Exploring Hawaii's Big Island
Kona, Hawaii
October 25 - November 2, 2008 (Saturday-Sunday)

This trip is currently full. Please let us know if you would like to be put on the waiting list. You might also consider our Autumn in the Adirondacks trip.

Highlights:

Itinerary

Saturday: Arrive anytime today. Our trip officially starts at 5 pm. We will schedule two airport pick-ups depending on participants' arrival times, and women who are arriving either significantly earlier or later can take a taxi into town. If you do arrive early, you can explore this charming and touristy town. Once we're all gathered, we'll meet for introductions and then go to dinner. Since most of us will be suffering a bit of jet lag, bedtime will undoubtedly be early. Overnight Kona

Sunday: Today a short drive takes us to a state park with an exquisite white sandy beach, reached by a 1/2 mile hike across lava. We'll spend the morning swimming and sunbathing, enjoy a refreshing dip in the "queen's bath" and then share a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we'll go to a completely different beach, a more protected one that is known for good snorkeling and green turtles. This evening we will attend that most Hawaiian of all events, a luau. Overnight Kona

Monday: Today we Leave Kona behind us as we drive across the island to the northern tip and the Waipio Valley. This is a beautiful steep valley that looks like the Na Pali Coast, and we'll offer several options that include a horseback ride on the valley floor or a van tour followed by a hike or time to sit on a beautiful and uncrowded beach in one of the most spectacular settings you've ever seen. The hike is a bit strenuous at times, requiring a river crossing that can be knee-deep as well as a steep 1500 foot section with switchbacks before reaching a beautiful forest. For those who like a challenge, however, it's well worth it, as we are rewarded with a swim in an isolated pool with a waterfall and lunch on a gorgeous lookout over the ocean. Tonight we'll spend the night in a funky hotel in the funky town of Honokaa.

Tuesday: This morning we drive to Volcano National Park, stopping on the way to see one of the most beautiful waterfalls in all Hawaii, Akaka Falls. Next we'll enjoy a guided walk through Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, a true tropical rain forest with over 2,000 species of plants. Continuing past Hilo, we arrive at our totally secluded seven bedroom and six bathroom house about 10 minutes outside of Volcano. After taking time to get settled, we'll head for Volcano National Park. Our first stop is at the visitor center, where a ranger orientation will introduce us to this amazing place. Then we'll head down the Chain Of Craters road and, depending on our time, take a couple of short hikes. Our last hike is out to Pu'u Huluhulu Cinder Cone (shaggy hill), the best place for seeing the glow of lava reflected in the nighttime sky (NB. unless the lava flow changes, it is not currently possible to see lava flowing except by helicopter). We'll have a picnic supper atop the hilltop as we watch the sun set and the lava glow begin. Hiking back by flashlight, we'll return for a soak in the hot tub. Overnight Volcano Retreat

Wednesday: Today we'll spend a full day at Volcano National Park. We'll start with a couple of ranger talks and then do the classic park hike: the Kilauea Iki trail, that goes through rainforest and over an old volcanic crater that still has steam coming out. As part of the loop trail, we'll take a short detour to Thurston Lava Tube, the largest accessible lava tour in the park. We'll also drive the Crater Rim, stopping at the Jagger Museum and the Halema'uama'u Crater, known as Pele's home. There are some other great hikes we could do and whenever we've had enough, we'll return to our peaceful lodging for a hearty dinner. Overnight Volcano Retreat.

Thursday: This morning we can be a bit more leisurely as we pack up. We'll make one last visit to Volcano National Park to visit the Volcano Art Center Gallery that houses the work of local artisans and take a short loop hike to the Sulfur Banks and steam vents. After leaving the main part of the park, we'll go for one last short hike, known as Bird Park, to see one of the few remaining remnants of Hawaii old growth forest. After our last hike we drive to Captain Cook and Kealakekua Bay, stopping at a true black sand beach where sea turtles are often seen. We'll stay at a large vacation rental in Captain Cook for the next three nights. Although this is the one place we stay where there may be more than two women per room, the incredible setting and location make it an \ideal place to stay. Overnight Captain Cook.

Friday: Today we'll go in two different directions! We'll start heading towards Kona where we'll visit a small chocolate factory, the only one in the US where the complete process from growing the cocoa to packaging the final product takes place in one location. We'll also visit a natural soap factory and learn about what goes into making soap. We'll then head the opposite direction and visit the Painted Church and then learn about the coffee-making process at a coffee farm (this is Kona, after all). We'll conclude our day with a visit to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historic Park, formerly known as City of Refuge. The park preserves the site where Hawaiians who broke a "kapu", or one of the ancient laws against the gods, could go to avoid certain death. This is the best preserved archeological site in Hawaii and a must see. It is also adjacent to some of the best snorkeling in the area! We'll finish the day with a picnic supper a the beach, watching the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean. Overnight Captain Cook

Saturday: Kealakekua Bay is the site of Captain Cook's first landing in Hawaii. The largest sheltered natural bay on the island of Hawaii, the bay is a spectacular marine environment with an abundance of colorful tropical fish, a variety of beautiful coral reefs and visibility often to 100 feet. Its calm, protected waters, extensive coral reef, and sunny skies provide superior snorkeling and kayaking and that is how we'll spend the day. We'll kayak across to the Captain Cook Monument and then enjoy excellent snorkeling in the shallow waters there. The bay is also known for a pod of Hawaiian Spinner dolphins that frequently visit the bay to rest and feed. Overnight Captain Cook.

Sunday: We'll pack up this morning and return to Kona. Along the way we'll stop at a an exotic animal sanctuary, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to care for injured animals, provide a home for abandoned animals, and teach Hawaiian children about the fragile ecosystem. We'll be back in Kona with time for last minute shopping, exploring, and sharing a final farewell lunch. Depending on everyone's flight schedules, we'll arrange a couple of drop off times at the airport. Most flights leave late in the day so we will be back at the Kona airport by 5 pm on November 2 (exact timing will depend on flight schedules). If you plan to fly out earlier, please check with us before making your reservation