Bali has enormous potential for the development of spiritual tourism. The nickname of Bali as the island of thousand temples is a strength to develop spiritual tourism aimed at those of you who seek peace and harmony. In addition to fulfilling the desire to take a walk, spiritual tourism activities are also considered as a form of worship so that the experience gained cannot be equated with the journey to ordinary tourist attractions.
Hotels:
- Sankara Resort - Deluxe Room
- Munduk Moding Plantation - Garden Plantation
Included:
Meals (one drink included at dinner):
- 8 Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
Activities:
- Experience a Temple Blessing
- Enjoy a Spa Treatment
- Visit the Ubud Monkey Forest
- Bike Tour through Central Bali
- Take part in Canang Making
- Enjoy a Guided Waterfall Hike
- Ulun Danu Temple Visit
- Canoe on Lake Tamblingan
- Local Village Tour
- Organic Coffee Plantation Visit and Tasting
- Yoga, Meditation, Wellness and Stretching
Other Services:
- One round-trip group airport transfer privately in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Transportation privately in an air-conditioned vehicle during the tours mentioned on the program
- Official English-speaking guide service during the mentioned program
- Entrance fees, road tolls, taxes, VAT
- Porterage service at the hotels (1 bag per person)
Not Included:
- Meals not mentioned in the program
- Tips for porters, guide and driver- the value of the tip is up to the client
- All other services not mentioned as included
- Personal expenses
- International and domestic airfare throughout the program
- Domestic and International airport taxes, airport porter and extra baggage
- Hotel early check-in and late check-out
- Drinks or personal expenses or entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
- Indonesian Visa fee
Notes:
- International flights should arrive and depart out of Ngurah Rai International Airport
- All tour, excursions and classes are on a private basis for retreat group participants
- Times given are for reference and can be altered according to your personal requirements. While we make every effort to personalize itineraries, departure and pick up times are subject to change due to external factors
998093
Day
1
Arrival Bali – Welcome Dinner
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.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
2
Yoga – Ubud Tour – Temple Blessing – Spa Treatment
Before you start your day, you will have an hour long private yoga session at the hotel’s yoga pavilion. The class for intermediate to advanced yogis is at 7AM, and the class for beginner yogis is at 8:30AM.
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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
3
The Beauty of Central Bali on Bike and Foot – Yoga
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 a restorative yoga session at 4:30PM.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
4
Jungle Rice Field and Waterfall Hike- Canang Making- Spa
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
5
Yoga – Traditional Bali & Natural Wonders – Yoga
Before you start your day, you will have an hour long private yoga session at the hotel’s yoga pavilion. The class for intermediate to advanced yogis is at 7AM and the class for beginner yogis is at 8:30AM.
After finishing your yoga session, 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.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
6
Yoga – Taman Ayun – Rainforest Trekking & Canoeing
In the morning, get ready for the last yoga session in Ubud. Choose your own session as there are two different sessions for intermediate & advanced at 7 AM and beginners at 8:30 AM.
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Munduk Moding Plantation- Garden Suite
Day
7
Yoga – Off the Beaten Village Tour – Yoga
Another one-hour yoga session is scheduled for intermediate, advanced, and beginner yogis before having breakfast.
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 stretch and relax during the long holds of a restorative yoga session.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Munduk Moding Plantation- Garden Suite
Day
8
Yoga – Organic Coffee Plantation – Yoga – Dinner
Enjoy a morning one hour yoga session for intermediate, advanced, and beginner yogis before 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 and during the harvest time, which takes place from June—August, have a chance to witness the processing of coffee cherries on site with an explanation of the different processes used.
In the afternoon, slow down and open your body through passive stretching in this restorative yoga session before having dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Munduk Moding Plantation- Garden Suite
Day
9
Yoga – Departure
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.
Meals: Breakfast
The activity Level for this tour is:
Light - Nothing too challenging. Light walking, uneven surfaces, snorkeling and hiking suitable for most fitness levels.
Optional Tour: Sunrise Over Mt. Batur
A 2am departure is essential this morning as you drive then hike up to the summit of Mount Batur, where you will arrive in time for sunrise. Starting your ascent at 1200m above sea level, the trek to the summit (1717m) will take between 1½ and 2 hours. The reward for the early wakeup call is a stunning vista of the surrounding countryside as well as views of the crater itself. After a simple breakfast it is time to make the descent, allowing time to visit en route the three younger craters and any recent lava flow.
Toya Bungkah Hot Springs is the next stop on today’s itinerary. Located in the village of Penelokan, there are two natural pools at these hot springs and legend has it that the heated mineral water inside them is said to cure all sorts of ailments. Enjoy a soothing dip in the pools before having lunch en-route returning to your island accommodation.
Note: The sunrise trekking is recommended for anyone with minimum age of 12 years old.
Itinerary
Day
1
Arrival Bali – Welcome Dinner
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.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
2
Yoga – Ubud Tour – Temple Blessing – Spa Treatment
Before you start your day, you will have an hour long private yoga session at the hotel’s yoga pavilion. The class for intermediate to advanced yogis is at 7AM, and the class for beginner yogis is at 8:30AM.
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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
3
The Beauty of Central Bali on Bike and Foot – Yoga
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 a restorative yoga session at 4:30PM.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
4
Jungle Rice Field and Waterfall Hike- Canang Making- Spa
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
5
Yoga – Traditional Bali & Natural Wonders – Yoga
Before you start your day, you will have an hour long private yoga session at the hotel’s yoga pavilion. The class for intermediate to advanced yogis is at 7AM and the class for beginner yogis is at 8:30AM.
After finishing your yoga session, 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.
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Sankara Resort- Deluxe Room
Day
6
Yoga – Taman Ayun – Rainforest Trekking & Canoeing
In the morning, get ready for the last yoga session in Ubud. Choose your own session as there are two different sessions for intermediate & advanced at 7 AM and beginners at 8:30 AM.
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.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Munduk Moding Plantation- Garden Suite
Day
7
Yoga – Off the Beaten Village Tour – Yoga
Another one-hour yoga session is scheduled for intermediate, advanced, and beginner yogis before having breakfast.
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 stretch and relax during the long holds of a restorative yoga session.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Munduk Moding Plantation- Garden Suite
Day
8
Yoga – Organic Coffee Plantation – Yoga – Dinner
Enjoy a morning one hour yoga session for intermediate, advanced, and beginner yogis before 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 and during the harvest time, which takes place from June—August, have a chance to witness the processing of coffee cherries on site with an explanation of the different processes used.
In the afternoon, slow down and open your body through passive stretching in this restorative yoga session before having dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Munduk Moding Plantation- Garden Suite
Day
9
Yoga – Departure
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.
Meals: Breakfast
The activity Level for this tour is:
Light - Nothing too challenging. Light walking, uneven surfaces, snorkeling and hiking suitable for most fitness levels.
Supplemental Options:
Bali Yoga and Spiritual Encounter Optional Tour
Optional Tour: Sunrise Over Mt. Batur
A 2am departure is essential this morning as you drive then hike up to the summit of Mount Batur, where you will arrive in time for sunrise. Starting your ascent at 1200m above sea level, the trek to the summit (1717m) will take between 1½ and 2 hours. The reward for the early wakeup call is a stunning vista of the surrounding countryside as well as views of the crater itself. After a simple breakfast it is time to make the descent, allowing time to visit en route the three younger craters and any recent lava flow.
Toya Bungkah Hot Springs is the next stop on today’s itinerary. Located in the village of Penelokan, there are two natural pools at these hot springs and legend has it that the heated mineral water inside them is said to cure all sorts of ailments. Enjoy a soothing dip in the pools before having lunch en-route returning to your island accommodation.
Note: The sunrise trekking is recommended for anyone with minimum age of 12 years old.
Have Questions? Email Us or call us at 754-457-9870
Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Accommodation names are subject to availability. Should accommodation mentioned on specific itinerary not be available, a similar or higher rated accommodation will be substituted. Single room allotments are subject to availability and booked on a FCFS basis. Fit4Travel will work with each vendor or supplier to secure as many single rooms as possible to accommodate each traveler.
