Ubud: Incense Making Workshop. Create Incense From Scratch!

An incense making class in Ubud is interesting because you are not just smelling something nice, you are learning how a centuries-old practice becomes a real product you can light at home. I especially like the take-home DIY kit, because it turns a 90-minute activity into something you can repeat. I also like the hands-on stick rolling, with step-by-step help so you can leave knowing how to do it again.

One thing to consider: this workshop is not a good match if you have respiratory issues, and you should avoid wearing strong perfumes since they can interfere with scent.

The good news is it is only 90 minutes, taught in English, and the location is easy enough to spot once you know what to look for, a window sign that reads Incense Making Workshop.

Key things I’d watch for before you go

• Your free DIY kit is part of the value, you are taking home more than a souvenir.
• Stick rolling practice makes this feel like a skill, not a quick craft.
• Certified organic essential oils and natural powders help you control the final scent.
• Balinese Hindu culture lessons connect the craft to real local tradition.
• Optional incense burner add-on can make your finished set look more at home.

Finding the Incense Making Workshop in Ubud Town

The class meets right next to Ubud Town Silver Jewelry Making. If you get near there, you are in the right area, even though there is big construction next door.

Look for the window that says Incense Making Workshop. That sign matters, because the building setup can be a little confusing when construction is happening nearby. Give yourself a few extra minutes and you will be fine.

You do not need to hunt for a big landmark. You are looking for a workshop window and a straightforward entry. Also plan on making your own way to the venue, transportation is not included.

90 minutes of real hands-on incense making

This is a 90-minute workshop where you create incense sticks from scratch, and you may also have the option to craft cones. The pacing is set up so you learn, try, get corrected, and finish with something you can burn right away.

Your experience is built around a simple idea: you learn the story and the ingredients, then you apply it with your hands. That is what makes it feel practical. You are not waiting around while someone else does the work.

During the session, you should expect time for scent customization and for learning the technique of rolling your incense sticks. The sticks you make are described as having burn time of 1+ hour each, which is important because it turns the craft into a real-use product, not something you just admire.

One practical note: if you love perfume smells, this workshop is more about incense blending. You will likely notice that the classroom atmosphere is focused on scent, so it is worth coming with a clean, fragrance-light start.

The ingredient lesson, natural powders and organic essential oils

A big part of the value here is how the workshop treats ingredients as something you can understand. The process uses 100% natural ingredients and is positioned as non-toxic, with certified organic essential oils plus natural powders.

In other words, you are learning how incense scent is built, not just picking a name off a list. You add essential oils to customize the fragrance, then you combine the powders so your final product behaves like incense, not like flavored dust.

If you care about what you are bringing home, this matters. You are not just buying a smell, you are making something with ingredients that are described as natural and organic. That also helps you get closer to why certain scent combinations feel different when they burn.

Balinese Hindu culture through incense, not just aroma

You get more than a craft lesson. You also learn the global story of incense and how it shaped Balinese Hindu culture.

That cultural piece is not a random lecture. It gives you context for why incense sticks and cones are used in daily life, ceremonies, and home rituals. When you understand the role incense plays, the act of rolling sticks feels more meaningful, because you are participating in a tradition that has traveled across regions and centuries.

I like this approach because it keeps the workshop grounded. You can enjoy the scent, but you also leave with a reason to care about the technique and the materials.

What you make, plus the optional ceramic incense burner

By the end, you take home the incense you made plus a kit so you can keep going.

Included in your package:

• Your hand-made incense sticks (with stated burn time of 1+ hour each)
• A take-home DIY incense kit
• A DIY incense instructions card
• A ceramic incense burner only if you add it

If you choose the ceramic burner add-on, it is listed as an optional 15k extra. Even if you do not buy it, you are still leaving with instructions and supplies, which is the most important part for real value.

There is also the option to craft incense cones during the workshop. Cones are part of incense traditions in many places, and making them helps you see how different shapes relate to burning and fragrance release. If you are curious, ask for the cone option during the session, when you have your teacher guidance in front of you.

The biggest value: your DIY kit and instructions at home

The free DIY kit is one of the strongest reasons to do this workshop, because it extends your learning after the class ends. Most souvenir crafts fade fast. This one is designed for repeat use.

You also get a DIY incense instructions card. That matters because incense making is technical enough that a quick memory is not always enough. Having a written guide helps you recreate what you learned, including scent choices and the basic steps.

One extra practical advantage: incense is a product you can declare if needed when you travel. If you are flying home, bring the instructions card and keep your kit together so you have something to reference if you are asked about it.

Comfort rules that affect your experience

This workshop has a clear set of do-not-do rules. Smoking is not allowed. Food and drinks are not allowed as part of the experience, so plan your meal timing around the class.

You should also avoid wearing strong perfumes. This is not about politeness. Strong scents can interfere with the incense scent choices, and it can make it harder to judge your blend.

The workshop is not wheelchair accessible. That is a key factor if mobility is part of your needs. It also is not suitable for people with respiratory issues, which you should take seriously if incense smoke or strong scents could trigger problems for you.

Who this workshop is for, and who should skip it

This is a great fit if you want:

• A hands-on activity in Ubud that results in a real product you can burn
• A scent experience with a cultural lesson tied to Balinese Hindu incense tradition
• A workshop where you customize fragrance using essential oils
• Something you can repeat at home thanks to the DIY kit and instructions

It is not a good fit if:

• You use a wheelchair and need step-free access, since the workshop is not wheelchair accessible
• You have respiratory issues, because incense making is a scented activity
• You rely on strong fragrance daily, since you are asked to avoid strong perfumes

It also works well for couples or friends, since the class is about sharing the process and making scent choices together.

Price and value for $20 in Ubud

At $20 per person for 90 minutes, this class earns its price by giving you more than a short craft.

You get:

• A finished incense product from the session
• A free DIY kit so you can make more later
• Instructions that help you reproduce the process
• A structured learning experience that includes global incense history and Balinese Hindu culture

If you only wanted to smell incense, you could buy something anywhere. But if you want to understand how incense is made, how scent customization works, and how to keep the practice going at home, the kit and instruction card are what turn the class from entertainment into value.

The optional ceramic burner add-on is extra cost. I would treat that as style choice, not necessity, because the core value is the take-home supplies and what you learn making the sticks.

Should you book this Ubud incense making workshop?

Book it if you like hands-on crafts, you want a guided skill, and you care about scent made from natural ingredients. The DIY kit plus the instructions card make it feel worth doing even if you only have 90 minutes in Ubud.

Skip it if fragrance or incense smoke is an issue for your health, or if you need wheelchair access. Also, arrive with low-fragrance habits, because your scent choices depend on staying out of the way of your own nose.

If that sounds like you, this is one of those classes where you leave with something you will use, and you also understand why incense matters in daily Balinese Hindu life.

FAQ

How long is the Ubud incense making workshop?

The workshop lasts 90 minutes.

How much does it cost?

It costs $20 per person.

What do I make during the workshop?

You will make incense sticks from scratch. Crafting incense cones is optional.

What is included in the price?

You get a take-home DIY incense kit, your hand-made incense sticks, and a DIY incense instructions card. A customized ceramic incense burner is included only if you add it.

Is there an optional incense burner?

Yes, you can add a customized ceramic incense burner for an additional 15k.

What language is the instructor?

The instructor teaches in English.

Are food or drinks included?

No. Drinks are not included, and food and drinks are not allowed during the workshop.

Where is the meeting point?

It is next to Ubud Town Silver Jewelry Making. There is big construction next door, and you should look for the window that says Incense Making Workshop.

Is the workshop suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not wheelchair accessible.