BALI
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Experience the culture and daily life of rural communities in Central Bali. You will engage in a series of activities that include walking through the rice fields, making traditional coffee and coconut oil, raising animals, planting rice, and enjoying Balinese music and dance.

 

A sumptuous Balinese-style lunch will be served to you towards the end of this event. Through these activities, you will receive a thorough introduction to local perspectives and a way of life of Balinese people that is deeply immersed in nature, community, and spirituality.

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This is a hands-on experience. Lots of walking and physical tasks are involved in this activity. 

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Duration: 4 Hrs (9:00 AM to 1:00PM)

Women play a critical role in sustaining the Balinese culture. They have significant responsibilities between being a mom and working. The founder of the center, Ibu Sari created a women's center to provide local women with resources to help them meet their lifestyle demands.

 

The center offers programs in cooking, sewing, stress management, self–esteem, public speaking, yoga, and meditation (also for men), fashion, computers, and English class (also for children).

 

We will have the opportunity to understand social innovation from the grassroots level in Bali and how this community works to restore the balance between men and women in their society.

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Duration: 4 Hrs (9:00 AM to 1:00 PM)

Besakih Temple, located on the slopes of Mount Agung in Bali, is often referred to as the "Mother Temple" due to its status as the most significant and holiest Hindu temple on the island. This majestic complex, comprising over 20 individual temples, showcases exquisite Balinese architecture and religious traditions. It is believed to date back over a thousand years, with each temple dedicated to different deities and serving specific ceremonial purposes.

 

It sits right in front of the main volcano of Bali, Mount Agung. The panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including rice terraces and lush forests, add to the temple's mystical allure. As a cultural and spiritual icon, Besakih Temple attracts numerous visitors seeking to immerse themselves in the rich heritage and spiritual essence of Bali.

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On your drive you will enjoy the rice terrace views, a quintessential Balinese landscape. Lunch is included in this activity. The drive is approximately 90 minutes from Ubud. Please note, there is walking and steps involved in this activity and a reasonable fitness level is necessary.

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Duration: 5 Hrs (9:00 AM to 2:00 PM)

Meet Winda, a spirited young local hero and visionary female farmer from Blahkiuh village. Deeply invested in her birthplace's potential, she aspires to ignite inspiration within her community. Join Winda on an immersive one-day journey, exploring the village's essence from social, cultural, and modern angles.

 

Delve into the authentic local life, gaining insight into the Balinese farmer's world. Winda's passion will undoubtedly kindle a newfound appreciation for Bali, leaving you inspired by her indomitable spirit and vision for the future.

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We will be welcomed at Winda's house to enjoy tea and relish Balinese snacks and local fruits from her family. We will take a delightful village tour, exploring Winda's gardens and her organic farm.

 

We will pick veggies and savor home-cooked delights. Get hands-on with farming activities.⁠Delight in a special lunch prepared with love from Winda's Mother's harvest. Learn the art of crafting a tasty and healthy jamu herbal drink using freshly picked herbal leaves.

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Duration: 5 Hrs (9:00 AM to 2:00 PM)

Afternoons are always a good time to visit Uluwatu, the southern tip of the island. Not only to admire the lovely sunset from the top of the cliff but also to watch the famous Kecak Dance Performance, also known as the Bali Fire dance, which overlooks Uluwatu Temple.

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​The dance narrates the story of Asia’s most famous epic, Ramayana. Although originally from India this story has since spread to every corner of Asia, in particular, South East Asia through the same channel as Hindu and Buddhist teachings.  

 

In Bali, the Ramayana story has become part of the cultural life and religious and moral teachings since the Hindu teachings came to the island around 100 BC.

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We only recommend doing this activity if the group is staying in Sanur for extra nights as it closer to that area. We do not recommend doing this activity from Ubud as it will take total of 5 Hours drive time. Please ask us if you still wish to do a fire dance in Ubud as this might be possible at one of the local temples.

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Duration: 4 Hrs (3:00 PM to 8:00 PM) 

An Original Balinese Cooking Class in Ubud Bali, offers you an opportunity to learn how to cook real Balinese food with local ingredients, with skilled and friendly chef Putu. This is a cultural experience not to be missed.

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Our lovely chef Putu emphasizes a friendly teaching style centered on actually doing, rather than watching. She guarantees that by the time you complete the activity you will not only have learned a thing or two about Balinese cooking but will also have had a most memorable experience.

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It is set in a traditional balinese village home where she and her extended family lives. Here guests get to channel their inner chef as they learn how to cook an assortment of delicious Balinese dishes. Then they get to enjoy their culinary delights for lunch!

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This activity takes place in a small village near Ubud. The driving time depends upon the location of the venue. It is 15 minutes drive from the centre of Ubud. 

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Duration: 4 hours

Walk down any street in Bali, and the first thing you’ll see by your feet are the daily offerings - small, square, woven baskets made from cut coconut leaves and filled with flowers – accompanied by an assortment of gifts for the Gods and topped with a single  stick of incense.

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There are incredible variety in the offerings Balinese offer. We will learn how to make the everyday offerings as you understand their significance in the Balinese culture.

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This activity will be done at the venue.

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Duration: 1 - 2 Hrs

Balinese dance culture incorporates ancient Hindu traditions with drama that tell stories through dance and music. Dances can represent how the character fights demons and evil spirits.

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Various types of dances involve the dancer moving their arms, legs, neck, and fingers in a jolted angular motion with wide eyes open and some incorporate martial arts or swaying movements. Learning about these dances gives us more appreciation for what they mean and what they represent in Balinese culture.

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Guests will be taught basic Balinese dance movements and their meanings under an expert instructor. This will involve mastering fluid finger movements and graceful steps synchronized to the hypnotic sounds of the gamelan orchestra.

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This session takes place at the venue either at yoga shall or at workshop space. 

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Class: 1 Hour

Ubud is the cultural centre of Bali and is famous for its dances, and Tanah Gajah Ubud is proud to host a dance troupe of between fifty and seventy boys and men from the local community who perform the Kecak dance. 

The spectacular 30 minute-long Balinese Kecak and fire dance performances are held at Tanah Gajah Ubud's candle-lit outdoor amphitheatre, every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday starting from 7:00 pm, followed by an opportunity for guests to take photos with the talented performers before heading to The Tempayan restaurant for the Royal Rijsttafel dinner experience. 

This activity takes place in a resort, which is approx. 15 minutes from the center of Ubud.

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Duration: 2 Hrs (6:30 PM to 8:30 PM) - Only available on Tuesdays and Fridays. 

In Bali, agricultural life revolves around farming, a cornerstone of our economic growth. The Subak system, an ancient UNESCO heritage, holds a unique place in our hearts. Developed in the 9th century, Subak is a remarkable water management (irrigation) system for our paddy fields. For Balinese, irrigation is not merely watering plants; it's constructing a harmonious, pulsed artificial ecosystem. The system encompasses five terraced rice fields and water temples, extending across nearly 20,000 hectares. These temples form the heart of our cooperative water management, creating a timeless tapestry of tradition and sustainability.

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Engage with local farmers and embark on a guided tour of the Subak system.⁠ Learn about the rich history of Subak and witness the collective efforts of farmers in nurturing their fields. Visit the Subak temple and discover the profound relationship between spirituality and agricultural practices. Explore the rice production house and witness the meticulous process from planting to storage. Participate in rice planting and plowing, guided by Balinese farmers and their cows.

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Duration: 4 Hrs

Ibu Made, a local hero, elevates her village through herbal tea production, empowering over a hundred

women to cultivate herbs and providing job opportunities at her factory. With 25 unique blends,

including moringa, rosella, jasmine, pandanus, and floral teas, her recipes showcase creativity. Explore her vibrant garden and join in a local high tea ceremony, immersing yourself in the flavors intricately woven into the fabric of her community's economy and culture.

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Meet Ibu Made and delve into her inspirational story and the motivation behind her movement. Tour her exquisite garden, discovering the herbs and plants used in tea production. Ibu Made your own herbal tea and blend your taste. ⁠Engage in a High Tea ceremony, sampling over five different teas paired with local desserts. Participate in a discussion with the tea expert herself, gaining profound insights. Receive a tea gift as a token of this enriching experience.

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Duration: 4 Hrs

We all love documenting beautiful experiences on camera to show it to our family and friends back home or to use it as a means of marketing a retreat for your tribe.  In this digital marketing age, we all know how powerful videos and photos can be. Soul Bliss Journeys have realized the importance of documenting your retreat experience, so we started offering these services to our retreat leaders.

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We charge $100 USD per hour. You will get all the 4K raw footage, one professional edited compilation video and all the photographs taken on the shoot. If you choose 7 hrs or more in total for your retreat, you get a discounted hourly rate of $70 per hour.

 

You can choose any activity on your retreat to be filmed. We highly recommend you to get your retreat filmed, so you can use the professional videos for your next retreats.

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You can also book the photographer for your personal photoshoots. This can be booked by individual guests as well. All the footage will be given within 2 weeks after the shoot. 

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Duration: You can select the hours you want the shoot to be and the exact content you want to receive.