A calm ritual in Bali starts the day. This Ubud experience pairs traditional balian healing with a real-world purification stop at Mengening Temple, where you make offerings and bathe in sacred spring water. I love how it’s set up as a private encounter just for your group, not a rushed circuit. I also love that it’s built around actual spiritual practice, not props for tourists. One thing to consider: the Mengening area can involve stairs, and that can be tough if you have limited mobility.

In plain terms, you’ll spend your morning with a local healer, then move on to a holy spring temple for melukat, or self-cleaning with consecrated water. The setting is cool and green, and the bathing pools are naturally fed by springs that have been around since the 11th century. You’ll also be expected to prepare items like canang and incense before bathing, then pray for coolness—something that adds meaning beyond just taking a swim.

This isn’t a full-day party. The timing can run anywhere from 1 to 10 hours, depending on how your ceremony goes, plus the pace of the day. Price is $50 per person, and you get round-trip private transportation from much of Bali area coverage, bottled water, and the key entrance fees. Lunch isn’t included, so plan to eat after.

Key things to know before you go

• Private, group-only format: Your group stays together, with no mixing with other participants.
• Two spiritual chapters: A shamanic healer first, then purification at a holy spring temple.
• Mengening Temple bathing setup: The pools are separated for women and men.
• Offerings matter: You’re expected to present canang and incense before bathing and praying.
• Stairs can be a factor: Plan for steps on the way to/from the temple bathing area.
• Tickets and transport are included: Bottled water plus entrance fees are part of the package.

Why this Ubud ceremony feels like the real Bali

Ubud is famous for yoga studios, galleries, and “wellness” marketing. This experience goes in a more spiritual direction: it centers on Balinese healing that blends animism, Hindu beliefs, and traditional medicine. The healer you’ll meet is called a balian, and the idea is that they have a special connection with the spirit world. Whether you interpret that spiritually or culturally, it creates a different kind of encounter than generic tours.

What I like about this structure is that it gives you a complete arc. You start with a ritual space focused on healing—usually involving prayer, herbal remedies, and symbolic tools such as talismans, crystals, and other meaningful objects. Then you end with purification at a spring temple, where the goal is self-cleaning with holy water used for ceremonies. That two-part flow turns your time into something cohesive: ask for balance, then participate in a cleansing rite.

If you’ve ever felt like Bali tours are too surface-level, this is the opposite. You’re not just looking at temples from the roadside. You’re guided into a practice that locals treat as part of daily spiritual life. You should still keep your expectations grounded: you’re participating in a ritual that can include chanting or meditation-like focus, but the outcome you feel is personal.

Getting there: 8:30 am start and private transport

You start at 8:30 am in the Ubud area. You’ll be picked up from places in Bali covered by the tour, and you’ll have private round-trip transportation for your group. Bottled water is included, which matters because the day can involve waiting between steps and walking around temple grounds.

Duration is listed as roughly 1 to 10 hours, and that range makes sense. Some parts of the experience can move quickly, while others may take more time depending on the healer’s process and how long it takes to complete the purification rite at the holy spring temple.

One practical point: bring a plan for your next meal. Lunch isn’t included. So if you’re planning around a flight later or a busy afternoon, don’t book tight timing right after the ceremony.

Stop 1: Meeting the balian healer and what the healing might include

The shamanic healing part happens first, near the Ubud side of the itinerary. You’ll spend about an hour here, and the admission ticket for this segment is listed as free. The goal is mental and/or physical healing, and the healer uses a blend of ritual and traditional practice.

Here’s what you can expect the ceremony may involve, based on how this healing is commonly described:

• Prayers and rituals aimed at diagnosing or addressing illness
• Herbal remedies, as part of the traditional healing method
• Trance-like focus in some situations, often connected to chanting or meditation
• Symbolic tools like talismans and crystals, plus other items that represent spiritual connections

The best way to handle this part is to be calm and flexible. Your healer’s pace is the pace you follow. If you’re uncomfortable with intense spiritual focus or chanting, you should tell your guide early, before the ceremony starts, so the experience can be managed appropriately.

Also, remember that this is not the kind of activity where you can treat it like a checklist. Even if you’re there for cultural interest, the value comes from participating with respect—listening, watching, and doing what you’re asked to do.

Stop 2: Purification at Pura Mengening (melukat in sacred springs)

Your second stop is Mengening Temple (Pura Mengening), located in the village of Saraseda, Tampaksiring, in the Gianyar regency area. This is a temple dedicated to melukat, self-cleaning with holy water, and also a place to request tirtha (holy water used for Hindu ceremonies).

One big reason this temple is appealing is practical: the temple grounds are described as cool with beautiful natural scenery, and the bathing pools are part of a sacred spring system. The springs exist since the 11th century, which gives the ritual a long cultural timeline.

What the bathing area is like

Inside the temple bathing area, you’ll find pools used for self-cleaning. The pools are separated into:

• A pool for women
• A separate pool for men

The water is described as cool and clear. Before bathing, you’re expected to present canang and incense, then pray for coolness—physically and spiritually. That sequence matters because it frames the water as more than a soak. It’s part of a ceremony meant to reset you.

The admission ticket for this temple is included, and the whole stop is designed around participation rather than sightseeing alone. Expect to slow down here.

A simple etiquette note

Even without a long rule list, you’ll do best by following the flow your guide sets and the instructions you get on-site. If you’re unsure about timing or what to hold, ask right then. Temples move on their own rhythm, and good guidance makes the experience feel smooth.

The stair test at Mengening Temple

One review called out a real concern: the second part involved a lot of stairs, and it was extremely difficult for an older person with a slight disability. The operator response included a promise to inform you from the beginning and, if needed, offer other options with less stairs.

So here’s the practical takeaway for you: if mobility is limited, don’t assume the route will be fully easy. Ask your guide or operator ahead of time about stair levels and whether an alternative can be arranged.

In Bali, temple access can vary by path and day. Your best move is to be upfront before you arrive, because once you’re on-site, you may have fewer choices.

What you get for $50: value that actually makes sense

At $50 per person, this isn’t cheap in the way grocery shopping is cheap. But it also isn’t a marketing fee for a big crowd, because it’s set up as a private experience for your group.

Here’s the value breakdown from what’s included:

• Private transportation (round-trip from much of Bali coverage)
• Bottled water
• Entrance fee & ticket (including the Mengening Temple ticket)
• You don’t have to navigate on your own

What’s not included is lunch. That’s the one predictable cost you’ll need to plan for. So if you’re trying to compare total spending, think in terms of: ceremony + transport + admission fees, plus your meal after.

This package is especially good value if:

• You’re coming from farther away and would otherwise spend time arranging transport
• You want privacy rather than sharing a guide and schedule with strangers
• You care about visiting a specific purification temple like Mengening, not just a generic stop

If you’re already local and can reach the sites independently, you might find it easier to piece things together yourself. But if you want a stress-free day, the included transport helps more than you’d think.

How to get the best experience (without turning it into a performance)

This tour works best when you treat it like a ritual day, not a selfie day. The ceremony includes spiritual healing with a balian, plus holy spring purification where you prepare offerings and pray. That means your attitude matters: quiet focus tends to go farther than trying to “watch for content.”

A few practical tips that fit the information you’re given:

• Wear clothes that are comfortable for temple grounds and changing conditions.
• Plan for cool water at the springs; bring something easy to manage for after.
• Don’t forget lunch. You’ll want real food once you’re done.
• If stairs are a concern, ask early about the route and possible alternatives with less climbing.

The most praised parts in the experience are easy to summarize: people like the calm spirituality, and they like feeling comfortable with a guide who keeps things clear. One named driver/guide, Tude, was described as both conversational and informative, making people feel super comfortable and knowing exactly what to do. That kind of guidance is a big deal here, because temple rites and bathing areas can feel confusing without a steady hand.

Who this suits best

This is a strong fit if you:

• Want a more authentic Balinese spiritual encounter than a quick temple visit
• Are open to traditional healing that combines prayer, ritual, and herbs
• Like the idea of participating in purification at a holy spring temple
• Prefer a private setting for your group

It’s also a good fit for people who care about practical comfort and clarity. Pickup helps, and bottled water helps. The private setup helps even more if your group includes people who don’t enjoy crowds.

It may be less comfortable for you if:

• You have significant mobility limits and stairs are a deal-breaker
• You want a fully predictable, low-movement schedule end-to-end (because ceremonies can take time)

Should you book Ubud Shamanic Healing and Purification?

If your goal is spiritual practice with a real local healer and a purification rite at Pura Mengening, I think this is worth booking. The day is built with a clear arc, the transport is handled, and key entry costs are included. For many people, the “best part” is the feeling of being guided through something meaningful—especially when a guide like Tude keeps you comfortable and helps you know what’s next.

Book it if you’re okay with the spiritual side of Bali and you can handle temple movement, including possible stairs at Mengening. Don’t book it if stair access is likely to put you in pain or if you need a fully flat route.

If you’re deciding now, I’d choose this when you want: private, culturally grounded healing plus a sacred spring bath—and you’d rather have someone else handle the navigation and timing.

FAQ

How much does the Ubud shamanic healing and purification ceremony cost?

It costs $50.00 per person.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, Bali, Indonesia, and ends back at the meeting point.

What time does the experience begin?

The start time is 8:30 am.

How long does the ceremony last?

The duration is listed as approximately 1 to 10 hours.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and private transportation is included.

Is lunch included?

No, lunch is not included.

What are the main parts of the ceremony?

You’ll visit a traditional Balinese healer for shamanic healing, then you’ll go to Mengening Temple for purification using sacred spring water.

Is entrance to the temple included?

Yes. Entrance fees and tickets are included, including the Mengening Temple admission.

Are the bathing pools separated by gender?

Yes. The pool area includes one bath pool for women and a separate pool for men.

What should I bring for the bathing ritual?

You’re expected to present canang and incense before bathing and praying.

Is the tour affected by weather?

Yes. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.