Compare Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps vs Telluride to Durango Self-Guided by Hermosa Tours
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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0 | Poor
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| Duration | 7 days | 4 days |
| Price From | $ 4,595 | Check price |
| Price Per Day | $ 656 | Check price |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Basic |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 3 Dinners |
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| Description |
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. |
The San Juan Mountains in SW Colorado are some of the most beautiful and rugged peaks anywhere, and for mountain bikers, Durango and Telluride represent the two most amazing base camps for great Colorado mountain biking. Starting on the aspen-lined trails of Telluride under the shadow of surrounding peaks riders make their way to the Colorado Trail and then down to the infamous Hermosa Creek Trail to finish near Durango. This trip is a few notches easier than our Colorado Trail tour, yet shares the incredible Blackhawk Pass section of the Colorado Trail. |
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.
Day 1:
Our first day we’ll meet at 7:00am and then start with a shuttle from Durango to Telluride of about 2.5 hours. Riders will start at the Deep Creek trailhead and head toward Telluride along the beautiful, aspen-lined track. Many in Telluride name this trail as their favorite in the area.
Day 2:
The second day of your journey marks the transition from the Telluride side of the things to the prominent ridgeline that starts the ride toward Durango from Bolam Pass. From your camp in the morning you’ll traverse around Trout Lake and up and over Lizard Head Pass. From the pass riders begin the climb up East Fork Trail as it meanders along the headwaters of the Dolores River.
Day 3:
Today’s segment might be called the “Queen’s Stage” as riders join the Colorado Trail, summit Blackhawk Pass and then finish on a local’s-favorite trail down into the Hermosa Creek drainage. After a climb away from Celebration Lake you’ll find rolling singletrack that hugs the perimeter of Hermosa Peak’s rocky talus fields…
Day 4:
Day four sends riders onto one of Durango’s classic trails: the Hermosa Creek Trail. The Hermosa Creek Trail begins as doubletrack trail right alongside Hermosa Creek itself. As it progresses, the walls on either side get higher and higher and soon you’ll find yourself in a beautiful creek gorge on a gradual downhill track.
