Frequently Asked Questions

Ask for price. Rates change with room type and season, so we confirm current prices with you before you book.

Book in advance, especially for the holiday season, and ask us for current rates and the price for your group size.

Check for additional taxes and service charges when booking a lodge, and confirm all costs before you pay. Our trip prices are nett: flight tickets and personal expenses are not included.

Confirm on WhatsApp with your transfer receipt, the names and ages of all participants, a phone number, the number of participants, and your pickup and drop-off locations.

Payment is made in two stages: a deposit of at least 50%, and the balance no later than 14 days before departure. Registrations made less than 14 days before the trip are paid in full.

The deposit is non-refundable and cannot be moved to another trip or date, but you can pass your place to a replacement participant. Arriving late at the meeting point counts as withdrawing from the trip, with no refund.

Book well in advance for peak periods; a six-month lead time is often suggested for luxury lodges. Our trips can be booked at any time, subject to accommodation availability.

Private trip prices are per person and depend on group size, but they do not fall steadily. On the 4-day trip, for example, 4 guests pay USD 440 each, 5 guests USD 530 and 8 guests USD 390. Ask us for the price for your group.

December to March is the green season and the best time to visit. The hills turn from green to yellow in April and May, and June to November is the yellow season.

Rates and promotions vary by lodge and season, so ask us for the current price for your dates.

Sumba lies 400 km east of Bali, about a 50-minute flight to Tambolaka Airport (TMC).

Luxury lodges such as NIHI Sumba, 65 km from Tambolaka Airport, can arrange private transfers. On our trips, pickup at Tambolaka Airport or a nearby hotel is included on Day 1.

No special documents are needed beyond standard Indonesian entry requirements. Make sure your passport is valid and check visa requirements for your nationality before you travel.

No special vaccinations are mandatory, but consult a healthcare provider before you travel. If you have asthma, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, epilepsy or a similar condition, consult your doctor before joining a trip.

Telkomsel is a good mobile provider in Sumba, so bring a Telkomsel SIM card.

GMT+8 (WITA). Trip schedules are given in WITA.

At NIHI Sumba, check-in is at 2:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM. Confirm the times with the lodge when you book.

Yes. Besides NIHI Sumba, the island has Lelewatu Resort, Alamayah Boutique Retreat Hotel, Cap Karoso, Kandora Luxury Villa and The Sanubari.

NIHI Sumba is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World. For other lodges, ask about their affiliations when you book.

NIHI Sumba spreads its 28 rooms and 27 villas across 567 acres of jungle, with panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.

At NIHI Sumba, Ombak, the main restaurant, has an oceanfront setting and a menu that changes daily. Private dining and cooking classes in Indonesian cuisine are also available.

The Nihi Oka spa offers treatments inspired by traditional Sumbanese healing practices, and Alamayah Boutique Retreat Hotel focuses on wellness with yoga and spa treatments.

Meals and drinks are not automatically included in the standard room rate at NIHI Sumba, so ask about meal plans. On our trips, meals and mineral water are included.

Generally, yes. Tell the lodge about any requirements in advance so they can prepare.

Weekuri Lagoon, Tanarara Savanna, Purukambera Savanna and the Waimarang, Tanggedu and Lapopu waterfalls are among the highlights our trips visit.

Visit Ratenggaro Village, home to Marapu ancestor worship and thatched roofs up to 30 meters tall, and Prai Ijing Village, where local women weave traditional fabrics.

NIHI Sumba offers surfing, sport fishing, kitesurfing, paddle boarding and stand-up paddling on the Wanukaka River.

Sunsets at Pero Beach, Warinding Hill and Walakiri Beach, waterfall hikes, and a private dinner on the beach.

Yes. Our trips include a tour leader, and lodges can help arrange guided tours.

Private trips run for 4, 5 or 6 days on the date you choose, subject to hotel availability. The itinerary may change with conditions at the destinations.

Our trips include drone and mirrorless camera documentation. By joining, participants agree to be filmed and the footage may be used for promotion; tell our admin if you prefer not to be featured.

The open trip is for travellers aged 10 to 50, because the waterfall treks are steep and slippery. Families with younger children can take a private trip.

Sunblock (SPF 30–50), sunglasses, a beach hat, swimwear, spare clothes, trekking sandals or shoes, a power bank, personal medicine, toiletries, wet wipes, a dry bag, extra cash, and a hard disk over 32 GB for your trip files.

The trekking trails range from moderate to strenuous. Prepare physically before the trip, avoid overexerting yourself, and wear trekking sandals for a safer, slip-free walk.

NIHI Sumba supports local communities so that tourism benefits the island’s residents, and Maringi Sumba by the Sumba Hospitality Foundation offers a culturally enriching stay.