Exploring Sumba’s Equine Heritage with these experiences packages
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.
For novices eager to discover the power of horses, Ride and Recharge provides introductory experiences such as lessons from experienced staff, captivating sunset, and sunrise rides, and the famed Swimming with Horse’s activity.
Sunrise Splash
Includes
- 1x Swimming with Horses
- 1x Sunrise / Sunset Beach Ride
- 1x Riding Lesson
Made to Ride
Includes
- 1x Swimming with Horses
- 1x Sunrise / Sunset Beach ride
- 2x Riding Lesson
- 1x Bush to Beach
Sumba Quest
Includes
- 1x Swimming with Horses
- 1x Sunrise Beach ride
- 1x Sunset Beach ride
- 2x Riding Lesson
- 1x Bush to Beach
- 1x Ride to Nihioka Spa
Extra rides or Wellness treatments on request
Riders with more experience and confidence in the saddle can embark on an adventure tailored for intermediate to advanced riders. Traverse scenic landscapes on exhilarating treks, creating lasting memories as you canter through the shallow water, get stuck in a buffalo traffic jam, climb up steep jungle trails and ride through the local villages where we stop for a tasty coconut.
Island Freedom
Includes
- 1x Swimming with Horses
- 1x Sunrise / Sunset Beach Ride
- 1x Bush to Beach
Sumba Explorer
Includes
- 1x Swimming with Horses
- 1x Sunrise / Sunset Beach Ride
- 1x Bush to Beach
- 1x Ride to Nihioka Spa
- 1x Coconut Cove Ride
Elite Ride
Includes
- 1x Swimming with Horses
- 1x Sunrise Beach Ride
- 1x Sunset Beach Ride
- 1x Bush to Beach
- 1x Ride to Nihioka Spa
- 1x Coconut Cove Ride
- 1x River and Ricefield Ride
Extra rides or Wellness treatments on request
More Offers
Nihigram
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. 🤍

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

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