Bali Yoga Retreat Itinerary

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Please Note: 95% of what is listed below we presume will go off smoothly (or, to be sure, more like 90%) as we always want to leave some room for chance occurrences, like an unseasonable typhoon, moody volcanoes, or a loose mutiny of monkeys (...no, really!). However, the thing that is most likely to change (or move, or evolve) are some of the days and/or times currently expected for the events. The events themselves are pretty solid (about 89%). Nevertheless, what you see below should give you a very good idea (about 88%) of what to expect and (about 81%) of when to expect it.

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(Note: The first 2 days below have a lot of detail, but it gets much simpler after that.)​

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Day 1 (Feb 19)

Today, we will just be greeting arrivals as they come in throughout the day. (Hopefully you will be one of them). We'll be making sure you are all comfy and cozy as you settle into your new surroundings and even asking if there is any "spot therapy" we can do for you. For example, some people get swollen ankles when traveling so far; and we have an acupressure remedy for that. But whatever it is (kink in the neck, crook in the back, cake in the pooch...) we will "work on ya" for a few minutes (if you like) before we leave you to shake off your flight stupor.  ~However we will do something special in the evening...

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6:00PM Special Group Dinner* / Orientation

We will officially start our program at a special place for dinner. However, it can take a while for a group to be served, so we will use this wait-time for a bit of conversation - orientation to Ubud.

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*If we have a lot of late arrivals we may do this special dinner the next day (...remember 81%).

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Day 2 (Feb 20)

6:00AM Yoga For Jet Lag 

Don't worry, only on this first morning will we have our regular morning class at 6am. For the rest of the retreat we will hold the morning class at 7am. The reason for today's class being at 6am is because we know most of you will be already awake by 5am, or maybe even 3, until you get your internal clock reset to Bali time. But we have just the type of yoga class to get you reset:  Through a practice called "meridian tracing" you can reset your clock while also learning where the 12 major meridians are located. -We will learn it and do it... and if you keep doing it throughout the day you will be feeling back to normal (or closer to it) by Day 3; rather than waking up again at 3am.

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7:15 Free time, showers, breakfast.

Balinese people know how to take it easy. I.e. Most of the many nearby restaurants won't be open for breakfast until about 7:30ish. So, unless you are having your breakfast at Bal'e (our pretty little cafe on the Kausala campus) just take your time exploring all the amazing options along Bisma road until one that you like opens. My favorite is just around the corner at Pukako (ro the other Pukako out in a rice field). Try their dreamy Almond Croissant with a Latte combo deal (...I'm craving it already). Or, walk a little slower along the back alley by the rice fields until you reach lazycats. Why walk a little slower? Give them time to open... maybe 8 or 8:30. Remember, it's "lazycats." But don't eat too much! It will be hard when you see their menu, but don't! You're going to need some space for...

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9:45 Your first Acu Thai ~ Ayurvedic Yoga Massage

There will be 2 groups when it comes to receiving the massage. The "First Group" will come at 9:45 and at 11:00 the "Second Group."

      Most of you already know what this massage is like, but for this first one we are also going to add the Meridian Tracing trick again (but we will do it for you) to reinforce resetting your internal clock.  This is also a restful way to stay (somewhat) awake, which will also help to get you on Bali time more quickly. (Each day the massage will be about 45-55 minutes. Every now and then one person may have to sit it out, as we may have more retreaters than masseurs. The person who sits it out will be in a rotation, or someone may forfeit their spot that morning to the other. But, for the most part, you will receive a massage nearly every day of the retreat.)

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12:30 Meet at Kausala's gate to walk over to Casa Luna for lunch and more orientation.  

2:15 - Free Time / Siesta (Recommended)

3:30 - Option to go to "the big Bintang" grocery / general store ...for those who already realize what they forgot to pack (toothbrush, power adapter, deodorant, comfort foods, sandals, cheap umbrella -for sun or rain, etc.).. After the grocery the car will drop us off at the starting point for a. . . 

5:00 - Twilight hike at Juwak Manis rice fields*. Once you know how to get to this place (which is within 10 minutes walking distance from our yoga shala) you might just want to come here every day, either for a walk or one the cafe's along the path, or both.

* Rice field hike is flat. You can even wear flip-flops. Also, the heat of the day is about over.

It gets dark at 6:30. And you're going to want it to be cooler as we enter...

5:45 - Ubud Art / Street Market 

The Juwak Manis hike will bring us out to where the street market begins. However, this will be just a leisurely walk throoough the market. Just look, but don't buy anything; and try not to make eye contact with any vendors (...lol, but seriously, lol). Wait until at least your 3rd or last walk by this market before you buy anything. Otherwise, I can already hear you saying "DOH!" when you realize later what it should've cost you. 

6:05ish - See the Saraswati Temple and go to Dinner at Casa Luna (not the same one we had lunch at. It's the one across from the Temple).

As noted under Day 1, it's possible that we don't have the special dinner on Day 1. (Remember, 81%). If that is the case, then we will do the special dinner at a place that is near the exit of the street market. Either way, by the time we order at either place, it will be another half hour before we are served. Therefore, we will conclude today's events with this dinner. It's safe and easy to find your way back to our lodging but we can all walk together; or maybe a few of you want to continue strolling around Ubud. If so, that's fine, but please don't do it alone. Keep a friend from our group with you. Also, never bring any friends you may make (that are not a part of our group) back to our yoga shala campus!

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Day 3 (Feb 21)

7:00AM  - 5 Element Yoga Class

8:00 - Free time, Showers, Breakfast

9:45 - (Group One) Massage

11:00 - (Group Two) Massage

12:30 - Depart for lunch at the Cave Spa Grotto

Bring your swimming costume and prepare to pamper yourself all afternoon.

1:45 - After lunch in the palace-like restaurant, we recommend sitting by the pool for some digestive down time. Then go on down further to the cavey grotto to alternate between immersing in warm and (icy) cool pools of yummy therapeutic waters.

4:00 - Depart Cave Grotto for our rooms. (However, if anyone wants to revisit the "the big Bintang" again, we can make a quick stop. It's just a 30 second drive from the grotto). 

5:00 - Twilight Hike - but this time not thru a rice field, but upon Ubud's famous Tcampuhan Trail

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Day 4 (Feb 22)

7:00AM  - 5 Element Yoga Class

8:00 - Free time, Showers, Breakfast

9:45 - (Group One) Massage

11:00 - (Group Two) Massage

12:30 - Depart for lunch at Ek Ganesha Indian restaurant

2:30 - Ancient Monkey Forest; this place is within walking distance of Ek Ganesha.

4:00 - Meet at Monkey exit for a ride back to our rooms. (Or you can walk it in about 30 minutes)

5:00 - Depart for (optional) Pyramids of Chi sound "healing" place.

We make this optional because for a lot of us who have been there before its just a really cool atmosphere to take a pleasant nap inside a pyramid while some dude is trying to be a musician on some gongs. (He beats them lightly). Some people really like it a lot (and even return for more), and some are just like wtf. Either way, the restaurant is amazing! So, if you opt to go, plan to eat there. We will set up and cover the cost of your ride there, but you will need $20 for the pyramid experience and $10 to $20 for the restaurant experience. / For those who opt Not to go, we have another fantastic twilight hike for you! ​

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Day 5 (Feb 23)​

Rice Terrace + Coffee Tasting + Natural Pool (or Green School option)

7:00AM  - 5 Element Yoga Class

8:00 - Free time, Showers, Breakfast

9:45 - (Group One) Massage

11:00 - (Group Two) Massage

12:15 - Depart for lunch at De Ala's 

2:00 - Walk next door to the coffee tasting place (or stay at De Ala's little infinity pool)

2:30 - See how "monkey poop" coffee is made and then share a tray of about a dozen coffee's and teas (poop and poop free) with a friend. Get all jazzed up on caffeine to hike or roll on down the beautiful terraced hill to "the Natural Pool."

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Green School option

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2:00 - Depart for Green School tour - 1 hour drive)

3:30 - Green School tour

4:45 - Depart GS

5:45 - Dinner at a special place on the way back from GS.

8:00ish - Arrive back at campus

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Day 6 (Feb 24) 

7:00AM - Morning Hike on Tcampuhan Trail

We need to leave early because this hike is just too hot if you do it any later than 10am. Also, it will take about 40-60 minutes to get to the amazing place we will be for breakfast! (Perhaps my favorite place in all of Ubud!). This beautiful hike has a couple of big hills but you can still do it in sandals and its totally worth the effort. Also, although you have the option of walking back, we will have a shuttle to take us back to our campus as well.

12:30 - Lunch. You've got your land-legs now, and have probably seen a lot of places you'd like to try. Well, here's your chance. (But just ask Will or Mark if you want some recommendations.) 

2:00 - Depart for Tirta Empul (Holy Spring Fountains​)

This will take the rest of the day. We might eat as we visit a local family or we might wait until we get back to Bisma Rd.​​

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We might reverse the order of this day. In other words, Holy Springs in the Morning and Tcampuhan Trail in the evening. (Remember, 81%)

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The rest of this itinerary is still being edited / refined. It should be completed soon. (I'd say at the moment it is at 74%). Nevertheless, you can still take a look to get an idea of what you're in for. 

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Day 7 (Feb 25)

7:00AM  - Free 1.5 Days (Beach? / Volcano?)

Often people ask if we there will be any completely free days; so they can plan a day of their own; like a day at the *beach  (which will take an entire day) or to hike up to a *volcano (which will start with a drive at about 2am and have you back around mid-afternoon). Well, this would be that day(s), for that larger excursion you want to do on your own. Whatever you decide, we can help you plan and arrange it, including transportation. 

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Day 8 (Feb 26) (TYM Training Ends)

Free morning and then waterfall chasing in the afternoon.

The rest of the day is being revised and upgraded. Stay tuned.

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(Days 7 & 8 may be reversed. We will have a group pow wow  a few days prior to see what accommodates any personal plans that are evolving... Remember 81%).

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Day 9 (Feb 27) 

Today's schedule is being revised and upgraded.

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Day 10 (Feb 28)

7:00AM - Alright y'all, it's time to head out of Dodge; we're aheadin' to the other side of the island!

We're even going to stay the night there, so pack all your comfort tools.

We're gonna hike a rain forest, then canoe a lake inside of a freekin sleepin volcano, and then end up at some weird temple inside of the sleepin volcano by the lake. It's gonna be wild y'all!

0:00PM - At some point after all this, I have no idea when, we will head on over to some ocean side lodging place (I forgot the name of) and sleep like roasted almonds. 

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Day 11  (March 1st)

Wake up at Mata Hari's seaside resort (I remembered the name) a scuba diving resort. Eat some breakfast chow by the ocean side. Do your scuba training (unless you are already trained; then you just watch and yawn as everyone else does it; maybe have a drink). Have some lunch around lunch time (its up to the scuba dudes) and then dive once to get your sea legs, then dive again (in another location) to see an old sunken ship. It's pretty freekin cool y'all!

 

Important Notes: Scuba diving is (of course) optional and costs about $80 for training + the 2 dives. You can also just snorkel instead, and that's only about 5 bucks for the equipment; or just hold your breath and squeeze your eyes tightly together. Tulamben beach is a volcanic beach. It is quiet and clean unlike many other beaches in Bali. The waves are also soft and relaxing unlike the surfer beaches. However, the area is overlooked by an active volcano so do now expect white sandy beaches. Large stones and volcanic gravel prevail. But, because of this it is more quiet, the water is more pristine and the diving and snorkeling is great.

  

Day 12 (March 2nd)

Wake up at Mata Hari.

Maybe we do some yoga,.. depends on how we feel.

Definitely some breakfast with a thrice strong coffee by the ocean side again though.

Then we head out towards the coolest (and tallest) series of waterfalls on the Island. Be ready to be wet (from the mist) even if you don't get in!

This again will take the whole freekin awesome day. Expect to arrive back to the lotus campus sometime in the evening. We'll have dinner along the way to break up the length of the trip. 

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Day 13 (March 3rd)

7:00AM - Meridian Yoga

9:45 - (Group One) Massage

11:00 - (Group Two) Massage

12:30 - the rest of the day is being revised and upgraded

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Day 14 (March 4th)

Free Day at the Beach or anywhere you want. But if you want to go to the beach we will arrange it.

Also, by now you will have probably seen many things you want to do that haven't been on our itinerary. Or maybe you want to get that last minute shopping done. Either way, now is your chance. However, you're not alone. We are still here to help you find your way to that final destination {we know another great scuba place} or to help you haggle for that wooden penis bottle opener souvenir you've been eyeing.

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Day 15 (March 5th)

7:00AM - Meridian Yoga

9:45 - (Group One) Massage

11:00 - (Group Two) Massage

12:30 Suggested lunch time

2:00 - Depart for Uluwatu

4:00 - See Uluwatu Temple complex

5:30 - Gather in Amphitheater for...

6:00 -  Mesmerizing Kecak Trance Dance / Hanuman drama, performed with the ocean and setting sun as a backdrop.

8:00 -Dinner will be at a special place on the way back from Uluwatu

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Check out will be by noon the next day (March 6th). We will arrange taxis for anyone needing to go to the airport. 

 

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​Free Day Ideas:

* Honestly, most beaches in Bali are not that great or take too long to get to; but we do know an awesome and somewhat hidden beach area if you are willing to taxi 45min, boat for an hour, taxi another 45min, and hike for another 20min ~ and then do all that in reverse on the way back to Ubud, then it may be well worth it. Or, if you like to surf, you may want to opt for Canggu; it's a hip beach town about 90min away (...and back), but probably won't take your entire day.  There are many other beaches as well, but for most of them plan on leaving early and coming back late.   

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• Bali Bird Sanctuary - It's basically a zoo, but a surprising favorite of past groups. The animals look pretty happy and the little shows they put on every hour are great! We all were sad when closing time came. 

• Green School

 

* We removed the Volcano Trek from our itinerary, but you are welcome to do it on a free day so long as you do not go it alone! However, most people change their minds when they learn that to do the volcano trek you will have to wake up and be on the road by 2AM in order to hike by sunrise before it gets too hot. Also, the cost the guides give you can rarely be trusted. Nevertheless, expect to pay around $30-$40 per person by the time you have paid your guide and split the cost for the drive there and back.