Fiji Adventure and Volunteer - by TRU Experience Travel
Location
Fiji: Yasawa Islands
Description
Days 1, 2 & 3
Unwind at our partner's boutique, dive retreat - You will spend two nights relaxing and getting used to the all important Fiji Time at a tranquil and beautiful Retreat where you'll be able to indulge in a beach front massage, go on a two-tank dive at the famous Rainbow Reef; take a day trip to visit an amazing outer island with a unique culture and enjoy the wonderful food in this serene spot accessed only by boat. What better way to be introduced to Fiji's islands. On your return to Taveuni you will go meandering into the rainforest to a stunning natural waterslide then onto the international dateline where you can jump from yesterday into today!
Days 3 - 8
We will personally tell you all about the rules and cultural values of village life so you feel comfortable for the forthcoming adventures. This is a great chance for you to ask questions and get used to local traditions of island life. Village life - Leaving the outer island by boat, you'll embark on a rare opportunity to be truly immersed into Fijian village life. You'll be officially welcomed into your village with a traditional sevusevu (Fijian welcome ceremony) where you'll meet your host family and settle into your house. Life is rich with happiness and community spirit but financially poor. You'll be able to ask questions, help in the house, play with the children and slowly appreciate life without the material possession we become so used to. You'll get to really understand how many people on this planet live but you'll be in the comfort of your own home stay.
MPA visit - During your stay with the village we'll take you to Fiji's longest established Marine Protected Area (MPA) to learn about how it is run and the wonderful marine life in and around it. You'll see how this no-fishing zone helps improve reef quality and fish size. Before returning to the village from the snorkel trip, a local elder will talk you through the colorful history of Taveuni over the kava bowl.
Volunteering - During the day you will take part in our short-term applied conservation volunteering projects. You will get your hands dirty for four-five hours a day on a variety of projects including: replanting delicate coral; constructing fish houses to protect coastlines from erosion and entice fish out of the MPA, replanting mangroves and removal the crown-of-thorns starfish which eat coral.
Days 9 & 10
You'll go with a wonderful, local guide on a half-day sea kayaking trip deep into the National Park where you'll visit tumbling waterfalls before returning by foot along the coastal path learning about traditional medicines. You can stroll around the village, Enjoy authentic Fijian food from the village's abundant gardens picked fresh and prepared by ladies in the village who get paid directly. You can chat and unwind with the locals to find out what life is really like in a remote island village before a well earned good nights sleep. Watch the sun rise right in front of the lodge and have an early swim in warm, crystal clear waters.
The next day you'll take the bus to the next village where you will hike into the heart of the forest past an ancient fortified village where you'll learn how to survive in the forest with traditional hunting practices still used by the locals, spot the endemic Orange Dove and listen out for the Barking Pigeon. This energetic hike ends at a beautiful,cold, tumbling waterfall.
Days 11, 12 & 13
The next two nights are spent on an outer island that few people visit. You will snorkel some of the clearest waters in the world, hike a sunken volcano and camp on this unique and secluded island with a local guide who'll catch fish for you to cook together over the beach BBQ.
Days 14 & 15
Spend a couple of days in a rainforest eco-lodge to relax or learn how to cook and work with month nature to produce your own food.
Day 16 & 17
Two night at a community-run village lodge with its own private beach where you can go on a day-long riding trip up to an inactive volcano Two nights Vuna.
Days 18 - 25
Relax in your own private villa on a cliff overlooking the sea.
Includes:
- Personal pre-departure advise and planning
- Your own guide throughout your village stay and adventure
- A two-tank dive on the ‘soft coral capital of the world’, The Rainbow Reef
- A beach front massage
- An outer island day trip
- A traditional sevusevu welcome to the village
- Six days of shallow coral reef volunteering, coral gardening and building fish houses
- A full introduction to island history and Marine Protected Areas
- A bilibili (raft) and snorkel trip to Fiji’s longest running (MPA)
- A half day trip meandering into the rainforest to a stunning natural waterslide then onto the international dateline where you can jump from yesterday into today!
- A rainforest trek to a fortified village while bird watching for endemic species
- Open sea kayaking and coastal walk which featured in Blue Lagoon 2
- One week in a cosy home stay at our partner village
- Three nights at our partner retreat
- Two night at a community-run village lodge with its own private beach
- Two nights on an outer island camping under the stars and eating fresh fish on a beach BBQ
- Two nights in a rainforest eco-lodge high in the mountain overlooking the distant islands
- Two nights in a local lodge with its own private beach
- Seven nights in your own private, cliff-top villa
- Choose between a day of cookery lessons or Pacific island-style printing
- A hike to a huge and stunning sunken volcano
- A day-long riding trip up to an inactive volcano
- All food, island transport and accommodation throughout your stay
Whats Not Included:
- Flights
- Visas
- Vaccinations
Highlights
This four week island experience takes you on a journey where you will venture deep into the tropical island rain forests; explore far out onto islands few tourists ever see; float in underwater currents over colourful reefs; immersed yourself in the culture of island ways and learn about applied reef conservation. You will surely return home full of inspiration and with a full heart!
Suitable for: eco-conscious divers, adventurous travelers, gap year students, marine, development or conservation graduates, individuals, families and the 50+.