Nihisumba, The Epitome of Tranquility, Leisure, Adventure, and Lavishness
A vacation with a purpose and meaning, set in one of Indonesia’s most unexplored islands, Nihi Sumba Island hotel is an epitome of tranquillity, leisure, adventure, and lavishness. Nihi Sumba or NIhiwatu, rest in the village of Hobawawi, West Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, just an hour plane ride from Bali.
Enjoy the richness of Sumba’s preserved ancient culture and local traditions, the astonishing natural landscape, the inviting pristine beaches, azure waters and picturesque skies. Nihi Sumba is all about offering an unforgettable adventure that would last a lifetime of pleasant memories.
Award Winning Hotel
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Dubbed as the World’s Best Hotel/Resort for two consecutive years (2016 & 2017) by the well-known Travel + Leisure magazine, Nihi Sumba is the perfect haven for leisure. Each year, the magazine surveys its readers on everything from hotels to spas to airlines for World's Best. Nihi Sumba in Indonesia was ranked the highest with a score of 99.12 out of a possible 100. According to Travel + Leisure's readers, Nihi Sumba has struck just the right balance of being the best hotel in the world.
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With 33 lavish villas equipped with private pools and a gorgeous view straight to the Indian Ocean, Nihi Sumba aimed to pamper your leisure and comfort palates. Beachgoers could enjoy beachfront activities that the hotel offers, like surfing, paddle boarding, and snorkelling= Guest could also indulge in a relaxing wellness activity that includes private yoga lessons atop the ridge of the resort, as well as a unique spa safari that would take you on a trekking journey through the countryside hills and closed with a selection of spa treatment to unwind in serenity. Other engaging activities include horseback riding and hiking to explore the natural surroundings.
Explore West Sumba’s Exotic Sites
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Sumba is an exotic island that would surely entice your curiosity with its abundance of natural beauty and fascinating varieties of local culture that would keep you in awe.
- Trekking the landscape
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In the Nihi Oka Spa Safari, guests will be taken on a 90 minutes trek to nearby countryside hills, walking through thick palm tree jungle to explore the local, traditional settlements before descending into a breathtaking valley of cascading rice paddy fields. After the refreshing cardio amongst the beautiful nature, you can indulge in the various natural spa experiences to help you unwind throughout the day.
- Rua
Rua is one of many traditional Sumba village. Here you could see the traditional Sumbanese houses, meet the locals, and experience a glimpse of the locals’ daily village life from farming, markets, and education.
- Lamboya Valley
The mountainous valley covers over 200 hectares of rice paddy fields anchored by estuaries and rivers. Another magnificent site that would keep you fascinated with Sumba.
- Market of Waikabubak
Waikabubak is West Sumba’s largest town, just a 30-minute drive from Nihi Sumba. Here you could discover more insight into the locals’ everyday life. Visit the boisterous and unique market or as the locals called “pasar”, the local Sumbanese antique store and other unique attractions that will make you bewildered.
The Blue of Nihi Sumba
Experience the invigorating white sandy beaches and stunning waterfalls Sumba has to offer. Beachgoers could enjoy sunbathing on the gorgeous sandy beach and choose water activities such as surfing, kitesurfing and also fishing in the island’s clear blue waters overlooking miles of Nihiwatu Beach on the Indian Ocean coastline.
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Embark on a journey to see one of the most fascinating waterfalls in Sumba. Lapopu waterfall is located inside the Menupeu Tanah Daru and Laiwangi Wanggameti National Park or ManaLawa. The Waterfall is perfected with an astonishing background and a stunning Blue Lagoon at the base. Guest could also enjoy swimming in the lagoon as well taking a picnic around the lagoon. Take in the serenity and natural wonderment as the waterfall flowing rhythmically like music to the ears.
Water Adventure
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In addition to its scenic view, Nihi Sumba hosts Occy’s Left, one of the world’s most exclusive and coveted private waves. The wave is popular worldwide because it presents a challenge for surf enthusiast to conquer. The tides could produce up to 300 meters long of ripple walls and heaving barrels. Occy’s Left is a magnet for avid, recreational and professional surfers worldwide.
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Another water adventure to explore in Nihi Sumba is paddle boarding. It is a refreshing way to explore the island: on the lake, down the river, or in the ocean. A hit amongst the guest is paddle boarding with water buffalo and float past everyday village life along the banks of the Wanukaka River.
Intriguing Ancient Culture
Witness Sumba’s intriguing ancient culture, Pasola Rituals. The rituals include a war game done by villagers riding horses and throwing wooden spears at each other. Pasola derived from the word “Sola” or “Hola” meaning a kind of a long wooden stick used as a spear to fling each other by two opponent groups of horsemen. The horses used for this ritual is usually ridden by braves and skilled selected men wearing traditional customs.
Pasola is believed to have a close relation to the activity in the agriculture field, therefore any bloodshed (of sacrificial cattle or men participating in the game) is considered the symbol of prosperity that must exist.
Before proceeding with the war game, the ritual began with a long ceremony in Marapu traditional village. In the Wanukaka region, early in the morning the marapu priests and their entourage perform prayer in the beach. They sacrifice a black cock to the gods and check the heart of the cock to read the signs from the gods on whether to proceed with the pasola as they attempt to gain the answer to their question by this ritual of divination. They descend to the sea afterward to collect the colorful sea worm as part of the ritual and then proceed to the area where the game will proceed.
This preserved ancient culture and thanksgiving ritual is usually held seven days after full moon every February and March.
Indulging Dining Experience
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Indulge your taste buds by exploring Sumba’s culinary delight. Nihi Sumba presents fresh produce from their on-site organic garden. Local fish is caught and brought up daily from their shores to be prepared in a new way every night.
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Experience these delights in Ombak, Nio Beach Club or Kaboku, where all menus are crafted to recall local flavors and far-flung tastes. Simply choose your favorite menus and enjoy them by the magnificent view of the sea. Another dish you may want to try when venturing amongst the local restaurants downtown is the sautéed Papaya Flower. You can also hunt for the iconic Bokusawu Nyale, one of the traditional cuisine made from Sea Worms!
Shopping Traditional Gem and a Visit to Charly’s Choco Factory
When you are in Sumba, it would not be a perfect visit unless you bring home the most significant souvenir of all and that is Sumba’s traditional cloth, recognized all over the world, named Tenun Ikat or Ikat Weaving. Ikat Weaving has a high significance to the Sumba’s social and religious tradition as it is not merely a cloth, but it is also used in the local traditional burial ceremony.
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The word “Ikat” means knotting or binding. The pattern required on the cloth is knotted and bound into the wrapped yarn and the thread is dyed before weaving. What’s unique about this tradition is that it is strictly taboo for men to see or be close to the dye bath during the process of making an Ikat textile. Some of the older women will build or find an isolated spot and prepared the dye in secret. Each district in this regency has its own distinctive design and shade. The pattern on the cloth represents the life, culture, and history of the island. You can find exquisite ikat weaving in the local villages and markets.
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In this choco factory, there are plenty of things the little ones could enjoy. Some fun organic chocolate making, scavenger hunts, organic garden and farm tours, sand castle making, kids’ yoga, mask making, and other fun activities. There are also the chocolate wizards and dedicated babysitters who will keep the children safe and entertained. What a fun choco factory indeed! From the traditional sights, we move on to something the little ones would totally get on board with, a visit to the chocolate factory. Fun fact: Would you believe that is actually called “The Charly Choco Factory” just like the famous children’s tale? The owner is in fact named Charly and he does own a chocolate factory in Bali and Sumba. A funny coincidence!
In this choco factory, there are plenty of things the little ones could enjoy. Some fun organic chocolate making, scavenger hunts, organic garden and farm tours, sand castle making, kids’ yoga, mask making, and other fun activities. There are also the chocolate wizards and dedicated babysitters who will keep the children safe and entertained. What a fun choco factory indeed!
Local and Environmental Care Program
Nihi Sumba has a local and environmental care program carried on by the Sumba Foundation. This foundation is committed to lessening the consequences of poverty on the island of Sumba. Through the generous support of Chris Burch, owner of Nihi Sumba Resort, all administrative costs of the Sumba Foundation are maintained, allowing 100% of donations to directly fund the meaningful projects aim to help the locals.
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The top priorities are providing humanitarian aid through village-based projects that measurably impact local health by establishing access to clean water, creating educational programs, and lessening the effects of Malaria. The foundation is also committed to aid in preserving and respecting the fragile culture and traditions of the Sumbanese people.
So, are you ready for an incredible trip filled with perfect leisure and excitement?
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