6-Day Balinese Yoga, Culture & Spa Retreat in Bali

There's a particular kind of calm that comes from spending six days in a place that isn't trying to impress you. This retreat is for anyone who wants to slow down, move their body, and get an honest look at Balinese life, whether you've practised yoga for years or you're just starting out. The two daily sessions can generally be adapted to your own pace, so you don't need to arrive with any special level of experience, only a willingness to join in.

The practice here is traditional Balinese Watukaru Yoga, with two yoga and meditation sessions each day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Around those sessions, the days fill up with cultural activities that put you in the thick of village life: rice farming, a waterfall purification, a Balinese cooking class, offering making, a music class, or a visit to a local shaman. There's also a beach yoga session and a one-hour massage treatment included, so the days balance effort with rest.

You'll be staying at Balitrees in Sesandan Village, Tabanan, near Mount Watukaru. The whole property is run by the village itself, and all staff are local people, which gives the place an authentic glimpse into Balinese Hindu culture that a conventional resort simply can't offer. The rooms are simple guesthouse rooms a few minutes' walk from the main lobby and dining area. Standard rooms come with a garden-facing terrace, a lounge area, a flat-screen TV, air conditioning, a shower, a wardrobe, a desk, and comfortable Balinese-style bedding, placing you right in the middle of village life, where you'll hear roosters and gamelan music rather than traffic. Upgrade to a superior room and you're closer to the lobby, with views over rice paddies and coconut trees, soft Egyptian cotton bedding, and artwork by local village artists. There's a pool on the property overlooking the rice fields, a good spot to cool off between sessions. It's not a fancy resort, but it's clean, comfortable, and full of genuine hospitality.

A typical day begins with morning yoga and meditation, followed by breakfast and a morning cultural activity, then lunch. The afternoon brings a second yoga session and another village activity, and evenings are spent over a shared dinner. On your first day you'll arrive and settle in, with an afternoon session and a cultural activity before dinner; on your final day there's a morning session, breakfast, a last activity, and lunch before you depart.

All meals are vegetarian or vegan, made with local and organic produce: traditional Indonesian and Balinese dishes, fresh tropical fruits like dragon fruit, guava, and snake fruit, and food prepared with care. The retreat can cater to various dietary needs, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-allergy-friendly, so do contact the team in advance if you have any.

Your six days include five nights' accommodation, three daily Balinese meals, two daily yoga sessions and two daily cultural excursions, a beach yoga session, a one-hour massage, and water, tea, and coffee throughout the day, along with internet access and pre and post retreat support from the team. Flights, travel insurance, and personal expenses are not included.

What's included

- 6 days, 5 nights accommodation - 3 daily Balinese meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - 2 daily traditional Balinese Watukaru Yoga sessions - 2 daily cultural activities/excursions (e.g., rice farming, waterfall purification) - Beach yoga session - 1 hour massage treatment - Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day - Internet access - Pre and post retreat support from the team

What's not included

- Flights - Travel insurance - Personal expenses - Additional cultural tours to temples or hot spring (with private guide) - Additional spa treatments