Day 01 - Tuesday Depart the USA
All of Rustic Pathways scheduled group flights to Fiji depart from Los Angeles.  Our carrier is Air Pacific – Fiji’s national airline.  The flight each week is non-stop to Nadi International Airport and is escorted by a Rustic Pathways Flight Leader. The flight departs LAX in the evening and takes about 10 hours.  During your flight, take the time to get to know other students, get some sleep in preparation for your arrival in the South Pacific, relax with a movie or two and start to settle into the easy-going and friendly nature of the Fijian’s and their legendary hospitality.     

Day 02 – Wednesday In transit  
Today is “lost” as you cross the international dateline, but don’t worry too much… you will get it back on your way home!     

Day 03 - Thursday Bula!  Welcome to Fiji! 
Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be greeted by a Rustic Pathways staff member and transported to your new home at our beautiful Rustic Pathways Momi Bay Base.  Here you will enjoy a tropical breakfast with your new staff and new friends.  You will receive an orientation about the week ahead of you while you overlook sugarcane fields that seem to fall into the ocean.  The staff will help you settle into your new home and answer any questions you might have.  You will be given enough time to relax and unwind while getting to know your new friends. 

After lunch there is no time to waste.  By mid-afternoon you will be participating in one of our 8 community service opportunities for a half day of service.  This is a great opportunity to start exploring your new neighborhood while getting to know your local community.  You will be surprised how welcoming and excited the Fijians are to see you!  There’s not a better way to say hello than with community service!

During the evening tonight you can unwind from your busy day with a swim in the pool or a friendly soccer match or simply watching the sunset from our huge deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean with some new friends.  You can be guaranteed a good night sleep tonight!

Day 04 - Friday The Fijian People and Your Projects
Today will be your first full day of service work!  Rustic Pathways has developed a wonderful relationship with the local people of Momi Bay and the larger Nadi area.  Project work during the course of your program may involve participation in a variety of initiatives.  You can expect to spend time within the local schools, tutoring students in English, getting involved with afternoon sporting events and facilitating much needed art and music classes.  In addition, you might be singing songs and creating crafts at local kindergartens or orphanages while learning new games that the Fijian children love to play.  Our services extend beyond the children; we teach computer literacy classes to people of all ages that would not have access to this information otherwise.  Other projects involve repairs and maintenance to school buildings, construction of new amenities or upgrading of present facilities.  You can also expect to spend a day at the local hospital or one of the rural nursing stations to help disperse medical donations, teach the locals about hygiene, dental care and general medical issues.  If you love the outdoors you will be able to help preserve the marine life and coral coast through environmental projects with local Fijians.  Your week of service will be varied, interesting, challenging and extremely rewarding and worthwhile.

In the evening you will be formally welcomed to Fiji with a kava ceremony (sevusevu) by the local Fijian’s.  This will be your opportunity to learn a lot about Fijian culture and the beauty and history behind kava.  This is an experience you can only get in Fiji!

Rustic Pathways is also seeking to directly help the communities we serve with donations of items that are too expensive to be purchased by Fijian organizations or unavailable in Fiji.  The donation lists have been created by Fijians for Fijians.  We would like to encourage all students who participate in this program to bring with them some of the items on the donation list.  These items will be donated at the site where they are most appropriately needed.  This will greatly expand the resources these schools, hospitals, villages and homeless shelters need to operate effectively.     

Day 05 – Saturday Full day of work with a little time to wander!  
This morning you will participate in a large group community service work project.  Generally, work on a Saturday morning will involve projects that enable us to complete tasks at schools while students are not in their classrooms or larger projects that involve a whole village or community.  Many of the adults are able to participate and get involved after meeting their job obligations during the course of a normal working week.

After your morning of service there is the opportunity for some touring and sightseeing along the coral coast in the late afternoon.  Your group can determine the pace of the afternoon but it may include a few hours at a local beach to relax, swim, snorkel or perhaps even learn to surf.  Other options include a stop in town to explore a Hindu temple, survey the open-air market for possible bargains and souvenirs or taking a class in local handicrafts.  If your group would rather keep the energy level high you can jump into natural hot pools or mud pits, or hike up to a beautiful waterfall and go for a dip.  Your staff will know all the best sights and activities to fill up your day and will happily help you make the most of your afternoon.     

Day 06 - Sunday Optional Activity Day!
Within the Fijian culture, Sunday’s are generally observed as a day to rest, relax and enjoy the company of family and friends.  Your Sunday will be spent enjoying the wonders that Fiji has to offer in whatever way that fits your mood!  How you spend your day on Sunday is up to you.  You can go swimming, snorkeling or surfing at our beautiful Natadola beach, explore paradise on an off-shore island, participate in amazing, adrenaline water sports, discover the world below us while scuba diving or discover the world above us while you sky dive!   Your Sunday will be spent enjoying the wonders that Fiji has to offer in whatever way that fits your mood!  Get ready for a day you will never forget!     

Days 07 to 09 – Monday to Wednesday    
More Exciting Projects and Wonderful Cross-Cultural Participation!  
During the next three days your focus will be on a variety of projects your group is undertaking for the week.  Each morning you will break into smaller groups and concentrate on a new project for the day.

At the conclusion of each afternoon’s work you will participate in the outdoor adventures or culture Fiji has to offer.  Whatever you didn’t do on Saturday you can do today!

In the evening, you will return to our Momi Base to socialize, swim, play soccer, go for a run or walk with our staff or just chill out.  There will be night activities from astronomy classes, movie nights an games, as well as the chance to watch a Meke dance performance!     

Day 10 – Thursday Something to take home with you!
Well your first week has flown by like a dream and you should now be well and truly entrenched in Fiji and much of what this easy-going island nation is all about.  Today is a chance to do some much desired shopping for souvenirs.  You will get the chance to explore town and the local handicraft market for gifts and reminders of your time in Fiji.  If you are departing to the USA tonight, after a final meal with your group, you travel to the airport and bid Fiji farewell (until next year perhaps).  You will be escorted to LAX with a Rustic Pathways Flight leader.   For those students who are continuing to another Rustic Pathways program in Fiji or overseas, you will commence your next program this morning.    

Extending your Sun, Sand and Service Week.
Weeks Two, Three, Four and beyond…. 
If you’re staying longer on our Sun, Sand and Service program your additional weeks will remain much the same as your first week although no day is exactly the same in Fiji so there will be new opportunities of service and adventure.  Your understanding of Fijian culture will be better, the depth of the friendships you’ve made will be stronger and your ability to communicate, participate and contribute will be enhanced the longer you spend here.  Fiji has a way of seducing you and these islands have captivated many a visitor.  To find a place with the degree of friendliness that the locals possess, the natural beauty that this country exudes, melded with the easy-going and peaceful pace of life that the locals adhere to can be wonderfully refreshing and incredibly enticing.  Your staff will encourage you to enjoy all that this program has to offer and we hope that the quality and range of projects, personalities and activities you experience only make you want to stay longer!    

An Important Note about Schedule Changes:
Rustic Pathways reserves the right to change, alter, or amend the daily itinerary for this trip at any time. Changes can be made for various reasons including changes in flight or program schedules, changes in the schedules of various external tours incorporated in our trips, the addition of new activities into a trip, or the substitution of an old activity for a new activity. The itinerary shown here provides a good outline of the anticipated daily schedule for this program. As with any travel program, some changes may occur.

You will be traveling to Fiji during the dry season, where the days are generally hot, with some humidity. The evenings can cool off but often remain warm.
                                                                                                                      
We ask that you pack as lightly as you can. You will be expected to carry your bags and gear yourself. Please bring a backpack/daypack that you can use for day excursions. You may wish to bring two smaller bags or one large bag (we suggest not larger than 30”).
Suggested Packing List
Carry-On Luggage:

Please use a small backpack/daypack. This will be used throughout the trip on excursions.
Passport and Wallet
Spare T-Shirt
Sunglasses
Toothbrush and toothpaste (2oz. or less)
Camera, disposable camera and/or film
Journals and Pens
Music, books etc.
*ear plugs
*eye shield from the light

Checked Luggage:
Nice button down or collared shirt (1-2)
Nice light weight pants (1)
Ladies- long skirt that covers your knees and is comfortable (1)
T-Shirts (4)
Tank tops (2)                         
Long-sleeve t-shirts (1)
Shorts (2 pairs)
Jeans or long pants (1 pair)
Heavy sweatshirt or light jacket (1)
Underwear
Socks                                                        
Sneakers (1 pair)
Tevas, sandals or flip flops (1 pair)
Swim suit (1-2)
Cap or sun hat
Light weight raincoat or poncho
Towel (1 beach, 1 bath)
Laundry bag for dirty laundry
Flashlight or headlamp
Spare batteries
Water bottle
Linens – please bring a twin sheet and pillow case for you bed
Lightweight sleeping bag or blanket for warmth
Toiletries – Please note that we strongly encourage all students to use only biodegradable soap.
Biodegradable soap
Biodegradable shampoo
Toothbrush
Biodegradable toothpaste
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Waterless hand sanitizer
Personal first aid kit
Any medications
Contact lens and fluid or other items as necessary
Items to donate to schools and health centers (3-5) (please click here for a list of suggested items)
Pictures of family and friends to share with you new friends in Fiji (optional)
Musical instrument – the Fijians love to sit around at night and play guitar etc. (optional)
Energy bars, vitamins and other snacks (optional)
Books, playing cards, games (optional)

Please Note:
Many of our service programs include work in schools, where uniforms are typically mandatory, and in professional medical facilities. For this reason, we do expect students to wear appropriate attire when involved in their service projects. Nice shirts and t-shirts are acceptable, but we ask that students do not wear tank-tops. This means that for the vast majority of the program female students will need to wear sleeved shirts and pants or skirts that cover their knees.

You will have the option to have your laundry washed by a laundry service in town at your own expense.

It is important to bring a water bottle with you so that you keep yourself well hydrated in the hot Fiji sun.

Please do not bring you favorite items with you! There is always a chance that you will get a bit dirty while working on your service projects and exploring the islands.

1 - What will the accommodation on this trip be like?
Students will stay at Rustic Pathways Momi Bay Base.  Students stay in bures (Fiji houses) that sleep up to six students (of the same sex) in each.  Each bure has solar powered showers, flush toilets and bunk style beds.  The base also has a swimming pool, small work-out area, games area and tv room.  The base is situated on 14 acres of land and encompasses ocean views, organic vegetable gardens, fish ponds and sports fields.

2 - Will the students be drinking bottled water?  
The Base water is safe for drinking but students are able to purchase bottled water and other drinks from the bar.

3 - What kind of food will we be eating?
Our Momi base has their own resident chef and team of cooking staff.  Students will eat a combination of local Fijian dishes and more western-style dishes. Breakfasts typically include cereal, breads, crackers and fruit. Lunches and dinners range from traditional Fijian lovo feasts of chicken, cassava and dalo (root crops similar to potatoes), fresh fish, to pastas, curries, salads and vegetables.

4 - How many girls and boys are usually on this trip?
On average, our programs in Fiji are 60% female and 40% male.

5 - How does this program connect to other programs?
All programs in Fiji connect easily together. On the final day of each program students will come to our base in Momi Bay to connect with the staff and students for their next program. 

6 - Will there be a flight leader to this country?
 A flight leader will accompany students on the group flight to Fiji from Los Angeles. Students will meet their flight leader at the departure gate in Los Angeles. Students joining a program in Fiji from Australia or New Zealand will not be accompanied by a flight leader. Our program staff will greet students when they arrive at the Nadi Airport in Fiji.

7 - How long is the flight to this country?
Fiji is 10 hours by air from Los Angeles. Flights from Australia and New Zealand are 3-4 hours.

8 - Do we need to get visas for this program?
US citizens do not need a visa for entry as a tourist into Fiji. On arrival into Fiji, immigration will issue US citizens with a tourist visa for entry into the county. You do not need to do anything prior to your trip for a visa.

9 - What immunizations do we need to get for this trip?
All Rustic Pathways students are required to have an up-to-date tetanus shot. We suggest Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid vaccinations and recommend that you consult a doctor regarding immunizations for travel to the region. You can find additional information on immunizations for travel from the US Center for Disease Control at www.cdc.gov.

10 - What costs are not included on this trip?
The only items not included in this trip are optional activities, souvenirs, snacks and small donations that students may opt to contribute as part of their service projects.