Dates 2018, 22 – 29 September
Flights
Singapore (SIN) – Nadi (NAN) : 22-Sep FJ 360 2055 – 1100 hours +1
Nadi (NAN) – Singapore (SIN) : 29-Sep FJ 361 1220 – 1840 hours
Day 1 : 22-Sep Sat -> Singapore to Fiji, Nadi Int'l Airport
Assemble 6.30pm in Changi Airport for your flight to Fiji.
Day 2 : 23-Sep Sun -> Nadi to Rakiraki
Upon arrival, meet and greet with your Guide. Enroute, enjoy a welcome lunch at Port Denarau before arriving at our hotel. Have an early rest to be ready for the next few days’ of hike.
Meals : Lunch Stay : Tanoa Rakiraki Resort (https://www.tanoarakiraki.com/)
Day 3 : 24-Sep Mon -> Rakiraki to Suva to Tavua
From Suva, head northwards in our 4WD along the scenic King’s Road and then inland to the rural village of Nabalesere. Once we arrive, a tradition is performed to formally ask for permission to be in the village and cross their land. Then walk to visit their stunning waterfall, where we will stop and you may go for a swim. The walk to the waterfall is 30 minutes one-way (estimate), certain paths are steep and can be muddy. Head back to the King’s Road and depart for Tavua town, where the road takes us inland and uphill to our overnight accommodation in a local homestay.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Stay : Village Homestay (communal living) Hike Distance : 3 KM
Day 4 : 25-Sep Tue -> Tavua to Naga
Hike up Mt Tomaniivi. We will be accompanied by Guides from the village. Mt Tomaniivi is Fiji’s highest mountain at 1,323m. The climb takes 3 hours up and 3 hours down (estimate). The path is very steep on certain routes, and can be muddy and slippery. On a clear day, you’re rewarded with great views across much of the surrounding and the cloud forest around us is beautiful. This is also an important Bird Area as designated by Birdlife International and you’re likely to hear and see some of Fiji’s endemic birds. Return back to the village and clean up, then we will be driven on to the village of Naga, a picturesque village. It has a mix of newer tin houses and traditional bures. This is where our walk will start the next day and we will spend the night here too. Once we are settled in, a tradition is performed to formally ask for permission to be in the village and cross their land. Meet our guides and spend the evening with the community, chatting or playing cards.
Meals: Breakfast / (light) Lunch / Dinner Stay : Village Homestay (communal living) Hike Distance : 9 KM
Day 5 : 26-Sep Wed -> Naga to Nubutautau
Today’s walk combines a great hike with a bit of cultural immersion. Our big bags will be loaded into the vehicle. Great views await as you stride out from the village and descend down to the river, and the old, abandoned villagewhere the unfortunate Reverend Baker was eaten. A large flat stone, known as the “sharing stone” sits as a grim reminder. Following the river, you will pass another old village site, and several good swimming spots. If the weather’s good, we may have time to jump in to enjoy a swim. Start to climb up steeply from the river for 1.5 KM. Arrive in the village of Nubutautau, where we will spend the night. The village hall will be ours to eat and sleep in. Before dinner, we should have opportunity to hear the Rev Baker story in full.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Stay : Village Homestay (communal living) Hike Distance : 12 KM
Day 6 : 27-Sep Thu -> Nubutautau to Navala
Today brings a solid day of walking, apart from two notable climbs, it’s “mostly downhill”! After breakfast, leave your big bags in the village to be transported separately. Get transported to the ridgeline above Nubutautau. From the ridge, hike westwards with our guides across a battlefield and old village sites. Taking in some amazing 360-degree views as you slowly descend to the Ba River. Once you reach the river we have well passed half way and there should be time for a cooling swim. Follow the river along the valley, with some rock scrambling and gentle winding paths, to a bridge near the village of Navala. Then a final 1.5 KM up the road to Bulou’s Lodge.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner Stay : Shared Dormitory (with bunk beds) Hike Distance : 21 KM
Day 7 : 28-Sep Fri -> Navala to Nadi
Load up the cars and head to Navala village. Navala is the poster boy Fijian village, with rows of neatly built traditional bures. Say goodbye to the highlands and head down to Ba and the coast, then eventually back to Nadi. We should reach 2-3pm where we will have time to chill & check out the beach which is 20 mins walk from our hotel in Nadi.
Meals: Breakfast Stay : Mercure Nadi (https://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-5930-mercure-nadi/index.shtml) Hike Distance : walk to stretch our legs
Day 8 : 29-Sep Sat -> Nadi to Singapore
Enjoy Mercure breakfast after which you may have some time to stroll on the beach before we head to nearby airport. Simply rest and relax until it’s time for a group transfer to take you to the airport.
Meals : Breakfast