Cultural Secrets of Samoa

Highlights / General details

Need to lower your blood pressure? Join this Apia tour that will help you shift gears into 'island time' courtesy of kava, coconut juice, nature walks, basket weaving, and some compulsory beach time. Experience local island life in Apia with a host family to teach you about their daily practices. Learn how to make all kinds of Samoan handicrafts and discover Samoan cooking techniques. Explore the beautiful nature on the island and listen to how the locals use the plants for medicine and ink. Take a drive through Apia's forests and plantations. Enjoy a traditional Samoan lunch with a local family.

Inclusion

Local English speaking guide; Entrance fees; Transportation as indicated; Light Samoan lunch.

Exclusion

Items of personal nature; Drinks; Tips or gratuities for drivers or guide.

Hours of operation

Available: Friday only; Start time at 1:00pm. No tour departures: 11 Aug 204; 13 Oct 204; 25-26 Dec 2014; 1-2 Jan 2015; 3-6 Apr 2015; 10-11 May 2015; 1 Jun 2015; 9-10 Aug 2015; 11-12 Oct 2015; 24-26 Dec 2015.

Duration

Approximately 4 hours.

Location Meeting point: Samoa Tourism Authority information Fale, Beach Road, Apia. Finish point: Samoa Tourism Authority information Fale, Beach Road, Apia.

Itinerary We'll begin your Samoa travel experience by heading out to the south coast of Upolu Island, to the village of Saanapu. This one-hour journey will take you through lush forests, banana and taro plantations, and some more local villages - the perfect introduction into Samoan culture! After arriving at Saanapu village we will be greeted by our local guide, Faatupu, and his family, your hosts for this cultural tour of Samoa. Faatupu’s knowledge and love for the Samoan culture is endless and you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know him, his family, and their daily village life. Faatupu will prepare a traditional ceremonial kava drink in the open fale (house), used by the chiefs for village meetings. It's an honour to witness this important and complex ritual, and it will give you insights into local life as it has been for centuries.
On this Samoa tour, you will learn how to weave coconut leaf baskets, plates, and much more. This knowledge has been developed by the Samoan people over thousands of years, so it couldn't be more of an accurate reflection of local life in Apia. As we continue to tour Samoa, you'll enjoy a light and healthy Samoan meal with fresh drinking coconut together with your host family. Refreshed and with plenty of energy, head to the beach where we'll take a stroll amongst the nature. Learn how Samoans used to write before they had ink, and what plant they used to cure headaches before aspirin - a truly unique experience you might not find on other tours in Apia. If the weather is too bad for this walk on the beach, your guide will teach you how to husk and open a coconut and make coconut cream, which is used daily in Samoan cooking. We complete our Samoa travel experience by returning to Apia with your new treasures collected in your own handmade coconut leaf basket. City life will no doubt seem very far away!

Participation restrictions Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below 6 years are not permitted on this tour.

Additional Information Please bring a hat, drinking water, swimsuit (for a quick dip if you wish!), mosquito repellant, sun protection, and light walking shoes.

Itinerary

We'll begin your Samoa travel experience by heading out to the south coast of Upolu Island, to the village of Saanapu. This one-hour journey will take you through lush forests, banana and taro plantations, and some more local villages - the perfect introduction into Samoan culture! After arriving at Saanapu village we will be greeted by our local guide, Faatupu, and his family, your hosts for this cultural tour of Samoa. Faatupu’s knowledge and love for the Samoan culture is endless and you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know him, his family, and their daily village life. Faatupu will prepare a traditional ceremonial kava drink in the open fale (house), used by the chiefs for village meetings. It's an honour to witness this important and complex ritual, and it will give you insights into local life as it has been for centuries.
On this Samoa tour, you will learn how to weave coconut leaf baskets, plates, and much more. This knowledge has been developed by the Samoan people over thousands of years, so it couldn't be more of an accurate reflection of local life in Apia. As we continue to tour Samoa, you'll enjoy a light and healthy Samoan meal with fresh drinking coconut together with your host family. Refreshed and with plenty of energy, head to the beach where we'll take a stroll amongst the nature. Learn how Samoans used to write before they had ink, and what plant they used to cure headaches before aspirin - a truly unique experience you might not find on other tours in Apia. If the weather is too bad for this walk on the beach, your guide will teach you how to husk and open a coconut and make coconut cream, which is used daily in Samoan cooking. We complete our Samoa travel experience by returning to Apia with your new treasures collected in your own handmade coconut leaf basket. City life will no doubt seem very far away!

Participation restrictions Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below 6 years are not permitted on this tour.

Location

Meeting point: Samoa Tourism Authority information Fale, Beach Road, Apia. Finish point: Samoa Tourism Authority information Fale, Beach Road, Apia.

Itinerary We'll begin your Samoa travel experience by heading out to the south coast of Upolu Island, to the village of Saanapu. This one-hour journey will take you through lush forests, banana and taro plantations, and some more local villages - the perfect introduction into Samoan culture! After arriving at Saanapu village we will be greeted by our local guide, Faatupu, and his family, your hosts for this cultural tour of Samoa. Faatupu’s knowledge and love for the Samoan culture is endless and you will have plenty of opportunity to get to know him, his family, and their daily village life. Faatupu will prepare a traditional ceremonial kava drink in the open fale (house), used by the chiefs for village meetings. It's an honour to witness this important and complex ritual, and it will give you insights into local life as it has been for centuries.
On this Samoa tour, you will learn how to weave coconut leaf baskets, plates, and much more. This knowledge has been developed by the Samoan people over thousands of years, so it couldn't be more of an accurate reflection of local life in Apia. As we continue to tour Samoa, you'll enjoy a light and healthy Samoan meal with fresh drinking coconut together with your host family. Refreshed and with plenty of energy, head to the beach where we'll take a stroll amongst the nature. Learn how Samoans used to write before they had ink, and what plant they used to cure headaches before aspirin - a truly unique experience you might not find on other tours in Apia. If the weather is too bad for this walk on the beach, your guide will teach you how to husk and open a coconut and make coconut cream, which is used daily in Samoan cooking. We complete our Samoa travel experience by returning to Apia with your new treasures collected in your own handmade coconut leaf basket. City life will no doubt seem very far away!

Participation restrictions Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below 6 years are not permitted on this tour.

Additional Information Please bring a hat, drinking water, swimsuit (for a quick dip if you wish!), mosquito repellant, sun protection, and light walking shoes.

Policies This tour is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12. If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Complete information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, will be included on your Confirmation Voucher.

All information requested must be supplied or booking is subject to automatic cancellation