FAQs & Useful Information

• All payments are non-refundable and non-transferable
• All cancellations must be made in writing
• Cancellations made 30 days before check-in date can postpone their booking to a future date; new booking date rates apply
• Cancellation made within 29 days of check-in date or a no show,
  then booking and payment will be forfeited

No refund will be given for no-shows or days not used resulting from early check-out.
In case of late arrival, the resort will be pleased to extend a stay, provided there is availability, however, the resort cannot be held
accountable for any flight delays or cancellations.

Alamayah has full 4G internet reception. This can sometimes be disrupted inside the building but our WIFI will cover that throughout the building. This allows you to make and receive calls during your stay. There are rare instances that a storm or heavy weather/wind can reduce the strength of the coverage but you will still be able to send/receive messages and should only last a few hours until the weather clears.

Aside from normal casual beach and day wear, loose lightweight long sleeve shirts and lightweight pants are recommended. We suggest wearing these in the mornings and evenings for insect
bite prevention. If you are coming for some adventure, comfortable hiking boots or runners are recommended for activities such as the waterfall hikes and mountain biking. In the months of April - October, it can get quite cold at night times. A sweater/ jumper is recommended for this time of year.

Activities throughout your stay don not need to be booked prior to you arriving unless you would like to visit to Waikelo sawah on the way from the airport, which we highly suggest if you arrive on the early flight (otherwise you can also organise on your departure day on the way to the airport). It is only a short detour and will provide a beautiful and relaxing start to your trip. All other activities can be booked upon arrival at the hotel. We don't recommend some of the most googled tourist-based activities during your stay at Alamayah. These including Kampung Ratenggaro, Bukit Lendongara, Bukit Wairinding, Pantai Mandorak, Pantai Mbawana, Waikuri lake. Although these places can still be very beautiful, they are typically several hours from Alamayah in each direction and can also be quite touristy & busy. Some of the most beautiful sites in Sumba can be found very close to us and are a lot more accessible. These will typically provide you with a much more authentic Sumbanese experience.

Yes, we offer guides and can tailor-make an activity-based stay according to your interests. Please refer to our guest book for all of the activities that we offer.

Alamayah has a full onsite restaurant open from 6.30am to 9pm. Due to the remoteness of Alamayah, there aren't any alternate local restaurants where you can eat or purchase food. I wouldn't be worried though, our chefs will have you covered.

We have a full laundry service available at Alamayah however we suggest you handwash any valuable items yourself. There is no dry cleaning at Alamayah.

Our power at Alamayah is 220v. We have surge protection and all the power is run through a stabiliser for the safety of your equipment. All power outlets are RCD protected also for your safety. We have international plug sockets in all bedrooms for your convenience. We run off mains power, however outages are sometimes frequent. We have backup generators but there will sometimes be a 2-3 minute window without power while our backup generators start-up/ shuts off.

A 10% service charge is added to your bill. Additional tipping is not required like some countries although of course, certainly appreciated for all their hard work. We suggest trying to refrain over paying for items or giving donations outside of our staff. We do although support purchasing items as a way of exchange.

There are no shops in the surrounding areas of Alamayah although we support the purchasing of local hand-crafted items from the local villages. These are typically hand made/ woven ikats made by the local women. Alternatively, there is an antique store in the district capital Waikabubak that sell priceless Sumbanese antiques.

There is air conditioning in all guest accommodation, gym and massage rooms. We have utilised water features at the ground floor common areas to cool the open plan areas which work very efficiently.

We have our own horses at Alamayah. You can often see them on the grass lawns and swimming at the beach. We offer trail rides, swimming with the horses at the beach and also sunrise beach rides. We have Australian saddles and equipment for the horses so all you need is long pants, and a pair of sports shoes and socks. This is unless your swimming in which normal bathers is suggested. If you love horses then just ask the staff to visit them and they will be happy
to assist.

Most of the activities offered at Alamayah can also be shared with children depending on age/interests/abilities. Our staff are all very children friendly. We host many family groups with children and we have become adept at taking care of them while the parents are relaxing or taking part in activities. The activities suitable for children depending on age and ability, include soccer, snorkelling, boating, fishing, visiting villages, hiking to the waterfall, mountain biking, exploring the reefs on low tides and collecting fossils and shells. For younger children we have a nice child-friendly swimming pool and board games. We have painting and drawing supplies to keep them occupied, as well as beach toys.

Yes, we have a full-time baby sitter/nanny at Alamayah. If you wanted to enjoy a private dinner, activity or just have a helping hand, this can be arranged.

We do have top-quality fishing gear at Alamayah. Unless your equipment is personalised, we don't suggest bringing your own. If you are coming to do some serious fishing you feel more comfortable with your own gear then bring your favourite rod and reel but its not required.

We have surf boards at Alamayah that the guests can use free of charge. We have some short boards, foam boards, long boards and SUP's that the guests can use. If you are a surfer and you have your own boards, we suggest bringing them instead. There are no surfboard shops or ding repair places in Sumba. For this reason, it is a good idea to bring a few spares, as well as a basic ding repair kit or Solarez for small dings. Bring your own wax, a spare leash, booties, sun protection and extra fins as you cannot buy any of this in Sumba.

The Sumba coast line gets hit with a lot of swell. Whether you like surfing big and heavy waves or you are a beginner and would like some gentle surf breaks, we can typically always find somewhere for you to surf. We have a fulltime surf guide at Alamayah as well as a Jetski and 2 Boats. These can not only assist you with transport to the waves but also with tow-ins and assisted paddling. Most waves can be accessed via scooter and car also.

We are often asked what precautions to take prior and during your stay. Although Sumba does have Malaria, mosquitos are only typically present during the hours of dawn and dusk (6am - 8am and 5pm - 10pm). We conduct mosquito reduction measures at Alamayah although there is never 100% protection. Preventative measures are a great way to protect yourself. Wearing light and loose long sleeve and long pants is recommended as well as using the natural insect repellent provided. These measures are particularly emphasised to be used within the hours stated above. The world health organisation recommends taking Doxycycline as a malaria prevention medication. Please consult with your medical practitioner if you decide to use prophylaxis. Doxycycline: 100 mg per day for adults, starting two days before departure and until 3 weeks after arriving home. Paediatric dose: Safe for children above 8 years of age. Please ask your family physician as it depends on the child's weight. The most important thing to remember with Malaria is it is easy to treat if diagnosed early and typically only becomes dangerous if not treated quickly. If you develop flu like symptoms within 9-14 days of your trip to Sumba, please see your medical professional. This could also include stiff joints, blurry vision, headaches, fever. Don't presume it is a cold/flu, get tested strait away. This is a simple blood test with results typically given within a few hours. The Malaria parasite doubles in your blood every 24 hours and therefore quick action is the most important thing.

The beaches in Sumba sometimes have small insect called midges (sand flies). Sand flies are typically only present in the cooler parts of the day (early mornings, late afternoons, during cloud cover or in the shade). If you decide to go to the beach for a morning/afternoon walk, cover up with long sleeves/ long pants and insect repellent. It's important to remember that everyone reacts differently to sand flies, some people do not react at all and and some people don't get reactions for hours or even days later. The bites can be very itchy, it is important to try not scratch them. Please ask the staff for some fresh Aloe Vera for relief.

There are no money changing facilities on the island. Credit cards can be used at Alamayah and items can be added to your final bill (within reason). There are several ATMs on the island if you do have credit card or an Indonesian bank card. Payment options at Alamayah include - International Transfers (minimum 7 days prior to stay), Transfer Wise, credit card or credit card payment link (Full name, email address and mailing address). We unfortunately don't offer PayPal services.

Domestic travel is relatively easy since the Covid pandemic has eased. Please visit https://www.garuda-indonesia.com/id/en/news-
and-events/kebijakan-operasional-terkait-covid19 for the most up to date travel requirements in Indonesia.

The Sumbanese people believe in the Marapu religion or Marapu belief. Marapu is a form of ancestral religion in which in the ancestors provide and teach the balance of universal life (teaching of the ancestors). Through this, life and balance is gained. The people practice ritual ceremonies and celebrations to accompany the various steps of their lives. This belief is symbolised by rituals, celebration ceremonies and sacrifices in honour of the life creator god as well as their ancestors. Marapu is an animalistic culture and one of the last megalithic cultures on earth. Due to the fact that Marapu is not considered one of the six religions sanctioned by law in Indonesia, most Sumbanese identify as Christian although they still practice the Marapu traditions and way of life.

Sumba is renowned for its cultural purity and traditional villages. Some of the most untouched and traditional villages are located very close to Alamayah. A lot of the Alamayah staff still reside in these villages and its for this reason, we are able to provide one of the most authentic and educational village immersion tours possible during your stay in Sumba. We highly suggest allowing us take you to these local villages (waru wora) amongst our local people and staff. We suggest not letting google lead you to spend your holiday at some of the villages that focus on tourism as it doesn't truly reflect the traditional village life.

If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase, the local community can definitely benefit from this. On the way to Sumba, bringing items for the children will always bring a smile to both your face and theirs. This could include deflated soccer balls, books, drawing equipment and art/crafts. You'll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and amilies. On the way home, the best way to support the local community is to support their traditional crafts and encourage the younger generations to continue their traditions. The Sumbanese have been producing world class hand woven ikats for tens of generations. Instead of a cash donation, the purchase of a personal hand woven ikat or craft will not only support the families and their traditions but will also bring happy memories for you for years to come. It supports the younger generation to learn their ancestral craft. These are not mass-produced items but rather hand crafted in the villages by the local people and can take months to create.

The villages offer an exceptional array of hand-crafted items. These include hand woven baskets and bags, Sumba Ikat weavings, sarongs and traditional knives (parang). We ask that people are
aware and respectful with money when purchasing items. If large items are purchased, we ask that our staff attend or a meeting arranged at the hotel with the seller so our staff can help make sure you are not overpaying. We are proud to take our guests to the local villages as they are still very authentic. We don't want the villages turning into a shopping mall.

Any appropriate and functional clothing is fine. Normal attire would be a shirt or T-shirt with shorts or a sarong. Comfortable shoes are also suggested although they will need to be taken off to enter the homes.

Although the Sumba culture is a very primitive culture, the Sumbanese people are very beautiful friendly people. There is no particular dress code although basic decency and respect is always welcomed in any culture. They will always offer a smile or a helping hand. It is also one of the last practicing animistic and megalithic cultures in the world. There is so much to learn so feel free to continually ask our staff if you have any questions. Feel free to explore the island and beaches by yourself, knowing that you are surrounded by beautiful people and a safe culture.

During the months of February and March the "Pasola" ceremonies take place nearby to Alamayah. Traditional boxing ceremonies "Pajura" are held from August through to January. In July, there is a one-week horse racing event that draws horses and riders from all over Indonesia. Throughout the year there are funeral and wedding ceremonies taking place that our guests are sometimes invited to attend.

All of the Alamayah staff have completed up to date first aid training and an AED (defibrillator) is located on site. From this point, an assessment can be done and a general public Hospital (Kabukarudi) is located 10 Minutes from Alamayah. For further extensive treatments, the next hospital is a further 30 minutes away in Waikabubak (District capital). We can help to facilitate medical evacuations from Tambolaka Airport (70 minutes drive with ambulance) to Bali or Singapore.

It is the responsibility of all guests (including individuals, companies and other legal entities) to organise appropriate insurance prior to their arrival at Alamayah. In the event of failure of any client (individual, company or other legal entity) to comply with these insurance conditions and requirements or to organise appropriate insurance then neither Alamayah, PT ALAMAYAH GRIYA INDONESIA, nor their officers or employees, nor any third party contracted by these companies, shall be liable in any way for any loss injury, or damages, expenses or costs arising from any incident while traveling to or at Alamayah.

If you have medical evacuation coverage a medivac plane can take you from Sumba to Singapore, which has the best medical care in the region. We cannot be held responsible for any medical emergency evacuation costs. If you do not have an evacuation policy, expect to pay US$40,000.00 just for the evacuation flight, that's not including hospital or other costs incurred.

Bring your own prescriptions/medicines that you may require during your trip. General antibiotics, antiseptics, wound care etc is readily accessible.

Surf boards can be checked into the Wings or NAM flight to Tambolaka. Wings charge 200,000 IDR per board which needs to be paid in cash upon check-in. NAM air allows your surf boards to be checked in under your normal luggage weight. Typically, neither company allows boards over 8ft long. There have been exceptions although we don't suggest risking it. Longer surf boards can be sent via Expedition (over land) although the turnaround can be weeks each way.