Capella Ubud celebrates eight years with a journey of forest, community and firefly conservation | News
This July, Capella Ubud, Bali marks eight years in the forested valley of Ubud with Keliki, Our Home, a curated anniversary trip that unfolds over two nights, carefully designed to immerse guests in the spirit of the home village through forest, community and conservation.
Long before it became a destination, Capella Ubud was part of Keliki Village, shaped by its people and guided by its traditions. Today, the camp remains deeply connected to its environment, with many team members from local communities, including those who have been part of the journey since it opened. Through ongoing English language classes and skills development programs, Capella Ubud continues to support local youth and future generations. This connection is further expressed through Capella Curates, where guest experiences are designed in collaboration with the community. The Keliki painting tour with local artists and guided village walks provide meaningful exchanges that connect guests with the living culture of the destination.
At the heart of this anniversary, Keliki, Our Home presents a two-night curated journey, inviting guests to experience newly introduced programs, each reflecting the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana – the harmonious relationship between people, nature and the spiritual realm.
The journey begins with arrival in the forest and unfolds through layers of discovery, with a botanical walk and birdwatching experience extending from the camp’s forest trails to the rice fields of Keliki Village, where native flora and native birds reveal the richness of the surrounding ecosystem.
Ritual at the right hour
As night falls, guests return to camp and take part in Sandikala – a traditional Balinese ritual held at the camp’s temple, on the threshold between day and night. Sacrifices are made and prayers are said under the leadership of the camp’s rangers.
Follow the fireflies back
The core of the journey is Bring Back the Light, an experience you won’t find anywhere else in Bali’s luxury hospitality landscape. At dusk, guests travel to neighboring Taro Village, where a community-led conservation initiative is restoring freshwater habitats, clean rice fields and unlit corridors that fireflies depend on.
The work is successful. Fireflies, once absent from landscapes damaged by chemical agriculture and artificial light, are returning. Guests can see this firsthand at dusk, when the first lights begin to pulse over the treeline: a quiet, clear benchmark for what regenerative land management can achieve.
The next morning the journey turns inward with A Soul Reborn, a water purification ritual at the sacred Wos River Temple in the heart of the camp. Dressed in traditional Balinese attire, guests participate in a spring-fueled cleansing ritual rooted in devotional practices carried through generations.
The camp itself
Designed by architect Bill Bensley as an intimate tented camp in a wooded valley, Capella Ubud is designed around a single principle: that a building should honor the landscape rather than replace it. The camp’s 22 tents are located in the jungle rather than on top of it; the natural soundtrack consists of birdsong and flowing river water.
The anniversary package is anchored by a one-bedroom tent with a private pool, the base experience of the camp, in addition to daily breakfast at Mads Lange overlooking the forest valley, and botanical walks and birdwatching tours that extend from the camp to Keliki Village.
“For us, this anniversary isn’t just about celebrating Capella Ubud. It’s about honoring Keliki Village – the farmers, artists and community whose traditions continue to inspire every experience we share with our guests.” – Christian Jaquier, General Manager, Capella Ubud, Bali.
Package inclusions
The two-night Keliki, Our Home package includes:
Two nights in a one-bedroom tent with private pool
Daily breakfast at Mads Lange overlooking the forest valley
Botanical walk and birdwatching through the camp’s forest trails and the rice fields of Keliki Village
Bring Back the Light – a journey for firefly conservation in Taro Village
Sandikala – a traditional Balinese gratitude ritual in the camp temple
A Soul Reborn – a water purification ritual at the sacred Wos River Temple
For guests wishing to extend their stay, a third night can be added at a preferential rate, allowing time to delve deeper into the rhythms of Keliki Village: its agricultural traditions and the silent art of miniature painting.
The experience can be booked from April 15, 2026, for stays until December 31, 2026. For more information and reservations, please contact [email protected].
