Sumba-The Island of Contrast
6 Days/5 Nights
Overview
Once known as the Sandalwood Island, Sumba is a land where time moves slowly and contrasts come alive. Famed for its spirited horses and intricately woven ikat textiles, this island was once the world’s source of sandalwood—the only known remedy for many ailments before the advent of penicillin.
Tucked away in southeastern Indonesia, Sumba remains largely untouched by modernity. Its rugged, sun-drenched landscapes—often compared to those of Southern Africa or Australia—are home to one of Indonesia’s most distinctive tribal cultures. With a dry tropical climate and more sunshine hours than anywhere else in the country, Sumba offers a unique blend of raw nature, deep tradition, and quiet solitude.
Explore Sumba, and step into a world where history still breathes.
Tour at a Glance
Day 1 – Arrival in Waingapu
Arrive in East Sumba, meet your guide, and transfer to your accommodation in a scenic river valley.
Day 2 – Wunga, Prailiang & Savannah Views
Visit Wunga, Sumba’s oldest village, explore the beautiful village of Prailiang, enjoy savannah views at Puru Kambera, and end the day with sunset at Persaudaraan Hill.
Day 3 – Sunrise Trek, Rende & Mangroves
Trek at sunrise, explore the royal village of Rende, relax at Walakiri Beach with its iconic mangroves, and visit traditional homes and weaving galleries in Prailiu before sunset at Tenau Hill.
Day 4 – Cross-Island Journey & Waterfall
Travel west across Sumba, stop at Wairinding savannah, explore Praijing village, swim at Lapopu Waterfall, and visit Tarung-Waitabar, two culturally rich traditional villages.
Day 5 – Southwest Sumba Highlights
Discover Ratenggaro’s towering houses and ancient tombs, swim in the turquoise Weekuri Lagoon, relax at Mandorak Beach, and watch the sunset from Lendongara Hill.
Day 6 – Departure or Nihi Sumba Extension
Transfer to Tambolaka Airport or continue your journey to the luxurious Nihi Sumba.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Waingapu
A 1.5-hour flight (not included) takes you from bustling southern Bali to the peaceful town of Waingapu, the capital of East Sumba. Upon arrival, meet your English-speaking guide and transfer to your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle for check-in and overnight stay.
Your accommodation for the next three nights is Morinda Villa, a small, simple yet clean resort nestled on a hill overlooking a dramatic river valley framed by limestone mountains. While the warm smiles of the staff will make you feel at home, please note that English is limited and there is no internet or mobile reception. Your guide will assist with check-in and dinner arrangements. A basic Indonesian breakfast is served buffet-style.
Approximate distances:
Airport to hotel: 10 km / 20 minutes
Meals included: –
Accommodation: Morinda Villa (Deluxe Villa)
Day 02: Wunga & Prailiang Villages – Puru Kambera – Persaudaraan Hill
Begin your Sumba adventure heading north to the island’s driest and most sparsely populated region. Your first stop is Wunga, the oldest village in Sumba, perched on a remote hilltop. According to the Marapu belief system, this is where the first ancestors descended from the sky on a ladder made of buffalo horns.
Continue to Prailiang (Prainatang), one of East Sumba’s most picturesque villages, with its traditional peaked-roof houses and ancient stone graves laid out in neat rows.
On the return journey, stop at Puru Kambera for sweeping savannah views and a chance to spot wild Sumba horses. End the day with a panoramic sunset from Persaudaraan Hill, a windswept limestone ridge offering expansive views across rice paddies to the coast.
Approximate distances:
Hotel to Wunga: 72 km / 2 hrs
Wunga to Prailiang: 10 km / 20 mins
Prailiang to Puru Kambera: 10 km / 20 mins
Puru Kambera to Persaudaraan Hill: 37 km / 45 mins
Persaudaraan Hill to Hotel: 14 km / 30 mins
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Morinda Villa (Deluxe Villa)
Day 03: Sunrise Trek–Rende Village Walakiri Beach – Prailiu – Tenau Hill
Start early with a sunrise trek to the nearby hills, soaking in the fresh morning air and witnessing the valley light up in golden hues. Descend to the river for a quiet moment with nature before returning for breakfast.
Next, visit Rende, the historic village of kings, known for its traditional houses decorated with buffalo horns, and elaborately carved megalithic tombs. Watch local artisans weave exquisite ikat fabrics using ancient techniques.
Enjoy lunch and free time at Walakiri Beach, famous for its “dancing” mangrove trees and white sands. Later, explore Prailiu Village, the cultural heart of Waingapu, where traditional homes and megalithic graves stand alongside vibrant ikat galleries.
Finish your day at Tenau Hill, a scenic spot of rolling hills and terracotta earth, perfect for sunset views stretching all the way to the sea.
Approximate distances:
Hotel to Rende: 85 km / 2 hrs
Rende to Walakiri: 59 km / 1 hr 20 mins
Walakiri to Prailiu: 22 km / 30 mins
Prailiu to Tenau Hill: 12 km / 25 mins
Tenau Hill to Hotel: 20 km / 40 mins
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Morinda Villa (Deluxe Villa)
Day 04: Wairinding–Praijing- Lapopu Waterfall–Tarung-Waitabar
After breakfast and check-out, travel westward across Sumba, starting with a stop at Wairinding Hill—a sweeping savannah landscape that turns from vibrant green in the rainy season to golden-brown the rest of the year.
Continue your 3-hour drive to Praijing Village, home to 38 traditional Uma Mbatangu (meaning “big houses”), each featuring a high-pitched central roof. These spiritual homes serve as family dwellings, livestock shelters, and repositories for sacred heirlooms in accordance with Marapu tradition.
After lunch, head to Lapopu Waterfall, cascading over mossy rocks for over 100 meters into a natural pool—an ideal spot for swimming or relaxing. Be sure to bring a sarong, swimsuit, extra shirt, and sturdy footwear.
Conclude the day with a visit to Tarung and Waitabar, two neighboring traditional villages in Waikabubak, West Sumba’s capital. These vibrant communities maintain strong cultural customs, with specific clan houses serving ceremonial or sacred roles.
Your stay for the next three nights is at Maringi Sumba, located within the Sumba Hospitality Foundation. This eco-friendly bamboo resort doubles as a training ground for local students in sustainable tourism, offering guests a truly meaningful stay.
Approximate distances:
Hotel to Wairinding: 33 km / 45 mins
Wairinding to Praijing: 130 km / 3 hrs
Praijing to Lapopu: 19 km / 40 mins
Lapopu to Tarung-Waitabar: 21 km / 40 mins
Tarung-Waitabar to Hotel: 49 km / 75 mins
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Maringi Sumba (Bamboo Pavilion)
Day 05: Ratenggaro-Weekuri Lagoon Mandorak Beach-Lendongara Hill
This morning, travel to Kodi, on Sumba’s southwestern coast, to visit Ratenggaro Village. Set above a white sand beach, its iconic houses soar up to 30 meters high—built to reach the gods. Some megalithic tombs here are believed to date back 4,500 years.
Next, enjoy the turquoise waters of Weekuri Lagoon, a stunning tidal pool fed by underwater channels from the sea. Relax, swim, or simply soak in the scenery beneath the shade of tropical trees.
Just next door lies Mandorak Beach, a peaceful bay dotted with fishing boats and framed by dramatic rock formations. If the tide is right, witness seawater spouting through a natural blowhole as waves crash against the cliffs.
End your day with sunset at Lendongara Hill, where sweeping grasslands meet the sea, evoking an African savannah with an ocean backdrop.
Approximate distances:
Hotel to Ratenggaro: 55 km / 1.5 hrs
Ratenggaro to Weekuri Lagoon: 20 km / 1 hr
Weekuri to Mandorak Beach: 2 km / 15 mins
Mandorak to Lendongara Hill: 50 km / 1.5 hrs
Lendongara to Hotel: 7 km / 15 mins
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Maringi Sumba (Bamboo Pavilion)
Day 06: Transfer to Tambolaka Airport or Extension at Nihi Sumba
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Sumba Hospitality Foundation before your transfer to Tambolaka Airport for your return flight to Bali (not included).
Alternatively, extend your Sumba adventure with a stay at the world-renowned Nihi Sumba, a luxury resort awarded “World’s Best Hotel” in 2016 and 2017, located on the island’s remote southwestern coast.
Approximate distances:
Hotel to Tambolaka Airport: 11 km / 20 mins
Hotel to Nihi Sumba: 72 km / 2 hrs
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: –
PRICE: The price is subject to your travel dates and the number of people traveling. The itinerary can be customized according to your preferences. Contact us for detailed quotation!