Samoa & Fiji Adventure

Talofa! Welcome to Samoa. An arrival transfer is available for pre-booking from Apia’s Faleolo Airport. If you've booked one, keep an eye out for your driver who will present you with a flower ula to wear to get you in the mood for your island getaway. They will take you to your hotel where you can check in before meeting your group and trip leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm over drinks and snacks. After the welcome meeting, maybe head out for dinner with your group – your leader will be able to show you some great local spots.

After a leisurely breakfast you’ll head out for a full day of exploration. Today’s schedule includes some water activities, so make sure you pack swimwear. This morning you’ll visit Mulivai Cathedral and then take a quick tour of the beautiful Mulinuu Point on the peninsula. Stopping in at the markets on the way, you can shop for souvenirs, fruit and local handicrafts. Then it's on to Papase’ea Sliding Rocks - a natural playground that gives even the best water parks a run for their money! After lunch at a local cafe, where you can often see a demonstration of ‘elei printing, the traditional Samoan designs on fabric, you'll head to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum – the famous Scottish author who made his home on the island. Further uphill, visit the Baha'i House of Worship – a beautiful temple set among acres of prayer gardens. Our final destination for the day is the white sandy beaches of Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, with the option of snorkelling over the vibrant reef, abundant with colourful coral and wildlife. Return to the hotel and enjoy an optional dinner at one of the many waterfront eateries in Apia tonight.

An early start today as you’ll leave the hotel around 6 am and take a private transfer to the ferry terminal. Board the 8am ferry for the journey to your next destination in Samoa - Savai'i, the largest island in the Samoan Islands Archipelago. The ferry trip takes just over an hour, with complimentary snacks and drinks served on board. Savai’i also features prominently in Samoa’s history, legends and myths, and you will get a chance to visit a few spots where some of these stories originated from. Your first stop will be the Savai’i Market before travelling to one of the region's highlights - the spectacular Blowholes. As you journey across Savai'i, there'll be a chance to visit a number of other points of interest along the way as well as enjoy the views of Samoan villages and their colourful gardens. If there's time before your included dinner at our accommmodation, you can fit in a quick dip in the ocean.

After a delicious included breakfast spread, start your day with a visit to Cape Falealupo - the easternmost point in Samoa. Spend half a day here at the various sites learning about Samoan legends and culture, including Giant Moso's Footprint, the Ancient Star Mound, Fafao o SaoAli'l (Passage of the Afterlife) and more. Return to our accommodation for some relaxation and beach time. Tonight we will have a fia fia (happy get together) at our accommodation. This is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate heritage with music and dance and a delicious buffet dinner made with fresh local produce. Don’t be shy, join the fun and dance along!

Travel along the north coast of Savai'i after breakfast today, with a picnic lunch along the way. You will travel through some of the most beautiful villages in Savai’i then continue on to the Sale’aula Lava Fields to witness the remains of the eruption of Mt Matavanu in 1905, the Virgin’s Grave and nearby church. Depart from Savai’i on the 2pm ferry and continue to our final accommodation of the trip on the coast of Upolu at Lalomanu, voted one of the best beaches in Samoa. There'll be time for a swim, snorkel or wander along the beach here before our included dinner tonight. 

Enjoy breakfast, and a bit of free time this morning before we depart for our village cultural day. Make sure to bring your lavalava as you'll be met by village chiefs and matais who will hold an ava (welcoming ceremony) for us at the village of Vavau. Be prepared to enjoy plenty of traditional Samoan foods as part of our feast while the local women's committee and youth share songs and dances. After lunch, join in some Samoan games and activities such as taulafoga (coconut tossing) and tagati'a (spear throwing) before farewelling our friends and having some free time to ourselves on the beach. Return to Lalomanu in time for our included dinner. 

More exploring today after breakfast, including the Sopoaga waterfalls, Ma Tree walk, and the iconic To Sua Trench. Bring your swimwear as there will be plenty of opportunities for a dip! Back at our accommodation for our final night, farewell your time in Samoa with dinner and a show of fa'ataupati (slap dance) and fire knife dancing. Make some final memories, dance and have fun!

This morning, you have the option to visit a local Samoan Church before breakfast. This is highly encouraged, as it can be a beautiful way to end your stay in Samoa. Say your goodbyes to your group over breakfast and transfer back to Apia (approx 90 mins) where the rest of the day and evening is free for you to spend as you wish. 

Take your transfer to the airport today for your flight to Nadi. An arrival transfer in Nadi is also included. You may have some free time to explore before your next welcome meeting at 6 pm. Meet your new leader and group members, followed by evening drinks. After your meeting, the evening is yours to enjoy – perhaps at a beachside restaurant or in Nadi Town. 

After breakfast, head south of Nadi to Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Here, you’ll take a 4 km ranger-guided walk through the incredible dunes, ranging in height from 20 to 60 m – mounds that have formed over millions of years. The views from the sand dunes open out to spectacular scenes along the Coral Coast. Archaeologists have found relics of pottery in the national park dating back 2600 years, and the area is home to an ancient burial site that gives clues to Fiji’s first inhabitants. After the hike, make your way to tonight’s accommodation at Pacific Harbour, where the afternoon is dedicated to chilling out by the pool or along Rovodrau Bay. Settle in ‘cause you’re on island time now!

Gear up for an incredible rafting experience in Fiji’s highlands at Upper Navua Gorge. Ride down rapids naturally carved through the island’s volcanic rock interior, surrounded by towering gorge walls, dense rainforest and dozens of waterfalls. The combination of the dipping parts of the river and biological diversity makes this Fiji’s best spot for rafting. Stop at a lunch spot along the way to get a good feel for the rainforest terrain. After, return to Pacific Harbour for another night in your beachside surroundings.

Leave the resort after breakfast and make your way to Fiji’s capital – Suva. When you arrive, you’ll have time to take an optional walk through Suva’s market and the city centre. Then, enjoy a guided visit to the Fiji Museum, which showcases the early history of the island and is home to artifacts dating back up to 3700 years. This afternoon, head to Colo-i-Suva Forest Park for a short hike to palm-fringed freshwater pools where you can take a refreshing dip. Look to the trees for local birdlife, as the park harbours many of Fiji’s endemic bird species, including barking pigeons, golden doves and musk parrots. Later, continue listening to the sounds of the rainforest at the river at your lodge accommodation, on the outskirts of the park.

This morning, drive to Nabalesere village, passing locals living traditional Fijian life along the way. This community is nestled in the province of Ra, where you’ll hear another form of greeting – instead of saying ‘Bula!’ as in other parts of the island, ‘Yadra!’ is used to say hello. When you arrive, your local guide will help the group present a sevusevu to the local village chief – this ceremonial gift is to gain acceptance into the community, often in the form of a kava root. While farming is the main source of income for many Fiji communities, partnering with the village helps to create an additional source of income. Embark on a 1.5-km hike to the breathtaking Savulelele Waterfall – one of Fiji’s most majestic waterfalls, tumbling down from a height of 50 m. After the swim, return to the village for lunch and a hot lemon leaf tea, then travel to the coast, where you’ll take a short boat transfer to Nananu-i-Ra Island to spend the night in beachside cottages.

Soak up island life on Nananu-i-Ra Island this morning – sunrise is the perfect time to relax on the beach or cool off with a swim in the South Pacific. After breakfast, strap on a snorkel and get exploring underwater with your group, looking for colourful tropical fish. Then, maybe take a walk along the island’s ridgeline for some seriously scenic views. In the afternoon, you’ll head inland to Naga village, presenting another sevusevu to be welcomed and invited in. Enjoy a stroll through the surrounding food gardens and join the locals with a communal dinner in the village. Tonight you’ll stay in the basic but comfortable village community hall.

Get your hiking shoes on and prepare for today’s 11-km trekking adventure across Fiji’s grasslands and into Nubutautau village. The journey will be broken up with lunch and a rewarding swim along the way, following the scenic Sigatoka River. Arriving later in the afternoon, you’ll spend the night in the village that sits in the heart of the island, with a scenic backdrop of small farms, grassy hills and an evergreen rainforest. Enjoy an insight into local life here and rub shoulders with the locals over a glorious sunset.

This morning, take a cultural tour of the village and learn the history of the region in the 19th century, hearing the story of missionary Rev Baker. For those who want to get more active, you can take an optional walk to a lookout point down the river. Then, continue by 4WD along the ridgeline separating two of Fiji’s major rivers – the Sigatoka and the Ba – and back down to Nadi for lunch in a local cafe. With no more activities planned after lunch, your trip will come to an end. If you would like to spend more time in Nadi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. Better yet, why not check out another of Fiji’s picturesque islands, like the nearby Mamanuca or Yasawa clusters.