Full Moon Night Horse Ride
A guided ride along a white-sand beach at low tide, lit by nothing but the moon — followed by a bonfire dinner on the sand.
Check Moon DatesThe Route: White Sand, Low Tide, Moonlight
The schedule is set by the moon, not by us. Each lunar cycle gives one full moon, so there are only twelve or thirteen possible nights in a year. We ride on the night of the full moon and, conditions allowing, the night either side.
The ride follows a white-sand beach timed to low tide, which matters far more at night than by day. The receding water leaves a wide band of firm wet sand — a flat, obstacle-free corridor the horses read easily, and which reflects the moonlight back up at you.
Everything happens at a walk. This is not a ride about speed.
Cloud Cover and the Go / No-Go Call
A full moon behind heavy cloud is no full moon at all, so we are honest about the risk up front. Sumba's dry season delivers reliably clear night skies; the wet season, roughly November to March, is a gamble.
Our guides make the call in the late afternoon. If the moon will not be visible we first try to move you to the adjacent near-full night. If that does not fit your stay, you choose a sunset ride with the bonfire dinner instead, or take a full refund.
With six saddles a night and twelve nights a year, the honest advice is to pick your moon date first and build the rest of the trip around it.
How the Night Runs
Six saddles per night. Non-riding partners can be driven to the bonfire to meet you.
The Moonlit Ride
Max 6 riders · Experienced only
A walking ride along the low-tide beach with a lead guide in front and a sweep guide behind. Helmets on every rider, headlamps carried by all.
Bonfire Dinner
Included with every ride
While you ride, our team lays the fire and mats and cooks a simple Sumbanese dinner — grilled fish or chicken, rice, sambal and fruit.
Private Night
Proposals and anniversaries
The beach and the six saddles to your group alone. The format most often booked for a proposal, with the bonfire set for two.
Night Riding Safety Protocol
Riding at night is only responsible when the protocol is stricter than the daytime one. Ours rests on a small number of rules that we do not bend.
Every guest must mount independently and control a horse confidently at a walk. Horses are chosen for calmness and because they already know this route by day.
- Maximum six riders, experienced only
- Lead guide in front, sweep guide behind
- Helmet on every rider, headlamp for all
- Walk pace for the entire ride
- Flat low-tide beach, no roads or obstacles
- Non-riding partners driven to the bonfire
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need riding experience for the night ride?
Yes. Night rides are limited to six experienced riders who can mount independently and control a horse confidently at a walk. Beginners are welcome on our daytime rides, and guests who ride well with us by day can qualify during the same stay.
What happens if the sky is cloudy?
Our guides make a go / no-go call in the late afternoon. We first try to move you to the adjacent near-full night. If that is not possible within your stay, you choose a sunset ride with bonfire dinner or take a full refund.
Can the ride run on any night?
Only on the night of the full moon and, conditions allowing, the night directly before or after, when illumination is still near total. That is roughly twelve to thirteen windows a year.
Can a non-riding partner join the bonfire dinner?
Yes. They can be driven to the bonfire point to watch the riders come up the beach and join the dinner. Tell us at booking so we arrange the transfer and an extra setting.
Book Your Full Moon Night Ride
Send your preferred month and group size and we will come back with the exact moon dates and remaining saddles.