What is the 'Where Harmony Takes Flight' program really about?

Great question—it's basically where you become part of a real conservation effort, not just observing from afar. The program centers on reintroducing the critically endangered Bali Starling to Ubud's jungle habitat through your participation and the resort's partnership with field biologists. In 2024 alone, they released 84 birds to the wild. When you book the Conservation Package, you're out on daily tours at 7 AM and 4 PM where you'll actually observe these birds and learn reintroduction science directly from biologists who live on-site. It's hands-on conservation tourism at its finest.

Is this Conservation Package worth the extra money?

That depends on what you value. The Conservation Package rooms start at USD 320 per night—about 28% more than standard jungle-view rooms at USD 250. What you're getting is daily guided conservation tours (90 minutes each, twice daily), access to 3 PM educational sessions in the nature center, and priority booking for specialized research activities. If you're passionate about wildlife and conservation, absolutely yes. If you just want a nice resort experience, the standard rooms are excellent. Day visitors can also join a single tour for USD 45 if you want to sample the experience without booking overnight.

Why should I bother with an early morning tour when I could sleep in?

The numbers tell the story—early morning tours have a 72% success rate for actually spotting Bali Starlings, while afternoon sessions are closer to 43%. Why? These birds are most active during their early feeding periods when the vegetation is still moist from overnight dew, and they're easier to locate. The resort structures morning itineraries to align with the birds' natural behavior, so you're not forcing them out of hiding. You'll wake up tired, but you'll actually see what you came for.

What's this about a 360-guest monthly limit?

The resort cap at 360 guests per month might seem arbitrary, but there's actual science behind it. Indonesia's Nature Conservancy (TNCC) set these guidelines to prevent the reintroduction zone from becoming overrun, which would stress the birds and compromise the program's integrity. When bookings approach that limit, management uses a lottery system rather than expanding tour availability. It's a real constraint—the resort actually gave up roughly USD 42,000 in potential September 2024 revenue to maintain conservation standards. That's the kind of commitment that separates genuine conservation efforts from greenwashing.

How does a luxury resort actually afford to run a conservation program?

Honest answer: the parent company, Minor Hotels, funds it. They commit 2% of the resort's annual room revenue—about USD 364,000 yearly—to conservation operations. That covers eight full-time field biologists, breeding station maintenance, and partnership funding. Initial startup costs of USD 580,000 were absorbed by Minor Hotels in 2023-2024. Here's the catch—the financial model is precarious. When unexpected bird flu quarantine protocols hit in 2024, it cost USD 87,000 in unbudgeted expenses. One major crisis could destabilize the whole program, which is why transparency about these realities matters.

What do conservation critics actually say about this program?

Fair pushback exists, and you should hear it. Critics argue that tourism—even well-intentioned tourism—fundamentally extracts value from natural systems. The program's annual carbon footprint totals 2,847 metric tons, primarily from guests traveling there. Additionally, while 84 bird releases sounds impressive, Indonesia loses forest habitat at 115,000 hectares annually, so one resort's impact is modest in global terms. Conservation purists question whether expanded access, however carefully managed, ultimately serves species recovery or creates a feel-good narrative around insufficient action. These are legitimate concerns worth considering before you book.

Anantara Ubud Bali Resort Launches New Conservation Programme

March 11, 2026

Imagine standing in the misty Ubud jungle at dawn, the air thick with humidity and the songs of tropical birds echoing through the canopy. You're not just a tourist—you're a conservation participant. Anantara Ubud Bali Resort's 'Where Harmony Takes Flight' initiative has transformed this luxury property into something unprecedented: a working conservation hub where guests actively contribute to saving one of the world's rarest birds. The critically endangered Bali Starling, with fewer than 400 individuals remaining in the wild, faces near-certain extinction without intensive breeding and habitat restoration programs. Yet here, in 2024, the resort released 84 birds back into Ubud's jungle habitat while guests participated in guided reintroduction tours. By partnering with local conservation organizations and Indonesia's Ministry of Environment, Anantara has crafted an experience that blurs the line between luxury hospitality and scientific research. The question isn't whether conservation works—it's whether the hospitality industry can fundamentally reimagine itself as a force for wildlife recovery, and what that transformation means for the future of both luxury travel and endangered species.

What to Expect

Expect to wake before dawn and venture into the misty jungle with a guide and field biologist, where the air grows progressively thicker and richer with the scent of wet soil and decomposing vegetation. As your eyes adjust to the filtered light, you'll scan the canopy for movement—the distinctive white silhouette of the Bali Starling against emerald leaves, its striking blue eye-ring visible even from a distance. You'll hear the sharp calls of the birds signaling to one another, feel your heart quicken when a reintroduced pair appears just meters away, and experience the profound quiet that descends when the forest acknowledges your presence. The 90-minute morning tours (7 AM and 4 PM) include real-time observation of released birds in their reintroduction zones, detailed explanations of behavioral monitoring from on-site field biologists, and opportunities to participate in data collection activities. Afternoon sessions showcase the resort's breeding station where you'll see birds in controlled environments and learn the science of species recovery. Educational sessions at the 3 PM nature center reveal the challenges of captive breeding, Indonesia's deforestation crisis, and the ecological stakes of this initiative. You'll leave with soil on your boots, humidity in your hair, and the unmistakable weight of having contributed to something larger than yourself.

Anantara Ubud Bali Resort launched the 'Where Harmony Takes Flight' conservation initiative to reintroduce the critically endangered Bali Starling to Ubud's jungle habitat. Picture yourself standing in the misty jungle at dawn, the air thick with humidity and alive with the calls of tropical birds. As your eyes adjust to the filtered sunlight through dense canopy, you catch sight of the Bali Starling—a striking white bird with distinctive black wing markings and a piercing blue eye-ring that seems almost otherworldly against the emerald foliage. The program, which began in early 2024, represents a shift in how luxury hospitality integrates wildlife recovery with guest experiences. According to the Bali Starling Foundation, fewer than 400 individuals remain in the wild—making captive breeding and habitat restoration essential to species survival. The resort partners with local conservation organizations and the Indonesian Ministry of Environment to execute daily guided reintroduction tours. You'll hear the rustle of leaves underfoot, smell the rich earth and decomposing vegetation that sustains this delicate ecosystem, and feel the weight of participating in genuine species recovery. This initiative demonstrates that high-end resorts can operate as active conservation agents rather than passive environmental stewards. The program raises a critical question for the hospitality sector: can luxury properties become financially viable conservation hubs while maintaining guest satisfaction?

How to Get There

By Metro/Bus (Most Economical): Catch a Perama or KURA KURA bus from Bali's main transportation hub in Denpasar (USD 5-8, 90-120 minutes) directly to Ubud's central market. From there, hire a local bemo (shared minivan, USD 2-3) to Anantara Ubud, which sits 4 km northeast of the town center. This route costs approximately USD 10-15 total but requires flexibility with departure schedules. By Taxi/Ride-Share (Most Convenient): Order a Blue Bird taxi from Denpasar airport (approximately 65 km, USD 35-45, 90 minutes depending on traffic) or use Gojek/Grab apps for ride-sharing (USD 25-35). From Ubud town center to the resort (4 km) costs USD 8-12 by app-based services. Total journey: USD 45-60 and 2-2.5 hours from airport. By Rental Car (Most Flexible): Rent a car with driver in Denpasar (USD 50-70 daily) to explore surrounding areas beyond the resort. Self-driving requires navigating narrow Ubud roads and parking at the resort. Ride duration remains 90-120 minutes from Denpasar airport via the main highway through Gianyar. Note: The resort provides airport transfer services for Conservation Package guests (USD 75 roundtrip per vehicle accommodating up to 4 people), which can be arranged during booking.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'Where Harmony Takes Flight' program really about?: Great question—it's basically where you become part of a real conservation effort, not just observing from afar. The program centers on reintroducing the critically endangered Bali Starling to Ubud's jungle habitat through your participation and the resort's partnership with field biologists. In 2024 alone, they released 84 birds to the wild. When you book the Conservation Package, you're out on daily tours at 7 AM and 4 PM where you'll actually observe these birds and learn reintroduction science directly from biologists who live on-site. It's hands-on conservation tourism at its finest.
Is this Conservation Package worth the extra money?: That depends on what you value. The Conservation Package rooms start at USD 320 per night—about 28% more than standard jungle-view rooms at USD 250. What you're getting is daily guided conservation tours (90 minutes each, twice daily), access to 3 PM educational sessions in the nature center, and priority booking for specialized research activities. If you're passionate about wildlife and conservation, absolutely yes. If you just want a nice resort experience, the standard rooms are excellent. Day visitors can also join a single tour for USD 45 if you want to sample the experience without booking overnight.
Why should I bother with an early morning tour when I could sleep in?: The numbers tell the story—early morning tours have a 72% success rate for actually spotting Bali Starlings, while afternoon sessions are closer to 43%. Why? These birds are most active during their early feeding periods when the vegetation is still moist from overnight dew, and they're easier to locate. The resort structures morning itineraries to align with the birds' natural behavior, so you're not forcing them out of hiding. You'll wake up tired, but you'll actually see what you came for.
What's this about a 360-guest monthly limit?: The resort cap at 360 guests per month might seem arbitrary, but there's actual science behind it. Indonesia's Nature Conservancy (TNCC) set these guidelines to prevent the reintroduction zone from becoming overrun, which would stress the birds and compromise the program's integrity. When bookings approach that limit, management uses a lottery system rather than expanding tour availability. It's a real constraint—the resort actually gave up roughly USD 42,000 in potential September 2024 revenue to maintain conservation standards. That's the kind of commitment that separates genuine conservation efforts from greenwashing.
How does a luxury resort actually afford to run a conservation program?: Honest answer: the parent company, Minor Hotels, funds it. They commit 2% of the resort's annual room revenue—about USD 364,000 yearly—to conservation operations. That covers eight full-time field biologists, breeding station maintenance, and partnership funding. Initial startup costs of USD 580,000 were absorbed by Minor Hotels in 2023-2024. Here's the catch—the financial model is precarious. When unexpected bird flu quarantine protocols hit in 2024, it cost USD 87,000 in unbudgeted expenses. One major crisis could destabilize the whole program, which is why transparency about these realities matters.
What do conservation critics actually say about this program?: Fair pushback exists, and you should hear it. Critics argue that tourism—even well-intentioned tourism—fundamentally extracts value from natural systems. The program's annual carbon footprint totals 2,847 metric tons, primarily from guests traveling there. Additionally, while 84 bird releases sounds impressive, Indonesia loses forest habitat at 115,000 hectares annually, so one resort's impact is modest in global terms. Conservation purists question whether expanded access, however carefully managed, ultimately serves species recovery or creates a feel-good narrative around insufficient action. These are legitimate concerns worth considering before you book.