Depart USA
Today we depart Chicago for the West Coast where we connect with our overnight transpacific flight. Enjoy meals, movies & entertainment en route to magical Fiji.

International Date Line
Cross the International Date Line and lose a day en route to Fiji.

Arrive in Fiji
Early this morning we land at Fiji’s Nadi International Airport and transfer directly to Denarau Island, home to the Sofitel Fiji Resort & Spa. We are staying at Waitui Beach Club, an exclusive adults-only luxury enclave within the resort. Your oceanfront room will be immediately available. Relax in the infinity pool, walk the beach and enjoy your first day in paradise. Join fellow Founders Club members this evening for complimentary cocktails and savor your first Fijian sunset. (B)

Sigatoka River Safari–Coco Palms
Today’s adventure begins with a uniquely Fijian adventure into the heart and soul of Fiji, aboard custom-built safari jet boats. Travel along the Sigatoka River to visit authentic Fijian villages and experience a day in the life of the real “kaiviti” (Fijian). Learn the history, customs and legends of the area, taste kava in a traditional welcome ceremony, and enjoy lunch prepared by village women. Entertainment, dancing and shopping in the market caps your Sigatoka River adventure. Following time to relax and refresh, rejoin your fellow group members for an evening at Coco Palms. It’s an evening filled with Fijian music, culture and a traditional “lovo”, a feast cooked in an underground hot rock oven. Anyone for the barefoot fire walk? (B, L, D)

Day at Leisure
Today is your day to do it all or nothing at all. The Sofitel offers a host of activities to choose from, and the spa offers a full array of services and treatments. Enjoy your day! (B)

Board Fiji Princess–Modriki Island
After breakfast, drive to Port Denarau where we are welcomed aboard the M.V. Fiji Princess of Blue Lagoon Cruises. Set sail for the outer Mamanucas. The first overnight anchorage is in a gorgeous secluded location at Modriki Island. Seen the Tom Hanks movie Cast Away? Tonight you will be a castaway on that island. Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine and canapés as you watch the sunset. The Captain’s Welcome Dinner will be served in the dining saloon with entertainment by the talented singing, dancing, guitar-playing crew. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Visit the film location of Cast Away, Captain’s Dinner

Soso Bay
There is time to step ashore for a beach walk or swim before or after breakfast. Sea conditions permitting, you’ll have an opportunity to swim with the sharks at a secret reef location en route to our next destination. After lunch we’ll visit Soso, an exceptional example of a modern day Fijian island village. Enjoy a traditional Thali dinner which features exquisite Indian dishes. The evening may turn into an extravaganza of Bollywood movies and dancing. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Beach swim, shark snorkeling, village visit, traditional Thali dinner

Naukacuvu Island
Sunday is a day of rest in Fiji. After breakfast, attend a village church service. Then cruise south to the beautiful Naukacuvu and Narara Islands as you enjoy a traditional Sunday roast lunch. Join the chef for today’s Fijian cooking lesson and make the traditional dish ‘Kokoda’. Tonight’s buffet has a range of dishes from Fiji along with a choice of European dishes. After dinner play bingo ‘Fiji style’ with prizes and lots of laughs, or enjoy a quiet nightcap at the bar. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Sunday roast, reef snorkeling, cooking lessons

Yalobi Bay
As Fiji Princess arrives at the stunning Sacred Isles, you’ll think you are lost in paradise. The backdrop of the neighboring Waya Lailai volcanic formations is breathtaking. Spend the remainder of the day swimming, snorkeling and relaxing. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Swimming, reef snorkeling, Fiji style high tea, cooking lessons

Blue Lagoon
Our destination today is the famed Blue Lagoon. This superb stretch of water is ringed by islands including Blue Lagoon Cruises’ very own private island. Watch as the crew positions the vessel right up to the beach and ties her off to coconut trees. Enjoy happy hour on shore with canapés. A traditional Lovo meal cooked underground will be served under the coconut palms and tropical stars. There will be Fijian meke; singing, dancing and storytelling by local villagers. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Explore private island, traditional Lovo cooked meal, Fiji style high tea, snorkeling, fish feeding, volleyball

Sawa-i-Lau Island
A leisurely guided island walk with panoramic views to a cake shop and shell market is offered this morning. Laze in the sun or try your hand at basket weaving. A guided snorkeling safari is also offered today. Enjoy lunch on board as we cruise north for a private guided visit to the amazing Sawa-i-Lau caves. The village of Tamasua welcomes us to a yaqona ceremony, a guided walk around the village and a village style feast prepared and cooked by the village women. The villagers will share their culture and home with us this evening. (B, L, D)
Included Activities: Guided walk, Kava ceremony, guided visit to Sawa-i-Lau Caves, village style seafood dinner

Disembark–Homeward Bound
Enjoy breakfast on board as we cruise back toward Port Denarau. Along the way you will be serenaded with a traditional Isa Lei farewell song by the crew, as your exploration of the magical Yasawa Islands comes to an end. Following debarkation, travel through the beautiful Sabeto Valley to the Gardens of the Sleeping Giant where you will discover the largest orchid collection in Fiji. Containing over 2000 varieties, this was once the private collection of the late American actor Raymond Burr. In addition to the orchids, the walk along the path cut through a tropical rainforest at the base of the Sleeping Giant Mountain lends another insight into Fiji’s beauty. A visit to Vaselsei Village and time for shopping and lunch on your own fills out your day prior to arrival at the airport. Following check-in, perhaps do some final duty-free shopping prior to boarding your USA-bound flight. During your overnight flight, recross the International Date Line, gaining back the day you “lost” en route to Fiji, and arrive back home the same day filled with fond memories of your Founders Club Grand Adventure to the Islands of Fiji. (B)