Bula! Welcome to Fiji. Your adventure begins on Fiji’s largest island – Viti Levu. When you arrive, you’ll be transferred from Nadi International Airport to your accommodation. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your local leader and group members. If you arrive early, why not check out the colours of the Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami Temple, or Nadi Temple, as it’s known locally. It’s also highly recommended you try the island’s fresh fruits at the Nadi or Namaka Produce Market – some of the usual tropical suspects will be on offer (pawpaw, mangoes and pineapples) as well as some you might not recognise (pomelo, rose apple and soursop). It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. Your starting point hotel operates a complimentary airport shuttle from Nadi Airport to the hotel. Please note that this is only available if you arrive on Day 1 of the trip or if you have booked pre-trip accommodation through Intrepid. The transfer must be pre-booked through your booking agent ahead of time. Please provide your arrival flight details at least 14 days prior to travel. Please read the joining point instructions in the Essential Trip Information for details on where to find the transfer once you have arrived. Taxis are plentiful and easy to organise in Nadi. Please ask your trip leader if you need support to organise a taxi for dinner.

After breakfast, head south of Nadi to Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park. Here, you’ll take a ranger-guided walk through the dunes, which range in height from 20 to 60 m and have been formed over millions of years. The views from the sand dunes look out to spectacular scenes along the Coral Coast. Archaeologists have found relics of pottery in the national park dating back more than 2600 years and the area is home to an ancient burial site that holds archaeological remains of Fiji’s first inhabitants and earliest settlements. After the hike, head to Bula Coffee – Fiji’s first coffee producer that uses beans grown and harvested by communities around the island, and part of the Duavata Collective. Take a tour of their farm and processing facility, then taste some of their coffee. Later, make your way to tonight’s accommodation on the coast, where you’ll have a free afternoon to chill out by the pool or on the beach. Settle in – you’re on island time now! Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Your hiking distance will be approximately 4 km (2.5 mi).

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 landscapes, surrounded by towering gorge walls, dense rainforest and dozens of waterfalls. The combination of the rapids and the surrounding biological diversity makes this Fiji’s best spot for rafting. You’ll stop for a picnic style lunch along the way. After, return to the coast for another night in the beachside surroundings. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

Leave the resort after breakfast and make your way to Fiji’s capital – Suva. When you arrive, you’ll take a walk through Suva’s market and the city centre with a local guide, who will show you the city from a local's perspective. Then, you’ll visit the Fiji Museum, which showcases the early history of the island and is home to artefacts dating back 3700 years. This afternoon, you’ll have some free time to further explore the city from your centrally located hotel. Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.

This morning, drive to Nabalesere village, travelling along the Wainibuka River and through several local villages. Nabalesere is nestled in the province of Ra, where you’ll learn another form of greeting – instead of saying ‘bula’ as in other parts of the island, ‘yadra’ is used to say hello here. When you arrive, your local guide will help the group present a sevusevu to the village elders – this ceremonial gift is to gain acceptance into the community, often in the form of a kava root. You'll also have the opportunity to try kava. Then, embark on a hike to the Savulelele Waterfall, which tumbles down from a height of 50 m. After going for a swim, return to the village for a home-cooked lunch and hot lemon leaf tea with your village hosts. Then, travel to the coast, where you’ll take a short boat transfer to Nananu-i-Ra Island, your home for the next two nights in a beachside cottage. Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours. Your total hiking distance will be approximately 3 km (1.9 mi) or 1.5 to 2 hours.

Soak up island life on Nananu-i-Ra this morning – sunrise is an excellent time to relax on the beach or cool off with a swim in the South Pacific. After breakfast, put on a mask, snorkel and do some underwater exploring with your group, looking for colourful tropical fish. The rest of the day is free for you to spend however you like. Maybe lie back on the sand with a book, take a dip in the ocean or go for a sunset walk along the sand.

Wake up to the sound of the waves this morning. After breakfast, say goodbye to your island hosts and return to the mainland for the drive back to Nadi, where you can opt to have lunch in a local cafe (at your own expense). With no further activities planned after lunch, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to spend more time in Nadi, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. Your trip finishes at 2 pm, back at your starting point hotel. You also have the option of being dropped off at Vuda Marina, the airport or in Nadi town. Any flights departing today should only be booked for 5 pm onwards. Your trip leader can assist you with arranging transfers.