Only 840€ per week!
Fiji Road Trip
Coastal Southwest to Northeast - Fiji
Get to visit and experience four vastly distinctive regions of this exotic island country!
This leading ecotourism environment will meet every divers and snorkelers’ expectation with its countless reefs, drop-offs, walls and channels. Any adventurer would not pass up on this hidden secret shattered across the Pacific Ocean. Our Fiji road trip will give you an unforgettable journey, in an astonishing environment with loads of fun!
Program
Living
Fiji
Program Description
On this 21-day action packed adventure, start your amazing road trip journey from Nadi through the coral coast, go to Nausori near Suva for your social work project and later travel to the beautiful Levuka Island.
Enjoy the green pastures and the lush countryside whilst driving along the coral coast with breathtaking views of white sandy beaches along the way.
You will stop over at Sigatoka town, the “salad bowl”, as the locals call it, where you will see farmers selling their local produce and you can try some mouth-watering tropical fruits found only in Fiji.
Your next stop on your road trip will be Suva, which is the capital of Fiji. Enjoy some light shopping and visit the historical Suva museum before we head off to Nausori. From Nausori you will travel along a village pathway on your way to the Natovi Jetty which will take you to Levuka Island.
Aims & Objectives
The aim of this program is to bring you closer to authentic Fiji. Through different projects and activities, you will get to truly immerse yourself in the culture, customs and lifestyle.
Schedule
Week 1
Day 1: Monday
Nadi to Sigatoka/Do’s and Don'ts
There will be a short introduction of the road trip program and basic do’s and don'ts. Learn about the traditions and culture of the Fijian people and important information prior to visiting the villages throughout Fiji.
Highlights:
- Visit Sigatoka Fort Hill
- Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park
- Meeting with elders in a traditional village
- Experience Fijian village lifestyle (stay at traditional Fijian house – Bure)
Day 2: Tuesday
(Culture/Language)
Fijians are extremely passionate about sharing their culture and customs and you will learn their language, culture and traditions during your amazing road trip journey through their villages.
Highlights:
- Welcome ceremony and welcome drink (Kava tasting)
- Fijian History/Traditions and Culture
- Fijian Language classes (stay at traditional Fijian house – Bure)
- Our professional guides will provide you with a list of special instructions for basic language lessons to tasting their Kava and importance of their ceremony.
Day 3: Wednesday
(Food/Cooking and Dance)
Try your hand at traditional Fijian cooking classes where you will learn to prepare and cook a traditional Fijian meal with the locals where you will get step by step instructions on thousand year old cooking methods. You will also learn how to make a traditional Fijian dancing costume.
Highlights:
- Cooking class
- Fijian Traditional Dancing Costume
- Depart to Pacific harbor and stay the night
Day 4: Thursday
(Resort stay at Pacific Harbour)
This unique Fiji accommodation boasts of a stunning beach front location in the Pacific Harbour that looks out over the Pacific Ocean. There are many activities such as snorkelling, beach volleyball, Kayaking and others, or you can just relax by the pool, restaurant or bar in the comfort of the resort setting.
Highlights:
- Swimming
- Relaxing on the beach
Additional activities available at extra costs are:
- Snorkelling
- Beach volleyball
- Kayaking
Day 5: Friday
(Travel to Nausori and stay at Our Centre)
Your next destination will be Nausori at our Centre. When you arrive and settle in, you will have an introduction to Suva and a sightseeing tour of the city and its surroundings.
Highlights:
- Check in at our house
- Suva introduction and town visit
- Sightseeing
- Program training
Day 6: Saturday
(Colo-i-Suva National Park, waterfall visit and picnic)
Saturday is a fun packed day visiting the National Park, a famous waterfalls as well as a picnic on the ground.
Highlights:
- Visit the National Park
- Visit waterfalls
- Have a picnic
Day 7: Sunday
This is your free day. You may visit the local church in your area and join the neighbours to attend a mass. Or you may go to the town of Suva and watch the latest movies from Hollywood in a multiplex.
Week 2
Day 8-12: Monday to Friday
Time to give back as a social worker. Each project will ensure a rewarding experience and our coordinator will give you basic training necessary for your social project which includes; Sports Coaching, Teaching and Kindergarten.
Day 13: Saturday
(Travel to Levuka)
Experience Fiji’s first capital city Levuka, also Fiji’s first world heritage site and be part of a living heritage. Levuka is a trip back in time, to the Fiji that is still untouched by mass tourism and commerce. It’s still the way Fiji used to be. You will tour this historical island town of Levuka with a sightseeing tour.
Highlights:
- Tour of historic island town
- Shopping at Local market
- Visit Levuka Museum
- Deed of Cession
- Fiji’s oldest hotel
- Visit the first and oldest school in Fiji
Day 14: Sunday
This is your free day to explore and visit the many relaxation areas on the Island. Levuka has many hidden spots that you can seek out.
Highlights:
- Relax on the beach
- Swimming
- Fishing (equipment can be hired at an extra cost)
- Exploring
Week 3
Day 15: Monday
(Experience a traditional Fijian village)
Get a Fijian traditional village experience where you will learn how to build a Fijian Bure which was used as accommodation for thousands of years and still exists today.
Highlights:
Learn to build a Fijian Bure
Day 16: Tuesday
(Village Trek and Hiking)
Take a village tour and hike to a beautiful waterfall.
Highlights:
- Village tour
- Trek to the waterfalls
- Picnic and swimming
Day 17: Wednesday
(Visit Sandbanks, Snorkeling, Fish BBQ and Beach Sports)
You will visit sandbanks on an Island visit as well as partake in snorkeling, fish BBQ and beach sports. There are many relaxing spots for the less active and more adventurous activities for the others.
Highlights:
- Visit Sandbanks
- Snorkelling (equipment available at extra cost)
- Fish BBQ on the beach
- Beach sports
Day 18: Thursday
(Village Stay and River Rafting)
We will depart at 5 am and arrive in the main Island of Viti Levu at 7 am. From here you will take a scenic drive on the Kings Road towards Lautoka where you will stay at a local village. Just outside of Lautoka you will be able to participate in Bamboo – Rafting and many other outdoor activities.
Highlights:
- Village stay
- Leisure ride on Bamboo rafts (available at extra cost)
Day 19: Friday
(Visit Sabeto Hills, Mud Pool Hot Springs and Eco areas)
Visit the stunning hills of Sabeto hills in Fiji’s most pristine eco areas where the famous Fijian Mud pool hot springs are.
Highlights:
- Visit stunning Sabeto Hills
- Visit mud pool hot springs
- Traditional massage (available at extra cost)
- Visit Fijian eco areas
Day 20: Saturday
(Farewell Party and Traditional Dance at Nadi)
Your last day on Fiji Island, stay at a resort and relax the day at the private beach. Attend a farewell party and traditional dance before you head home, you need to carry some of the unique souvenirs from this beautiful country.
Highlights:
- Relax at the private beach
- Fijian Traditional Farewell dance
- Farewell party
During your time at the projects, we prefer it if, once your placement on one of these projects has been confirmed, that you commit to it but we may be flexible in accommodating your changing desires dependent on circumstances and availability. We will try to accommodate you as best as we can but nothing is guaranteed as availability and circumstances may affect the options open to us at any given time. Usually, your first choice of project option on your application form is guaranteed. For teaching options, we require you to possess a basic knowledge of English and comment that it is advisable to have a qualification in English to an intermediate level at least.
Note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.
Note: Please note that Extra Nights are not bookable for the Fiji Road Trip.
Participant Criteria & Requirements
Standard Requirements
Minimum age: 18
Maximum age: –
Minimum English level: Basic
CRB required: On Signup
Passport copy required: On Signup
Resume copy required: No
Required qualification: None
Additional Requirements
Participants above 16 and below 18 are required to present a parental consent letter and participants below 16 are required to be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Additional Equipment
- Shoes suitable for hiking
Location
A route takes you from Nadi to Nausori and then to the Island of Levuka.
About the Accommodation
Along the route you will have overnight stays stays in hotels, village homestays and our centers. More information can be found inside the schedule.
Food Arrangements
Mostly Fijian style dishes (vegetarian and chicken) will be served during the trip.
Facilities
Along the route – but not at all times – there are ATMs and small local stores. Please make sure you have enough money with you before starting the trip.
Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.
Sights & Surroundings
You’ll be on a busy schedule.
Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.
Quick Facts
Name: Republic of Fiji
Population: 881,065
Capital: Suva
Language: Fijian
Currency: Fijian Dollar (FJD)
Time zone: ICT (UTC +7)
Country Information
Fiji is an archipelago of 333 sun-kissed, picture perfect islands tucked away in the South Pacific, close to Australia and New Zealand.
It's famed for its rugged landscape of blue lagoons and palm-lined beaches, and eco-activities from mountain climbing and surfing to soft-coral diving and zip-lining. Its major islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, contain the lion’s share of the population, meaning much of the country is uncrowded.
The 20th century brought about important economic changes in Fiji as well as the maturation of its political system. Fiji developed a major sugar industry and established productive copra milling, tourism and secondary industries.
As the country now diversifies into small-scale industries, the economy is strengthened and revenues provide for expanded public works, infrastructure, health, medical services and education.
The country’s central position in the region has been strengthened by recent developments in sea and air communications and transport. Today, Fiji plays a major role in regional affairs and is recognized as the focal point of the South Pacific.
Fiji is now home to many other races — Indians, Part Europeans, Chinese and other Pacific islanders living in harmony, and keeping their own cultures and identity. Fijians, slightly over 50 per cent of the total population, are essentially members of communities. They live in villages and do things on a communal basis.
Climate
The climate in Fiji is tropical marine and warm year round with minimal extremes. The warm season is from November to April and the cooler season lasts from May to October. Temperature in the cool season still averages 22 °C (72 °F).
Rainfall is variable, with the warm season experiencing heavier rainfall, especially inland. Winds are moderate, though cyclones occur about once a year (10–12 times per decade).
On 20 February 2016, Fiji was hit by the full force of Cyclone Winston, the only Category 5 tropical cyclone to make landfall in the nation. Scores of homes were destroyed and at least 43 people have been reported dead.
Culture
Fiji was first settled about three and a half thousand years ago. The original inhabitants are now called "Lapita people" after a distinctive type of fine pottery they produced, remnants of which have been found in practically all the islands of the Pacific, east of New Guinea, though not in eastern Polynesia. Linguistic evidence suggests that they came from northern or central Vanuatu, or possibly the eastern Solomons.
Before long they had moved further on, colonizing Rotuma to the north, and Tonga and Samoa to the east. From here, vast distances were crossed to complete the settlement of the Pacific to Hawaii in the north, Rapanui (Easter Island) in the east and Aotearoa (New Zealand) in the south.
Unlike the islands of Polynesia which showed a continuous steadily evolving culture from initial occupation, Fiji appears to have undergone at least two periods of rapid culture change in prehistoric times.
This may have been due to the arrival of fresh waves of immigrants, presumably from the west. Pre Historians have noted that a massive 12th century volcanic eruption in southern Vanuatu coincides with the disappearance of a certain pottery style, and its sudden emergence in Fiji.
It is hardly surprising then, that the Fijian culture is an intricate network and that generalisations are fraught with danger. Although the legendary king of Bau, Naulivou, and his successors had control over a large area of eastern Fiji, at no time before colonization was Fiji a political unity. Nevertheless, Fiji does exhibit certain traits that sets it apart from its neighbours, and it is this that defines a distinctive Fijian culture.
Transportation
Getting around Fiji is easy and cheap. There’s a good network of buses, carriers (trucks) and ferries for travel within Fiji’s main islands, and taxis are common. Hiring a car is a good way to explore the two largest islands – which contain 90% of Fiji’s roads – or charter a boat or small plane to get between islands. Fiji is well-served by two domestic airlines which operate between many of the islands, although services are less regular to the outer islands. Yachting and cruising are also great ways to explore the country.
