Want a souvenir that keeps burning in your room? In this Ubud incense making workshop, you create custom incense sticks and cones from scratch, including scent choices with organic essential oils. You also get the story behind how incense shaped Balinese Hindu culture, not just a quick craft.

I especially like the hands-on scent customization. You’ll choose your own natural incense blend and then coat the sticks with aromatic powder using what you make.

One thing to consider: the class runs about 1 hour, so if you want a slow, soak-in-every-step experience, you may wish you’d scheduled extra time before or after.

Key highlights

• From-scratch incense: sticks and cones made with your own formula.
• Scent blending with organic essential oils: you customize the fragrance.
• Take-home DIY kit: you get an instructions card to make more at home.
• Handmade incense burn time: your sticks are listed as 1+ hour burn time each.
• Optional ceramic burner add-on: paint a customized burner for 45k.
• Small group size: maximum of 6 travelers for more individual help.

The vibe: a short class that feels like real making

This workshop is built for people who want more than watching someone else do the work. You’re not copying a preset scent or following a rigid script. Instead, you’ll learn how incense starts with ingredients and a formula, then turns into sticks and cones you can actually use.

The setting is a studio-class format in Ubud. The experience runs around 1:00 pm and finishes back where it starts, so you can slot it into an afternoon without hunting transport across town.

The class also keeps the group small, with a maximum of 6. That matters because incense making takes attention—especially when you’re mixing scents and coating the sticks properly.

Where you’ll go in Ubud (and how to plan around it)

You’ll meet at Bali Art Workshop Studio, Jl. Bisma No.85, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia. It ends back at the same meeting point.

This matters because a lot of Ubud activities scatter you across different locations. Here, your time stays focused. You can arrive, check in, and settle in without the stress of a multi-stop route.

Since the workshop is about 1 hour (approx.), I’d plan a flexible block around it. Give yourself time to browse nearby streets before you go in, or to grab a snack after, since soda/pop isn’t included.

What you actually do: your incense steps, start to finish

The experience is described as creating incense completely from scratch. That phrasing is important because it signals you’ll learn the process, not just assemble an end product.

Here’s the flow you can expect based on what the class includes and teaches:

First, you’ll customize the scent using organic essential oils. Then you’ll customize your own natural incense blend. This is the part that turns it from a craft into something personal.

Next comes the physical work: you’ll coat incense sticks with aromatic powder. You’ll also craft incense cones (the cones are part of the take-home creation).

Finally, you’ll tie it all together with the learning portion. You’ll hear the incense formula and the history of incense, plus Balinese incense secrets and how incense shaped Balinese Hindu culture.

Scent blending with organic essential oils (the part you’ll remember)

The most practical value here is scent control. You’re not stuck with a single fragrance. You’ll choose with organic essential oils and build your own incense blend.

If you’re someone who likes smelling things in stores, this will feel familiar—but better. Instead of guessing, you’re turning your preferences into a working formula you can take home.

A small tip for getting the most out of scent blending: pay attention to how the essential oils smell before mixing, during mixing, and after. Incense is not the same as straight oil scent in the air, so your nose may need a moment to adjust to the final form.

Also, remember that fragrance choices can be personal but still portable. Your take-home kit means you can remake your blend later using the instructions card, which is the difference between a one-time craft and a skill you can repeat.

Coating sticks, making cones, and getting your hands involved

Incense making is one of those crafts where the details matter. The workshop gives you that detail by having you do the coating steps yourself.

You’ll coat the sticks with aromatic powder, then craft incense cones as part of your creations. The hands-on element is a big reason this class earns top marks—people usually leave feeling like they made something real, not just carried home a pre-made souvenir.

Your results are meant to be usable: you’ll take home your hand-made incense sticks, and they’re listed as burning 1+ hour each. That burn-time detail is more helpful than you might think. It means you’re not just making a decorative stick that lasts five minutes.

One practical consideration: incense work can be a little sensory. You’ll be working with powders and scent concentrates. So if you’re sensitive to strong smells, go in with the understanding that you’ll be creating fragrance on purpose.

The incense history and Balinese culture piece (what it adds beyond the craft)

This isn’t framed only as a recipe class. The workshop includes a learning component focused on incense’s sacred meaning and how it connects to Balinese Hindu culture.

You’ll learn:

• the world of incense from the beginning
• the incense’s sacred meaning and history
• that Balinese did not invent incense, but you’ll still explore its sacred role through Balinese context
• Balinese incense secrets
• how incense shaped Balinese Hindu culture

That background matters because it keeps your craft from becoming a purely cosmetic activity. When you understand why incense matters culturally, the scent you blend feels intentional. Even if you never light the sticks again, the process becomes a story you can tell later.

I also like that the history angle is stated plainly. It avoids heavy lecturing and keeps the learning tied to the work you’re doing with your hands.

Take-home kit: what you get when you leave

The take-home value is clear, and that’s what makes this class feel like more than a $20 craft.

Included take-home items:

• a DIY incense kit so you can make more at home
• your hand-made incense sticks (listed with 1+ hour burn time each)
• a DIY incense instructions card
• a deeper understanding of incense and how it shaped Balinese Hindu culture

There’s also an optional add-on:

• a customized ceramic incense burner (optional add 45k)

That burner option is useful if you want your incense setup to look finished at home. Painting a ceramic burner can turn the project into a longer craft memory, even though the main workshop is short.

If you do not add the burner, you’ll still leave with the sticks and the instructions card. So you’re not required to spend extra to make the experience worth your time.

Price and logistics: is $20.07 actually good value

At $20.07 per person, the value here comes from three things: personalization, take-home output, and a repeatable kit.

First, personalization. Most souvenir incense in Ubud is pre-made. Here, you’re customizing scents with organic essential oils and creating your own natural blend.

Second, take-home output. You leave with handmade sticks listed as burning 1+ hour each, plus a kit to make more. That’s the difference between buying a smell and practicing the method.

Third, repeatability. The instructions card is the practical bridge back home. If you’re the type who likes doing small home projects, you’ll likely use it again.

Logistics are also tidy. You have one meeting point, one start time, and a quick return. Also, you’ll receive a mobile ticket, and you get confirmation at booking time.

One note: soda/pop isn’t included. So if you’re prone to snack-time decisions mid-afternoon, bring water or plan to buy a drink nearby before class.

Who this workshop is best for (and who should skip it)

This workshop is a great fit if you:

• like hands-on crafts more than passive tours
• enjoy scent and want to make a fragrance you control
• want a take-home project that’s meant to be used, not just displayed
• prefer small groups (maximum of 6)

You might skip it if you:

• want a long, slow workshop with a lot of downtime
• are looking for a performance-heavy entertainment style rather than making
• dislike working with powders or strong fragrances, even if you’re choosing the scents yourself

If you’re doing a Ubud itinerary packed with temples and art stops, this is a nice break because it’s creative and contained. It also gives you a tactile memory of the trip that doesn’t fade like photos.

What makes the class stand out in real terms

The most praised aspect is the teaching support. The staff are called out as informative and helpful, which is exactly what you want in a craft class. Incense making has enough moving parts (scent, blend, coating, stick/cone form) that a good guide makes a measurable difference.

The other standout is time use. Even with the listed 1 hour (approx.) duration, people describe it as time well spent. For you, that translates to: you’ll likely feel you got real instructions and not just a quick demo.

Finally, the take-home kit raises the value ceiling. If you’re the type who likes making small things at home, the instructions card and kit can turn this from a one-off activity into a continuing hobby.

Should you book this Ubud incense making workshop?

If your ideal Ubud day includes a craft you control—especially scent—you should book it. The combination of making incense from scratch, customizing with organic essential oils, and taking home a DIY kit with instructions is the winning formula here.

Also, if you want a souvenir with practical life after your trip, the listed 1+ hour burn time and take-home kit are stronger than typical mementos.

The only reason not to book is if you need a longer workshop or you’re strongly sensitive to fragrances and powders. If that sounds like you, choose a different Ubud experience with less scent work.

FAQ

How long is the incense making workshop?

The workshop lasts about 1 hour (approx.).

Where does the workshop start in Ubud?

It starts at Bali Art Workshop Studio, Jl. Bisma No.85, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia.

What time does the workshop begin?

The start time is 1:00 pm.

What will I make during the class?

You’ll make custom incense sticks and incense cones, starting from scratch.

What’s included in the take-home kit?

You’ll receive a DIY incense kit to make more at home, plus your hand-made incense sticks and a DIY incense instructions card. A customized ceramic incense burner is included only if you add it.

Can I customize the scent?

Yes. You can customize the scent with organic essential oils and create your own natural incense blend.

How many people are in the group?

The experience has a maximum of 6 travelers.

Is there a cancellation window for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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