Samoa Adventure

8 Days Starting in Apia and ending in Lalomanu

Visiting: Apia, Savai'i, Savai'i - Lalomanu, Lalomanu - Vavau Village, Lalomanu, Samoa

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

TESS

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

15-99 years

Tour operated in:

English

Interests:

Cultural

From: $3235

NB: Prices correct on 08-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Between snorkelling over colourful coral reefs that teem with wildlife and plunging into pristine waterholes below hidden waterfalls, this is a trip for your swimsuit! Among all the beautiful natural gifts that the islands of Samoa have to offer, you’ll also spend time learning about the traditional culture and village life of the locals. With fully guided day tours around different parts of two islands, as well as time to yourself to relax and unwind, this 8-day Samoan adventure is paradise. Explore bustling markets to stock up on souvenirs and experience a traditional fiafia night with fire dancing and feasting – to cap it all off.

Highlights

  • Fa'a Samoa – The Samoan Way. This phrase refers to the Samoan culture and traditions that influence the lives of many local people. Experience this in immersive village tours with your local leader, who will introduce you to the culture and traditions of each spot.

  • Make the most of the pristine water and slide down a natural rockslide into the waterholes at Papase’ea. Visit the stunning sandy beaches Vauvua and Lalomanu and snorkel in Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, teeming with tropical fish and coral.

  • Be amazed by the ancient Star Mounds in Cape Falealupo, one of Samoa's most sacred places, and the remains of the Virgin's grave and the LMS Church. Walk across lava rocks – evidence of the destructive eruption in 1905.

  • Enjoy a fiafia night – a traditional celebration of dance, costumes, music and feasting on dishes that are cooked in an umu oven using hot volcanic rock.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Apia

Location: Apia

Accommodation: Hotel - Superior Garden & Ocean View Rooms

Talofa! Welcome to Samoa. An arrival transfer is available for pre-booking from Apia’s Faleolo Airport. If you've booked one, keep an eye out for your driver who will present you with a flower ula to wear to get you in the mood for your island getaway. They will take you to your hotel where you can check in before meeting your group and trip leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm over drinks and snacks. After the welcome meeting, maybe head out for dinner with your group – your leader will be able to show you some great local spots.

Day 2: Apia

Location: Apia

Accommodation: Hotel - Superior Garden & Ocean View Rooms

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch

After a leisurely breakfast you’ll head out for a full day of exploration. Today’s schedule includes some water activities, so make sure you pack swimwear. This morning you’ll visit Mulivai Cathedral and then take a quick tour of the beautiful Mulinuu Point on the peninsula. Stopping in at the markets on the way, you can shop for souvenirs, fruit and local handicrafts. Then it's on to Papase’ea Sliding Rocks - a natural playground that gives even the best water parks a run for their money! After lunch at a local cafe, where you can often see a demonstration of ‘elei printing, the traditional Samoan designs on fabric, you'll head to the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum – the famous Scottish author who made his home on the island. Further uphill, visit the Baha'i House of Worship – a beautiful temple set among acres of prayer gardens. Our final destination for the day is the white sandy beaches of Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, with the option of snorkelling over the vibrant reef, abundant with colourful coral and wildlife. Return to the hotel and enjoy an optional dinner at one of the many waterfront eateries in Apia tonight.


Included Activities:
-Apia - Papase’ea Sliding Rocks
-Apia - Robert Louis Stevenson Historical Home
-Apia - Bahai House of Worship
-Apia - Palolo Deep Marine Reserve
-Apia - Mulivai Cathedral
-Apia - Fresh Produce & Flea Market visit

Day 3: Savai'i

Location: Savai'i

Accommodation: Seaside Lodge - Tui Moana Ensuites

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

An early start today as you’ll leave the hotel around 6 am and take a private transfer to the ferry terminal. Board the 8am ferry for the journey to your next destination in Samoa - Savai'i, the largest island in the Samoan Islands Archipelago. The ferry trip takes just over an hour. Savai’i also features prominently in Samoa’s history, legends and myths, and you will get a chance to visit a few spots where some of these stories originated from. Your first stop will be the Savai’i Market before travelling to one of the region's highlights - the spectacular Blowholes. As you journey across Savai'i, there'll be a chance to visit a number of other points of interest along the way as well as enjoy the views of Samoan villages and their colourful gardens. If there's time before your included dinner at our accommmodation, you can fit in a quick dip in the ocean.


Included Activities:
-Savai’i - Market visit
-Savai'i - Blowholes

Day 4: Savai'i

Location: Savai'i

Accommodation: Seaside Lodge - Tui Moana Ensuites

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

After a delicious included breakfast spread, start your day with a visit to Cape Falealupo - the easternmost point in Samoa. Spend half a day here at the various sites learning about Samoan legends and culture, including Giant Moso's Footprint, the Ancient Star Mound, Fafao o SaoAli'l (Passage of the Afterlife) and more. Return to our accommodation for some relaxation and beach time. Tonight we will have a fia fia (happy get together) at our accommodation. This is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate heritage with music and dance and a delicious buffet dinner made with fresh local produce. Don’t be shy, join the fun and dance along!


Included Activities:
-Savai’i - Cape Falealupo half day tour
-Savai’i - Fafao o SaoAli'l (Passage of the Afterlife)
-Savai’i - Ancient Star Mound
-Savai'i - Giant Moso's Footprint
-Savai'i - Fia Fia Night

Day 5: Savai'i - Lalomanu

Location: Savai'i - Lalomanu

Accommodation: Airconditioned Villas

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Travel along the north coast of Savai'i after breakfast today, with a picnic lunch along the way. You will travel through some of the most beautiful villages in Savai’i then continue on to the Sale’aula Lava Fields to witness the remains of the eruption of Mt Matavanu in 1905, the Virgin’s Grave and nearby church. Depart from Savai’i on the 2pm ferry and continue to our final accommodation of the trip on the coast of Upolu at Lalomanu, voted one of the best beaches in Samoa. There'll be time for a swim, snorkel or wander along the beach here before our included dinner tonight. 


Included Activities:
-Savai'i - Virgin’s Grave

Day 6: Lalomanu - Vavau Village

Location: Lalomanu - Vavau Village

Accommodation: Airconditioned Villas

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Enjoy breakfast, and a bit of free time this morning before we depart for our village cultural day. Make sure to bring your lavalava as you'll be met by village chiefs and matais who will hold an ava (welcoming ceremony) for us at the village of Vavau. Be prepared to enjoy plenty of traditional Samoan foods as part of our feast while the local women's committee and youth share songs and dances. After lunch, join in some Samoan games and activities such as taulafoga (coconut tossing) and tagati'a (spear throwing) before farewelling our friends and having some free time to ourselves on the beach. Return to Lalomanu in time for our included dinner. 

Included Activities:
-Vavau Village - Traditional games & cultural activities
-Vavau Village - Ava (Welcoming Ceremony)
-Vavau Village - Customary feast

Day 7: Lalomanu

Location: Lalomanu

Accommodation: Airconditioned Villas

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

More exploring today after breakfast, including the Sopoaga waterfalls, Ma Tree walk, and the iconic To Sua Trench. Bring your swimwear as there will be plenty of opportunities for a dip! Back at our accommodation for our final night, farewell your time in Samoa with dinner and a show of fa'ataupati (slap dance) and fire knife dancing. Make some final memories, dance and have fun!



Included Activities:
-Upolu - Sopoaga waterfall
-Upolu - To Sua Trench
-Upolu - Ma Tree walk
-Lalomanu - Fire knife & fa'ataupati show

Day 8: Lalomanu

Location: Lalomanu

Meals Included: breaksfast

Sunday is a day of rest, but in Samoa not until after church. A highlight for many visitors to Samoa is visiting a local church service, and your tour leader can help organise this for anyone interested. You may wish to book additional accommodation to extend your stay, otherwise your time in Samoa comes to an end after breakfast today. 

Optional Activities:
-Apia - Samoan church service - Free

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel - Superior Garden & Ocean View Rooms (2 nights), Seaside Lodge - Tui Moana Ensuites (2 nights), Airconditioned Villas (3 nights)

  • Apia - Papase’ea Sliding Rocks

  • Apia - Robert Louis Stevenson Historical Home

  • Apia - Bahai House of Worship

  • Apia - Palolo Deep Marine Reserve

  • Apia - Mulivai Cathedral

  • Apia - Maketi Fou Market

  • Savai’i - Salelologa Market visit

  • Savai'i - Blowholes

  • Savai’i - Cape Falealupo half day tour

  • Savai’i - Fafao o SaoAli'l (Passage of the Afterlife)

show more

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Private vehicle , Ferry

Accommodation

  • We stay in simple accommodation throughout our time in Samoa. Hot water supply at some properties may be sporadic, so expect some cold showers.

Important Information

  • 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
  • 2. Please note the legal drinking age in Samoa is 21 years.

Mode of Transport

  • Private vehicle , Ferry

Accommodation

  • Hotel - Superior Garden & Ocean View Rooms (2 nights), Seaside Lodge - Tui Moana Ensuites (2 nights), Airconditioned Villas (3 nights)

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    There are many water-based activities included in this trip. You will get the most out of this trip if you are a competent and confident swimmer. If you are not so confident, we recommend that you bring a life jacket from home to allow you to still participate safely.

    The accommodation for this trip is not at luxury beach resorts, but is at simple, comfortable locally owned accommodation. Hot water may not be consistently available. WiFi is also not widely accessible, and a local SIM will need to be purchased to have consistent internet access.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

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24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

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I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

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I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

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15-Mar-2024

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Nicole  

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29-Feb-2024

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Prices last published on 08-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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