Meditate with a Shaman

A morning of quiet ritual in Ubud can change your tempo fast. This experience pairs an off-the-path water cleansing at Mengening Temple with an intimate shaman reading that most visitors never get access to. I especially liked the small group size and the careful way the guides handled the translation at the shaman’s home, which makes the day feel respectful rather than performative. One thing to plan for: you’ll start early (around 7:00am), and the water ritual isn’t for everyone—women who are menstruating can’t attend the temple portion.

I also love how the day is paced. You do something physical and calming first, then eat breakfast, then shift into personal guidance with the shaman. The practical advantage is that you’re not figuring anything out yourself: pickup is offered around Ubud, and a team member translates since the shaman doesn’t speak English.

Key things to know before you go

• Mengening Temple is the core moment: a water purification ritual tied to stillness and letting go.
• Small group cap of eight: the day stays intimate, not crowded.
• Pickup from your Ubud hotel area: two-way transfers are included for a low-stress start.
• Shaman reading is translated: you can ask questions through your guide and understand the guidance.
• You’ll have time for photos and recording: the experience supports capturing the shaman’s reading.
• Bring towel and swimwear for the temple: and note the period restriction for the water ritual.

An early start that’s actually worth it

This is one of those Ubud experiences that works best when you beat the day. You’ll meet in the 6–7am window, with the start time listed as 7:00am. From there, you drive to Mengening Temple, a water temple known for a name tied to stillness.

The timing matters. Showing up early means the ritual feels more like a real spiritual morning than a staged sightseeing stop. And because this is capped at a maximum of eight people, the vibe stays quiet and personal from the moment you arrive.

Mengening Temple: water purification at a less-visited place

The first major stop is the water ritual at Mengening Temple. You’ll hear that it’s off-the-path and less visited, and that matches what you want from this kind of day: fewer distractions, more focus.

Here’s what the ritual is aiming to do. The cleansing is described as a way to let go of what no longer serves you, then take in what moves you forward. In other words, it’s not just “take a photo by the water.” It’s structured like a reset—physical, mental, and spiritual.

What to bring and what to expect

Plan around the water part. The instructions are clear: bring your own towel and swimwear for the temple. You’ll be in a water setting, so comfortable, practical swimwear beats anything complicated.

Also note the restriction: woman during period can not come to the water temple. If that applies to you right now, this isn’t the right day for the purification portion.

A gentle heads-up on photos and filming

One of the most repeated positives in the feedback is that there are opportunities to take photos. There’s also mention that you can voice record the shaman’s reading later, and the overall tone suggests the guides keep things respectful while still helping you capture what you came for. Just follow the guide’s timing once you arrive.

The guide makes or breaks a spiritual day

This trip leans heavily on interpretation. The shaman typically doesn’t speak English, so your team will act as translator during the reading.

In the feedback, guide names show up often—Ena, Anna, and Putu—and the common thread is how patiently they handled the spiritual practices and explanations. That matters because a ritual like this can feel confusing if you only get snippets. The guide work helps you understand what you’re seeing and what the shaman is saying, not just that something happened.

If you want a meaningful outcome, show up curious and relaxed. The more you can follow the flow through your guide’s translation, the more sense the reading tends to make afterward.

Breakfast in Ubud: a real meal, not an afterthought

After the temple cleansing, you’ll drive back to Ubud for breakfast at a beautiful restaurant. The trip timing puts this around mid-morning, before the shaman meeting at about 11:00am.

This is a good design choice. You need a normal meal after water ritual. It also gives your mind time to settle before you go into something personal.

Some feedback specifically calls out that the restaurant can offer vegan and gluten-free options. So if you’re eating with restrictions, it’s worth confirming needs when you book (or through your guide). At minimum, plan on a sit-down breakfast rather than a snack stop.

Shaman meeting around 11am: palm reading and birth date guidance

This is the part many people describe as the emotional center of the day. Around 11am, you head to the shaman house. The transfer is listed as about 30 minutes, give or take, depending on the group and route conditions.

At the shaman’s home, the reading process is described like this:

• she reads your palm
• she looks at your birth date
• she taps into the energy of your soul to offer guidance and advice on how to move forward

If you’re wondering what you’ll talk about: you’re guided through it, not just thrown on the spot. A key detail from the feedback is that people felt the reading worked even when they didn’t over-explain their life. That doesn’t mean you should stay silent the whole time, but it suggests the shaman is doing the heavy lifting rather than relying on you to provide a full biography.

Can you understand it if the shaman doesn’t speak English?

Yes, because a member of the team translates. One review even notes that recording is possible, which is useful if you want to revisit what was said after you’re back in your room and the adrenaline wears off.

This is also why I think the guide matters so much here. Translation is not just language. It’s tone, timing, and whether you catch the meaning behind the advice.

Photo and recording reality check

Feedback highlights “many opportunities to take photos” and that you can voice record the reading. If recording is important to you, bring a phone with enough battery and storage. Also be respectful of pacing—recording should support memory, not distract from the moment.

The flower basket detail you might want to know about

One review mentions that the team taught about creating a flower basket for offerings. This isn’t described in the core itinerary summary you provided, but it is specifically mentioned in the experience feedback, so it’s plausible you’ll see a similar offering practice as part of the day’s ritual culture.

If the guides do this with your group, it’s one of the best “hands-on” cultural touches. Even if you’ve read about Balinese offerings before, making one helps you understand why the gestures matter.

Just follow instructions and move slowly. The point is participation, not speed.

Transfers and timing: why traffic can change the finish

The big win for most people is that two-way transfers are offered, with pickup from your Ubud hotel area. That’s the difference between a calm morning and scrambling for drivers.

The day usually finishes back in Ubud around 2pm, but it’s flexible. One piece of feedback noted that due to traffic, drop-off might not be exactly at the hotel and someone may need a quick rideshare solution like Grab or Gojek. The lesson: if your hotel is a little remote from the main pickup route, be ready to coordinate the last 10–15 minutes if needed, and keep a bit of cash on hand if that’s your style.

Price and value: what $99.27 buys you in Ubud terms

At $99.27 per person for about 8 hours, this isn’t a budget-only activity. But it’s also not a luxury spa price point. The value comes from three things that are hard to replicate alone:

1. Access and relationships

The healer is described as rarely working with travelers, and that matters. In a place like Bali, the biggest hurdle isn’t the scenery—it’s getting into the right room with the right people.

1. An off-the-path ritual setting

Mengening Temple is described as peaceful and less visited. That’s a real quality upgrade. Early access plus a small group means you’re not sharing the moment with tour buses.

1. Translation and guidance

The shaman doesn’t speak English, and you’ll have translation support. That turns the reading from vibes into something you can actually understand and reflect on.

Add in that the tour is booked, on average, about 27 days in advance. That’s a sign it has steady demand, and it likely sells out when groups are kept small.

Who this experience fits best

This is best for you if you want a structured spiritual day, not a generic “Bali culture” overview.

It fits well if you:

• like quiet early mornings
• enjoy meeting spiritual practitioners respectfully
• want guidance you can reflect on later
• appreciate small group intimacy (max eight)

It’s not a great match if you:

• need a late start
• are expecting a purely entertainment-style experience
• need the water temple portion while menstruating (the guidance says you can’t attend that portion)

If you’re going solo, this can work too because the group stays small, and the day gives you a clear set of steps. If you’re going with your parent or companion, it can be a meaningful shared memory, especially with clear translation support.

Should you book this meditation with a shaman day?

If your goal is calm, personal guidance, and a real cultural ritual experience in Ubud, I’d say book it—especially if you’re the kind of person who likes early starts and doesn’t need big crowds to feel “worth it.”

Go for it if the idea of a water purification ritual at Mengening Temple appeals, and if you want shaman guidance translated into your language so you can actually take meaning from it. Skip it if the early timing or the menstruation restriction affects you, or if you’d rather do something less personal and more sightseeing-focused.

FAQ

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 7:00am, with pickup and meeting typically happening in the 6–7am window.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

Yes. Free pickup around Ubud area is offered, and the tour includes hassle-free two-way transfers direct from your Ubud hotel.

How many people are in the group?

The group is capped at a maximum of eight travelers.

What happens at Mengening Temple?

You’ll take part in a water purification (cleansing) ritual. You should bring your own towel and swimwear.

Can women who are on their period join the water temple ritual?

No. The notes say women during period can not come to the water temple.

What if the shaman doesn’t speak English?

Your team provides translation during the shaman meeting. The reading also can be recorded by voice, so you can review what was said later.