True Nature
Bali Retreat
23 – 29 Sep, 2023
BOOKED OUT – Email to join the waitlist
True Nature
Come back to nature.
Come home to yourself.
Humans feel better when we reconnect to the natural world. It reminds us where we truly belong. Our place in things.
You’re invited to spend a week immersed in the Indonesian jungle with Human.Kind lead facilitators Adam Whiting & Annabel Saies.
Wake up to the symphony of birdlife and let your days flow with a rhythm of breath and movement. Swim under the local waterfall and hike into pristine rainforest. Feast on luscious vegetarian banquets grown onsite in organic gardens. Nourish your body with daily meditation, vinyasa and yin/restorative practices. Sleep in open air bungalows, lulled each night by fireflies and the hum of forest life.
This retreat is for people who want to get intimate with mother earth.
This retreat is booked out. Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to join the waitlist.
Please include your room / sharing preferences (see below) and we will coordinate bookings.
Dates:
Sat 23 Sep – Fri 29 Sep, 2023
Location:
Desa Gunung Salak.
On the sth slopes of Mt. Batukaru, 450m above sea level,
Central Western Bali, Indonesia.
Cost:
Prices start from $1,599 twin share. Including all accom, meals, classes and activites. A wide range of pricing options are available to suit different needs.
Location
Come far, far away from glowing screens, noisy traffic, bustling cities and be nurtured by nature itself. This sustainable eco retreat in the remote rainforests at the heart of Bali, near Mt Batukaru, is nestled amongst rice paddies, waterfalls, mountain streams and jungle food forests. It is operated in harmony with the local people and land, with permaculture systems integrating resources, humans and the pristine environment. They focus on farm to table food (especially heritage rice farming), water conservation, hydropower energy, and social responsibility initiatives.
Your retreat
Let your body-mind detox on the deepest level. Join us for 6 nights to focus on nourishment, deep rest, and re-connection to the natural world.
Each day will begin with gentle meditation and breathwork before a glorious breakfast. The mid-mornings will be your stronger asana workshop. 2 hours of movement and flow with a different focus area each day. We’ll have time and space to play and explore the asana practice together. After a little rest (nana naps), lunch will be served.
Each afternoon will be different. Some days you can simply go slow, wander down to the local rockpools, relax by the swimming hole, or stroll through the rice paddies. Two afternoons will be guided treks into the rainforest to explore the tropical plants and wildlife (not to mention the views!). Another day will be a crafternoon, to experience a workshop with the local Kakek (grandfather), creating handmade traditional Balinese items.
When we’re not hiking, late afternoons will have a yin, MFR, or yoga nidra practice to nurture your body and settle into the evening. After a leisurely dinner, gather together for some sweet connection, storytime, or gentle practices, before drifting off to bed.
All the above is included as part of your retreat.
The entire schedule is optional, and you are free to choose what best suits your needs, day to day, hour to hour. No pressure, no timelines.
For those who wish, other additional activities are available at very reasonable prices, should you wish to take an afternoon and explore further into the island, or take a local cooking class, or get a massage (Balinese massage, reflexology foot massage, and hot stone massages are all available onsite).
Accomodation
Spend your evenings in open-air bungalows and treehouses – completely immersed in the landscape. Each unique bungalow is a mini sanctuary, specially designed using locally sourced materials that blend into the mountain scenery. This is communal style living, with most room options twin share or partner share. Most bungalows have two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a lounge area. A few private room options are available too.
‘Open-air’ means some rooms are only enclosed by roll-down blinds, allowing you to feel like you’re sleeping in the treetops and stars. Every bed has a full coverage mosquito net. Drift off to the chorus of crickets and rushing water, and wake up with the birds singing as sunlight filters through the forest canopy.
There’s no air-con. Being wall-free provides a natural cooling system, (plus, it’s 5 to 10 degrees cooler in the mountains than the coastal areas of Bali). Each room has bamboo sheets, organic shampoo, body wash and insect repellent, which are all locally handmade. If you’re hoping there’s a TV in the room, this retreat will challenge your idea of creature comforts!
All bungalows are equipped with filtered spring water and the venue is entirely plastic bottle free. Natural soaps and shampoos are provided and all wastewater is used for the garden.
Food
Three full meals a day; breakfast, lunch and dinner are all provided, as well as a light refreshments for morning and afternoon tea.
All meals will be clean and pure vegetarian food, and all dietary requirements can be catered for. 75% of the menu consists of local cuisine, cooked by Balinese chefs using traditional methods. Everything you’ll be consuming is grown on-site, using organic ingredients and sustainable farming practices, harvested with loving hands before each meal. Food waste is taken care of by the chooks onsite, or the staff’s pigs back home.
The water is as pure as the food; it comes straight from the spring and is additionally filtered.
All meals will be shared together in the beautifully handcrafted communal restaurant with expansive views overlooking the Indian Ocean in the far distance.
Pricing
Details:
Accomodation options start from $1,599.
Each room is priced individually (per person) and varies based on the facilities.
Most rooms are twin share or partner share. You are welcome to book with a friend to share a room, or we will match you with an appropriate roommate. Full accom options and detail below.
Your payment includes:
- 6 nights accommodation in jungle bungalow
- All food for the duration of your stay (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks)
- Welcome ceremony
- Daily guided meditation, vinyasa and restorative classes
- Two guided forest hikes
- One crafternoon
- Closing night event
- Airport transfers to and from venue (if arriving/departing at the times listed below).
*Flights to/from Bali are not included.*
Check in: Sat 23 Sep from 2pm (afternoon tea and dinner provided)
Check out: Fri 29 Sep by 11am (breakfast provided)
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Provided for arrivals on Saturday 23 Sep before 1pm. And for departures on Friday 29 Sep (transfers are to/from the airport only).
For those wishing to make their own travel arrangements, we can give you the contact for the venue’s drivers. As it is a remote location we recommend using their in-house service to ensure your safe and timely arrival.
CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS
- Payment in full is required to reserve your place. Payments accepted in-studio or over the phone only.
- If you cancel your booking 3 months before retreat (before 23 June), refund of payment will be given minus a 15% admin fee.
- If you cancel within 3 months of the retreat (after 23 June), a refund (minus 15% admin fee) will be given ONLY if Human.Kind can fill your spot. If your spot cannot be filled, no refund will be given.
- If you cancel within 1 month of retreat (after 23 August 2023) no refund will be given.
- If the event is fully booked, a waitlist will be created and those people will be contacted first in case of a cancellation.
INSURANCE
We strongly recommend you take out personal travel insurance upon booking that covers any losses prior to the trip due to cancellations or illness.
You will be responsible for all insurance or travel health requirements in Indonesia. Please refer to the Australian Government’s Smart Traveller website to make an informed decision for your own safety.
Bungalows
Harvest Bungalow
Two separate bedrooms on one level, each with its own private bathroom. Spacious communal lounge area in the centre with two day beds and a large dining table. These 2 bedrooms rooms are slightly more enclosed than some others, encased in wooden slats. Enjoy expansive views of the surrounding rice paddies from the deck. This is the only bungalow with two ensuite bathrooms.
Harvest Room 1:
- Twin share
- 2 x single beds
- Private bathroom
- $1,899 per person
Harvest Room 2:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- Private bathroom
- $1,899 per person
- (this room can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,799
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above.
Ricewater Bungalow
Two separate bedrooms on one level with one shared jungle bathroom. Spacious communal lounge area in the centre with two large day beds and a large dining table. These 2 bedrooms rooms are slightly more enclosed than some others, encased in wooden slats. Enjoy sweeping views of rice paddies, jungle food forests and even a distant view of the sea, or soak up some sun in the enclosed private garden.
Ricewater Room 1:
- Twin share
- 2 x single beds
- Shared bathroom
- $1,699 per person
Ricewater Room 2:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- Shared bathroom
- $1,699 per person
- (this room can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,599
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above.
Waterfall Bungalow
Two separate bedrooms on two levels with one shared bathroom. The upstairs queen room has two daybeds and direct access to the bathroom. The twin room is downstairs with a writing desk, and outdoor access to the bathroom. With direct access to the waterfall, this open air bungalow is perched on a hillside. Adjustable bamboo blinds let you maximise the cascading views of the waterfall and surrounding luscious green jungle. Experience nature in all its glory and relax to the chorus of rushing water.
Waterfall Room 1:
- Twin share
- 2 x single beds
- Shared bathroom
- $1,599 per person
Waterfall Room 2:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- Shared bathroom
- $1,699 per person
- (this room can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,599
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above.
Guru Bungalow
Two separate bedrooms split across two levels, with one shared bathroom. The open-air queen room is upstairs with a lounge area and day bed. The twin room is downstairs with a small private patio and two single beds that can be converted to a king bed. Soak up some sun or enjoy nature all around you with two outdoor sun beds
Roll up your blinds to enjoy sweeping views of the stream, fishponds and gardens – totally immersed in nature.
Guru Room 1:
- Twin share
- 2 x single beds
- Shared bathroom
- $1,599 per person
Guru Room 2:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- Shared bathroom
- $1,699 per person
- (this room can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,599
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above.
Springwater Bungalow
A one bedroom, overwater bungalow with one bathroom, tucked away in its own little jungle paradise for total relaxation. The queen bed has private views of the mountain stream and surrounding food forests. This room is more enclosed than some, and also has adjustable bamboo blinds. The stunning private bathroom is to the side. A wooden writing desk overlooks sweeping views of the jungle, perfect for the poets at heart.
Springwater Room 1:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- One bathroom
- $1,799 per person
- (this entire bungalow can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,899
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above.
Little Padi Bungalow
A one bedroom treehouse bungalow set on two levels. The bedroom has a queen bed with breathtaking panoramic views and adjustable bamboo blinds. There is a lounge area with a writing desk and a daybed for relaxing. The spacious jungle stone bathroom is set downstairs with a little tropical garden, and two private sun beds for some deep nature bathing.
Little Padi Room 1:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- One bathroom
- $1,799 per person
- (this entire bungalow can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,899
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above
Buddha Bungalow
A one bedroom, one bathroom bungalow tucked away amid jungle trees and spring fed fishponds. Split on two levels with a mezzanine queen bedroom accessed via a small ladder. Downstairs is a lounge area with a daybed and the private bathroom is at the back. This bungalow has an open-air design with adjustable bamboo blinds, so you can enjoy a light show of fireflies before being lulled to sleep to the sound of rushing water at night.
Buddha Room 1:
- Partner share
- 1 x queen bed
- One bathroom
- $1,799 per person
- (this entire bungalow can also be booked for 1 person only at $2,899)
TO BOOK: Email annabel@humankindstudios.com.au to express your interest. Please ensure you have read all the details and T&Cs above.
Meet the Facilitators
Adam Whiting and Annabel Saies are leaders in the Human.Kind team. Together they bring over 30 years of accumulated study, practice and experience to share. Their depth of understanding straddles both ancient spiritual wisdoms and contemporary scientific knowledge.
They share a passion for connection and nurturing, between both humans and the earth itself.
Learn more about Adam
Learn more about Annabel