Fiji: Hike, Raft & Snorkel

This is an active trip with several days of point to point hiking. You only carry a day pack, with your main bags (and for any non-hikers) being transferred by vehicle between villages. There are two nights of multi-share stays in the local villages we visit.

Some of the best scenery in Fiji is found on hikes. So, while this trip doesn't require a high level of fitness, it’s essential to be at least moderately fit and be able to hike regularly if you want to partake in all activities. All travellers will need to be competent swimmers to take part in the rafting section of this trip.

As we focus on visiting less explored parts of Fiji, there is limited beach time on our itinerary. If you are interested in classic Fiji we recommend spending a few extra days before or after your tour enjoying the beaches and snorkelling in the Mamanuca or Yasawa Islands, a boat ride from Nadi.

Part of travelling with Intrepid means respecting local cultures and sensibilities. That way you get the most out of your interactions with local people and environments. We ask for you to please be aware of cultural considerations when entering and staying in local villages. Your tour leader and local guides will assist with local etiquette.

As we stay in some locations where there are few options for eating out, some meals may be set menus rather than being able to choose from a variety of options. Some accommodation options have limited numbers of different room types, so not everyone may have the same room style.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip and is subject to availability. The single supplement excludes Day 6,7 (Village stay) where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

When hiking your main luggage will be carried in the support vehicles. You will need to carry a day pack with your needs for each day. 

We recommend the following items for your trip:

- Strong plastic bags or a dry bag to waterproof the contents of your backpack and daypack
- Head torch or small hand held torch for when staying in villages (or use the torch on your phone)
- Two one-litre water bottles/bladders 
- Camera/phone, with a waterproof cover if you plan to take with you when rafting and to protect in rain
- Sunglasses/Sunhat/sunscreen
- Book, cards or games for downtime 
- Light weight, quick-dry towel
- Personal medical kit
- Blankets and mattresses will be supplied where required during the village stays, but some travellers also prefer to bring their own sleep sheet

CLOTHING & FOOTWEAR
- At least one set of non-trekking clothes 
- A pair of strong, comfortable, worn-in hiking boots (wear these on the plane just in case your bag gets lost - broken-in boots are hard to replace!)
- Flip flops/sandals
- Reef/river shoes for rafting
- Light rain jacket
- Warmer long sleeve layers for cooler nights.
- Sulu or sarong/wrap (local skirt worn by men and women needed for when entering villages, can also be borrowed or bought locally)
- A comfortable wide-brimmed hat with chin-strap or similar, which will survive getting wet regularly and won't blow off
- Several changes of socks
- Two changes of comfortable walking clothes. These must be strong, lightweight and comfortable when wet. It is important that your shirts should have loose fitting long sleeves that can be rolled up in the shade or down to protect your arms in the sun. Cotton-based fabric is often more comfortable in the heat, though modern high-tech fibres are also excellent.
- Swimsuit

VALUABLES:
Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables, and use your hotel safes to store the bulk of your money, passport, and airline tickets etc when staying there. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.

BATTERIES/POWER:
Charging of batteries is advised before checking out of your hotel rooms. Please bear in mind there may be some nights were electricity may not be as readily available as you might be used to. Put your phone in flight mode (or put it away). Otherwise a portable power pack is a good option.

FOOTWEAR FOR HIKING/TREKKING
This tour includes hiking on unsealed paths, with sometimes slippery, muddy and uneven terrain. Please ensure you pack hiking boots or walking shoes that are fully enclosed, have good grip and are comfortable for you to walk in for an entire day (preferably not brand new, as this can lead to blisters). Modern trail running shoes are a great option for Fiji conditions, especially non-waterproof versions as you don't need to worry about wet and cold feet, and these dry quickly., https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

You’re in for an active trip! Whilst previous experience isn’t essential for getting involved, a good level of fitness will really help you get the most out of this tour. There are certain activities it’s not possible to skip. If you can imagine yourself doing some challenging hiking for up to 6 hours in one day on paths that might be rough and muddy, then this trip is for you! The villages work hard to keep these clear for you but there aren't constructed walking tracks. A good level of fitness and a spirit of adventure are musts!

Tanoa International Hotel, Votualevu Road Nadi Airport, Nadi, FIJI

Alternate Joining Point

For those who have booked a Complimentary Arrival Transfer and provided us with their flight details, please make your way to the loading zone at the end of the Arrivals Hall to meet your shuttle. Walk straight through the Arrivals Hall to the loading zone car park area where the shuttle buses for different accommodations are waiting and look for the shuttle to the Tanoa International Hotel.

Coffee Hub Cafe in Nadi, Lot 1, Nasau Back Road In the Essence of Fiji Building, Nadi, FIJI

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 7

Lunches included: 4

Dinners included: 3

MEALS
Most villages we visit are fairly self-sufficient and meals generally consist of local produce from the surrounding fields. The women each provide a couple of dishes, and you’ll be able to choose what you would like to eat. Most dishes are vegetarian, but sometimes include fish. In villages, meals are eaten in the traditional way, sitting on the floor with food placed on a long mat or piece of material. Don’t be surprised if you are encouraged to ‘kana vakalevu’ (eat more)!

DRINKING WATER
Always drink filtered, boiled or water treated with purification tablets if filling water bottles from any source, including taps in lodges and villages. Support vehicles carry a supply of treated water for refilling bottles. Lemon-leaf and lemongrass tea, using boiled water, is in plentiful supply in the villages, and with a bit of sugar added makes for a good energy drink!

KAVA
Kava is a traditional Pacific region drink made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant. It is consumed socially and as part of traditional ceremonies and cultural practices throughout the Pacific Islands. In small doses, the effects of kava include muscle relaxation, sleepiness and feelings of wellbeing. We think of its effect as similar to a reverse cup of coffee. In larger quantities, or in combination with alcohol and prescription medications, including anti-depressants it can be dangerous.

Fiji has a warm tropical climate. Peak season is late March through to early December. Maximum temperatures in Fiji rarely move out of the 31C to 26C range all year round. The Fijian winter or dry season is May to October and brings low rainfall, low humidity and milder temperatures. Fiji's wet season is November to April and is characterised by heavy, brief local showers.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: http://www.intrepidtravel.com/ourtrips/contact/

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

Intrepid's Local Operator: Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +679 9472732

COMMUNITY ACCOMMODATION
The villages you will visit all have a community hall which is made available for our use. Some villages also have traditional bures (wood & straw huts) available for guests. In villages, sleeping is on mattresses laid on top of soft traditional mats on the floor. Sleeping spaces in bures or community halls are shared by all guests on the trip together. There are flush toilets and cold water showers in the villages. Some villages may have guest lodge accommodation that are furnished with beds, tables, and chairs.

SUPPORT VEHICLE
A support vehicle will follow or meet the group during hikes and will carry your main luggage as well as extra water supplies.