When you think of NIHI Sumba, imagine a place where luxury meets untamed nature, where every experience feels like a connection to something larger than yourself.
It’s not just a vacation—it’s a purposeful escape, an opportunity to reconnect with a life well-lived, all in one of the most breathtaking places on earth: the ruggedly beautiful island of Sumba, Indonesia.
At NIHI, you don’t simply relax; you immerse yourself in a journey that leaves you changed forever.
The Story of NIHI Sumba
EDGE OF WILDNESS
The roots of NIHI Sumba go back centuries, beginning with the Marapu, Sumba’s ancestors, who believed their spirits protected the island. Their enduring presence has attracted custodians who honor the land and its people.
In 1988, surfers Claude and Petra Graves discovered Sumba in search of the perfect wave. Their vision was not only to ride the legendary surf but to create a resort that would preserve Sumba’s beauty for others to appreciate. By 2012, entrepreneur Christopher Burch and hotelier James McBride joined forces with the Graves, transforming NIHI into what it is today: one of the world’s most extraordinary and sustainable resorts.
NIHI has since won multiple awards, including being named the #1 hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2016 and 2017. It’s a place where you can escape the confines of everyday life and reconnect with nature and yourself.
Luxurious Accommodations
NIHI Sumba boasts 27 private villas, each with its own pool and stunning views of the Indian Ocean and Nihiwatu Beach.
These villas are more than just places to stay—they are spaces where modern luxury harmonizes with the island’s untamed nature. Whether you’re in a one-bedroom villa or the exclusive Owner’s Estate, you’ll feel completely at home while still being fully immersed in the beauty of Sumba.
From swimming with sea horses to enjoying world-class spa treatments, NIHI offers an experience that goes beyond the ordinary. Every moment feels personal, as you can build your itinerary to suit your interests and passions.
Unique Experiences: Adventure Awaits at Every Turn
At NIHI Sumba, adventure is personal: from learning to surf at Coconut Cove, trekking through local villages, or paddleboarding on pristine rivers, NIHI tailors experiences to your desires.
Some of NIHI Sumba most sought experiences include:
For water enthusiasts, the Indian Ocean offers a dynamic range of activities. Try your hand at surfing, kite surfing, or hydrofoiling. You can also opt for the more unique experience of swimming with horses—an unforgettable encounter in the tranquil waters of Sumba.
Explore the wild beauty of Sumba’s landscapes with a range of land activities, from hikes to Stone Age sites and traditional villages to treks to Lapopu or Blue Waterfall. Whether on foot, bike, or horseback, NIHI’s guided tours ensure every adventure is a personalized experience that uncovers the hidden treasures of the island.
NIHI combines luxury with authentic cultural immersion. Guests are invited to experience Sumbanese life firsthand, visiting local markets, witnessing traditional arts and crafts, and exploring monumental burial sites. The famous ikat weavings, recognized globally for their beauty, offer a glimpse into the island’s ancient traditions.
Culinary Excellence: A Feast for the Senses
Dining at NIHI Sumba is an experience in itself: the resort’s menus draw from a wide range of culinary traditions, blending flavors from both Indonesia and beyond. Much of the food comes from NIHI’s onsite organic garden, while daily catches from the surrounding seas provide fresh and delectable options every night.
Whether you choose to dine in one of the resort’s stunning open-air locations or partake in a cooking class to take a taste of Sumba home with you, each meal at NIHI is a memorable experience.
Spa Safari : A Wellness Journey Like No Other
The Spa Safari™ is one of NIHI Sumba’s most celebrated experiences, combining wellness, adventure, and nature.
Imagine beginning your day with a trek along breathtaking coastal cliffs or through lush rice paddies and local villages. For those who prefer to take it easy, you can opt for a leisurely horse ride or hop on an open-air safari vehicle to reach Nihioka, a secluded valley nestled deep in the Sumbanese landscape. This location is the starting point of your wellness journey.
Upon arrival, you are welcomed by a cliffside sanctuary overlooking the Indian Ocean. The environment alone sets the tone for ultimate relaxation. Here, you can indulge in a full day of personalized treatments, designed to cater to your body’s specific needs. Each cliffside treatment room is open-air, so you can feel the gentle ocean breeze and listen to the soothing sound of the waves while being pampered.
Treatments range from full-body massages, organic facials, body scrubs, and wraps to reflexology and ancient healing therapies. NIHI uses only locally sourced, organic ingredients, many of which are cultivated on the island itself, allowing you to experience the raw beauty of Sumba’s flora through your senses.
The Spa Safari is a holistic immersion into wellness. After a rejuvenating day of treatments, guests often finish their journey with a plunge in a natural pool or take time to meditate on the tranquil shores of the hidden bay. The entire experience leaves you feeling refreshed, centered, and deeply connected to the surrounding nature.
Yoga at NIHI Sumba: Elevating Mind, Body, and Spirit
Yoga at NIHI Sumba is designed to give you an opportunity to find harmony between mind, body, and spirit.
Each day, guests can participate in a variety of yoga sessions held in the resort’s beachside yoga pavilion, surrounded by the beauty and serenity of Sumba’s pristine natural environment. This open-air pavilion, with its view of the ocean and the sound of the waves, offers the perfect setting for deep relaxation and mindful practice.
The yoga offerings at NIHI cater to all skill levels, from beginners to advanced practitioners. The most commonly practiced forms include:
- HATHA YOGA: A slower-paced style focused on foundational postures and breathing techniques, perfect for beginners or those seeking to unwind.
- VINYASA FLOW: A dynamic and fluid practice that links breath with movement, ideal for those wanting to build strength and flexibility while staying present in the moment.
- YIN YOGA: A meditative practice that involves holding poses for longer periods to stretch deep connective tissues, promoting joint health and emotional release.
- MEDITATION and PRANAYAMA: Daily sessions of meditation and breathing techniques to help calm the mind, relieve stress, and deepen spiritual awareness.
For those looking to enhance their practice, NIHI also offers private yoga sessions tailored to individual needs. Whether you want to focus on alignment, deepen your meditation practice, or explore more advanced techniques, a skilled instructor will guide you through a personalized experience.
In addition to daily classes, special yoga retreats are organized throughout the year, featuring expert teachers from around the world. These retreats often include workshops on mindfulness, nutrition, and holistic well-being, allowing guests to take their personal wellness journey to new heights.
NIHI Sumba’s yoga offerings go beyond the physical practice, emphasizing the importance of spiritual wellness. You’ll leave feeling not only physically renewed but emotionally and spiritually balanced.
Equine Retreat: Healing and Self-Discovery with Horses
NIHI Sumba’s Equine Therapy Retreat is a transformative experience designed to foster healing and self-discovery through a deep connection with horses.
Horses have a unique ability to reflect our emotions, and through mindful interaction with them, participants can gain profound insights into their inner world, communication styles, and emotional health.
This five-day retreat is ideal for those seeking personal growth, emotional balance, and healing from trauma or stress. It takes place at the resort’s Sandalwood Stables, where Sumba’s native horses are cared for with the utmost respect and love. These gentle animals, revered by the local community, play a central role in the island’s culture and spirituality, and guests are invited to form meaningful relationships with them during the retreat.
The retreat is led by expert equine therapists who guide participants through a series of carefully crafted exercises and activities designed to build trust and emotional awareness. Each session encourages guests to communicate non-verbally with the horses, fostering a deep sense of presence and mindfulness.
Key elements of the Equine Therapy Retreat include:
- EQUINE-ASSISTED LEARNING (EAL): Through activities such as grooming, leading, and bonding with horses, guests gain valuable insights into their emotions, patience, and ability to communicate non-verbally. This learning experience is particularly impactful for those seeking to understand their behaviors and emotional responses better.
- MINDFUL RIDING: Not about technique but about being present and in harmony with the horse. Mindful riding helps to build a deeper connection with the animal and improve one’s awareness of their own body and emotions.
- GROUNDWORK with HORSES: Guests engage in groundwork exercises designed to establish trust and respect between the horse and the human. This practice enhances communication skills and emotional resilience, as horses reflect human emotions in their behavior.
- SELF-REFLECTION and EMOTIONAL GROWTH: Equine therapy encourages guests to explore and address emotions such as fear, anxiety, and self-doubt. Horses, being sensitive to human emotions, act as mirrors, allowing participants to gain a deeper understanding of their feelings and how to manage them effectively.
The Equine Retreat at NIHI isn’t just about learning to interact with horses—it’s a journey toward self-awareness and healing. Many participants leave the retreat with a stronger sense of purpose, clearer emotional balance, and a renewed connection to nature.
Additionally, NIHI’s stables offer a range of other horse-related activities, including horseback riding along Nihiwatu Beach, one of the world’s most stunning and unspoiled coastlines. Guests can also ride through lush jungle trails or participate in sunset beach rides.
The experience of galloping alongside the ocean at dusk becomes a memory to cherish forever.
NIHI Sumba isn’t just a luxury resort—it’s a destination with meaning. It’s a place where rugged adventure meets world-class comfort.
Here, each guest has the opportunity to connect with the untamed beauty of Sumba and leave changed forever.
NIHI offers a bespoke experience like no other, set in one of the most beautiful and unspoiled corners of the world. It invites you to return to a life well lived.
A life on the edge of wildness.
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