Balinese Spa & Yoga Wellness Escape in Ubud

Blue Karma Dijiwa Ubud is a boutique property perched in the hills above Ubud, Bali's cultural heartland. The retreat runs over four days and three nights, with a focus on traditional Balinese spa treatments, daily yoga, and a handful of cultural workshops that give you something to actually do between massages.

The spa programme is the centrepiece. You'll receive three 60-minute treatments across your stay: a traditional Balinese massage on arrival day, a body scrub and mask session on day two, and a Kobido face massage on day three. Kobido is a Japanese facial technique that's meant to tone and lift — your therapist spends 45 minutes working the face after a 15-minute head, neck and shoulder warm-up. All treatments end with wedang jahe, a hot ginger drink.

Yoga happens daily, either in the morning or afternoon depending on the schedule. Classes are hatha-style, taught by Gusti Ayu Made Sukariani, who trained locally under Sri Paramahamsa Isatwananda Swami and has been teaching since 2015. She adapts sessions to the room — whether that's absolute beginners or experienced practitioners — with an emphasis on breath, gentle movement, and sincerity.

Between treatments, you can join two cultural workshops: the Boreh class teaches you to prepare a traditional Balinese warming balm from scratch, while the Jamu class walks you through making a turmeric-based healing drink that locals have been drinking for centuries. Both run at 1:30pm on alternating days and need to be booked in advance.

Meals are included — breakfast daily, two lunches (including one picnic-style lunch on the grounds), and three dinners. The kitchen serves multi-course menus with dishes like moringa chicken wonton, sirloin steak, BBQ pork ribs, and matcha crêpes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and organic options are available.

The retreat is small and self-contained. There's no rigid group programming — you move through the schedule at your own pace, with plenty of downtime to swim in the pool, read in the garden, or simply sit with the view.

What's included

- 3 nights accommodation in private suite - Airport pickup (one way) - Daily breakfast - 2 lunches including one picnic experience - 3 dinners (multi-course) - Daily yoga classes - 60-minute traditional Balinese massage - 60-minute body scrub and mask treatment - 60-minute Kobido face massage - Boreh class (Balinese herbal balm preparation) - Jamu class (traditional turmeric healing drink) - Welcome drink - Tea, coffee and water throughout the day - Free wifi

What's not included

- International flights - Visa fees - Travel insurance - Return airport transfer - Additional spa treatments - Activities not in the itinerary - Personal expenses - Optional excursions (cooking class, temple visits, etc.)