West Sumba - Explore the Wild

Get away from tourist sites and crowds, amazing Sumba is awaiting you. Just a one-hour flight from Bali, you can explore a whole new world with ancient civilizations, rituals, traditions, and stunning rugged landscapes, very different from other islands in the Indonesian Archipelago. Sumba has got savannahs and hills, tribal villages with thatch-roofed houses and the island are home to Marapu tribes with their ancient sacrificial rituals that are still very much alive in the indigenous communities that live peacefully amongst the other island inhabitants. Sumba is exotic, unspoiled, intriguing and absolutely stunning! Wander off-the-beaten-track and explore Sumba Island - you are bound to love it!

Day 1. Arrive at Tambolaka Airport. Transfer to your hotel. Free day at leisure.

Our professional driver will be there to pick you up from Tambolaka Airport upon arrival on Sumba Island. He will take you to Mario Hotel and Cafe where you will be spending the first night, near Kita Beach. On the way, you get to see glimpses of the daily rural life of the Sumbanese people. Don’t be surprised if the car pulls over to let some animals cross the road, it is time to adjust to the laid-back tropical island village life! At the hotel, you can chill out, enjoy a good meal, swim in the pool or go see the beautiful Kita Beach with its powdery white sands and crystal clear, perfectly blue waters.

Day 2. Full day guided tour to Weekuri lake and Mandorak beach.

After a good night sleep, it is time to wake up and greet a brand new day on Sumba Island. After breakfast, you are going to go on a wonderful day trip to explore two beautiful and inspiring places in West Sumba: Weekuri Lake and Mandorak Beach.

Weekuri Lake is a stunning natural lagoon, also known as ‘Angel’s Lake’. This salt-water lake connects to the ocean through an underground passage and it is perfect for swimming and cliff jumping. Be sure to find a spot where the water is deep!

The next stop, Mandorak Beach, is just a 5-minute drive away from Weekuri Lake. This secluded white sand beach is hugged by dramatic limestone cliffs and you can snap some amazing Insta-worthy photos at this stunning attraction of nature. The best spot to enjoy the ocean views is inside the gazebo that sits on top of the reef. After some well-deserved horizon gazing and a swim in these crystal clear waters, we will visit a traditional Sumbanese house before heading back to the hotel to get dinner. The lovely end of a lovely day!

Day 3 (Option 1). Full day guided tour to Bawana beach and Ratenggaro village.

Rise and shine early in the morning, it is time for a delicious breakfast and yet another day of sightseeing with our professional guide and driver. You will be exploring more highlights of West Sumba and the first stop is the traditional village of Ratenggaro.

You will get a glimpse into the traditional Sumbanese way of living at Retenggaro Village. There are authentic old-age Sumbanese houses to admire, very unique and different from other islands across the archipelago but there is more to this local traditional village. The name of the village already gives some of it away; ‘Rate’ translates to ‘grave’ and ‘Garo’ refers to the Garo People. Ratenggaro is home to an original old-age Garo Tomb Stone and around the village, there are another 304 stone tombstones to discover, quite impressive! From this mystical village, we drive to the utmost scenic Bawana Beach.

Prepare for a bumpy ride in the raw, untouched nature of West Sumba - an adventure of its own! From where the car is parked, you have to walk down a rocky path to get to the beach. Be careful, for the road can be slippery, taking approximately 5 minutes but once you are down at Bawana Beach, you feel like you have arrived in some sort of paradise. Soft white sands, clear blue waters and limestone cliffs of which one is shaped like an arch, which gives this beach its iconic look. Take your time to enjoy these beautiful surroundings and be sure to bring your camera and snap some photos before climbing back up and hopping into the car. The next destination is Tanjung Mareha - the most splendid spot to gaze at the magnificent sunset. When this spectacle of nature is over, you are brought back to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Day 3 (Option 2). Full day guided tour to Waikabubak.

Another option is to go on a different full day sightseeing tour and stay over at a different hotel. Once you have made your booking with us, our manager will contact you to inform about your preference.

This second sightseeing tour leads you to see other amazing landmarks such as Waikelo Sawah, Bokota Katura Waterfall, Waikabubak City and Megalithic Village of Prai Ljing. You will spend the night at Rua Beach Resort Sumba, a gorgeous beachfront hotel. You will arrive at the hotel around dinnertime at this end of this wonderful, adventurous and inspiring day.

Day 4. Transfer to Tambolaka. Flight back to Bali.

Enjoy your last delicious island breakfast, for today there are no activities planned for you - it is time to head back to the airport and say goodbye to beautiful Sumba. Our driver will pick you up after perfectly in time to catch your flight back to Bali.