Tour review · TOUR REVIEWS
Ubud Tour – Balinese Healing By Shaman And Self Purification
Spiritual rituals meet everyday crafts in Ubud. This private tour mixes Mengening Temple melukat self cleansing with Balinese healing at a shaman house, then threads in classic culture stops like silver making, temples, and the Tegalalang rice terraces. I like that the day is structured, but you still get that personal feel a private setup gives you.
What I really appreciate is the pacing options built into a private format. You get a dedicated English speaking driver/guide, hotel pickup in an air conditioned car, and guidance that helps you understand what you are seeing, not just where to stand for photos. The other big win is that the day is not only spiritual, it also teaches you how Balinese daily life connects to art, food, and place.
One drawback to keep in mind is timing pressure. Ubud traffic can be heavy, and the full route can feel like a lot if you hit delays, so bring patience and keep your expectations flexible.
Key points worth knowing

- Mengening Temple melukat focuses on self cleansing with holy water, with time built in to do it properly
- Shaman house healing includes guided massage on key body areas, then a quiet holy room segment
- Celuk silver craft time is hands-on and practical, with manual making and a chance to browse pieces
- Tegalalang rice terraces give you a scenic stop with a full hour to slow down and take photos
- Private pickup and English speaking guide often make the difference, especially when traffic or questions pop up
Why This Ubud Cleansing and Healing Day Feels Different
This is not your typical checklist tour. The core of the day is a spiritual self cleansing at a holy water temple, followed by healing at a shaman house. If you are curious about how Balinese spirituality shows up in real life, it is a meaningful mix.
You also get the culture around it, not just the rituals. The route includes Celuk Village for silver jewelry making, Batuan Temple for temple architecture, and Tegallalang Rice Terrace for the iconic Ubud view. Then there are “human scale” breaks like coffee and lunch, which matter more than people think on a long day.
You should still know what kind of day it is. You are combining quiet moments, guided experiences, and active sightseeing. If you like structure and you do not mind moving between places, this works well. If you hate feeling rushed, you will want to plan your energy for the full route.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Morning Start at Mengening Temple and the Melukat Self Cleansing

Your first stop is Mengening Temple, where the activity is melukat, or self cleansing at holy water. This is where the tour earns its name. The timing matters too. Morning often feels calmer, and you are starting with the most reflective part of the day.
This temple is known for being a focused place for purification. The holy water is part of the ritual purpose, traditionally used to refresh the mind and help remove stress and unwanted spiritual weight. The way it is explained during the experience is usually practical: it is not just “go splash water,” it is a guided cleansing with clear intention.
There is also a practical side you should prepare for. You will be given a sarung (traditional cloth) for visiting the healer and the temple. And you should bring extra clothes and towels for the water purification. That is not a nice-to-have. It is what keeps the rest of your day comfortable.
How to act in the moment:
- Keep your movements calm and follow your guide’s timing
- Pay attention to instructions around what to wear and when to enter or step aside
- Treat it like a ritual space, not a photo set
If you want a spiritual experience that still feels grounded in real routine, Mengening is the anchor of the day.
Balinese Healing at the Shaman House in Batuan Village

After the temple cleansing, you go to the healer house in Batuan Village for Balinese healing. This part is what many people remember most, because it is personal and body-focused.
The healing begins with massage on key body parts, including the legs and toes, the back, the head, and the stomach. The idea is that these areas can support blood circulation, and the massage is described as a way to help address illnesses you may have. Then the process continues into a holy room segment, which is where the experience shifts from physical to spiritual focus.
Here is why this matters as a traveler. Many “wellness” tours stay vague. This one gives you a clear sequence: massage, then a holy room portion. That structure can make you feel less lost, especially if you do not speak the local language.
A guide is also important here, because your questions will matter. In the feedback people gave, a recurring theme is that guides were friendly and helpful, and that made participants comfortable during the ritual. If you are the type who worries you might be doing the wrong thing, this is where a good English speaking driver/guide helps a lot.
One gentle caution: you are visiting a healing setting where touch and prayer are part of the process. If you have mobility issues, discomfort with massage, or any health limitations, think about how your body handles touch. You can also ask your guide ahead of time what to expect in plain terms.
Celuk Village Silver Craft: Manual Making You Can Actually See

Next is Celuk Village, Bali’s well known center for silver jewelry crafts. This stop is short, about 30 minutes, but it has a clear purpose: you see how silver items are made manually and you can browse samples or a gallery.
This is a smart counterbalance to the earlier ritual stops. Instead of another sacred space, you shift into a working craft environment. You get to watch the hands-on process, and it is easier to understand value when you see the effort behind the final piece.
If you want souvenirs that feel earned, Celuk works. If you want to shop, give yourself a bit of time to compare. Silver in Bali can vary, and a quick glance at craftsmanship helps you avoid impulse buys.
Also, keep your expectations realistic. Celuk is a craft hub, not a museum. You will likely see production-style work and demonstrations, and the experience is more about making than storytelling.
Batuan Temple: A Beautiful Stop With Clear Cultural Context

You then move to Batuan Temple, part of the Tri Kahyangan system of major village temples. The site is described as one of the most popular and beautiful village temples, featuring Balinese architecture, including split gates and stone details.
What I like about this stop is that it has a specific cultural job. It is not presented as a generic “pretty temple.” It is tied to how villages organize and honor major temple roles. That context makes your visit feel richer, even if you only have an hour on site.
Temple etiquette still matters. You will be visiting a sacred space, so wear the right mindset. Follow your guide, keep voices low, and watch where you step. If you are unsure, ask.
You may also find that this stop creates a natural rhythm. After Mengening and the shaman healing, it is a calmer kind of spirituality. It is visual and architectural, not focused on bodily cleansing.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace: Scenic Views and Time to Slow Down

From temples and healing, you shift to one of Ubud’s most recognizable views: Tegallalang Rice Terrace. You get about one hour here, which is a good amount of time.
The terraces are located in a valley, giving you those wide lookouts over layered greenery. This is the moment where your camera usually works overtime, but you also want time just to stand and watch how the farming shapes the hillside.
Practical tip: wear shoes you trust on uneven ground. Rice terrace paths can be slippery, especially after any rain. The tour includes mineral water, but you should still plan to drink and take breaks if the sun hits.
This stop is also where your guide’s timing helps. When traffic and routing are smooth, the terrace visit feels relaxed. When the day is behind schedule, it can feel more rushed. That is why leaving room in your mind for traffic is smart.
Coffee Plantation Break at Lumbung Sari Agroo

At Lumbung Sari Agroo, you get a coffee and tea break, about 30 minutes. The plan is to try samples of traditional Balinese coffee and tea.
This is a helpful pause for two reasons. First, it resets your energy after the rice terraces. Second, it gives you something casual that still feels local. You are not stuck in a store. You are in a plantation setting designed for sampling.
If you are sensitive to caffeine, pace yourself. You can always try a small portion first. Also, use this time to confirm the next stage of the day with your guide. On a private tour, small clarifications help you feel in control.
Lunch at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge (Optional)

Lunch happens at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge, described as a local warung-style break with a natural jungle view. You have about one hour here.
Lunch is listed as included in the package details, and the itinerary calls it optional. In practice, that likely means you can take the meal as planned without needing extra tickets, but your choice may depend on your day’s timing and your preferences.
If you want the best value from this stop, treat lunch as part of your schedule, not an extra. Eat earlier rather than later if the day feels tight. This is also where you can rest your feet and reset for the ride back to your hotel.
Price and Logistics: What You Get for $74
At $74 per person, this tour can feel like a good value because the day includes several things that add up quickly:
- Private hotel pickup and return in an air conditioned car
- An English speaking driver/guide
- Entrance fees and taxes listed as included
- Mineral water and lunch listed as included
- A sarung provided for temple and healer visits
- A guided private route rather than a fixed group bus ride
The biggest “value driver” is that the day’s center is not just sightseeing. You are paying for guided cleansing at Mengening Temple and the shaman healing experience. Those are the hard-to-replicate moments on your own.
The main thing to watch is the day length. The tour duration is listed as 1 to 8 hours. That wide range usually means your experience depends on how long you spend at each stop and how traffic goes. If you have a tight schedule on your Bali days, plan a little buffer.
Your Driver-Guide Matters More Than You Think
This tour lives and dies by your English speaking driver/guide. In the feedback, guides like Jana, De Putro, Made Sutama, Edy, Arthur, Nyoman, Wayan, and Yande are named with praise for being knowledgeable, warm, and helpful.
A few patterns show up:
- People like how guides explain culture so you understand what you are seeing
- Guides who are comfortable with photos help you capture the day without feeling like you are constantly posing
- Good communication reduces stress, especially around ritual timing
- Even when traffic hits, a calm guide helps you keep it together
One heads up from real-world experiences: if your driver is delayed and the schedule gets compressed, you can feel rushed. So when you book, choose a day you can be flexible, and keep your mind on the experience rather than the clock.
Who This Ubud Tour Suits Best
This is a strong fit for you if you want:
- A mix of spiritual cleansing plus real Balinese cultural stops
- A private day where you can move at a comfortable pace
- More meaning than just checking off a temple and heading to dinner
The tour says most travelers can participate, which suggests it is not designed to be extreme. But remember, the shaman healing includes massage and bodily touch. If that is not your thing, you may want to ask your guide how the process feels before you commit.
This tour also works well if you like arts and crafts. Celuk silver making adds a creative element that helps balance the quieter, sacred parts of the day.
Should You Book This Tour?
Book it if you want a day in Ubud that takes spirituality seriously, without skipping the craft and sightseeing parts. The combination of Mengening Temple melukat, shaman healing, and cultural stops makes it feel like one coherent story.
Consider booking with extra caution if you hate time pressure. Ubud traffic can be heavy, and the full route can feel packed if the day runs behind. Plan a calm schedule and pack extra clothes and towels so the purification part does not derail your comfort.
If you are curious about Balinese healing and temple culture, and you want someone to guide you through it with clear English explanations, this is one of those experiences that tends to leave people feeling more grounded than they expected.
FAQ
How much does the Ubud tour cost?
It costs $74.00 per person.
How long is the tour?
The duration is listed as 1 to 8 hours approximately.
What time does the tour start?
The start time is 8:00 am.
Do I get picked up from my hotel?
Yes. Private pickup and return are included in an air conditioned car.
Is this tour private?
Yes. It is described as a private tour, and only your group participates.
What stops are included during the day?
The main stops are Mengening Temple, Celuk Village, Batuan Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, a coffee and tea break at Lumbung Sari Agroo, and lunch at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge, followed by return to your hotel.
What should I bring for the temple purification?
Bring extra clothes and towels for water purification in the temple.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is listed as included, and the itinerary describes lunch as an optional break at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge.
What if the weather is bad or I need to cancel?
The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. Cancellation is free, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel within 24 hours of the start time, there is no refund.
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