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Sumba is one of the last places in Indonesia where ancestral life continues largely uninterrupted. In the island's southwest, Marapu communities still build their villages around megalithic tombs, still sacrifice in accordance with ancient rites, still weave ikat cloths whose patterns carry spiritual meaning passed through generations. In the east, the landscape opens into rolling savannahs, dramatic coastlines and quiet beauty that feels untouched by the pace of the modern world.
This expedition is a carefully paced immersion into both sides of Sumba, guided by relationships I have built over years of living and working in Indonesia. We will visit communities and locations that are not accessible through conventional travel. The emphasis is on time, presence and genuine encounter - not on rushing between landmarks.
The journey begins with a night in Bali to settle, followed by a morning session at my studio before we fly to Sumba. From there, nine days of slow, deliberate travel through one of the most visually and culturally rich islands in Southeast Asia. If you have ever wanted to experience a place before it changes - this is your invitation.
This expedition is designed for photographers and travellers who understand that the greatest luxury is not indulgence, but access, time and presence. Travelling in a small group of no more than six, we move through Sumba at a pace that allows for genuine connection with the places and people we encounter. There is no fixed shot list, no rigid timetable. The days unfold according to light, weather, ceremony and instinct.
We will go to locations and spend time with communities that only years of relationship-building have made possible. Sumba remains remote, relatively unknown, and sensationally beautiful. It is a place where the camera feels secondary to the experience - and where the experience makes for extraordinary photographs.
Arrive in Bali at your leisure, any time on or before 19 Sep (accommodation covered from 18 Sep). Transfer to our accommodation in the Canggu area, where the evening is yours to settle in, rest and acclimatise. Meals and drinks in Bali are at your own arrangement - the island offers no shortage of exceptional places to eat. Matt will be around of course to host if desired.
We begin the morning at Matt's studio and coffee house in Bali (House of Yoreh) for a short session covering logistics, introductions and some initial thoughts on storytelling and intention-setting for the days ahead. After lunch, we fly to Sumba and transfer to Cap Karoso, our base for the first six nights. Situated on the southwest coast, Cap Karoso is a design-led resort that sits beautifully within the landscape - the ideal place from which to explore the Kodi region.
Five full days based out of Cap Karoso, exploring the ancestral heartland of Sumba. Each day we visit Marapu villages, local towns, beaches and hidden countryside gems, spending unhurried time with local communities across different sub-groups. The southwest is where Sumba's living traditions are most visible - towering ancestral houses, megalithic tombs, ikat weaving, ceremonial life. We move slowly, prioritising encounter over itinerary. The landscape itself is extraordinary: dry savannahs, hidden waterfalls, dramatic coastlines and light that shifts constantly through the day.
All meals during our time in Sumba are included, with full board at Cap Karoso.
We leave the southwest and travel overland to eastern Sumba, where the landscape transforms. Rolling grasslands, dramatic hilltop villages, wild horses and vast open skies define this part of the island. We continue visiting communities and exploring the region's striking natural beauty, staying in 5-star accommodation throughout. One evening during this stretch, we will gather for an image-sharing session over dinner - a chance to reflect on what we have seen and begin to understand the work we are making.
We fly back to Bali, where the expedition concludes. From here, you are free to continue onward to wherever home takes you. Transfers to the airport are included.
Not at all. This expedition is photography-weighted - we will be working with extraordinary light and subject matter every day - but everyone is welcome. Whether you are a complete beginner or a working professional, the experience is designed to meet you where you are. I am happy to walk you through the fundamentals of using your camera, but equally happy to have a deeper conversation about storytelling, personal voice or growing your practice as a visual artist. A diverse group always makes for a richer journey, because the real point of these expeditions is shared experience and learning from one another.
Once your booking is confirmed, we will share a recommended gear list tailored to the expedition.
Before we leave Bali, we will spend a morning together at my studio covering the creative framework for the expedition. During our time in Sumba, I will deliver a presentation on visual storytelling, and we will hold an evening image-sharing session where the group reviews and discusses work from the trip. Throughout each day in the field, I am available for one-on-one guidance and conversation. This is not a classroom - it is a journey with teaching woven through the experience.
