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
A true @nihi journey that has only just begun.
Cherish is a graduate from the Rote Hospitality Academy. Today, he is proudly part of the team at @nihirote, welcoming guests from around the world and sharing the beauty, culture and stories of the island he calls home.
@rote_hospitality_academy is proud to help create opportunities for Rote’s next generation, providing the skills and pathways to build their futures on the island.
Where culture runs deep and nature remains wild.
From ancient traditions and the enduring bond between the Sumbanese people and their horses, to untouched coastlines, rolling hills and endless horizons, Sumba is a place shaped by both its people and the land they call home.
At NIHI, every journey is a chance to experience the island as it has been for generations: raw, beautiful and deeply connected to its roots.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Mornings to dream about.
Wake to the sound of rolling waves, swaying palms, and birdsong as the island slowly comes to life. Here, peace isn’t something you have to search for, it’s all around you. In the quiet, away from the everyday, you’ll find space to reconnect with nature, with the moment, and with yourself.
The simplest mornings often leave the greatest impression.
Experience one of NIHI Sumba’s most magical moments: swimming with horses at Nihiwatu Beach.
Deeply woven into Sumbanese culture, the local people have bathed their horses in the ocean for generations. More than just an adventure, it’s a rare opportunity to connect with these incredible animals while experiencing a tradition that has been passed down through the ages.
Join the daily swimming with horses experience and discover one of Sumba’s most beautiful and authentic rituals.
The soul of Sumba lives in its traditions.
Here, culture isn’t something preserved behind glass. It’s woven into every thread of ikat, passed from one generation to the next through age-old stories and legends, and carried proudly by the people who call this island home.
The bond between the Sumbanese people and their horses runs deep, shaped over centuries and celebrated in the ancient Pasola festival, where tradition, courage and community come together in one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary cultural events.
Even today, these timeless scenes can still be found along the beaches of Sumba, where horses roam freely and the island’s heritage continues to live on.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
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.
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#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.
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#nihigram by @lucaspinhel
Venture beyond @nihi to one of Sumba’s most beautiful coastlines.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This is an experience shaped and refined by the wild beauty of Sumba.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
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