Dates & Prices

What's included in your expedition fee?

We work hard to ensure that the cost of our expeditions reflects our high quality of service, personal planning and the long term commitment we make to fund vital development for the Fijian communities who we support. Once in Fiji, you will only need additional spending money for telephone calls home, souvenirs and a few lunches at the resorts at the end. We guarantee that you will see with your own eyes the financial support that Think Pacific makes to the communities in Fiji, and the lasting legacy that this achieves. Over 70% of your expedition fee is spent within Fiji.

Here is a step by step breakdown of how your expedition fee is allocated:

Castaway Islands, beach resorts, jungle treks, day trips and activities as part of each expedition

• Five days to sink into 'Fiji time' as you relax on your own tiny castaway island resort and our leaders and our local government partners brief you on the project objectives and prepare you for life in the rural villages. This week includes a day trip to a traditional Fijian village, a boat trip to visit the old capital of Fiji, snorkelling excursions to the beautiful coral reefs, volleyball tournaments and afternoon beach activities and evening entertainment.
• A ten day (six days on our five-week expedition) end of project resort and relaxation phase. This is time to hop through some of Fiji's most dramatic scenery; exploring the bustling markets of suva, staying in a river lodge by the Namosi Rainforest, relaxing by the pristine beaches of the Coral Coast and finishing with a beach party in Nadi Bay. This is time for the group to relax and enjoy ten days of fun in the sunshine as a team, with optional treks, snorkelling trips and kayaking or for the more adventurous, additional activities such as sky diving, river rafting and scuba diving are available.
• During the volunteer project iteself we organise weekly activities alongside your volunteering so you will be fully immersed as possible into Fijian life. This includes guided visits to different villages, jungle treks, fishing trips, farming in the jungle plantations, lovo feasts, kava ceromonies, beach bonfires and evening entertainment, Fijian cooking, palm weaving, bilo making, coconut husking and Fijian language lessons. All of these activities are included, providing jobs to local guides and Fijian staff.
• Our ten week expedtions end with a magnificent tall ship sailing safari through the paradise Mamanuca Islands.

Project Donation

• Each expedition fee includes a donation to fund all of the development projects in the rural Fijian villages. Think Pacific's donation to local community projects is the highest proportonal amount that we are aware of in the gap year industry today, which demonstrates our local commitment to third world communties. This funding is key to acheiving the long term development aims. Your expedition fee funds local development in two ways;
• A) By purchasing and transporting all of the building materials, sports equipment and school resources to achieve the aims of the project you will be working on in Fiji. Our building projects are a key focus of each expedition and we will start and complete the entire building structure within your project timeframe.
• B) By providing scholarships which fund long term project aims, investing in youth initiatives, and supporting vocational, sporting and university training courses for local people.

Accommodation and food

• Accommodation throughout your time in Fiji, including village homestays, backpacker lodges, locally owned resorts, jungle lodges, tents (where required) and our tall ship. 
• All meals are funded during your volunteer phase. Think Pacific supports each village family to ensure that your presence is in no way a burden upon local resources or to the host village. Meals often involve the whole community coming together to prepare, cook and enjoy a variety of fantastic Fijian dishes including lovo feasts and fish as fresh as it can possible be!
• Three great meals a day during your briefing and all breakfasts and evening meals during the island safari. Volunteers need only bring money to pay for the occassional lunch during excursions and adventure activities.

In-country briefing

• We ensure you are fully briefed in Fiji and ready to experience life in the Fijian village. Our comprehensive briefing programme takes place over five days from a castaway island in Fiji's Lomaiviti Province. This week includes Project presentations by the Fijian Ministry, Fijian language lessons, health and safety briefings, village protocol, guidance in local culture and customs by our Fijian guides, snorkeling, barbeques and beach bonfires.

Combined Volunteer projects so you can play a key role in building, teaching and sports initiatives 

• Structure and organisation of a range of key projects including building, teaching, kindergarten, sports coaching and youth initiatives on a daily or weekly rota basis.
• Daily project briefing and de-brief and leader support to ensure your role is matched to your skills and passions.
• Training in building skills and techniques by our skilled carpenters.
• Weekly individual one-to-one project planning meeting with your assigned expedition leader to develop your volunteering role and maximise your impact.
• Organisation of sports competitions, health awareness projects, environmental initiaitves, youth festivals and village fun days.
• Bus and boat transfers to nearby islands to participate in sports tournaments or youth events when applicable.

Pre-departure preparation

• Pre-booking informal interview, advice and assessment to match your personal skills to the project objectives in Fiji. 
• Comprehensive project information pack and personal UK pre-departure team briefing at Leeds University.
• Flight and Insurance advice and constant email and telephone communication as you prepare for departure.
• Airport welcome by Think Pacific expedition leaders upon arrival in Fiji.

Expedition staff and Support

• We are incredibly proud of our leaders who guide each expedition from start to finish with care, attention to detail, unfaltering enthusiam and a passion for what we do. At least two leaders live alongside you and guide each expedition from start to finish, co-ordinating daily activities and providing constant support.
• Fijian mata ni vanua guides are appointed for each project, to teach you about Fijian culture, customs, history, legends and village etiquette during your time in the rural community.
• Fijian building managers guide our building projects each day, teaching you how to use specific equipment as well as guiding each project to clear timeframes and successful completion.
• Specialist support staff, including Fijian architects, carpenters, electricians and plumbers for our building projects who are all hired by Think Pacific to acheive the aims. In addition we hire local Fijian guides for our treks and excursions, boat captains, bus drivers and tall ship sailing staff.
• Comprehensive medical first aid kits, specialist liability insurance cover by Campbell Irvine, detailed risk assessments and crises management plans and invaluable local support networks including private hospitals, foreign office, Fijian government and local business support.
• 24 hour back up support whilst you are in Fiji from our Project Managers who oversee all Fijian operations and by our UK office.