Take a four-wheel drive journey into Fiji’s interior, and hike (and scramble) through cloud forest to the top of Fiji’s highest mountain, Tomaniivi
Day trip | If you’re into ticking off challenges, have already booked your accommodation and are looking for adventurous day trips, or are fit and active and just want to see more of Fiji, this is a great hike. Picking up from hotels on the Suncoast, in the Rakiraki area, an early start gets you up into the interior and to the base of Fiji’s highest mountain, Mt Tomaniivi (also called Mt Victoria), and onto the steep track, before the heat of the day kicks in. Enjoy Fiji’s unique cloud forest, and with a bit of luck, awesome views from the top.
You’re accompanied from beginning to end by a Talanoa Treks guide, and transferred in a 4WD vehicle by our partners from Pehicle. A light lunch is provided by the village for you to take on the hike, and an afternoon tea will be prepared for when you return.
This trip requires a minimum of 2 participants.
Day trip: Mt Tomaniivi climb
06:30 | Hotel pick up (please make arrangements for an early breakfast!)
08:30 | Arrive Navai village, at the start of the Tomaniivi track
11:30 | Reach top – 1324m, early lunch
14:30 | Return to Navai village, afternoon tea
18:00 | Drop-off Suncoast
Please note that timings depend on the fitness of individuals and size of the group.
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.
For the hike:
- Day-pack or small backpack
- Comfortable hiking shoes – approach or trail shoes are ideal for Fiji conditions (see FAQs for more info on footwear)
- 2 litres water carrying capacity – reusable bottles or hydration pack (see FAQs for info about water)
- Sulu (a wrap-around/sarong) – for wearing in the village and we can provide this for the duration of the trip if you don’t have one
- Hat – a must bring, to keep the sun off
- Suitable clothing (we recommend light quick-dry sports t-shirts and hiking trousers – see FAQs for information on clothing)
- Personal medical kit – a guide will be carrying a first aid kit, but it is good practice for you to carry a small one also
- Dry bag or plastic bags for dry storage to keep valuables dry in case of downpour or a slip in a stream!
- 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 going downhill
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Snacks – trail mix, biscuits, muesli bars or sweets (guides also carry a supply to share)
- Camera
- A change of clothes for when you get back to the village
Where should I stay before and after the trek?
We only run this trip from accommodation on the Suncoast.
We love this part of Fiji with its relaxed vibe, great diving, and dramatic landscape. There are a variety of accommodation options, including Volivoli Beach Resort, Wananavu Beach Resort, Tanoa Rakiraki, No Worries Bay, friendly AirBnB places near the Tanoa, as well as options on the nearby island of Nananu-i-Ra, a 10-minute boat ride.
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.
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
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 this hike, please contact us for tailored group options.
A climb of Mt Tomaniivi is also included in our Hit the Heights itinerary and our Full Monty itinerary, so if you’re looking for a longer adventure, check theses trip out too!
Please note
If the weather is very bad, we may need to change the itinerary for your safety.