Hawaii With Oahu & Maui

Depart the UK on your chosen scheduled flight to Honolulu, Hawaii. Upon arrival, transfer independently to the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort. The rest of the day is yours to relax and climatise before meeting your Travel Director and starting your Insight Vacation escorted tour tomorrow evening.

Today you will have some free time to relax, take in the surrounding areas, and perhaps do a little sightseeing before joining up with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner with the Pacific Ocean as your backdrop.

This morning we visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial commemorating the tragic day of December 7th, 1941. Walk through the Visitor Center and take a short boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial, the final resting place of 1,102 sailors and marines. USS Arizona tickets are subject to NPS availability not known till the day before the visit. Spend time at the superb visitor center and explore exhibits that recount the events that led the US to join World War II.  From here see the Punchbowl National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. It honours all those who served in the US Armed Forces and lost their lives during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Return to Waikiki and spend the rest of your day at leisure.

Set out to explore Oahu on an exciting island tour. Take in the epic views from Pali Lookout towards the Kaneohe Bay and the Windward Coast. The valley below was the scene of a bloody battle in 1795 when King Kamehameha I extended his rule over the island with an army of 10,000 men. Journey beneath the towering Ko’olau Cliffs and along the rugged coastline. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you join an eco-tour with your Local Expert in the Hawaiian Legacy Forest and plant a native Milo tree contributing to the healing of the local ecosystem. Delve into an al fresco, sustainably sourced picnic lunch while enjoying epic views of the North Shore and the legacy forest. Continue to Sunset Beach where in the winter months waves can reach 30ft making it a favourite spot among big wave surfers worldwide. Visit Haleiwa, the social and artistic hub of the North Shore. Grab some shaved ice and stroll among small boutiques and plantation-era buildings to soak up the laid-back ambiance. Finally, return to Waikiki after your eventful day and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Take a short flight to Kahului on Maui. This slice of Hawaiian island paradise offers magnificent nature and a wide variety of activities. Visit the awe-inspiring Iao Valley State Park and see the 1,200-foot landmark Iao Needle. This green-mantled rock outcropping overlooked sacred lands and was used as a burial site for Hawaii’s chiefs for centuries. Journey to Lahaina, once a busy whaling port and plantation settlement. Join your Travel Director for a walk through the Historic District before continuing to your oceanfront resort.
In the evening you are invited to choose your dining experience from a selection of restaurants for your Dine-Around Evening. Your options include a magical evening at the Wailele Luau for a taste of traditional Polynesian cuisine, dance, and storytelling, or one of the resort’s other acclaimed restaurants.

This morning, head to Upcountry Maui and discover a different face of the island. Visit one of the last working pineapple farms with a fun and knowledgeable Local Expert. discover the deep impact these plantations had on the islands and sample some of the extra sweet Maui Gold variant. At its peak, Hawaii produced 75% of the world’s pineapples and the tropical fruit became a symbol for the state. Next we Indulge in a Farm-to-Table lunch at the Hali’imaile General Store. Originally a plantation shop in the early 20th century, the restaurant is known for its outstanding island cuisine. Return to your resort and spend the evening at your leisure.

Explore Maui with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the Haleakalā National Park offering an astonishing volcanic landscape. Hear the Hawaiian legends about the dormant volcano and see the unique Haleakalā Silversword plant. Alternatively, set sail to the crescent-shaped Molokini island for a memorable snorkelling trip. Marvel at the colourful tropical fish and enjoy a light lunch on board. Get together with your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Highlight Dinner tonight.

Take a short flight to Hawai’i, the largest island of the archipelago. Upon arrival, spend time in easy-going Kailua-Kona, once the home of Kamehameha I, Hawaii’s great ruler. Travel from the beach to the coffee-growing area of Kona and join a Local Expert to learn about Kona coffee. Enjoy a tasting of this gourmet specialty that only grows on the slopes of two local active volcanoes. See native plants, fruits, and organic coffee fields on your tour around the plantation. Continue to your luxurious resort accommodation and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.

Rise early for an unforgettable trip around the island. Journey through the historic Parker Ranch, a vast working cattle farm spread across 130,000 acres. Marvel at the beauty of the Hamakua Coast as you travel past lush tropical rainforests and tranquil green valleys. After a luscious lunch enters the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, take the stunning Crater Rim Drive around the Kilauea Caldera and walk through the otherworldly Thurston lava tube. Hear the legends of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. Stop by the magical Rainbow Falls on your way back to your resort.

Spend the day on island time and relax under the swaying palms. Lounge by the pool, enjoy a spa treatment or snorkel in the local lagoon looking for the rare green sea turtles that call these waters home. Tonight, come together at an oceanfront restaurant for a Celebration Dinner and toast to your travels.

Today you will bid farewell to your fellow travellers and new friends as you make your way to Kona airport filled with new memories and stories. Alternatively, you may choose to extend your stay in Hawaii, for an extra view days sightseeing.