You can never get enough of Bali and it’s true. There is always something new to enjoy in Bali, whether it’s another reinvention of raw food, the new surf beaches, or new corners never explored before. Just outside of the popular town of Ubud, lies Sayan, a small village that sits right next to the famous Ayung River. It’s a place to meet the locals and to get away from touristy Ubud during peak season. You can take a taxi or rent a car from Ngurah Rai Airport to Sayan, with a 1 hour and 17 minute trip. The small village of Sayan is the perfect alternative holiday destination to meet locals and to find serenity, for a peaceful holiday.
1. Have a yoga & meditation retreat at Dharma Santi Yoga Bale, Four Seasons Hotel Sayan
Dharma Santi Yoga Bale is Bali’s first Antigravity Yoga class. It has daily antigravity yoga classes and also a meditation series that you can join everyday. It also offers Life Talks, a program of talking about wellness, where you can gain insight about healthy living. Take a break from the world and rejuvenate yourself with Dharma Santi Yoga Bale yoga & meditation programs.
Antigravity Yoga at Dharma Santi Yoga Bale
Address: Jl. Raya Sayan, Sayan, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Website: Antigravity Yoga
2. Join a cooking class and learn to cook like a local!
Balinese foods are famous for their fresh ingredients and tasty dishes that spoil your senses. The classes will start with a visit to the local vegetable and fish market in the morning, where many of the ingredients are purchased for the day’s program. This includes spices, meat, chicken, cakes and the freshest available seafood. You will return back to the open wide kitchen where you will be guided to prepare and cook traditional Balinese dishes such as vegetable urap, a mix of raw vegetables with tasty coconut, Pepes Be Pasih, fish cooked with banana leaves, and many more. You will learn about Balinese traditional herbs and spices, which you can mix with your own favorite dish at home. And the best thing about these cooking classes is that you can eat the dishes when you finish!
Bumbu Bali Cooking Class
Address: Jl. Suweta No.1, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Website: Bumbu Bali Cooking Class
3. Join a health & beauty workshop
Surrounded with lush tropical forests and traditional wisdom, Bali is the place to learn about healthy living. You can start learning from the healthy dishes and follow with the health & beauty workshop. At the health & beauty workshop, you will learn about making traditional body treatments using Balinese fresh ingredients, while you learn also about the spices and herbs and their qualities for your body. This includes stamina drinks, hair and body treatments, etc.
Health & Beauty Class at Ubud Botany Interactive
Website: Health & Beauty Class
4. Play exotic music at Puri Lukisan Museum music class
Intrigued by the sound of traditional music playing during your lunch or at the hotel reception? The exotic music from the traditional music instruments of Bali gives you a calm and peaceful feeling. So why don’t you try to learn how to play the gamelan and suling (in English: flute), and make your own contemporary Balinese music arrangement? You will enjoy playing them and feel calm at the same time. It’s the best way to spend your holiday!
Gamelan Class at Puri Lukisan Museum
Address: Jl. Raya Ubud, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Website: Gamelan Class
5. Join a Balinese dance class
Traditional Balinese dances have a close relation to the Bali-Hindu culture. When you attend the traditional Balinese show, you will see that each dance has its own Bali-Hindu meaning and wisdom. Step out of your ordinary holiday itinerary and join an introduction into Balinese dance. You will learn the basic steps and how to integrate your body movement, hand, and facial gestures that make Balinese dance so beautiful. And the teacher will explain the meaning behind each individual posture and gesture that comprises the basics of Balinese dance. It’s a wonderful way to expand your Bali-Hindu culture knowledge and another way to exercise.
Traditional Balinese Dance Workshop
Website: Traditional Balinese Dance Workshop
6. Explore your creativity at a Studio Perak jewelry making class
Go further to Padangtegal and practice your art skills at a Studio Perak jewelry making class. Studio Perak is a locally run business, where Pak Ketut, the designer, plies his trade of making beautiful, organically inspired jewelry with silver and semi precious stones. His designs are inspired by nature and simplicity, and he uses the traditional techniques of Balinese silver smiting, incorporated into fresh, contemporary designs. Pak Ketut passes his knowledge of silver making through his famous jewelry making classes. It’s a place where you can explore your creativity in a fun and relaxed atmosphere.
Studio Perak Jewelry Making Class
Address: JI. Hanoman, Ubud 80571, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesia
Website: Studio Perak Jewelry Making Class
7. Art and craft hunting at Ubud market
Ubud is famous as the centre of Balinese art furniture. You can enjoy art and craft hunting at Ubud by visiting the art markets or design your own art with some Ubud designers. From hanging mirrors, garden lamps, to traditional Balinese linen fabrics, you will never get enough of Balinese crafts. Don’t forget to check the courier charge when you start your hunting.
Bali Art & Craft Tour
Address: Jl. Raya Ketewel No. 54, Gianyar - Bali, Indonesia
Website: Bali Art & Craft Tour
8. Ride your bicycle and meditate at Jatiluwih Rice Terrace
While in Sayan, there is another way to meditate and retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city and busy tourists places. Jatiluwih Rice Terrace, a World Heritage UNESCO site, is the perfect area to find peace and tranquility. Jatiluwih Rice Terrace is 636 hectares (1,571 acres) of rice fields and located in Penebel village, Tabanan. Jatiluwih’s panoramic scenery will accompany you during your bicycle ride. Feel the fresh air and breezing wind of Jatiluwih, making your inner self closer to the universe. You will be rejuvenated and ready to conquer the world again.
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace Tour
Website: Jatiluwih Rice Terrace Tour
9. Hike the volcano of Mount Batur and catch the sunrise
Sayan offers serenity and peaceful activities, but it doesn’t mean you can only find them in indoor or outdoor classes. You can find serenity on a higher ground like hiking Mount Batur, the volcanic mountain. Mount Batur, an active volcano, is one of the sacred mountains according to Hindu belief. It stands 1,717 meters (5,633 feet) above sea level; Mount Batur can be summited by physically fit hikers in around 2 hours. The best way to enjoy Mount Batur is during the sunrise. The spectacular sunrise scenery and the sacred, earthy feeling will give you an unforgettable experience. There are many sunrise treks to Mount Batur from Sayan, check with your accommodation.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking
Website: Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking
10. Get an adrenaline rush with Ayung River rafting
Clean all negativities from your mind and soul at Ayung River. Try river rafting at Ayung River for an adrenaline rush activity! You can stop at the hidden waterfall for a quick dip during your river rafting experience. Ayung River is in the middle of the lush tropical jungle. Who knows, you might get lucky and meet the famous blue javan kingfisher bird on your way!
Ayung Rafting
Website: Ayung Rafting
You will always be welcome at Sayan
Whether it’s a calm, relaxing lesson, or an adrenaline pumping activity, rest assured that you will be granted with the feeling of serenity and a peaceful mind. Sayan will always welcome you whenever you want to get away from reality.
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