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Equine Intuitive Awareness Retreats

Healing Journeys
with NIHI’s Horse Whisperer

As part of our evolving equine offering, NIHI Sumba now presents private healing journeys with our horse whisperer, Carol.

Inspired by ancient wisdom and sacred practices, these immersive retreats include one to one equine healing sessions, cultural immersion, and time with our majestic Sandalwood horses, revered for their intuitive guidance and powerful healing presence. Each retreat is designed as a private experience, shaped around individual intention. Through one to one equine sessions, time in nature, and moments of cultural connection, no two journeys are the same. The rhythm is yours. The path unfolds as it needs to.

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Overview

Growing up on a horse property in South Australia, Carol 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.

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.

  • One-to-one equine-guided healing session with Carol, 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.

A deeply personal journey, designed around individual intention.

Private equine retreats with Carol are open to all, regardless of age or riding experience. Both educational and spiritual in nature, each experience is centered on healing, growth, and a meaningful connection with both horses and self.

Private retreats are priced from USD 2,835++ per person for a minimum of three days, with additional nights available at USD 895++ per person, per day.

Retreat pricing excludes accommodation at NIHI Sumba.

** Prices are in USD and subject to a 21% tax and service charge.

Retreats are available year round with flexible timing and duration, beginning from a minimum of three days. We invite you to connect with our team to begin shaping your time, with scheduling guided by Carol’s availability.

SECURE YOUR PLACE

“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

Get in touch

For reservations or more information, please contact our

Travel Designers

E. [email protected]
W. +62 811 3821 2910

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Nihigram

Experience Sumba’s ancient ways on Nihiwatu’s shoreline right in front of @nihi. On Mini Pasola nights by NIHI Sumba, you get an introduction to Sumba’s rich culture. Young riders from the nearby traditional villages pit their skills against one another by racing along the pristine white sand. A friendly and competitive race that guests can watch and cheer for. Proceeds go to the @sumbafoundation to help fund equipment the kids from the nearby villages may need for schooling.

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Experience Sumba’s ancient ways on Nihiwatu’s shoreline right in front of @nihi. On Mini Pasola nights by NIHI Sumba, you get an introduction to Sumba’s rich culture. Young riders from the nearby traditional villages pit their skills against one another by racing along the pristine white sand. A friendly and competitive race that guests can watch and cheer for. Proceeds go to the @sumbafoundation to help fund equipment the kids from the nearby villages may need for schooling.

As light hits the rolling waves, magic stirs to life. At @nihi, the wonder of untamed nature is all around you waiting for you to discover its charm. Welcome to the Edge of Wildness.

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As light hits the rolling waves, magic stirs to life. At @nihi, the wonder of untamed nature is all around you waiting for you to discover its charm. Welcome to the Edge of Wildness.

Dive straight into sunset as the sky melts into the horizon. Perched above the ocean and tucked among the trees, Mamole Tree House is a place to slow down, let go, and take in the wild beauty.

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Dive straight into sunset as the sky melts into the horizon. Perched above the ocean and tucked among the trees, Mamole Tree House is a place to slow down, let go, and take in the wild beauty.

No AI. No filters. No added sound. Just pure, raw, beautiful moments, straight off the phone.
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This is how your day starts at NIHI.

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No AI. No filters. No added sound. Just pure, raw, beautiful moments, straight off the phone..This is how your day starts at NIHI.

This is not AI. This is NIHI.
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On the island of Sumba, horses are part of everyday life. Woven through generations in tradition, ceremony, and culture. Symbols of freedom, strength, and spirit.

Each day across the island of Sumba, locals bring their horses to the shoreline, where they wade into the sea to bathe and swim in the saltwater. A ritual as old as the island itself.

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This is not AI. This is NIHI..On the island of Sumba, horses are part of everyday life. Woven through generations in tradition, ceremony, and culture. Symbols of freedom, strength, and spirit.Each day across the island of Sumba, locals bring their horses to the shoreline, where they wade into the sea to bathe and swim in the saltwater. A ritual as old as the island itself.

Where horses race along the shoreline and every moment feels untouched. The sight of @nihi’s herd galloping down the white sand of Nihiwatu Beach is unforgettable. Framed by the Indian Ocean and swaying palm trees, this is a type of magic you can only find and feel on the Edge of Wildness.

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Where horses race along the shoreline and every moment feels untouched. The sight of @nihi’s herd galloping down the white sand of Nihiwatu Beach is unforgettable. Framed by the Indian Ocean and swaying palm trees, this is a type of magic you can only find and feel on the Edge of Wildness.

Happy Easter from all of us at NIHI. 🐰

Easter festivities spanned the entire weekend, with moments of celebration for guests of all ages. Children gathered for egg painting, arts and crafts, face painting, and set off with baskets in hand for the Easter egg hunt.

A special performance by the choir from English Goes to Kampung filled the afternoon with music, while families came together to enjoy festive Easter dining.

A joyful weekend of colour, creativity, and celebration. Happy Easter from the Edge of Wildness.

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Happy Easter from all of us at NIHI. 🐰Easter festivities spanned the entire weekend, with moments of celebration for guests of all ages. Children gathered for egg painting, arts and crafts, face painting, and set off with baskets in hand for the Easter egg hunt.A special performance by the choir from English Goes to Kampung filled the afternoon with music, while families came together to enjoy festive Easter dining.A joyful weekend of colour, creativity, and celebration. Happy Easter from the Edge of Wildness.

No trending audio required. Mandaka Sumba House 2 at @nihi is a quiet villa of tranquility that makes you feel like you’ve found your dream home away from home. This two-bedroom retreat immerses you in the magic of Sumba through soft natural light, a private waterfall pool, views that make you pause, and the ever-present possibility of the unexpected.

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No trending audio required. Mandaka Sumba House 2 at @nihi is a quiet villa of tranquility that makes you feel like you’ve found your dream home away from home. This two-bedroom retreat immerses you in the magic of Sumba through soft natural light, a private waterfall pool, views that make you pause, and the ever-present possibility of the unexpected.

Explore the island’s terrain at speed or at leisure. The choice is yours as you pedal on 4 premium e-bikes that you can take with your friends and family through paradise.
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Cycle from @nihi and wind your way along sun-dappled trails. Scenic routes that range from 5km to as long as 30km, each one designed to immerse you into the beauty of the island. Explore the island’s landscapes and sample the local culture as you sail past traditional villages. By the end of your exhilarating ride, you’ll be rewarded at the end with lunch, refreshing coconuts and breathtaking picturesque views of the island.
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You can also begin your Spa Safari adventure on two wheels. Cycle from the resort to NIHI Spa, a place that is only describable as paradise. Tucked away in a different part of the island, this scenic journey adds an extra layer of immersion to your therapeutic experience.
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Whether you’re after a gentle ride or a safari-style adventure, your biking journey takes you on a fun and memorable exploration of the Edge of Wildness.

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Open post by nihi with ID 18132958288532876
Explore the island’s terrain at speed or at leisure. The choice is yours as you pedal on 4 premium e-bikes that you can take with your friends and family through paradise..Cycle from @nihi and wind your way along sun-dappled trails. Scenic routes that range from 5km to as long as 30km, each one designed to immerse you into the beauty of the island. Explore the island’s landscapes and sample the local culture as you sail past traditional villages. By the end of your exhilarating ride, you’ll be rewarded at the end with lunch, refreshing coconuts and breathtaking picturesque views of the island..You can also begin your Spa Safari adventure on two wheels. Cycle from the resort to NIHI Spa, a place that is only describable as paradise. Tucked away in a different part of the island, this scenic journey adds an extra layer of immersion to your therapeutic experience..Whether you’re after a gentle ride or a safari-style adventure, your biking journey takes you on a fun and memorable exploration of the Edge of Wildness.

Perched high above @nihi, overlooking Nihiwatu, Hillrise Villa opens out to sweeping panoramic views of beach, ocean, and horizon. A one-bedroom private retreat designed for complete escape. Spend your days in a pool at the edge of it all and your evenings catching uninterrupted sunsets.

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Open post by nihi with ID 18075807530433011
Perched high above @nihi, overlooking Nihiwatu, Hillrise Villa opens out to sweeping panoramic views of beach, ocean, and horizon. A one-bedroom private retreat designed for complete escape. Spend your days in a pool at the edge of it all and your evenings catching uninterrupted sunsets.

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Aerial view of Raja Mandaka, Chris Burch’s private villa at NIHI Sumba, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the resort’s 2.5 km stretch of white sand beach, surrounded by lush tropical greenery

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