Fiji: Hike, Raft & Snorkel

Bula! Welcome to Fiji’s main island, Viti Levu. Transfer from Nadi International Airport to your hotel and settle into your accommodation on the edge of town, situated on the west coast of the main island. Your expedition begins with an important welcome meeting and evening drinks at 6 pm. If you’ve arrived early, why not check out the chaotic colours of the Hindu temple Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami, or Nadi Temple as it’s known locally. Try the island’s fresh fruits with the usual tropical suspects (mangoes and pineapples) and some you might not recognise (pomelo, rose apple and soursop) at the Nadi or Namaka Produce Market, open Monday to Sunday. After meeting your group leader and travel crew, the evening is yours to enjoy – perhaps at a beachside restaurant or by heading into Nadi Town, Namaka or Martinar.

After breakfast, head an hour south of Nadi to Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Here, you’ll take a four-kilometre ranger-guided walk through the incredible dunes, ranging in height from 20 to 60 metres – 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 at 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. We'll stop at a lunch spot along the way to get a good feel for the rainforest terrain. Afterward, return to Pacific Harbour for another night in your beachside surrounds.

Leave the resort after breakfast and make your way to Fiji’s capital, Suva. You’ll have time to take an optional walk through Suva’s main market and the city centre, then will have a guided visit to Fiji Museum, which holds exhibits that give insight to the early history of the island, and plays 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 slip into the water. Look to the trees for birds with the park harbouring many of Fiji’s endemic bird species, including barking pigeons, golden doves, and musk parrots. Later that evening, continue listening to the sounds of the rainforest sitting next to the river at your lodge accommodation, situated on the outskirts of the park.

Take a drive to Nabalesere village (approximately 2-3 hours), and on your way, you’ll see traditional Fijian life outside the main areas. The 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. Once arrived, 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 for visitors, 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-kilometre hike to the breath-taking Savulelele Waterfall, one of Fiji’s most majestic waterfalls, tumbling down from a height of 50 metres. After the swim, return to Nabalesere village for lunch and a hot lemon leaf tea, then travel to the coast (approximately 1.5 hours) where you’ll take a short boat transfer to Nananu-i-Ra Island to spend the night in beachside cottages.

Soak up island life with a free morning on Nananu-i-Ra Island. Today is the perfect time to relax on the beach with a good book and cool off with a swim in the South Pacific. Otherwise, if you’re feeling more active, you could strap on a snorkel and get exploring underwater, or take a walk along the island’s ridgeline for some seriously scenic views. In the early afternoon, transfer off the island head inland to Naga village (approximately 3 hours), presenting another sevusevu to be welcomed and invited into the village. Enjoy a stroll through the surrounding food gardens and join the locals with a communal dinner in the village. Tonight, stay in the basic but comfortable village community hall tonight.

Get your hiking shoes on and prepare for today’s 11-kilometre trekking adventure across Fiji’s grasslands and into Nubutautau village. The journey will take around 6 hours in total and is broken up with lunch and a rewarding swim along the way. The trek follows the scenic Sigatoka River. Arriving later in the afternoon, you’ll spend the night in the village located in the heart of the island with a backdrop of small scale-farming, grassy hills and evergreen rainforest. Your village stays here in Nubutautau and Naga will give you a true sense of the day-to-day of Fijian locals, away from the resorts and tourist hotspots.

This morning, continue your cultural tour of the village and learn of the history of the region in the 19th century, hearing the story of missionary Rev Baker. For those who want to get a bit more active this morning, an optional walk to a lookout point down the river is a good way to check out more of the area and get the heart rate up. Mid-morning, 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. Tonight, why not gather some of your travel pals together for a celebratory dinner, sharing your memories of an immersive Fiji experience.

With no activities planned for today, you are free to leave the accommodation at any time after breakfast, provided you comply with the internal check-out procedures. That doesn’t mean your adventure has to come to an end! If you would like to spend more time in Nadi, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Better yet, why not check out another of Fiji’s picturesque islands, like the nearby Mamanuca or Yasawa clusters, and extend your stay in this slice of paradise.