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.
Our Private Equine Retreats are 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.
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
Take your Pilates practice somewhere extraordinary. This May, join Em Krzus of The Pilates Project for four nights of reformer Pilates at NIHI Sumba, with one of the world’s most beautiful views as your backdrop.
Alongside personalised instruction, the retreat includes the experiences that make NIHI so special: swimming with the horses, our signature Spa Safari and time to enjoy the resort at your own pace.
Places are extremely limited. Find out more via the link in our bio or send us a DM.
We’re thrilled to share a first glimpse of Untamed Heartbeat, a four-part documentary series by Tara Shupe, coming soon to our social channels.
Journey into the spirit of Sumba, where deep-rooted traditions, community and the future move together. Here, the past lives on in what is carried forward: in the people, their culture and the future generations.
The series also shines a light on the work of The Sumba Foundation, NIHI’s Sumba Horse Project and English Goes to Kampung, and their contributions to the future of Sumba’s communities.
Together in a similar stride. We will run.
Stay tuned for Part One, coming soon.
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Film by @tarashupe
The magic of NIHI is found in its quiet moments: morning mist lifting over the hills, rays of light filtering through the palm trees, and horses running along the beach. As fishermen head out to sea and local boys ride along the shore, the island’s culture and daily life are all around you.
At NIHI Sumba, the resort is woven into these moments, offering a experience that feels deeply connected to the island. Recognised with Three MICHELIN Keys, the Guide’s highest hotel distinction, NIHI Sumba offers what Michelin describes as an extraordinary stay.
Be among the first to experience a Pilates retreat at NIHI Sumba, with one of the world’s most beautiful views as your backdrop for reformer Pilates.
Led by Em Krzus of The Pilates Project, this intimate four-night retreat pairs personalised instruction with the experiences that make NIHI Sumba so special: swimming with the horses, a signature Spa Safari and time to enjoy the resort at your own pace.
The retreat takes place this May, with places extremely limited. Find out more via the link in our bio or send us a DM.
Celebrate your wedding on the shores of Nihiwatu, with a beautifully set table on the beach, the sun setting and NIHI’s herd of Sumba Sea Horses wandering majestically by.
An extraordinary setting to gather with those you love, raise a glass and celebrate the beginning of your next chapter together.
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#nihigram by @tearosewedding
A land where the spirit of generations lives on, where the connection between people, nature and their ancestors runs deep, and where traditions are not simply remembered, but lived every day.
Children ride their ponies along wild beaches in traditional dress, villages are filled with life, and a deep sense of community is woven into the very soul of the island.
Nestled within this extraordinary landscape is NIHI Sumba, a paradise of beautiful private villas, unforgettable spa experiences and moments of pure tranquillity, surrounded by the raw, untamed beauty of the island. Beyond the resort, village life and centuries-old traditions are never far away, offering a meaningful connection to the people and culture that make Sumba so special.
It is this extraordinary connection between land, people and tradition that makes Sumba a place unlike anywhere else on earth.
And when you finally arrive, it’s even more beautiful than you imagined. 🧡
One of the programmes closest to our hearts is the Sumba Horse Project. 🧡
For more than two years, NIHI has been providing free veterinary care to horses in local villages across Sumba, holding weekly clinics and returning to each village approximately every three months to provide ongoing care and repeat essential treatments.
Facilitated by our dedicated NIHI Stables team alongside our veterinarian, Dr. Octa, these clinics provide essential medical treatment, health checks, deworming and advice on animal welfare. Many local horse owners walk for miles to attend, with care also extending to local dogs.
Horses are deeply woven into Sumba’s culture and heritage, and through this project, we hope to protect these beautiful animals and make a lasting difference to the communities who care for them.
Learn more about the Sumba Horse Project and how you can support this important work through the link in our bio.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
A wellness experience unlike any other awaits at Nihioka Spa.
Five kilometres from NIHI Sumba, beyond traditional villages and rolling green hills, lies a secluded sanctuary where rice fields meet the Indian Ocean.
Your Half Day Spa Safari begins with breakfast or lunch overlooking the ocean, before retreating to your private open air bale for 2.5 hours of treatments.
Between treatments, discover hidden beaches, unwind beside the freshwater infinity pool, or simply take in the beauty of Nihioka’s untouched coastline.
More than a spa experience, this is an invitation to reconnect with nature, embrace stillness and discover wellness at the edge of wildness.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Mornings at NIHI Sumba can feel almost unreal. Mist rolling over the mountains, horses grazing nearby, and the sound of the ocean crashing in the distance. The kind of moments that make you never want to leave. 🤍
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