Here is a link to our conference call about this extraordinary trip! You can listen and follow along on this page.
Journey with us to learn, explore, incorporate, experience, and embody the spirituality of Tantra while physically challenging yourself through unique adventures.
Day 1 – Arrival, Sunset and Welcome Dinner
Day 2 – Orientation, Tanah Lot Temple, Kecak Dance
Day 3 – Jungle Trek, Ubud
Day 4 – Bicycle Tour, Legong Dance
Day 5 – Mother Temple, Purification Ritual
Day 6 – Volcano Trek, Hot Springs
Day 7 – White Water Rafting
Day 8 – Snorkeling and Farewell Dinner
Day 9 – Checkout
Optional Trip to Komodo Islands
Day One – Friday, March 29
Welcome to Bali! Yes, it was a long flight and you’ve been traveling many hours but as you step off the plane, you already feel that something’s different, something’s special. You can’t exactly put your finger on it, but Bali is not like any place you’ve been before and it feels great!
After clearing immigration and customs, you are met by Lisa A.Rizzoli, your Tour Leader and Cokorda Ratih, a real Balinese princess, who is be your Professional Guide and cultural ambassador for the next 8 days. Cok (pronounced chō) Ratih greets you with flowers and a warm Balinese smile.
After stowing your luggage, you and the other arriving group members board the van for the late afternoon ride to Tanah Lot, site of a Balinese sea temple. The world famous Pura (temple) Tanah Lot, located 30 meters off shore across a rocky flat at low tide, is one of Bali’s most beautiful and picturesque sites.
You arrive in plenty of time to check into your hotel and then view the sunset over the ocean – your first of many quintessential Balinese experiences. After sunset, you and the other group members gather to get acquainted and share a wonderful Welcome Dinner.
- Transport from Airport to Tanah Lot (arrivals between 12:30 and 3:20 PM)
- View Sunset
- Welcome Dinner
Lodging: Sinta Tanah Lot
Included: Dinner
Day Two – Saturday, March 30
Today is an easy, relaxed, relatively unstructured day to catch up with yourself after crossing so many time zones. Take your time today. You may feel the need to sleep in or relax by the pool. Bali is famous for its massage and spa services available.
If you are filled with energy and curiosity, exploration may be the order of the day. You can take a stroll through the near-by market. Yes, there is a lot of ‘touristy knick-knacks’, but for those willing to spend a little time investigating and also do a little haggling, there are some real deals to be had in sandals, leather goods, textiles and other items.
Mid-afternoon the group gathers for an orientation with Lisa and later, Cok Ratih provides a presentation on Balinese textiles, religion and spirituality and a demonstration on how to dress when you visit the temples. She presents you with a gift from Lisa of a temple sarong and sash.
Late afternoon, dressed in proper temple outfits, the group proceeds to Tanah Lot Temple. Only the holy fresh water spring, located at the base of the temple, is open to the hundreds of tourists who visit Tanah Lot every day. You, however, guided by Cok Ratih, are allowed into the inner temple courtyard where you experience the Balinese manner of making prayers and offerings before the Gods and Goddesses.
After dinner, you’re off to a performance of the dramatic and highly stylized Kecak dance. With it’s mesmerizing, syncopated chants, it’s haunting incantations and stark imagery, the Kecak promises to be one of your most unforgettable impressions of Bali.
- Breakfast
- Free time -relaxing, spa treatments, shopping, exploring
- Orientation by Lisa
- Textiles, Religions and Spirituality Presentation
- Offerings and prayers at Tanah Lot
- Evening Dance: Kecak
Lodging: Sinta Tanah Lot
Included: Breakfast
Day Three – Sunday, March 31
This morning, after the newly-established daily regimen of early morning Tantra Yoga Teachings, followed by breakfast, you gather your bags and check out of the hotel. Your ultimate destination today is the artistic and cultural capital of Bali, Ubud. Located in the lower highlands in the central region of Bali, Ubud is cooler and sometimes wetter than the coast.
But before you reach Ubud, it’s time for an adventure. On the way, the group gathers at a departure point located on the flanks of Gunung Batukaru. ‘Gunung’ means ‘mountain’ and Gunung Batukaru is one of the sacred volcanoes that forms the backbone of the Island of the Gods.
From the departure point you head deep into the jungle on a 90 minute wilderness trek to a secret destination. Along the way, you experience the irrepressible abundance of the tropical rain forest and learn about its fauna and flora.
The secret of your destination is only revealed upon your arrival but we can say that, for the Balinese, the location is one of the most deeply revered and mysterious power spots on the island – a sacred site that they treat with the greatest respect, particularly at night.
Upon completion of your trek and with a bit of time to soak in the ambient energies and vibrational tones of your journey’s end, you’re off for a late lunch overlooking the spectacular and astonishingly beautiful rice terraces of Jatiluhwih. The extensive and uniquely terraced sawah (rice fields) of Jatiluwih were nominated as a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage site.
After lunch and a further drive to Ubud, you check into the historic Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa. Designed in the uniquely Balinese style, the hotel blends into the serene beauty of its natural setting, a verdant hillside overlooking the Oos river. The hotel is the site of the home of the famous artist, Walter Spies. In the 1930’s Spies was instrumental in establishing both Bali’s modern art scene and its profile as an international tourist destination in the mid-twentieth century.
Any energy left? You have a free evening to explore the cultural and culinary delights of Ubud…
- Tantra Yoga Teachings
- Breakfast
- Checkout
- Jungle Trek from Gunung Batukaru
- Late lunch at Jatiluwih rice terraces
- Transport to Ubud
- Check In at the Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa
Lodging: Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Four – Monday, April 1
After the regular morning routine of yoga and breakfast, the group gathers outside the hotel for the start of a bicycle tour of Ubud. Ubud is not only a village in central Bali, but also a governmental district akin to a county in the USA.
The tour begins with the most difficult section of the trip, the long hill that brings you out of the Campuhan River valley and up to the level of the village of Ubud. 10 minutes of focused effort and then the rest of the trip is a piece of cake!
The tour route takes you past the historic Ubud Royal Palace and Pasar Ubud (Ubud’s traditional market). Then it’s north to the town of Petulu, famous as the home of Bali’s white cranes. Every morning thousands of cranes leave Petulu for the four corners of the island to forage for grubs and insects in the rice fields. And every evening at sunset they return in their thousands to Petulu to nest for the night.
From Petulu the route goes further north and west through rural landscapes to the famous and spectacular rice terraces of Tegallalang. After stopping for a cool drink and a very cool view, the tour continues south to the artist’s village of Keliki where you have lunch and bird’s eye view of traditional Balinese village life.
From Keliki the route takes you further south to the village of Sebali and literally the end of the road. Here you drop off your bike and proceed on foot to a trail that takes you south along a beautiful ridge that falls away on both sides to the rivers Oos and Campuhan.
The further south you hike, the closer the rivers flow toward each other. Finally at the point of their confluence, you come across a sweet, little temple that overlooks and blesses the joining of the waters. A small foot bridge brings you across to the main road and to the bridge that takes you back to the Tjampuhan Hotel. You are only a hundred meters away from where began your journey this morning.
Now you have free time for the rest of the afternoon for exploring Ubud, or a nap or a spa treatment or maybe some shopping. Your choice. This evening, you won’t want to miss the classical Balinese Legong dance performance.
- Tantra Yoga Teachings
- Breakfast
- Bicycle Tour to Ubud, Petulu, Tegalalang, Keliki and Sebali – 16.9 kilometers (10.5 miles)
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Free time to explore Ubud
- Evening Dance Performance: Legong
Lodging: Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Five – Tuesday, April 2
After yoga and breakfast, it’s another full day of exploration. We start with a beautiful morning drive north through the Balinese countryside to the most important and sacred ceremonial site on the entire island, the Mother Temple of Besakih.
Pura Besakih is a grand complex of 22 temples spread over 1 square mile, rising high on the flanks of the sacred volcanic mountain of Gunung Agung, Bali’s highest peak where the Balinese people believe the Gods and spirits of their ancestors live.
Pura Besakih is the one site on all of Bali where all the Balinese come together to worship. You are warmly welcomed here and have the opportunity to pray and make offerings to the Gods. Prayers from Besakih are potent. You may want to prepare for this moment before you arrive to truly identify your deepest heart’s desires…
After Pura Besakih, we take a beautiful drive along the rim of the huge caldera or volcanic crater of Gunung Batur to have lunch in Kintamani with a stunning view of the still active volcano and beautiful Lake Batur. It’s nice to have the view of Gunung Batur from this distance and perspective because tomorrow you will be climbing it in the middle of the night!
After lunch, you head back toward Ubud, stopping at the sacred springs of Tirta Empul at Tampak Siring. Here, from the base of a huge banyan tree, an artesian spring gushes forth flowing into pools and fountains. In a special pool, thirteen spouts direct the water for special ritual ablutions and purification. This powerful ritual is your opportunity to release old, emotional/mental/spiritual baggage that no longer serves you. Again, thoughtful preparation in advance is a very good idea…
Then it’s back to the hotel for dinner and since you have an early wakeup tomorrow, you may want to turn in early tonight.
- Tantra Yoga Teachings
- Breakfast
- Mother Temple at Besakih – offerings and prayers
- Lunch at Kintamani overlooking Gunung Batur
- Purification ritual in Tirta Empul at Tampak Siring
Lodging: Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Six – Wednesday, April 3
Yaaaawwwnnnn… It’s a 1:00 AM wakeup call and a 2:00 AM departure for the trek to the top of Gunung Batur at an altitude of 1,717 meters (5,633 feet). Your hike begins around 3:00 AM with a professional local guide who expertly escorts the group through the rugged climb.
Arriving at the top of the cinder cone, you arrive in plenty of time to greet the rising sun and experience Tantra Yoga Teachings where the view is magnificent. You can look down into the mouth of this still active volcano, which erupted as recently as 1994. Looking to the east you can see all the way across the straits to Gunung Rinjani towering over the island of Lombok. Spectacular views to the southeast, reveal nearby Gunung Abang and Gunung Agung.
By now you’re probably feeling a little hungry. There is a small warung near the top where you can stop for a well-deserved breakfast of eggs that are cooked in the steaming hot fumes escaping from the earth’s interior. In the light of day, the hike back down is faster, easier and with the expansive views, even more fun.
You’ve had a strenuous, tiring but profoundly gratifying morning, how about a bit of relaxation and pampering for those tired (maybe even sore) muscles?
At the bottom of the trek down, there is a wonderful hot springs and spa. Now is a great time to loosen up and unwind with a leisurely soak in the warm waters and a great massage. Hungry? Lunch is included. Take your time, enjoy the view, the relaxing hot soak, the restorative massage and the delicious food…
Back in Ubud in the late afternoon, you have a free evening of euphoric relaxation or energized exploration of Ubud’s night life.
- Early Morning wakeup
- Trek to see the sunrise at Gunung Batur
- Breakfast on Gunung Batur
- Hot springs and massage
- Lunch at the hot springs
- Return to Ubud
- Late Afternoon and evening free
Lodging: Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Seven – Thursday, April 4
After yoga and an early breakfast, and check out from the hotel, you are off on another exciting adventure. The Ayung is Bali’s longest river and the 12 kilometers of the Ayung River Valley near Ubud is perhaps its most beautiful, scenic stretch.
White-water rafting on the Ayung, with its class II and III rapids, is exciting, challenging and fun. Professional equipment and an expert guide ensure that it’s safe.
The Balinese rainforest, waterfalls and carefully tended rice paddies provide an exotic backdrop for your exciting journey. You may encounter jungle wildlife like Bali’s famous white cranes or if you’re really lucky, the incredibly beautiful Blue Javan Kingfisher.
In between the bouts of rushing water and rushing adrenaline, your riverine expedition includes swimming in tranquil pools, showering under cascading waterfalls and drifting gently through the timeless primeval rainforest. Dry clothes, a hearty lunch and transportation back to the hotel await you at your journey’s end.
Back at the hotel, your luggage has been loaded and you are ready to for the drive to the old Chinese port city of Tanjung Benoa on Bali’s Bukit peninsula to the south. After checking in to the hotel, you may find you have some time to explore. The beautiful Chinese temple of Klenteng Caow Eng Bio is well worth your time.
- Tantra Yoga Teachings
- Breakfast
- Ayung White water rafting – easy 1/2 day (includes lunch)
- Checkout
- Transport to Benoa
Lodging: Mata Hari Terbit
Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Eight – Friday, April 5
After early yoga and breakfast, our group gathers for pickup and transport to the docks of Tanjung Benoa. Today is the group’s final day together and your final adventure is a day of snorkeling among the teeming reefs and pristine waters off Nusa Penida.
Directly to the east of the port of Tanjung Benoa, across the Badung Strait, between Bali and Lombok, are the three sister islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida is the largest of the three and is considered one of the best scuba diving and snorkeling sites in all of Bali.
Nusa Penida’s rich bio-diversity is one of the factors making it such an attractive dive and snorkeling destination. Expect to see a myriad of different species of marine life in these crystal-clear waters.
Keep your eyes open for emperor angel fish, schools of glittering neon damsels, clown trigger fish, puffer fish, bat fish, parrot fish, moray eels, turtles and the occasional reef shark. Though seldom seen this time of year, you might get lucky and spot the amazing Mola Mola, or Ocean Sunfish. Weighing up to 5,000 lbs., it is the world’s largest bony fish.
After an extraordinary day of exploring the incredible beauty of Nusa Penida’s unspoiled reefs, with plenty of time to relax and top-up your tan, it’s time to head back to Tanjung Benoa and the hotel. A very special Farewell Dinner awaits you and the group.
Goodbyes are bittersweet, especially when you’ve shared so much with each other and made such deep friendships. Lisa will make sure that email addresses and other contact information is shared so that your connections can continue in the ‘real world’ back home.
- Tantra Yoga Teachings
- Breakfast
- Transport to the dive boat from the hotel
- Snorkeling at Nusa Penida
Includes transport to boat, equipment, dive master, lunch and return to Benoa
Lodging: Mata Hari Terbit
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day Nine – Saturday, April 6
After a final yoga session and breakfast, the group members check out and go their separate ways. For some, it’s a 20-minute ride to the airport and a flight back home. For others, it’s individual time exploring and enjoying the further delights of Bali.
- Tantra Yoga Teachings
- Breakfast
- Checkout
Included: Breakfast
Note on free times: Private Tantra sessions can be scheduled with Lisa. Sessions may be paid for at the time of booking. Half of all proceeds from these sessions will be donated to the Senang Hati Foundation. Contact her for more details.
Komodo Island Trip Extension
If you’re still in an adventurous state of mind, you may want to consider joining Lisa as she journeys to the island of Komodo to view the fabled Dragons. The trip extension is four days and three nights from April 6 to April 9. The cost is $775 per person and includes round-trip airfare from Denpasar, 2 night’s accommodations on a dive boat and one night at a hotel. Contact Lisa for more details.