When do the open trips depart?

Every Thursday through 2026, finishing on the Sunday - 53 departures in all, including 31 December to 3 January 2027.

What if fewer than four people book?

The departure is confirmed once the minimum of four is reached. Below that it is not confirmed, and a private trip runs on any date from two travellers.

Which airports do I book?

Into Tambolaka (TMC) in Southwest Sumba and out of Waingapu (WGP) in East Sumba. The route crosses the island and never doubles back, so a return ticket to one airport will not fit.

A deposit of at least 50% holds the trip. The balance is due no later than 14 days before departure. Booking inside those 14 days means paying in full at once.

How hard is it physically?

Moderate, with one hard part: the path down to the waterfalls is steep and slippery. Bring trekking shoes or sandals. Anyone with asthma, hypertension, a heart condition, diabetes or epilepsy should see a doctor first and bring their medication.

Sunblock SPF 30-50, sunglasses, a hat, a drybag or backpack, trekking shoes, a change of clothes, a power bank, personal medication and wet wipes. Also an external hard disk of 32GB or more for the trip photographs. Telkomsel has the best coverage on the island.

The deposit is not refundable and cannot move to another date, but you can put someone else in your place. Arriving late at the meeting point counts as a no-show.

Peaked thatched roofs of Ratenggaro village beside the river mouth, from the air

Open trip · 4 days, 3 nights

Join a Sumba departure every Thursday

Eleven destinations across the island, shared with a small group. Fifty-three departures in 2026, USD 459 per person.

Check availability

Departures in 2026: 53
Destinations: 11
Minimum travellers: 4
Per person: 459 USD

The open trip runs the four-day route on a fixed Thursday departure, shared with other travellers, at a single price per person.

Departures every Thursday through 2026, confirmed once four travellers have booked.
Twin-share rooms, paired with someone of the same gender.
Ages 10 to 50 - the trekking is steep and slippery. Outside that, take a private trip instead.
Pickup 11.00-12.00 WITA at Tambolaka (TMC); finishes 11.00 WITA at Waingapu (WGP).

Day by day

The route

Times are the brochure schedule. They shift with conditions on the road.

01

Day 1 · Ratenggaro and Pero

11.00 meet at Tambolaka. Check in and lunch, Ratenggaro Traditional Village at 13.30, then Pero Beach for sunset.
02

Day 2 · Weekuri, Prai Ijing, Warinding

Weekuri Lagoon and Mandorak Beach from 07.30, Prai Ijing at 11.00, sunset at Warinding Hill, then the drive east to Waingapu.
03

Day 3 · Tanarara, waterfall, Walakiri

Tanarara Savanna from 07.30, Waimarang or Tanggedu Waterfall at 12.30, and sunset among the mangroves at Walakiri Beach.
04

Day 4 · Tanau, Persaudaraan, home

05.30 for Tanau Hill. Back to the hotel, check out, the souvenir shop, Persaudaraan Hill, and Waingapu Airport.

The itinerary can change with conditions at a destination or in force majeure. Participants follow the tour leader during the trip.

Included

What the price covers

Only two things are not included: flight tickets and personal spending.

Entrance fees

Every site on the itinerary.

Drone & mirrorless documentation

Files are copied to your hard disk on day three. Bring 32GB or more.

Donation fees

The customary contribution at each traditional village.

Mineral water

Kept in the car for the whole trip.

Nine meals

From lunch on day one to breakfast on the last morning.

Tour leader

With you from the airport pickup to the final drop-off.

Hotels, twin share

Sinar Tambolaka in the west, Padadita in the east, or equivalent.

Pickup at Tambolaka

From the airport or a hotel nearby, on day one.

Drop-off at Waingapu

To Waingapu Airport when the trip finishes.

Price

One price, per person

The open trip does not move with group size. It is the same figure for everyone on the departure.

Fixed departure

Open trip 4D3N

USD 459

per person, twin share

Confirmed once four travellers have booked.

Private or couple room

USD 99

per room

Instead of being paired with another traveller. Subject to availability.

Prices updated 11 September 2026. The room supplement is not held in the price bank and comes from the trip sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Thursday suits you?

Send the departure date you want and how many of you there are, and we will confirm the seats.