Hawaii's Big Island (November through March)
Scheduled
trip: Please contact us to set up a custom trip for your group.
Trip Cost: $2,295 - (9 Days & 8 Nights).
There is a $200 single
supplement charge.
Born in the clash of liquid fire
and surging ocean, the Big Island became the grandest Hawaiian island and bears nature’s
indelible marking of variety and beauty. Sun-swept and rain-cooled, lofty volcanoes
dusted with snow, beckoning beaches of wondrous hues, this island offers the walker a
sense of adventure and an unmistakable joy. Lush forests and rolling grasslands contrast
vividly with dramatic lava fields of various ages. Strange birds call from Koa and Ohia
trees, and voluminous waterfalls drop from velvet cliffs to the green valley floors. And
a language as intriguing as the local history and customs.
A summary of our island loop trip: 
We convene in Kailua-Kona, and go up the Kona Coast to visit and
walk the trails at Kaloko-Honokohau National Historic Park to see how the
ancient Hawaiians lived, fished and cared for their land. Green sea turtles may
be found along the shore. This a wonderful way to get acquainted with the local
culture and terrain. Then we head northward for two days and nights to North
Kohala, with its lush ranchlands and nearby, stunning Kohala Coast beaches. We
do a fabulous hike down to the north coast with sweeping views across the
Alenuihaha Strait to Maui. Then our Upolu Point walk gives us whale watching
opportunities and a visit to the Mo'okini Heiau, a sacred ceremonial site; then
we head down into Pololu Valley. The next day we hike the one mile down into
Waipi'o Valley with it's spectacular waterfalls, to reach the ocean. This was
once home to the kings of old Hawaii. Kohala Mountain and massive, snow-capped
Mauna Kea ("the white mountain") are the Waimea(Kamuela) area's dramatic
backdrop. The stay is at a cozy lodge, near the largest ranch in the US!
Then, we head eastward down the Hamakua Coast to non-touristy, interesting Hilo, with its cheery red and green roofs and swaying palms overlooking the Pacific and the sunrise on Hilo Bay. The Hilo area is renowned for its orchid growing, waterfalls, and proximity to Volcanoes National Park. It lies at the forested foot of the massive shield-type volcano, Mauna Loa ("the long mountain"). Bamboo forest walks to Akaka and Kahuna Falls complement a ramble along lovely Onomea Bay with its sweeping ocean views. The Puna District, a short drive southwards, offers us an Oceanside back roads walk, a black sand beach, and even an opportunity to get close to a lava flow (conditions permitting). Our two-night stay at the Dolphin Bay Hotel is short stroll to Hilo's shops, the incredible farmer/craft market, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, the historic Lyman House, and the fascinating new Imiloa Astronomy Center which are all options here.
We then travel westward to Volcanoes
National Park with its mile-high rainforests, lava caves, Nene Geese, and
steaming Kilauea Caldera. We'll peer into Halema'uma'u Crater, the "house of
ferns", stride across
the cooled lava pavements of Kilauea Iki Crater, and visit a bird sanctuary of
old-growth trees that has been spared from the lava flows. A visitor center
helps us interpret these geologic wonders for us. We're based at the My Island
B&B in Volcano Village for two nights. We'll hike out through a lava tree-mold
forest to the old Pu'u Hulhulu crater, where we can get a glimpse of the Pu'u
O'o crater, one that is currently spewing lava, and travel down the Chain of
Craters Road to the south coast.
We continue westward around the bulging island's southwestern corner, taking a side trip to South Point (Ka Lae), where it is believed the first Tahitian-area sea voyagers landed on this island over 1,000 years ago. We also stop to watch, and talk with the local fishing folk as they fish with special poles and ladders from the rugged lava cliff edges. A coastal path leads to the Green Sand Beach (Papakolea), where the ocean has captured an olivine-rich crater, a unique and protected swim spot. This coast walk is where we usually see humpback whales not far offshore, breaching and spouting in the Pacific waves.
Lastly, we head up the Kona Coast to stay two nights at the family-run Manago Hotel, where the sunset views are stunning, and a Japanese-style dinner at Teshima's is in store. The next day we visit Kealakekua Bay where Captain Cook, the famous navigator and explorer, first landed in 1778. Ancient lava cliffs line the bay, and we might spot spinner dolphins here. At Honaunau Village we can watch outrigger canoes being launched, walk the shoreline trail in search of whales, or learn native culture in Pu'uhonua O Honaunau Place of Refuge National Historic Park.
After a final farewell on the South Kona Coast, we return to the Kona airport, or to a hotel of your choosing at the end of the trip.
More Details: 
Moderate hikes with some challenging options. The terrain is flat to gently
rolling to a few invigorating uphills. Walking destinations include: tree fern
rainforests, undulating lava “pavements”, beaches, Oceanside back roads and trails.
Ireland-like green pasturelands and colorful cinder cones. Figure 5 to 8 miles daily,
usually up to 4 miles in the a.m., then a picnic lunch or small outdoor cafe, and another
4 miles or so (optional) in the afternoon. Rest/beach/snorkel/shop days (or half days)
are often options too. The flexible schedule will respect you vacation walking and
non-walking needs.
The trip starts and ends in Kailua-Kona, so you will need to use
the Kona airport.
It is advisable that you arrive at least one day before the trip. You can be picked up at
your hotel. On the last day you will be dropped off at the airport or your hotel, if
you’re staying on, by 1 pm.
