Balinese Shaman Healing & Tirta Empul Cleansing Tour

Summary

East Bali Spiritual Cleansing with Local Shaman & Holy Water Ritual

If you’re looking for something deeper than sightseeing in Bali, this tour gives you real moments with local shamans and lets you join in ancient cleansing rituals at Tirta Empul Temple—plus some great food in Ubud.

What’s the experience like?

The drive out to East Bali is a bit of a journey—about an hour and a half from my hotel, but the scenery along the way kept me wide awake. Rice fields, tiny roadside shrines, even a rooster or two darting across the road. When we finally pulled up to the shaman’s home, it was quiet except for the soft sound of wind chimes. Our guide introduced us to Pak Made, the shaman. He didn’t say much at first—just smiled and motioned for us to sit on woven mats under a mango tree. The air smelled faintly of incense and frangipani. The cleansing ritual itself felt surprisingly grounding; Pak Made moved his hands in slow circles above my head, murmuring prayers I couldn’t quite catch. There was this gentle tingling sensation—hard to explain, but it left me feeling lighter somehow.

Afterwards, we headed over to Tirta Empul Temple for the Melukat ritual. It’s busy there—locals and visitors lining up at the pools, everyone waiting their turn under the spouts of holy water. Our guide explained which fountains to start with (there’s an order), and even helped tie my sarong properly so I wouldn’t offend anyone. The water was cool—even cold at first—and you could hear people quietly chanting or just taking deep breaths before ducking under each stream. By the end, I felt oddly refreshed, like I’d washed off more than just dust from the road.

Lunch in Ubud was a welcome pause after all that water—nothing fancy, just a small warung with banana leaf-wrapped rice and spicy chicken satay. We chatted about what we’d experienced while sipping sweet iced tea; our driver shared stories about his own family’s rituals growing up nearby. On the way back, I noticed how relaxed everyone seemed—maybe it was just full bellies and good company, but I think those rituals really did something.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Spiritual Cleansing and Lunch

• Travel to shamanic place and cleansing ritual
• Self-cleaning ritual at Tirta Empul Temple
• Lunch at Ubud restaurant

Top questions

Is this spiritual cleansing tour suitable for beginners?

Yes! You don’t need any experience with rituals or meditation—the guide explains everything step by step and helps you feel comfortable throughout.

What should I wear for the temple visit?

You’ll need to wear a sarong (provided) and cover your shoulders at Tirta Empul Temple. Bring a change of clothes since you’ll get wet during Melukat.

Will there be English-speaking guides?

Absolutely—your driver also acts as your English-speaking guide and will help translate during both rituals if needed.

What’s included

This experience covers all entrance fees, the Balinese shaman’s service, bottled water for the day, Indonesian lunch in Ubud, plus private transport with an English-speaking driver-guide in an air-conditioned vehicle.