Bali: 7 Day Solo Traveler’s Yoga Retreat In Ubud

Ubud’s quieter side comes into view at this seven-day retreat: you wake to birds and other animal sounds, practise yoga, then spend the day learning about Balinese food, herbal remedies, and offerings. The setting is simple and peaceful, with rice paddies nearby and a wooden yoga shala under a bamboo roof.

I like the mix of daily yoga and practical cultural workshops, and the chance to meet people in a setting designed for shared activities. The included vegetarian organic meals and one-hour Balinese massage also add real value to a week that is about rest as much as classes.

The main thing to weigh is the retreat’s quiet, out-of-the-way location. It is about a 25-minute walk from Ubud, transportation is not included, and the accommodation is simple rather than luxurious.

At a glance

• Yoga in two daily rhythms: Sunrise and sunset sessions are scheduled on several days, with meditation after sunset yoga on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
• A hands-on taste of Balinese culture: Make Canang offerings, cook, prepare jamu, taste medicinal tea, and make chocolate.
• Tuesday’s plan can change: The retreat chooses between a Balinese excursion and a 1.5-hour sound healing session at Pyramids of Chi, based on local ceremonies.
• A quiet rural base: Expect rice paddies, a pool, and a bamboo-roofed yoga shala, not a room in the centre of Ubud.
• A useful set of inclusions: Accommodation, meals, yoga, workshops, cooking and chocolate classes, herbal medicine activities, and a one-hour massage are included.
• Check the group-size detail: The experience is described as a small group, but the stated limit is one participant. Confirm what that means before booking if meeting others is important to you.

A week built around yoga and shared experiences

This retreat is for you if you want a structured week in Bali without spending all seven days on a yoga mat. The schedule pairs practice with activities that introduce everyday elements of Balinese culture, from making Canang offerings to preparing jamu, a herbal drink. You get time to rest, too, though the rhythm is more organized on some days than others.

The retreat is run by Firefly Retreat, at Br Sakti on Jl Suweta in Ubud. Buda and Ariel are named as organisers, and the instruction is in English. The setting is meant to be quiet and free from car and motorbike noise. That can be a welcome break, especially if you are looking for a calmer base than a busy town street.

The accommodation is described as simple but comfortable. Facilities include an infinity pool, a wooden yoga shala with a bamboo roof, and a cozy dining area. A past stay also noted tasty food with a choice from the menu each day. You should expect a practical, nature-focused place, not a resort with a long list of upscale extras.

One detail needs checking before you commit: the group is described as small, with a limit of one participant. That wording does not make clear whether the retreat is private or whether the group-size information is incomplete. Since meeting like-minded people is one of the main reasons to choose this week, ask Firefly Retreat what group format is planned for your dates.

Sunday arrival and a gentle start

The schedule begins on Sunday, with arrival and settling in at 2 pm. Your first introduction is at 6 pm. That leaves a few hours to unpack, get familiar with the grounds, and ease into the retreat rather than rushing straight into a class.

Plan your arrival carefully because transportation is not included. The meeting point is Firefly Retreat in Ubud, and the information provided does not include an airport transfer. If you are coming from elsewhere in Bali, arrange your own way to the retreat and allow time to find the Br Sakti address.

The retreat is about a 25-minute walk from Ubud. That distance matters: you can reach town on foot, but it is not an easy stroll if you are carrying bags, short on time, or hoping to pop in and out several times a day. The point of this location is its quiet, so think of the walk as a trade-off rather than a drawback that needs fixing.

Monday: herbs, offerings, and a full first day

Monday sets the week’s pace. A 7 am sunrise yoga session is followed by a 9:30 am morning walk and an introduction to Balinese natural medicines. At 3 pm, you make Canang offerings, then return for sunset yoga at 5 pm and meditation at 6 pm.

The combination is useful because it gives context to the place around you. The walk and herbal introduction connect the retreat to local plants and healing practices; Canang making offers a hands-on way to learn about a familiar Balinese offering. You are not just watching a demonstration from a distance.

It is also a busy day, with a long gap between the morning activities and the afternoon workshop. That gap gives you room to rest or use the pool, but the schedule does not specify how the time is organized. Bring comfortable clothes for practice and sensible footwear for the walk, especially if rain has made the ground slippery.

Tuesday: an excursion or sound healing

Tuesday has one of the week’s biggest variables. The retreat chooses either a Balinese excursion or a 1.5-hour sound healing session at Pyramids of Chi. The choice depends on local ceremonies, with the aim of keeping the plan in step with what is happening that week.

That flexibility may suit you if you are happy to let the retreat shape the day. It is less ideal if you are booking specifically for one of the two activities. The excursion is not described in detail, so ask what it is likely to involve if that is the main draw for you. You will not be able to count on it being part of your particular week.

Sunset yoga is scheduled for 5 pm, followed by meditation at 6 pm. There is no sunrise yoga listed for Tuesday, so this is a day to approach with a little more flexibility. If the sound session is chosen, it offers a different kind of scheduled practice; if it is the excursion, you will spend more of the day away from the retreat. The exact timing and details are not provided.

Wednesday and Thursday: cooking, jamu, tea, and chocolate

Wednesday starts with sunrise yoga at 7 am. At 11 am, you take part in a cooking class, then make jamu at 3 pm. Sunset yoga follows at 5 pm. These workshops give the day a practical focus: rather than simply eating local food, you get to take part in preparing it and learn about a traditional herbal drink.

Thursday begins with another 7 am yoga session. The late morning brings a medicinal tea tasting at 11 am, followed by chocolate making at 4 pm and sunset yoga at 5 pm. It is an appealing contrast: one activity looks at local herbal traditions, while the other gives you a sweet, hands-on workshop. The supplied schedule does not give the workshop lengths or specific recipes, so treat them as introductions rather than a promise of advanced instruction.

Both days leave space between activities. That is useful if your idea of a retreat includes quiet time, though you should not expect every hour to be programmed. The balance between classes and downtime is part of the week’s character.

Friday and Saturday: a slower finish

Friday has sunrise yoga at 7 am and sunset yoga at 5 pm, with no other activities listed. By this point, you may appreciate an open day after several workshops. It is also a good time to use the pool or rest at the retreat, rather than assuming there will be another excursion.

Saturday is departure day, with checkout at noon. The week is short enough to fit into a Bali visit but long enough to settle into a routine. If you have a flight or onward trip that day, make your own transport plans and leave enough time to get from the retreat to your next stop.

Meals, rooms, and the massage

Daily meals are vegetarian and organic, and meals are included in the price. A menu choice was available during one stay, and the food was described as consistently tasty. The exact meal schedule and number of meals per day are not specified, so ask whether the meal plan fits your needs, especially if you have dietary requirements beyond vegetarian food.

Rooms are simple but comfortable. That description is worth taking at face value: book for the peaceful setting and the activities, not for luxury finishes. The retreat is often fully booked, so check the available room options carefully before reserving. The provided information does not specify room layouts or whether rooms are private or shared.

A one-hour Balinese massage is included. Its precise day and time are not listed, so you may want to confirm how it is scheduled. Still, it is a meaningful inclusion in a week designed around rest and body care, and it saves you from having to arrange a separate treatment.

What $412 covers, and what it does not

At $412 per person for seven days, the price covers accommodation, yoga classes, cultural workshops, meals, a cooking class, chocolate making, and a herbal medicine workshop. The one-hour massage is also included in the experience details. Taken together, those inclusions make the cost attractive if you plan to take part in the activities and would otherwise book classes and meals separately.

The price does not include airfare or transportation. Since the retreat is outside central Ubud, your transfer to the meeting point is an important extra to budget for. The Tuesday activity also varies, so do not compare the package on the assumption that you are guaranteed either the excursion or the sound healing session.

For someone who wants a week with daily practice and a set of cultural activities, the package offers a lot of structure for the price. If you mainly want a private room, frequent trips into town, or a luxury spa stay, the simple accommodation and rural location may make it less appealing.

What to pack and who should go

Bring swimwear for the pool, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and insect repellent. Sensible shoes are a smart addition: the ground can be slippery, particularly when it rains. A backpack is handy for carrying what you need on a walk or excursion, but you do not need to overpack for the workshops.

This retreat suits adults traveling alone who are open to meeting people, enjoy yoga, and want cultural activities mixed into their week. It can also suit anyone who values quiet surroundings more than being close to town. The atmosphere is intended to be welcoming and shared, though the group-size wording is unclear enough to check in advance.

It is not suitable for children under 18, people with mobility impairments, or people with heart problems. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. If either the physical limits or the house rules are a concern, contact the provider before booking.

Should you book this Ubud retreat?

Book it if you want a week where yoga is part of a broader introduction to Balinese food, herbal practices, and daily culture. The standout combination is the peaceful rice-paddy setting, the hands-on workshops, and the included meals and massage. Buda and Ariel are named as warm, supportive organisers, and the programme is designed to help people connect through shared activities.

Think twice if you need luxury, want easy access to central Ubud, or prefer to control every day’s schedule. The Tuesday plan depends on local ceremonies, some days have generous downtime, and the group-size detail needs clarification. If those trade-offs work for you, this is a strong-value way to slow down in Ubud without spending the whole week in one yoga class.

FAQ

What is included in the $412 price?

Accommodation, yoga classes, cultural workshops, meals, a cooking class, chocolate making, and a herbal medicine workshop are included. The experience also includes a one-hour Balinese massage.

Is transportation included?

No. Airfare and transportation are not included, so you need to arrange your own way to the retreat.

How far is the retreat from Ubud?

The retreat is about a 25-minute walk from Ubud. It is in a quiet setting away from car and motorbike noise.

What happens on Tuesday?

The retreat chooses either a Balinese excursion or a 1.5-hour sound healing session at Pyramids of Chi, depending on local ceremonies that week.

What should I bring?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and insect repellent. Sensible shoes are useful because the ground can be slippery at times.

Who is the retreat not suitable for?

It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, people with heart problems, or children under 18. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.