Fiji

FIJIAN ADVENTURES

FOR VARSITY BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAMS

Coral Coast, Fiji

Fiji is located in the South Pacific, 3000 km east of Australia.  It comprises 105 islands, 85 of which are uninhabited.  The two largest are VITI LEVU and VANUA LEVI, extinct volcanoes rising abruptly from the sea.  There are many scenic and historic attractions in Fiji, including trips to copra, ginger, sugar cane and cocoa plantations.

Day 1 & 2
DEPART CANADA
Board your flight to Los Angeles where you will connect to your Air Pacific flight to Nandi, Fiji.  You will cross the international date line on your flight.

Day 3
Upon arrival, you will be met by your Fiji representatives with a traditional Pottery Lei welcome.  The group will be transferred to your host hotel by luxury highway coach for the next 9 evenings.  The Naviti Resort, located right on the beach on the Coral Coast.  Cocooned in 38 acres of lush, vibrant, green gardens and fringed alongside golden sand beaches and coconut palms, the Naviti has long been one of Fiji's favourite holiday locations.  Each morning of your stay at the Naviti Resort, you will receive a full buffet breakfast.

Day 4
The team will have a training session today.

Day 5
The team will play its first basketball today against a local Fijian team.

Day 6
Free day today. 

The WATERFALL TOUR is another great day out and good for a little leisurely exercise in typical Fijian forest.  Pick-up around 10 am and drive 15 minutes along the coast, and 15 minutes inland.  You’ll visit the village of the Biausevu tribe and participate in a "Kava Ceremony" with the Chief – if he’s home.  Next, you’re given bottled water or soft drink, and hit the walking trail to the waterfall.  You’ll wander through several shallow streams – each one a photographers delight, native bushland and lush tropical rainforest with guides who explain the traditional use of various plants along the way, including plant medicines.  At the waterfall you’ll learn how to husk a coconut, eat tropical fruits and do some fish feeding.  The waterfall itself is beautiful - dropping 120 feet down a rocky cliff into a beautiful swimming lagoon edged by giant ferns, wild red ginger and ancient Ivi trees with amazing root systems and hanging vines.  You’ll understand how legends are born in this tropical paradise setting.   The lagoon is not too deep so it's safe for young and old.  After a refreshing dip, you’ll head back to the coast and visit a great little handicraft store - where you can purchase authentic village handicrafts, souvenirs etc. at really good prices - much cheaper than town shopping and no hassling!  You’ll enjoy a late BBQ lunch  before heading home again  - back to your Coral Coast hotel by late afternoon.

Day 7
The whole group will go on a fabulous CAVE TOUR today.  It starts with a 35 minute drive into the picturesque Sigatoka Valley for some fabulous views of Fiji’s famous “Salad bowl” – known for it’s rich fertile soil and a colourful patchwork of fruit and vegetable crops.  You’ll hear some fascinating history about the notorious Tongan warriors who reigned supreme in this area and catch glimpses of the ancient hill fortresses of Tavuni and Matanavatu.  On the banks of the river you’ll participate in an authentic kava ceremony and a delicious picnic lunch before taking the bamboo raft across the river. From here, it’s a short but fun, walk towards the Naihehe Caves.   The cave entrance is in a natural tropical garden setting - this was the fortress of Fiji’s last cannibal tribes. It was ruled by a pagan priest and hundreds of people lived inside for months at a time.  It’s absolutely huge and beautiful.  Fabulous natural features, stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones underground springs - but its history makes this cave particularly special.  Inside, you can see the ritual platform, the priest chambers and the cannibal oven.  The cave environment is comfortable, easy access, plenty of fresh air and no bats or creepy-crawlies.  After the cave we take a 15-min walk across native farms down to the river where you’ll board "bilibilis".  These are bamboo rafts - the traditional mode of transport for the river based villages.  These ones are wide, and well balanced and the river is warm and shallow, so it's great for paddling about, swimming, or dragging along behind the bilibili - or you can learn how to stand on the back and pole it.  This is about 35 minutes of serious fun.  The bilibili takes us back to our waiting bus and we hit the road again, you’ll be back at your Coral Coast hotel at about 4 p.m.

The tour includes return transportation, lunch, soft drinks and tour guide.  The Cave Tour was recently voted Fiji's favourite day trip by outbound tourists.

Day 8
The team will play its second game today.

Day 9
Day of leisure at the gorgeous Naviti Resort. 

Complimentary activities include kayaking, reef walking, snorkeling, tennis, golf, donkey rides for kids, archery and lessons, windsurfing and lessons, scuba lessons in the pool, and nightly entertainment in the lounge.
Activities with additional cost: Horse riding, night tennis, golf, mini golf, diving, deep sea fishing evening cruises, waterfall horse riding, firewalking show, guided Snorkeling trips, and golf tournaments.

Day 10
The team will have its third and final game today.

Day 11
Free day today.  You may choose to take the "Natadola Experience - One of the world's great train rides".

Board the train to Natadola Beach for a journey through Native Villages and Picturesque sugar plantations.  Between villages, the train sometimes follows the scenic Coral Coast and sometimes turns inland through dense forest.  Here, the train pauses for a half-hour exploration of the Muka Caves, a cool underground escape from the tropical heat.

Upon arrival at Natadola Beach, your options are endless.  Enjoy a beach BBQ set amongst acres of blooms and lush greenery; swim whenever the fancy takes you.  Don goggles and a snorkel and explore the underwater beauty that stretches everywhere around you.  Explore Natadola Beach and the surrounding area by horseback, ride the waves on a boogie board, visit the local village or laze on the beach until your BBQ lunch is prepared from fresh local produce.

Day 12
Morning and afternoon at leisure.  Later in the day, you will be transferred back to the NANDI airport by luxury highway coach for your return flight back to Canada (arrival early on day 13).

INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THIS TOUR

• Return flights from Canada to Fiji.

• 9 nights accommodation at the NAVITI RESORT on the Coral Coast of Fiji.

• All airport/hotel transfers

• Chartered coach from Nandi airport to your resort

• Full buffet breakfast daily

• Airport arrival and departure assistance

• Extensive tourist information prior to departure

• Airport and Departure Taxes

• 3 basketball games for each team against local competition

• CAVE TOUR

NOT INCLUDED IN THE COST OF THIS TOUR

• Items of a personal nature

• Passport Fee

• Visa fee (if necessary)

• Lunches and 8 Dinners

• Beverages with included lunches and dinners

• Optional sightseeing tours and excursions

• Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Excess Hospital and Medical, Cancellation, and Baggage Coverage (approx. $119.00)

• Gratuities for guides, drivers and in restaurants

• Single Room Supplement

• Day room at the Los Angeles airport