Days Off Travel - Adventure: Hiking

Maui, Kauai, the Big Island

Island hopping Hawaiian style! We explore our three favorite gems in this world renowned paradise: Kauai, Maui and Hawaii. Each island and each day's activity is distinctive in its character, scenery, and terrain. We'll hike the lunar-landscape of Haleakala Crater and the verdant, soaring cliffs of the Na Pali Coast. We'll trek into colorful Waimea Canyon and the stark Volcanoes National Park. We'll relax on white-sand beaches as we share in a traditional luau celebration. Led by naturalist guides, you'll experience Hawaii as few have -- off the beaten path!

Includes:

All accommodations

All meals (lunch day 1-lunch day 8)

T-shirt

Water bottle

Support vehicle

Inter-island airfare once the trip begins (Maui-Hawaii-Kauai)

Guest historian and naturalist (3 days)

Professional naturalist guide(s).

Difficulty: Moderately Easy to Moderate

2003 Trip Dates: February 23-March 2 (singles), March 29-April 5, October 26-November 2, December 20-27

Price: $2795

Single Supplement:$580

DAYS ITINERARY

Day 1 MAUI Maui named after the legendary Polynesian folk hero who snared the sun and secured more daylight for humanity, is known today as the "Valley Isle." The ensuing longer days enable us to hike across the world's largest caldera, trek atop jungle ridges and bask on sun-drenched beaches. This variety and stunning beauty is why many people say, "Maui, no ka oi" or "Maui is the best."
We meet in the lobby of the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului at 8:00 a.m. to begin our drive down one of the most beautiful roads in all Hawaii, the spectacular Hana Highway. Dramatic coastlines, lush rainforests and gorgeous waterfalls welcome us to paradise. Along the way we stop to stretch our legs and take in the breathtaking vistas that make this drive world famous.
We stop for lunch at the black sand beach of Waianapanapa State Park. Afterwards, we hike the coast on a section of the old Hawaiian "King's Highway" that at one time connected the coastal villages of Maui. Our trail features lava flows, sea arches, caves, blowholes and the remains of an ancient Hawaiian heiau or sacred site. Perched on a rocky beach, our home for the next two nights is the Hana Kai Maui Resort. Waianapanapa Coast Trail [up to 4 miles round trip, elevation change negligible]

Day 2 MAUI HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK This morning we travel south from Hana along the coast to hike the stunning Pipiwai Trail. The trail climbs to awesome Waimoku Falls and the base of Kipahulu Gap, a pristine rainforest valley home to native Hawaiian plants and birds now endangered throughout the islands. Our trail winds through lush forest and bamboo, across Pipiwai stream, past hidden waterfalls and inviting pools to the base of 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Back down the mountain, we enjoy a cooling dip among the rock-bound pools and waterfalls of the Seven Sacred Pools of Ohe'o Gulch.
This afternoon is free to choose from a number of options. For more hiking, explore the subterranean passages of an extinct lava tube. For time on the water, opt for sea kayaking in Hana Bay. Or simply enjoy some R&R on one of area's magnificent beaches. This evening's dinner is a fresh fish barbecue! Pipiwai Trail [4 miles round trip, 650' elevation gain/loss] Lave Tube Hike or Sea Kayaking [additional cost, choice of activity must be made before trip departure.]

Day 3 MAUI HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK Up with the sun, we make our way to the 10,000-foot rim of Haleakala Crater where we start our hike into the depths of the world's largest extinct volcanic caldera. This vast lunar landscape of brilliant colors, cinder cones and unique plant and animal life, is a hiking adventure like no other. After our hike we drive back through scenic "upcountry" Maui to Kahului. Caldera Hike [up to 7.6 miles round trip and 1500' elevation loss, gain]

Day 4 HAWAII Hawaii a land of great diversity and breathtaking beauty, is called the "Big Island" and encompasses 4,038 square miles, an area greater than that of all the other seven islands combined. Containing eleven out of the world's thirteen climate types, Hawaii offers a kaleidoscope of diverse environments: valleys, deserts, tropical rainforests, beaches, snowcapped mountains and volcanoes. Kilauea Volcano, the home of Madame Pele, is the world's most active volcano. Neighboring Mauna Loa (Long Mountain), looming 32,000' from the ocean floor can accommodate the entire Sierra Nevada within its single peak. The Big Island is truly a place where an adventurer could spend a lifetime.
This morning we fly to the "Big Island" of Hawaii. We then take the spectacular drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and its awesome landscape -- craters and cinder cones piled high with pumice, rivers of lava rock frozen in time, lush rainforests, and dramatic coastlines. This afternoon we hike into Kilauea Iki crater, where we descend through tropical rain forest to the steaming vents and frozen lava of the crater floor. Time permitting, this evening we travel to the coast where, with luck, we watch the glow of red-hot lava hiss into the surging Pacific. Kilauea Hike [up to 7 miles, 460' elevation loss/gain]

Day 5 HAWAII WAIPIO VALLEY RIM Leaving Madame Pele's realm we head north along Hawaii's lush East Coast to the unforgettable Waipio Valley. Here we spend the day exploring the tropical forests, towering waterfalls and awesome vistas of this gigantic amphitheater valley sacred to Hawaiians for almost a thousand years. Waipio Valley [variable length and elevation gain]

Day 6 KAUAI, SLEEPING GIANT This morning we fly to the "Garden Isle" of Kauai and then lace up our boots for a hike to the summit of Sleeping Giant Mountain. From our lofty destination we are rewarded with a breathtaking vista of Kauai -- from 5,200 Mt. Wai'ale'ale, the wettest place on earth, to the verdant Wailua Valley and the vast blue waters of the Pacific. Sleeping Giant Hike [6 miles round trip, 1000' elevation gain/loss]

Day 7 KAUAI WAIMEA CANYON After a hearty breakfast, we leave the coast behind and head to the highlands of the Koke'e Mountains for a day of hiking. Our path will lead us through forests of native Koa and Ohia, to a spectacular overlook on the rim of the 2,857-foot Waimea Canyon, named by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Nhalolo Trail [up to 6 miles, 1500' elevation gain/loss]

Day 8 KAUAI NA PALI COAST Today, we head to idyllic Ke'e beach to begin our hike along the legendary Na Pali coast. This ancient Hawaiian route to the remote Kalalau Valley is one of the premier trails in all Hawaii. Our path hugs sea cliffs rising a thousand feet above the ocean with silver waterfalls often draping their windswept faces. Up and down we travel from one spectacular view to another until we reach our destination, hidden Hanakapi'ai Valley where we relax along a boulder-filled stream and explore beautiful Hanakapi'ai beach. Our trip ends at approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Lihue Airport for our final "Aloha Ohana" (good bye to extended family) and flights home. Kalalau Trail [4 mi., 1060' elevation gain/loss]

Want more information or would like to book your trip? Please call Days Off Travel toll free 1-877-580-0861 or email: hikehawaii@daysofftravel.com

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DAYS	ITINERARY

Day 1	MAUI Maui named after the legendary Polynesian folk hero who snared the sun and secured more daylight for humanity, is known today as the "Valley Isle." The ensuing longer days enable us to hike across the world's largest caldera, trek atop jungle ridges and bask on sun-drenched beaches. This variety and stunning beauty is why many people say, "Maui, no ka oi" or "Maui is the best." We meet in the lobby of the Maui Beach Hotel in Kahului at 8:00 a.m. to begin our drive down one of the most beautiful roads in all Hawaii, the spectacular Hana Highway. Dramatic coastlines, lush rainforests and gorgeous waterfalls welcome us to paradise. Along the way we stop to stretch our legs and take in the breathtaking vistas that make this drive world famous. We stop for lunch at the black sand beach of Waianapanapa State Park. Afterwards, we hike the coast on a section of the old Hawaiian "King's Highway" that at one time connected the coastal villages of Maui. Our trail features lava flows, sea arches, caves, blowholes and the remains of an ancient Hawaiian heiau or sacred site. Perched on a rocky beach, our home for the next two nights is the Hana Kai Maui Resort. Waianapanapa Coast Trail [up to 4 miles round trip, elevation change negligible]

Day 2	MAUI HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK This morning we travel south from Hana along the coast to hike the stunning Pipiwai Trail. The trail climbs to awesome Waimoku Falls and the base of Kipahulu Gap, a pristine rainforest valley home to native Hawaiian plants and birds now endangered throughout the islands. Our trail winds through lush forest and bamboo, across Pipiwai stream, past hidden waterfalls and inviting pools to the base of 400-foot Waimoku Falls. Back down the mountain, we enjoy a cooling dip among the rock-bound pools and waterfalls of the Seven Sacred Pools of Ohe'o Gulch. This afternoon is free to choose from a number of options. For more hiking, explore the subterranean passages of an extinct lava tube. For time on the water, opt for sea kayaking in Hana Bay. Or simply enjoy some R&R on one of area's magnificent beaches. This evening's dinner is a fresh fish barbecue! Pipiwai Trail [4 miles round trip, 650' elevation gain/loss] Lave Tube Hike or Sea Kayaking [additional cost, choice of activity must be made before trip departure.]

Day 3	MAUI HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK Up with the sun, we make our way to the 10,000-foot rim of Haleakala Crater where we start our hike into the depths of the world's largest extinct volcanic caldera. This vast lunar landscape of brilliant colors, cinder cones and unique plant and animal life, is a hiking adventure like no other. After our hike we drive back through scenic "upcountry" Maui to Kahului. Caldera Hike [up to 7.6 miles round trip and 1500' elevation loss, gain]

Day 4	HAWAII Hawaii a land of great diversity and breathtaking beauty, is called the "Big Island" and encompasses 4,038 square miles, an area greater than that of all the other seven islands combined. Containing eleven out of the world's thirteen climate types, Hawaii offers a kaleidoscope of diverse environments: valleys, deserts, tropical rainforests, beaches, snowcapped mountains and volcanoes. Kilauea Volcano, the home of Madame Pele, is the world's most active volcano. Neighboring Mauna Loa (Long Mountain), looming 32,000' from the ocean floor can accommodate the entire Sierra Nevada within its single peak. The Big Island is truly a place where an adventurer could spend a lifetime. This morning we fly to the "Big Island" of Hawaii. We then take the spectacular drive to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and its awesome landscape -- craters and cinder cones piled high with pumice, rivers of lava rock frozen in time, lush rainforests, and dramatic coastlines. This afternoon we hike into Kilauea Iki crater, where we descend through tropical rain forest to the steaming vents and frozen lava of the crater floor. Time permitting, this evening we travel to the coast where, with luck, we watch the glow of red-hot lava hiss into the surging Pacific. Kilauea Hike [up to 7 miles, 460' elevation loss/gain]

Day 5	HAWAII WAIPIO VALLEY RIM Leaving Madame Pele's realm we head north along Hawaii's lush East Coast to the unforgettable Waipio Valley. Here we spend the day exploring the tropical forests, towering waterfalls and awesome vistas of this gigantic amphitheater valley sacred to Hawaiians for almost a thousand years. Waipio Valley [variable length and elevation gain]

Day 6	KAUAI, SLEEPING GIANT This morning we fly to the "Garden Isle" of Kauai and then lace up our boots for a hike to the summit of Sleeping Giant Mountain. From our lofty destination we are rewarded with a breathtaking vista of Kauai -- from 5,200 Mt. Wai'ale'ale, the wettest place on earth, to the verdant Wailua Valley and the vast blue waters of the Pacific. Sleeping Giant Hike [6 miles round trip, 1000' elevation gain/loss]
Day 7	KAUAI WAIMEA CANYON After a hearty breakfast, we leave the coast behind and head to the highlands of the Koke'e Mountains for a day of hiking. Our path will lead us through forests of native Koa and Ohia, to a spectacular overlook on the rim of the 2,857-foot Waimea Canyon, named by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." Nhalolo Trail [up to 6 miles, 1500' elevation gain/loss]
Day 8	KAUAI NA PALI COAST Today, we head to idyllic Ke'e beach to begin our hike along the legendary Na Pali coast. This ancient Hawaiian route to the remote Kalalau Valley is one of the premier trails in all Hawaii. Our path hugs sea cliffs rising a thousand feet above the ocean with silver waterfalls often draping their windswept faces. Up and down we travel from one spectacular view to another until we reach our destination, hidden Hanakapi'ai Valley where we relax along a boulder-filled stream and explore beautiful Hanakapi'ai beach. Our trip ends at approximately 8:00 p.m. at the Lihue Airport for our final "Aloha Ohana" (good bye to extended family) and flights home. Kalalau Trail [4 mi., 1060' elevation gain/loss]