West Sumba is a utopian destination for nature-lovers, offering many uncharted, pristine beaches and rugged coastline just waiting to be explored – not to mention the savannah-like plains where wild horses and buffalo roam! The natural beauty of Sumba is making waves all over the world, with many travel magazines picking it up as an up-and-coming Indonesian travel destination. West Sumba is the location of the world famous, luxury NIHI Sumba resort, which showcases the unparalleled beauty of the island’s coastline, drawing visitors to this incredibly stunning location. East Sumba has equally impressive landscapes, with many Sumbanese cultural experiences to try. We drummed up this two-for-one Sumba itinerary just for you – to allow you to experience East & West Sumba.
Not just breathtaking backdrops, Sumba also offers plenty of traditional villages, food, art and festivals, such as the Pasola spear-throwing festival, and the indigenous culture of the Sumbanese people, that’s guaranteed to enrich your travels to this exotic island.
The best time of year to visit Sumba and enjoy the waterfalls and beaches is during the dry season, between April and October. For more information on how to get to Sumba and more, check-out our comprehensive Sumba travel guide!
We have put together a 4-day itinerary for West Sumba, to which you can add on a 3-day itinerary for East Sumba, so you can get the most out of your visit to this magical island while experiencing the very best of Sumba’s nature, culture and more!
Table of Contents
4 Day/ 3 Night West Sumba Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive at Tambolaka
Afternoon/Evening
Check-in to your hotel and get acquainted with your surroundings. Enjoy a traditional Sumbanese dinner in town or at your resort. You might want to try Makan Dulu in Tambolaka, which offers authentic Indonesian and Sumbanese food, in a unique bamboo restaurant setting, as well as great cocktails. Turn-in early to get your sleep, ready for a day of chasing waterfalls.
Day 2 – Waterfalls of West Sumba
Morning
- Set-off for Lapopu Waterfall at 7am. It will take around 2-hours from Tambolaka, so make sure you have packed snacks and drinks for the car ride. Take swimwear and a change of clothes as the water is so clean, clear and fresh that you’ll want to dive right in! This majestic waterfall is one of the most popular waterfalls to visit on Sumba. It is around a 15-minute trek from the carpark and is not strenuous, however it will require you to cross a bamboo bridge. The waterfall is attractive and serene with a natural pool at the base where you can cool-off with a refreshing swim amongst the mist from the waterfall around you.
Afternoon
- Drive 1-hour to the town of Waikabubak and grab some lunch. Soemba Cafe & Resto is a modern restaurant with a pleasant ambiance, serving a range of Western and local dishes that you can try.
- Visit the Tarung Traditional Village to see firsthand the traditional architecture and way of life of the Sumbanese people. Marvel at the handcrafted ikat textiles being woven by the villagers, and shop for some handicraft souvenirs.
- If you are up for seeing another one of West Sumba’s waterfalls, Weekacura Waterfall is just 10-minutes from Waikabubak. This waterfall is much smaller but has rice fields all around with turquoise pools, and you take an easy and relaxing trek through the rice fields to reach it. You cannot swim at these falls, but the surrounding rice fields and plains are beautiful and it’s nice to see the locals enjoying their leisure time.
- Transfer your accommodation to Pero Beach which is around 90-minutes away. If you are in time for sunset, head to Pero Beach and enjoy the sunset whilst watching the fisherman setting-up their boats for the evening. You will also spot some local vendors selling refreshments.
Day 3 – Visit West Sumba’s most popular attraction, the Waikuri Lagoon
Morning
- After breakfast at your accommodation in Pero, take a 40-minute drive to the heavenly Waikuri Lagoon. This emerald lagoon is a salt water, tidal lagoon and many local kids love to spend their leisure time here. There are bathroom facilities and local vendors selling refreshments, so settle-in for a few hours and soak-up this incredibly beautiful spot while swimming and relaxing.
Afternoon
- Head to Mandorak Beach which is just 5-minutes away, and spend an afternoon taking photos, swimming and basking in the Sumba sunshine. This beach has interesting pools and rock formations, as well as great waves for surfing. It is nice for swimming when the waves aren’t wild, and there are plenty of shaded areas by the cliffs for chilling-out with a good book.
Evening
- If you want to see another of West Sumba’s beautiful beaches, head for sunset at Mbwana Beach after freshening-up at your accommodation. Mbwana Beach is around 35-minutes from Pero. This beach also has some beautiful rock formations, and at low tide you can walk on the sand whilst enjoying the sunset with the caves as a dramatic backdrop.
Day 4 – Cultural exploration and more beach-hopping
Morning
- Nature and culture come together in the picturesque setting of Ratenggaro Beach and village, just a 15-minute drive away. Here, you can experience the traditional village life of Sumba in this beautiful beachside setting, along with tall thatched roofs in the traditional Sumbanese architectural style, as well as learning more about the art and handicrafts of Sumba. The beach is surrounded by plains where you might be able to see wild horses roaming. There is a river mouth and surfable waves, or you can paddle board or swim.
Afternoon
- Drive for 1 hour and 40-minutes to Kerewei Beach, which is a great spot for walking, snorkelling, swimming and surfing. You will see horses, surfers and impressive rock formations at Kerewei Beach, and there are some places in the area where you can grab a bite to eat.
- Following Kerewei, head to another beautiful beach just 10-minutes away. Marosi Beach is a peaceful beach that stretches many kilometres, with possibly one of the best sunsets on the island. Here, you can walk on the soft white sand, whilst taking-in the emerald sea as you sip on a fresh coconut. There is good surf here and you can enjoy swimming when the water is calm, but make sure you stay for sunset!
Evening
- Head back to your accommodation in Pero if you are flying out of Tambolaka, or if you are adding the East Sumba itinerary to your trip, stay in Waikabubak or Kerewei for the night, ready for your exciting East Sumba exploration.
3 Day/ 2 Night East Sumba Itinerary
Day 1
Morning
- Either drive or fly into Waingapu. From Waikabubak it is about a 3-hour drive. Arrive just before lunch and freshen-up at your accommodation before grabbing lunch locally and preparing for an afternoon of sightseeing.
Afternoon
- You can walk to Prailiu Village close to the city centre of Waingapu, where you’ll find out more about the cultural heritage of Sumba. Here, you can see the weaving of traditional ikat textiles and buy some of the beautifully woven fabrics as a souvenir of your time in Sumba.
Evening
- 45-minutes from Waingapu is Wairinding Hills, a collection of savannah plateaus which come together to create a spectacular panorama, during both wet and dry seasons. This is an unspoilt backdrop for your perfect Sumba sunset, with very few tourists visiting.
Day 2 – Visit Wai Marang Waterfall and Marapu people
Visit Wai Marang Waterfall and dive deep into the religious life and heritage of the Marapu people
Morning
You can transfer to a hotel or resort on the North-East Sumba coast for a more laid-back, beach holiday vibe.
Our hotel recommendations include:
Mid-range: Tanoma Sumba or Kambaniru Beach Hotel
Luxury: KANDORA Luxury Villas
Budget: Padadita Beach Hotel
- It takes around 2-hours to get to Wai Marang Waterfall in East Sumba from Waingapu. After a 20-minute walk from the carpark you will come across Wai Marang Waterfall, where water cascades into a canyon with a stunning turquoise pool – you can even hop right in for a refreshing swim! The trek includes stairs, so it does require a moderate level of fitness and decent shoes with good grip, especially when wet.
Afternoon
- Praiyawang Village in the town of Rende is a 30-minute drive from the Wai Marang Waterfall. Here you can observe the Marapu religion whilst interacting with the people of the village and viewing artefacts. In the middle of the village are large stone tombs used for burial – these megalithic tombs have intricate stone carvings showing the heritage of the local people. You’ll also see plenty of the traditional tall, thatched roof houses here! If you’re lucky, the local people may share some of their folk stories with you and you’ll observe many traditional customs which are still widely practised at the Praiyawang Village.
Evening
- Take a 1-hour drive from Rende to Walakiri Beach for sunset. This mangrove beach has some local warungs where you can sit and enjoy a cold drink, while the sunset makes the mangrove trees appear to dance on the water. If you enjoy taking photos, you will be able to capture some spectacular images of the mangroves at sunset!
Day 3
Morning
- Around 1-hour from Waingapu is Tanggedu Waterfall. There are incredible turquoise rock pools for swimming in, so make sure you pack your swimwear! The walk is around 45-minutes to 1-hour through hills and savannahs, and you will pass by some local villages on the way to the waterfall from the carpark. If you prefer to save your legs, you can also catch a ride on a motorbike for IDR 100,000.
Afternoon
- Spend the afternoon relaxing and enjoying the pool or beach at your accommodation, as you reflect on your favourite moments from your time in Sumba.
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This two-for-one itinerary of both West and East Sumba should give you a well-rounded overview of this incredible island paradise. You might even find it becomes your favourite destination in the Indonesian archipelago!
