Samoa Adventure
Trip Code: TESS
Why we love it
Experience Fa'a Samoa (The Samoan Way) – this phrase refers to the Samoan culture and traditions that influence the lives of many local people – with a local leader by your side to give you all the insights., Explore Vavau village for an immersive cultural day with the locals. Watch an ava (welcome) ceremony, then be treated to songs and dance while you feast on traditional foods., Visit the gorgeous sandy beaches of Vavau and Lalomanu and go snorkelling and swimming at the Giant Clam Sanctuary, teeming with starfish, tropical fish and coral., Discover Samoan culture through storytelling and legend – visit Fafao o SaoAli'l (the Passage of the Afterlife), Giant Moso's Footprint, the Star Mounds (one of Samoa’s most sacred places) and the remains of the Virgin's grave., Immerse yourself in local culture and be treated to song, dance and performance – you'll attend a Fa’ataupati (slap dance) and fire knife dancing night. On Sunday morning, attend a local church service led by a choir, followed by a traditional Sunday feast.
Is this trip right for me?
There are some water-based activities included in this trip. You will get the most out of this trip if you are a competent and confident swimmer. If you are not so confident, we recommend that you bring a life jacket from home to allow you to still participate safely.
The accommodation for this trip is not at luxury beach resorts, but is at simple, comfortable locally owned accommodation. Hot water may not be consistently available, so you should expect some cold showers. WiFi is also not widely accessible, and a local SIM will need to be purchased to have consistent internet access.
Important information
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Please note the legal drinking age in Samoa is 21 years.
What to bring/pack
Refillable water bottle
Hat
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Skin lotion for insect bites
Electrolyte/rehydration powder or tablets
Swimwear
Sarong (or buy the local version, a lavalava, on arrival in Samoa)
Quick-drying towel x 2 (for at accommodation where not provided and for water activities)
Trekking or reef sandals, or other sturdy comfortable walking shoes
Flip flops
Light, loose clothing that can easily be worn over swimwear
Life jacket if you are not a strong swimmer so you can participate in water activities
Snorkelling gear (hire may be possible in some locations, but your own will ensure you don't miss opportunities)
Modest clothing (that covers shoulders and knees for women)
A nicer outfit if you plan to attend a church service on Sunday, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list
Physical rating
3
Joining your group
Insel Fehmarn Hotel, Falealili Street, Apia, SAMOA
Alternate Joining Point
Joining instructions
Finishing your trip
Insel Fehmarn Hotel, Falealili Street, Apia, SAMOA
Alternate Finish Point
Meals & dietary information
Breakfasts included: 8
Lunches included: 5
Dinners included: 2
Travellers with dietary needs should be prepared for very limited options for included meals and many prefer to take some of their own supplies to ensure they have a balanced diet while travelling.
Climate & seasonal information
As a tropical Pacific Island close to the equator, Samoa’s climate is warm and humid all year round, with little variation in temperature but with distinct wet and dry seasons. Samoa’s average daytime air temperature throughout the year ranges from 24 to 30 degrees Celsius. The sea temperature is normally in the low 20s, making it perfect for swimming and snorkelling all year round. In the country’s eastern and south-eastern regions, trade winds arrive most afternoons or early evenings for a cooling effect during the hottest part of the day. Samoa’s dry season is from May to October, making this the most popular time for visitors. The wet season, from November to April, might not bring rain every day, but a raincoat or umbrella is advised for what can be short but intense thunderstorms. Most of the wet season’s rain will fall between December to March, when storms may last for several hours.
In case of emergency
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: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us
In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:
Intrepid's Local Operator: +682 55966 / +682 51871
Accommodations
We stay in simple accommodation throughout our time in Samoa. Hot water supply at some properties may be sporadic, so expect some cold showers.