In this Year of the Fire Horse—a rare occasion that last occurred 60 years ago—one remote destination in the Indonesian archipelago is celebrating the fierce passion, profound transformation, and intense energy embodied by the equine zodiac animal to the fullest.

For those who know travel, NIHI Sumba’s mere name evokes the stuff of bucket-list idyll, conjuring images of soft sand beaches, an expanse of unspoilt jungle, palms dancing in the wind, turquoise waters breaking on rocks, and shorelines where horses roam at will. Just an hour’s flight from Indonesia’s most touristed locale, the character between the islands of Sumba and Bali could not be more different. Where Bali galvanises, Sumba revives.

In a globalised world, Sumba is a nonpareil personification of the “untouched paradise” ideal. Born from a dream to capture the perfect wave, the lauded NIHI Sumba honours the concept of “a life well lived,” preserving the heritage, stories, and culture of the Sumbanese.

Exclusive, exquisite, and elegant, NIHI Sumba’s modest number of villas—just 31—sets the tone for an experience shaped by personalised care and meticulous curation. No two abodes are the same, speaking to the adventurous spirit of curious travellers who yearn for more. Houses perched high above the surf, treehouses hidden amid foliage, cottages on the sand—the private accommodation options at NIHI Sumba feel equal parts intimate and authentic.

Few resorts, even at this ultra-luxe level, come as NIHI Sumba does; the rest of the world simply melts away at the “edge of wildness”—as much an indication of its seclusion as a philosophical mindset that guests are encouraged to adopt. NIHI Sumba’s notable relationship with horses forms the core of its identity and wellness principles. Native to Indonesia, sturdy sandalwood ponies are at the heart of the NIHI experience, representing freedom and exploration while safeguarding their cultural, religious, and communal significance.

Embracing the transformative spirit of the Year of the Fire Horse, NIHI Sumba is doubling down on its singular equine wellness practices and experiences, shaping its 2026 programme around meaningful connection, intentional time in nature, and healing rituals. From the Sandalwood Stables to the Equine Sanctuary at Nihioka Spa, herds of active and retired horses are constant, dependable companions in a wealth of soulful interactions, ranging from swimming and riding on trail or beach to silent restorative rituals and fitness routines.

From 26 to 30 June, eminent South African intuitive healer Candice Webster will swap farm for beach to host an exclusive retreat at NIHI Sumba. In a programme spanning five days, Webster will impart the healing abilities of horses through principles lifted from ancient metaphysics to clear somatic and psychological blockages, reveal subconscious symptoms and dormant holds on the spirit, and restore harmony and clarity. In seamless alignment with Marapu, the native ancestral religion of Sumba, Webster knits a conduit between the seen and unseen realms, building on the equine-guided energy of Sumba’s sandalwood ponies.

In April and October, NIHI Sumba’s own horse whisperer, Carol Sharpe, will lead metamorphic healing journeys in tandem with equine guidance, nurturing connection between humans and horses through her remarkable cognitive abilities and nonverbal perception, all in the calming presence of NIHI Sumba’s gentle giants.

A hallmark of NIHI Sumba’s pioneering equine-forward activities, the Spa Safari reimagines wellness as a full-day indulgence. Begin with an unhurried horseback ride—or a swift safari drive—along the rugged island coast, learning about the land from a Sumbanese guide. After a nourishing meal, settle down at the Nihioka Spa for an extensive schedule of massages and treatments that can translate to up to five hours of rejuvenating pampering. Blend equine elements into the well-being experience, choosing between the four pillars of Equine Essence, Equine Seen, Equine Tuned, and Equine Feel for a mindful encounter.

Under the guidance of resident practitioners, NIHI Sumba leans deeper into the expansive potential of equine wellness through such restorative initiatives as reiki with horses—a holistic blending of balancing energy and the chakras with crystals and singing bowls—and equestrian yoga, built on meditation, trust, and gentle movements performed on horseback.

NIHI Sumba’s thematic Year of the Fire Horse add-on experience—offered from 17 February onwards—encompasses these healing equestrian activities across five days and four nights as a seamless continuation of the Lunar New Year narrative. From sunrise beach rides and walks to ocean swims, land-based wellness, and equine connection opportunities, horses are part of each treasured moment.

NIHI, as a brand and a collection of values, blazes a trail as a committed custodian of lasting transformation, equine-led wellness, and unscripted experiences sculpted by meaningful storytelling. Resolute in its vision, steadfast in its beliefs, and holistic in its design, NIHI Sumba curates an untamed adventure at the “edge of wildness” that calls to discerning travellers seeking a rarified encounter far beyond conventional reach and replication.

For the intrepid traveller, nothing could be more auspicious than commemorating the Year of the Fire Horse through a sublime journey of renewal and reconnection at a destination that—by devotion and design—cherishes the zodiac animal in question.

Learn more about NIHI Sumba’s Year of the Horse programming at nihi.com.

All images courtesy of NIHI Sumba.