The Hawker Legends program at NIHI Sumba is a culinary series celebrating iconic street food masters whose humble, authentic dishes have nourished communities for generations. Throughout the year, renowned hawker chefs will be invited to the island to share their stories, techniques, and timeless comfort dishes. Each experience is rooted in heritage, community, and deep connection, reimagined through the NIHI lens.
The series opens in April with Soto Betawi H. Ma’ruf, one of Jakarta’s most storied culinary names. Founded in 1940, the institution has endured not through reinvention, but through consistency. Its recipe, defined by a delicately savory broth made with coconut milk and cow’s milk, has remained unchanged for generations. The guiding principle has always been simple: authenticity over excess.
DATE
9th – 11th April, 2026
The sheer magic of @nihi. Watch as a herd of horses wanders past the main pool and into the ocean, creating one of those beautiful NIHI Sumba moments you can completely lose yourself in. Be immersed in days like no other, and spellbound as the evening sun begins to descend.
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#nihigram by @catalinavonbonin @jonaways
A glimpse of a typical day at @nihi.
Imagine starting the morning with breakfast and a horizon view, before watching the horses meander down the white sands of Nihiwatu Beach.
A slow morning that sets the tone for an afternoon spent relaxing in your own private villa, before the sun begins to set and casts its evening magic across the island of Sumba.
At NIHI, horses roam freely along untouched shores, wellness is found in the serenity of the spa, and romance flourishes amidst the island’s untamed beauty. Here, ancient traditions, extraordinary landscapes, and meaningful connections create experiences that linger long after you leave.
From the Edge of Wildness to moments of complete tranquility, every corner of NIHI celebrates the unmatched beauty, rich culture, and timeless spirit of Sumba.
A truly unique wellness experience awaits at NIHI’s Equine Sanctuary.
Beneath swaying palms and beside the sound of the ocean, retired sea horses become gentle partners in relaxation and healing. This deeply calming equine massage invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and experience the quiet presence of these remarkable horses.
Part of NIHI Spa’s Equine Wellness offering, alongside equine reiki and yoga, this experience can be included as part of your half or full day at NIHI Spa.
Raw, simple moments.
Two horses lingering at the water’s edge, their wet hooves sinking into the sand as waves roll in and out around them. No saddles, no riders, no destination. Just the quiet rhythm of the ocean and the freedom to simply be.
These are the moments that stay with you long after Sumba.
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#nihigram @lina_jyoga
When the early morning mist still sits over Nihiwatu Beach and you wake up to breakfast overlooking wild horses living free along the shore. There’s nowhere else on earth quite like this. @nihi is less a destination and more a dream you never want to leave.
As the sun rises, Sumba and a daily life that harks back to a bygone era awakens. The island of Sumba is one that is raw in its beauty and rich with culture. @nihi takes you beyond the resort and into the culture of Sumba where you can feel the true soul of the island.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Morning begins with the ocean stretched out before you. Set in an elevated position within the heart of @nihi, Wulla Marapu offers an expansive view of the full curve of Nihiwatu Beach. Designed for relaxed family living, Wulla Marapu is a three-bedroom villa that brings together Sumbanese heritage, tranquil open-air spaces, and the natural beauty of Sumba.
From 1–14 June, we welcome visiting practitioner Carol, NIHI’s renowned Horse Whisperer.
Lie in the quiet presence of our horses as Carol guides a deeply restorative Reiki experience. Through gentle energy work and the horses’ calm, heart-centred presence, stress softens and you are gently returned to the present moment, where healing begins.
Set beneath swaying palms at NIHI Spa, and accompanied by the soothing rhythm of the ocean, this unique Equine Wellness experience invites guests to slow down, reconnect, and experience the profound sense of peace that can arise in the presence of horses.
Raw beauty, untamed adventure, and moments that stay with you forever. Welcome to @nihi. A place that stays with you long after you’ve left. Experience the magic in the spaces between nature and luxury. A retreat from the modern world out on the Edge of Wildness. Remote by nature, refined by design.
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