HAWAII HIKING ODYSSEY THREE ISLAND ADVENTURE
KAUAI, MAUI & THE BIG ISLAND
HIKE & NATURAL HISTORY - B&B & LODGE
The ultimate hopping adventure. Ten unforgettable days in the sun touring the seldom seen wonders of Hawaii. We meet at the Lihue Airport on Kauai and end at the Kona Airport on Hawaii.
Our tropical discovery begins on Kauai, the oldest and lushest of all the islands. From Lihue we drive to a beach park for lunch and orientation and a short swim. Three incredible days are spent on the “Garden Isle” hiking along the plunging sea cliffs of the Na Pali Coast, swimming in Ke’e Lagoon, ascending Waimea Canyon and enjoying exquisite views along the ridge top trails of Kokee Park.
Day four finds us back at the airport for a quick hop to Maui, the ‘”Valley Isle”, where we devote our day to flora identification and photography as we trek into the lush tropical wet forests of the West Maui Mountains. We’ll visit the “House Of The Sun” spending a full day hiking into the jaws of the world’s largest caldera atop Haleakala. Later we follow ancient Hawaiian footpaths to the panoramic summit of Puu Olai ending up at Makena Beach for swimming and snorkeling prior to catching the evening flight to Hilo on the ‘Big Island”.
Day seven begins with a presentation on volcanology followed by a hike across the steaming floor of Kilauea Iki, the world’s most active volcano. Over the next four active days we’ll explore the botanical and geological wonders of the park, walk through towering bamboo forests, sea kayak, soak up the sun along the powdery sands of Hapuna beach and ‘eat until we’re exhausted” at an authentic family luau. Enjoy a final morning kicking around Kailua-Kona before our final ‘Aloha Ohana” (good-bye to extended family). The days go fast, but memories and friendships live long after you depart Hawaiian shores.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Noon rendezvous at Lihue Airport on the Garden Isle. Lunch and orientation on one of Kauai's beautiful beach parks. After lunch, we transfer to our lodging where from the backyard we take a warm-up hike to the summit of Sleeping Giant or Nonou Mt. (1250 ft.) for an incredible 360 degree vista of Kauai. Welcome sunset beach barbecue dinner. [Distance: 3 miles; Elevation Gain: 800 ft.; Difficulty: Moderate].
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Day 2:
Morning hike along the breathtaking Na Pali Coast Trail, providing awesome views of 2,500 ft. cliffs plunging into the ocean below. Lunch at Hanakapiai Beach. Then back to the trail head where we plunge into the protected waters of Ke'e Beach to witness a variety of sea life that defies description as we snorkel the shoreline of the Pali Coast. [Distance: 4 miles; Elevation gain: 1,060 ft.; Difficulty: Hardy Family
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Day 3:
A full day hiking through a koa and ohia forest with a fragrant ginger under story. Along with frequent sightings of Hawaii's honey creepers, this trail is rich with many species of native forest plants. Lunch on the rim of Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Views from this perch are most spectacular. [Distance: 8 miles; Elevation Gain: 1200 ft.; Difficulty: Moderate].
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Day 4:
Mid- morning flight to Maui, The Valley Isle, where we devote our day to flora identification and photography, trekking into the lush tropical wet forest of the West Maui Mountains. Panoramic views from the high ridges provide us with incredible photo opportunities of the canyons, waterfalls and the coastal areas. An experience of excelled majesty.[Distance: 4.5 miles; Elevation Gain 1400 ft.; Difficulty: Moderate].
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Day 5:
Today's adventure takes us to Haleakala, House Of The Sun. Starting at the 10,000 foot summit we descend down sliding sands tail into the jaws of the world's largest crater. Exploring this moon-like landscape experience a constantly changing panorama of colors and rock formations and encounter the rare silver sword found nowhere else in the world. Endemic flowers, plants and berries are other features found throughout the day on Top Of The World. [Distance: 5 miles; Elevation Gain: 1600 ft.; Difficulty: Strenuous].
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Day 6:
Early morning rise and drive to the historic whaling port of Lahaina. Here we board a 50 foot sailing catamaran for a morning snorkel adventure to the island of Lanai. Known for its pristine and beautiful reefs, Lanai offers some of the finest snorkeling in all of Hawaii. Late afternoon flight to the Hilo side of the “Big Island”.
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Day 7:
Up early for an all-day exploration of the botanical and geological wonders of Volcanoes National Park. Tropical rain forest soon yields to steaming vents and frozen forms of lava as we hike into Kilauea, the world's most active volcano. Frequent earth tremors and crackling lava attest to the ceaseless surges of barely contained magma just below the crater floor. In the late afternoon, we descend down Chain Of Craters Road to the coast where lava has been consistently flowing into the ocean for the past ten years. As the sun sets, enjoy a tailgate dinner along the shoreline and (hopefully) watch red lava hiss into the surging Pacific. [Distance:4 -8 miles; Elevation Gain: 460 ft.; Difficulty: Moderate].
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Day 8:
Leave Madame Pele's realm and take to the sea with a fun filled kayak paddle along the rugged South Kona shoreline. Swim and snorkel in coral gardens where green sea turtles feed along multi colored tropical fish. Includes cliff jumping (ocean weather permitting). An experience of excelled majesty. [Experience: Novice - Intermediate; Difficulty: Moderately Challenging.
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Day 9:
Today on the Big Island is a special treat. First it's off to wind, waves and sunshine on the powdery white sands of Hapuna Beach. After our fill of fun in the sun we are invited into the home of a Hawaiian family to share a wonderful authentic luau celebration with hands-on participation in preparing the Imu, lei making, singing,hula dancing and feasting.
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Day 10:
Morning breakfast, then its a short stay in Kailua-Kona for last minute shopping, personal activities or a swim & snorkel for the hardy. Noon transfer to Kona International Airport for our final Aloha Ohana (Goodbye to extended family).The days go fast, but memories and friendships live long after you depart Hawaiian shores.
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
2005: April 11-20; June 13-22; July 11-20; Aug 1-10; Oct 24-Nov 2; Nov 7-16.
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