As Bali prepares to surrender to silence on Nyepi Tahun Saka 1947 (from 6:00 AM on 29 March until 6:00 AM on 30 March 2025. Alila Ubud unveils an immersive experience honoring this sacred Day of Silence. Nestled in Bali’s central foothills, the resort is a peaceful and secluded forest retreat that sits high on the edge of the lush Ayung River valley. Here, amid emerald-green jungle canopy stretching as far as the eye can see, guests are invited to observe Nyepi in comfort and serenity, finding renewal in an atmosphere of refined stillness. During this 24-hour period of reflection, all of Bali comes to a standstill – even the airport and roads close and everyone remains indoors. Alila Ubud embraces these island-wide traditions, ensuring that within its grounds no external lights or noises disrupt the peace. The result is an intimate sanctuary where visitors can fully immerse in the spirituality of Nyepi while enjoying the resort’s gentle hospitality.
Dawn breaks over the Ayung River valley as seen from Alila Ubud. Perched above the jungle canopy, the resort offers an idyllic vantage point to begin a day of quiet reflection. On Nyepi Day, the cultural and spiritual significance of silence is profound. Marking the Balinese Saka New Year, Nyepi is a day reserved for fasting, meditation, and introspection across the island. All ordinary activities cease as Bali essentially shuts down for 24 hours, guided by four main restrictions: no travel, no lights, no work, and no noise. Even tourists participate in this observance – guests must stay within their hotel grounds, and the entire island slips into a meditative calm. In the absence of modern bustle, nature’s subtle symphony comes forward: the whisper of the breeze, birdsong, and the rhythmic flow of the Ayung River far below. Nyepi is a time of sacred stillness and purification, a collective pause meant to bring balance and renewal for the year ahead.
The evening before Nyepi, however, presents a final crescendo of energy. Bali’s villages come alive with Ogoh-Ogoh parades, a dramatic ritual where giant demonic effigies are marched through the streets in a cacophony of fire and sound. This colorful eve of Nyepi celebration – filled with gamelan music, loud chants and flaming torches – symbolizes the banishment of negative spirits, clearing the way for the next day’s silence. Alila Ubud offers its guests a chance to witness this remarkable cultural spectacle in a nearby village, observing the fiery pageantry from a respectful distance. After the midnight pyres and joyous clamor of the Ogoh-Ogoh are complete and the demons of the old year have been symbolically vanquished, dawn ushers in Nyepi and with it, an island-wide hush. The contrast is breathtaking: as the sun rises on 29 March, the world quiets at dawn and Bali is reborn in stillness.
Within Alila Ubud’s hillside haven, Nyepi unfolds as a day of gentle, introspective experiences. The resort’s design – inspired by a Balinese hillside village and perched on stilts above a tropical ravine. – allows guests to feel at one with nature even while indoors. Throughout the day, tailored activities honor Balinese traditions and wellbeing. Guests can begin the morning with yoga at the pavilion as mist lifts off the valley, or join in a Balinese offering-making class led by local experts to learn the art of weaving palm leaves into spiritual offerings. For those seeking deeper relaxation, Spa Alila’s therapists will be on hand to provide rejuvenating treatments – from herbal massages to meditation sessions – channeling Bali’s healing heritage. In accordance with Nyepi’s contemplative mood, the resort’s chefs will present in-room dining options and curated wellness menus, allowing guests to savor nourishing Indonesian flavors in the privacy of their villa or on their balcony. Every aspect of the Nyepi program is designed to help guests embrace the silence rather than simply observe it, creating space for personal reflection, connection with nature, and holistic renewal.
Accommodation at Alila Ubud further amplifies this sense of serenity. Whether gazing out at the verdant valley from a private balcony of a Superior Room or enjoying the seclusion of a Forest Edge Villa immersed in the treetops, guests find themselves surrounded by soothing views and thoughtful comfort. Each villa and room is designed for quiet contemplation – spacious layouts, natural materials, and panoramic vistas invite an atmosphere of calm. On Nyepi, silence is not an absence here but a tangible presence; even without music or television, one feels the gentle pulse of the rainforest. The usual glow of the resort is softened in honor of the day: come evening, outdoor lighting is kept to a minimum and indoor lights are toned down or shielded, preserving the island’s blanket of darkness. No vehicles will enter or leave, and no outside disturbances intrude. In this hushed ambiance, guests can unwind on daybeds, write in journals, or simply listen to the chorus of crickets and frogs as daylight fades. It is luxurious solitude – an invitation to “reflect, unwind, and simply be”
When night falls on Nyepi, Alila Ubud reveals one of its most awe-inspiring rewards. With no artificial light competing with the heavens, the sky comes alive in a breathtaking display of stars. Stargazing becomes a highlight of the experience: the Milky Way arcs brilliantly overhead, and constellations normally lost to urban glow shine in sharp relief. Guests can step out onto the poolside terrace or their villa deck and find the night remarkably clear and illuminated only by nature. The resort’s lofty perch, far from city lights, offers an ideal vantage to appreciate this celestial spectacle. Many will find a sense of wonder and perspective under the Nyepi night sky, the silence deepening the connection to the universe above. It is a scene reminiscent of Bali in ancient times – a rare moment of stillness and cosmic beauty, unmarred by modernity. Alila Ubud encourages guests to linger beneath this star-studded canopy, perhaps with a warm herbal tea in hand, to truly absorb the magic of Nyepi night.
“Nyepi is a time of profound spiritual renewal on the island,” says Ketut Indra, General Manager of Alila Ubud. “Our wish is to offer guests an authentic, meaningful way to embrace this tradition. By blending cultural reverence with our signature hospitality, we create a space where guests can feel the soul of Bali – in the whisper of the forest, the flicker of candlelight, and the brilliance of a million stars overhead. Nyepi at Alila Ubud is an experience of peace that stays with you long after the day has passed.”
As the Balinese New Year dawns quiet and pure, Alila Ubud stands as a sanctuary for renewal. This Nyepi package at Alila Ubud invites travelers to not only observe a unique cultural event, but to participate in it intimately – awakening with the jungle, spending the day in mindful repose, and marveling at a night sky untouched by human light. In doing so, guests honor Bali’s heritage of harmony with nature and community. When the island awakens on March 30th and everyday life resumes, those who spent Nyepi at Alila Ubud will carry with them the echoes of silence, a sense of balance, and memories of Bali at its most enchanting. In an increasingly hectic world, Nyepi at Alila Ubud offers the ultimate luxury – the chance to slow down, reflect, and find beauty in stillness.
Alila Ubud
Melinggih Kelod, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80572
Phone : +62 361 975 963
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