The Full Monty

The full monty

Waterfalls, peaks, villages, rivers, open vistas… this trip has it all!

5 days / 4 nights | Visit Nabalesere’s spectacular waterfall, climb through lush cloud forest to reach the highest point in Fiji, trek cross-country through grasslands and take cooling swims in sparkling rivers. Enjoy the company of local guides as they show you across their land and host you in their villages, and get a real insight into life in rural Fiji.

This Full Monty itinerary combines our Hit the Heights and Cross Highland Hike treks.

Day 1: Nabalesere waterfall (3km) and drive to Navai

07:30 | Pick-up Suva (or 09:15 Pick-up Suncoast)
11:00 | Arrive Nabalesere, sevusevu, visit waterfall
13:30 | Lunch in village
15:00 | Depart Nabalesere by vehicle
19:00 | Arrive Navai, dinner, overnight

Day 2: Mt Tomaniivi climb (9km / 6hrs)

07:15 | Breakfast
08:00 | Start climb
11:30 | Reach top – 1324m, early lunch
14:30 | Return to Navai village, afternoon tea
16:00 | Drive to Naga, relax
18:30 | Sevusevu, dinner, overnight

Day 3: Hike Naga to Nubutautau (11km / 6hrs)

07:30 | Breakfast
08:30 | Start hiking
12:00 | Lunch on the river, swim
15:30 | Arrive Nubutautau, relax, village stroll
18:30 | Sevusevu, dinner, overnight

Day 4: Hike Nubutautau to Bulou’s Lodge, Navala (21km / 8hrs)

07:15 | Breakfast
08:00 | Short drive to hike start
08:15 | Start hiking
12:30 | Lunch on river, swim
17:00 | Arrive Bulou’s Lodge, relax
20:00 | Dinner, overnight

Day 5: Guided stroll of Navala village, depart

08:00 | Breakfast
09:00 | Short drive to Navala
09:15 | Guided walk around village
11:30 | Depart Navala, farewell to the interior
13:30 | Arrive Nadi, cafe lunch, drop at hotel or transfer

Please note that timings depend on the fitness of individuals and size of the group. Overnight treks are generally limited to a maximum of 8 hikers.

This is not an exhaustive list and is an aid to common sense! We do not expect you to go out and buy all these things new. They’re general items we recommend you either bring, pack an alternative to or consciously disregard.

Remember, you’re not carrying all your gear. Your main bags and any gear you don’t need during the day will be waiting for you at the end of each day’s hike. If you have any specific requirements, then you should also pack with these in mind.

For the hikes:

  • A day pack or small backpack to carry drinking water, sulu, snacks, camera, torch etc
  • 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)
  • 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
  • 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 – trail mix, biscuits, muesli bars or sweets (guides also carry a supply to share)
  • Emergency toilet paper
  • Camera

For the villages/overnights:

  • 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
  • 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?

The starting points for this itinerary are Suva or the Suncoast.

Coming to Suva will give you an opportunity to explore the hub of the South Pacific, a bustling place, with cafes, restaurants and a bit of culture (have a browse round the Fiji Museum and a beverage of your choice at the refurbished Grand Pacific Hotel). Alternatively, resorts tucked away on the Suncoast are laid back, great for diving, and will minimise your driving time.

The ending point is Nadi, where we’ll have a final lunch together. We can drop you at a Nadi or Denarau hotel, or take you on to the Coral Coast. Heading out to the Yasawa or Mamanuca Islands for a bit of beach and reef time after your trek is highly recommended!

How fit do I need to be?

Our 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.

Please note: drinking alcohol is not allowed in Fijian villages. If your trip includes a stay at Bulou’s Lodge, beers are sometimes available to buy there.

Do I need to bring food?

Meals are provided by the villages and lodges. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements before your trip. The guides carry some snacks to share on each hike, but if you have any favourite snacks, you should buy them in advance. There are no shops or stores once we 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
Photo: Elliot Wright

Guides mixing kava in Naga – Photo: Elliot Wright

Check our scheduled dates through the Book Now button above or check out our Trek Schedule for a list of dates. If you form part of a group and would like to do the Full Monty, please contact us for tailored group options.

Trek Rating

Steepness : 5
Track Roughness : 4
Difficulty : 4
Please note

If the weather is very bad, we may need to change the itinerary for your safety.