Big Fiji Explorer

Arrive at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) where you’ll meet your Rustic Pathways Flight Leader, who will help get you checked in and through security before traveling with your group to Fiji. Get acquainted with fellow Rustic travelers before boarding your flight.

Today is lost as you cross the International Date Line. Not to worry, though–you’ll get it back when you return.

Bula! Arrive at Nadi International Airport (NAN) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the South Pacific Eco-Lodge Base and settle in, relaxing after your long flight. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Then, it’s off to a village in the Highlands. We’ll make our way to the interior of Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island. Ride through the mountains and over lush landscape enroute to your new home in a remote village of Fiji. When you arrive, you’ll enjoy a traditional kava welcoming ceremony. Then gaze at the stars and get a good night’s rest as your adventure is just beginning!

Start your morning eating breakfast with your host family. After your meal, you’ll participate in infrastructure projects with local partners. You’ll have plenty of fun and learn about daily community life along the way! Join in village activities in the afternoon to immerse yourself in the culture and make new friends. Sit back for a Fiji 101 presentation to learn more. Wind down the day by spending more time with your host family.

Say goodbye to your host family as then set out for another great day enjoying your beautiful surroundings. Learn about some of the challenges your island home faces as you explore the Highlands during a hike. Cool off by soaking in a mineral-rich mud pool and then rinse off in a thermal hot spring. Head back to the eco-lodge in Momi and gather for dinner. Finish the day with a debriefing discussion where you can talk about your experiences so far.

Wake up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a morning of high-flying fun ziplining. Soar through the canopies of the forest and get your adrenaline pumping as you travel from platform to platform among the trees. Conquer your fear of heights while traveling 30 mph through the air and let out a loud “Wananavu!” as you enjoy stepping outside your comfort zone. Go back to the eco-lodge and get ready for a meke workshop where you’ll learn all about this traditional Fijian war dance. Afterwards, prepare for fun and laughs during game night in the Momi house.

Dive into a day dedicated to food and service! Learn how to prepare Fijian foods for a local meal program and then make food for women living in a local shelter. Learn about food insecurity and then head out to deliver the food. Share your thoughts about your experiences with your fellow travelers. Wrap up the day with a briefing to prepare for your trip to Somosomo village on the Yasawa Islands.

Board a ferry in the early morning and take a four-hour boat ride through the breathtaking Yasawa Islands. Pass by some of the most beautiful islands in the world while enjoying a cold ice-cream bar. Over the next four days, you’ll call one of these tropical islands home as you explore the white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush surrounding hills. You will be without electricity while you sleep only a few yards from the ocean. Step off the boat and get to know a village that is ready to welcome you with open arms.

After lunch, start orientation with your trip leaders and discuss what to expect during your four days on the island. Once you have finished orientation, throw on your swimsuit, snorkel, and fins and head out to explore the exotic marine habitats of the South Pacific. Head to Dollar Beach, nicknamed for its representation on the back of the old Fiji one-dollar note. Here you can often spot a multitude of fish, squid, and rays. If you are not up to snorkeling, spend time relaxing in the sun. In the evening, enjoy a kava ceremony with the locals from Somosomo Village who will make you feel at home under the bright constellations of the Southern Hemisphere.

Explore island paradise. The next two days will reveal new adventures, including ocean kayaking, snorkeling with manta rays, and learning the traditional Fijian art of weaving. There will be time to play games with the local school children and to learn some traditional Fijian phrases. In order to better understand everyday life in Somosomo Village, you will have the exciting opportunity to engage in an ongoing service project that contributes to initiatives undertaken as part of the Village Community Plan. These will include marine service projects such as reef restoration and planting mangroves. Spend your nights hanging out at the beach bonfire or gazing up at the stars.

Awake early for an unforgettable sunrise hike. Pack up and say goodbye to the Yasawa Islands and head back to Nadi via the Yasawa Flyer. You will be surprised at how much you have learned from your new Fijian friends who feel more like family. Explore the marina on the coastline of Viti Levu and then head back to the eco-lodge for a hot shower. Be sure to reflect on your islands experience before you venture along the Coral Coast tomorrow!

Spend the morning hiking at the coastal Sigatoka Sand Dunes, one of Fiji’s National Heritage sites. You’ll learn about this unique ecosystem while walking through forested trails and pristine beachfront. Explore the enormous dunes, learn about the early Fijian artifacts that have been discovered in this park, and support the park rangers with dune stabilization and reforestation efforts. Tour a local market and then settle into your accommodations on the picturesque Coral Coast.

Get prepped for a lazy day of river tubing. Enjoy the views in your island paradise as you gaze at the sky. Dry off and enjoy another dinner along the Coral Coast. Then prepare for a surprise as the staff picks their activity of choice for the night.

Rise early and head to Pacific Harbour, the adventure capital of Fiji. Expect magnificent coastal vistas as you drive up to a high ropes course that will challenge you to test your limits. Complete four high-flying activities, including the Leap of Faith! After your adventure, enjoy dinner in Sigatoka and then head back to Momi.

After a tasty breakfast your group will head out island hopping through the Mamanuca Islands. You will tour around the islands where you will get to see the infamous waves at Cloudbreak and watch surfers try and ride out perfect barrels. Enjoy a smoothie or cold drink when we stop at a nearby resort for lunch. See the famous island where Tom Hanks’ Cast Away was filmed. Jump into the water for some snorkeling at one of Fiji’s beautiful reefs. When you reach dry land again, you’ll be transported back to the eco-lodge for a warm shower.

After your final breakfast in the Highlands, you’ll have to say goodbye to your new friends and take in your final views of the mountains of Fiji. Spend a few hours exploring the town of Nadi and souvenir shopping. You’ll head back to the eco-lodge to make sure you are showered and packed up before having your final dinner in Fiji with a view of the sunset. Your program leaders will take you to the airport for your flight home or to your next Rustic program as you say your goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.