EN

    Retreat

    Equine Intuitive Awareness Retreats

    23-28 April 2026 and 15-20 October 2026

    NIHISumba_EquineRetreats_Carol

    Healing Journeys
    with NIHI’s Horse Whisperer

    As part of our celebrations for the Year of the Fire Horse, NIHI Sumba will offer two exclusive equine retreats on 23-28 April 2026 and 15-20 October 2026, led by our horse whisperer Carol Sharpe.

    Inspired by ancient wisdom and sacred practices, these extraordinary five-day journeys include one-to-one equine healing sessions, cultural immersion and group activities with our majestic Sandalwood horses – revered for their intuitive guidance and powerful healing presence.

    • Carol’s Journey

    • Sumbanese Synergy

    • Retreat Highlights

    Carol’s Journey

    Growing up on a horse property in South Australia, Carol Sharpe has always felt an intrinsic bond with horses. Embracing the challenge of working with Sumba’s beautiful yet untamed Sandalwood horses, Carol established our Sandalwood Stables over a decade ago. During this journey, Carol honed her skills in nonverbal communication, energy reading and healing, forming deep connections with the horses and the community. Her equine healing sessions have had a profound impact on guests, helping them to grow, heal and connect.

    Sumbanese Synergy

    The Intuitive Awareness Retreats perfectly synergize with the spirit of NIHI and the animist beliefs of the island. Sumba’s ancient but living religion, Marapu, centres on the balance between the spirit world, humans and nature – including the island’s unique Sandalwood horses. As well as healing sessions, NIHI’s equine wellness experiences include reiki, yoga and massage, all harnessing the powerful healing presence of horses. Each experience offers a path to the transformative, healing power that flows from these majestic animals.

    Retreat Highlights

    • One-to-one equine-guided healing session with Carol Sharpe, NIHI’s horse whisperer.
    • Energetic awareness and somatic practices inspired by Sumba’s natural elements.
    • Cultural immersion rooted in the island’s ancestral horse traditions.
    • Grounding rituals, yoga, oceanfront rides and NIHI’s signature Spa Safari.

    Limited places are available, with the full program to be confirmed soon. To join the priority list, please follow the link below.

    JOIN THE PRIORITY LIST
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    “I was looking to connect with animals, and specifically horses, as they had always held intrigue for me. When I discovered NIHI’s equine therapy retreat I was both curious and a little apprehensive as I’ve always been slightly scared of horses, but Carol made me feel instantly safe. We were invited to simply be with the herd, to observe, to listen, and to understand. I learned how horses mirror us, how they honour boundaries, and how powerful it is to build a connection before asking anything of them. It was deeply moving. What made this even more special was working with Carol, who knows each horse by name, by story, by spirit – many from birth. You don’t return from NIHI the same. You return with a deeper understanding of yourself, of nature, and of the quiet strength in just being. This is not something I have found in any other place in the world.”

    – Baroness Rebecca Wedellsborg –
    MAY 2025

    On the Edge of Growth

    Nihigram

    • Two surfers walking along Nihiwatu Beach, each holding a surfboard, with palm trees lining the shore and vibrant turquoise waves gently rolling onto the sand.
    • Couple relaxing in the Kasambi private plunge pool at NIHI® Sumba, surrounded by lush tropical gardens and thatched-roof villas, enjoying a serene moment under the sun.
    • Surfer walking along the shoreline at sunset with a board in hand, glowing in the golden light of dusk after a day of riding the waves at NIHI Sumba.
    • Herd of Sumba horses peacefully walking along the shoreline at sunrise on Nihiwatu Beach, capturing the serene essence of the equine experience at NIHI Sumba.
    • Female surfer riding a powerful wave at NIHI Sumba, showcasing the world-renowned surf break and pristine ocean conditions off the resort’s wild coastline.
    • Aerial view of a traditional Sumbanese village surrounded by dense tropical forest, showcasing distinctive high-peaked thatched roofs and symmetrical layout on Sumba Island.
    • Local Sumbanese woman seated beneath a traditional thatched roof, skillfully hand-spinning yarn as part of the island's cultural Ikat weaving tradition.
    • Putri Kasambi tropical villa at NIHI® Sumba, featuring a thatched roof, private pool, and sun loungers, framed by lush gardens and overlooking the ocean at sunset.
    • Aerial view of Villa Rahasia at NIHI® Sumba, surrounded by dense tropical foliage and overlooking a secluded white-sand beach and turquoise waters.
    • Traditional Sumbanese warrior in ceremonial attire riding a decorated horse along the shoreline at NIHI Sumba, with turquoise waves rolling in behind.
    • Aerial view of NIHI Sumba's vibrant blue padel court nestled within lush tropical gardens, overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean.
    • Woman floating with a surfboard in the ocean during golden hour, enjoying a serene surf session on Occy’s Left off the coast of NIHI® Sumba.
    • Local Sumbanese villagers outside a traditional thatched-roof home, surrounded by coconuts and greenery in a rural village near NIHI Sumba.
    • Aerial view of a horse and rider galloping along the wet sands of Nihiwatu Beach, leaving footprints near the shoreline as ocean waves crash nearby.
    • Silhouette of a Sumbanese warrior performing a traditional spear pose atop one of the Nihiwatu Beach rocks at night, set against a star-filled sky and a moonlit ocean horizon.
    • Traditional Sumbanese village pathway lined with thatched-roof huts and wooden fencing, capturing the rustic charm and architectural heritage of rural life in Sumba Island.
    • The secluded Villa Rahasia, the only villa on the Nihioka Spa grounds at NIHI® Sumba, perched above a lush cliffside overlooking a white sand beach and turquoise ocean, with two guests walking along the shoreline below.
    • Aerial view of Raja Mandaka, a luxurious thatched-roof villa at NIHI® Sumba, featuring a private pool and tropical gardens overlooking the turquoise waters and white sand shoreline.
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