Make your dream of riding a horse with confidence and ease a reality at NIHI Sumba. Whether you’re new to riding or returning after years away, NIHI’s equestrian team at Sandalwood Stables will meet you where you are.
Private sessions begin on the ground — developing trust and feel before anything else. As the connection builds, lessons naturally move from the arena toward the shoreline and along Nihiwatu Beach.
At Sandalwood Stables, every lesson starts with understanding. Our team builds the foundation first — developing feel and confidence on the ground before you ever reach the saddle.
Helmets and boots are provided; leggings or long trousers recommended.
For younger guests, see Children’s Horse Riding Lesson and Kids’ Pony Club.
DURATION
1 hour
NOTES
Weight Limit: 85kg.
Additional fee required for photographer
Horses are integral to the soul of Sumba and NIHI®’s exceptional equestrian facility, Sandalwood Stables, offers a range of exceptional equine experiences for horse lovers, beginner through to advanced riders. Our team has handpicked our beautiful herd of local horses, ready to carry you off into the sunset and beyond. The original breed of the local Sumba pony comes from Mongolian and Arab bloodlines, brought to Sumba for trading in exchange for sandalwood and spices. Though a small breed, their genetic makeup makes for an extremely agile and highly spirited horse.
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. 🤍
Mornings at Nio Beach Club, where the first dip of the day comes with sweeping views of Nihiwatu Beach.
With the sound of the waves, the warmth of the Sumba sunshine and the beach just footsteps away, there’s no better place to begin your day at NIHI Sumba.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Raw, wild and beautifully untouched. Sunrise at NIHI Sumba, where local fishermen head out to sea as the first light of day breaks over the coastline.
As the sun sets, horses make their way along the beach, ridden by Sumbanese horsemen dressed in traditional ikat, a beautiful reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
These are the scenes that make Sumba so extraordinary, where centuries of tradition remain part of everyday life and the connection between the people, their horses and the land runs deep. 🤍
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Wake up to uninterrupted oceanfront views at Marangga Villa, dive into your private plunge pool and spend sun soaked afternoons with a glass of wine in hand, accompanied by the soothing sound of the ocean.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
The beauty of NIHI Sumba is found in moments like these.
The gentle ocean breeze, the sound of waves washing against the shore, and our horses peacefully enjoying their daily swim in the turquoise waters of Nihiwatu Beach.
Enjoy your morning swim at Nio Beach Club, surrounded by untouched nature, where the serenity of the island invites you to slow down and appreciate the magic of simply being here.
Netflix is great, but imagine playing a tennis match at NIHI Sumba.
Horses wandering nearby, the ocean breeze drifting across the court and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore.
Welcome to the Ride & Racquet Club, where even a game of tennis feels extraordinary.
AI could never replace this.
Quite literally one of the most beautiful sights on earth. A herd of horses running free, as nature intended, along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach.
The thunder of hooves against the sand, manes flying in the wind and the sheer beauty of watching them gallop together against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.
Some moments are simply too beautiful to recreate. 🤎
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Introducing Raja Puncak, NIHI’s spectacular brand new three bedroom villa.
Our newest villa sits at the highest point of the resort, with sweeping views over Nihiwatu Beach and the wild landscapes of Sumba.
An endless infinity pool, private check-in and cocktails at sunset create an extraordinary setting to experience the raw, wild beauty of Sumba from above.
A new icon at NIHI. This is Raja Puncak.
From Nihiwatu Beach, set out on horseback beyond NIHI and into the Sumbanese landscape, riding through palm-shaded jungle, rice fields and local villages.
Along the way, you may find yourself caught in a very Sumbanese kind of traffic jam as a local farmer guides his water buffalo towards the beach.
It is these unscripted encounters that make riding at NIHI Sumba so special, a journey shaped by the landscape, the people and the everyday rhythm of island life.
The magic of Nihiwatu Beach reveals itself slowly, from the soft morning mist to the last light of sunset.
Mist hangs over the coastline, horses move across the sand, and scenes of Sumbanese culture unfold along the shore. As the sun slips lower, turtles make their way towards the ocean and the whole beach seems to slow for a moment.
Wild, beautiful and completely Sumba.
#nihigram @alifeiimagined
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