A HAWAIIAN ADVENTURE

10 Nights /11 Days

Trip Highlights:

Combine Maui and Big Island for an island-hopping Hawaiian twin centre full of nature, adventure and plenty of relaxation time
Swim with turtles during a kayaking trip to Turtle Town and go rapelling over waterfalls with an expert guide
Enjoy a traditional Hawaiian ‘luau’ party
View active volcanoes from above on an exhilarating helicopter ride

Days 1-2: Arrive into Kahului Airport on Maui, where you will be greeted and transferred by private car to Hotel Wailea, our suggested home for the next five nights. Check in, and spend the first couple of days relaxing and unwinding. The beautiful Wailea Beach is divine, as are the living-room style poolside cabanas. Perhaps spend your lunches enjoying a beachside picnic or some poolside poke. There are a variety of watersports on offer such as kiteboarding, sunset sailing, and Hawaiian outrigger canoeing, plus a wellness studio offers a variety of relaxing experiences. In the evenings, take in the spectacular sunsets before enjoying elegantly creative cuisine at The Restaurant.

Day 3: Wake early this morning to swim with turtles during a leisurely kayaking trip to Turtle Town. You will meet your private marine naturalist guide at historic Makena Landing where you will receive a water safety and paddling orientation before setting out on your adventure. Turtle Town is made up of a vast system of reefs, underwater caves and arches where turtles can be found year round. Your guide will lead you away from the crowds to snorkel with green Hawaiian Sea Turtles as they know exactly where to look for them. As you glide across the pristine clear waters you’ll enjoy stunning views of Haleakala summit, Molokini Crater, Puu Olai, the Makena/Wailea coastline and the surrounding Islands. Your guide will share sea turtle facts and answer all of your questions about these curious creatures.

This area is protected even during Maui’s windy summer months, and the shallow, well-lit reefs and calm conditions make it very safe. At the end of your tour, your guide will return you to your hotel where you can relax and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Day 4: OPTIONAL – Start your day full force with an adrenaline-packed rappelling and climbing adventure featuring drops of more than 110 feet over lively waterfalls crossing through thickly vegetated rainforest (8hr round trip). Meet your guide at basecamp for a safety briefing before hiking out to your first 50 ft. practice drop over a waterfall cliff. After accomplishing your first drop, you will be able to zip through free space 80 ft. across the ravine above the river with a splash down into a deep, clear pool, before reaching your next drop. As you progress through the course hiking, climbing, and rappelling your way across this remote terrain, don’t forget to stop and take in the incredible setting. You will have the opportunity for a rest under the forest canopy to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch featuring freshly made wraps, granola bars, and homemade chocolate chip cookies. After this exhilarating experience, your driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel for some much deserved R&R.

DAY 5: Spend the day at leisure, then in the early evening your driver will pick you up and bring you to the West Side of Maui for an authentic Hawaiian luau. A luau is a traditional Hawaiian party that is usually accompanied by vibrant entertainment and delicious, traditional food such as poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia and beer. Of course the luau would not be complete without traditional Hawaiian music and hula! When you arrive for the luau, you will be greeted with a fresh flower lei and shown to your own private table. Dinner is a multi-course meal inspired by the culture and traditions of Polynesia, with each course a modern twist on traditional island cuisine as you are treated to four courses each representing a different island culture.

For many visitors the highlight of a Maui luau is the amazing Samoan fire knife dance. Brave performers will treat you to death defying feats of astonishing dexterity as they pass the flaming knife through their legs and behind their backs, giving you a perfect send off to a perfect evening. Private transfer back to Hotel Wailea.

DAY 6: Check out of Hotel Wailea and transfer by private car to Kahului Airport where you will take a flight from Maui to Big Island for the next leg of your trip. Arrive into Kona International Airport where your driver will be waiting to take you to the Fairmont Orchard, your home for the next five nights. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 7: Leave the faint-of-heart back home as you lift off from the Hilo airport in a helicopter with no doors for an unforgettable ride above some of Hawaii’s volcanoes! While it is recommended that you wear a sweater or layers but leave your hat behind for this brisk ride, the temperature is about to rise as you make your way to view volcanoes. Your pilot is heading for Kilauea Volcano, which has been continuously erupting for 30 years, and is believed to be the home of Pele, goddess of fire, lighting and volcanoes. Your pilot will find the current volcanic action for a birds eye view. Even at 500 feet above the flowing lava and open vents, you will feel waves of hot air rolling off the subsurface flows, which can reach temperatures of 2,000
degrees.

Then cool off as your pilot takes you over Hilo’s lush rain forests, Mauna Loa’s vistas and the plunging Wai‘ānuenue (Rainbow Falls), so named for the rainbows you can see in the mist when the early morning sunshine hits the water. With nothing between you and the sights, you will return to Hilo knowing you have just had an exhilarating experience. Afterwards take a private transfer (approx. 90 mins) back to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. *Please note, routes and sights visited may vary according to wind and weather conditions.

DAY 8: Spend the morning as you wish, perhaps enjoying a treatment at their award-winning Spa, a game of tennis or a round of golf. This evening, you will enjoy an awe inspiring horseback ride at sunset. Meet your wrangler-guide at one of the most majestic ranches on Big Island for a 90-minute horseback ride along a beautiful trail under fragrant trees, as you gaze upon a revealing spectacular spectrum of colours as day transitions into night. From 3,000 feet, you will enjoy unobstructed views bathed in a beautiful array of colours, each exciting your senses and
providing an amazing backdrop for photo opportunities.

DAYS 9-10: At leisure to relax and enjoy the resort and surroundings at your own pace.

DAY 11: After breakfast, check-out and transfer by private car to Kona International Airport for your flight home.

OUR SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION:

Hotel Wailea, Maui: A leafy boutique lodge on Haleakala Volcano’s far western slopes, this Relais & Châteaux property has panoramic ocean views, swanky eco-inspired lodgings and perhaps more garden acreage per guest than any other Maui hotel. With garden grounds housing a herb garden, apiary and banana, mango, papaya & starfruit trees, it is a Maui microcosm. Modern luxury and nature interplay throughout, with waterfalls, stone and teak prevalent. Each suite has modern Hawaiian art, sliding farm doors, oak wood floors, and bathrooms with raised tubs and marble-backed rain showers.

Fairmont Orchard, Big Island: A blissful seaside retreat with a protected lagoon, huge pool and excellent amenities. On the northern end of Waikoloa’s seaside properties, the resort sprawls before a small bay. The open-air and breezy courtyards and lobby constantly remind of your arrival at a tropical retreat. Beyond the main building, palm-shaded waterfalls tumble into koi ponds and long grassy lawns stretch to the small, sandy beach. Views in all directions are spectacular. Don’t miss a late-night excursion to the hidden lava rock whirlpool amid a palm grotto. All rooms are the same size and similarly appointed in neutral colours, with marble bathrooms and rainshowers.

All of our featured itineraries can be customised bespoke to your preferences. Contact us to find out more, or explore our fantastic array of other American itineraries here

My World in Style - Imagine. Design. Travel.

ATOL Protected