| Back Join us for a fun-filled adventure in the beautiful Hawaiian islands. We'll start with 4 nights on the Valley Isle of Maui and include hiking, bicycling, and more. Then it's off for 4 nights on the Big Island where we'll paddle kayaks, walk in a rain forest, visit historic sites, tour a coffee plantation, hike into a volcano, swim in a lava-heated ocean pool, have dinner in a private home on a tea plantation overlooking scenic Onomea Bay, and much, much more. Fri Apr 20 Maui Aloha and welcome to Hawaii! Upon arrival at Kahului airport on the island of Maui, pick up your rental car and make your way to the Maui Sunseeker, located across the street from the ocean in Kihei. Rooms feature a small kitchen, which will be stocked with breakfast fixings before your arrival. Join us for a 630pm casual welcome wine and pupu reception this evening and meet your traveling companions. Evening reception Sat Apr 21 Maui After breakfast in your room, we're off to explore the island, led by a popular local guide who will show us waterfalls, tidepools, blowholes, and more. We'll have lunch along the way and return late in the afternoon to the Maui Sunseeker. Evening at leisure. Breakfast, Lunch Sun Apr 22 Maui After breakfast, depart for the classic Maui adventure---the bicycle ride down 10,000 ft Haleakala (House of the Sun). We'll be driven to the summit and take a quick tour of this starkly beautiful national park. Then we hop on our bikes at the 6,500 level and begin the long mostly-downhill cruise to sea level. We travel at our own pace, with time to stop for views, lunch, shopping, visit a botanical garden, maybe even a winery. Return to the Maui Sunseeker late this afternoon for an informal reception to talk about your day. Balance of evening at leisure. Breakfast, Evening Reception Mon Apr 23 Maui A full day to explore the island using your rental car. The possibilities are nearly endless: Take the legendary drive to Hana and continue to the Seven Sacred Pools, visit the whaling village of Lahaina and nearby Kaanapali Beach Resort. Explore the gorgeous beaches of South Maui, including Little Beach--where the boys are. Feel like watersports---consider a snorkel trip to the half- sunken crater of Molokini or to nearby Turtle Town. Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and explore the coastline. The day and evening are yours to explore the island as you wish. Breakfast. Tue Apr 24 The Big Island After breakfast, return your car and catch the short flight to Kona, on the west side of Hawaii's Big Island. Home to the active Kilauea volcano and the two tallest sea mountains in the world, Hawaii island is bigger than all the other islands combined. Upon arrival, we'll drive to Kona by the Sea for a 2 night stay in individual ocean front condominiums, your condo will be stocked with breakfast fixings. After settling in, we will drive up the slopes of Hualalai Volcano, stopping first at a Kona Coffee plantation for a brief tour and tasting then continuing to the Kona Cloud Forest Preserve. We'll be met by Norman Bezona, one of the world's top authorities on tropical rainforests and a palm specialist. He'll give us a guided walking tour of his 25-acre cloud forest, located 2500 feet above sea level and a true delight to experience. After the tour, we'll enjoy appetizers followed by a rainforest buffet dinner prepared by Norman 's partner, Voltaire. Breakfast, Dinner. Wed Apr 25 The Big Island After breakfast we'll head south to Kealakekua (made famous in the song "I want to go back to my little grass shack....") considered one of the best snorkel spots in all of Hawaii. We'll hop into our kayaks and paddle across the bay to the Captain Cook monument where we'll pull our boats up on shore, enjoy a sack lunch, and spend some time snorkeling the clear blue waters. We may see some spinner dolphins doing tricks for us as we paddle back to the dock, then head over to the Place of Refuge National Historic Site for a fascinating glimpse into ancient Hawaiian history. We'll be back at Kona by the Sea by mid-afternoon, with time to relax and enjoy the pool or perhaps head into town for shopping and dinner. Balance of day at leisure. Breakfast, Lunch Thu Apr 26 The Big Island After breakfast we begin our journey across the island, passing by the southernmost point in the USA before stopping for a sack lunch at the Punaluu black sand beach--a great spot to see Hawaiian sea turtles basking on the beach. We continue on to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park where we'll take a tour of the highlights and then hike down to the floor of the Kilauea Iki crater, still steaming after its latest eruption. We then head for Hilo where we check into the bayfront Hilo Hawaiian Hotel for a 2 night stay. Evening at leisure. Breakfast, Lunch Fri Apr 27 The Big Island After breakfast, we're off to the Puna district, home to colorful characters, fresh lava, and beautiful sights. We'll take a dip in a lava-heated saltwater pool at Ahalanui Park then continue along the scenic coastal road until it abruptly ends at the former sight of Kalapana Village, covered by lava in 1990. We'll stroll across the lava fields of Kaimu Beach Park to view the world's newest black sand beach, then grab a quick lunch before heading back to the hotel. A few hours to rest up and change, then we're off to visit the Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden , a true gem where we can stroll from the rainforest down to the crashing waves of Onomea Bay . We then continue to Onomea Tea Plantation, located on a bluff overlooking the ocean, where the owners Mike and Rob will show us their budding tea plantation, followed by dinner with wine at their home. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Sat Apr 28 Departure After breakfast at the hotel, it's time to bid a fond aloha. Guests flying out of Hilo may depart anytime, guests leaving from Kona on 6pm and later flights can get a ride back in our van, stopping for sightseeing along the way at Akaka Falls, historic Parker ranch, and Hapuna Beach, time permitting. Breakfast Tour Price $2475 per person double occupancy, $2795 single occupancy Includes:
Maui and Kona--your fridge will be pre-stocked to your order so you can enjoy breakfast in your room each day. Hilo--buffet breakfast in the hotel dining room is included. Not Included:
Sterling Tours, Ltd 2907 Shelter Island Drive Suite #105-262 San Diego, CA 92106 Tel: 619 299-3010 800-976-9497 CST2023849-40 Insurance Information Terms and Conditions |
Sterling Tours Limited edition
Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii
An active adventure for gay men
April 20-28, 2012 Limited to 12 guests, 3 spaces still open
An active adventure for gay men
April 20-28, 2012 Limited to 12 guests, 3 spaces still open
