Bali Sanctuary Retreat
Eight days that split Bali into its two best halves: three nights among Ubud's rice terraces and water temples, then the cliffs and beach clubs of the south, with sunset Kecak at Uluwatu in between.
- Best time to go
- April to October is the dry season. July and August are busiest, so book villas early; May, June and September are the sweet spot.
- Flying from India
- 6 to 7 hours on the few non-stop services from India where they operate; otherwise 9 to 12 hours with one stop in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok.
- Visa for Indian passports
- Visa on arrival or e-VOA for Indian passports (IDR 500,000, 30 days, extendable once), plus Bali's tourist levy paid online before you fly.
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Cards work in hotels and restaurants; carry cash for temples, warungs and markets.
Bali at a glance
Ubud sits in the cool green middle of the island, about 90 minutes from the airport. It is where Balinese ceremony is most visible: offerings on every step, gamelan practice in the banjar halls, and dance at the palace most nights. Three nights here lets you walk the terraces early, climb Batur for sunrise and still have an afternoon by the pool.
The south is a different Bali. Uluwatu's limestone cliffs drop to surf beaches reached by steps, and Pura Luhur Uluwatu hosts the Kecak every evening. Seminyak and Canggu, 40 minutes up the coast, are for long lunches, beach clubs and shopping. Splitting your stay avoids the traffic that makes day trips between the two tiring.
Must-see
- Tegallalang rice terraces
- Tirta Empul water temple
- Pura Luhur Uluwatu
- Mount Batur at sunrise
- Padang Padang and Bingin beaches
Food to try
- Babi guling or ayam betutu
- Nasi campur at a village warung
- Sate lilit
- Jimbaran grilled seafood
- Kopi Bali and jaja (rice cakes)
Where to shop
- Ubud Art Market and Jalan Hanoman
- Seminyak's Jalan Kayu Aya boutiques
- Celuk silver village
- Mas wood carvers
- Canggu's Batu Bolong strip
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
Ubud, Petanu and Ayung river valleys
Jungle pool villas
Villas built into the river gorges east and west of Ubud, each with its own plunge pool facing the jungle. Ten to twenty minutes from the town centre, so evenings are quiet.
Uluwatu, Bukit peninsula
Clifftop villas
Villas on the cliffs between Uluwatu and Nusa Dua with infinity pools over the Indian Ocean. Best for sunsets, surf beaches and Kecak, ten minutes from the temple.
Seminyak and Canggu
Private villa compounds
Walled villas with two to five bedrooms, a pool garden and staff who cook breakfast. Walking distance to beach clubs and restaurants, ideal for families and friends travelling together.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build Bali journeys around
Mount Batur at sunrise
A 4 am start from Ubud and a two-hour climb up the 1,717 m volcano with a local guide. Breakfast is cooked in the steam vents at the rim while the sun comes up over Mount Agung.
Tegallalang terraces, swings and ATV trails
Walk the terraces at 7 am before the crowds, ride one of the jungle swings over the valley, then take a two-hour quad-bike trail through the villages and paddy tracks north of Ubud.
Legong at Ubud Palace
The palace courtyard hosts dance most evenings. Legong is danced by young women in gold brocade to a full gamelan; arrive 20 minutes early for a front-row mat.
Uluwatu's cliff beaches
Padang Padang, Bingin and Suluban are reached by steps cut into the cliff. Go at low tide for rock pools, and stay for the sunset from a clifftop warung.
Day sail to Nusa Lembongan
A fast boat from Sanur reaches Lembongan in about 30 minutes. Snorkel Crystal Bay or the mangrove channels, then lunch on the sand before the afternoon crossing back.
Balinese massage and boreh
A traditional Balinese massage followed by a boreh scrub of rice, ginger and cloves. We book therapists who trained in the village tradition, in an open-air room.
Wellness & Rejuvenation
Traditions worth making time for in Bali
Balinese massage
Long strokes, acupressure and warm coconut or frangipani oil; most villas can arrange it in your room.
Boreh and lulur
Traditional scrubs of spices and rice powder used by farmers after work, and by brides before a wedding.
Yoga in Ubud
Drop-in classes at open-air shalas overlooking the rice fields, from gentle hatha to vinyasa.
Water blessing
A guided melukat cleansing at a spring temple, with a priest explaining each step and offering.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every Bali traveller
When to visit
April to October (dry)
Sunny, lower humidity and calm seas for Nusa trips. July, August and Indian school holidays are busiest.
November to March (wet)
Short heavy afternoon showers, lush terraces and lower villa rates. Christmas and New Year sell out regardless.
Getting there and around
Into Denpasar
Ngurah Rai International Airport is in the south. Ubud is 75 to 90 minutes away by road, Uluwatu about 40 minutes.
On the island
There is no train; you travel with a private driver for the whole stay, and fast boats from Sanur for the Nusa islands.
Insider notes
Plan around Nyepi
On Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence in March, the whole island shuts for 24 hours, including the airport. Staying in is the experience; we will tell you the date for your year.
Leave the south by 3 pm
Traffic between Ubud and the south is heaviest late afternoon. We schedule the transfer for the morning, with a stop at Tirta Empul or a waterfall.
Carry a sarong
Every temple requires a sarong and sash. Most lend them at the gate, but your own is more comfortable and makes impromptu visits easy.
Book the Kecak seat early
The Uluwatu amphitheatre fills by 5.30 pm in high season. We buy tickets in advance and get you there for the walk along the cliff first.
Bali: Common Questions
For eight days we suggest three nights in Ubud and four by the sea, split between Uluwatu and Seminyak if you like both quiet and nightlife. Fewer than two nights in Ubud means you see it only from a car.
Plan your Bali journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our Bali specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
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