Located on the north coast of Vella Lavella, the Ulo River thermal area is a geothermal hotspot often referred to by locals as "the volcano". There are hot springs and bubbling mud pools, and a population of flightless megapode birds lay eggs in the warm earth. The thermal area is less than an hour's walk from the seaside host village. Day hikes will take you to some extinct volcanic cones in the interior of the island. You will need at least 4 days here to see everything.
Ulo River Village Stay is accessible from Geva airfield with Western Pacific Airlink (Mon&Fri - 10 min canoe transfer), or from Gizo with Solomon Airlines (daily - 2 hr canoe transfer). Canoe transfer from Geva airfield: S$38/A$12. Canoe transfer from Gizo: S$190/A$60.
Host families are well-established members of their village communities. Most of them follow subsistence lifestyles, growing food in extensive hillside gardens, raising domestic livestock and fishing in surrounding waters. Many village stay hosts carry responsible positions in community and church leadership. All members of the host family are involved in looking after guests, undertaking various tasks such as harvesting from the gardens, fishing, cooking, and acting as interpreters and guides. Village hosts speak English, but will of course be keen to teach you a few words of Solomons Pidgin or their local language.
Accommodation at village stays is usually a guest bungalow situated next to the family home, constructed in traditional style from logs, bamboo, loya cane, sago palm leaves and rough-cut rainforest timbers. Bungalows usually have two bedrooms opening onto a verandah, and can accommodate up to six people. Bedding is supplied by the hosts (mattresses, pillows, sheets and mosquito nets). Guests are provided with a private toilet and a screened-off outdoor bathroom (where showers may involve standing under a gush of piped springwater or scooping rainwater from a drum!).
Meals are provided by village hosts, who will sit you down to three big offerings of local-style food every day, and ply you with copious amounts of tropical fruit and fresh coconut juice in between. Typical village breakfast is billy tea with home-baked bread buns and jam. Lunch often features green vegetables cooked in coconut milk, with fish, sweet potato, rice and fruit. The evening meal is usually cooked motu style under hot stones. This may include vegetables, fish, chicken or pork, all wrapped in banana leaves and cooked to perfection. Guests are welcome to bring with them any additional food items. Village drinking water comes from rainwater tanks or is collected from underground mineral springs.