Sumba Private Tour — Frequently Asked Questions

Pasola is held once a year, typically in February–March, following the appearance of the nyale sea worm on specific full-moon nights. Exact dates are announced by local elders only a few days before the event. West Sumba holds Pasola in Kodi, Lamboya, Gaura and Wanokaka districts. We track dates annually — contact us for the latest confirmed schedule.

Sumba is generally safe for respectful independent and guided visitors. As with anywhere in Indonesia, we recommend using a licensed local guide, especially in more remote adat (traditional) villages and for the Pasola festival where horse-riding spears are thrown. Our guides are experienced in managing group safety at all main sites.

Sumba has two airports: Tambolaka (TMC) in West Sumba and Waingapu (WGP) in East Sumba. Direct flights operate from Bali (Ngurah Rai/DPS) with airlines including Wings Air and Citilink, typically 1–2 hours. Some routes transit via Kupang (NTT). Domestic flight schedules change seasonally; book in advance for Pasola season.

The dry season (May–October) is the most accessible time — roads are passable, waterfalls are flowing but not flooded, and the landscapes are green-to-golden. The Pasola festival (February–March) is the cultural highlight, though roads can be muddy. Peak beach season is April–September.

Sumba is world-famous for hand-woven ikat textiles, particularly hinggi (men’s cloth) and lau (women’s sarong). Authentic hand-woven ikat uses natural dyes (indigo, morinda) and can take months to complete. We visit weaving villages in Anakalang (West Sumba) and Prailiu and Rende (East Sumba) where artisans demonstrate the process and sell directly.

We are a private tour guide service, not an accommodation provider. We work with a range of accommodation partners — from eco-guesthouses in the Rp 200,000–500,000/night range to private villas and the internationally known Nihi Sumba resort. We advise and help book options to match your budget and style.