Which Bali retreat to choose: comparing 3, 8 and 10-day programs

In Bali, retreats have become just as popular a part of a holiday as surfing, spa and trips around the island. There are especially many retreat centres operating in Ubud, but other tourist areas of the island also host yoga classes and meditations, have Ayurvedic and spa centres, while Balinese practices introduce visitors to local spiritual traditions. For a retreat you can choose a hotel surrounded by tropical greenery or spend a few days by the ocean.

You don't have to drop out of life for a whole month for the sake of a retreat. There are short three-day programs, week-long retreats and longer journeys of 8–10 days. In some, massages and spa take up most of the time; in others, it's daily yoga, meditations and spiritual practices, while certain programs let you combine all of this with trips around Bali. That's why the question "which Bali retreat should I choose for the first time?" is better approached not by looking for the most packed program, but by deciding how much time you're willing to set aside and why you're going.

In this article we'll look at which retreat to choose, how many days to allow for it and how MyBaliTrips programs differ.

How is a retreat different from a regular holiday in Bali?

A retreat means that for several days you live according to a set program. It may include yoga and meditations, massages, Ayurvedic treatments, special meals and Balinese practices. At the same time, there is still free time. The main thing is to check the program and accommodation conditions in advance. In Bali you can find completely different formats: from three days of spa and yoga to Vipassana with hours-long meditations and strict rules. That's why two retreats of the same length can turn out to be completely different in content and pace.

Bali retreats: a brief comparison

Three days in Ubud: when you only have the weekend for a retreat

Can you recover over a weekend in Bali? Solving the problem of chronic fatigue in three days is, of course, unlikely. But putting your phone aside and switching off from work mode at a retreat centre is quite realistic.

"In Harmony with Yourself" is a short 3-day retreat in Bali at the Adiwana Resort Jembawan in Ubud. The price includes two nights at the hotel, three meals a day, the treatments from the program, group yoga and meditation classes and a private transfer.

The program begins with a consultation with a specialist, after which the participant enjoys the Balinese Boreh ritual: a massage, a warming scrub of herbs and spices and a flower bath. Then comes Snana, a bath with a decoction of roots and bark. On the second day, Ayurvedic treatments are added to the morning yoga and meditation. Abhyanga is performed with warm herbal oils, while during Shirodhara oil is poured in a thin stream onto the forehead area. Between treatments there is free time – you can rest at the hotel or go for a walk around Ubud. On the final day a morning yoga class awaits you, and the program concludes with a relaxing massage and facial treatments.

This format suits those who want to try a Bali retreat for the first time but aren't ready to set aside many days for it yet.

Eight days in Ubud: yoga, Melukat and Balinese practices

The "In the Paradise of Silence" retreat lasts eight days and takes place at Adiwana Svarga Loka. While a three-day retreat is more of a short pause during a holiday in Bali, here a full week in Ubud is devoted to practices and relaxation. Sometimes the name is misleading. The "In the Paradise of Silence" retreat does not mean you'll have to spend eight days in complete silence. The program includes classes with teachers, consultations, an excursion to a temple, workshops and conversations with specialists.

The price includes seven nights, three meals a day, the practices and spa treatments stated in the program, a private transfer and 24/7 manager support. Here you can spend a week in one place and get to know the practices more deeply. The retreat begins with a consultation with a specialist who helps choose a healthy diet and gives recommendations for the days ahead. All classes alternate with free time. The program also includes Shirodhara, traditional Balinese and coconut massages, reflexology and herbal baths.

A separate day is devoted to getting acquainted with the traditions and culture of Bali. One of the days includes a trip to the Mengening temple for Melukat – a traditional Balinese purification ceremony with holy water. Another interesting activity is a workshop on making Boreh, a traditional mixture of herbs, roots and spices used for body care.

If, however, you need a strict retreat with a ban on talking, phones and outside contact, Bali has separate international programs. For example, the Dhamma Geha centre in Bangli holds 10-day Vipassana courses in the tradition of S. N. Goenka – part of the international Dhamma network. Participants follow a set schedule and the rules of the course, and devote most of the day to meditation.

Ten days: a retreat and a journey around Bali

The "Reboot" retreat tour differs significantly from the two previous programs. Here yoga, spa and Balinese practices become part of a long route around the island. In a single trip you get to explore eastern Bali, spend a few quiet days in the Ubud area and relax on the beach in Nusa Dua. The price includes nine nights in three 4–5 star hotels, breakfasts, travel around Bali, entrance tickets and guide support during excursions. A great option for those who want everything at once!

The first three days take place in the Candidasa area. Yoga classes are scheduled in the morning, and in the afternoon you can go for a massage or head out snorkelling. It's precisely in eastern Bali that some of the best snorkelling spots are found: there are many coral reefs off the coast, and underwater you can encounter large schools of tropical fish, turtles and other marine life. Then the route heads inland. On the way to Ubud there are stops at the Goa Lawah cave temple, the Tirta Gangga and Taman Ujung water palaces and Virgin Beach.

Upon arrival in Ubud the pace of the trip becomes much calmer. Morning practices and spa treatments await you. Another day is devoted to Balinese traditions and the central part of the island: a purification ceremony at Sebatu, the Tirta Empul temple, the Tegallalang rice terraces and the Tegenungan waterfall.

The final part of the tour takes place in the south of Bali, in Nusa Dua, where after an eventful route you can spend the remaining days by the ocean.

A retreat with kundalini yoga and a detox program

If you want more yoga and body practices, we suggest choosing the 8-day "The Path to Yourself" retreat in Ubud. The program is built around kundalini tantra yoga, which takes place almost every morning. Added to it are stretching, meditations with mantras, classes at an ashram, spa and a personal consultation. On the second day participants are introduced to Jala Neti – a yogic practice of cleansing the nasal passages with warm salted water using a special pot.

Special attention is paid to nutrition. The program includes daily breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners. On the fifth day you can try therapeutic fasting or choose a gentler option with vegetables, root vegetables, juices and coconut water.

FAQ

Can I go on a retreat in Bali alone?
Yes! People come to retreats both as couples and on their own. So if you're looking for a retreat in Bali for women or planning a trip without company, you can focus primarily on the length and content of the program. For your first time you don't have to choose eight or ten days straight away – you can start with the short three-day option. Accommodation, the class schedule and the main treatments are already included in the program, and MyBaliTrips retreats also arrange transfers and support. We've covered solo travel for women in Bali in more detail in our article.

What should I bring to a retreat?
Bring comfortable clothes for yoga and meditation, a swimsuit, light footwear and your usual holiday things. In Ubud it can be cooler in the evening than on the coast, so a light sweater or long-sleeved clothing will come in handy. To visit temples you'll need clothing that covers your shoulders.

When is the best time to go on a retreat in Bali?
Retreats in Bali run all year round. During the rainy season from November to March, yoga classes, massages and spa treatments continue as usual, but the weather may affect excursions and water activities.

Do I need yoga training?
No. The retreats listed above don't require any yoga experience. All programs are suitable for beginners.