REVIEW · UBUD
Ubud Tour – Balinese Healing By Shaman And Self Purification
Book on Viator →Operated by Yande Ubud Driver · Bookable on Viator
Holy water and shaman healing in one day.
This Ubud tour is built around Balinese purification traditions and a guided healing visit, then rounds out the day with classic craft and viewpoint stops. You start with Melukat at Mengening Temple, then go to a healer’s house in Batuan for massage and a prayer-room-style ritual, all wrapped in a smooth private-car route.
I especially like the private, flexible pace. You’re not shuffled into a big mass-tour rhythm, and multiple guide names came up as highlights, including Jana, Yande, De Putro, and Made Sutama. I also love how the day isn’t only spiritual; you get hands-on cultural context at Celuk (silver-making) and real Ubud scenery at Tegalalang.
One thing to consider: Bali traffic and a full schedule can make the day feel rushed if timings stack up. Also bring what the temple asks for, since water purification means you’ll likely want extra clothes and towels ready.
In This Review
- Key Highlights You’ll Actually Use
- Holy Water and Shaman Healing, the Ubud Way
- Mengening Temple Melukat: What to Expect From the Purification
- Batuan Village Healing: Massage, Prayer Room, and Sarong Time
- Celuk Silver Village Stop: Watching the Craft in Action
- Batuan Temple and Tri Kahyangan Architecture
- Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Coffee-and-Lunch Rhythm
- Getting the Most From Your Private Driver-Guide
- Price and Value for a $74 Private Day
- Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
- Should You Book This Ubud Cleansing and Healing Tour?
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start in Ubud?
- Is pickup and drop-off included?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I bring for the temple purification?
- How long is the tour?
- What if the weather is bad?
Key Highlights You’ll Actually Use

- Melukat at Mengening Temple for self-cleansing in holy water during a traditional ritual
- Shaman healing in Batuan with body massage areas like legs, toes, back, head, and stomach
- Prayer-room moment where you may see smoke and palm-oil application during the ceremony
- Celuk Village silver stop to watch jewelry craftspeople work and see their gallery
- Tegallalang rice terraces plus a coffee-and-lunch rhythm so your day stays manageable
- Sarong provided and mineral water included, with an A/C car for hotel pickup and return
Holy Water and Shaman Healing, the Ubud Way

If you come to Ubud for culture, this is one of the more meaningful ways to spend a day. The goal isn’t just sightseeing. It’s a structured flow: cleanse first, then heal, then balance it out with temples, crafts, and nature views.
I like that this tour treats spirituality as part of daily Balinese life, not a show. The itinerary includes a temple purification ritual at Mengening Temple, followed by healing at a shaman house in Batuan village, plus nearby places that help you understand what you’re seeing. And because it’s private pickup and return by A/C car, you’re not white-knuckling motorbike logistics while trying to do something ceremonial.
Your biggest “read the room” tip is simple: you’re stepping into a sacred context. Dress respectfully, follow instructions fast, and keep your mind calm. Even if you’re not buying the spiritual explanation wholesale, the human side of the ritual tends to hit.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ubud.
Mengening Temple Melukat: What to Expect From the Purification
The day starts at Mengening Temple, where the centerpiece is Melukat, or self-purification in holy water. The overview for this stop is clear: it’s meant to refresh your mind, reduce stress, and help clear away negative energy. You’ll be guided through the ritual in a temple setting that’s described as not overly crowded, which matters because it makes the experience feel more personal.
Plan for a practical reality: purification is water-based. The tour info specifically asks you to bring extra clothes and towels for the temple water ritual. If you forget, you’ll feel it fast—damp clothes plus humidity is a guaranteed mood-killer.
What I’d emphasize to you: treat this as a slow mental reset. The value here isn’t only the holy water itself. It’s the step-by-step intention: you arrive, you follow the ritual flow, and you leave with a calmer headspace. The tour also includes a sarong for temple visits, which helps you avoid scrambling for appropriate clothing.
Batuan Village Healing: Massage, Prayer Room, and Sarong Time

After Mengening, you head toward the healer area in Batuan village for Balinese healing. This is the part that tends to make people remember the tour as more than a checklist. The healing is described as starting with massage across important body areas: legs, toes, back, head, and stomach. The idea is improving circulation and targeting areas connected to illness or discomfort.
Next comes the holy room portion of the ritual. One review includes extra detail here: you may experience a quiet prayer-room moment with smoke and palm oil applied over the hands and head while the shaman prays. Even if you’re coming in skeptical, that combination—massage plus a prayer-centered space—creates a strong sense of ceremony.
A key practical note: you’ll want to be comfortable with touch and with slowing down. This isn’t a quick photo stop. It’s a guided, hands-on experience. If you have sensitivities (massage style, scent of oil, smoke, or closed-room feelings), think about it before you book.
Also, sarongs are included for healer and temple visits. That’s helpful because it removes one common friction point for people who arrive without the right outfit.
Celuk Silver Village Stop: Watching the Craft in Action

Celuk is often called a silver-making center, and this itinerary uses that reputation well. You’ll visit Celuk Village, where you can see silver jewelry manufacture done manually and also view examples and a gallery.
This stop is a nice contrast to the more spiritual parts of the day. The temple and healing visit are about intention and ritual. Celuk is about skill. You’re looking at craft that’s been practiced long enough to become a local identity.
Timing is also a win: the Celuk stop is listed at around 30 minutes. That means it’s long enough to get a real sense of how the work happens, but not so long that it drags. If you like cultural crafts, you’ll appreciate that you’re not just passing by an “art market.” You’re seeing how the product is made and how the craft is presented.
Batuan Temple and Tri Kahyangan Architecture

Then you move to Batuan Temple, described as one of the more popular and beautiful village temples tied into the Tri Kahyangan system. This stop is positioned as a cultural anchor, not just a scenic break.
The details matter here: Batuan Temple is described as using Balinese architecture with split gates and stonework. It’s also part of the three major temples in the village system. If you’ve been to other Indonesian islands, you’ll recognize the pattern: religious structures aren’t only religious. They’re also community landmarks and identity markers.
The itinerary gives this stop about 1 hour, which is a good middle ground. You can take your time walking around, look at the architectural elements, and still keep your day’s energy.
If you’re sensitive to crowds, you’ll likely like that this tour doesn’t push you into constant high-traffic sites back-to-back. The pacing tends to support a calmer vibe, though traffic outside temple times can still affect your arrival schedule.
Tegalalang Rice Terrace and the Coffee-and-Lunch Rhythm

After temples and crafts, the tour shifts into the classic Ubud countryside rhythm. First up is Tegallalang Rice Terrace, known for valley views and those famous layered rice fields. You’re given about 1 hour here, which is enough to find a viewpoint, take in the scenery, and get your photos without feeling like you’re trapped in a line.
Then the itinerary includes a coffee break at Lumbung Sari Agroo for sampling coffee and tea. This stop is around 30 minutes. It’s not just about drinking something hot. It’s about timing: you’re building in a small pause between sightseeing blocks so you don’t run on fumes.
Lunch follows at Tebasari Resto, Bar & Lounge with a local warung-style break and jungle views. Lunch and mineral water are listed as included, so you’re not forced to budget time or money for food midstream. One warning: jungle views are great, but also plan for humidity. Sip water, wipe sweat, and don’t wait until you feel tired before you rest.
This section of the day is where many people feel the tour becomes whole. You start with purification, move to healing, then shift into nature and everyday life—rice terraces, coffee, and a casual meal. That mix tends to leave you with a more balanced Ubud day than a route that’s only temples or only scenery.
Getting the Most From Your Private Driver-Guide

A big reason this tour scores so high is the human factor: the driver-guide role. Multiple praised names show up in feedback, including Jana, Yande, De Putro, Made Sutama, Nyoman, Wayan, Edi, and Arthur. The consistent theme is that people felt cared for, explained things well, and weren’t left guessing.
For you, that means two practical things:
- You can ask questions and get context instead of just directions.
- If your schedule shifts, a good guide may help rearrange the day so it still makes sense.
I’d also focus on timing and comfort. There’s at least one clear caution from feedback: if traffic is heavy, the day can feel packed and create stress. This is normal in Bali, especially around peak movement times. Your best move is to keep expectations flexible. If you’re chasing a perfect minute-by-minute plan, you’ll feel annoyed. If you’re chasing an experience, the private flow helps you ride out delays.
Because it’s private, you also have more control over your pace. You can usually take an extra few minutes at a viewpoint or pause for water without worrying that the whole group will be left behind.
Price and Value for a $74 Private Day

At $74 per person, this tour can be good value if you plan to do several things in one day anyway. You’re paying for more than admission tickets. You’re also buying private hotel pickup and return by A/C car, plus an English-speaking driver-guide, plus included fees and taxes.
Here’s where the math tends to work in your favor:
- You get multiple paid-entry style stops (temple sites, villages, and viewpoints).
- You avoid coordinating separate taxis or rides between far-apart areas.
- You don’t have to worry about basic ritual prep clothing since a sarong is included.
The only catch is that the day can be full. If you’re the type who likes slow travel and wants fewer stops, you might feel rushed. But if you want a one-day overview that still includes a distinctive cultural core (Melukat plus shaman healing), the price feels more reasonable.
Also note: duration is listed as 1 to 8 hours, and it starts at 8:00 am. Realistically, plan for a substantial chunk of the day. Build in rest afterward, especially if you’re sensitive to heat or if you’ll be in ceremonies that involve smoke, oil, or water ritual steps.
Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Skip It)
This tour is a strong fit if you want:
- A Ubud day that mixes spiritual tradition with craft and scenic stops
- A private-car day that keeps transport simple
- A structured Melukat and healing experience rather than casual temple wandering
- A guide who helps with context and, for many people, also supports photo moments so you can actually enjoy the memory
You might want to skip or choose a gentler option if you:
- Hate the idea of smoke, ritual oil, or close-contact massage in a ceremony setting
- Don’t want a packed day with multiple stops
- Are likely to struggle with timing stress during heavy traffic
It’s also worth booking with good expectations about weather. The experience is listed as requiring decent conditions, and poor weather can lead to a different date or a refund.
Should You Book This Ubud Cleansing and Healing Tour?
I’d book it if you’re aiming for a day that feels like more than tourism. The combination of Melukat self-purification at Mengening Temple and shaman healing in Batuan is the unique core. Add Celuk silver craft, Batuan Temple architecture, and Tegallalang rice terraces, and you get a well-rounded Ubud mix that still has a clear theme.
I’d hesitate only if you’re easily overwhelmed by full schedules or if you’re unsure about participating in ceremonial elements like water purification, smoke, or massage. If that sounds like you, I’d consider a shorter version focused on temples and scenery, or a more relaxed schedule.
If you do book, do these two things and you’ll feel prepared fast:
- Bring extra clothes and a towel for the Melukat water part.
- Keep your day flexible. Traffic happens, and private doesn’t mean perfect timing.
FAQ
What time does the tour start in Ubud?
The start time is listed as 8:00 am.
Is pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. The tour includes private pickup and return to your hotel by an air-conditioned car.
What’s included in the price?
Mineral water and lunch are included, along with sarong clothing for visiting the healer and the temple, all fees and taxes, and an English-speaking driver/guide for a private tour.
What should I bring for the temple purification?
Bring extra clothes and towels for water purification in the temple.
How long is the tour?
The duration is listed as approximately 1 to 8 hours.
What if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
























