about us
Born from deeply-held friendships, Talanoa Treks is Fiji’s only dedicated hiking company offering multi-day guided treks.
‘Talanoa’ is the Fijian word for ‘discuss’, ‘talk’, or ‘share stories’, and captures the idea that we’re not only about hiking, but about interacting, sharing, and learning more about day-to-day life lived in remote rural Fiji.
We aim to do tourism a little bit differently. Our trips are run in partnership with four rural communities and aim to provide both a great walking experience and a great cultural experience. Our partner communities are why Talanoa Treks was created, and we work together to ensure that the treks are great for you and great for them.
Our multi-day treks take you off the beaten track to experience the true heart of Fiji. We escape the beach and visit waterfalls, walk through forests, climb Fiji’s highest mountain, wade rivers, cross open grassland, and are hosted by remote villages in the interior of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu.
While we look after the trip logistics like the 4×4 transport, safety management and trip coordination, our partner communities provide local guides, prepare meals and host accommodation. The land we walk on is their land, their vanua, to which they have an inalienable connection. We believe it’s only right for them to show guests where they live, farm, hunt, fish and they tell the stories of their land.
Along the way you’ll meet lots of personalities, whether it’s the guides that walk with you, the ladies that cook our meals, or the elders who’ll share kava with you. They each have their own stories and jokes, and are often as interested in you as you may be in them.
There’s rarely a bad question, so we encourage our guests to be inquisitive, you may only be here once!
Our treks are scheduled throughout Fiji’s hiking season from May to November, with trips capped at a maximum of 12 guests, and usually closer to eight. We also offer private tailored trips for private groups or educational institutions on request.
If you’d like to find out more about us, please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter or drop us an email. We’ll always do our best to answer your questions. You can also dive into our sustainability policy and let us know where we can do things better!
Vinaka vakalevu!
Our Mission
- Responsible Tourism: They connect travelers with Fiji’s interior, providing an alternative to beach tourism by focusing on hiking, history, and nature.
- Community Partnership: They operate in partnership with local rural communities, training community guides, and helping to establish village-based tourism enterprises.
- Cultural Exchange: ‘Talanoa’ means to share stories or discuss, embodying their aim to foster interaction and understanding between visitors and local hosts.
- Sustainable Development: They aim to foster economic opportunities in remote areas and support the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.
Our Values
- A Sustainable Fiji: We look to create a model for tourism that protects the environment and enriches cultural heritage.
- Community Empowerment: To see local communities prosper by valuing and sharing their land (vanua) and traditions.
- Authentic Experiences: To provide, through our team, a genuine, non-touristy, and unforgettable journey into the heart of Fiji.
Meet Our Team
Jake Taoi
Ben Semira
Isireli Naikelekelevesi
