Bali Behind the Mask 2025
A Cultural, Spiritual, and Personal Healing Journey in Bali
Rich in dramatic scenery, ancient temples and graceful people, Bali remains one of the few places in the world where the traveler can explore and discover untouched places and witness religious rituals that have not diminished with the passing of time. Every back road is a gateway to the heart of the Balinese people In this two-week tour, we will explore both inner and outer landscapes as we delve into the Balinese spiritual and cultural practices that are seamlessly woven into the fabric of daily life. Under Surya and Judy’s expert guidance, we will be welcomed into temples and the homes/studios of artists and healers. and to deepen and integrate our experiences in this rich, soulful culture through group discussions and healing sessions. The mythological, spiritual and ancestral environment of Bali can stimulate deep psychological insights, transformation and healing. It is our intention to return home with a renewed faith in humanity and more capacity to fully embrace this wondrous life—with all its passages.
Over the two weeks, we will be spending four nights each at beautiful resorts in three different locations in Bali: Candi Dasa on the east coast of Bali, Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, in the central foothills of the Gianyar regency, and Munduk in Bali’s lush and forested central northern highland region.
In laid-back Candi Dasa we will have time to bond together as a group, snorkel, enjoy the expansive ocean views while learning about the Balinese culture, customs, religion, rites of passage and language. We will visit Tirtagangga, a beautiful water palace, and Tenganan, an aboriginal village, where Bali’s finest baskets and textiles are made (one of the only places in the world where double ikat textiles are woven).
Next we will spend four nights in Ubud from which we will travel to temples, attending two purification ceremonies and a cremation. We will each have a session with a powerful trance channeller and, as needed, a healer. We will also visit the home studios of a sacred mask maker, puppeteer, and batik textile artists, enjoy an evening Kecak performance at a stunning temple and have the opportunity to shop in downtown Ubud.
Itinerary Aug. 26-Sept. 7:
Tues. Aug. 26 Day 1: Transit The journey begins. Depart USA around midnight, groggy but excited. Cross international dateline and lose an entire calendar day, which is made up on your return and which, if you’ve never experienced this phenomenon, is sort of cool.
Wed. Aug. 27 Day 2 : Candi Dasa Arrive at Bali’s Denpasar airport mid-afternoon, where you are met, and escorted to our amazing beachfront bungalows at Candi (pronounced Chaan-dee) Dasa in east Bali. Check in and unpack before gathering for opening circle, where we share who we are, and why we are here. Dinner together. Enjoy a swim in hotel’s glorious infinity pool.
Thur. Aug. 28Day 3: Candi Dasa Breakfast from 7AM in the restaurant. Check in at the dive center for our excursion and to pick up any equipment you might have rented.
take off by bus to the harbor, andventure off to our waiting boat and enjoy a snorkeling excursion in a nearby coral reef preserve with views of Bali’s stunning Mount Agung. Back to Lotus Bungalows for lunch, and our first orientation session focusing on basic Indonesian manners & customs, including a demonstration of how to wrap your traditional sarong, important for our temple visits.Late afternoon we gather by the pool for a seminar with Made Surya.Introduction to Bali-Hinduism, followed by dinner.
Fri. Aug. 29 Day 4: Candi DasaBreakfast, and our second orientation/ language session.T hen a visit to nearby Tenganan aboriginal village, where Bali’s finest basket making and textile weaving takes place, and where we enjoy a personal demonstrationof calligraphy and weaving. During 5PM Happy Hour, Made Surya will discuss the rites of passage in Bali-Hinduism. By the pool.
Sat. Aug. 30 Day 5: Candi DasaThird orientation/ language session, on bargaining,Excursion to explore east Bali and a visit to the royal palace of Amalapura for a glimpse into Bali’s colonial past. Then on to Tirtagangga, a stunning “water palace” built by the region’s last Raja. Swim in the crystal clear, Olympic-sized freshwater pool, followed by lunch in the gourmet restaurant overlooking the grounds. Afternoon free.
Late Afternoon meet in the Yoga Shala to learn the Kecak chant with Surya.
Sun. Aug.31 Day 6: Ubud BreakfastDepart Candi Dasa for Ubud, Bali’s “cultural center,” stopping along the way at Bakti Senang Hati, an NGO for disabled Balinese adults, to tour the compound, hear about their programs, have lunch and be entertained by the members,
On to Ubud, where we check into our hotel, unpack, and enjoy down-time. Amazing evening performance of Kecak (Ramayana) dance and fire trance dance. Details TBA.
Mon. Sept. 1.Day 7: Ubud Breakfast. Depart or for purification ceremony in the beautiful healing waters, followed by a visit to the temple for meditation. Then transfer a short distanceand visit a stunning 11th century temple, where Made lays the groundwork for your venture into inner Bali. Morning activities conclude at the home of a healer/priest where Made discuses Balinese Asta Kosala/Kosali, the traditional layout of a Balinese Temple and household compound, and group members have an opportunity for a “check-up.”) At the day’s conclusion Made will lead a discussion on impressions of the days activities with everyone sharing.
Tues. Sept. 2 Day 8: Ubud Breakfast. Be waiting for cars at 9AM for visits to artists and craftsmen in their home studios, beginning with a factory in nearby Pejeng, where they create beautiful batik in the traditional way, Lovely lunch and short tour of the elegant Tony Raka Art Gallery of Modern Art.
In the afternoon visit a skilled shadow puppet carver and a brief performance of Wayang Kulit Shadow Puppetry. We conclude the day with a visit to the royal palace of Singapadu where Surya’s teacher resides—one of the few carvers to create sacred masks.
Wednesday Sept. 3 Day 9 Ubud Breakfast. Excursion to south Bali to the compound of a High Priest , for an interview, including questions, and9a purification ceremony for each trip member. Lunch nearby at the home of your guide, Made Surya, where you meet the family, and tour the compound, including the family temple. Free afternoon.
Return to Ubud and an evening performance of Dance, followed by dinner.
Thursday Sept. 4 Day 10 Munduk 6:30 Breakfast and check-out. Settle your bill, and don’t forget the Group Tip box
10:00 Depart for island tour of volcano country and north Bali. We wind our way through stunning landscapes and Bali’s fruit and vegetable basket, stopping at the fruit and flower market, and Pura Ulun Danu, Bali’s most beautiful temple, named for a goddess, floating on a small island in a volcanic lake. Arrive in Munduk mountain village early afternoon and check into hotel and enjoy lunch. Afternoon free to enjoy the area and perhaps try out an Ayurvedicmassage Late afternoon meet at the Sunset Bar for a talk with Made Surya on symbols Balinese use in the cremation ritual, and deification of the ancestors.
Evening, we will have the first of our family-style group dinners.
Fri. Sept, 5 Day 11 Munduk Breakfast, Meet by the lobby for a trek where, after identifying and discussing healing herbs growing in the hotel garden, depart the hotel for a walk through coffee and clove plantations to Bali’s highest waterfall.
3:00 Watch the village children dance class, which the hotel supports. Its charming and lots of fun. Late afternoon meet at the Yoga Bale for akecak session with Surya, followed bygroup dinner
Sat. Sept. 6 Day 12 Munduk Breakfast. This morning atthere will be an optional walk around lake Tamblingan, one of the volcanic lakes that feeds Bali’s irrigation systems, stopping at several important small temples There is a possibility of a boat road for a small fee. Photo opportunities galore. Transport by car
Return to hotel for lunch and free afternoon (for massages, resting, journal writing) until our final session with Surya group sharing/discussion circle, at the sunset barFinal dinner together, followedperformance of music and dance by the local village dance and gamelan group.
Sun. Sept. 7 Day 13 Transit or stay on and enjoy more of Bali and Indonesia.
One of the days of our trip there will almost certainly be a cremation ceremony that we may attend, and the itinerary will be adjusted accordingly.
Other situations may arise that we can take advantage of--other rites of passage, temple festivals and purification ceremonies. In case any activity must be canceled, another similar activity will be substituted. There will be no refunds for any activities participants do not attend, and anyone who leaves the tour itinerary at any time FOR ANY REASON is on their own
Our Hotels:
Candi Dasa: www.lotusbungalows.com
Ubud:www.baliswasti.com
Munduk: http://purilumbung.com
INCLUDED:
Airport transfers and all mini-shuttles
Daily group sessions with Made Surya
Snorkeling excursion in Candi Dasa (excluding mask and fin rental)
Attendance at three traditional dance & music performances
Guided tours of Tenganan aboriginal village, Tirtagangga Water Palace, Samuan Tiga temple
Visit to a traditional Batik factory, home of a shadow puppet maker with demonstration, the home/studio of a master carver of sacred masks, Ulun Danu and Lake Tamblingan Temples, fruit and flower market
Purification ceremony at Tirta Empul sacred springs, and a traditional cremation ceremony.
Breakfast every day, lunch at an NGO for disabled Balinese and also in your guides family compound, four family-style dinners in Munduk
Seminars and talks on local customs and culture, language, Hindu religion & caste system, traditional healers, rites of passage, symbolism in cremation, ancestor worship, trance and sacred masks, history and politics
Two performances of traditional dance, and a performance of shadow puppets.
Visit and reading with a trance channeler
Visit and purification with a High Priest.
Undying services of Madé Surya & Judy Slattum, Bali specialists.
Four nights in seaside Candi Dasa
Four nights in Ubud cultural center
Four Nights in Munduk mountain village
Pre-trip information. On-site handouts. And more
NOT INCLUDED:
Meals that are not noted in above itinerary (expect $7-$15 per meal)
Alcoholic beverages
Laundry services
Overweight baggage fees
Snorkel equipment rental (just a few bucks)
Any additional activities or excursions not listed
Trip Cost and Fees: $3240.00.
NOTE: Price is based on double-occupancy room, each with private bath (all hotels have western amenities and two have swimming pools). Includes full breakfast, excursions listed, classes and workshops, services of Judy and Surya, along with several orientation and language sessions. Also includes all hotel transfers, land arrangements. Please note that an unexpected rise in fuel taxes may influence the final price. Minimum 8 participants, maximum 16.
Deposit: A payment of $500.00 per person is required at the time of booking. Final payment is due June 19, 2025.
Cancellations and Refunds: For the flight portion, cancellation will be governed by the rules and regulations as listed in the flight contract by the participating airline. For the land portion, a cancellation fee of $350.00 will be collected up to 60 days prior to departure, after which half the final payment will be refunded. No refunds will be made from one week before departure. Trip cancellation and medical evacuation insurance is highly recommended.
Baggage: Two (2) pieces of luggage, not exceeding 62 inches. Each cannot exceed 50 lbs. Pack light. It’s Bali.
Accommodations: All accommodations are based on two persons sharing a twin bedded room with private, western-style bath. Single supplement based on availability for $468.00 additional.
Roommates: Single folks may sign up for accommodations desired on a share basis and will be assigned a (totally awesome) roommate as circumstances permit. If a roommate is unavailable, the participant will be notified of the adjusted price for a single supplement.
Passports, Visa & Health: A passport, valid six months from date of entry with proof of onward transportation. Indonesian free visa for 30 days granted on arrival to US citizens.
Comments from previous trip members:
“What stands out for me about our tour is that we were in Judy’s and Surya”s hands from the moment we stepped off the plane.One didn’t have to worry about transportation and logistics, or even what’s the plan for the day.All of this was taken care for us.We also had the opportunity to opt out of any event, no question had to be given, It was my first trip to this area of the world.I was minimally studied in it’s history.I was open to what Surya and Judy had to show us.Both used their talents and knowledge to present the to our small group, each coming from their own perspectives and backgrounds. I found it unique and very comforting to be in their hands. Our group was small and we bonded quickly.We almost felt like a family.If a small, intimate trip is what one is looking for, this is a great way to be introduced to Bali culture and their lovely people and beautiful country.”
— S. Nelson, Santa Cruz CA
“It was a transforming trip for me in so many ways. The introduction to a very unique culture and a beautiful tropical island are immediate memories. By taking time for meditation and yoga, it prepared me to be open and flexible to all the experiences each day provided.
I appreciated your introduction to cultural traditions and language phrases. It helped me feel more comfortable in foreign surroundings. I really felt like I was experiencing the genuine Bali rather than only seeing some amazing temples, dances, and scenery.
It was an extraordinary travel adventure with a delightful group and tour guides. Thank you for sharing your home in Ubud..”
— Karen , Santa Cruz, CA
“The best part of the tour was the guides. Judy and Surya have expert knowledge and a relaxed approach that made the trip remarkable. I have traveled quite a bit-- and truly believe this was one of the best trips I've had. I love that we stayed away from touristy places, and instead were led to cultural treasures. “
— D. Dickensen, San Jose CA
"Thank you for a schedual that allowed free time. That helped me get though the day with some quiet time.
The richness of our spiritual and cultural experiences are priceless. I came home in awe of the simple, happy lives we witnessed in Bali. The sense of unity was awesome.
Thank you thank you for all you did to make our time together such a happy memory.”
— Pat Lindstrom, Santa Cruz, CA
“I’ll rememberthe beauty of the land and sea, snorkeling and the guide who shepherded me and Kathy back to the dive boat, the calmness and openness of most Balinese I met, the integration of spiritual, communal, family, and artistic life. The fact that there are no old-age homes! The value that people give to hand-heart produced masks, dances, music, batiks, books of scripture, Surya’s family and family home, Judy and Surya’s home, the healers—sacred spring priests, priestess and priest near Ubud, healer who did so much for Yvette and Pat and Matt, healer who attended to his village regulars and us with kind and firm attention.
Thank you, Judy and Surya, for a wonderful introduction to Bali.