Talofa! Welcome to Samoa. If you’ve booked an arrival transfer, it will be waiting for you at Apia’s Faleolo Airport. When you arrive at your hotel, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm over drinks and snacks to meet your local leader and fellow travellers. After, maybe head out for dinner with your group – your leader will be able to show you a great local spot. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details 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.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head out for a guided tour of Apia, starting with the Mulinu’u Peninsula. See a few historical sites here, then carry on to the flea market and maybe pick up a couple of souvenirs or some fruit. See the Mulivai Cathedral, then have lunch at a local cafe. Here, you can often see a demonstration of ‘elei fabric printing – using a stencil to transfer traditional Samoan designs onto fabric. After, you'll head to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum – the famous Scottish author who made his home on the island. Further up the hill, you’ll see the Baha'i House of Worship – a beautiful temple set among acres of prayer gardens. Tonight, you have free time at your accommodation to relax or head out for dinner.

Board the ferry this morning to your next destination in Samoa, Savai'i – the largest island in the Samoan archipelago. This island also features prominently in Samoa’s history, legends and myths, and you’ll visit a few spots where some of these stories originated. First, stop at the Savai'i Market to wander around the hustle and bustle of daily life, then travel along the South Coast to the Afu Aau Waterfall and the Taga Blowholes. Sit back and relax while enjoying the view of the Samoan villages and colourful gardens as you make your way to your accommodation for the next three nights. You’ll arrive at your hotel rested and ready for a quick dip in the ocean! Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. The order of activities in Savai'i may change based on tides so that you visit the Blowholes at their most spectacular. Due to properties on Savai'i not having large inventories of identical rooms, travellers will be accommodated in different room types here.

After your morning breakfast spread, start your day with a visit to Cape Falealupo – the westernmost point of Savai'i and one of Samoa's most significant cultural and historical sites. Spend half a day exploring the various sites and learning about Samoan legends and culture, including Giant Moso's Footprint, the Ancient Star Mound and Fafā o Sauali'i (Passage of the Afterlife). Return to your accommodation for some relaxation and maybe spend the late afternoon chilling out on the beach. Tonight, maybe grab some dinner at your accommodation or a local restaurant.

Today is a free day on Savai'i to either sit back, relax by the beach and use the resort’s facilities, or choose one of the optional activities on offer: Visit a chocolate maker, enjoy a traditional Samoan fofo (massage) or explore a local village on a guided walk. Your leader will be of assistance to advise of options and point you in the right direction. Tonight maybe just chill out beachside and grab some dinner and drinks over sunset.

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 to the Sale’aula Lava Fields to witness the remains of the eruption of Mt Matavanu in 1905, the Virgin’s Grave and the nearby church. Depart from Savai’i on the afternoon ferry and continue to your final accommodation on the coast of Upolu at Lalomanu – voted one of the best beaches in Samoa. Stop for a swim and snorkel along the way at the Giant Clam Sanctuary – home to brain corals, large starfish and a variety of colourful fish. When you arrive at your beachside fale, there'll be time for a swim, snorkel or wander along the beach before dinner tonight. Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours. The Giant Clam Sanctuary and some of Samoa's most scenic swimming spots are best enjoyed by confident swimmers. Conditions can vary depending on tides, weather and sea conditions, and activities may be adjusted accordingly. Snorkelling equipment may be available for hire locally, but bringing your own mask and snorkel is recommended. If you choose to swim at To Sua Trench on Day 8, please note that access is via a steep ladder and may not be suitable for all travellers.

You’ll have a bit of free time this morning before departing for your 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) at the village. Feast on an array of traditional Samoan foods while the local women's committee and youth share songs and dances with the group. After lunch, soak up some free time on Vavau Beach this afternoon, then return to Lalomanu for dinner tonight. You’ll also be treated to an upbeat cultural show with Fa’ataupati (slap dance) as night falls. As you'll be visiting a traditional Samoan village today, modest clothing is required. A lavalava should be worn during the welcoming ceremony and cultural activities.

Today after breakfast, visit a local Samoan Church to watch the service and listen to the beautiful sounds of the local choir. Then, sit down for a traditional To'ona'i lunch (Samoan Sunday feast). After, say goodbye to Lalomanu and head back to Apia. On the way, you’ll stop at the Sopoaga Waterfalls to see the cascades and visit the iconic To Sua Trench, where you can take a refreshing swim or just relax and admire the view of the Pacific Ocean. Tonight, you have a free night – maybe head out for dinner with your group. Today's church service is an important cultural experience. Please dress modestly, behave respectfully and be aware that services may last longer than those you are accustomed to. Photography may be restricted, so please follow your leader's guidance and always seek permission where appropriate.

This morning, you’ll say goodbye to those leaving the adventure, then take a shared transfer to Apia Airport for your flight to Fiji’s main island – Viti Levu. Transfer from Nadi International Airport to your hotel and settle into your accommodation. You’ll have a second welcome meeting at 6 pm to meet the new travellers joining you for the next leg of your trip. If you arrive early, why not check out the Hindu temple Sri Siva Subramaniya Swami or try the island’s fresh fruits (pomelo, rose apple and soursop) at the Namaka Produce Market. As this is a combination trip, your trip leader and group members are likely to change today. The flight between Samoa and Fiji is not included in this trip. You will need to book your own flight, departing Apia on Day 9. Fiji Airways flies directly between Apia and Nadi. The mid-trip airport departure transfer in Apia and the arrival transfer in Nadi on Day 9 are included in the price of this trip. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel so we can organise the transfers for you. Please read the continuing point instructions for information on where to find the transfer once you have arrived in Nadi.

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.