Today we fly to Sumba Island, a rugged paradise in eastern Indonesia, that captivates the senses with its raw beauty and ancient culture. Rolling hills and sprawling savannas provide a stunning backdrop for the island’s traditional villages, where thatched-roof huts and towering megalithic tombs transport visitors back in time. Locals, dressed in intricately woven fabrics and adorned with tribal tattoos, welcome visitors with warm hospitality and a rich history preserved for centuries.  Pasola festival, a traditional spear-throwing competition between rival clans. The festival is a colorful display of local culture and customs, as participants dressed in traditional attire ride horses while hurling wooden spears at each other. The Pasola is believed to be a ritual to appease the spirits and ensure a bountiful harvest, and the intensity and spectacle of the event is truly mesmerizing. We have local knowledge on how to capture stunning action images of the horses and riders.

In Sumbanese markets, you will immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of daily life on the island. And if you’re feeling adventurous, don’t miss the chance to try betel nut, a popular local stimulant. Sumbanese people have been chewing betel nut for generations, and it’s a cultural tradition that’s deeply ingrained in daily life. It’s said to provide a mild buzz and aid in digestion, but be warned: betel nut is an acquired taste, with a bitter flavor and an astringent quality that can be off-putting to some.  In the afternoon we will head to a training field where Pasola participants will showcase their horses and skills, a time to get ready with your equipment, long lenses and high-speed shooting!

We move to another site to witness the same ritual, different clans, different light and background. The exact origin of the Pasola festival on Sumba Island is not clear, but it is believed to have been practiced for centuries by the island’s various clans. The festival is deeply rooted in local mythology and traditions and is thought to have originated as a way to appease the spirits and ensure a successful harvest. The Pasola has been a regular part of Sumbanese culture for generations and continues to be an important event on the island today. While the exact date of the festival’s origin is unknown, it is clear that the Pasola has been a part of Sumbanese culture for a very long time.

We leave quite early to visit the west side of the island, and a typical village known for its unique architecture, cultural traditions, and megalithic stones. The village is famous for its megalithic stones, which are scattered throughout the area. These stones are believed to have been erected by the ancestors of the Sumbanese people, and are used for various rituals and ceremonies. The stones are carved with intricate designs and patterns, and are considered sacred by the local community. We will then take a quick swim in a lagoon with pristine water, then eat lunch and proceed to the airport to Bali and the continuation of the festivals.

This morning we will rest and get ready for tonight’s fire horse ceremony, and for the next few days of early wake-ups and day-long rituals

Nyepi is a major religious holiday and known as the “Day of Silence” and is observed by the Balinese people as a time for self-reflection, purification, and spiritual renewal. This is marked by a series of ceremonies and rituals, including the Melasti procession, in which worshippers carry sacred objects to the beach for purification, and the Ogoh-Ogoh parade, in which giant papier-mache statues representing evil spirits are paraded through the streets.  The purpose of Nyepi is to cleanse the island of negative energy and restore balance and harmony in the universe. It is a fascinating and deeply spiritual holiday that offers a unique insight into the culture and traditions of Bali.

During the Melasti ceremony, worshippers carry sacred objects to the beach for purification. Many of the participants enter into a trance-like state, which is believed to be a form of spiritual possession. In this state, they are able to communicate with the spirits and ancestors, and receive blessings and guidance. The trance is induced through a combination of meditation, chanting, and the use of certain substances, such as incense and holy water. The participants are often accompanied by traditional Balinese music, which is believed to help them enter into the trance state. The trance is a deeply spiritual experience for the Balinese people, and is seen as an important part of the Melasti ceremony. It is believed to connect the participants with the spiritual realm and bring them closer to the divine.

This is the last day before Nyepi’s island-wide silent day. We will revisit the ceremonies and complete our storytelling to witness more rituals and trances. If time permits we will visit a remote village near mount Agun, the largest volcano, to witness donation ceremonies in temples.

Rest day, we will respect the Nyepi day and stay inside as everyone does (except hospital and other emergency services), although we will have network access and, optionally, do an image review in the afternoon.

Day 14: The  trip is over, you can continue to experience the beauty of Bali (we can help arrange a nice hotel and spa) or return home (Airport drop-off)

• Designed in close collaboration with local cultural experts and professional photographers
• Prime access to rituals, to families, to places otherwise non accessible to foreign tourists, all with the proper permissions, avoiding cultural “dont’s”
• Guidance from photographers to help make your images stand out, more dynamic yet realistic
• Minimizing the time in minivans or airplanes, by designing an itinerary that maximizes time on the ground, exploring and learning
• Priced according to the quality of the accommodations and dining venues, as we’ve chosen the best places to stay and eat, and the closest to the action
• Main itinerary is accessible to all and brings lots of culture and beauty, in addition to as much artistic and technical guidance as you can get
• Weather or other circumstances can hinder our experience, so we built alternate locations or activities to avoid wasting time