Sumba is a big, dry, thinly populated island east of Bali, with almost none of Bali's traffic or crowds. The west has the beaches and the clan villages with megalithic tombs and tall peaked roofs; the east has open savanna hills and mangrove sunsets. Public transport is thin, so you rent a motorbike or hire a car and driver, and distances are long. Fly into Tambolaka for the west or Waingapu for the east, and give it at least four or five days.
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When to go
May to September is the dry season and the easiest time. November to March is wet, and heavy rain can halt flights and ferries. The Pasola spear-fighting ritual falls in February and March, on dates set by the Marapu priests only about two weeks ahead.
Sumba right now and the next 7 days
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Sumba on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Day trips
Sumba · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
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Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Sumba in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Swim in Weekuri LagoonHalf day · ₹100 each · A saltwater lagoon fed through the rocks from the open sea. No fixed fee; expect about IDR 20,000 a person framed as parking. Go early on a weekday.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Ratenggaro village2 h · ₹240 each · Peaked clan houses and stone tombs on the shore. About IDR 50,000 a person. Do not swim at the beach here: crocodile warnings are real.
- 10:30Mandorak beach1 h · price to check · A small cove between cliffs near Weekuri. Strong waves. Any fee not confirmed.
- 13:00Lunch break
- 17:15Wairinding hills at sunset2 h · free · Rolling savanna in East Sumba. No entry fee; donations welcome.
- 08:00Walakiri beach mangroves2 h · ₹50 each · The 'dancing' mangrove trees in silhouette at sunset. No entry fee; parking about IDR 5,000-10,000.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Sumba
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Flight
₹5,500Wings Air, NAM Air and others; about IDR 900,000-1,500,000 one way depending on season and how early you book. The airport for Weekuri, Mandorak and the Kodi villages.
Flight
₹5,500Same fare range. Choose this for Wairinding, Walakiri and the east.
Pelni ferry Cheapest
₹1,900About IDR 300,000-500,000 on Pelni (often KM Awu). Infrequent; book on the Pelni site or app, or at Alfamart/Indomaret.
Rented motorbike Last leg
₹600About 40 km. The price is a day's bike hire, about IDR 100,000-150,000. There is no useful public transport to the lagoon.
Getting around once you're there
Rented motorbike
₹600About IDR 100,000-150,000 a day. Roads are long, empty and sometimes rough.
Car with driver
₹3,350From about IDR 700,000 a day. Split four ways it is the best value, and the driver smooths village visits.
Pelni / flights between ends
Check priceWest to east Sumba is a long drive. Plan to fly in one end and out the other if you want both.
Where to stay in Sumba
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Budget hotel
₹1,550/nightHotel Pasola listed about US$18 a night with taxes. Basic and dated, five minutes' walk from the airport.
Mid-range
₹1,920/nightHotel Sinar Tambolaka: superior from IDR 400,000, deluxe from IDR 500,000 a night.
Beach B&B
₹4,040/nightMario Hotel & Cafe listed about US$47 a night with taxes. Quiet, ocean views.
Cabin
₹3,230/nightBobocabin from IDR 675,000 (2023 price). Check the current rate.
What to eat, and what it costs
Local plates at a Waingapu warung
₹120About IDR 10,000-25,000 an item at places like Ro'o Luwa (2023 prices).
Dinner at D'Soemba Ate, Waikabubak
₹240From about IDR 50,000 a person.
Indonesian meal at Warung Gula Garam, Southwest Sumba
₹480Under IDR 100,000 a person; nasi goreng and stir-fried vegetables. Open 10 am-10 pm.
Coffee and snacks at a café
₹170From about IDR 35,000 a person at Soemba Cafe & Resto in Waikabubak.
Things to do in Sumba
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Swim in Weekuri Lagoon
₹100A saltwater lagoon fed through the rocks from the open sea. No fixed fee; expect about IDR 20,000 a person framed as parking. Go early on a weekday.
Ratenggaro village
₹240Peaked clan houses and stone tombs on the shore. About IDR 50,000 a person. Do not swim at the beach here: crocodile warnings are real.
Mandorak beach
Check priceA small cove between cliffs near Weekuri. Strong waves. Any fee not confirmed.
Wairinding hills at sunset
FreeRolling savanna in East Sumba. No entry fee; donations welcome.
Walakiri beach mangroves
₹50The 'dancing' mangrove trees in silhouette at sunset. No entry fee; parking about IDR 5,000-10,000.
Tanggedu waterfall
₹270About IDR 50,000 a group plus IDR 5,000 parking. Long rough drive from Waingapu.
Day trips and next stops
Prai Ijing and Tarung villages, Waikabubak
₹120Motorbike or car
Puru Kambera savanna, East Sumba
₹70Motorbike or car
Waingapu and East Sumba
Check fareCar with driver
Bali
₹5,500Flight from Tambolaka or Waingapu
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Traditional villages are living Marapu communities, not museums. Dress with shoulders and knees covered, sign the guestbook, leave the donation and ask before photographing anyone.
- Heavy rain from November to March can cancel flights and ferries. Leave a spare day before an onward connection.
- Public transport barely exists. Without a rented bike or a driver you will not see much.
Ways to spend less
- Find three others and hire a car with driver: about IDR 700,000 a day split four ways costs less than four bike rentals and fuel.
- Bring betel nut bought at a market as a small gift when visiting villages; it is the local courtesy.
- Fly into Tambolaka and out of Waingapu (or the reverse) to see both halves without doubling back.
Before-you-go checklist
Sumba in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Sumba?
May–Sep is the best time. May to September is the dry season and the easiest time. November to March is wet, and heavy rain can halt flights and ferries. The Pasola spear-fighting ritual falls in February and March, on dates set by the Marapu priests only about two weeks ahead.
How do I reach Sumba?
Flight: Bali (DPS) → Tambolaka (TMC), West Sumba, 1 h-1 h 30 m, about ₹5,500 one way. Flight: Bali (DPS) → Waingapu (WGP), East Sumba, 1 h-1 h 30 m, about ₹5,500 one way. Pelni ferry: Bali (Benoa) → Waingapu or Waikelo, 30-37 h, about ₹1,900 one way.
How much does a 3-day trip to Sumba cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹8,400 on a shoestring, ₹12,000 mid-range or ₹21,000 in comfort over 3 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is pelni ferry (Bali (Benoa) → Waingapu or Waikelo) at about ₹1,900 each way.
How many days do you need in Sumba?
3 days is right for most people. That covers Swim in Weekuri Lagoon, Ratenggaro village, Mandorak beach, Wairinding hills at sunset without rushing.
Is Sumba good for families or solo travellers?
Sumba works best for couples, groups.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Sumba?
Possible but takes effort: there is no dedicated vegetarian restaurant found on the island. Ask for nasi goreng or cap cay 'tanpa daging' (without meat) and check for shrimp paste; warungs serve plenty of vegetable sides.
Will my phone and cards work in Sumba?
Buy an Indonesian SIM in Bali before you fly. Expect weak signal at remote beaches. Mid-range hotels and resorts only. Carry plenty of rupiah in small notes for village donations, parking and warungs.
Guides for Sumba
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
Backpacking Southeast Asia on a Budget: Real Daily Costs and a Four-Week RouteWhat backpacking Southeast Asia really costs per day in 16 underrated places, plus a four-week route through…Read the guide →
Places Like Bali but Cheaper: 8 Quieter Islands, with Daily CostsEight underrated beach places in Southeast Asia instead of Bali, Boracay and Phi Phi, from ₹1,800 a day on the…Read the guide →Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- gov.uk OfficialFCDO (updated 18 Sep 2026): no 'advise against' areas; no longer advises against travel to volcanoes; follow local guidance on eruptions
- indonesia.travel OfficialHotel Sinar Tambolaka (2-star, Weetebula): superior from IDR 400,000, deluxe from IDR 500,000
- backindo.comJan 2026: Bali-Tambolaka/Waingapu flights IDR 900k-1.5M, 1-1.5 h, Wings Air/NAM/Citilink/Lion; Pelni Benoa-Waingapu/Waikelo 30-37 h IDR 300-500k; motorbike IDR 100-150k/day
- backindo.comJan 2026: Weekuri no fixed fee, ~IDR 20,000 per person; 40 km/1.5-2 h from Tambolaka; dry season May-Sep; hotels in Tambolaka
- backindo.comJan 2026: Ratenggaro ~IDR 50,000; other villages guestbook donation IDR 10-40k; dress code, photo etiquette, betel nut gift, crocodile warning at Ratenggaro
- backindo.comPasola in Lamboya, Kodi, Wanukaka, Gaura in Feb-Mar; dates set by Rato from nyale; known about two weeks ahead
- bobobox.comSep 2023: Bobocabin Umarato IDR 675k; car rental from IDR 700k/day; Ro'o Luwa IDR 10-25k/item; Wairinding free; Tanggedu IDR 50k/group + 5k parking; Walakiri parking 5-10k; Puru Kambera IDR 15k
- bobobox.comWarung Gula Garam under IDR 100k/person, 10am-10pm; D'Soemba Ate from IDR 50k; Soemba Cafe from IDR 35k
- expedia.com.myBooking snapshots: Hotel Pasola ~US$18 incl. taxes near airport; Mario Hotel & Cafe ~US$47 incl. taxes
- travelfish.orgWaikabubak warungs cheap; vegetable sides at local warungs (search snippet; page returned 403 on fetch)
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Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Zahrasrtn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Zahrasrtn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Allwyn Wawyn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Zahrasrtn · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Supomo Hanasti · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
