The Balinese bid farewell to the old year with loud noises and colourful parades, and contrarily welcome the new with silence. Nyepi, or the Day of Silence, is Bali’s most important and sacred Hindu celebration, falling this year on March 28. With closed shops and silent streets, it is a time of meditation and self-reflection that forbids any roaring activities, and travellers are not exempt.

While many tourists might avoid such a holiday, we think it deserves a spot on your bucket list. Embrace the silence, unplug from the hustle and bustle of the city life, and simply allow yourself to relax during this different kind of Bali experience. Here’s an insider guide from our friends at leading luxury booking portal TheLuxeNomad.com, on how to make your visit to Bali during Nyepi worthwhile.

Plan Ahead

Tanah Lot Temple. Image by Thomas Depenbusch.

Keep in mind that there are no incoming or outgoing flights on the day of Nyepi, so you’ll need to plan your travel accordingly so that you don’t get stuck in transit. When possible, avoid departing Bali the day directly before or after Nypei, as tourists tend to flock the airport on these days due to the mass rescheduling of flights.

Embrace the Silence

While you cannot leave your resort or villa on the day of Nyepi, you won’t run out of things to do. Grab that book you’ve been wanting to read for so long, call the masseuse, soak in pools that go on forever, and ring in your private chef. You can detox your mind and soul by doing a little yoga, or better yet, book one of these curated villas with special Nyepi perks through The Luxe Nomad:

Stay at the Maharaja Villas in Seminyak for a royal Balinese style villa that comes with a private pool and garden sanctuary, perfect for families and couples. Enjoy benefits when such as discounts at the Kayumanis restaurant, spa treatments, complimentary lunch, afternoon tea and additional light meals. A shuttle to see Ogoh-Ogoh parade, as well as return airport transfers, are included for Nyepi.

A Balinese-meets-Japanese inspired villas, Bisma Eight in Ubud knows how to tickle an adventurer’s heart with its mystical ambience. Take advantage of the resort’s bevvy of activities during Nyepi, including yoga, traditional Balinese dance classes, cooking classes, and crafty master mocktails classes.

Villa Tjitrap in Seminyak is the perfect mix of traditional and modern design elements, offering the atmosphere of 19th-century plantation house with a tropical Javanese feel. The magnificent six bedroom villa is the perfect place for larger groups to zen out during Nyepi, and you’ll get 30% off on stays over this time frame.

The next option is one that brings you some peace and serenity with the help of Feng Shui. Karma Kandara in Uluwatu is located just 20 minutes away from the famous Uluwatu Temple and boasts architecture that is was designed to encourage some positivity in your life. A perfect getaway to recharge the mind, body and soul, guests can enjoy the view of the beach from the cliff-side villas that also have their own private pools.

Another recommendation that we can offer is that of Maison Simba which happens to be an old colonial villa that is now a luxury bed & breakfast. Sitting amongst the padi fields of a small Balinese village, the property can be perfectly described as a home away from home. For those looking to do more than lounge by the private pool — really, what could be better?— the villa is also within close proximity to the Nirwana Golf Course which spells plenty of activities for the day after Nyepi.

This final option, Chandra Villas, is one where you can spend the day of Nyepi gathering material for your perfect Instagram shots. Made up of nine stunning villas in the heart of Seminyak the properties cater to couples as well as larger groups including families. This accommodation option is close to tourist hangouts, such as Potato Head Folk and Ku de ta though with such a tranquil space one will have few reasons — if any at all — to venture out.

Visit Neighboring Islands

If you can’t stand the silence, visit some of Bali’s sister islands that don’t celebrate Nyepi such as Lombok, Gili Air, Gili Trawangan, and Gili Meno. But like the first tip, plan your travel well as there will be no leaving Bali come the dawn of Nyepi.

Enjoy Pre-Nyepi Celebrations

Prior to Nyepi, the Balinese New Year celebration lasts up to six days with several rituals being performed. Experience beautiful parades and festivities, especially during the eve of Nyepi when rituals culminate.

Key in promo code LUXUO2 at checkout and receive USD 100 off your first booking of USD 750 or more on TheLuxeNomad.com* 

*Only 10 redemptions available. First come, first served. Valid thru 31 July 2017.