Backpacker tours of Fiji

fairydust11:43 UTC11 Dec 2010

Im off for a couple of weeks to Fiji in May 2011 as a friend is getting married there. Hoping to do a tour while I am there and was wondering if there were any recommendations of backpackers tour groups. Ive seen the Feejee Experience stuff, any others you might recommend? Im keen for a mixture of sun/beach/snorkelling and walks, and some cultural stuff.
Will be travelling alone, single girl early 30's.

chees

tch714:40 UTC11 Dec 2010

I wouldn't recommend an organized tour. Feejee Experience costs hundreds of dollars, yet doing the same thing by public buses costs only a few dollars. You'll meet plenty of locals too, rather than being on a bus with a bunch of British gap year kids.

There's also the Yasawa & Mamanuca Islands that are popular with backpackers and very easy to get around. The islands are quite a bit nicer than the mainland. Awesome Adventures & South Sea Cruises offer packages, but it's best to book your own accommodation and just use them for getting from place to place. You'll often end up running into the same people as you travel around to different islands.

Since you have a few weeks you should also consider visiting the lesser-visited islands like Taveuni.

Laszlo20:00 UTC11 Dec 2010

With your interests, the Feejee Experience tour would be a waste of money.

As tch has said already, go to the Yasawas on a Bula Pass instead.
They offer all the things you want, and while not a tour as such, it will feel like one with all the other backpackers around! ;-)

joolz201:12 UTC17 Dec 2010

This web-site
http://www.fijibudget.com/yasawa-resorts-fiji.htm
has a selection of budget resorts in the Yasawas. Octopus resort is also good - stayed there a few years ago. You will meet loads of people in these places.

If you're interested in local culture, go to a Sunday church service. Even if you're not religious, it's an interesting experience and the singing is amazing.

joolz201:18 UTC17 Dec 2010

Is accommodation included in the Feejee Experience pass prices or not? Just had a look at their web-site and it's really not clear. If it's not included, they need to make that more obvious.

Backpacker tours of Fiji Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea
fairydust11:43 UTC11 Dec 2010	Hi Im off for a couple of weeks to Fiji in May 2011 as a friend is getting married there. Hoping to do a tour while I am there and was wondering if there were any recommendations of backpackers tour groups. Ive seen the Feejee Experience stuff, any others you might recommend? Im keen for a mixture of sun/beach/snorkelling and walks, and some cultural stuff. Will be travelling alone, single girl early 30's. chees
tch714:40 UTC11 Dec 2010	I wouldn't recommend an organized tour. Feejee Experience costs hundreds of dollars, yet doing the same thing by public buses costs only a few dollars. You'll meet plenty of locals too, rather than being on a bus with a bunch of British gap year kids. There's also the Yasawa & Mamanuca Islands that are popular with backpackers and very easy to get around. The islands are quite a bit nicer than the mainland. Awesome Adventures & South Sea Cruises offer packages, but it's best to book your own accommodation and just use them for getting from place to place. You'll often end up running into the same people as you travel around to different islands. Since you have a few weeks you should also consider visiting the lesser-visited islands like Taveuni.	1
Laszlo20:00 UTC11 Dec 2010	With your interests, the Feejee Experience tour would be a waste of money. As tch has said already, go to the Yasawas on a Bula Pass instead. They offer all the things you want, and while not a tour as such, it will feel like one with all the other backpackers around! ;-)	2
joolz201:12 UTC17 Dec 2010	This web-site http://www.fijibudget.com/yasawa-resorts-fiji.htm has a selection of budget resorts in the Yasawas. Octopus resort is also good - stayed there a few years ago. You will meet loads of people in these places. If you're interested in local culture, go to a Sunday church service. Even if you're not religious, it's an interesting experience and the singing is amazing.	3
joolz201:18 UTC17 Dec 2010	Is accommodation included in the Feejee Experience pass prices or not? Just had a look at their web-site and it's really not clear. If it's not included, they need to make that more obvious.	4