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Journey deep into the rugged highlands beyond Fiji’s pristine beaches to experience the country’s cultural heartbeat and the joyful bula spirit of the Fijian people.
Manley, a climate change adviser, was hiking through the center of Viti Levu, something she and her husband had done numerous times since moving to Fiji a few years before, when she crossed paths with Vilitati Rokovesa, or Mr. Roko as he is affectionately known.
As the village headman (Turaga ni Koro) at the time, Mr. Roko and his community in the island’s mountainous interior had been hosting visitors and guiding them on hikes down the Sigatoka River. After learning about Manley’s passion for hiking in this chance encounter, he convinced them to explore tourism opportunities that showcase the lesser seen side of an archipelago better known for its picture-perfect islands and palm-fringed lagoons.
A decade on from that encounter, Manley has founded Talanoa Treks, an eco-minded social enterprise specializing in guided adventures in partnership with rural communities in the island’s interior. Mr. Roko, now in his early 60s, is still proudly welcoming travelers to Nubutautau, his remote village perched about 1,400 feet (426 meters) above sea level in Viti Levu, Fiji’s largest island.
“Since the 1970s, tourists have been visiting the highlands, where they can escape the busyness of life in the towns,” says Mr. Roko.
Experience Fiji's unique culture and authentic traditions firsthand by visiting a local village, forging a deeper connection with the country.
Click to view visitor etiquette tips.
The three-day, two-night trek also allows guests to experience the essence of Fijian culture through sevusevu, or presenting yaqona (kava root) to a host community to request entry to their land and permission to stay in their village. The gesture of goodwill is then reciprocated at a traditional ceremony, during which the kava roots are pounded, mixed with water, and strained through a cloth bag before being served as part of a welcome ceremony performed by village elders.
When offered the drink, often served in a coconut shell, guests clap once, say “bula”, and down the drink in one go. The cup is then returned to the cup bearer who says “maca” to signify the kava is finished, and everyone claps three times before the cup is refilled for the next guest.
Another cultural experience visitors can enjoy when visiting a Fijian village is the tradition of communal eating. Everyone gathers to enjoy food prepared by the village women, indulging in a delicious, light-hearted celebration.
Tours like these not only showcase this unique destination to visitors, but they also create income for the villages through accommodation, meals, and guides who offer invaluable knowledge of the best spots known only to locals, including abundant fishing spots and natural waterslides in the river. Income from tourism also helps facilitate the provision and maintenance of facilities, including water systems and kitchen upgrades that the village women use for their own communal hosting and cooking.
“Happy memories from my childhood include times spent inside the bure [a traditional thatched house], which stays cool when it’s hot outside, and warm when it’s cool out,” says Mr. Roko, adding that most houses in the villages have now been modernized.
Venturing along Fiji's serpentine rivers, travelers might also spot bilibili, bamboo rafts signaling the island's profound connection with its waterways. Other local inspirations include the lovo, a communal meal where meats and vegetables are slowly cooked in an earth oven, capturing the essence of Fijian flavors. Equally captivating is the meke, a dance form that weaves traditional tales through rhythm and movement. While it thrives in village settings, visitors can also witness the traditional dance at places like the Fiji Culture Village.
Only by delving beyond its sun-kissed beaches can one truly grasp the essence of Fiji. While exploring its rich landscapes and engaging with local communities, visitors truly experience the destination and can bask in the locals’ infectious "bula" spirit—a genuine embrace full of warmth, hospitality, and joy.
Experience Fiji's unique culture and authentic traditions firsthand by visiting a local village, forging a deeper connection with the country. Here are some etiquette tips for when you visit:
By continuing to support the community, its people, and the environment, resorts and tour operators like Talanoa Treks are building a sustainable tourism industry in Fiji. The country’s national airline Fiji Airways also undertakes conservation programs, including planting a tree for every international take-off on its network, partnering with a local operator for a Mangrove & Turtle Tour, and an in-flight Cash for Kids program which collects coins donated by passengers towards hospital, orphanage, and school projects.
“We are taking tangible steps to reduce our carbon footprint and mitigate its effects on the environment.” Such efforts, he explains, include the use of a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend for all flights out of Singapore between August and December 2023.
The airline also established an Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Committee to focus on implementing more sustainable initiatives in the company. “Not only will the ESG Committee drive our sustainable practices,” says Viljoen, “but it will also look at how we can play a bigger role in inspiring everyone to join us in being environmentally conscious.”
By integrating sustainability into their operations, organizations such as Fiji Airways and Talanoa Treks are setting an example in environmental stewardship, preserving the unique culture and natural beauty of Fiji for international visitors, and safeguarding them for future generations of Fijians for years to come.
Fly to happiness with Fiji Airways directly from 26 destinations around the world, including Sydney, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Tokyo, with an extended network of over 100 international destinations through its codeshare partners.
