Itinerary Details
Hawaiian Islands
Day 1 HONOLULU Aloha—welcome to Hawaii! Your Tour Director will be in the Lobby from 3-6pm to answer any questions.
Day 2 HONOLULU. EXCURSION TO THE USS ARIZONA MEMORIAL Morning orientation with your Tour Director. Your sightseeing excursion features Pearl Harbor, the sunken USS Arizona and its impressive memorial to the men still entombed there, as well as Punchbowl National Cemetery with its beautiful views of Honolulu. Other sites include bustling Chinatown, ‘Iolani Palace, and the statue of King Kamehameha the Great.
Day 3 HONOLULU Today is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions, including activities near world-famous Waikiki Beach. Consider an optional full-day trip to the North Shore’s Polynesian Cultural Center including dinner and breathtaking Polynesian performances with dance and fire in the colorful Ha: Breath of Life stage show.
Day 4 HONOLULU–HILO–HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK–KONA This morning, depart for Hilo on the “Big Island” of Hawaii with its spectacular scenery that includes misty plateaus, craggy cliffs, tropical rainforests, bamboo groves, and lava deserts. On arrival, tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. See Kilauea Crater, rising 4,090 feet above a volcanic wonderland of steaming fire pits, lava tubes, and fern forests. Arrive in Kona on the sunny side of the “Big Island” in the early evening.
Day 5 KONA Today is yours to relax and explore the resort area of Kailua, situated between Kailua Bay and the dormant Hualalai Volcano. Kailua is rich in history, featuring the historic Hulihe’e Palace, former vacation home of the Hawaiian Royal Family, and Ahu’ena Heiau, the restored personal temple of King Kamehameha the Great. This area is renowned for its famous Kona coffee, one of the most sought-after coffees in the world. Discover a colorful world below the surface with an optional snorkeling cruise to a coral reef brimming with a kaleidoscope of tropical fish; or take an optional scenic drive up the scenic Kohala coastline for a hike to discover stunning private waterfalls and delve into ancient Hawaiian history. Tonight, perhaps check out the numerous restaurants and shops in Kailua.
Day 6 KONA–WAIMEA CANYON–KAUAI Morning transfer to Kona International Airport for the flight to the “Garden Isle” of Kauai. Drive along the scenic southern shore via Poipu Beach to Waimea, once the Polynesian capital of Kauai and the site where Captain Cook landed on the islands in 1778. Sightseeing highlights include Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” the lush and fertile Hanapepe Valley, and a photo stop at Spouting Horn, a dramatic blowhole on the ocean’s edge. Later, arrive at your oceanside hotel in Kapa’a.
Day 7 KAUAI Kauai has a lot to offer, and your Tour Director will have suggestions, including a thrilling optional flightseeing helicopter tour of the waterfalls of the Garden Isle.
Day 8 KAUAI–’IAO VALLEY–MAUI This morning, fly to Maui, the “Valley Island" and travel between the beautiful West Maui mountains and Haleakala volcano. Sightseeing includes a visit to Iao Valley, a stunning landscape that Mark Twain called the "Yosemite of the Pacific" to view Iao Needle. Continue past Maalaea Harbor and see the offshore islands of Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Molokai before arriving at the Kaanapali Beach resort area.
Day 9 MAUI A full day at leisure to enjoy Maui’s splendid beaches, relax by the hotel pool, or take an optional scenic drive to explore the spectacular Road to Hana—known for its 54 bridges and beautiful waterfalls. Just a short stroll from the hotel is Whalers Village with Maui’s best assortment of art galleries, boutiques, and oceanfront restaurants. Ride the free Ka’anapali Trolley and see the former vacation place of the Royal Chiefs of Maui who enjoyed lawn bowling using stones on what are now the Ka’anapali Golf Courses. Be sure to catch the stunning sunset and ocean views.
Day 10 MAUI Today is at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for activities, like setting out to sea for the thrill of trade wind sailing on an optional Sunset Sail.
Day 11 MAUI Your vacation ends this morning. You may choose to extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the Valley Island further.