The scene
Straddling the Wallace Line separating the biogeographical realms of Asia and Australasia, lush Sumba is a couple of island hops east of Bali in the southern reaches of the 3,200-mile-long Indonesian archipelago. As close to Broome, Australia as it is to Jakarta, it’s a hilly, sparsely developed island intersected by just two main roads — yet it’s 15 times the size of Singapore.
Life here feels remote and detached. Thatched-roofed villages cluster around megalithic tombs and most locals continue to adhere to traditional Marapu beliefs, an Indigenous religion rooted in ancestor worship. Indigenous languages are more widely spoken here than Indonesian, and animal sacrifices still commonly mark significant events — especially the annual Pasola Festival, a mounted spear-throwing competition held in February or March.
Edged by rugged volcanic cliffs and blonde beaches, and known for its remote surf breaks and intricately woven ikat textiles, Sumba remains refreshingly untouched by mass tourism — at least for now.
Rock stars Sumba is one of the world’s last societies to still build megalithic stone tombs and graves. Often finely carved, these striking monuments respect ancestor spirits in line with traditional beliefs
The nature immersion
Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2025 de National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Esta historia es de la edición January/February 2025 de National Geographic Traveller (UK).
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Dianne Whelan
THOUGH NOT A SEASONED HIKER TO BEGIN WITH, THE FILMMAKER BECAME THE FIRST PERSON TO COMPLETE THE WORLD'S LONGEST TRAIL NETWORK
NIGERIA
The country's many communities come together over hearty meals with plenty of heat
Katie Hale
A VOYAGE TO THE GREAT WHITE CONTINENT IS BOTH A DREAM COME TRUE AND A CALL TO ARMS, TO PROTECT OUR ICY POLES AND, IN TURN, OUR PLANET
WILTSHIRE
BEYOND THE MAIN ATTRACTION OF STONEHENGE, WILTSHIRE HAS EQUALLY IMPRESSIVE ANCIENT SITES, GIANT CHALK HORSES AND COSY PUBS IN HISTORIC VILLAGES
BATH
Thermal baths and Regency heritage have put this Somerset city firmly on the travel map - and this year the spotlight will be on former resident and literary great Jane Austen, in celebration of the 250th anniversary of her birth
GRANADA
In this Andalucian city, flamenco is an art form as well as a way of life not just for traditional dancers and singers but also for hip-hop stars, classical guitar legends and street artists
India's Golden Triangle
LINKING DELHI, THE TAJ MAHAL AND THE PINK CITY OF JAIPUR, WITH DETOURS FOR TEMPLES AND TIGERS, THIS IS THE PERFECT ROUTE FOR FIRST-TIMERS. WORDS: POOJA NAIK
FORGED BY FIRE
A SUBTROPICAL ISLAND IN THE ATLANTIC, MADEIRA HAS RUGGED VOLCANIC MOUNTAINS THAT RISE ABOVE THE CLOUDS, NATURAL SWIMMING POOLS DOWN AT SEA LEVEL AND MORE THAN 1,900 MILES OF HISTORIC AQUEDUCTS TRACING THE LANDSCAPES IN BETWEEN
ADRIFT IN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE
A KAYAKING EXPEDITION THROUGH NORWAY'S LOFOTEN ISLANDS OFFERS WHITE-SAND BEACHES, ROYAL ENCOUNTERS AND THE CHANCE TO CHANNEL YOUR INNER VIKING
the RETURN
ON A PRIVATE GAME RESERVE IN SOUTH AFRICA'S KWAZULU-NATAL PROVINCE, AN UNLIKELY CREATURE IS MAKING A TENTATIVE COMEBACK - AND VISITORS ARE OFFERED A GLIMPSE INTO THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS TO SAVE IT AND OTHER NATIVE WILDLIFE
