16 Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Ubud for Retreat Organizers

The right things to do in Ubud can shape your retreat program, elevate guest experience, and help you honor Balinese culture—all while keeping logistics smooth and energy high.

Here, we share field-tested activities tailored for experienced retreat organizers: options that fit real group needs, support program flow, and integrate meaningful cultural touchpoints without overextending your schedule or your guests.

1. Evening Kecak Dance at Ubud Palace or Pura Dalem Agung

Transform your group’s understanding of Balinese culture with an authentic Kecak dance experience. These performances anchor a retreat night with communal energy, mythic story, and powerful ritual.

• Book at Ubud Palace, Pura Dalem Agung, or Pura Taman Saraswati for convenient central access and impressive heritage architecture.
• The venue’s firelit, trance-driven chorus situates your group in the heart of Balinese tradition. With most shows starting at 7 pm, a 60–90 minute commitment offers maximum impact without draining energy.
• For logistics, secure a block of seats 4–8 weeks out, especially for Friday/Sunday, so your cohort sits together and engages deeply.
• Modest dress and a pre-show briefing on context generate respect and reduce distractions. That elevates the ritual for guests and hosts alike.
• Use this as an anchor point: Pair with reflective circles or journaling exercises themed around mythic archetypes and transformation.

Anchor your retreat’s communal arc with a cultural ritual that connects every attendee to place and purpose.

2. Goa Gajah Elephant Cave for Quiet Morning Contemplation

Goa Gajah sets a calm, reverent tone. Efficient, serene, and rooted in both Hindu and Buddhist symbology, it’s the site we suggest for a mindful start.

Begin early to avoid crowds and the heat, coordinating a guided group introduction to temple etiquette.
Compact grounds and T-shaped meditation caves keep your group together, easing headcounts and transitions.

• Short stairs and shaded paths make it ideal for low-impact movement blocks.
• Arm participants with sarongs and sashes, and offer a cultural briefing on offerings and the site’s syncretic history.
• Use the streams and surrounding forest for collective breathwork or intention-setting.

This visit works best as a gentle opener or integrative morning, followed by a short market stop for local fruit tasting.
The ancient cave, cool air, and ritual echoes foster stillness without overwhelming.

3. Tirta Empul Melukat Water Purification in Tampaksiring

For authentic renewal mid-retreat, nothing rivals a guided melukat water purification at Tirta Empul.
Balinese spiritual protocols meet group intention work here.

• Secure a knowledgeable local guide or pemangku for respectful, informed participation, including managing order at each fountain.
• Arrive at sunrise to minimize crowds; allow 2–3 hours including changing time.
• Clearly brief on the sequence, sacred intent, menstrual and modesty protocols, and set up consent forms ahead of time.

Participants benefit most when this rite is paired with post-ritual integration. A silent bus ride and grounding snacks afterward settle the energy and process emotion.

• Bringing advance dry clothes, towels, and hair ties keeps logistics smooth in changing facilities.
• A short blessing from the pemangku or a group intention circle adds cohesion.

This purification day stands out for its deep release work and group cohesion—your cohort comes away clearer and more connected.

4. Tegalalang Rice Terrace Walk and Subak Story

Bring your group into Bali’s living landscape, and ground teachings in reciprocity and stewardship with a sunrise walk at Tegalalang.

• Arrive early for misty terraces and less foot traffic. 60–120 minutes lets you move at a gentle pace, perfect for diverse abilities.
• Share the Subak story: These ancient, community-governed irrigation systems embody collective flow and responsibility.
• Invite a local farmer or subak representative to share wisdom about seasonal cycles and cooperative labor.
• Follow with an ethical coffee tasting or reflection circle in a nearby cafe, tying the landscape to daily choices.

The walk isn’t just scenery. It’s an experience in flow, pace, and mindful resource use—less touristy checklist, more immersive ecology.

5. Sunrise or Sunset Campuhan Ridge Walk for Nervous System Ease

Campuhan Ridge Walk delivers energy, presence, and perspective—no bus required, just a short stroll from the center.

• Paved ridge, 2 km one way, makes it accessible for most; perfect for sunrise or golden hour for nervous system reset.
• Silent walk blocks, breath awareness, or paired mirroring enhance depth and group coherence.
• Use the halfway point for collective integration—silent sits, partner shares, or nature journaling.

Bringing the group here day one or two sets a grounded tone, forging connection and spatial orientation without fatigue.

6. Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary with Ecological Learning

Mix biodiversity with playful curiosity.
Monkey Forest holds living temples and hundreds of macaques, offering a direct lesson in boundaries, sacred space, and ecological interdependence.

• Arrive early for less heat and calmer animal behavior; keep groups in pods for safe, respectful movement.
• No feeding, secure bags, and a hand-wash protocol reduce risk and keep everyone focused.
• Assign observation checklists—behavioral cues, plant species, temple details—to channel attention productively.

Use the Sanctuary as a gentle, lightly physical afternoon block, especially after intensive inner-work mornings.

7. Mount Batur Sunrise Hike With Optional Hot Springs

Peak experience, peak confidence.
The Mount Batur sunrise hike fits for motivated, able cohorts willing to wake at 2:30 am, powering through a 1–2 hour ascent.

• Prebook trusted guides for safety, pacing, and group management. Avoid unregulated checkpoint upselling by arranging everything early.
• Offer a sunrise ritual at the summit, and silence on the descent to deepen integration.
• For those not hiking, set up a parallel sunrise practice on-site.

The hike releases adrenaline, showcases your leadership, and gives participants a tangible win.

8. Tegenungan Waterfall Swim and Nature Reset

Deliver a high-sensory reset.
Tegenungan Waterfall offers physical release and playful reward after intensive work.

• Early arrival rewards your group with privacy and cooler air.
• Set swim boundaries, use a buddy system, and prep a safety brief to protect all abilities.
• Water clarity and current change fast with rainfall—monitor before entry and have a back-up plan.

Pair the falls with somatic integration work or a breath focus session. Always prep for changing and storage.

9. ARMA Museum for Art, History, and Quiet Reflection

Midday heat? Shift gears.
ARMA Museum offers shaded gardens and climate-controlled galleries for contemplative enrichment.

• Book a private guide to highlight Balinese masterworks and invite focused, art-based reflection.
• Ask each guest to anchor a theme of the day in a specific piece of art; share in dyads or team circles.
• Workshops in painting or mask-carving extend the experience, giving participants embodied memories and creative flow.

ARMA isn’t just passive viewing—used well, it becomes an active anchor for reflection and shared meaning within your retreat arc.

10. Sound Healing Immersions at Pyramids of Chi

When you need to reset the group’s nervous system or mark a milestone, a sound immersion delivers. Pyramids of Chi stands out for its acoustics and session variety.

• Private bookings for large groups secure the energy and ensure everyone drops in. The unique pyramid architecture creates resonant sound that shifts states fast.
• Ancient Sound Healing or bowl immersions fit integration or pre-departure. Schedule 20–30 minutes afterward for silent tea or journaling—this solidifies the shift.
• Screen guests for medical contraindications and create opt-out zones for those needing quieter space.

This experience leaves most guests refreshed, grounded, and ready to reflect.

11. Daily Classes or Training Drop-Ins at The Yoga Barn

Every organizer hits a moment where outside expertise levels up your program. The Yoga Barn offers specialized classes beyond your core curriculum.

• Book private workshops for tailored group focus, or let advanced practitioners drop in for electives.
• Reserve all spots in advance. This prevents overbooking and aligns teaching with your retreat’s arc.
• Sync session content with your vision to avoid topic drift. After any external class, debrief for integration.

Broaden the modalities your cohort accesses without diluting your core teachings.

12. Ubud Story Walks for Context, Myth, and Meaning

Rich context minimizes awkward tourist missteps. Ubud Story Walks are short, powerful doses of local history, lineage, and myth.

• Use at the start of your retreat to fast-track cultural literacy.
• Split larger groups to maintain intimacy. Stagger start times if needed—this personalizes engagement.
• Connect themes like stewardship or design directly to the walk’s stories, reinforcing your retreat’s narrative arc.

Layering in these walks helps participants move through Ubud with humility, awareness, and deeper connection.

13. Balinese Cooking Class and Farm Harvest

Make your group meal a ritual, not a routine. A farm-to-table class grounds your guests in local foodways, sparks teamwork, and ends with a beautiful feast.

• Start with a market or farm tour for hands-on ingredient sourcing.
• Opt for kitchens that adapt to dietary needs and keep prep social but structured.
• Use the meal as a container for conversation around grounding, seasonal balance, or group cohesion.

Cooking together gives everyone a role. Participants remember these meals far longer than a standard restaurant dinner.

14. Silver Jewelry Making at Parallel Universe

Anchor your retreat’s transformation theme with intention-based jewelry making at Parallel Universe.

• Small group classes ensure 1:1 guidance, and daily time slots allow flexible scheduling.
• Ask attendees to arrive with a word, symbol, or idea to cast in silver. Tie this session to a later closing ritual for added impact.
• Some pieces need extra finishing; check if pickup or shipping is required.

Participants leave with wearable meaning—proof of the deep work they did together.

15. Ethical Coffee Tasting and Kopi Luwak Conversation

Coffee is a ritual in Bali. Use a tasting to explore ethical sourcing and supply chains, drawing clear lines on animal welfare.

• Choose producers that avoid caged civet practices, then guide your group through method and profile comparisons.
• Offer decaf and herbal options for inclusivity.
• Use this session to link daily choices to your retreat’s sustainability commitments.

Mindful consumption starts with awareness. The conversation is often as meaningful as the tasting itself.

16. Finnish Sauna and Ice Bath Reset at Basundari Retreat Bali

A retreat isn’t complete without a deep physical reset, and this is where our Finnish sauna and ice bath cycle excels.

• No need for transport. On-site contrast therapy means less stress, more time for reflection.
• Medical screening ensures safe participation, while our guided protocols deliver an effective, contained experience.
• We hold these sessions in jungle-view lounges and give everyone space for integration by the pool or in our bamboo shala.

This block is a peak nervous system intervention. It’s controlled, revitalizing, and simple to customize for group size.

We’ve crafted our sauna and ice bath sessions to reduce logistical headaches and deliver full-body results right where you need them—on site.

Build a Cohesive Program Arc That Honors Place and Capacity

Creating a retreat in Ubud isn’t about cramming days or chasing photo spots. It’s about choreography.
You need a sequence that gives richness without burnout and activities that fit your group’s flow.

Core program design steps:

• Choose 2–3 anchor outings; supplement with gentle walks and site-based integration.
• Open with grounding (Goa Gajah, Campuhan), peak with collective rituals (Kecak, Tirta Empul), then close with on-site integration (sauna-ice, sound healing).
• Buffer transport estimates and run staggered shuttles for 16+ guests.
• Split large groups into separate tracks to keep energy focused and avoid bottlenecks.
• Match your off-site adventures with energy levels—active mornings, restful afternoons.
• Run short, clear cultural briefings before temples and villages.

Having these measures in place maintains professionalism, keeps trust high, and ensures the value of every outing.

FAQs for Retreat Organizers Planning Things to Do in Ubud

Confident planning means asking the right questions up front.
Here’s what experienced organizers like you want to know:

• Two anchor cultural experiences, a nature immersion, a creative workshop, and one flexible block is optimal for a week.
• Keep main activity groups to 8–16 for smooth flow; use pods if over 20.
• Sarongs, sashes, shoulders covered, and dry layers are a must for all rituals.
• Book sound healing, cooking, and workshops well in advance.
• Use pre-ordered meals or clear cafe stops on activity days to manage dietary needs.

Get waivers, consent, and health screens before your program. Use WhatsApp for live updates and keep emergency info accessible on all transport and at all venues.

Conclusion

Every experience you choose in Ubud is a lever for transformation.
Less is more: thoughtfully chosen rituals, nature, and integration blocks drive real results.

We’ve designed Basundari Retreat Bali to help you realize those results without logistical stress. From our on-site Finnish sauna and ice bath reset to eco-friendly practices and session-ready shala, your programming lands stronger—and your guests leave changed.
Ready to create a retreat that delivers at every turn? Contact us to learn more about making your vision seamless and unforgettable.