From natural dye studios and village looms to ceremonial cloths and everyday wear, this 18-day experience offers a deep introduction to natural dye processes and indigenous textiles in Bali and Sumba.
Guided by Threads of Life and Botanical Colors and local weavers and dyers, you will work closely with natural dye materials, learn the cultural meaning behind each textile, and encounter the landscapes and communities that continue to shape these traditions today.
After the arrival day, there will be a day of gentle introduction to Ubud village and our environs. We will view the textiles at Threads of Life and get an introduction to the variety of textiles. Participants may take an Indonesian cooking course, or relax by the pool. A light schedule will introduce the cultures of Indonesia and our host organization, Threads of Life.
Our 6 days at the Threads of Life dye studio will explore the main traditional dye processes of the Indonesian archipelago. There will be unique opportunities to participate in the processing of a Strobilanthes cusia harvest into indigo pigment and paste, and the setting and use of 600-liter indigo vats, to experience the complex oil and metallic-mordant treatments needed to get the traditional red from Morinda citrifolia roots, to use Ceriops tagal extract for the brown color of Central Java’s batiks, and to explore the archipelago’s mud dye practices. Alongside this will be the opportunity to learn batik, and a very special two-day workshop within our studio time to learn about barkcloth from Central Sulawesi, and develop personal creative projects.
For our last 3 days, we will tour the textile villages of east Bali. We will see weft ikat, songket supplementary weft cloth and ritual textiles in Sidemen; we will explore the cultural and technical complexity of Tenganan’s double ikat geringsing; and we will visit the makers of discontinuous weft rangrang in Seraya.
Sumba is an island where light feels softer, time moves differently, and every fiber tells a story. From the glowing reds of Kaliuda to the cool blues of Pau, from the sculpted palm fronds to stories told at dusk, we will move through Sumba with open hearts — guided by community, color, and connection.
Across the island, textiles embody powerful symbols: horses of the ancestors, mythical flowers blooming with creativity, seashells recalling journeys from across the sea, and lobsters and crabs symbolizing neighbors working side by side. These motifs are not decorations — they are living metaphors, a language of belonging.
We begin by visiting the village of Rindi, where Tamu Rambu Hamu Eti — royal matriarch, teacher, and weaver — opens her home to us. For two full days, we will sit beside Eti and her daughters. Together, we will learn how loom preparation carries both technical skill and spiritual intention, anchoring us in the island’s deep sense of community. We will also witness every step of the red dye process — from the careful harvesting of roots to the rhythmic soaking and folding of threads.
In the final days, we will travel to Kaliuda, where a rich red dye is made from the roots of Morinda citrifolia applying secrets are passed from generation to generation. We will explore the island’s complex basketry, meeting artisans who craft breathtaking sculptural baskets made from the long fronds of seventy-year-old lontar palms.
We require traveler’s medical insurance including medical treatment, transportation, evacuation/repatriation to participate in our tour. We also strongly recommend you purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance for unforeseen events.
Bali – single occupancy – $7,200
Bali – double occupancy – $6,800
Sumba – single occupancy – $5,700
Sumba – double occupancy – $5,400
Bali & Sumba – single occupancy – $11,900
Bali & Sumba – double occupancy – $11,200
Your accommodation:
- Alam Jiwa (Bali)
- Alam Shanti (Bali)
- Alila Manggis (Bali)
- Kambaniru Beach Hotel (East Sumba)
All studio lunches
Breakfasts at the hotels
Dye studio time
Dye studio materials
Transportation to all of the excursions
Airfare
Passport and visa costs
Alcohol & Unlisted Meals
Excess luggage charges
Tips or gratuities
Insurance of any kind
Laundry, incidentals
Companion pricing
Additional travel days
We work directly with over 1,200 women in more than 35 groups on 12 Indonesian islands from Kalimantan to Timor.
We empower women’s enterprises and put money directly into women’s hands where it best ensures their households’ welfares.
Our cultural and technical support moves weavers to great pride of ownership, inspiring the extraordinary quality of their work.
Dye plant use perpetuates a sustainable relationship with the land, and helps a community prioritize conservation.
