Compare Hawaiian Island Hopping Adventure by Audley Travel vs Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 20 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 8,328 | $ 4,595 |
| Price Per Day | $ 416 | $ 656 |
| Highlights |
N/A
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
| Description |
A remarkable place to explore, the USA is a gargantuan country with a vast array of options when it comes to things to see and do. Experience New York's diverse dining scene on a walking food tour of the city or immerse yourself in the rich musical heritage of Nashville with a Grand Ole Opry Backstage Tour. Away from the country’s famous metropolises you can soak up Western culture with a ranch stay, take a private guided walking tour of California's Yosemite National Park or head to New England where you can track moose and whale. |
From towering volcanoes to some of the world’s best beaches, Hawaii is defined by its stunning natural beauty. On these islands, everything is more extreme - the ocean is bluer, the rainforests are greener and the warmth of the locals is exemplified by the Aloha state of mind. But if you dig deeper below the surface, you’ll quickly see that the ancient Hawaiian people have left a legacy of indigenous wisdom and sustainability that can serve as a model for many of today’s pressing issues. From tackling climate change to protecting biodiversity, innovative practices are being pioneered on these remote Pacific Islands. |
Day 1 : Kauai
Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Kauai. Today you will fly via Los Angeles to Kauai, the isle famed for filming Jurassic Park. On arrival pick up your car hire and drive to your traditional plantation cottage on the south coast of the island.
Day 2 : Kauai
A day to relax in the beautiful garden isle of Kauai after your long day of flying yesterday. You may wish to take a boat trip to the idyllic Na Pali Coast - an area of stunning natural beauty. Alternatively, you could choose to hike through Koke'e State park and the Waimea Canyon. The north shore in the summer time is idyllic with many pretty beaches and coastal roads to enjoy - Tunnels Beach and Ke'e Beach are amongst the local favourites.
Day 3 : Kauai
Today you will wake up early and make your way over to the Zip Lining area where you will spend hours zip-lining through the tropical rainforest!
Day 4 : Kauai
After some breakfast and snorkelling you will make your way over to the famous Na Pali coastline. The water is crystal blue and the mountains and waterfalls are so picture perfect they don't even look real! This part of Hawaii is only viewable by sea or air.
Day 5 : Kauai
An early start as you make your way to the meeting point and prepare to cycle down the Waimea Canyon - known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". This will be a great photo opportunity, so do bring a camera!
Day 6 : Maui
After an early breakfast make your way to the airport for your flight to Maui. On arrival pick up your hire car and drive to the north shore where you will stay at the traditional Inn at Mama's Fish House. Relax on the beaches there or take a trip out to the local hot spot for windsurfing competitions.
Day 7 : Maui
Enjoy a day at leisure in Maui. Relax on sun-kissed beaches, wander through traditional towns or hike through the Iao Valley or Haleakala. Whatever you love doing on holiday Maui has it all.
Day 8 : Maui
Today you will take the Discover Molokini Turtle Snorkel tour to see the turtles swimming in the ocean off the coast of Makena Bay on the south western part of the island, and a chance to see the tropical fish and maybe even a black tip shark in the Molokini Crater. This afternoon you might like to take the car and drive up to the top of Haleakala Volcano where you can watch the sunset. Entrance is $10 and this is a self guided trip.
Day 9 : Maui
Early this morning you will be picked up from your hotel for your Short Waterfalls Walk. Hike through the rainforest with your guide, eating the local fruits of the forest and jumping into waterfalls.
Day 10 : Hawaii (Big Island)
Today you will take your flight from Maui over to the Big Island. On arrival, pick up your car and drive to your hotel in the heart of the National Park ($10 entrance fee). Relax in the lovely tropical eastern coast of the island for the rest of the day.Relax in the wonderful Big Island. The island is divided into many different micro climates. The eastern part is tropical with luscious rainforests, waterfalls and mountains. Try the eastern coastal roads, and some hiking in Volcano National Park.
Day 11 : Hawaii (Big Island)
Today you will be met by your private guide. He will take you around the park and you will be able to ask questions on the geology, landscape, culture and history which has shaped this National Park.
Day 12 : Hawaii (Big Island)
At your leisure move from the eastern side of the island to the west. Arrive on the coast and relax at your wonderful 4-Star hotel for the rest of the day.This evening enjoy a Manta Ray night snorkel - an amazing chance to swim with these amazing underwater creatures.
Day 13 : Hawaii (Big Island)
This afternoon you'll be picked up and driven to the top of Mauna Kea where you can enjoy some star gazing at one of the best places in the world and learning all about the history of this amazing island.
Day 14 : Hawaii (Big Island)
A day to relax on the beautiful Kohala Coast.
Day 15 : Honolulu
This afternoon you will take your flight from Kona to Oahu. On arrival pick up your car and drive north to the wonderful Turtle Bay Resort. Enjoy an evening watching the surfers and the sunset.
Day 16 : Honolulu
Relax on the north shore for the whole day today. You might like to visit the Polynesian Cultural centre or walk through the Waimea Valley.
Day 17 : Honolulu
Today you will drive south to your hotel in the heart of the famous Waikiki Beach. You might like to spend the afternoon walking around the city, explore China Town, the Bishop Museum, the Iolani Palace and of course the fabulous Waikiki Beach.
Day 18 : Honolulu
Enjoy a day trip out to see Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial (built over the sunken ship in the harbor). This is a wonderful commemorative museum and memorial collection in which guests can learn more about the naval base and its history.
Day 19 : International return flight
Make your own way to the airport today for your onward flight.
Day 20 : International return flight
Arrive home today to complete your journey.
Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group
Meals: Dinner
Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.
Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.
Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.
Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.
We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.
Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.
Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.
Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.
