overview
COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri is a luxury holistic health retreat set amidst acres 23 acres of lovingly landscaped gardens on a jungle-covered riverbank overlooking the Ayung River in Central Bali.
“Begawan Giri” means “Wise Man's Mountain” and takes its name from the adjoining village. The grounds of the estate are fed by three holy springs that converge into a natural waterfall. The cool white water cascades into a series of sculpted plunge pools that follow the hillside down to the river.
Facilities are state-of-the-art and include a vitality pool, a treatment area, a climbing wall, outdoor gym, yoga pavilion and pilates studio. Ultimately though, it is the deep-set spirituality of this estate that makes it unique. This and the nurturing approach of the world-class holistic healthcare
therapists
offering
a variety of Eastern techniques including Thai, Indonesian, Shiatsu and Ayurvedic Massage, Reflexology, Hot Stone, Deep Tissue and Sports Massage. There is also a resident Nutritionist and Naturopath, an Acupuncturist, Chiropractor and a resident Ayurvedic Doctor trained in Kerala.
The Estate has a number of resident teachers including a fitness instructor, yoga master and pilates instructor, as well as teachers in Tai’Chi, Qigong and other martial arts.
The traditional oils used in their massages are some of the most sublime in the world (so much so that The Berkeley in London has now started using them). Personal butlers do your laundry, top up your drink, refresh your orchids, and press your trousers while wearing Nehru jackets, sarongs, and the sunny, typically Balinese smiles.
In the bedrooms, Balinese teakwood, and Chinese antiques combine with extravagantly fairytale Victorian four-poster beds. In the grounds, infinity-edged pools drop off into the jungle leaves, the sound of sacred waterfall gardens accompany the bird song, and fire pits blaze after dark. Best of all, you feel as though it all belongs to you. For at COMO Shambhala Estate at Begawan Giri, you’re treated like a resident, not a guest. You sleep in one of four extremely private palatial residences, where, by either ingenuity or luck, fellow guests are rarely spotted, if at all. You dictate your cocktail hour, your massages and your mealtimes.
Meals are organic, sourced locally, and delivered from field to table with minimum delay. Meat, fish and vegetables are all featured allowing you to eat to your preference. The range of foods also accommodates intolerances (wheat & dairy free) and the menus feature little salt. Raw unprocessed honey replaces sugar and raw fruit and vegetables as well as extensive fresh fruit and vegetable juices are widely available. Personal eating plans are available, drawn up personally for you by the resident nutritionist and Executive Chef.
Outdoor activities
include mountain biking, hiking, climbing, rowing, whitewater rafting and outdoor circuit training in the nearby mountains, rivers and back-country paths. There are also cooking demonstrations available to guests, specialist seminars, excursions to local temples, ceremonies, markets and galleries, and special cultural workshops in Balinese dance, photography or writing.
Private sessions with "visiting masters" can be arranged upon request. Guests in search of deeper realms of holistic well-being will have the opportunity to work with these healing specialists, teachers and therapists to discover possibilities for healing and deep work for body, mind and spirit.