REVIEW · BALI
Bali: Full-Day Spiritual Cleansing and Shamanic Healing Tour
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Trip Gotik - Bali Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide
One spiritual reset starts in Bali. I like how this full-day Yatra links shamanic counseling with purification at Tirta Empul, then ties it all to a personal intention you set at the start. You’re not just sightseeing; you’re learning the meaning behind what you’re doing.
The second thing I love is how clearly the day is guided in plain steps, including guidance at the spring fountains. In reviews, guides like Sandi, Dayu, Dharma, and Gus earn repeat praise for helping people follow temple customs and feel at ease—especially during Melukat. The one drawback to consider is that this is spiritual and ceremonial, not a medical treatment, and the walking/standing in temple areas won’t suit everyone.
In This Review
- Key takeaways before you go
- Yatra energy: setting your intention before anything starts
- The shaman session: counseling, mantras, incense, and symbolic gestures
- Tirta Empul: the 11th-century water temple where offerings come first
- Melukat cleansing: how the holy spring purification works
- The Batuan stop: a cultural pause on the way to the springs
- Add-ons and custom options: what you can enhance (and what not to)
- Price and value: what $36 really buys you
- Practical logistics: shoes, towels, cash, and the temple rulebook
- Who should book this spiritual cleansing day
- Who should skip it (or think twice)
- Should you book? My honest recommendation
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the Bali spiritual cleansing and shamanic healing tour?
- Where does the tour go for spiritual cleansing?
- What should I do during the shaman session?
- What should I bring for the temple and water ritual?
- Is the Tirta Empul entrance fee included?
- Should I drink the holy water?
- Who is this tour not suitable for?
- Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Key takeaways before you go
- Intention-led shaman session: you start by naming what you want to focus on (calm, clarity, reflection, balance).
- Real temple sequence: you do offerings (canang sari) and Yadnya before you enter the holy spring area.
- Tirta Empul or Pura Mengening: the main spring-temple stop may switch based on local conditions.
- Hands-on cleansing coaching: you’re guided on how to move through the fountains at a gentle pace.
- Watch your behavior around the water: you’re advised not to drink the holy water.
- Good value for $36: you get a full day of transport plus key ritual components depending on your selected options.
Yatra energy: setting your intention before anything starts
This tour runs like a structured spiritual day, not a random collection of stops. Your morning pickup begins the Yatra, a Balinese journey through prayer, ritual, and reflection. What makes it feel different is the first moment you get: you’re invited to share a personal intention or topic of focus before the ritual begins—think calm, clarity, reflection, or balance.
That matters because the shaman’s guidance is meant to follow your focus, not some generic script. Also, since each shaman follows their own ancestral lineage, the flow can differ from one session to the next. Translation: you’re not chasing a theme-park version of spirituality. You’re meeting someone doing their practice.
From the reviews, guides often help people feel grounded right away. Even when you’re new to the process, you get step-by-step reassurance so you know what’s expected.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Bali.
The shaman session: counseling, mantras, incense, and symbolic gestures
Your shamanic healing portion is built around a few specific elements: counseling, prayers/mantras, incense, and symbolic gestures. The tour description also makes a clear point: guests are guided to observe respectfully and participate when invited.
Here’s what I find useful for your expectations. The shaman might use rhythmic chanting and prayers passed down through generations. That’s not the same as a talk. It’s more like you’re stepping into a focused spiritual “space” where your job is to be attentive and follow instructions.
Also, the session isn’t marketed as clinical care. The tour is designed for emotional and spiritual cleansing, not a substitute for medical or psychological treatment. If you’re expecting a therapy session in the modern sense, you’ll be disappointed. If you want a traditional Balinese spiritual experience—guided, respectful, and structured—you’ll likely feel more aligned.
In multiple reviews, people highlight that the guidance felt personal and respectful. Some mentioned oil applied to the body, a session that addressed things like shoulders or lower back, and attention to chakra-style balancing. Others mention a palm reading or numerology-style insights. Still, don’t assume every session includes the same extras; the core ritual is the shamanic counseling plus mantra/prayer work, followed by temple cleansing.
Tirta Empul: the 11th-century water temple where offerings come first
After the shaman part, you head to the holy spring temple. The tour typically goes to Pura Tirta Empul, a Hindu water temple with roots in the 11th century. Depending on local conditions, it may instead be Pura Mengening.
Before you enter the temple grounds, you’ll do Yadnya, a traditional offering ritual. You’ll also learn about canang sari—small symbolic offerings used in Balinese culture to express gratitude and harmony. If you’ve never made offerings before, this is one of the best parts of the day, because someone teaches you the “how” and the “why,” so you’re not guessing.
What to watch: the tour includes sarongs, and you’ll want comfortable clothes you’re okay with being in and out of. You’ll also be in a temple setting with rules about how to behave. Your guide’s job is to help you follow those customs smoothly.
In reviews, people consistently mention that guides made the temple part meaningful by explaining how to approach and move through the cleansing correctly. That’s important, because doing it wrong can turn a sacred ritual into an awkward exercise.
Melukat cleansing: how the holy spring purification works
Once you’re at the spring fountains, you participate in Melukat, the traditional water purification ritual. The tour emphasizes that you move through the fountains at a gentle pace, guided by the host.
A few key points you should remember:
- You’re guided through the ritual flow, not left to figure it out.
- The temple customs matter, including where and how you stand and move.
- You should expect a spiritual and emotional focus, not a physical “spa” vibe.
One of the most practical tips in the information is also one of the easiest to miss: you’re advised to avoid drinking the holy water, even though it’s a common practice in Bali. Think of this as a safety-and-comfort boundary. You can still complete the ritual without treating it like a beverage.
Also, jewelry and electronics should be removed before entering the holy spring area. That’s not a small detail. It prevents accidental drops and keeps the area respectful to the ritual.
Reviews often describe the cleansing as calming or “lighter” afterward. Even if you don’t buy the spiritual side fully, the structured quiet time—plus the sensory focus of water, chant, and guidance—can still feel grounding.
The Batuan stop: a cultural pause on the way to the springs
You also stop in Batuan for about an hour. The tour information doesn’t spell out what you’ll see there beyond the visit, but Batuan is a common cultural waypoint in Bali. In practice, this stretch tends to work as a palate cleanser between deeper spiritual moments and the busier water temple.
Use it wisely. This is the time to stretch a bit, use the restroom if available, and adjust your clothing and footwear strategy before the more ritual-heavy parts of the day.
Add-ons and custom options: what you can enhance (and what not to)
The tour offers add-ons, and that’s where you can make the day match your style. The base day already includes shamanic counseling and the cleansing sequence. But some people choose extras that can change how the day feels in a good way.
Based on what’s shown in reviews, common add-ons that have appeared include:
- Palm reading (mentioned in multiple bookings)
- Massage (one booking specifically mentioned a 1-hour full body massage)
- Coffee or tea tasting stops after the rituals
Important caution: since add-ons aren’t guaranteed to match your exact itinerary, I’d treat any optional extras as bonuses, not expectations. If coffee tasting or a massage is important to you, confirm it during booking or when selecting options.
One more practical note: the tour also mentions that entrance fee and cleansing participation at Tirta Empul may depend on the option you select. So when you’re choosing add-ons, double-check what’s included vs what’s paid separately. That avoids the classic Bali mistake of arriving at the gate without the right add-on selected.
Price and value: what $36 really buys you
At $36 per person for an 8-hour day, this is one of those Bali deals that can feel almost too good—until you look closely at what’s included and what’s optional.
What you get included:
- Air-conditioned transportation
- Bottle of mineral water
- Sarong
- A live English guide
- And key ritual elements only if you select the corresponding options (like shaman/healer and Tirta Empul entrance/cleansing)
What you don’t get included:
- Meals
- Personal expenses
Here’s the value logic I’d use. You’re paying for transport plus someone to organize your day around Balinese rituals so you don’t waste time working out what to do at the temple. You’re also paying for access to the shaman and the cleansing flow, not just entrance to a site.
If you’re already planning a temple day plus a guide, this can be efficient. If you mainly want a chill sightseeing day with minimal rules, this may feel more intense than you planned.
Practical logistics: shoes, towels, cash, and the temple rulebook
This is a very hands-on day. Your packing list matters.
Bring:
- Comfortable shoes (temple areas can have uneven surfaces)
- A change of clothes
- A towel (you’ll want it for the water part)
- Camera (but remember electronics should be removed in the holy spring area)
- Cash for personal expenses
Wear:
- Comfortable clothing that can handle a spiritual day with movement
- Jewelry-free or ready-to-remove items, because you’ll need to remove them before entering the holy spring area
Other important behavior notes:
- Women who are menstruating are advised not to join the tour.
- Don’t drink the holy water, even though some local practice includes it.
- Alcohol and drugs aren’t allowed.
One more reality check: Bali traffic can affect timing, especially at peak hours. Your pickup and return schedule might shift. Build some flexibility into your travel day.
Who should book this spiritual cleansing day
This tour makes the most sense if you want:
- A guided intro to Balinese Hindu water temple purification
- A shaman-led ritual experience with an intention focus
- A day that mixes culture, prayer, and reflective downtime
It’s especially appealing if you like structure. Many people feel calmer when they know what comes next: shaman counseling, intention + mantra ritual, offerings, then cleansing at the spring fountains.
In reviews, single travelers also mention feeling safe and looked after, and guides helped them handle the steps without feeling rushed.
Who should skip it (or think twice)
The tour information lists a few clear limitations. It’s not suitable for:
- Mobility impairments or wheelchair users
- People with a cold
- Babies under 1 year
- Women who are menstruating (advised not to join)
Also, if you’re looking for a medical or therapeutic treatment plan, don’t expect that here. This is spiritual cleansing, and the tour explicitly notes it isn’t a substitute for medical or psychological care.
Should you book? My honest recommendation
Book this tour if you want a real Balinese spiritual day with guidance. The combination of an intention-led shaman session plus purification at Tirta Empul (or Pura Mengening) is the core value. It’s also the kind of experience where a good guide really changes the outcome—reviews frequently praise guides like Sandi, Dayu, Dharma, Gus, and others for clear explanations and calm support.
Skip or reconsider if you’re mobility-limited, not comfortable with ritual rules, or you’re coming in with an expectation of clinical treatment. Also, if water isn’t your thing, the holy spring cleansing is still central, and you should be ready for that.
If you do book, choose your options carefully—especially anything related to entry fees and which ritual components are included—so your day matches your expectations from the first stop to the last reflection.
FAQ
What is the duration of the Bali spiritual cleansing and shamanic healing tour?
The tour runs for 8 hours, starting with a morning pickup. Starting times can vary depending on availability and traffic conditions.
Where does the tour go for spiritual cleansing?
The spiritual cleansing is done at a holy spring temple. The tour goes to Pura Tirta Empul or Pura Mengening depending on local conditions.
What should I do during the shaman session?
You’ll meet a Balinese shaman for counseling and healing rituals. You’re invited to share a personal intention first, then you’ll participate respectfully in rituals and prayers when invited.
What should I bring for the temple and water ritual?
Bring comfortable shoes, a change of clothes, a towel, and cash for personal expenses. You can also bring a camera, but remember jewelry/electronics should be removed before entering the holy spring area.
Is the Tirta Empul entrance fee included?
Entrance fee at Tirta Empul is included only if you select the option that includes it. Other ritual inclusions may also depend on which options you choose.
Should I drink the holy water?
You’re recommended to avoid drinking the holy water, even though it is commonly done in Balinese culture.
Who is this tour not suitable for?
It isn’t suitable for people with mobility impairments or wheelchair users, people with a cold, and babies under 1 year. Women who are menstruating are advised not to join.
Can I get a refund if I cancel?
Yes. The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
