About The Retreat
Yoga and Wellness Retreats at NIHI Sumba, Indonesia
Stay wild and free. Just an hours flight from Bali you will find another world of remote and rugged beauty. An Island barely changed by human habitation. A place with empty pristine beaches and swimming horses. NIHI Sumba, where the wild things are.
This is not an escape from everyday life. It is the return to a life well lived. Where luxury meets unregulated freedom.
A place to connect with something larger than oneself. A haven for the adventurer, for the wanderer. The endlessly passionate and curious. Arrive with an open heart and leave changed forever. This is vacation with a purpose. A destination with meaning. This is NIHI Sumba.
At Nihi Sumba Island we promote all facets of wellbeing. Our focus is to help you leave rejuvenated and rebalanced through a plethora of activities that have been designed to support our mission.
Surf the world’s most coveted exclusive wave, swim with horses at sunset, release sea turtles into the ocean and pamper yourself at our award winning Spa Safari. Let us build your dream itinerary!
Let the highly trained, healing hands of our Sumbanese Spa staff take care of you as you unplug from your daily life and begin to reconnect to your inner self.
Yoga
Yoga is an integral part of the NIHI Sumba Island experience and the design of our yoga pavilion reflects just that: a breathtaking platform set atop a cliff side ridge offers sweeping views of Nihiwatu Beach on the Indian Ocean.
The schedule created by NIHI Yoga & Wellness Director, Mary Tilson caters to all levels, honoring limitations while also elevating each student their highest potential through an integrated journey of body, mind and spirit.
Join our Resident Yoga Teacher and members of our Sumbanese staff for a special community class on the hilltop pavilion. This creative spin on traditional yoga postures will allow you to truly embody the Sumbanese Warrior, connect with our local people, and have a lot of fun giving back to the Sumba Foundation!
Complimentary group classes are offered daily on the hilltop pavilion including Hatha, Vinyasa Flow, Restorative, Yin Yoga and Meditation. Private bookings are also available in the privacy of guests villas or one of the awe-inspiring locations around the island.
A soft morning light is cast across NIHI Sumba as the sun rises on the other side of the island. The yoga pavilion is the highest point of the resort with the wooden platform perched on the hilltop and overlooking the full 2.5km stretch of Nihiwatu Beach’s pristine white sand.
It is the most tranquil of vantage points and one that Lina, the resort’s resident yoga instructor, feels doesn’t get highlighted enough. Especially at sunset with the yoga pavilion offering an uninterrupted panoramic view of the sun setting down beyond the horizon.
The first yoga class of the day is typically scheduled for 8am in the morning. With the sunlight lighting up the picturesque view of Sumba, she uses this time to relax her mind and body with a soothing meditation session with the natural beauty of the landscapes helping her find a sense of inner peace.
Surfing
NIHI Sumba has earned a reputation for one of the world’s most coveted waves. Known as “God’s Left” or often “Occy’s Left” (after Australian surfer Mark Occhilupo), the wave is popular for its character.
Even for the most experienced surfer it presents a challenge because it is so sensitive to different conditions: tides, size, strength, and direction. Catching a good ride isn’t as easy as it looks, but once you’ve made the right pick, the reward is a two to three hundred meter long and often thrilling ride down the line through sections of ripple walls and heaving barrels.
Novice and first-time surfers can still get their feet wet with lessons on Nihiwatu beach, depending on the swell. Calmer waters can often be found at nearby Coconut Cove, where surfers can spend half a day with breakfast or lunch and do some light surfing, then be driven back to the resort.
Wellness Retreat Programs
We offer the following packages year round:
NIHI NOURISH
This program is designed to reboot your system with nourishing a healthy mean plan and a daily routine that will leave you reenergized and restored.
Begin your stay with a private consultation with our Yoga / Wellness Instructor. Then proceed with personalized yoga and meditation sessions throughout your retreat
This retreat program includes a scenic trek, healthy breakfast served at our treehouse dining area, a full menu of spa treatments, a private bale with spa therapist for the day, and access to the beach and infinity pool.
You will be in a wi-fi free zone, disconnected from technology and the outside world to truly connect with yourself and NihiOka’s healing environment.
Receive personalized healthy menus which may include freshly caught fish, as well as protein rich vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options if preferred.
THE SUMBA WARRIOR RETREAT
Get ready to get your heart rate pumping on this adventure-filled retreat on the Edge of Wildness. Yoga Sculpt classes on our hilltop pavilion integrate a mix of strength training exercises and cardio bursts in a fluid sequence.
Jog through the scenic landscapes of Sumba past wild water buffalo, local villages and finally arrive at our clifftop NihiOka Spa Safari destination. Your body will be recharged with delicious healthy meals, spa treatments, and a private yoga session.
Take a sunrise jog from beach to bush, arriving at an awe-inspiring location hidden in the Rice Terraces for a breakfast picnic.
Go free diving with a workshop with our Resident Guru and receive personalized healthy menus based on food preferences including fresh juices each morning.
GOD’S LEFT – SURF & YOGA RETREAT
Keep your body feeling its best for full days of surf! This retreat is designed to keep you energized and balanced for Nihi’s world class waves.
Receive private surf lessons with our onsite Tropic Surf Guide along with a photography session to capture those epic moments on the wave!
This package includes a ersonalized yoga practice to prepare and restore your body for surf in the villa or our hilltop yoga pavilion overlooking the Indian Ocean. Learn breathing techniques to maximize breath holds and reduce tension in your body and mind.
Receive daily massage at the Boathouse Spa to relax your muscles after long days of surf and a personalized healthy menus which may include freshly caught fish, as well as protein rich vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options if preferred
Please note: Packaged prices available upon enquiry. Minimum booking for packages is 3 nights, standard inclusions apply.
Packages can be booked per person in a shared villa, so couples, families and groups booking together have flexibility to take part in individual programs.
Cuisine
Our menus are crafted to recall local flavors and far flung tastes, using fresh produce from our on site organic garden.
Local fish is caught and brought up daily from our shores to be prepared in a new way every night. We cater to special dietary preferences including vegan, vegetarian, and food intolerances and offer prescribed meal plans for retreat packages.
Our dining outlets include two oceanview restaurants Ombak and Nio Beach Club and Kaboku Sushi Restaurant.
Accommodation
Where you stay on vacation is more than just a hotel room. It is an experience. A new way of living. Every detail in our rooms – crisp white bed linens on our signature canopy beds, handmade chocolate in the mini bar, sweeping panoramic views of the Indian ocean – is designed to make you feel both at home yet completely transported.
Retreat Prices
All rates are exclusive of 21% government tax & service charge
Rates are per villa, per night and based on double occupancy
Green Season 1 Nov 18 – 15 Dec • 08 Jan – 31 Mar
Prices start from $895 per night for a one bedroom villa
Shoulder Season 8 Apr – 31 May • 16 Sept – 31 Oct
Prices start from $1195 per night for a one bedroom villa
High Season 1 Jun 18 – 15 Sept • 1-7 Apr • 16 Dec – 07 Jan
Prices start from $1645 per night for a one bedroom villa
Room Inclusions
- All meals – breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning/afternoon snacks and all non-alcoholic beverages
- Wi-Fi Internet
- Mini Bar (1 full re-stock per day, including beers and spirits)
- Laundry (NB dry cleaning is not available at the resort)
- Scheduled excursions & activities on land: trips to Sumba Foundation Projects
- Activities by sea: stand-up paddle boarding and snorkelling around Nihi Sumba Island beach (when weather conditions permit)
- All guests can participate in our scheduled group yoga & meditation classes at the Yoga Pavilion
Does not include
- Airfare
- Airport transfers
- All additional activities and services
- Alcoholic beverages & tobacco
- Private Yoga/Pilates/TRX instruction, private surf lesson, waterfall treks, additional surfer spots
- Spa treatments
Reviews
Cool luxury resort on a very remote Indonesian island
”Gorgeous villas on a remote island about an hour from Bali. Even if you are not a surfer – and surfing is one of the main reasons many people come here – those of us who just love luxury resorts in remote destinations will also love Nihi Sumba. Stop at the markets along the way and visit the nearby villages where people live simples as their ancestors have for hundreds of years.” Catherine, TA review
Simply perfect!
”We spent a week in Nihi in August and cannot wait to go back again. Thank you everybody for the warm welcome and for organizing such a perfect stay for us.
The local people working there – whoever they are – keep smiling despite the fact that life is not that easy for them in Sumba and they are simply incredible and heartbreaking because of their kindness and friendliness.
The hotel is wonderful, beautiful villas, lovely food and as i already said wonderful staff.The new management team – Julien and Cara – really make a difference as well and thanks to them both we felt even better this year than we did last year when we last came.
If you want a perfect holiday, discover what Indonesia really is far away from Bali and meet local people, don’t think twice and head east towards Sumba and Nihi. It was so hard to go back home….Thank you for everything.” Bapak Stéphane and Ibu Muriel.
Nihi is the most magical hotel in the world. No surprise it was ranked best hotel in the world by Travel and Leisure 2 years in a row.
”The hotel is stunning, the rooms are impeccable, the staff is extremely friendly and professional, and the island has infinite beauty and activities for all types of travelers.
The most unique aspect of Nihi is that is remote, and the people and traditions have not changed for hundred’s of years. There are no other tourists, selfie-sticks, engineered tourist attractions etc. The island is pure and untouched, and locals practice unique traditions that you can observe an experience.
I have been to over 70 countries, often staying in top hotels (often Aman’s if possible), and Nihi put them all to shame. The food is out of the this world, the nature and views are breath-taking, and the activities will bring you to life in a way that can’t be found elsewhere. I highly recommend Nihi to all travelers who want to experience pure bliss.” Max P, TA review.
What to pack
Swimwear & casual beach wear is best for the day – T-shirts, loose lightweight long or short sleeve shirts and lightweight shorts or pants.
For the evening, a lightweight sweatshirt, sarong, hat and sandals are ideal; comfortable walking or hiking shoes are also recommended.
Personal toiletries, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, camera, chargers, etc.
Visit our Wellness Travel Shop for all your what to pack for a retreat needs.
How to get here
There are three flights a day from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (DPS) to Sumba Island’s Tambolaka Airport (TMC).
We are happy to secure the flights for you including VIP lounge access at both airports (an administrative fee applies). Alternatively, you can arrange your flights directly with the airline.
All international departures must travel via Bali (DPS). There are regular flights with Garuda Indonesia although most of them depart in the morning, thus an overnight stay in Bali is often required the night before for international travelers.
All foreign travelers to Indonesia need at least six months remaining on their passport as well as one full clean page for the visa on arrival stamp. This is strictly reinforced. Guests will not be allowed to board the plane in their departing country if this is not adhered to.
Booking
To book a retreat at NIHI Sumba, send your enquiry to the team who will get back to you within 24 hours or email us directly on retreats@soulseedmedia.com.
