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Discover the lush tropical Hawaiian islands of Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island and Maui.

The Hawaiian archipelago is a tropical paradise waiting to be explored, and this 10-day island-hopping adventure takes in the best that the area has to offer. Kick back on the beach at Waikiki and soak up the sun before jetting over to Kauai and exploring the Na Pali Coast, the Wailua River and the impressive Waimea Canyon. Head to Hawaii’s Big Island where you can swim in Kua Bay, trek up Mauna Kea, or visit the active volcano Kilauea before feasting and dancing the night away at a luau. Enjoy some leisure time on the beach in picturesque Maui, and relax into the Hawaiian way of life.

Start
Honolulu, United States
Finish
Lahaina, United States
Destination
United States
Style
Comfort
Theme
Explorer
Code
SSKL
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 13

Why you'll love this trip

  • Enjoy a tropical sunset from the shores of Waikiki beach with your fellow travellers – a serious bucket-list moment.

  • Treat yourself to some unforgettable experiences, like a scenic helicopter ride above the dramatic ridges of Waimea Canyon or a unique night-time expedition swimming with manta rays.

  • Embrace traditional Hawaiian culture and feast on authentic food with an included Royal Kona luau experience. You’ll be hula-ing in no time!

  • Explore the diverse landscapes of Kauai, from tropical beaches to powerful waterfalls, lush rainforest and narrow valleys – there's a piece of this paradise that will appeal to everyone.

  • A visit to Hawaii isn't complete without a stay on the Big Island. The world's most active volcano, black sand beaches and stunning national parks make this island adventure-packed with plenty to explore.

Is this trip right for you?

  • In order to see as much as possible in Hawaii, this trip covers a lot of ground and there are lots of flights to take. Please be prepared for long security queues at the airport and the occasional delay. The good news is that you'll have the company of your fellow travellers to keep you entertained.

  • With so much to see and do, Hawaii can sometimes be expensive. Expect to pay more than you would in mainland USA for a lot of things. It might be a good idea to do some research about places to eat, for example, before you arrive.

  • Honolulu isn't the picture-perfect Hawaiian location that some people expect. The city is full of high-rise buildings and is often packed with tourists. That's not to say it isn't a great place to explore, because it is. It's just that you'll find deserted beaches lined with palm trees elsewhere, like on the islands of Kauai and Maui.

  • While our leaders are knowledgeable about Hawaii and we try to ensure that they have experience on the actual islands, it's possible that your leader may be new to the region.

Map of Hawaii Discovery including United States Of America
usa_hawaii_kauai-wailua-waterfall-pool
The breathtaking coast of Kauai, Hawaii USA
Volcanoe crater rim trail in Hawaii, USA
See the turtles nesting on Hana beach, Hawaii USA
Relax on some of the beautiful beaches in Hawaii
Get a first hand look at the amazing coast of Kauai, Hawaii USA
SSKL_Hawaii_dolphin_pod
Get your surf on in Hawaii

Itinerary
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Aloha! Welcome to the USA’s island state of Hawaii. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. As there's a great deal to do in Honolulu and on the island of Oahu, it's recommended you stay a few extra days before your tour begins, and we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you do arrive early in Honolulu, perhaps take some surf lessons on the world-renowned Waikiki beach, go snorkelling at picturesque Hanauma Bay or visit Pearl Harbor’s historic sites. There's also plenty to do in the neighbourhood of Waikiki, from soaking up the sun on its famous beach to checking out the restaurants and outlet malls along the esplanade. Following the meeting, join the group on evening walk to catch the sunset from Waikiki Beach. Yes, this is real.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Honolulu - Surf Lessons (per hour) - USD50
  • Honolulu - Pearl Harbor - Free
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you wish to visit Pearl Harbor, you'll need to make your own arrangements. You should reserve your tickets in advance, as they often book out quickly – find details online at recreation.gov.

Today take the short flight from Honolulu to the 'Garden Isle' of Kauai, keeping an eye out for the striking Kilohana Crater and Haupu Ridge below. On arrival, transfer to your hotel before enjoying a visit to Kauai’s crown jewel – Waimea Canyon. Known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, admire tremendous views and hike beautiful nature trails, overlooking the lush green foliage, contrasted with plummeting cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Visit to Waimea Canyon
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Use a free day on Kauai to get to know more of the island. Walk along nature trails through Na Pali Coast State Park or visit the remote sands of Polihale Beach. Relax in the historic beachside community of Kapa’a or, for something more active, perhaps rent a kayak and paddle down Wailua River past beautiful waterfalls. Better yet, treat yourself to a scenic helicopter flight above the Waimea Canyon, where you’ll experience the scale of its plunging gorges from a bird’s eye view – a truly unforgettable experience. In the evening, relax and enjoy some treats from one of the local restaurants or food trucks on offer.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Kayak tour Kauai - USD88
  • Helicopter flights Kauai - USD249
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

At some point today, fly to Kailua-Kona on the island of Hawaii. Your group leader will have all flight details and be sure to communicate them with you as soon as possible so you can maximise your day of exploring. Kona, as it's known to the locals, is the main town on the west coast of Hawaii. With water sports and snorkelling on offer, as well as historic sites such as Hulihe'e Palace, there's plenty to keep you busy during the day. Tonight, meet up with the rest of the group for a luau – a traditional Hawaiian party full of food, fire and dancing.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Royal Kona Hawaiian Luau
Meals Included
  • Dinner

Today is a free day in Kona to continue to explore the Big Island of Hawaii. Quiz your group leader about their favourite hidden beach or secret lagoon on the island, so that you can rent some snorkel gear, pack a picnic lunch and experience it for yourself. If you’ve had your fill of beaches, why not check out the oldest Christian church in the archipelago – Mokuaikaua Church, or Hulihe'e Palace – the vacation home of Hawaiian royalty in the 19th century. Once all of this relaxing is done, a seriously incredible optional activity is an evening swimming with manta rays. Take a boat out to sea and explore the underwater world of spectacular marine life under lights – you won’t forget it.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Night Swim with Manta Rays - USD109
  • Kona - Snorkel hire - USD15
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Enjoy a scenic 2-hour drive past coffee farms and beautiful bays as we make our way to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. On the way, visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historic Site, where you can learn about the traditional Hawaiian belief system and the kapu (religious laws) that were the basis of that system. The location is idyllic, boasting palm-lined beaches, wooden carvings, a huge lava rock wall and reconstructed villages. Arrive in the town of Volcano, which is directly on the edge of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park
  • Coffee Plantation Tour - Coffee Tasting
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Explore the stunning landscapes of the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. You will be met at the Kilauea Visitor Centre by a park ranger to orientate you to the park. Your leader will then take you on a driving tour deep into the park, with plenty of hiking opportunities from brief strolls through lava tunnels to longer hikes across an actual crater. Seeing glowing lava was once the main attraction, but since Kilauea’s eruption in May 2018 a visit to the Kilauea Caldera and Halema’uma’u Crater will give you an insight into how the landscape is constantly being shaped by natural forces.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Entrance Fee)
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - leader led tour
  • Kilauea Visitor Centre & Ranger Talk
Optional Activities
  • Volcano Winery - wine tasting - USD8
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Leave the Big Island, Hawaii, today and take a one-hour flight to Kahului on Maui. Once arrived, head to your oceanfront accommodation in Kaanapali where the rest of the afternoon is free to explore and relax, Maui-style. Considered one of the world's best islands with over 80 beaches, Maui's sand, surf and swimming spots are what you may imagine paradise to look like.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today is a free day to explore. If you are an early riser, take a sunrise tour to Haleakala National Park and travel to the summit of the dormant volcano of Haleakala. From a vantage point of over 3000 metres (10,000 feet) above sea level, watch an idyllic sunrise over the ocean from on high before heading back to Kaanapali for the afternoon. If the group is interested, your leader may also organise a driving tour of the Road to Hana. This is a full-day activity with a lot to see and do along the way, and even though it is a relatively short distance, the narrow one-lane bridges and hairpin turns along the coast lend themselves to cruisy driving and appreciating the stunning views. Think waterfalls, bamboo forests, lava tubes, and dense tropical rainforest coming down to meet the ocean at sandy beaches of myriad colours. Alternatively, you may wish to take a whale watching tour (seasonal) or go snorkelling to see an abundance of fish, moray eels and turtles.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Lahaina - Maui Downhill Bike Tour - USD170
  • Lahaina - Haleakala Sunrise Tour - USD120
  • Lahaina - Whale Watching (in season) - USD40
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

There are no activities and no accommodation planned for this day. If you feel that there is more to do and see on Maui, you shouldn’t leave just yet! Perhaps book yourself on an activity you missed out on yesterday, or pull up a towel on the beach and watch the waves roll in – the day is yours.
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Meals

2 breakfasts, 1 dinner

Transport

Plane, Private vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Resort (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Visit to Waimea Canyon
  • Royal Kona Hawaiian Luau
  • Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park
  • Coffee Plantation Tour - Coffee Tasting
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Entrance Fee)
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park - leader led tour
  • Kilauea Visitor Centre & Ranger Talk

Dates & availability

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There are currently no scheduled departures on our Hawaii Discovery trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste. Read more

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available on this trip.
2. Full passport details are required at time of booking.
3. Luggage limits apply. See Trip Notes (What to Take) for information.
4. Please note that in North America, the cost of checked baggage usually is not included in the price of an airline ticket and is subject to additional payment at check-in. If you wish to check in luggage on the internal flights on this trip then you will need to pay for this on arrival at each airport. Each airline calculates fees differently, sometimes on the number of bags, sometimes by weight, however the fee is usually in the vicinity of US$25 per bag payable by credit card.
TIP: Sign up to Hawaiian Airlines membership program 'Hawaiian Miles' for discounted baggage fees.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

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