Reviewed · UBUD TOURS
Bali Spiritual Soul Retreat Cleansing and Mantra Healing
Mengening Temple is the heart of this half-day retreat, where you can take part in Melukat, a Balinese water-cleansing ceremony at a sacred spring. The day also brings you into a local home to make Canang Sari offerings, then to Batuan Village for a shaman-led energy balancing session.
I like the mix of hands-on culture and quiet spiritual practice. You are not only looking at a temple, you are learning why Balinese people prepare flower offerings and how a mantra can support personal meditation. I also like the private format, hotel pickup, temple clothing, transport, offerings, and shaman fee included in the listed price.
The main point to check is the final booking option. One customer found extra fees confusing, and the operator explained that an excluded-ticket option had been selected. At $79 per person, this can be fair value, but confirm exactly what your rate covers before paying.
Key points to know before booking

- Sacred spring cleansing: Perform Melukat at Mengening Temple, a ceremony intended to clear negative energy and restore balance.
- Canang Sari workshop: Learn from local residents how to arrange flowers into a daily Balinese offering and understand its purpose.
- Private half-day format: Your group travels by air-conditioned car with hotel pickup and drop-off included.
- Three-part spiritual program: The day combines temple cleansing, mantra meditation, and an energy-balancing session with a local shaman.
- Gusty may be your driver: He has been praised for explaining Balinese rituals and local customs during the drive.
- Bring a careful eye to the price: Entry fees, offerings, sarong or kamen rental, transport, water, and shaman fees are listed as included, but booking options should be checked for exclusions.
What this Ubud spiritual retreat is really about

This is not a standard sightseeing loop. It is a guided introduction to several parts of Balinese religious life: making an offering, entering a water temple, learning a holy song, and taking part in a personal energy ritual.
The language used for the spiritual work is familiar in Bali. Melukat is a cleansing ceremony involving holy water. Here, it is presented as a way to cleanse the mind and soul and change negative energy into something more positive. The retreat also refers to chakra balance and the aura, so you should expect a spiritual approach rather than a strictly cultural lecture.
That distinction matters. If you want a relaxed cultural activity with a personal ritual, this may suit you well. If you prefer to watch ceremonies from a distance or want a conventional history tour, the program may feel too personal.
The day lasts about four to six hours, with roughly two hours assigned to each main stop. The actual pace can vary, but the structure gives you time at each place instead of rushing through a temple, workshop, and village visit.
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Mengening Temple and the Melukat water ceremony

Mengening Temple is the most distinctive stop. It is described as a water temple used by Balinese people for spiritual cleansing, and the main activity here is Melukat.
You can expect to receive guidance on preparing for the cleansing and to use a Canang Sari offering as part of the ceremony. The retreat also teaches a mantra, described as a holy song, which you can use during meditation at the temple. This gives the visit more structure than simply walking through a religious site.
I like that the ceremony connects several pieces of Balinese practice. The offering is made by hand, the water has a religious role, and the mantra gives you a way to focus rather than simply observe. For someone curious about how ritual works in daily life, this is the strongest part of the program.
You should approach the ceremony with respect. A temple is an active religious place, not a staged show. Wear or use the provided sarong or kamen as required, follow the guide’s instructions, and avoid treating the cleansing as a photo opportunity.
The package lists temple entry fees and ceremonial offerings as included. That is useful because temple activities can sometimes involve separate payments, but I would still check your confirmation. One customer specifically raised concerns about extra charges, and the provider clarified that the booking had been made with an excluded-ticket choice.
The temple visit is scheduled for about two hours. That should allow time for instructions, the offering, the cleansing, and mantra practice, though the exact order may depend on conditions at the temple and the ceremony itself.
Making Canang Sari in a local home
At Tampak Siring, you visit a local house and learn to make Canang Sari. These small flower offerings are a basic part of Balinese ceremony and are used as a symbolic offering to nature.
This is a good change of pace after the temple. Instead of only receiving an explanation, you handle the materials and learn how flowers are combined into a finished offering. The activity helps explain why you see small trays of flowers and other items outside homes, shops, temples, and businesses across Bali.
The workshop is listed at about two hours. That is a generous amount of time for a simple craft, which suggests the focus is not speed. You can expect an explanation of the offering’s function and assistance from local hosts while you put one together.
I like this stop because it makes a familiar Balinese sight easier to understand. Without context, Canang Sari can look like a decorative flower arrangement. With an explanation, it becomes a daily act of respect and ritual.
The description does not specify which flowers or materials you will use, so do not book this expecting a formal craft class with a detailed take-home project. The value is in learning the meaning and process. You may also want to ask your guide how the finished offering is used during the rest of the ceremony.
This is also the least physically demanding section of the day. Most people can participate, and it offers a useful option for anyone who wants cultural contact but is not looking for a long walk or an active outdoor excursion.
Batuan Village and the energy-balancing session

The final stop is Batuan Village, where a local priest or shaman treats you with an energy-balancing session. The program describes this as balancing your energy and working with chakras and the aura.
Expect this part to be personal and belief-based. It is not presented as medical treatment, therapy, or a measurable health service. You should view it as a traditional spiritual ritual, and you should only take part in the ways that feel comfortable to you.
The session is scheduled for about two hours. That gives room for an introduction, the ritual itself, and questions or quiet time afterward, although the exact format is not specified. The retreat also refers to changes in emotional feelings and strength of energy, so the emphasis is on personal reflection and spiritual balance.
This can be meaningful if you are looking for a calm pause during a busy Bali visit. It may be less appealing if you want a clear explanation based on science or if you are uncomfortable with a shaman interpreting your energy.
The program also includes a Bali Tridatu bracelet. It is described as a symbol of three elements: fire, air, and water. Treat it as a cultural and spiritual keepsake rather than a guarantee of a particular result.
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Learning a mantra instead of just watching a ritual

The mantra portion adds a practical element. You learn a holy song and use it to meditate yourself at the temple. The description does not provide the words, language, or length of the mantra, so you should ask your guide for those details if they matter to you.
I like that the activity gives you something to continue after the day ends. A temple visit can fade into a series of photographs, but a simple breathing or chanting practice can help you remember the setting and the purpose of the ceremony.
Still, the spiritual result is personal. The retreat cannot promise that you will feel calmer, more balanced, or free of stress. One customer described the experience as useful for reducing personal stress, but that outcome will depend on your expectations and comfort with the practices.
Use the activity as an invitation to slow down, not as a guaranteed cure. That is the fairest way to approach any wellness program based on ritual and belief.
Private transport and the value of $79

The listed price is $79 per person. For that rate, the package includes private hotel pickup and drop-off, an air-conditioned car, bottled water, entry fees, the Canang Sari offering, a sarong or kamen for temple entry, and the shaman fee.
That bundle can offer solid value, especially for a small private group. You avoid arranging transport between Ubud, Mengening Temple, Tampak Siring, and Batuan Village, and you have one driver handling the day. Lunch and personal expenses are not included, so plan for those separately.
The private format is important. Only your group participates, which gives you more room to ask questions and more privacy during the cleansing and energy session. It also means the pace may feel less fixed than a large group tour.
Gusty has been praised for explaining rituals and the people of Bali while driving. If he is assigned to your booking, you may get useful background between stops rather than silent transfers. The operator does not promise a specific driver, however, so treat Gusty as a possibility rather than a guarantee.
The one value warning concerns ticket choices. The program says key fees are included, but a customer reported having to pay many extras. The provider responded that the customer had selected an option with excluded tickets. Before booking, read the selected option carefully and ask whether the $79 rate includes all listed entry and ceremony fees.
Who should book this spiritual day

I would recommend this retreat to you if you want a quieter, more personal side of Bali. It suits someone who is curious about Hindu Balinese customs, enjoys learning by doing, and is open to a water-cleansing ceremony, mantra, and shaman-led ritual.
It also fits couples, families with older children, and small groups who want a private schedule. The activity says most people can participate, and no strenuous activity is described.
You may want to skip it if your main goal is temple architecture, formal history, or a full day of sightseeing. The focus is participation and spiritual practice, not a long list of landmarks.
You should also think carefully about personal boundaries. Some people will find the cleansing and energy session calming. Others may prefer to observe rather than take part. Ask what each step involves, and remember that you can request an explanation before agreeing to any ritual.
Practical details that affect your day

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the tour operates in an air-conditioned car. The activity is near public transportation, but you do not need to rely on it if you use the included pickup.
The tour is booked about five days ahead on average, so last-minute availability may be limited. Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are available.
The activity is private, but group discounts are offered. That makes it worth comparing the per-person rate if you are traveling with family or friends.
No lunch is included. Since the full program may last up to six hours, ask about the day’s timing and plan for food around the tour. Bottled water is included.
Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. That rule is simple, but check the local start time carefully if you are changing plans from another time zone.
Is the Mengening Temple retreat worth booking?
Book it if you want a private, culture-focused spiritual day rather than a standard Ubud sightseeing tour. The combination of Canang Sari making, Melukat at Mengening Temple, mantra practice, and energy balancing gives the program a clear identity.
The best value comes from the included transport, temple clothing, offerings, entry fees, and shaman fee. The biggest caution is the booking option, so confirm that your selected price includes the fees you expect.
For a first visit to Bali, this retreat can help you understand rituals you might otherwise see without context. For a dedicated wellness trip, it offers a traditional local approach, but you should keep your expectations realistic and treat the spiritual benefits as personal rather than guaranteed.
FAQ
How long does the Bali Spiritual Soul Retreat last?
The experience lasts approximately four to six hours.
Where does the retreat take place?
The retreat is based in Ubud and visits Mengening Temple, Tampak Siring, and Batuan Village.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes. Private pickup and drop-off at hotels are included.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your group participates in the activity.
What is included in the $79 price?
The listed inclusions are private hotel transport, bottled water, Canang Sari offerings, a sarong or kamen for temple entry, an air-conditioned car, entry fees, and the shaman fee. Check the booking option because an excluded-ticket choice may show additional charges.
Is lunch included?
No. Lunch and personal expenses are not included.
Can I cancel for a full refund?
Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.
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