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. 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 for lunch – Fiji’s first coffee producer that uses beans grown and harvested by communities around the island. Then, 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 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 have time to take an optional walk through Suva’s market and the city centre with a local guide. 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. 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 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 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 and snorkel and do some underwater exploring with your group, looking for colourful tropical fish. In the afternoon, you’ll head inland to Naga village, presenting another sevusevu to be welcomed in. Go on a stroll through the local gardens and have dinner together in the village. Tonight, you’ll stay in the village community hall for an essential Fijian experience. Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. You will spend two nights in multishare community hall accommodation with shared facilities in local villages. Foam mattresses, pillows, sheets, blankets and towels are provided, but some travellers may prefer to bring their own sleep sheet or light sleeping bag. While basic, this is an essential experience of staying in Fijian villages.

Get your hiking shoes on for today’s 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 late in the afternoon, you’ll spend the night in a village that sits in the heart of the island, with a scenic backdrop of small farms and grassy hills. Gain an insight into Fijian culture and interact with members of the community. Your hiking distance today will be approximately 11 km (7 mi). For today's hike between the villages, it is essential you bring comfortable hiking boots, as the track can be muddy and slippery and there are a number of creek crossings. Your luggage will be transferred for you to the next village, so all you need to bring on the hike is your day pack. Tonight's accommodation is at a local community hall, similar to yesterday, with foam mattresses, pillows, sheets, blankets and towels provided.

This morning, take a cultural tour of the village and learn the history of the region in the 19th century, hearing the story of the missionary Reverend Thomas Baker. Continue by 4WD along the ridge separating two of Fiji’s major rivers – the Sigatoka and the Ba – back down to Nadi for lunch in a local cafe. With no further activities planned after lunch, your trip comes 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. Your trip finishes at 2 pm at Coffee Hub Cafe in Nadi. No accommodation is included for tonight. Departure flights should only be booked from 4 pm onwards if you’re departing today. Your leader will be able to help you organise a taxi to the airport.