Come join us in Paradise with a 10 day/9 night all inclusive wellness retreat to Ubud, Bali!

No island has enchanted travelers quite like Bali. Smaller than Hawaii’s big island, Bali packs countless adventures into one small package. Dazzling beaches beckon the sun seekers and surfers along the island’s southwest coast, while ancient temples and a thriving wellness scene draw travelers inland to Ubud. It’s the kind of place where hedonists, relaxation-seekers, and ecotourists can all find something to enjoy, from wild nightclubs in Seminyak and Kuta to luxury clifftop hotels in Nusa Dua to the pristine jungles and volcanic landscapes of the island’s north.

Clothing

While vacationing on an island often encourages skimpy beach attire, the Indonesian locals dress quite conservatively. You should dress appropriately and cover your knees and shoulders when visiting Hindu temples, sacred sites, or when exploring small villages in the island interior. Beach attire is excellent for daily wear other than when dining or clubbing at pricey establishments. 

Plan on bringing light cotton clothing; jeans will be hot and heavy for most circumstances. High-tech, quick-dry garments will work, too, but don't leave them hanging to dry somewhere they could be stolen.

You won't need as much clothing as you would expect; keep your packing simple and purchase items locally if you run out of outfits to wear. If on an extended trip, you'll find plenty of places that do laundry for a fee based on weight.

When packing, separate clothing and other "kits" into sealed modules or cubes in case temperature and pressure changes pop open bottles.

Shoes

As with most of Southeast Asia, typical footwear consists of just a pair of reliable flip-flops. Some shops, temples, bars, and restaurants may ask you to remove your shoes at the door. Flip-flops are more accessible to slide on and off than sandals with straps. I wouldn’t recommend bringing expensive footwear. You can purchase cheap flip-flops in shops and stalls all over the island. You'll also need proper hiking shoes or sandals if you want to climb Mount Batur.

First Aid Kit

Don’t let an annoying ailment affect your precious time on the island. Fortunately, walk-in pharmacies sell nearly everything that you'll need -- including prescription drugs -- without the need to visit a hospital first. Pack only a small, simple travel first aid kit. (Hopefully, you won't need anything more than ibuprofen after too many beach cocktails)

Tip: Every first-aid kit should have anti-diarrhea medicine such as loperamide(Imodium), but don't take it unless getting to a toilet isn't an option (e.g., you'll be on transportation all day). Antimotility drugs may exasperate simple travelers’ diarrhea by trapping bacteria inside instead of allowing it to pass normally.

Money and Documents

Make two copies of your passport. Diversify your travel documents by hiding them in both your money belt/day bag and big luggage to avoid disaster if one or the other gets lost. Bring multiple credit cards, and plan on leaving one in the hotel safe in case of an emergency. I recommend sending someone in your family your travel itinerary and flight details. Send emergency contact phone numbers in an email to yourself in case you need to contact banks.

Bali has plenty of Western-networked ATMs, however, bring backup cash just in case the network goes down. Consider bringing $100 in case of an emergency. 

Tip: Keep your passport locked in the hotel safe. Don’t carry it around with you out of fear of losing it or theft. 

Electronics

Don’t bring too many electronics. I recommend a mobile phone and optionally a camera. I would suggest considering bringing a portable battery charger for your phone. If you opt to bring fragile electronic devices, know how to protect them in a tropical environment. A good rule of thumb - leave non-essential valuables back in the USA.

Indonesia uses the round, two-pronged, CEE7 power outlets common in Europe. Voltage is 230 volts / 50 Hz. Unless you intend to carry a hair drier (don't!), you won't need a step-down power transformer because most modern device chargers (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, etc.) handle the higher voltage automatically. Although many hotels have universal outlets that work with many cord types, you may need a small adapter to accommodate your device.

Tip: Have a plan for your cell phone before you depart. Call your carrier to find out the details and coverage of using your phone while in Bali. Verizon offers it for only $10 a day if you sign up for their international plan in advance.

Other Items 

Along with the obvious stuff, consider bringing along the following:

Hand sanitizer and toilet paper for encounters with public squat toilets. 

Earplugs

Mosquito repellent 

Flashlight for unexpected power outages -- a common occurrence in Southeast Asia.

Plastic bags or cases for waterproofing electronics and valuables.

Souvenirs

Purchasing what you need on a trip after arrival not only helps the local economy, it's fun! Make sure you leave room in your luggage for purchases and unique items not easy to find at home.

You'll find plenty of shopping in Bali, particularly in Ubud, where lots of boutique shops carry unique clothing that is perfect for the island. Along with stalls and small shops, you'll find several large shopping malls in Kuta with name-brand items. Outside of malls, you will typically need to barter, particularly in tourist shops -- to get acceptable prices.

Rather than leave home with a full suitcase, consider waiting until you arrive in Bali to purchase some of these common items:

• Sarongs (some Hindu temples require that men wear one to enter)
• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Beach bags
• Swimsuits/beach cover-ups
• Evening dresses
• Flip-flops / sandals
• Handmade jewelry
• Aloe vera / after-sun lotion
• Coconut oil (a great after-sun moisturizer that is popular on the island)
• Snacks

You'll probably want to bring toiletries, sunscreen, and consumables in case the brands you usually use are not available. Beware of the many local toiletries, particularly soaps and deodorants, that contain whitening agents. 

Although violent crime is not an issue in Bali, the influx of tourists does attract some petty theft. Be mindful when choosing a day bag; backpacks or satchels with famous logos (e.g., IBM, LowePro, GoPro, etc.) announce to would-be thieves that the contents inside are valuable.

Other Items to Bring

• COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES! Don’t even think about bringing non-practical shoes. You won’t wear them, and they will only take space in your bag.
• Portable battery charger for your mobile phone
• Empty garbage bag for laundry
• Used grocery bags for wet shoes
• Day bag for day trips
• Poncho or umbrella
• tissue pack
• Hand sanitizer
• Compression socks (for the long flight)
• Sunscreen
• Extra room in your luggage for bringing home souvenirs
• Dramamine and other basic medications
• Flip flops for the beach
• Modest, temple appropriate outfits

Other Items to Leave Home

Leave the following items at home or purchase them locally if you need them:

Snorkel gear: You can rent gear snorkel gear daily when you need it.

Water filters: Although the tap water is not safe to drink in Bali, bottled water is available everywhere.

Expensive jewelry: Flashy bling will get you higher prices and make you more of a target for petty theft. Many jewelry artists call Bali home; consider purchasing some of their beautiful work. Also, I never travel with my actual wedding ring. Consider a cheap alternative that won’t risk getting damaged or be as difficult to replace instead.

Weapons/pepper spray: Arming yourself is certainly not worth the risk of trying to cross borders with it; leave weapons off your Bali packing list!

Please bring a pen for forms you will need to fill out when you arrive.

Please bring $40 cash for your Visa on Arrival. You can only stay in Bali 30 days.

Please bring little packs of tissues for using the bathroom while we are out and about.

Please bring hand sanitizer, bug spray, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

Please bring a little day pack/ bag.

Do not bring valuable and for sure do not bring anything that could be taken from a monkey when around moneys such as Uluwatu Temple and Monkey Forest ( i.e sunglasses on your head, jewelry, hold your phone tight when taking pictures, have a cross body bag, no food around monkeys)

Arrival in Bali. Amy Walker will meet you at the airport to welcome you and take you to your 5-star accommodations.

Lunch at The Bee Cafe, Ubud depending on your arrival time prior to check in at the Royal Pita Maya.

We'll have a short retreat orientation before dinner, but otherwise, the evening is yours to rest and relax and get to know your fellow group members.

7:30 PM Dinner as a group at Pistachio Restaurant Ubud.

Breakfast at your leisure. Optional morning yoga classes will be available at the resort for those interested. 

10:00 AM Massages at the Royal Kirana Spa & Wellness at the resort.

1:00 PM Pick up for our authentic Balinese cooking class.

7:30 PM Dinner in the town of Ubud at Indus Restaurant.

Breakfast at your leisure. A daily morning yoga class is available at your resort if you would like to participate.

At 9:00 AM, we'll meet in the lobby to be picked up for an all-day adventure. Today we will enjoy the following sights: 

• Taman Ayun temple 
• Beratan lake 
• Handara Gate 
• Lunch at Uma Pacung
• Wanagiri twin lake 
• Jatiluwih rice terrace 
• Tanah Lot sunset 

7:30 PM Dinner at Uma Sari

Breakfast at your leisure before a 9:00 AM pick-up in the lobby. Today we will enjoy a private guided tour of Ubud to view the following: 

Monkey Forest 

Bali Swing

Tegalalang Rice Terrace 

Lunch will be at D' Alas Restaurant

We will end the day with a purification ritual at the Tirta Empul Holy Spring. Please bring your swim suit and flip flops.

 We will have dinner at Bebek Bengil around 7:30 PM.

Breakfast at your leisure. Morning yoga class is available to you at the resort.  Free time to enjoy as you please. 

12:30 PM pick up out front of the resort. Lunch stop at Tropical Ants Cafe or Dragonfly Cafe.

In the evening we will visit and experience the following sites: 

• Single Fin Bali for a pre drink before the show ( time permitting )
• Uluwatu Temple
• Kecak Fire Dance 
• Jimbaran Beach Seafood Dinner

Drop off back to the resort around 9:00 PM. 

Today is a Wellness Day. Sleep in, do yoga, enjoy the pool, or write in your journal. The choice is yours. There are optional activities for those who are up for it, but give yourself time to rest, relax, and recharge.

Breakfast at your leisure. Optional yoga class in the morning at the resort before free time to explore as you wish. If you choose to eat at the resort, please charge it to your room.

Optional activities that will depart at 9:00 AM from the resort include:

• Tegenungan Waterfall  & Elephant Sanctuary

-OR-

• Beach Club Day. We recommend Potato head, Cafe Del Moar, Mari Beach Club, or Finns VIP Beach Club.

Please let Amy Walker know if you are interested in one of these optional day trips, or another of your choice and it can be arranged for you. You are also welcome to enjoy free time at the resort or take the free shuttle offered through the resort to Ubud for shopping.

Afternoon Authentic Balinese Massage at Karsa Spa in Ubud at 4:30 PM. 

7:30 PM - Dinner at the resort as a group or on your own. Tonights dinner is a pre-set menu by our resorts restaurant.

Breakfast will be early this morning before our 7:00 AM pick-up in the lobby. Today includes a private snorkeling trip to Nusa Penida. 

We include snorkeling gear, life vests, boat safety equipment, a snorkeling guide, lunch, towels, beach shower, locker, beach admission, and insurance. Please bring your swimsuit, hat, and sunblock. Snorkeling at 3-4 different spots. 

Visit to Diamond Beach

At 7:30 PM, we'll plan on a group dinner at Yellow Flower Cafe.

Breakfast at your leisure. Pick-up this morning will be in the lobby at 9 AM. Today we will experience the following: 

• Batur Volcano & Lake View 
• Lunch at the Look Out Restaurant  
• Pengilpuran Village
• Tukad Cepung waterfall. For this activity, it requires hiking up and down steep stairs and walking in a little water. Please wear good shoes that you dont mind getting a little wet. Tevas or similar would be great.

7:30 PM farewell dinner at Copper Kitchen.

Breakfast at your leisure. Departure day. Please make sure your flight departs out of DPS. Amy will arrange private transportation for you to the airport based on your departure details.  

Lazy Cats Cafe for lunch before we head to the airport for your departure flight home ( flight time permitting )

If you stay until the evening, we suggest a Beach club for the day.