Trip to Hawaii : Kauai, a sequence of emotions

First Day
Arrival at Lihue Airport, Kauai. Here you will pick up the rental car and drive to Princeville, in the northern part of the island. When you arrive at your hotel, discover the beauties of the place. Or just relax and enjoy the magnificent panorama!

Second Day
After the first acclimatization day, make a breakfast buffet at the hotel, then head west. Just ten minute drive
you will reach the Hanalei Bay Beach Park. The whole Hanalei Bay is a long white sandy expanse, interrupted only by Hanalei Pier, where the Hanalei River is pouring in the sea. Majestic mountains embrace the bay and in the morning, when the ocean is like a mirror, you can see their silhouette reflected in crystal clear waters. The area is famous for surfing, and is the favorite destination of many local and foreign surfers. There are many companies that offer the option of renting the necessary equipment or if you are a beginner you can take lessons to fully enjoy the atmosphere of the bay. In the evening, move to Hanalei Town: this delightful town can offer a lot of points of historical interest to contemporary art galleries. Breathe the unique atmosphere that it offers and enjoy the typical local dishes, really delicious.

Third Day
Take the car and move to the south of Kauai. Pass Hanapepe Bay you will arrive at Makaweli: here your adventure begins in Niihau, “The forbidden island”! It will be a unique opportunity to visit this island: you will cross the Kaulakahi Channel by helicopter and you will arrive in an uncontaminated environment away from human development and crowds, where the nun seals sunbathe on the beach. You will do a helicopter plane tour while the pilot will tell you the story of this mysterious island; then once landed, you head to one of its isolated beaches, where you can sunbathe near the seals or go looking for beautiful shells in the white sand. Immerse yourself in crystalline waters and be witness to the uniqueness of the fish of the coral reef and all the other species that populate this pristine sea. After enjoying this paradise and having a good lunch, you will return to your helicopter, which will take you back to Kauai. Free evening.

Fourth Day
Move eastwards for a short journey of about 20 minutes. You will head to Kauai wildlife and you will come to a ranch. Here you will begin your horseback ride through the lush forests of the Garden Island. At first you will cross private ranch gardens, colored with flowers and typical island plants. You will then head to the inside – you will safely ride on hidden trails, through an ancient caldera. The caldera is a large volcanic depression formed after an eruption, and once again proves the origin of Kauai, which, like the rest of the Hawaiian islands, is purely volcanic. You will ride to the base of Mount Makaleha to finally get to the Silver Falls, where you can have a refreshing bath accompanied by a picnic in this remote corner of Kauai. This horseback adventure will leave you wonderful memories of a tropical setting no comparison! At the end of the day you will return to the hotel to rest after a day of adventure.</ P>

Fifth Day
On the morning of the fifth day you will head south and more precisely in the area of ​​Koloa. From here you will begin your first taste of one of the island’s wonders, so you will be in fact witness to the magnificence of the Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. But yours will not be a simple hike, but an exciting downhill in the canyon on a mountain bike for a really breathtaking experience! Sit in the saddle and throw yourself in this race that will take you from 1100 meters up to the sea level, safely and in close contact with the varied nature of Kauai. You will not have to worry about the climb, which will be completely effortless! Once you’ve finished your mountain bike ride, take the car back and head north. After a few minutes you will reach Koloa, famous for creating sugar cane trading on the island in 1835. The town has retained its original charm. Walk through the vintage shops and discover the local artifacts, or jump to the Koloa History Center to get to know the traditions of the place. After dinner, return to your hotel for a rest.

Sixth Day
The sixth day we head south for about 45 minutes to Lihue. From here you will begin your helicopter flight: sit back and enjoy the show. You will admire the majesty of Kauai from above! Your trip will start over the spectacular Hanapepe Valley, then continue on the Mana Waipuna, commonly known as the “Jurassic Park Falls”. The name is due to the fact that director Steven Spielberg chose these waterfalls and the surrounding forest as a set for his famous Jurassic Park movie! The tour will then continue on the Otel Canyon to get to the impressive Waimea Canyon, the famous Grand Canyon of the Pacific!It will then be the turn of the spectacular NaPali Coast and Bali Hai Cliffs, then get to the uncontaminated sea of Hanalei Bay and the area of Princeville. At the end you will visit the Wailua Falls and, if weather permits, the crater off of the Waialeale volcano.Flying in the center of the crater with its 5,000 miles high walls that surround you is really a breathtaking experience, the best way to end your tour! You will then return to Lihue Airport. It is a good opportunity to know a little about the town, which is the most lively of the island for the airport and the commercial port
of Nawiliwili Harbor. Take a leap to Kalapaki Beach, or take advantage of Kauai’s history and art by visiting the Kauai Museum, the Grove Farm Homestead Museum or the Kilohana Estate.

Seventh Day
Take the Kuhio Highway again and turn after a few minutes on the Kalihiwali Road. Then take the Anini Road and enjoy a day at Anini Beach Park. Anini Beach, on the north coast of Kauai, is a 5 km long beach, protected by one of Hawaii’s longest coral reefs, making the waters of the beach quiet and safe. Just the absence of currents and the calm sea make Anini Beach a great place to snorkel: the lagoon is home to numerous marine species such as crossbow fish, parrot fish and unicorn fish. Thanks to its clear waters and its rich underwater life, many consider Anini Beach one of the best places to snorkel on Kauai. The sea breeze blowing on the area also brings many windsurfing lovers here. Kite boarding, kite surfing and wind surfing are all activities that attract visitors from all corners of the world and give you the chance to fully enjoy all that Anini Beach Park has to offer.

Eighth Day
Drive towards Koloa Town. You will then head west to the west of Hawaii. Here you will spend an entire day exploring the magnificent NaPali Coast. Immerse yourself in its waters on a kayak and paddle in the shade of the imposing cliff that dives into the sea from its 600-meter-high. A true kayak adventure, which will take your breath away for the spectacular nature of the landscapes you will see: the mysterious green valleys, covered by the fog; caves excavated by lava fused over the centuries, which have made Hawaii famous in the world; the impetuous waterfalls, which are thrown into the blue of the Pacific Ocean. An epic experience that you can never do anywhere else on the globe. Let yourself be enchanted by the splendor of the Garden Island as you sail safely, giving you a day of adventure on the water you will hardly forget.

Ninth Day
Waimea Canyon is definitely one of the wonders of Garden Island. Take a full day to discover this remote and inaccessible part of the island, set in the west. The Waimea Canyon, which Mark Twain renamed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, extends for 10 miles and its walls rise for more than 3,200 feet, creating an unrivaled spectacle. The canyon formed over the centuries due to the erosion of the waters that descended from the summit of Mount Waialeale. Leave your hotel and after about an hour and a half you will arrive at Kekaha, where Kokee Natural History Museum is located. Here you will find plenty of information and maps of the trails that wind up in the Kokee State Park, a reserve that also includes the Waimea Canyon. There are difficult paths and lengths, so be advised by the museum staff on what might be best for you! Once you have chosen your excursion head to the Kokee State Park and dive into its uncontaminated nature. The trails are signaled, but a map might be helpful. Along the way there are many scenic spots that sway on the depths of the Waimea Canyon; the most impressive is for sure the Waimea Canyon Overlook. Stop and admire the canyon in all its grandeur, you will not be disappointed. Free dinner.

Tenth Day
Head south for about an hour, until you arrive at Poipu Beach Park. It includes two of the most famous beaches of Poipu, Poipu Beach and Brennecke Beach. Wavy coconut trees highlight the green meadows of the park and provide this area with a perfect profile for sensational sunsets. Pavilions scattered here and there and picnic tables offer shelter from the hot sun and are a great place to eat something.It is no accident that Poipu Beach has been repeatedly designated as the best beach in America. The bay is divided into two: one part is more protected from currents and is ideal for children or for those who are not good swimmers; the other part is great for swimming and snorkeling. Near the beach there are many companies offering equipment rental for activities of any type, from surf body to surf and so on. The two parts of the bay are divided by a strip of sand that is often occupied by the monk seals, which know how good this corner of Kauai can be!There are only about 1200 monk seals now in all Hawaii and the vast majority resides right on Garden Island. From Poipu Beach you can also spot humpbacks and green sea turtles, as well as humuhumunukunukuapuaa, a colorful tropical fish inhabiting the island’s reefs. There is a curious saying that the word humuhumunukunukuapuaa is longer than the fish itself! Dedicate your day to discover the beauty of the park, or take advantage of the shops that are a few meters near for a bit of shopping or taste the manicarets local chefs will be able to offer you.</ p>

Eleventh and Twelfth Days
Have a good breakfast and be prepared for two days during which you will explore the north west of the island. An experienced guide will accompany you along the Kalalau Trail, which winds for 12 miles through the wild nature of Kauai, from Ke’e Beach to Kalalau Beach. The Kalalau Trail is the only way to fully explore the NaPali Coast State Park and cross five valleys before ending up as mentioned in Kalalau Beach. The route also includes two downhill runs at sea level, more precisely in Hanakapi’ai and Kalalau. Opened at the end of the nineteenth century, the Kalalau Trail was rebuilt in the early 1930s, following the paths that the island’s first inhabitants had opened in the northwest coast. You will be camping along the road so you can enjoy the magnificence of this remote and inaccessible Kauai area. Two days in close contact with nature, through landscapes without comparison and with the help of your guide, which will make this experience really inimitable.

Thirteenth Day
Take a day off. Head west and enjoy the beauty of two of the best beaches on the Island, Lumahai Beach and Ke’e Beach. Your first stop will be Lumahai Beach, famous for the South Pacific movie. This is a dream place with turquoise sea that laps the beach. Swim in the beautiful scenery and relax in the Hawaii sun. Lumahai Beach is not recommended for snorkeling, and also the boats have to be cautious, due to the strong currents affecting this beach. The safest place to swim is the easternmost area, where the rocks offer some protection from the open sea. Then move about five miles to the west until you reach Ke’e Beach, within the Hanna State Park. Ke’e Beach is literally the last accessible area by car on the north coast of Kauai. Thanks to the coral reef and the lagoon that encloses Ke’e Beach is protected from the waves and is a great spot for snorkeling and bathing in the waters of the ocean. Here you can see a wide variety of tropical fish and sea turtles that populate these waters. From here you can also admire the NaPali Coast to the west, offering spectacular views, especially at sunset

Fourteenth Day
Take the road east for a short drive to Kilauea Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located on a narrow peninsula that rises 700 feet above sea level and is considered one of Kauai’s most famous attractions. Built in 1913 to drive merchant ships, the 50 foot tall lighthouse is a fantastic place for its geographic location. From here there is a fabulous view of the tiny northern coast and the deep waters that bathe it. Near the Kilauea Lighthouse there is also the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a reserve where nesting many species of sea birds who chose this remote corner of Kauai as a home. Here you can see the red-haired honey, the Laysan albacore, the Codurus fetus, the Hawaiian goat, the golden Pacific pigeon, the big frigates, with their 9 feet wingspan and a host of other species . In the waters below it is also possible to see dolphins, humpbacks, sea turtles and nuns, so as to be witness to the complexity and beauty of the Kauai fauna. Once you explore the area you return to your hotel, or if you are a sports enthusiast, you can go to one of the many golf courses around the Princeville area.

Fifteenth Day
Transfer to the airport, car delivery and return flight