Healing Journeys
with NIHI’s Horse Whisperers
For generations, horses have been at the heart of life in Sumba. At NIHI, our relationship with the island’s iconic Sandalwood horses has evolved over more than a decade, shaped by respect for their spirit, local traditions, and the extraordinary connection they create between people and nature.
Alongside signature collaborations, including the Candice Webster Equine Retreat, returning in 2027 with dates to be announced shortly, NIHI’s equine wellness experiences invite guests to reconnect through the intuitive guidance of our horse whisperers. Rooted in presence rather than performance, each journey blends equine connection, holistic wellness and the spirit of Sumba.
Retreats are offered in two formats: our Group Retreat (18–22 October 2026) or Private Equine Retreats, available year-round with flexibility around travel dates and personal intention.
Through equine-guided experiences, time in nature and meaningful cultural connection, each journey unfolds naturally, allowing space for healing, reflection and transformation. Retreat packages exclude accommodation, allowing guests to choose their preferred NIHI Sumba villa and stay experience.
Overview
The Sandalwood horse is one of Sumba’s greatest cultural treasures, revered for centuries as a symbol of strength, freedom and spiritual connection.
For more than a decade, NIHI has nurtured a unique relationship with these remarkable horses through ethical horsemanship, conservation and a philosophy built on trust rather than control. Working alongside experienced horse whisperers and the local community, we have witnessed the profound ability of horses to mirror emotion, cultivate presence and guide meaningful personal growth.
Today, our equine wellness experiences honour this enduring connection, offering guests the opportunity to slow down, reconnect with themselves and discover the quiet wisdom found through the horse-human bond.
Every equine retreat is inspired by the island’s living traditions and the philosophy of Marapu, where harmony exists between humanity, nature and the unseen world.
Each journey is thoughtfully curated around the individual, combining equine connection with holistic wellness, cultural discovery and time immersed in Sumba’s extraordinary landscapes. Rather than following a fixed itinerary, every retreat unfolds in its own way, guided by intention, intuition and the rhythm of the island.
While every retreat is unique, experiences may include:
- Guided equine healing sessions with NIHI’s horse whisperers and the Sandalwood horses.
- Sunrise rituals, yoga, breathwork and meditation immersed in nature.
- NIHI’s signature Spa Safari and holistic wellness experiences.
- Cultural encounters, village visits and meaningful connections with the local community.
- Island experiences, including riding and swimming with horses, subject to conditions.
- Curated dining experiences, evenings beneath the stars and time to embrace the rhythm of Sumba.
No two retreats are ever the same. Each journey is shaped by your intentions, the wisdom of the horses and the spirit of Sumba.
Group Retreat (18–22 October 2026)
An intimate four-night retreat designed for those wishing to share a transformative journey alongside a small circle of like-minded guests. Blending equine healing, holistic wellness, cultural immersion and the spirit of Sumba, the retreat offers a thoughtfully curated programme while allowing space for personal reflection, discovery and deep connection with the horses, the island and yourself.
Retreat Price: USD 3,000++ per person (4-night programme, accommodation excluded).
Private Equine Retreats
Designed entirely around your own intentions, our private retreats offer complete flexibility in both travel dates and programme design. Suitable for guests of all ages and experience levels, each retreat is centred on healing, personal growth and meaningful connection with both horses and self.
Retreat Price: From USD 3,000++ per person for a minimum three-night programme, with additional retreat days available at USD 1,000++ per person, per day.
Accommodation is not included, allowing guests to choose their preferred villa category and length of stay at NIHI Sumba.
All prices are in USD and subject to a 21% government tax and service charge.
“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
Nihigram
The first light spills across the ocean, the mist slowly lifts, horses wander freely along the shoreline, and the world seems to move a little slower.
This is the magic of mornings at NIHI, quiet, wild, and beautifully untouched.
Where wild horses roam the shoreline, endless palms sway in the ocean breeze, world-class waves roll onto untouched white sand, and every sunset feels like nature’s grand finale.
This is Nihi, a place where time slows, the horizon stretches forever, and every moment reminds you just how beautiful the world can be.
.
#nihigram by @scottybauer_
No notifications. No playlists. No endless scrolling.
Just birds singing, waves rolling onto the shore, and the kind of silence that reminds you what peace actually sounds like.
As the sky melts into brilliant shades of gold, amber, and fire, there’s no better place to be than on horseback along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach as the sun slips below the horizon. This is NIHI Sumba.
.
#nihigram by @lucaspinhel
Venture beyond @nihi to one of Sumba’s most beautiful coastlines.
.
Head out onto the open water to the best fishing spots and cast your line before continuing onwards to Konda where you’ll be welcomed by @kondamaloba.
.
Unwind between an oceanfront pool and Sumba’s turquoise waters while your freshly caught fish is prepared over an open fire before being served for lunch.
.
If you’re feeling like you need some more adventure, take to the water on jet ski and feel the wind in your hair as you explore the natural beauty of the bay.
.
This is an experience shaped and refined by the wild beauty of Sumba.
.
#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
No trending music. This is what magic really sounds like: waves rolling onto the shores of Nihiwatu Beach, horses cooling off in the salty waters, and the wild spirit of NIHI Sumba.
.
#nihigram by @evelien_louise
Front-row seats to one of NIHI’s most iconic morning rituals.
.
Grab breakfast with a friend as horses wander freely along the shoreline, with the Indian Ocean stretching beyond. 🤍
Hidden within the raw terrain of the island are little known gems waiting to be discovered. Embark on an adventure with @nihi by exploring the natural environment of Sumba. You’ll set off in an open aired vehicle and drive through the landscapes with a sense of excitement at what you may encounter. A trek to the Blue Waterfall is one such adventure that you’ll long remember for years to come and live with the memory of being left in awe at the wonder of nature.
No trending audio. Just NIHI, exactly as it sounds.
Some places don’t need a soundtrack to be unforgettable. Here, it’s the waves, the horses running along the beach, and the quiet moments in between that tell the story. 🤍
As the sun slips below the horizon, summer nights at NIHI take on a magic of their own. Romance in the air, stars overhead, and the feeling of being forever wild.
.
#nihigram by @lucaspinhel @laylafoz
Follow us on Instagram @nihi
Contact Us
Getting Here
Share
