Why we do not sell trips, only a personal trip plan

Short version: you pay us for a personal trip plan. A fixed amount, €250 to €500. The trip itself you pay directly to Dek Leonk, the homestays and the guides. We are not in between.

That is a choice we made on purpose. Let me explain why.

What I learned in Morocco

With my company ESBL I earlier built Vrouwvriendelijk Marokko (women-friendly Morocco), together with Soukayna, one of the few female drivers in Marrakesh. There I saw how well it works when you travel with someone who lives there. You see more of the country. And the money goes to the driver, not to a big travel company.

I also saw where it gets complicated. As soon as a website sells the whole trip, with transport and accommodation in one price, you quickly fall under the rules for package holidays. And then you stand between the traveller and the people who actually make the trip.

How we do it on Bali

That is why on Bali we only sell the trip plan. In it, Michèle sets out the route, the daily plan, the driving times and, if you want, the places to stay. That is our work, and that is what you pay us for.

You arrange the trip itself with the people who carry it out:

• Dek Leonk drives you, and you pay him directly. From about €45 a day.
• You book the homestays and small hotels yourself, or we book them in your name. You pay them directly.
• A cooking class, a boat or a guide: same thing.

Partners pay us no commission. That keeps our advice independent, and they get the full price.

What that means for you

You know exactly what you pay us and what goes to Bali. On a twelve-day round trip for two you pay roughly €1,200 to €2,000 locally. With a fee of €350, about 80% of what you spend (excluding flights) goes to the people on Bali.

And the plan is yours. Even if you then decide to do it differently.

Want to know which package suits you? Have a look at Personal trip plan, or book a free 15-minute introduction with Michèle through the trip planner.