From lazing on the beach to diving the coral reefs, Gili T has a huge range of activities available for the perfect island getaway. Our staff at the Gili Pearl Villa will be happy to help you with tips and local information and can even arrange bookings for you.
From the moment you step off the boat onto the coral sand of Gili Trawangan you'll be on 'island time'. There are no cars, or petrol powered motorised transport of any kind on the Gilis so you'll have to slow down. Chidomo pony carts are the taxis of Gili T & will take you & your luggage to Gili Pearl Villa; chidomos have set rates. Once you've settled in go for walk & have a look around. You may like to hire a bike; expect to pay about 50,000 rupiah a day (approx $5) for bike hire. Walking, Biking & Chidomo, that's it. Now go lay down by the Gili Pearl Villa pool for a while with a Bintang & a book for company. Ahhh...
People come from all over the world to dive around the Gili islands. The first large resort on Gili T was the Vila Ombak Diving Academy. Manta Dive, Ombak & other international PADI accredited dive operators can give you scuba diving lessons to attain your diving licence.
However you don't have to be a scuba diver to enjoy the waters surrounding Gili T. Hire flippers, mask & a snorkel & you'll soon be marvelling at the brightly coloured fish & coral just a few metres off shore from the Eastern Beach. A trip on a glass bottomed boat is good for spotting the large sea turtles that swim in the channels between the islands.
Diving the Gili Islands
Gili Trawangan is only about 5 kms in circumference and the main road follows the shoreline all the way around. The East Coast has the most accommodation & facilities as well as the widest beach & easily swimmable waters. There is less development on the West Coast partly because the beach opens onto a shallow wide coral reef less suitable for swimming & snorkeling. The best time to circumnavigate the island on foot or bike is early in the morning before breakfast when it is cooler. If walking allow about 90 minutes for the round trip. Take a bottle of water & a hat as it can get pretty hot.
After breakfast head for the beach. North East has the widest, longest stretch of sand, beachside bars & deck chairs but South East has some lovely more concealed stretches with overhanging local Sentiggi tea-tree as well as a surf break that comes good from time to time. There is less development here & the Sentiggi trees are sacred & protected as they stop erosion on the beachfront. The guys at Rainbow Beach near Kokomo will hire you a board if the waves are up; they give lessons too.
About an hour before sunset its time to start heading to the Southern tip of Gili T where you'll find the Paradise Sunset Bar. Beer, cocktails, snacks and funky music set up the vibe along the coral beach lined with bamboo tables and chairs positioned to take in the often spectacular sunset. On most days the distant silhouette of Bali's Mount Agung volcano provides the backdrop. They keep the action going after dark with fire twirling displays. A little further on is another funky sunset location The Exile which often has live local percussionists providing atmosphere at sundown.
Laze on the beach
On Gili Trawangan you can get a meal for as little as $2.50 at a lunchtime warung or night market stall or feast at an upmarket restaurant with white linen & full service at prices you are used to at home. A wide variety of international cuisine is available. The local seafood, poultry, vegetables & fruit are excellent. Dining on Gili T will become one of your main activities.
Imported wine & spirits are readily available but attract heavy excise for both religious & political reasons. However the local beer is excellent & cheap while Balinese wines (Two Islands, Hatten, Plaga) are relatively affordable & improving in quality. Wine lovers can grab a couple of bottles of their favourites on the way through duty free at the airport.
A wide variety of international cuisine is available
Inland towards the Southern end of Gili T's village, not far from Gili Pearl Villa, is the large hill that you see from the main bedroom's balcony. Ascending the concrete steps leading to the top provides a strenuous workout. Make sure you take bottled water with you. Enjoy the view then look for little signs pointing to the "Japanese Cave", an excavation made by the Japanese military during WW2 to house soldiers keeping lookout for boat movements in the area. This modest war relic gave the island its name; Trawangan is a variation of the local word for 'tunnel'. The downward climb on the far side is a bit more tricky but the path is well defined. At the bottom turn left & you'll eventually find yourself close to home.
If you've got any energy left after dinner you can explore the beachside bars & clubs. The DJ scene rolls on to different clubs throughout the week & there's a live music scene too. Sama Sama has a resident reggae band & a friendly vibe. Several of the beachside restaurants have low key, good quality live music acts while club DJs lean toward chillout downtempo & Eurodisco. Bottom line: you'll discover there is plenty going on late into the evening.
All parties, events & bar DJ nights must have permits from the Gili Indah Village Council. Such events are restricted to the beachside commercial precinct and are not permitted in the village area; this includes Gili Pearl Villa (no loud or late night partying).
New Years Eve is also huge with a cacophany of competing sounds from live bands & pumping disco music topped off with fireworks at midnight. Many make the trip from Bali & Lombok to spend New Years Eve on Gili T.
Full Moon Party
The two neighbouring islands Gili Meno & Gili Air are well worth visiting. Meno is the quietest & is gaining a reputation as 'honeymoon island' due to its small but luxurious resorts, white sand beaches & great dive sites. Air is undergoing rapid development along the lines of Trawangan. A day trip with beachside lunch at Scallywags Air restaurant is a fine way to spend an afternoon.
The Gili Islands
Our staff can help you book excursions to Lombok with experienced English speaking Guides who can introduce you to the rich heritage of the Region. Perhaps a day-trip to Autore Pearl Farm and Cafe, where the history of Lombok's famous pearls and the pearl farming industry can be experienced first-hand and the world famous Autore Pearls can be purchased. Also worth seeing is the beautiful Waterfall at Senaru an hour or so drive away from Teluk Kodek harbour on the mainland.
Line fishing, fishing trips and charters can be arranged through the Lakshmi staff by booking 24 hours in advance. Boats have experienced captains & fishermen who know where the fish are. You may have to get up early.
The Stud Stables at the less populated Southern end of Gili T have well trained horses for hire & space to ride the quiet road & beach. There are no cars to worry about but take care of the many bicyclists.
Fishing Trip
The diving on Gili Trawangan is year round and the fringing coral reefs that surround the Gili Islands support a phenomenal array of marine life that will captivate scuba divers of all levels.
Enjoy fine dining at the Kokomo Resort restaurant.
Healthy food that's affordable and tastes great plus amazing drinks.
Beach House Restaurant and Bar serves seafood barbecue specialities, along with local and international delights.
The Wikitravel guide to the Gili Islands.
The Wikitravel guide to Gili Trawangan.
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RATES
All rates for accommodation are quoted in US dollars and subject to Government Tax and Service charges as listed.
All payments need to be made to the account as listed on the invoice. The sender must ensure the amount is received in full, including any bank fees incurred for the transfer of currency.
RESERVATION & PAYMENTS
A 50% rental deposit must be received by Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi to guarantee your reservation. Deposits are required no more than 7 working days after receiving the invoice. In the event of a cancellation this deposit is non refundable as outlined below. The remaining balance payment must be received by Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi at least 30 days in advance of arrival. (Exception; if booked less than 30 days in advance of arrival the total amount is required at time of booking). Failure to make the final payment on a timely basis may make the reservation subject to automatic cancellation.
CANCELLATIONS
When a cancellation occurs more than 90 days before arrival the cancellation fee will be equal to 20% of the total rental amount.
When the cancellation occurs between 30-90 days prior to the scheduled arrival a cancellation fee of 50% of the total amount will be charged.
When the cancellation occurs within 0-29 days of the scheduled arrival, 100% of the rental amount will be charged.
OCCUPANCY
The number of guests staying at the property cannot exceed the maximum number of guests published (6 adults) and/or agreed to in the booking confirmation.
Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi reserves the right to refuse any bookings where there are more guests than the listed maximum occupancy.
INCLUSIONS
All Villa rates are inclusive of the salaries of permanent household staff, cost of electricity, drinking water, local phone calls and wifi, cleaning & gardening supplies, launder of linens and towels, local taxes and basic bathroom and kitchen amenities. Other inclusions are listed at time of individual enquiry.
LIABILITY
Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi management acts only as an agent for external suppliers and/or contractors who are providing transport, babysitting and tour/activity services. Under no circumstances shall Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi be held responsible for any loss, expense, theft, damage, claim or injury either directly or indirectly, consequential or otherwise whatsoever, however caused or incurred, whether arising in contract or otherwise in law or equity as a result of rendering of the services or accommodation. This includes any delay(s), substitution(s), rescheduling(s), or change(s) in the provision of services arranged by Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi or by reason of military action, revolution or "acts of God", or by any agents, employees, subcontractors, servants or third parties whatsoever supplying any of the services or accommodations herein or as substituted.
No responsibility can be taken for failure of machinery or equipment in the villa, but the management will aim to assist the customers in the best way possible and have any such problems rectified as quickly as possible. The management does not accept responsibility for any events that are not in control of the management, such as fire, severe weather and power disruptions.
Gili Pearl Villa at Lakshmi at their sole and unfettered discretion reserve the right to refuse or discontinue service to any person(s) and/or to second any contract for accommodations or guests services.
INSURANCE
All guests are strongly advised to have travel insurance, for the unlikely event of an illness, accident, loss of personal items and other travel contingencies during their travel or stay in Bali.
REGULATIONS
All guests are required to comply with local Indonesian laws and regulations. A copy of all guests passport is required at check-in for police registration and only registered guests can stay in the villa. This is a standard regulation imposed by local authorities.
No drugs or any illegal activities are permitted on the premises.
Guests must show consideration regarding noise levels and to respect the privacy of other guests and Neighbours. Any cost of dealing with police or other authorities is the responsibility of the customer. Under no circumstances are firecrackers or other flammable devices allowed on the premise.
By paying the deposit you agree on behalf of all registered guests to the above terms & conditions