood in lines to get our admission tickets, handled all the little details so we didn’t have to think about them, and was always looking for ways to make our day easier. He even made sure to take pictures of us throughout our adventures, which means we now have wonderful photographs of our amazing trip.

What impressed me most about the entire trip was the balance. We had exciting adventures, peaceful moments, beautiful accommodations, cultural experiences, and opportunities to see completely different sides of Bali. Each region felt like a new experience, and the itinerary flowed beautifully without ever feeling repetitive.

But perhaps the best example of Athaya’s level of service came when something happened that wasn’t even part of the trip she had planned. Our onward travel arrangements unexpectedly fell through, leaving us in Bali with nowhere to stay and no transportation arranged. Athaya immediately came to our rescue. Within minutes, she had found us a driver and secured a hotel so that we weren’t stranded. There was no hesitation—she simply stepped in and took care of us when we needed help. That kind of responsiveness and genuine concern for her clients is something you don’t forget.

This was the kind of trip that makes you realize how much difference an exceptional travel planner can make. Athaya didn’t simply arrange hotels, transportation, and activities—she created an experience, surrounded us with wonderful people, and made us feel cared for from beginning to end. And when the unexpected happened, she was there for us then, too.

We left Bali with incredible memories, a much deeper appreciation for the island and its culture, and enormous gratitude for Athaya, Sang, and Mr. Oki. They each played a special part in making this an unforgettable experience.

I would recommend Athaya without hesitation to anyone planning a trip to Bali. She is the person you want planning your vacation—and, perhaps even more importantly, the person you want in your corner when your plans don’t go according to plan.

Activity Reviews

Bathe the Elephants

Ubud, Bali

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Penglipuran Village

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Gitgit Waterfall Canyoning Adventure

Indonesia

Canyoning was hands-down one of the most exciting and memorable experiences of our entire trip to Bali! The guides were absolutely fantastic. They were knowledgeable, professional, and extremely safety-conscious, which made us feel completely comfortable even when we were doing something that pushed us outside our comfort zones. They explained everything clearly, told us exactly what to expect, and made sure we knew what to do before every jump, rappel, and challenging section of the canyon. We always felt like we were in very capable hands, which allowed us to relax and actually enjoy the adventure. And then there was one particular guide who was absolutely hilarious. He honestly made the experience! He kept us laughing throughout the entire excursion and somehow managed to make even the more intimidating moments fun. His personality, humor, and enthusiasm turned what was already an incredible adventure into one of those experiences we’ll be talking about for years. The scenery was spectacular, the adventure was exhilarating, and the guides were exceptional. It was the perfect combination of adrenaline, natural beauty, and just plain fun. If you’re considering canyoning in Bali, DO IT! It was one of our favorite experiences of the entire trip, and we would recommend it without hesitation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cliffs of Majesty : Visit Uluwatu Temple & Watch Kecak Dance

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

K

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Balinese Massage

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bali Swing at Tegallalang Rice Terrace

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Ubud Art Market

Indonesia

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Our trip was amazing(
Our Yogya Karta guide, Bien was amazing. His level of knowledge of the history of Indonesia from early days to today was great. He was thoughtful, patient and his years of experiences came to life in the way he understood and explained everything. I am sure you use him in your tours as his English language is also very good....

In Bromo, Teguh was an amazing guide and loves Indonesia! My son, Sunny and I enjoyed the time with him and the visit to Bromo and surroundings.

Today our guide Yanto at blue flame was also amazing. He stayed with us the whole hike up and down and was a delight to be with. Would recommend him as a permanent guide for anyone speaks English or needing English speaking guides - would recommend same with Teguh as well - both of them were great for us.

And our drivers ebot and Pedro were great as well.

Hotel Reviews

The Phoenix Hotel Yogyakarta - MGallery Collection

YOGYAKARTA

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Manis ae Hotel, Cabin, & Resto Bromo

Bromo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Teras Hotel Ijen Banyuwangi

Banyuwangi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Majapahit Surabaya

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Visit Taman Sari Water Palace

Yogyakarta

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The Refined Java Experience : Visit Borobudur & Visit Klipoh Village by Andong

Yogyakarta

Witness the Blue Flame of Ijen Crater

Indonesia

Go on a Sunrise Hike to Mount Bromo

Indonesia

Kota Gede Walking Tour

Yogyakarta

A Royal Evening at Prambanan : Visit Prambanan & Watch Ramayana

Yogyakarta

Our guide Adi was incredibly knowledgeable and so excited each time we asked him a question. You could feel his love for Bali and the people. Out driver Ardi was also amazing!
We had the luck of being in Bali on a major holiday so got to see the people and temples dressed up!
Sofitel Nusa Dua cannot be beat!
K Club was in a beautiful setting- high in the mountains.
We had a packed itinerary so be sure when planning you’re ok with long drives and bad traffic or just stay in one area. It’s all beautiful!