Bali Yoga & Spiritual Encounter

Upon landing at Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport and clearing arrival formalities, you will be greeted by our airport representative after immigration and transferred to your resort at Ubud area by private air-conditioned vehicle. After check-in, spend a few hours at leisure before you freshen up in time for a welcome dinner.

You will begin the first day of your wellness retreat with a private wellness class. This session will take place at the hotel's serene yoga pavilion. As the morning sun rises, you'll be guided through your practice which will leave you feeling refreshed and energized. After breakfast you will start with a visit to Ubud Monkey Forest, a lush nature reserve and temple complex on the outskirts of Ubud. The forest is home to over one hundred species of trees, several interesting temples, and hundreds of crab-eating macaque monkeys*. Spend awhile observing their characteristics and mannerisms before continuing with a tour through Ubud. Pass through the local market, which is always bustling with activity, and eventually stop at Ubud Palace. The local royal family still reside in the palace, but you are free to wander around most of the compound, discovering the ornate architecture and learning about the Asta Kosala Kosali tradition of house building, a method not dissimilar to the ancient art of Feng Shui. Free time will follow to explore the many shops and boutiques that are plentiful in the center of town. Afterwards, we will transfer you to Pura Sebatu Temple for a traditional “melukat” cleansing ceremony. A Balinese priest will lead the purification ceremony in a resplendent location at a confluence of rivers, waterfalls, or fountains where participants will undergo a series of rituals, prayers, bathing, and soaking themselves in a holy stream. This ritual is aimed at cleansing the body, mind and soul from any kind of bad influences and relieving stress. The ritual ends with blessing prayers to invite all the good spirits, wisdom, and knowledge**. Following the blessing, you will be transferred back to your hotel to enjoy a sixty-minute spa treatment at the hotel. (*) The macaque monkeys here can be a considerable annoyance. Please heed the advice from your guide on the precautions you should take when visiting temples or forests inhabited by monkeys. (**) Please understand that—according to Balinese Hindu beliefs—this “melukat” ritual cannot be arranged for women during their menstrual cycle.

Begin your day with morning yoga and breakfast, followed by a transfer to Kintamani. This is a stunning starting point, with views over the active volcano Mount Batur, which sits alongside Lake Batur, and the surrounding landscape of Central Bali. A short drive will bring you to the cycling starting point in Abuan village, from there you will wind your way downhill through the colorful tapestry that is the Balinese countryside. You will have several stops en route, taking in villages, housing compounds, and local temples. After your bike ride, you will continue by car to the amazing rice terraces of Tegalalang, where you will visit the local village market. This colorful marketplace has a wide range of items on display including clothing, textiles, leather goods, and locally crafted souvenirs. Have fun wandering around and making the odd purchase, but keep in mind prices are negotiable, so remember to bargain for a fair one. On your way back to Ubud, stop at the amazing art and cultural center of Arma Kafe for lunch. Here you will savor either a crispy duck menu with Balinese side dishes or a 3-course Indonesian meal, whichever you prefer. After lunch, begin your exploration of the scenery of Ubud by foot. You will pass over the lush river valley of Tukad Wos, commonly known as the Campuhan Ridge, offering views of Gunung Agung and glimpses of small village communities and rice fields. This is a light trek, lasting around 2 hours. You will have an orientation as you begin at the beautiful Gunung Lebah Temple, which means “small hill” in the Indonesian language. This temple was built in the 8th century and has become synonymous with Ubud and Balinese history. In the afternoon, you will return to your hotel for the remainder of the afternoon and evening at leisure.

Start your day with a drive to the nearby Kemenuh Village, where you will commence on a moderate hike. Step out from the artisan town of Ubud and take a step into the lush jungle. Trek through this tropical greenery while passing along rice paddies and village farms. Continue the journey further down until you hear water running down from the hill; your trek will end at the scenic Uma Anyar Waterfall. Enjoy the combination of greens in the surroundings and the refreshing water splashing from atop the rocks. Take your time to enjoy the ambiance surrounding the waterfall or take a dip into the refreshing water before returning to the hotel. In the afternoon you will have the opportunity to do a cultural activity at your resort. Canang is an offering made of braided coconut leaves and different colors of flowers that have a unique philosophy. This offering is made daily by Balinese Hindus to thank the GOD (Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) in praise and prayer. Offerings are seen in the Balinese temple (Pura) and on small shrines in houses. Following the activity, you will take an hour spa journey to soothe your body before having the rest of the evening at leisure.

You will begin your morning with a wellness class and a leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to meet and interact with Balinese people and experience how families live and work together in their natural daily environment. Begin your local encounter by preparing breakfast in the Balinese compound. Seasonal tropical fruits will be served as well as soft drinks, mineral water, coffee, tea, and Balinese cookies. Invigorated by your fresh breakfast, the rest of your time here will be dedicated to exploring the local vicinity where you will have time to take a stroll through local farms, witness the rural life of the Balinese people, or learn more about the complexities of rice. Lunch will be served right in the middle of the rice field with the soft background of traditional Rindik music played on bamboo instruments. After your meal, return to your hotel in time for another relaxing, restorative yoga session before spending the rest of your evening at leisure.

In the morning, get ready for the last yoga session in Ubud. After having breakfast, get ready to check out from the hotel. Today’s excursion begins with a drive into Central Bali to the small town of Mengwi. Long associated with the Balinese Royal Family, Mengwi is home to the superb temple complex at Taman Ayun. Translating as “beautiful garden”, Taman Ayun is considered by many to be one of the island’s most attractive temples and is still used today by people from all over Bali for special ceremonies and events. Drive further north to Bedugul Regency (district), renowned for its stunning beauty and three caldera lakes (Beratan, Buyan, and Tamblingan). The first stop is the iconic Ulun Danu Temple. This important Hindu Shivaite water temple is located on a small jut of land within the calm waters of Lake Beratan. If the water level is high (normally only during the rainy season) it gives the illusion that this 17th-century temple is “floating” on the lake. After your visit, head toward Lake Tamblingan and begin a gentle trek down through the tropical rainforest that surrounds this attractive pool of water. Admire the flora and fauna and take in the clean mountain air as you hike through a region that has remained at one with nature for many centuries. Reaching the shore of the lake after approximately one hour, you will continue your journey by boat, as you are rowed across its waters in a traditional dug-out canoe. Here you will rendezvous with your driver and proceed to the drive to the cool mountain area of Munduk for check-in and an overnight stay.

Begin your morning with a wellness activity and leisurely breakfast at the hotel. Afterwards, you will experience life in untouched Northern Bali far away from the tourist areas and the natural beauty of rarely visited villages. The environment is outstandingly beautiful and very fertile, combining small plantations, rice fields, and jungles. The trip begins by visiting a waterfall in Munduk village and then inspecting some old Dutch colonial houses in the area. Munduk is believed to be the first Dutch hill station in Northern Bali. We will continue our journey to visit the beautiful rice terrace in Sanda. The tour will then take you through the passing villages such as Banyuatis, Ideran, Gunung Sari, Bestala and finally arrive in Pedawa. This village will amaze you with their bamboo houses, bamboo temples, and palm sugar processing that are still used today. Following your visit to the village, you will return to the hotel to enjoy another optional wellness activity and dinner at leisure.

Enjoy a morning yoga session followed by a leisurely breakfast. Afterwards, breathe the fresh air of the Munduk area and observe a traditional coffee processing demonstration which explains how coffee is grown, harvested, dried, cleaned, ground, and prepared in the traditional manner. You will explore the coffee plantation with an explanation of the different processes used. In the afternoon, slow down and open your body through an evening yoga session before having dinner.

Today is your last day in Bali. Start it off right by performing a one-hour morning yoga session that will restore positive energy in your body, accompanied by fresh mountain air. After breakfast, it is time to say goodbye and we will arrange your transfer to Denpasar International Airport to catch your flight home.