WHITEWATER RAFTING

Rafting the Upper Navua Gorge

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 70); 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 40 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.

Trip Details

Day 1:
The day begins early with a meeting time of 6:45am at the Rivers Fiji office in Pacific Harbour. Climb aboard a 4-wheel drive highland carrier and head west along the coast with the sun rising behind you. For those guests coming from Nadi or the Coral Coast who have arranged transportation with Rivers Fiji, you will meet the carrier at the junction of the Queens highway and the logging road that leads to the river put-in. Pick-up time from your hotel will vary, depending on location.

The drive along the bumpy but scenic logging track ascends steeply to a coastal ridge before winding into the rainforested interior. After just over an hour, arrive at the end of the road where you’ll unload, stretch your legs and enjoy a homemade snack. Pack what you need for the day, leaving your dry clothes with the carrier, and begin a short, 15-minute hike to the river and the rafts.

After a safety talk and paddling practice, head down river and into the gorge. The rapids start right away and you’ll just be hitting your stride when you come to Moce Falls, the biggest drop of the day, just a half mile downstream. Pass a waterfall around almost every bend as you are carried swiftly along.

Come midday, pull over to a sandy beach for a delicious picnic lunch. Your guides will present an abundant spread of cold cuts, cheeses, veggies and bread along with all the fixings, fresh fruit, cookies and juice.

Back on the river, each mile brings more stunning scenery and more fun whitewater. Gradually, the narrow canyon walls fall away and you begin to see signs of civilization. you may encounter a friendly local aboard a bamboo raft on this stretch of the river as you make your way to the take-out at the village of Wainadiro. Here you will have the opportunity to change into dry clothes for the one-hour drive back to the Rivers Fiji office in Pacific Harbour, arriving at approximately 5:00pm.

Storage
You may leave your dry-change of clothes and valuables with the coach that will be locked and watched by a driver. You'll meet the same coach at the end of the day for the return trip home.

Paddle Rafting
Boats are equipped to handle crews of four to six. 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 crew member 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 outdoors, 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.

The Oar/Paddle-Assist Combo
All 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, Rivers Riji provides 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 Luva is a river canyon of beauty and worthy of photographic pursuit. However, due to the nature of river trips it is likely that anything 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 to be sure to tell whoever you make your reservation with 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 trips practice a "leave no trace" environmental and social ethic. All garbage and waste packed in are also packed out. They 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.

Cancellations and Refunds
If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, notify Rivers Fiji as soon as possible. You can telephone, but they 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 they receive your cancellation notice. Rivers Fiji regrets they cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. For this reason, they strongly urge participants to investigate trip insurance. Cancellations 60 days or more prior to the trip will be refunded less the deposit of $30/person. Cancellations 59 days or less prior to your trip are not refundable.

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, Rivers Fiji strongly recommends 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 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 their 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 Rivers Fiji an opportunity to make you feel welcome. Please discuss any special requirements ahead of time. Rivers Fiji may decide, at any time, to exclude any person or group for any reason they feel is related to the safety of their 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.