Talofa! Welcome to Samoa. An arrival transfer is available for pre-booking from Apia’s Faleolo Airport. If you've booked one, keep an eye out for your driver who will present you with a flower ula to wear to get you in the mood for your island getaway. They will take you to your hotel where you can check in before meeting your group and trip leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm over drinks and snacks. After the welcome meeting, maybe head out for dinner with your group – your leader will be able to show you some great local spots.

After a leisurely breakfast you’ll head out for a full day of exploration. Today’s schedule includes some water activities, so make sure you pack swimwear. This morning you’ll visit Mulivai Cathedral and then take a quick tour of the beautiful Mulinuu Point on the peninsula. Stopping in at the markets on the way, you can shop for souvenirs, fruit and local handicrafts. Then it's on to Papase’ea Sliding Rocks - a natural playground that gives even the best water parks a run for their money! After lunch at a local cafe, where you can often see a demonstration of ‘elei printing, the traditional Samoan designs on fabric, you'll head to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum – the famous Scottish author who made his home on the island. Further uphill, visit the Baha'i House of Worship – a beautiful temple set among acres of prayer gardens. Our final destination for the day is the white sandy beaches of Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, with the option of snorkelling over the vibrant reef, abundant with colourful coral and wildlife. Return to the hotel and enjoy an optional dinner at one of the many waterfront eateries in Apia tonight.

An early start today as you’ll leave the hotel around 6 am and take a private transfer to the ferry terminal. Board the 8am ferry for the journey to your next destination in Samoa - Savai'i, the largest island in the Samoan Islands Archipelago. The ferry trip takes just over an hour. Savai’i also features prominently in Samoa’s history, legends and myths, and you will get a chance to visit a few spots where some of these stories originated from. Your first stop will be the Savai’i Market before travelling to one of the region's highlights - the spectacular Blowholes. As you journey across Savai'i, there'll be a chance to visit a number of other points of interest along the way as well as enjoy the views of Samoan villages and their colourful gardens. If there's time before your included dinner at our accommmodation, you can fit in a quick dip in the ocean.

After a delicious included breakfast spread, start your day with a visit to Cape Falealupo - the easternmost point in Samoa. Spend half a day here at the various sites learning about Samoan legends and culture, including Giant Moso's Footprint, the Ancient Star Mound, Fafao o SaoAli'l (Passage of the Afterlife) and more. Return to our accommodation for some relaxation and beach time. Tonight we will have a fia fia (happy get together) at our accommodation. This is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate heritage with music and dance and a delicious buffet dinner made with fresh local produce. Don’t be shy, join the fun and dance along!

Travel along the north coast of Savai'i after breakfast today, with a picnic lunch along the way. You will travel through some of the most beautiful villages in Savai’i then continue on to the Sale’aula Lava Fields to witness the remains of the eruption of Mt Matavanu in 1905, the Virgin’s Grave and nearby church. Depart from Savai’i on the 2pm ferry and continue to our final accommodation of the trip on the coast of Upolu at Lalomanu, voted one of the best beaches in Samoa. There'll be time for a swim, snorkel or wander along the beach here before our included dinner tonight. 

Enjoy breakfast, and a bit of free time this morning before we depart for our village cultural day. Make sure to bring your lavalava as you'll be met by village chiefs and matais who will hold an ava (welcoming ceremony) for us at the village of Vavau. Be prepared to enjoy plenty of traditional Samoan foods as part of our feast while the local women's committee and youth share songs and dances. After lunch, join in some Samoan games and activities such as taulafoga (coconut tossing) and tagati'a (spear throwing) before farewelling our friends and having some free time to ourselves on the beach. Return to Lalomanu in time for our included dinner. 

More exploring today after breakfast, including the Sopoaga waterfalls, Ma Tree walk, and the iconic To Sua Trench. Bring your swimwear as there will be plenty of opportunities for a dip! Back at our accommodation for our final night, farewell your time in Samoa with dinner and a show of fa'ataupati (slap dance) and fire knife dancing. Make some final memories, dance and have fun!

Sunday is a day of rest, but in Samoa not until after church. A highlight for many visitors to Samoa is visiting a local church service, and your tour leader can help organise this for anyone interested. You may wish to book additional accommodation to extend your stay, otherwise your time in Samoa comes to an end after breakfast today.