Discover Sumba, an island where time slows down, rugged savannahs mirror the plains of Africa, and ancient animist cultures thrive unchanged. This 7-day cross-island overland adventure takes you from the soaring thatched roofs and turquoise lagoons of the west to the dramatic canyons, wild horses, and postcard-perfect “dancing” mangroves of the east.
Tour Highlights
✓ Waikuri Lagoon & Mandorak: Swim in a crystal-clear, subterranean saltwater lagoon framed by dramatic ocean cliffs.
✓ Living Megalithic Villages: Walk among the soaring 20-meter thatched roofs of Ratenggaro and Prai Ijing.
✓ Sumba’s “Grand Canyon”: Trek deep into the white limestone gorges and milky-blue waters of Tanggedu Waterfall.
✓ The Land of Wild Horses: Cross the endless, rolling savannahs of Puru Kambera and spot Sumba’s famous free-roaming Sandalwood horses.
✓ The Dancing Mangroves: Catch a legendary, mirror-like sunset behind the iconic curved mangroves of Walakiri Beach.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1 | Welcome to West Sumba & Coastal Sunset
Arrival Tambolaka → Pero Beach.
Your adventure begins as you land at Lede Kalumbang Airport (Tambolaka). Meet your private driver-guide and head into town for a casual lunch introducing you to local Indonesian flavors. Check into the beachfront Mario Hotel to freshen up. In the late afternoon, drive out to Pero Beach to witness crashing waves against rugged coral formations, capturing your very first dramatic Sumbanese sunset over the open ocean.
🍽️ Meals included: Lunch, Dinner.
Day 2 | High Roofs & Crystal Lagoons
Waikuri Lagoon → Pantai Mandorak → Ratenggaro → Central Sumba.
Dive into Southwest Sumba’s surreal natural beauty. Start early at Waikuri Lagoon, a secluded saltwater pool fed by subterranean limestone tunnels, perfect for a morning swim. Peek at the hidden beach of Pantai Mandorak before enjoying a packed lunch. In the afternoon, visit Kampung Adat Ratenggaro, an ancient ancestral village perched where a river meets the ocean, famous for its 20-meter-high thatched roofs and hand-woven ikat textiles. End your day in the inland hills of Central Sumba, checking into the nature-focused Bobocabin.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 | Jungle Waterfalls & Hillside Tribal Life
Lapopu Waterfall → Prai Ijing Traditional Village.
Venture into Sumba’s lush, forested heartland. Take a short jungle trek through a protected national park to reach Lapopu Waterfall, the highest cascade in East Nusa Tenggara. Take a refreshing dip in its emerald plunge pool and enjoy a scenic riverside picnic lunch. Afterward, explore Prai Ijing, a beautifully preserved tribal village terraced up a green hillside. Walk the central stone pathways, meet the residents, and enjoy panoramic views of the pointed tribal homes from the top viewpoint.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4 | Overland Transit Across the Endless Savannah
Central Sumba → Bukit Wairinding → Waingapu.
Watch the landscape transform dramatically as you drive from the humid forests of the west to the sweeping, dry savannahs of the east. By afternoon, you’ll reach Bukit Wairinding, a legendary series of undulating hills offering an endless 360-degree view of Sumba’s rolling grasslands (velvet-green or golden-brown depending on the season). Arrive in Waingapu and check into Padadita Beach Hotel, before heading to the old harbor night market to enjoy fresh charcoal-grilled fish with the locals.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5 | Adventure to Sumba’s “Grand Canyon”
Tanggedu Waterfall → Savana Puru Kambera → Bukit Tenau
Gear up for an off-the-beaten-path excursion to Air Terjun Tanggedu, often called the “Grand Canyon of Sumba.” Hike into a steep river valley to find stark, layered white limestone walls framing brilliant, milky-blue water slides and natural pools. Enjoy a packed lunch inside the gorge. On the drive back, cross the vast plains of Savana Puru Kambera to spot wild Sandalwood horses roaming free, then cap off the day with a peaceful sunset over the endless ridges of Bukit Tenau.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6 | Royal Textiles & The “Dancing” Mangroves
Waimarang Waterfall → Kampung Kalu → Walakiri Beach
Start your final full day with a trek to Air Terjun Waimarang, a hidden paradise featuring a perfectly round, cliff-bound natural swimming pool. After lunch, visit Kampung Adat Kalu to discover the intricate, months-long process of creating natural-dyed ikat textiles and the royal folklore woven into them. End the day at Pantai Walakiri, walking far out onto the low-tide sand flats to photograph the famous “dancing” dwarf mangroves against a glowing sunset. Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7 | Souvenir Hunting & Departure
Waingapu Artisan Market → Departure.
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel before heading out to a local artisan market. This is your chance to pick up authentic handwoven ikat fabrics, traditional wood carvings, or aromatic Sumba coffee beans. Check out of the hotel, and your driver will transfer you to Umbu Mehang Kunda Airport in Waingapu for your flight back to Bali or your next destination.
🍽️ Meals included: Breakfast.
Trip Details
Package Inclusions
✓ 6 Nights Accommodation at specified properties (Twin/Double sharing: Mario Hotel, Bobocabin, Padadita Beach Hotel).
✓ Private AC Transportation throughout the trip using a comfortable Toyota Innova Reborn.
✓ Professional Licensed Driver as Guide (includes all driver expenses, fuel, and parking).
✓ Full Board Meals (Daily Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at local restaurants or packed nature picnics).
✓ Complimentary Mineral Water (2 bottles per person, per day).
✓ All Entry Fees & Donations to traditional villages, local communities, and natural attractions.
✓ Applicable Local Taxes.
Package Excludes
✗ Domestic flight tickets to/from Sumba.
✗ Travel insurance and personal expenses (laundry, tipping, etc.).
✗ Tipping for driver/guide.
✗ Any activities or meals not explicitly mentioned in the itinerary.
✗ Ready to explore the wild frontiers of Sumba?
