Sunda Islands: Sumba Discovery Tour

Day 1: Arrival Tambolaka Airport - Rumah Budaya Sumba - Sumba Coffee & Cashew Experience - Lendongara Hill Sunset 

• Upon arrival at Tambolaka Airport in Waitabula, you will be met by your driver and guide, the Explore Sumba team. 
• Before setting off, you will have lunch at a local restaurant (included).
• Afterwards, you will visit the 'Rumah Budaya Sumba', Sumba's House of Culture, which is the starting point of your tour and will give you a first impression of your destination through the information you will receive here about Sumba. The Rumah Budaya Sumba is built in the style of a traditional Sumbanese house and the surrounding grounds are littered with Marapu stonework. Marapu represents Sumba's traditional animist religion, which finds expression in local stonemasonry, among other things. The House of Culture's collection includes ikat, stone and wood carvings, traditional jewellery and a handful of everyday objects.
• Next, there is the Talasi Estate Factory to visit. Here you can watch the workers processing Sumbanese cashew nuts and coffee. If you are interested, they will also be happy to take you on a tour of their farm and put you in touch with the Talasi community and farmers. You will also have the opportunity to taste the delicious cashew milk or Weejewa coffee produced directly by the local farmers.
• Afterwards, you will check into your accommodation and rest for a while until the perfect time to watch the beautiful sunset from Lendongara Hill. Find a quiet spot to sit and relax while you take in the breathtaking views of the hills ahead, the sea in the distance and the small villages in between. Just let the scenery work its magic on you.
• After sunset you will return to your accommodation. 
• Dinner at the same place (not included).  

Day 2: Lake Weekuri - Mandorak Beach - Ratenggaro Village - Pero Beach Sunset 

• After a hearty breakfast at the hotel (included), you will explore the southwestern part of Sumba Island today.
• You will first drive to the Kodi area and visit Lake Weekuri, a crystal clear lake that invites you to swim and relax. 
• Feel free to spend some time at the lake and take a short or long swim in its crystal clear waters if you like. Don't forget to take a walk around the rocks and reef and enjoy a wonderful view of the sea. Lake Weekuri is framed by 2 large central rocky ridges and Mandorak Beach, where you will have lunch.
• As there are no restaurants in the area, you will be provided with a box lunch (included).
• Your next visit is to the village of Ratenggaro in the Kodi region. Here you will have a closer look at the traditional houses with the high roofs typical of Sumba. By the way: they are the highest roofs in all of Sumba, all traditionally built by hand. Ratenggaro is the only one of only a few traditional villages in this region. It owes its uniqueness not least to its picture-book location. It is built directly on the beach and offers a truly wonderful setting. 
• It is built directly on the beach and offers a truly wonderful backdrop. And although the village consists of only a few houses, each house can accommodate up to 50 family members. During the harvest season, the villagers stay mostly in their fields and only the elders and the children stay behind in the village.
• After visiting Ratenggaro, we head to Pero beach to enjoy the sunset.
• Afterwards we return to the hotel.
• Dinner there (not included).

Day 3: Sumba's Coffee & Cashew Experience continued - Waikacura Rice Field - Lapopu Waterfall

• After your breakfast (included), it's time to check out and continue to West Sumba. On the way there, you will first visit a local market, where you will have the opportunity to take a closer look at the local product range and marvel at the variety on offer. In particular, the locally grown coffee and the cashew nuts in their diverse processing will catch your eye. Get involved in the colourful hustle and bustle and let your tour guide make contact with the traders :-)
• We now continue to the area around Waikacura. Here you will do a short trekking through the surrounding vast rice field, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the small river that decorates the rice field with its flow and adds to the interesting landscape.
• Afterwards, you will have lunch at a local restaurant (included).
• The next destination of your trip is the Lapopu Waterfall, which you will reach in the afternoon after a seemingly endless drive through the hilly green landscape of Sumba. To get to the waterfall, you will have to do a short hike of about 15 minutes. You will also cross a bamboo bridge. Don't worry; it will carry you ;-)
• Once there, let the scenery in front of you take its toll - it's a wonderful sight. Take a seat and let the sound of the water carry your thoughts as you watch the cascade of water make its way down the mountain. A moment for inspiration and daydreaming...
• Now it's time to leave; it's time to go to your accommodation. 
• Check-in at accommodation.
• Dinner there or nearby (not included).

Day 4:  Praijing Village - Anakalang Village - Wairinding Hill Sunset

• After breakfast (included) it's time to check out again, as your Sumba Explorer Tour has more highlights to offer.
• Today we head to the eastern part of Sumba. The drive there will take some time. However, along the way you will have the opportunity to make side trips to the interesting villages of Praijing and Anakalang, which you will get to know during your trip.
• Your first visit is to Praijing village. Praijing is one of the traditional villages of Sumba. It is situated on a slope and surrounded by greenery. Therefore, it is one of the few Sumba villages that allow visitors to have a great view over the whole village and get an idea of how village life is organised. Take your time and feel welcome to take a village tour to get an idea of this special place. 
• In Praijing you will mostly meet the older generation of the village. Together with the younger children, they form the central image of the settlement during the day and their smiles will accompany you through the village. If you have some sweets with you, this would be a good opportunity to share them :-)
• While crossing the Central Sumba region, you will next have the opportunity to visit the village of Anakalang. In this village you can visit the large megalithic tombstone dedicated to the late King of Sumba, who came from Pasunga.
• Lunch is en-route and by lunchbox (included). And on we go... 
• Now arrived in East Sumba, your next stop is at Wairinding Hill, a wonderful place to enjoy the sunset.
• Now it's off to your accommodation, where you will spend the evening after checking in.
• Dinner in accommodation (not included).

Day 5: Tanggedu Waterfall - Puru Kambera Beach & Savannah

• Your day starts again with a good breakfast at your accommodation (included).
• Today you will explore the unique landscape of East Sumba. You will visit hidden waterfalls and get an impression of the enchanting savannah, with its free-roaming horses and cows, which you can observe in their natural environment and in their search for food.
• On your way to Tanggedu Falls, you will cross the Puru Kambera Savannah. You are invited to stop here for a moment, soak up the atmosphere and capture the moment with a souvenir photo before continuing to the waterfall. 
• East Sumba's Tanggedu Waterfall is simply breathtaking, but it takes a little effort to reach it. You will hike for about 20 minutes from your vehicle's stopping point through flat terrain to finally arrive after about another 15 minutes of stair climbing. On the steps along the way, it is worth taking a short break every now and then to 'catch' and enjoy the view that changes with each step. You will be thrilled. It is not for nothing that the Tanggedu Waterfall is also called the 'Grand Canyon of East Sumba'.
• It is a good idea to have lunch here at Tanggedu Waterfall, for which a lunch box (included) is prepared for you. Take your time and enjoy the enchanting atmosphere.
• Now it's time to move on to the next stop on your journey. As it has just been a bit tiring, the afternoon is all about relaxation. We will go to the beach of Puru Kambera, where you can spend the afternoon swimming, reading, relaxing - whatever you like. 
• At some point it will be time to return to your accommodation. You make the announcement.
• Overnight stay in accommodation.
• Dinner there or nearby (not included). 

Day 6: Waimarang Waterfall - Rende Village - Walakiri Beach Sunset 

• After breakfast (included) you will continue your journey through East Sumba.
• Today another beautiful waterfall is on the programme, the Waimarang Waterfall. 
• The waterfall is very hidden and the way to it is quite strenuous. As you will be walking in rough terrain, this station may seem a bit adventurous. But don't worry, you'll get there. Your tour guide will take care of your needs and there will be plenty of breaks.  
• Don't forget to pack your bathing suit, because the waterfall with its naturally formed pool of crystal-clear water offers a welcome cool-down to leave the exertions of the trek behind.
• And now it's time for lunch, which you will have in the form of a box lunch (included). 
• Then it's on to the village of Rende, a traditional village in East Sumba, where you can marvel at the large megalithic tombs of the late King of East Sumba. The locals look forward to the strange visit and are happy to engage in conversation with you through your tour guide. Get involved and learn about the village life of Rende :-)
• Now it is time to return to your accommodation. On the way there, however, you will have another opportunity to stop and admire another of Sumba's breathtaking sunsets.
• Head to Walakiri Beach, where the local sunset is magically framed by the mangroves that line the beach. Let yourself be impressed and inspired by the sunset with the small magical trees growing out of the water. Dream hour...
• When the sun has set and you have captured your last photo, it's back to your accommodation.
• Here or nearby you will have your dinner (not included).

Day 7: Kat Tenun Village - Transfer to Waingapu Airport/ Connecting Programme

• After breakfast (included) you will have some time to add one last attraction to your tour. 
• You will have the opportunity to visit Kat Tenun village to learn about the local Ikat weaving culture. Ikat Tenun is the fabric used to weave traditional Sumbanese clothing. If you like, you can dress up in traditional costume for a final photo here ;-) 
• Finally, it's time to go to the airport to catch your flight or to your resort hotel for your subsequent diving, snorkelling or swimming holiday.
• Either way, your 'Nusa Tenggara: Sumba Explorer Tour' is now coming to an end and our driver and tour guide will be waiting for you in the hotel lobby at the agreed time to take you to the starting point of your next destination.
• We wish you a safe journey and an exciting time.