Your Sumba adventure is close to Bali but it feels a world apart
Sumba is one of the more remote Indonesian islands. In fact, culturally speaking, it can feel a world apart. Its language, ancestral faith (Marapu) and lifestyle remain largely undiluted. A Sumba adventure is one to consider if unique cultures and landscapes pique your interest. Plan your Sumba tour for February and March, and you’ll catch the annual Pasola ceremonies, where men on horseback re-enact old tribal battles.
At just an hour south of Bali, Sumba is popular with surfers, who travel to Tarimbay Bay between June and September for the legendary three metre-high waves. It’s also famed for its tropical rainforests and rugged hills that are radically different from the volcanic landscapes of its northern neighbours.
The beaches across the island feel wild and natural, compared to their more commercialised Australian or Balinese equivalents. As part of your tour of Sumba you may want to also check out Marosi, for its sunsets, and Mandorak, for its calmer waters and smaller waves.
Away from the beach, Tambolaka is the place to shop for ikat textiles and batiks, and to find the island’s best restaurants and bars.