Wander Women Wednesday: Announcing Our First Bali Retreat

Wander Women Wednesdays are back! This mid-week feature is all about highlighting an upcoming Wander Women Retreat, or a new aspect of our retreat business we’re excited about. 

My posts at the beginning of each year outlining what’s coming up in the next twelve months is always one of my most popular of the year. So, consider this one full of spoilers. Like, I’m heading back to Bali. And not for a minute!

I’ve been aching to get back to Indonesia for a long time. Like, I truly feel called to be back there. It’s where I did my own divemaster, way back when, it’s where I took a coding course hoping to have more control over this blog, it’s where I went to unplug after Banyan Bar closed, and it’s where I planned to move when I left Thailand, before my life took an unexpected turn — so it feels full circle to be heading back for Wander Women Bali, from March 6-13, 2023!

And I’ll be posted up there for quite a while ahead of time getting everything just right with Wander Women Retreats right hand woman Shannon, who spends ever winter there and created much of this magical itinerary through Ubud, Canngu and Uluwatu. And there are just six spots left!

Basically, you’ll be traveling with insiders — and an incredible Wander Women crew. Both will be much appreciated for enjoying the island’s best beach clubs with built-in besties., getting off the beaten path to secret waterfalls and rice paddies, and indulging in private villas and yoga classes. Who knows! Maybe you too will be planning a big move to the Island of the Gods after you see it Alex-and-Shannon-style.

Did someone say dream team? Our Wander Women superstar photographer Rayna, who’s come around the world with us, will be behind the lens every step of the way, snapping memories that will keep the trip alive long after your tan fades.

If you can’t imagine flying all that way for just a week, hop on our liveaboard through Raja Ampat immediately after! Guests booking both get 10% off their Bali retreat. More details below!

The Details

This eight day retreat will be held from March 6 – 13th, 2023, and starts at $3,500.

What’s Included

• Seven nights of unique accommodation
• Two meals a day
• Daily yoga
• All outlined activities — see below!
• Transportation + airport transfers
• A custom welcome bag
• Tips for tour guides and drivers
• Professional photos of the trip
• Donation to local NGOs

What’s Not Included

• Flights
• Additional meals, alcohol or activities not specified in the itinerary
• Mandatory travel insurance

The Itinerary

Subject to change, but you’re going to have a magical time — here’s the general idea!

Day 1: Welcome to the calming energy of Ubud! After a yin massage yoga class with sound bath to unwind post-travels, we’ll toast to an exciting week ahead with a welcome cooking class for dinner, and a Bahasa lesson. Get all caught up on your beauty sleep before the adventure begins tomorrow.

Day 2: After a quick tea or coffee we will head off for breakfast together overlooking the iconic Telangana Rice Fields — don’t forget your bathing suit for a dip in a pool with swoon worthy views! Once we have nourished ourselves and our souls we will visit the Monkey Forest before heading to yoga at an Ubud institution. Pick up iconic Bali souvenirs while shopping at the market and then it’s time for the Campuhan Ridge Walk. Dinner will be at a local favorite with a menu that caters to all diets, veggies and vegans delight!

Day 3: Time to hit Bali’s most beautiful waterfalls as we make our way down to bustling Canggu. Enjoy lunch in the belly of the beast as we gaze upon nature’s beauty at a hip waterful day club. Bali has everything! Once in Canggu we will do as the locals do and ensure we have a cocktail in hand as the sun sets with sip + stretch yoga, followed by dinner at one of the island’s best restaurants, where we’ll dine on healthy salads and the freshest seafood.

Day 4: Canggu has no shortage of yoga shalas but get ready for a view of the Gu under the guidance of a local instructor. After we finish saluting the sun we will give thanks to the Gods by creating a traditional Balinese offering at a private workshop. Post-lunch, we will head to the beach for our surf lesson with an internationally acclaimed instructor and at night, enjoy dinner at your leisure at one of endless restaurants choices in Canggu — don’t worry, we’ll guide you to our faves.

Day 5: Rise and shine, it’s party time — but first, yoga! Once we have worked up a morning sweat and eaten breakfast it will be high time we made our way to an infamous Bali beach club. Lounge in the sun, make new friends with fellow travelers and dance the day away. If we’re still raring to go post-sunset, we will party on to the coolest bars + clubs that kickoff after dark.

Day 6: Good morning sunshine, we will have a cold coconut at the ready to help with those post beach-club feels. If a slow flow and some breakfast doesn’t cure you, a morning of indulgence at one of Bali’s most beautiful spas should do the trick! We will pamper ourselves with a full body massage, scrub and facial before we continue our journey down to surfers paradise Uluwatu. Once we arrive we will take in the cliff top views from one of the islands most iconic temples with a few new monkey friends. We will close out the day with a fire ceremony then head back to sleep Uluwatu for dinner and downtime.

Day 7:  Take in the endless views of Indian Ocean from the Uluwatu cliff tops with yoga this morning. Today is all about going with the flow and the pace of that flow is your hands. We will start the day by visiting one of the islands best kept secret beaches – think powder white sand, a cool pool overlooking the sea and mellow vibes. If this is the vibe for the day then let the good times roll. If you are ready for once last party then we will head to one of the islands most exclusive clifftop clubs for an evening of dancing under the stars!

Day 8: It’s time for hugs and fond farewells — unless you’re sticking around for more!

Joining our Raja Ampat Liveaboard? The fun continues with a week of diving and luxuriating!

The Adventure

Why sightsee when you can sight do! We’re going to enjoy Bali the way the locals do — in motion. Here’s what’s included, but of course, expect some surprises.

Talangan Rice Terraces

The Monkey Forest

Excursion to waterfalls

Local offerings workshop

Surf lesson

Excursion to an exclusive Canggu Beach Club

Full spa experience 

Excursion to a temple with fire ceremony 

Beach clean up in Canggu

Daily yoga 

We get that you don’t want to end your trip needing a vacation from a vacation — while we’re offering a lot of fun and activity, always feel free to opt out to rest and recharge.

The Food + Accommodation 

We’ll spend two nights at an authentic Bali villa, complete with a private yoga shala, overlooking the jungle in central Ubud before setting off for three nights in our wow-worthy villa in Canggu, and finally, two nights at a boutique hotel in Uluwatu.

Due to the unique nature of our accommodation in Bali, double rooms will feature shared king or queen sized beds. In some locations, there will be an option for two single beds. Of course you can room with a friend but if you’re traveling solo, fear not, so are most of our Wander Women guests! We’ll do our best to pair you with someone we think you’ll click with based on your intake forms — and we’ll all be besties by the end anyway. Rooms vary slightly by layout and view and will be assigned based on booking order.

Every day, two meals will be included; typically breakfast and either lunch or dinner. Bali has become a expat destination with people from all around the world bringing their beloved cuisine to the island, expect it not only to be delicious but healthy and balanced. For the non-included meal of the day, we’ll bring you to a favorite spot where you can order at your own expense, or branch off and do your own thing. All diets can be accommodated.

Extend Your Adventure

Not ready to head back yet? Come for a week of unparalleled diving and indulgent spa treatments cruising through the best of the islands on our private charter for Wander Women Raja Ampat. Join us on a beautifully renovated phinisi, a traditional Indonesian sailing vessel turned floating eco-resort, for a this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip — you deserve it! We’ll head to the gorgeous archipelago of Raja Ampat, Indonesia for a blissful seven nights exploring the topside and underwater of some of the most beautiful islands on Earth. There’s just two spots left! And you’ll hear more about them next week 😉

Join Us

This retreat has limited space — book soon to avoid disappointment! At the time of publish, there’s just one single spot and five shared spots remaining.

Want to learn more about me, Shannon and Rayna, read our FAQ, learn how to get to Bali, or just get this thing booked already? Let’s go!

I can’t wait to see who’s coming to party in Bali with us… and to turn up in 2023 with y’all. Questions? Hit me in the comments! If anyone needs me, I’ll be off booking flights…

Spring into Southeast Asia with me!