Uncover the Hidden Gem of Bali: Sumba Island’s Best-Kept Secrets
VISITORS from across the globe flock to Bali for sun-drenched beaches and jungles that are wilder than the island’s notorious party scene.
But a new secret spot with miles of untouched sands, a herd of swimming horses and a mystical culture that still practices ritual sacrifice is fast becoming the new go-to destination for those in the know.
Off-the-Beaten-Path Paradise: Discovering Sumba Island
This palm-fringed paradise, a quick one-hour flight from Bali, is worlds away from the holiday with its cool natural pools, towering cliffs, and surf breaks that’ll knock your flip-flops off.
No Shopping Malls Here: Sumba’s Ultimate Playground for Influencers
It’s become the ultimate playground for influencers looking to up their Instagram game by saddling up, striking a pose, and snapping away – capturing perfect golden-hour moments with Sumba’s majestic swimming horses.
Embracing Spirituality: The Unique Religious System and Local Culture of Sumba
Locals chew euphoria-inducing betel nuts and follow a unique religious system called Marapu that gives everything a spiritual value, from natural objects like rocks and grass to the buffalo and pigs that are frequently sacrificed in funeral ceremonies.
Major Upgrades and the Untouched Beauty of Sumba
A recent injection of funding from the Indonesian government has seen major upgrades to Sumba’s transport infrastructure, with some of the dusty tracks in rural areas now covered with concrete – although the island still only has a single set of traffic lights.
Unveiling the Best-Kept Secret: Sumba’s Untouched Beauty
The 23-year-old added: “Sumba offers so many things on one island. You’ll see beautiful waterfalls, beautiful hills, beautiful people and beautiful animals at the same time.
“We Sumbanese love tourists, and we celebrate them in our lives. If a foreign visitor talks to a local kid, they will be in awe all day.
“We love to welcome visitors to our beautiful island to show them our homeland, our people, our culture and traditions – we are so proud of them all.”
The Magnificent Equine Population of Sumba and the Pasola Festival
Although you’ll find everything from deer to monkeys and near-extinct birds on Sumba, the island’s most important animals are the horses.
When a man proposes to a woman, their suitability as a partner is judged based on how many horses they have – according to Maikel, it should be at least 10.
During Sumba’s annual pasola festival, men on horseback fight with spears in ritual war games as a priest checks the sand for worms to determine the bounty of the harvest.
Exclusivity and Adventure: Experiencing Nihiwatu Beach and the Equine Population
One place to glimpse the island’s equine population in a more peaceful setting is on Nihiwatu beach next to the exclusive NIHI Sumba eco-resort – which has twice been named the best hotel in the world and even has its own resident “horse whisperer”.
Discovering Sumba: Natural Landscapes, Local Ceremonies, and Genuine Warmth
Trips take in hidden valleys, lush green forests, endless savannas, and secret waterfalls – with the option to visit traditional villages and witness the island’s unique local ceremonies.
Unveil the Real Luxury: The Untamed Beauty of Sumba
Sumba is after all a reminder that real luxury isn’t measured in thread counts or hotel stars – it’s found in the untamed beauty of the land and the genuine warmth of its people.
Uncover the hidden gem of Bali and explore the best-kept secrets of Sumba Island for an unforgettable and unparalleled adventure.