SPLENDORS OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Day 1 - Thu. HONOLULU. Aloha and welcome to Hawaii! Upon arrival at Honolulu International Airport, you will be greeted with a fresh flower lei and transferred to your hotel in Waikiki. Your Tour Director will be on hand to assist with check-in. Day 2 - Fri. HONOLULU. Enjoy a full day at leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions, including activities near world-famous Waikiki Beach or a full-day optional outing to the Polynesian Cultural Center on the island's north shore where you - ll enjoy a dinner buffet and the colorful "Horizons" stage show. Day 3 - Sat. HONOLULU. PEARL HARBOR AND CITY TOUR. This morning, your sightseeing excursion features the sunken USS ARIZONA and its impressive memorial to the men still entombed there, Punchbowl National Cemetery, and Honolulu Lookout. Other sights include bustling Chinatown, 'Iolani Palace, and Kamehameha's Statue. The afternoon is free for independent activities. Tonight join the optional sunset dinner cruise along the shores of Waikiki. Day 4 - Sun. HONOLULU. One last day to enjoy Waikiki, the world's most famous beach. Your Tour Director has ideas to make your day memorable. Day 5 - Mon. HONOLULU - KAUAI. Morning transfer to the Honolulu Airport for the flight to the "Garden Isle" of Kauai. Then drive along the scenic southern shore via Poipu Beach to Waimea, once the Polynesian capital of Kauai and the site where Captain Cook landed on the islands in 1778. Sightseeing highlights include WAIMEA CANYON, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," the lush and fertile Hanapepe Valley, and a photo stop at SPOUTING HORN, a dramatic blowhole on the ocean's edge. Later, arrive at your oceanside hotel in Kapaa. Tonight, you - ll attend a LUAU feast, considered one of Hawaii's best. After dinner, sit back and watch a captivating international revue of dancers and musicians. (D) Day 6 - Tue. KAUAI. This morning, enjoy a unique adventure: cruise up the Wailua River to a lava rock grotto covered with tropical fern. At the FERN GROTTO, you will be serenaded by Hawaiian musicians playing traditional, local songs. Kauai has a lot to offer, and your Tour Director will suggest several optional outings for the duration of your stay, including a trip to Hanalei Bay, the filming location of many Hollywood movies, such as South Pacific and The Thornbirds. Other activities include helicopter flightseeing and snorkeling on the Na Pali coastline. Day 7 - Wed. KAUAI. Continue your leisurely stay on Kauai. Relax and sunbathe at the hotel pool, or take a stroll along the beach. Kapaa offers an array of shops and boutiques. Restaurants are numerous and sure to please your palate. Your Tour Director will have other ideas for things to do and see. Day 8 - Thu. KAUAI - HILO - KONA. HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK VISIT. Early this morning, depart for Hilo and the island of Hawaii. Then, tour HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK. See Kilauea Crater, rising 4,090 feet above a volcanic wonderland of steaming fire pits, lava tubes, and fern forests. Arrive in Kona on the sunny side of the "Big Island" in the late afternoon. Day 9 - Fri. KONA. A full day to relax and explore the resort town of Kailua-Kona. Optional activities include a snorkeling cruise to a coral reef to view magnificent tropical fish or a helicopter ride along the Kohala coastline and over the famous Parker Ranch and an active volcano. For the evening, take an optional dinner sail, which includes cocktails, live entertainment, and dancing. Day 10 - Sat. KONA - MAUI. This morning, fly to Maui, the "Valley Island." On arrival, sightseeing begins with a visit to the 'IAO VALLEY, the "Yosemite of the Pacific," to view the 'lao Needle. Then, through the lush farm country and along the shoreline via Maalaea Boat Harbor to Lahaina, once a whaling center and capital of the Hawaiian monarchy. Free time to explore this colorful town. Then head to your lovely hotel, situated across the street from the beach in the resort area of Kihei. Day 11 - Sun. MAUI. A full day at leisure to enjoy Maui's splendid beaches or relax by the pool at the hotel. Kihei offers plenty of boutiques and restaurants. There is a variety of optional outings including the Road to Hana, one of the world's most spectacular scenic drives with its 54 bridges and many waterfalls. You may want to take in the Maui Ocean Center, a state-of-the-art aquarium and marine park that showcases marine life indigenous to the islands. Also from January to mid-April, whale watching is offered. Day 12 - Mon. MAUI. HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK VISIT. This morning is dedicated to HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK, the volcano known to islanders as the "House of the Sun," and its vast Haleakala Crater. The parkland is located in a setting of stunning natural beauty, ranging from a landscape of cinder cones to dense rain forest. Return to Kihei in the early afternoon with the balance of the day at leisure.
Note: Elevation at Haleakala National Park is 10,000 ft. Day 13 - Tue. & Wed. MAUI. Two full days at leisure with plenty of activities to choose from. Kihei boasts great shopping and eating establishments. Optional sightseeing tours to many of Maui's favorite attractions are available, including a submarine ride over a coral reef, helicopter flightseeing over the island of Molokai, a snorkeling trip to Molokini Island, and much more. Day 14 - Tue. & Wed. MAUI. Two full days at leisure with plenty of activities to choose from. Kihei boasts great shopping and eating establishments. Optional sightseeing tours to many of Maui's favorite attractions are available, including a submarine ride over a coral reef, helicopter flightseeing over the island of Molokai, a snorkeling trip to Molokini Island, and much more. Day 15 - Thu. MAUI. The trip ends this morning with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfer to Maui's airport in Kahului for your homebound flight.
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