Explore at your own pace and in your own style, whether by 4×4 or on foot. Book an experienced driver-guide to join you in your vehicle or with one of our vehicles.
If you want to arrange your own adventure, we’re here to help. Whether you’re planning a trip with friends, want to go camping, or just want to get off the beaten track on foot or without stepping out of a vehicle, just get in touch to talk through your ideas. We’ve been lucky enough to explore lots of hidden and tucked away places in Fiji… and we’re always happy to offer advice based on our experience.
We can also support your adventure by providing an experienced driver-guide to accompany you in your vehicle; or you can book a driver-guide with one of our 4×4 vehicles.
This is a blank canvas ready for an adventure created by you!
If you’d like a bit of help, just get in touch… we’ll bring the maps, you bring the iced coffee!
This is not an exhaustive list and is only an aid to common sense! What you take will depend on what your adventure will involve, so this is very much a starting point based on what we recommend for our standard trips. They’re general items we recommend you either bring, pack an alternative to or consciously disregard.
If you have any specific requirements, then you should also pack with these in mind.
For the hikes:
- A day pack or small backpack
- Comfortable shoes – approach or trail shoes are ideal for Fiji conditions (see FAQs for more info on footwear)
- Up to 3L water carrying capacity – bottles or hydration pack (see FAQs for info about water)
- Hat – a must bring, to keep the sun off
- Lightweight, preferably quick-dry and collared t-shirts
- Walking trousers or if preferred shorts (see FAQs for information on clothing)
- “Ouch-pouch” (personal medical kit) – one of the guides will be carrying a first aid kit, but it is good practice for you to carry a small one also with plasters, blister pads, paracetamol.
- Torch/flashlight – to be packed in your day bag as a safety precaution
- Dry bag or plastic bags for dry storage to keep valuables dry in case of downpour or a slip in the river!
- Pac-a-mac or light waterproof – if we get caught in heavy rain, it’ll keep the wind out, even though it’s unlikely to keep you dry!
- Walking poles – if you’re used to using them, bring them along as they’ll help with the downhill sections
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Snacks – we recommend you bring trail mix, biscuits, or muesli bars, not just sweets
- Packed lunches – tuna and breakfast crackers are an easy option.
- Emergency toilet paper
- Camera
For the villages/overnights:
- [Optional] Tent, plus sleeping mat etc. – if you would like some privacy or want to social distance, bring a tent, all your gear can be stowed in the vehicles, no need to trek with it; otherwise mattresses and blankets are provided for dorm-style sleeping in the village community hall
- Sulu (wrap-around/sarong) – we can provide this if you don’t have one
- Flip-flops/thongs or a dry change of footwear for the evenings
- A dry change of clothes
- Long-sleeved sweater or jumper as it can get cool in the evenings
- Sleeping sheet or sleeping bag inner (blankets and where needed mattresses will be available to you, unless otherwise specified)
- Towel
- Book/pack of cards
- Earplugs – just in case someone nearby snores or the village roosters get going too early!
Where should I stay before and after the trek?
We can give you ideas when we chat!
How fit do I need to be?
This depends on the adventure you are planning and whether it involves any physical activity or is all about the drive. Our standard itineraries are designed for hikers. While they cover a variety of levels of difficulty, they are enjoyed most by people with a good level of fitness who hike regularly. The visit to Nabalesere and their waterfall is within most people’s ability. The track is 1.5km each way, with some up and down, but no time pressure. All the other walks are more strenuous. Longer days should leave you feeling satisfyingly tired after a good day’s hiking with a sense of achievement. The challenge of walking in Fiji comes from the heat, humidity, remoteness and the nature of the tracks, which are not constructed paths, are uneven, and can become muddy and slippery. If you don’t exercise regularly, we’d recommend getting out on the trail before you come to Fiji, as you’ll enjoy your trip with us all the more!
What shoes and clothes are best?
Footwear
Approach or trail shoes are ideal for Fiji conditions. But trainers/runners with a good grip or other walking shoes will do. Avoid stylish trainers with no grip! Paths can be slippery and muddy – especially after rain. We will also be crossing small creeks and some larger rivers, and you will get your feet wet. We recommend keeping your shoes on at all times, whether you’re crossing a river or even swimming.
Other clothing
Most people wear a lightweight t-shirt (quick-dry, collared t-shirts are ideal) and a pair of shorts for walking, but if you want to protect your shins from grass cuts, then trousers, long socks (stylish!) or exercise leggings are highly recommended. If you have a lightweight raincoat/pac-a-mac, it’s worth carrying it in case we get caught in a shower… it won’t keep you dry, but it’ll keep the wind out. We also strongly recommend you bring a hat to keep the sun off your head.
What about water?
Although the piped water in the villages is drunk by the locals, to reduce the chance of any problems we strongly recommend you only use only filtered, treated, or boiled water. We carry a supply of filtered water in our vehicles and we have installed Lifestraw Community filter systems at each overnight for refilling bottles. Lemon-leaf and lemongrass tea, using boiled water, is in plentiful supply in the villages, and with a bit of sugar added makes for a good energy drink!
In Fiji, you need to carry and be drinking a lot of water. How much will depend on the length of the walk, the heat, humidity, your own personal fitness, and how much you naturally sweat. However, you should be prepared to carry up to 3 litres of water, in your day pack and ensure you have enough carrying capacity. In case of urgent need there are opportunities to replenish water bottles on some of the walks from side streams, using our filter or purifying tablets. We recommend a 3-litre capacity water reservoir/bladder, so you can sip away during hikes, or lightweight refillable bottles, plus an additional smaller bottle to mix electrolytes or for the car journeys. Taking on board electrolytes on a hot day can make a big difference.
Do I need to bring food?
Again this depends on your adventure. It’s worth remembering that there are very few shops or stores once you leave the coast.
More frequently asked questions
Check out our FAQs and if there’s anything you can’t find the answer to, please just drop us a line via the Enquiry Form or email [email protected].
When you’re visiting or staying in a Fijian village there are some important rules for you to remember so that you are being respectful of Fiji’s history and culture.
The most important ones are:
- Always wear a sulu (sarong/wrap around material) that covers your legs down to just above your ankles while you’re within the village boundaries
- Never wear a hat or anything on your head while you’re in the village
- Always take your shoes off before going inside (you can keep your socks on)
- Sit down as quickly as possible when you go inside and don’t stand up indoors
- If you need to move around indoors when others are sitting, it’s polite to stoop or crawl
- If you’re presented with a bowl of kava it’s polite to drink the first one… clap once, take the bowl and drink it all, and after returning the bowl clap three times
Guides mixing kava in Naga – Photo: Elliot Wright