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Rafting the Upper Navua River with Rivers Fiji

VITALS & STATS | MAP | PRICING | VIDEO

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In the remote highlands of Viti Levu lies one of the most unique river trips on earth. Slicing a deep chasm through the island's tropical interior, the Upper Navua River is our hidden pathway to a pristine tropical wilderness. Shrouded in lush rain forest, fed by countless waterfalls and protected by challenging rapids, the Upper Navua River is Fiji rafting at its best.

Meeting Place:

Rivers Fiji office in Pacific Harbour

Time:

6:45 a.m.

Age Limit:

Minimum age is 8

A.M. Snack:

Served late morning prior to the rafting portion of our journey

Arrive At Put-in: Approximately 10:30 a.m. just outside the village of Nabukelevu and after a short (30 min.) jungle hike to our launch site

Rafting:

We expect to launch our boats shortly after arrival following our safety and paddle talks

Lunch:

A deli-style lunch will be served between 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m.

Take-out: We will take-out in the village of Wainadiro between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., where refreshments await.

Return:

You may change into dry clothes for the return journey and we will most likely have you back between 5-6 p.m. to the Rivers Fiji office.


Rivers Fiji is proud to introduce you to the Upper Navua. Your exploration of this amazing gorge is perhaps one of the most unique journeys in all of Fiji if not the South Pacific and the world. This excursion will take you through some of the country's most formidable and phenomenally beautiful terrain in the relative comfort of inflatable rafts. This is a special trip not because of one unparalleled attribute upon which the success of the trip is based, but many special and scenically significant places; each individually worthy of special recognition. There is not one waterfall but many, (some say at least seventy); not one short stretch of deep, narrow canyon, but kilometers. This is a place where black volcanic walls are at points barely seven meters apart and over forty meters high and fringed by emerald rainforest. This is a place where man has been merely an intermittent visitor at best, where some of the wildest and most beautiful Fiji can still be found.

GETTING THERE: Getting to the Rivers Fiji office is simple. Just get on the main road (Queens Road) and drive to Pacific Harbour and look for The Pearl South Pacific Hotel. Our office is an immediate right after you enter the driveway. If you are driving, you can park your car at the Rivers Fiji office. Once in Fiji, you may call the Rivers Fiji office for further assistance or to arrange a taxi pickup. Their number is 345-0147.

FOOD & SNACKS: We suggest that each guest eat a hearty breakfast before departure. En route we will provide you with a light snack and beverage before setting out on the river. Part way through our journey our guides will locate a suitably scenic and comfortable spot for lunch. The Rivers Fiji lunch consists of a deli spread typically of cold cuts, cheeses, seasonably fresh vegetables, fruits, fresh bread, rolls, assorted cookies, and other condiments. Juice and water will also be made available. For the journey back to the River's Fiji office we will provide you with another light snack of soda, and cookies. If you have specific dietary needs please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

WHAT TO BRING: Sunscreen, sun hat, sunglasses, swimsuit, shorts, T-shirt, bottle of water, dry change of clothes for the return trip back to your hotel and a good pair of river shoes. Sandals with a heel strap are ok, but a pair of comfortable tennis shoes you don't mind getting wet will likely serve you better on any side hikes. We also suggest that you bring along a big bottle of water. While we provide water and other refreshments as part of our trips it is often more convenient for you to keep a bottle with you in your boat. Please read the section on cameras and videos for our specific comments and concerns should you elect to bring them on this journey. You can leave your dry change of clothes and valuables with the bus, which will be locked up and watched over by our driver. At the end of the day our bus will meet you at take-out for your return journey to the Rivers Fiji office.

PADDLE RAFTING: Our boats are equipped to handle crews of 4 to 6. Due to the physical nature of paddle boating and length of this journey you need to be in good physical condition. Paddle rafting requires that each crewmember be prepared to execute the paddling commands called out by their captain. A paddling discussion and training session will be given by each paddle captain at put-in to better prepare you for the challenges downstream. For individuals of good health who enjoy exerting themselves in the out-of-doors paddle boating is a fun and rewarding way to explore the Upper Navua Gorge. Alexander the Great once said, "Upon the conduct of each depends the fate of all". Never was this more true than in paddle rafting.

upper navua raftingOAR/PADDLE- ASSIST COMBO: All of our trips on the Upper Navua are configured with the oar-paddle assist in mind. By combining the benefits of both oar and paddle power in one boat, we provide participants with the thrill and enjoyment of paddling without having to assume total responsibility for the craft's downstream momentum and navigation. With the negotiation of whitewater safely behind you, the guide takes over so you can enjoy the scenery, soak up the sun and just plain relax. This option is great for guests who want to focus more on the scenery, wildlife, and learning about the area as well as enjoying the whitewater.

CAMERA / VIDEO: The Upper Navua is a river canyon of beauty and worthy of photographic pursuit. However, due to the nature of river trips it is likely that any camera gear you bring on this journey could get wet, damp, damaged or lost. Rivers Fiji insists that you assume full and complete responsibility for its care and storage. Please note that Rivers (Fiji) Ltd. will not be responsible for the care and/or safekeeping of your personal equipment on the river trip.


SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Don't forget to bring any special medications (allergy, etc.) with you. It is also important to let your trip leader know if you have any special medical considerations before setting out on this journey. Please also be sure to tell whomever you make your reservation with, of any dietary restrictions you might have.

EXPLORER ETIQUETTE: In order to insure that each passenger experiences the same beauty and delightfulness of the river canyon, all of our trips practice a "leave no trace" environmental and social ethic. All garbage and waste packed in are also packed out. We also ask that you refrain from smoking while in the raft with other passengers and pack out all cigarette butts. Modest dress is expected when entering villages.

RESERVATIONS AND DEPOSITS: A $30/person deposit is required at the time of reservation. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure.

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS:If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, notify us as soon as possible. You can telephone, but we also need written notice. The cancellation fee after you've made your deposit can range up to the entire trip cost, based upon the number of days prior to your trip that we receive your cancellation notice. We regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. For this reason, we strongly urge our participant to investigate trip insurance (see Insurance). All bookings made direct with Rivers Fiji will require full payment paid by credit card. Cancellations received more than 24 hours prior to trip departure are refundable less a cancellation fee of $40. Payment for trips cancelled within 24 hours of trip departure will not be refunded. Payments for trips in which the guest does not show up will also not be refunded. Credit card payments and refunds will be processed in the Rivers Fiji office. Please contact the Rivers Fiji office by email or phone for further details.

MEDICAL: Under most circumstances, if you are of an adventurous spirit and in reasonably good health, you should have no problem enjoying a Travel Outdoors/ Rivers (Fiji), Ltd. trip. People with heart trouble and pregnant women should have their physician's approval before taking a river trip.

INSURANCE: Although every effort is made to insure a safe trip for all, we strongly recommend that you protect yourself, your belongings, and your vacation through the purchase of a short-term traveler's policy. A trip cancellation policy covers your non-refundable payments in most cases, should you have to cancel your trip at the last minute due to illness or injury. Trip participants should realize that in the event of illness or injury on a river trip, evacuation could be prolonged, difficult and expensive. Personal belongings and cameras are carried entirely at the owner's risk, and Travel Outdoors/ Rivers (Fiji), Ltd. accepts no responsibility for lost, damaged, delayed or stolen property.

LIABILITY WAIVER: Everyone is required to sign a standard release before the trip, acknowledging awareness that some risks are associated with the trip. Safety is of the utmost concern on our trips. However, due to the nature of the activities, a condition of your participation is that you will sign this form before the trip begins. Anyone who refuses to sign the form will not be allowed to participate, and consistent with Travel Outdoors and Rivers (Fiji), Ltd. cancellation policy, there will be no refund of the trip fees at that time.

RESPONSIBILITY-AN IMPORTANT NOTICE: Travel Outdoors, Rivers (Fiji), Ltd. and cooperating agencies act only in the capacity of agent for the participants in all matters relating to transportation and/or all other related travel services, and assume no responsibility however caused for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service, including but not limited to that resulting directly or indirectly from acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, theft, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, and discrepancies or change in transit over which it has no control. Reasonable changes in itinerary may be made where deemed advisable for the comfort and well being of the participants, including cancellation due to water fluctuation, insufficient bookings, and other factors. There is risk in whitewater rafting, inflatable kayaking, boating in motorized longboats and motoring on back-country roads which are sometimes in poor repair. Rafts, kayaks and motorized longboats do capsize, particularly during high-water conditions. You could be swept overboard. Your guide will make every attempt to assist, but you must be strong and agile enough to "self-help" and "float-it-out" without further endangering yourself or others. Please be advised that our U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets are rated to accommodate persons no heavier than 260 pounds and with a chest size no larger than 52 inches.

Please give us an opportunity to make you feel welcome. We need to discuss any special requirements ahead of time. We may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason we feel is related to the safety of our trips. On advancement of deposit the depositor agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Vinaka vaka levu!

Thank you very much!

VITALS & STATS | MAP | PRICING | VIDEO