Start Dates

The 11-Day Family Savaii runs on selected dates during the school holidays - see the Dates tab.  Addition trips can be organised, with customised itineraries, but book early as we get very busy in the school holidays.

Day 1 Arrival

Normally Saturday or Wednesday.

Most likely you will arrive on an afternoon flight from Auckland - See Flights for more details.  We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to Le Vasa or a similar resort.  The hotel is ideal for traveller wanting an afternoon of luxury and provides a gentle introduction to Samoa.

Day 2 - Introduction to Savaii

After getting your bike fitted, ride the 3kms to the ferry terminal. The crossing takes a little over an hour and then it is a 19km ride to Lano. The road meanders beside the lagoon and is a delightful introduction to village life. Your arms will get tired from waving to the kids and calling out “bye-bye” as you pass. Along the way there are several good swimming spots on beaches and in fresh water pools.

Take the optional plantation tour to understand a bit more about village life. Learn how to tend the Taro and make a basket and watch coconut palm climbing.

The fale resort is on a sandy beach beside the lagoon at Lano. It's the perfect place to practise your snorkelling, or just laze in the warm water for an hour or two. Lano sometimes has a Siva show and umu feast.  Dependent on numbers staying and availability of the dance team.

Day 3 -Ride to Manase

Look forward to a 32km ride on mostly flat roads. The middle section of the ride is through a jungle corridor before winding over the lava fields. There is time to inspect the LMS church with a metre of lava on the floor from the 1905 eruption. Relax at the Manase fales(some motel upgrades available), where again the water laps within a few metres of your feet.  

Day 4 - Explore Manase

Options include:

• Snorkel with Dive Savaii,
• Ride up to Matavanu Crater to meet da Crater Man and explore the cloud forest. A 500m climb and exhilarating descent on a grassy 4wd track.
• Explore the Dwarfs Cave - A wet and challenging experience in a pool and drop cave
• Chill on the beach, checkout the bars, have pizza at the pizzeria, snorkel etc

Day 5 Over the hill

This is the big ride day. Although it is only 40kms to Vaisala, the 500 metres of climb can get a bit warm, so start early. If you stay with the van there is no compulsion to ride the hills, just throw your bike in the van and enjoy the company of your support crew.

The ride starts with a gentle meander through seaside villages before gradually heading inland and climbing through forest to avoid the lava cliffs.There are now two lava tube cave tour locations along the way offering the opportunity to see the swiftlets pretending to be bats as they echo-locate to their nests as well as a chance to admire the geology of the caves.  The road climbs steadily to 200m  before heading across the lava fields in a series of undulations* and down to Asau. Swim in the freshwater pools at the bottom of the hill before riding the last 3 kms to the classic old Vaisala hotel beside one of the best snorkelling locations in the country.  

The Somerset Maugham atmosphere and great beach at Vaisala make this place a must. Enjoy a lobster dinner (it is usually on the menu) on the balcony while being serenaded by the string band. 

Day 6 Vaisala Beach Day

Relax on the white sand beach, borrow an outrigger and explore the lagoon, snorkel out to the reef or ride to Vaimoana for lunch.

Day 7 To the western edge of the world

This is a gentle 20km ride to Falealupo with a number of attractions along the way: climb a giant banyan tree, realise the power of cyclones at the church (ruined in 1990) and hear stories about surviving cyclones at the House of Rock. Falealupo is a beautiful isolated beach at the western edge of the world; the sunsets across the coral sands are memorable and the swimming in the small lagoon refreshing.

Day 8 South coast ride

There are numerous villages on the 40km ride around the coast to Satuiatua. The road winds along the cliff tops and beside beaches through many villages. Stop at Lovers Leap for a nui  (drinking coconut) and to admire the view.

Satuiatua Resort is located right on the beach under giant banyan trees. When the tide is right (greater than half) there is wonderful snorkelling amongst dense schools of fish and we have often seen whales breaching while we were enjoying a beer on the restaurant balcony. There is an opportunity to attend a tapa making session to see mulberry bark turned into cloth and a good plantation tour is offered by the resort, but the beach usually wins out as the best spot for the afternoon.

Day 9  R&R

Enjoy a day at the beach at Satuiatua.  Snorkel, take in the cultural activities or just chill out and look for the whales.  There is some surfing available nearby, but this is for experts only as its onto the reef and subject to strong currents at the lagoon entrance.  There is no resident surf guide.

Day 10 Blowholes and waterfalls

It's the last cycling day and while it's 45km, the ride is mostly flat and with a lot to see on the way (there is so much to see that some groups elect to take the van for part of this day). The blowholes seem to perform in almost any sea condition and tide but can be huge in a good southerly swell. The waterfalls at Afu Aau are probably the second most visited attraction on Savaii, and for good reason. Set in a shady, leafy valley the pool beneath the falls provides a very refreshing swim for all, with opportunities for the more confident to leap from the surrounding cliffs. Depending on your flights and preferences your last night will normally be at Florence's place, a small homestay with very interesting and entertaining hosts. 

Day 11 Departure

Catch the ferry back to Upolu, wave your sad farewells to this uniquely hospitable country and fly home (or if you are simply not ready to leave, stay a while longer).

Manono Island Extra

Come two days earlier and explore Manono Island.  Located 5 kms from our base it is accessible by ferry or our kayaks.  The 4km coastline of the Island supports 3 villages, but dogs, pigs, cars and bikes are banned.

*Undulations occasionally becomes a swear word as in  - "another of Ross's undulating climbs".  They are never very high, but they are repetitive and noticeable in the heat.