Hawaiian Islands

Arrive into Honolulu anytime today. You will have a welcome meeting in the hotel lobby at 18:00 this evening to meet your tour leader and fellow travelling companions. Please look for a notice in the hotel lobby where it will take place.

There is a lot to do in Honolulu and it is highly recommended to book a few extra days to make the most of your time here. If you do arrive early, why not go snorkelling at Hanauma Bay or visit the Dole Plantation or Polynesian Cultural Centre? The Waikiki area is also ideal for soaking up the sun’s rays, which are almost as famous as the beach itself.

Accommodation: Aston Waikiki Beach or similar

General information:  With snorkelling, 4×4 touring, mountain biking and Hawaiian culture, you’ll dig beneath the surface of three Hawaiian Islands, with enough time to not feel as though you’re rushing on this multi-active trip.

No visit to Oahu would be complete without stopping by Pearl Harbor and an audio guide unlocks all the information to explain this side of history. A drive along Ohau’s world famous North shore reveals why Oahu should be on everyone’s bucket list.

A visit to Hawaii isn’t complete without a stay on the ‘Big Island’. Beautiful black sand beaches, the world’s most active volcano, and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park help make this island the world’s most unique archipelago.

Maui is often voted as one of the world’s best islands to visit and it’s easy to see why. Included is a 23-mile cycle downhill to help you explore the area on two wheels, followed by a full day island driving tour, to get a feel for all that Maui has to offer.

The infamous incident at Pearl Harbor was a surprise military attack by the Japanese against the United States naval base, on the morning of December 7, 1941. It has since become known as the Battle of Pearl Harbor and sparked off the United States’ participation in World War II. Today is a sobering visit to this historic site with an audio guide provided. Included is admission to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona to learn about this infamous side of American history. Take an afternoon drive to visit the world-famous beaches and surf breaks of the North Shore before continuing down Oahu’s windward coast with all its breathtaking views. In the evening return to Waikiki for cocktails and sunset where you may even be lucky enough to view the rare “Green Flash” as the sun descends below the horizon.

Accommodation: Aston Waikiki Beach or similar

With Oahu in the background, you fly to Big Island where you spend the next four nights. You’ll notice the landscape and flora changing between islands and today is no different. First up is a visit to Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, which brings Hawaiian culture to life. It was in this sacred place that people who had committed crimes or broken the laws of the people, ended up seeking refuge from the death penalty. Upon arrival, you’ll notice the great wall marking borders between the royal grounds and the sanctuary. Many ki’i (carved wooden images) surround the Hale o Keawe temple, housing the bones of the chiefs. Surrounded by palm-lined beaches, wooden carvings, a massive lava rock wall and reconstructed villages, the location is simply idyllic.

From here you’ll head to Volcanoes National Park for the next two nights, taking in Kilauea’s spectacular variety of incredible volcanic features and ecosystems. The scenery and landscape changes significantly from shady forests with birds singing to steaming vents, desert-like-terrain and vast craters. Keep an eye out for Hawaii’s state bird, the highly engendered Nene Goose. Enjoy a scenic drive on the Chain of Craters road. Travel through dense rain forest into desolate black lava fields, discover ancient petroglyphs and end by the ocean with views of the Holei Sea Arch. You will also be joined by a specialist guide who will take you on a four-mile round-trip hike to the bottom of Halema’uma’u Crater. The crater, previously had a lava lake inside of it which erupted last summer, which makes this an interesting time to learn about the recent activity. See lava trees, and enjoy nature and bird watching. When returning to your hotel enjoy a stop at Volcano Winery, where you can opt for a unique wine tasting experience.

Accommodation: Volcano Inn or similar

Continue following the coast to the sacred and unbelievably beautiful Waipio Valley. A locally led 4×4 tour of the valley and introduction to Hawaiian history and culture is included to help you dig beneath the surface of this beautiful area. The historic town of Kailua, set in the green northern tip of the island, was once the busy hub of North Kohala’s defunct sugar industry. Now, it is home to a handful of charming art galleries and restaurants set in colourful and lively plantation buildings. From here, head to Kona where you will stay for the next two nights. There’s lots a great dining options on Kona’s bustling ocean front.

Optional activities:
Night Swim with Manta Rays US$109

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express, Kona or similar

Enjoy a day trip to Punalu’u black sand beach. Honu – Hawaiian Green Turtles, are often spotted in this palm fringed paradise. While it isn’t the best swimming spot, you can hang out with these locals on the black sand, on which they bask on. Just make sure to give them the distance they require. To sign off on your Big Island adventure, head over to Kealakekua Bay Park, where you board Zodiac boats to a secluded bay and can snorkel the coral reefs nearby the Captain Cook Monument. The white structure pays tribute to Captain Cook, the first westerner to arrive on the Hawaiian Islands, and marks the location of his anchored ships and subsequent death. Follow the coastline back to base, exploring sea caves along the way.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express, Kona or similar

This morning you wave goodbye to Big Island, ready for touch down on the idyllic island of Maui. Once you’ve landed, you drive to Kaanapali where the remainder of the day free to explore or hit the beach. Maui is a popular tourist destination and although it can at times be busy, it is also said to be one of the world’s top island destinations. Maui offers those quintessential views of Hawaii that you would imagine when conjouring up images of this tropical paradise. Through the months of November to May, North Pacific Humpback whales travel from Alaska to Hawaii, to give birth. Opt to join a whale watching boat trip for a good chance of seeing these magnificent creatures, and make sure to keep a look out from the shore, as you can often see the spray from the comfort of your hotel.

Optional Activities:
• Lahaina – Whale Watching (in season) US$40

Accommodation: Royal Lahain,a or similar

Today is all about exploring the island on two wheels – and what better way than Maui’s famous 23 mile downhill? You’ll drop 3,000 feet in 10 miles and curve around 29 switch backs, stopping often to enjoy incredible vistas of west Maui surrounded by the Pacific. You’ll pass by vegetable truck farms, protea farms, lodges, galleries and Kula botanical gardens. This is the perfect way to experience the real side of Maui. You’ll definitely need a Mai Thai back at the hotel with a view of the sunset to wind down afterwards.

Accommodation: Royal Lahain,a or similar

By now you’ll have a good idea of just how beautiful Maui is, but it would be a shame to send you on your way without first seeing more of what the island has to offer. Today we’ve included a full day driving tour on the ‘Road to Hana’ with loads of stops along the way to stretch your legs. The day includes multiple waterfalls and viewpoints, plus visits to Waianapanapa State park and Hana Town. Please be aware, the roads can get quite windy, but the endless views should help to ease any motion sickness. If you would prefer to stay at the hotel, there are options to rent stand up paddle boards and kayaks. Or you might wish to rent a snorkel, and go in search of Honu, Kaanapali beach is well known for turtle sightings.

Accommodation: Royal Lahain,a or similar

All good things come to an end and with your tour finishing in the morning, it is time to wave goodbye not only to Hawaii, but also your new-found travel buddies. If the thought of reality is simply too much to bear, why not book a few post-tour nights and ‘live the dream’ a while longer?