“The Sandwich Islands remain my idea of the perfect thing in the matter of tropical islands,” remarked Mark Twain. We echo his sentiments wholeheartedly! But what makes the enchanted isles of Hawaii (named the Sandwich Islands by Captain Cook) even more perfect are the hidden gems beyond the usual tourist haunts.

We’ve chosen Kauai and the Big Island for this active adventure sampler. Kauai, a living museum of geology, ecology, and island biology, is the perfect place from which to introduce you to the wonders and legends of Hawaii. Known as Hawaii’s “Garden Isle,” Kauai is noted for its beauty and charm. Ceaseless wind and surging waves have sculpted the vertical ramparts of the Na Pali coast, carved 3,000-foot-deep Waimea Canyon (the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”), and deposited Hawaii’s most dazzling beaches. You’ll explore it all as you hike along the Na Pali coast and along fragrant trails in Waimea Canyon, kayak along a jungle stream, and hike to a hidden waterfall.

Then you’ll head to Hawaii, the “Big Island,” a land of great diversity and breathtaking beauty. Containing eleven out of the world’s thirteen climate types, Hawaii offers a kaleidoscope of diverse environments, including lush valleys, deserts, tropical rainforests, coastal beaches, snowcapped mountains, and volcanoes. Kilauea, the home of Madame Pele, is the world’s most active volcano. Neighboring Mauna Loa, looming 32,000 feet from the ocean floor, can accommodate the entire Sierra Nevada within its single peak! On Hawaii you’ll explore Kilauea with a hike into the crater itself (you’ll feel like you’re on the moon!), then watch as its fiery lava creeps into the ocean with an angry hiss. You’ll also cycle along a young lava flow, visit the upland ranching town of Waimea, and enjoy a traditional Hawaiian luau. On both islands you’ll watch for humpback whales and swim and snorkel with green sea turtles and tropical fish. And there’s even plenty of requisite beach time for surf and sand enthusiasts! You’ll learn the true meaning of “Aloha” after a fun-filled week on Hawaii’s shores.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Hike the Na Pali coast and Waimea Canyon on Kauai, the "Garden Isle"
  
• Explore Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, home to the world's most active volcano
  
• Kayak a tranquil river and along the Kohala Coast, swim and snorkel with green sea turtles, learn to surf!

This trip has been discontinued. Please call one of MTSobek’s travel experts at 888-831-7526 to learn about similar trips currently offered.

DAY 1 ~ Arrive on Kauai

Arrive anytime at Kauai’s Lihue Airport and transfer on your own to the Resort Quest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa, a centrally located beachfront resort that combines the warmth and hospitality of Hawaii with its rich history and culture. The rest of the afternoon is free to relax and begin enjoying the charms of the “garden isle.” Dinner on your own. (Note—your trip leader will contact you this evening to let you know where to meet in the morning.)

Resort Quest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa

DAY 2 ~ Na Pali Coast

You’ll meet with your guide for a trip briefing, then head out to the Kilauea Lighthouse, a bird refuge where you’ll keep your eyes peeled for whales, dolphins, turtles, and the many birds that frequent the area. This is followed by a hike along the breathtaking Na Pali Coast Trail, with its awesome views of 2,500-foot cliffs plunging into the ocean below. After lunch at Hanakapiai Beach (about two miles in), you’ll head back along the trail to Ke’e Beach at the trailhead. Here you can take a plunge in the protected waters and witness a variety of sea life that defies description as you snorkel the Pali Coast shoreline (please bring your own mask and snorkel; fins are not necessary). Optional surfing lessons are available. You’ll cap your first day in paradise with a barbecue dinner at a beach park near the hotel. (3 hours hiking, 4 miles, elevation gain/loss: 1,060 feet.)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Kakalina’s B&B or Resort Quest Kauai Beach

DAY 3 ~ Waimea Canyon

Today you head to Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” for a full day of moderate hiking through a koa and ohia forest with a fragrant ginger understory. You’ll hike the Waipo’o Falls/ Kumuela Trail and have lunch at 250-foot Waipo’o Falls, with incredible views of the multihued canyon itself. Along with frequent sightings of Hawaii’s honey creepers, this trail is rich with many species of native forest plants, and you may see the elusive wild goats who have adapted to the cliff faces after escaping domestication. On the way home you will stop at the beautiful Salt Pond Park for an afternoon swim, where you may see monk seals sleeping on the beach—or maybe the green flash at sunset! Dinner on your own in Kapa’a. (3-4 hours hiking, 6 miles, elevation gain/loss: 1,200 feet.)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...Kakalina’s B&B or Resort Quest Kauai Beach

DAY 4 ~ Wailua River – Volcanoes National Park

This morning you’ll kayak on the Wailua River, a beautiful and historic jungle stream. (This is an activity suitable for novices—no previous experience is necessary.) After paddling a few miles you leave our kayaks and hike to a secluded 200-foot waterfall. After lunch and swimming in the cool fresh water pools, you’ll return to your kayaks for more fun paddling. Then you’ll transfer to the airport for a late afternoon flight to Hilo on the “Big Island” and dinner at a local favorite Japanese restaurant. After dinner, you’ll transfer to your lodging: a B&B close to Kilauea Volcano that’s a historic missionary home from the late 1800s surrounded by a five-acre botanical estate.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...My Island B&B Inn

DAY 5 ~ Volcanoes National Park

Up early for an all day exploration of the botanical and geological wonders of Volcanoes National Park. Tropical rainforest soon yields to steaming vents and frozen forms of lava as you take an easy hike into Kilauea, the world’s most active volcano. You’ll cross over solidified lava and occasionally see small vents of steam escaping from cracks in the lava. In the late afternoon, you’ll drive down the Chain of Craters Road to the coast, where lava has been flowing consistently into the ocean for the past 10 years. You may see red lava hiss into the surging Pacific (conditions permitting). (3-4 hours hiking, 4-8 miles, elevation gain/loss: 480 feet.)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...My Island B&B Inn

DAY 6 ~ Biking or swimming – Kailua-Kona

Choose between an easy country road bike trip (six miles downhill, then seven along the ocean side of Puna) to Kalapana or take a leisurely swim in warm tropical pools. You’ll ride through mango groves, along the ocean, and past some of the newest lava flows on earth. After lunch, you’ll drive along the Hamakua coast, with its many waterfalls, and through Waimea’s pastoral countryside en route to the resort town of Kailua-Kona. Dinner on your own.

Breakfast, Lunch...The Royal Kona Resort

DAY 7 ~ South Kohala Coast

Take to the sea with a fun-filled morning kayak paddle along the rugged South Kohala coast, and swim and snorkel in coral gardens where green sea turtles feed alongside multi-colored tropical fish. During the months of December to March, you can listen to the mating sounds of humpback whales through a hydrophone—a marvelous experience! After a picnic lunch at Hapuna Beach, known as one of the top ten most beautiful beaches in America, you’ll head back to Kailua to get ready for a traditional-style Hawaiian luau (a good place to sport your Hawaiian attire). You’ll eat delicious food cooked in an imu, or earthen oven, while watching the sun set and sipping cool tropical drinks. (Take the popular Hawaiian advice and “eat until you’re exhausted.”) Then you’ll sit back and enjoy a traditional Hawaiian hula show or perhaps learn the hula yourself.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner...The Royal Kona Resort

DAY 8 ~ Kona – depart

The morning is free in Kona to visit the shops and historical places of Kailua town before transferring to Kona International Airport at 12 noon. From here you can connect with flights to Oahu or the mainland.

Breakfast...

Stay a Little Longer

You may wish to combine this trip with one of our regular group departures in North America, or other individual travel on your own.

Prefer a Group Adventure?
Check out our Adventures in Hawaii group adventure for all the details.

Arrival & Departure Information

You can arrive in Kauai at anytime on Day 1. You will meet your guide in the morning of Day 2. The trip ends with a transfer to the airport in Kona on Day 8.

Air Travel

Airfare is not included in the land cost of our trips. For air reservations, we recommend you contact the airlines directly, either by phone or the Internet. In addition, many travelers elect to use their "frequent flyer" miles when traveling with us. But please check with our staff before purchasing or obtaining your tickets, so we may verify your arrival and departure schedule.

Activity Level

Mountain Travel Sobek trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. We rate this trip as moderate in nature. None of the activities can be considered strenuous. The longest distance you will hike is about eight miles, and there are options for shorter hikes as well. All activities are optional and you can always take a day off if you want.

The half day of cycling is about 15 miles and is mostly flat or downhill. If you can ride a bike, you're all set! The kayaking is easy in nature—upper body strength is a plus.

If you are not optimally conditioned, we recommend that you start a training program at least three months before departure, gradually increasing the intensity and duration. If your health is questionable or your physical stamina is limited, please discuss other trip options with us.

Your Guide

You will be accompanied throughout the trip by an expert local guide. Besides ensuring everything runs smoothly and safely without a hitch, she will provide a unique perspective on the local life and culture as only a native can. Her close familiarity with the local geography, history, culture and traditions are the key to a superb, informative experience—one you just can't get on your own. In her friendly company, you will truly learn, enjoy, and share her passion for the country she calls home. You'll be in good hands with her every step of the way.

Kalia Avery regularly guides our trips in Hawaii. She has been leading trips in Hawaii for more than 20 years, and her upbeat personality and incredible sense of humor (her laugh is contagious!) give her the highest marks from every past guest. Kalia is extremely knowledgeable about the human and natural history of Hawaii and looks forward to sharing it all with you. She is also a great cook!

Guide assignments will be confirmed in the Final Bulletin sent to you three weeks prior to departure.

What's Included

• expert guides
• accommodations in hotels or inns
• meals as noted (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• airport transfers on Days 4 and 8
• sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary
• ground transportation
• entrance fees
• basic medical and evacuation insurance

What's Not

International airfare; flights within Hawaii (see separate cost above); meals not noted in itinerary; insurance other than basic medical and evacuation insurance as noted above (we strongly recommend you purchase the supplementary trip insurance offered by Mountain Travel Sobek, which includes trip cancellation insurance); optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; airport transfer on Day 1; airport taxes; and items of a personal nature (sodas, alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Payment & Cancellation Policy

(This differs from regular Mountain Travel Sobek trips.)

I. Payment
At time of reservation: $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
120 days prior to departure: 25% of Land Cost
90 days prior to departure: Balance of Land Cost

II. Cancellation
If written notice of cancellation is received, Cancellation Fee will be:
From time of reservation until
90 days prior to departure: $800 or 25% of Land Cost, whichever is greater
89 to 60 days prior to departure 50% of Land Cost
59 days or fewer prior to departure 100% of Land Cost

Note on Itinerary

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to custom tours.

Although we will do our best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change. Please read the Limitation of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form. You can find all this information on our website.

Limitation of Liability

“Mountain Travel Sobek” is defined to include its owners, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives and affiliates (collectively “Mountain Travel”). Except for the Alaska Discovery Inn, some small craft and some vans in Alaska, Mountain Travel does not own or operate any entity that provides goods or services for your trip including, for example, ownership or control over hotels or other lodging facilities, airline, vessel, bus, van or other transportation companies, local ground operators, providers or organizers of optional excursions, food service or entertainment providers, etc. All such persons and entities are independent contractors. As a result, Mountain Travel is not liable for any negligent or willful act or failure to act of any such person or entity, or of any other third party. Without limitation, Mountain Travel Sobek is not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage to person or property, death, delay or inconvenience in connection with the provision of any goods or services occasioned by or resulting from, but not limited to, acts of God, force majeure, acts of war or civil unrest, insurrection or revolt, strikes or other labor activities, criminal or terrorist activities of any kind, overbooking or downgrading of accommodations, structural or other defective conditions in hotels or other lodging facilities, mechanical or other failure of airplanes or other means of transportation or for any failure of any transportation mechanism to arrive or depart timely, dangers associated with animals, marine life or vegetation of any sort, dangers incident to recreational activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, sailing, canoeing, rafting, hiking, bicycling, rock climbing, etc., sanitation problems, food poisoning, lack of, access to or quality of medical care, difficulty in evacuation in case of a medical or other emergency, or for any other cause beyond the direct control of Mountain Travel. In addition, participants release Mountain Travel from its own negligence and assume all risk thereof. On advancement of deposit to Mountain Travel, the depositor therefore agrees to be bound by the above recited terms and conditions. These are partial conditions. Your participation is contingent on your signature on the full list of terms specified in the four-page Participant Information Form, which you can find on our website (or call us at 1-888-687-6235 and request a copy).

Arbitration

Any dispute concerning, relating or referring to these Terms and Conditions, to any literature concerning this trip, or the trip itself, shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in San Francisco, California, according to the then existing rules of the American Arbitration Association. Such proceedings will be governed by substantive California law without regard to the California Arbitration Act.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. Specific information on payment and cancellation policies is also contained within this document, as well as in our current catalog and on our website. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you have any questions.

Why Mountain Travel Sobek is Your First Choice for Adventure

Mountain Travel Sobek is the pioneer in active adventure travel. No other adventure travel company can lay claim to that title. We were the first to take Americans trekking in Nepal, raft the wild rivers of Africa, and open up many previously inaccessible corners of the world to curious travelers. We set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Since we are the leading adventure company, we have a lot to live up to, so we make sure we provide safe, quality trips and the best customer service to our passengers.

References

Don't take our word for how great our trips are. We'll be happy to provide you with references of satisfied past travelers. Just give us a call at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235).

Questions?

Feel free to call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) if you still have any questions or concerns. We're here to help you.

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed, it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Please read the Limitations of Liability and Booking Conditions in the four-page Participant Information Form.

This itinerary has been carefully designed for optimal value. You may wish to combine this tour with another or add extensions at the beginning or end of your trip. However, if you wish to customize this tour, other terms and conditions apply (ask us about information on customized adventures). Travel Agent commissions or any type of other discounts do not apply to this tour.

Conditions of Participation

Your participation on a Mountain Travel Sobek trip is subject to the conditions stated in the four-page Participant Information Form, which includes the Agreement and Release from Liability and the Booking Conditions. We urge you to read this information carefully, and to call us if you have any questions.

Note on Services

We often use local suppliers who provide services that may include transportation, equipment, logistic support, and other services (hotels, restaurants, etc.). We do not own or operate these independent suppliers. We work with service providers who share our commitment to safety and quality, and work closely with them to develop itineraries unique to Mountain Travel Sobek.

Ready to go? Signing up is easy!

Just call us at 1-888-MTSOBEK (687-6235) or make a reservation request online. Immediately after we receive your deposit, we will request your preferred dates. Upon confirmation (usually within four business days), we will send you a packet with all the information you need to get ready for your trip, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, and other details.

Approximately 30 days before your departure, we'll send you detailed, step-by-step instructions, with emergency contact numbers, a detailed map, and other important information. Upon arrival at your destination, you will be met by your in-country host who will help orient you and describe what to expect in the week to come.