This 16-day Intrepid Travel journey through Samoa and Fiji takes small groups deep into two of the Pacific's most culturally rich destinations. From welcoming ceremonies and ancient star mounds in Samoa to white-water rafting through Fiji's Upper Navua Gorge and village treks across highland grasslands, this fully guided adventure balances authentic cultural immersion with real outdoor thrills, all with a maximum group size of 12.
Two island nations. Two distinct cultures. One 16-day adventure that manages to feel both wild and deeply personal. The Samoa & Fiji Adventure by Intrepid Travel runs from Apia to the remote Fijian village of Nubutautau, covering ancient ceremonial sites, volcanic coastlines, jungle waterfalls, and island communities that rarely see tourist groups this small. With a maximum of 12 travellers and fully guided throughout, this itinerary is designed for people who want more than a beach holiday.
Whether you're clambering down a wooden ladder into the legendary To Sua Ocean Trench or sharing a communal dinner in a Fijian highland village, the pace is refreshingly human. Every stop has been chosen with cultural depth and outdoor access in mind, making this one of the more compelling Pacific itineraries currently on offer.
Quick overview
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Duration | 16 days |
| Route | Apia, Samoa to Nubutautau, Fiji |
| Operator | Intrepid Travel |
| Group size | Max 12 |
| Age minimum | 15+ |
| Guided in | English |
| Intensity | Low to moderate |
| Starting price | From USD $5,912 per person (with current discount) |
Samoa: eight days of myth, lava, and living culture
The first half of the trip unfolds across Samoa, split between the urban energy of Apia and the quieter, more elemental landscapes of Savai'i island. It's a destination that rewards curiosity. History sits just beneath the surface here, and your guide brings it forward at every stop.
Apia itself gets a full day of exploration on Day 2, with visits to landmarks that tell the city's layered colonial and indigenous story:
- The Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, the former home of the Scottish author who spent his final years on Upolu
- The Baha'i House of Worship, one of the most architecturally striking buildings in the Pacific
- Mulivai Cathedral and the historic Mulinu'u Peninsula
- A live demonstration of 'elei fabric printing, a traditional Samoan craft using hand-carved wooden blocks
From Apia, the group ferries to Savai'i, Samoa's larger and less-visited island. The pace slows, the landscape opens up, and the mythology becomes impossible to miss. Cape Falealupo, on Savai'i's far western tip, holds the Fafao o SaoAli'i, traditionally known as the Passage of the Afterlife. The Giant Moso's Footprint and an Ancient Star Mound are stops that have no parallel on any other itinerary in the region.
The Sale'aula Lava Fields on the north coast are a haunting reminder of Savai'i's volcanic past. The 1905 eruption buried villages and a church under hardened basalt, and the ruins are still visible, frozen mid-destruction. It's one of the most striking stops on the entire trip.
Day 7 brings the journey's most ceremonially significant moments. Staying in Vavau Village near Lalomanu, the group participates in a formal Ava welcoming ceremony, sits down to a customary feast, and watches a traditional Fa'ataupati (slap dance) performance. This evening earns its place as a highlight by any measure.
Day 8 closes the Samoan chapter with a Samoan church service (Sunday attendance here is a full cultural experience), a traditional toonai Sunday feast, a visit to Sopoaga Waterfall, and a swim at the iconic To Sua Trench. To Sua is considered a Samoan icon. Its sheer, green-draped rock walls drop some 20 metres to hallucinatory-blue water below, accessible via a steep but sturdy wooden ladder. Worth every rung.
Fiji: waterfalls, rafting, and the road less travelled
The Fiji leg shifts the energy again. On Day 9, the group transfers to Nadi and begins a journey southward that avoids the resort strip entirely. This is highland Fiji, river Fiji, village Fiji.
Day 10 opens with a ranger-guided walk through Sigatoka Sand Dunes National Park, Fiji's first national park, followed by lunch at Bula Coffee, the country's first specialty coffee producer, located on the Coral Coast.
The following day delivers one of the trip's most memorable physical experiences: white-water rafting through the Upper Navua Gorge. This remote volcanic canyon is accessible only by raft, its walls rising dramatically above the river. Lunch comes along the route, eaten on the riverbank.
From there, the group moves through Suva, Fiji's capital, with a visit to the Fiji Museum and an optional walk through Suva's busy municipal market. It's a grounding counterpoint to the wilderness days ahead.
Day 13 involves a sevusevu ceremony at Nabalesere village (a formal, respectful kava offering marking the group's arrival), a hike to Savulelele Waterfall, and a boat transfer out to Nananu-i-Ra Island for snorkelling. Day 14 brings another village welcome ceremony, this time at Naga Village, with a communal dinner shared with local families.
The final two days are the most physically demanding and arguably the most rewarding. Day 15 covers an 11-kilometre trek across highland grasslands from Naga Village to Nubutautau Village, with a swim in the Sigatoka River along the way. Day 16 wraps up with a cultural tour of Nubutautau, a 4WD drive along the river ridgeline, and a final lunch in Nadi before the journey ends.
What's included and what to know
The itinerary comes well-supported. Here's a summary of inclusions:
- All accommodation throughout (shared or private options available)
- Experienced local guide for the full 16 days
- Included meals as specified in the itinerary (most breakfasts and lunches; several dinners)
- All scheduled transport, including ferries, boats, and the 4WD river drive
- All included activities: village ceremonies, guided walks, rafting, snorkelling, museum entries
The following are not included:
- International flights
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended for this style of trip)
- Optional activities and personal spending
A few practical notes worth keeping in mind:
- The trek on Day 15 covers 11 km through grassland and river terrain. A reasonable base fitness level is helpful.
- Sunday openings and closures in Samoa affect some sites; the itinerary accounts for this.
- Plug adaptors (Type I) are needed for both Samoa and Fiji.
- Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid vaccinations are recommended. Consult a travel health clinic before departure.
Who this trip suits best
Intrepid recommends this trip for travellers aged 15 and up, and the operator has confirmed that seniors over 60 who are in good health and reasonably active should find the itinerary very manageable. The intensity is rated "low," with only the Day 15 grassland trek demanding more sustained physical effort.
The small group size (maximum 12) keeps the experience intimate and allows for genuine connection with the communities visited. Solo travellers, couples, and small friend groups all travel well on this format. It's particularly well-suited to anyone drawn to cultural depth and outdoor access in roughly equal measure.
Ready to book your Pacific adventure?
Departure dates for this itinerary run through 2026 and 2027, with guaranteed departures available. Current pricing starts at USD $5,912 per person (discounted from $7,390), with availability confirmed for April and May 2026 departures. 2027 dates are also open for booking.
View dates, availability, and book the Samoa and Fiji Adventure on TourRadar