EXCURSIONES EN TIERRA

OVERVIEW

Paddle through the brilliant blue waters of Hilo Bay in a kayak and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and the volcanoes looming in the background. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide into the crescent-shaped bay. From there, you will have an excellent view of Hilo's urban landscape, which sprawls along the coast and up into the flanks of the volcanoes. The guide will point out and describe Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is the highest point in Hawaii. Then there is Mauna Loa, the world's largest volcano. It too is a spectacular reminder that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanically formed. While paddling through the bay and around Coconut Island, be sure to look for green sea turtles, symbols of good luck and longevity. You will also kayak up the Wailuku River to view its gorgeous waterfall.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around Hilo Bay in a kayak as the guide describes the surrounding natural beauty.
• See the massive volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from a unique water perspective.
• Enjoy an up-close view of Coconut Island and the waterfall on the Wailuku River.
• Look for green sea turtles gracefully swimming by in the bay’s crystal-clear waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Bring water shoes, towel, bathing suit and a change of clothes.

OVERVIEW

Zip along the coast of the Big Island of Hawaii on a 41-foot Super-Raft and enjoy an extended stop to snorkel in the crystal-clear waters. The powerful, twin-engine vessel is open-air with plenty of shaded bench seating so you should be comfortable as you race along the gorgeous Kona coast. After assessing the wind and water conditions, the captain will select the most suitable spot for your snorkeling adventure. The Big Island boasts the highest percentage of live coral in the Hawaiian Islands and where there's coral, there's fish. You can expect to see an ever-changing parade of marine life that may include fluorescent-colored tangs, oddly shaped trumpet fish, graceful manta rays and green sea turtles, known locally as honu. Triggerfish are also found here and are considered the unofficial Hawaiian state fish. They're rather unusual looking as indicated by their 21-letter Hawaiian name, which means "fish with a snout like a pig."

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise off the naturally beautiful Kona coast of Hawaii in a powerful 41-foot Super-Raft.
• Snorkel a coral reef or another spot that should be teeming with colorful marine life.
• Keep an eye out for showstoppers like green sea turtles and Hawaiian spinner dolphin.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Cruise the Kailea Princess catamaran around Bora Bora's breathtaking lagoon, a sea of blues and greens dotted with beach-rimmed islets known as "motus." As you sail along, you can't help but be struck by the uninterrupted panoramic views. Many people consider Bora Bora to be the most beautiful island in French Polynesia, and it has been the backdrop for countless movies, including "Mutiny on the Bounty" with Marlon Brando. The main island is especially photogenic, as it is volcanic in origin, alluringly mountainous and lushly landscaped. The surroundings look even more spectacular at sunset, a time of day when the sky reflects an ever-changing palette of colors and the water sparkles like a field of diamonds. Since being discovered in 1722, Bora Bora has continued to gain fame for its boundless beauty and impossibly clear water, the ideal setting for this memorable sunset cruise.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Cruise through Bora Bora’s gorgeous lagoon on a sleek catamaran.
• Take in the phenomenal natural beauty, which is even more stunning at sunset.
• Enjoy a cocktail and light snack while cruising back to the pier.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Enjoy tastings of two classic Hawaiian products - coffee and chocolate - and see how both are produced to maximize their unique flavors. At Kona Joe Coffee, you will learn about the patented cultivation process that allows the trellised Arabica coffee trees to grow upright like grapevines, which ensures uniform sun exposure. The result is a superior organic coffee bean with an enhanced taste and body, as you will discover by sampling a fresh-brewed cup. You will be treated to another sampling at Kokoleka Lani Farms, an actual working farm where you will view cacao (chocolate) on the tree and see the raw beans utilized in the making of their award-winning chocolate. After touring this biodiverse farm, you will enjoy the best part--a chocolate tasting! In addition to coffee and cacao, learn how farm products are integrated into Kona Natural Soap which is also made here. Afterward, enjoy free time to browse their chocolate selections, Kona coffee and vegan soaps in the gift shop.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See how a patented process for growing coffee produces a uniquely flavored cup of coffee.
• Tour a cacao farm and watch each step of the cacao bean production.
• Sample a selection of coffees and chocolates that are pure Hawaiian..

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Paddle through the brilliant blue waters of Hilo Bay in a kayak and enjoy a unique perspective of the city and the volcanoes looming in the background. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will ease into a kayak and follow the guide into the crescent-shaped bay. From there, you will have an excellent view of Hilo's urban landscape, which sprawls along the coast and up into the flanks of the volcanoes. The guide will point out and describe Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano that is the highest point in Hawaii. Then there is Mauna Loa, the world's largest volcano. It too is a spectacular reminder that the Hawaiian Islands are volcanically formed. While paddling through the bay and around Coconut Island, be sure to look for green sea turtles, symbols of good luck and longevity. You will also kayak up the Wailuku River to view its gorgeous waterfall.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle around Hilo Bay in a kayak as the guide describes the surrounding natural beauty.
• See the massive volcanoes Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa from a unique water perspective.
• Enjoy an up-close view of Coconut Island and the waterfall on the Wailuku River.
• Look for green sea turtles gracefully swimming by in the bay’s crystal-clear waters.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Bring water shoes, towel, bathing suit and a change of clothes.

OVERVIEW

Stroll through the largest Edo-style ornamental garden outside of Japan and enjoy hours of free time browsing the shops and farmer's market near Hilo Bay. To reach Liliuokalani Gardens, you will travel down Banyan Drive, a sun-dappled street lined with banyan trees that celebrities such as Babe Ruth and Amelia Earhart planted. More botanical treasures await you within the gardens, which is named for Hawaii's last reigning monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It opened in 1917 as a tribute to the many Japanese immigrants that worked Hawaii's sugarcane fields. While meandering through the serene setting, you will notice that nearly every plant is indigenous. They include species such as the rosy trumpet tree and the towering kukui, the national tree of Hawaii. Later, you will independently explore the abundant boutiques, art galleries and marketplaces along the waterfront. There will also be plenty of time to dine on your own if you wish.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive down a beautifully shaded street lined with banyan trees that celebrities planted.
• Meander through Liliuokalani Gardens, a botanical oasis with mostly indigenous plants.
• Spend hours exploring Hilo’s main shopping and dining district along the bay.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover the wonders of Hawaii's highest volcano while atop its summit and behold a roaring cascade named for the rainbows in its mist. Your immersion into the natural sciences will begin at the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy visitor center, where you will learn about the advanced telescopes on sacred Mauna Kea volcano and about rare endemic plants such as the delicate silversword that only on grows at altitudes above 5,000 feet. Mauna Kea is nearly three times that high and to reach its summit you will ascend in a 4x4 vehicle. The volcano is nicknamed the White Mountain as it is sometimes snow-capped. The views on the way up will be breathtaking as will be the epic vistas that await you at the very top. The sight of Rainbow Falls will also be spectacular as the 80-foot cascade lies within a mango orchard and usually creates rainbows as the sun shines through the plummeting water.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive up the slopes of Hawaii’s highest volcano in a 4x4 vehicle.
• Take in the panoramic views from atop the summit of Mauna Kea volcano.
• Learn about the discoveries that the telescopes on the volcano have made.
• Behold Rainbow Falls, which is named for the rainbows that often form in its mist.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Settle in for a panoramic drive along the island's beautiful western coast and stop at attractions that are particularly relevant to Hawaiians. Upon reaching Kealakekua Bay, you will see the statue that marks the spot where early Hawaiians killed British explorer Captain James Cook in 1779 following a dispute. A bit south lies Pu'uhonua, a spiritual site where criminals once sought refuge and absolution from Hawaiian priests. The temple platforms and other structures that you will see were intact in Captain Cook's time. Continuing on, you will stop for a sandwich or poke bowl at a popular lunch spot and then a cup of Kona coffee at Caffe Florian, another favorite among locals. A behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Kona Coffee Center will reveal how those special beans are harvested and brewed. The focus will turn to natural attractions at the nearby lava tubes and at Turtle Cove, where sea turtles are abundant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Drive along the island’s western shore and visit attractions of great cultural significance.
• Stop at a seaside site that was sacred to the early Hawaiians and still is today.
• Enjoy favorite local foods and drinks such as a poke bowl and Kona coffee.
• See natural wonders such as lava tubes and observe sea turtles resting on a beach.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

After a scenic drive through Upcountry Maui, you'll arrive at the zipline course, which sits near the edge of Haleakalā National Park at 4,200 feet above sea level. An experienced guide team will outfit you with safety gear before leading you through an active conservation restoration area being replanted with native trees. Along the way, your guides will share their knowledge about the history of Haleakalā National Park, its delicate ecosystems, and the cultural significance of the area. When you arrive at the first zipline, you'll be clipped in for the first of five exhilarating rides down the slopes of Haleakalā. The adrenaline journey culminates in a thrilling zip on Hawaii's only pendulum zipline, where riders reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour! While pausing on the elevated platforms between ziplines, you will enjoy views of Haleakalā National Park, the West Maui Mountains, and the islands of Lāna'i, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe just offshore.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Ride five separate ziplines, including the only pendulum zipline in Hawaii.
• Enjoy the adrenaline rush of riding ziplines as high as 90 feet over a canyon.
• Get a literal bird’s-eye view of Maui and surrounding islands as you race between zipline platforms.
• Hike through an active conservation restoration area that is being replanted with native Hawaiian trees.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear athletic or hiking shoes with a fully enclosed toe and heel.

OVERVIEW

Discover the natural beauty and quirkiness of the island's North Shore through vastly different and revealing experiences. While browsing the boutiques in the former sugar plantation town of Pa'ia, you will get a genuine sense of its laid-back, bohemian ambiance. The shops tend to be colorful, somewhat eclectic and full of merchandise that you won't find elsewhere as it is often made locally. A leisurely one-mile walk through a nearby rainforest will bring you to two waterfalls, one of them is Twin Falls, a gorgeous cascade that plummets into a serene pool where you may swim if you wish. The setting couldn't be more relaxing or picturesque. The beauty of Ho'okipa Beach Park is equally captivating, especially the scene offshore as this is a premier spot for surfing and windsurfing because the waves are well-formed and sometimes reach heights of 30 feet. The beach is also one of the best places to see green sea turtles.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy free time shopping in the quirky, wonderfully laid-back seaside town of Pa’ia.
• Walk through a rainforest to two waterfalls where you are welcome to swim in the pools below.
• Watch the surfers and windsurfers at Ho’okipa Beach Park and look for green sea turtles.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear swimsuit under clothing.
• Wear athletic shoes or sturdy sports sandals that can get wet and muddy (water shoes are suggested). No flip flops, or sandals with no backstrap.
• Bring a towel.

OVERVIEW

Feast on authentic Polynesian cuisine and watch a mesmerizing performance of singing and dancing at the Drums of the Pacific Luau at the Hyatt Regency Maui. The evening show will begin in dramatic fashion with the haunting sound of a conch shell horn, followed by beating drums and the lighting of tiki torches, which will set the mood for this spectacle of all things Polynesian. Then, just sit back and enjoy the performance of Hawaiian hulas, Maori warrior dances native to New Zealand and a daredevil Samoan fire-knife dance that will bring you to the edge of your seat. The show also honors the cultures of other South Pacific islands, including Rarotonga, Tahiti and the Tuamotus. The all-you-can-eat buffet dinner will be just as diverse as the courses will likely include ahi tuna poke, pasture-to-plate Paniolo beef and shredded Kalua pork straight from the underground imu oven.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Watch a performance of songs and dances at a luau that honors Polynesian culture.
• Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet dinner of traditional Polynesian cuisine.
• Gain insight into the various cultures as the songs and dances tell stories.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Discover how Ocean Organic Vodka employs sustainable agricultural practices to produce some of Hawaii's most unique distilled spirits. The family-owned estate lies on the slopes of the dormant shield volcano Haleakala, a fertile setting that is ideal for farming. While touring the 80-acre, entirely solar-powered property, you will gain an understanding of the organic methods used to grow dozens of species of sugar cane for its namesake vodka and other spirits. Pesticides, herbicides and GMOs are strictly prohibited. The vodka has the distinction of being the only one in the world made with mineral-rich deep ocean water, which imparts a subtle complexity. You will have the opportunity to sample this premium vodka and a bourbon barrel-aged rum that is finished with charred kiawe wood that lends it a sweet flavor. The return drive will be just as memorable as you will pass the cowboy town of Makawao and the pineapple plantations around Hali'imaile.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Visit an organic farm that grows sugar cane for its premium vodka and other spirits.
• Discover why the farm’s distillery only uses ocean water drawn from 3,000 feet below the surface.
• Sample the distillery’s revered vodka and a rum aged in bourbon barrels with charred kiawe wood.
• View the upcountry cowboy town of Makawao and Hali’imaile, a pineapple-growing area.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.