Cap Karoso (Sumba)
.
Cap Karoso is a secluded luxury resort located on the remote island of Sumba, Indonesia, in the peaceful Kodi region on the island’s western coast. Overlooking the turquoise waters of Karoso Lagoon and the Indian Ocean, it offers a rare combination of natural beauty, cultural authenticity, and modern sophistication. Guests reach the resort via a short flight from Bali to Tambolaka Airport, followed by a scenic 50-minute drive through traditional villages and open savannah. The setting feels far removed from the crowded tourist hubs of Indonesia — wild, untouched, and deeply connected to Sumbanese life. Surrounding the property are rolling grasslands, coral reefs, and quiet beaches where water shimmers in deep blue and gold at sunset.
Cultivation
The heart of Cap Karoso is its biological farm. Covering three hectares of rehabilitated land, the farm produces nearly all the fruits and vegetables they use in their restaurant and bar. Cabbages, tomatoes, and mangos are just a small taste of what’s ripening within steps of your room.
Growing beyond the crops…
The farm is also a hub for sharing methods of sustainable cultivation. They welcome local farmers to come and learn about biological farming and permaculture. Guests can take part, too, with agricultural experiences around composting and natural fertilizer production.
Additionally, the farm is home to our artist residencies, craft ateliers, and nature-centred activities of our kids’ club.
Sumba’s Sacred Heritage
This is an island like no other. Sumba is home to a unique religion, Marapu, that dates back to the Bronze Age and lives on today. Here you’ll find indigenous art, megalithic tombs, and traditional houses with soaring 25-meter-high roofs that form a bridge to the spirit world. It’s all part of worship that honors nature and ancestral authority. During your visit, unplug from the world you know and gain an entirely new perspective.
Shamanic Healing Journey
Journey inward, on Sumba
A place where time slows and the modern world fades away, Sumba is the a perfect setting to step outside the relentless pace of daily life. Here, a new rhythm emerges—one that invites connection, presence, and transformation.
The week-long Journey is conceived to inspire and encourage a shift in perspective, while creating a strong sense of connection with the healing energy of the island. It concludes with a rare and genuine encounter with the local Sumbanese Shaman.
Every journey is completely unique, designed as a bespoke programme that honours Sumba's ancient Marapu traditions. The sacred healing practices have been passed down throughout generations, and form the foundation of your immersive experience.
Guided by your own personal intentions, your journey will be carefully curated to weave together nourishing cuisine, movement practices, spiritual rituals, and profound encounters with local healers and Shamans.
An encounter with true shamanism
Isolated from the outside world, the Sumbanese people developed their own unique traditional healing methods. Rooted in Marapu beliefs and utilising medicinal plants, these well-preserved traditions shape the essence of each Shamanic Healing Journey. The experience is then intentionally curated for each individual participant on bespoke a basis, with the expertise of our deeply knowledgable holistic wellness practitioners.
An intimate experience reserved for an exclusive number of participants per year, this programme shares the precious gift of traditional Sumbanese healing, while honouring and preserving the integrity of the local people, culture and land.
Preservation
Sumba Island, particularly the coastal site the resort calls home, is a delicate ecosystem made up of farmland, forest, seaside terrain, and coral reef. Every detail of Cap Karoso has been meticulously considered to preserve this fragile environment and rehabilitate damaged areas. Initiatives already in practice include removal of non-indigenous weed species, careful and water-conscious selection of landscape plants, and use of an eco-friendly water treatment system. Additionally, they draw half of their energy from an onsite solar panel park, avoid any plastic packaging and reduce food waste with the help of their farm animals.
Crops
What was once unused, rocky land is now covered in fertile organic gardens. Mulching, composting and sustainable water management helped breathe new life into the soil, which stays rich, thanks to natural fertilizer produced by their buffaloes. Ultimately, these gardens mean more options for their menus, as many ingredients, such as salad greens and tomatoes, were previously unavailable on the island. Being mindful of the local ecosystem and climate, their master farmer selected the crops that would fill the needs of the resort.
The Farm
Farming School
Giving back to the local community, their farm hosts a training program in landscaping and farming–skills that often lack in Sumba and most parts of Indonesia. Any interested locals can learn about plant propagation, nursery skills, plant care, garden maintenance, organic farming and permaculture, plus basic health and safety in and around the garden.
The aim of their school is to teach local farmers techniques they can then bring to their own land, as well as offer younger generations valuable skills in hospitality landscaping.
