Discover the tropical beauty of Hawaii during this magnificent vacation, and enjoy pure tropical bliss as you island hop from Oahu to Kauai and Hawaii to Maui. Whether you’re watching lava flow from an active volcano, admiring the natural beauty of Kauai’s Waimea Canyon, or just relaxing on the warm sands of Waikiki Beach, you’re sure to be delighted. Visit Pearl Harbor’s famous Battleship Row in Honolulu and enjoy a festive luau with Polynesian dancing in Kauai. Marvel at the black-sand beaches on Hawaii’s Big Island and discover famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Be mesmerized by the pineapple and sugar cane fields, and thoroughly savor Kona coffee, some of the best coffee in the world! Revitalize your spirit in Haleakala National Park, with its volcanic landscapes and sub-tropical rainforest, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere as you feel your senses come alive—all at an affordable price!The Hawaiian Islands offer all of this and much more. From luaus, snorkeling, aquariums, and volcanoes to beaches and lush rain forests, this is a vacation that has something for everyone. So let Cosmos handle all the details as you sit back, relax, and enjoy paradise!
Itinerary:
Day #1 Honolulu. Aloha—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 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 Ha: Breath of Life stage show.
Day #3 Honolulu. Excursion to USS Arizona. This morning your sightseeing excursion features the sunken USS ARIZONA and its impressive memorial to the men still entombed there, as well as Punchbowl National Cemetery with its beautiful views of Honolulu. Other sites include bustling Chinatown, ‘Iolani Palace, and the statue of King Kamehameha the Great. The afternoon is free for independent activities. Tonight, join the optional sunset dinner cruise along the shores of Waikiki.
Day #4 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 Honolulu–Kauai. Morning transfer to Honolulu Airport for the flight to the “Garden Isle” of Kauai. 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 Kapa’a. Tonight, 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)NOTE:Due to air schedules on inter-island flights between Honolulu and Kauai, the luau may take place on an alternate day.
Day #6 Kauai. 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 Kauai–Hilo–Hawaii Volcanoes National Park–Kona. This morning, depart for Hilo on the “Big Island” of Hawaii, with its spectacular scenery that includes misty plateaus, craggy cliffs, tropical rainforests, bamboo groves, and lava deserts. On arrival, 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 early evening.
Day #8 Kona. The following two days are free to explore the charming and historic 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 an unforgettable adventure, join the afternoon optional to the summit of Mauna Kea Crater (13,796 feet) to view the sunset, then visit the Ellison Onizuka Visitor Center (9,200 feet) to stargaze in the evening.
Day #9 Kona. Today is yours to relax and explore the resort area of Kailua, situated in between Kailua Bay and the dormant Hualalai Volcano. Kailua is rich in Hawaiian history, and features the historic Hulihee Palace, a former vacation home of the Hawaiian Royal Family, and Ahu’ena Heiau, the well-restored personal temple of King Kamehameha the Great. This area is also known for growing the famous Kona coffee, one of the most sought-after coffees in the world.
Day #10 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, head through 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.
Day #11 Maui. A full day at leisure to enjoy Maui’s splendid beaches or to relax by the pool at the hotel. A variety of optional outings includes the Road to Hana, one of the world’s most spectacular scenic drives, with 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 indigenous marine life. From January to mid-April, whale watching is offered.
Day #12 Maui. Visit To Haleakala National Park. 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 rainforest. Return to Kihei in the early afternoon, with the balance of the day at leisure.
Day #13 Maui. The trip ends today with guests departing on individual schedules. Transfers to Kahului International Airport on Maui are included. You can extend your vacation with extra nights and explore the Valley Island further with a variety of exciting optional activities.
