HAWAII A trip across an incredible biodiversity. Hana hou!

Shares6Share Like LinkedIn Tweet Pin Email Facebook

My journey starts in O'ahu as I always wanted to visit Jurassic Park and LOST movie sets. You could spend days enjoying the solitude of the forests and peaks around the city. Some of O'ahu's most popular hiking trails lead into the lush, windy Ko'olau Range just above downtown.

The Big Island is a fascinating place with many gems of living history.
6 days plenty of amazing experiences - You can start your day exploring waterfalls in the tropical rainforests of Hilo, enjoy lunch overlooking lava rocks and sparkling blue waters, go coffee tasting in Kona's upland hillsides, and end the day stargazing on the mountainous tundra of Mauna Kea.

December 2018 - 10 Days

WHY GO

O’ahu- Here you can surf the North Shore’s giant waves , hike Pali , dive into Hanauma Bay , go windsurfing or kayak and back in Waikiki for sunset drinks and shows.

The Big Island- If you are lucky enough , you might see lava pouring into the ocean next to black rock cliffs .
And yet, here you can find emerald jungle, paradisiacal valleys , green sand beaches , snowcapped mountains and more… I can say that for a little effort you’ll get enormous awards 😊.

WHEN TO GO

The high season is Dec-April (the most expensive and busy) and Jun-August Winter is rainier but best for whale watching and surfing , summer slightly hotter

May & September , temperatures are mild,mostly sunny and cloudless days (Statewide Aloha Festivals in Sept)
Low season is Oct-Nov ,the weather is tipically dry and hot (not ideal if you like hiking).

Day 1 O’ahu Island-Honolulu

The first day you will arrive tired and exhausted (circa 20hs from Italy) so you might want to laze on the beach in Waikiki, a neighborhood of Honolulu on the south shore of the island.Catch the sunset and hula show at Kuhio Beach Park. The next day get up early to snorkel at Hanauma Bay , then hike up Diamond Head or book an elicopter tour flying over some of the island’s iconic landmarks as Aloha Tower,Makapu’u Lighthouse, Chinaman’s Hat, Sacred Falls and the Dole Plantation : if the weather is good you can see the famous Pali (cliffs). I spent few hours exploring Honululu with its museums and historical sites (Pearl Harbor). Then dive into the arts ,shoppings,food and nighlife scenes of Chinatown.

Day 2 North-Shore and East Coast

The day after rent a car and explore the island over to the surf-kissed North Shore and Windward Coast . Dominating the area is the Turtle Bay Resort and the shoreline trail runs over to Kawela Bay (banyan trees as seen on TV’s LOST). If you want to see where Hurley built his Lost golf course, Godzilla left his footprints and the Jurassic Park kids hid from dinosaurs, take the movie tour that covers tha many films and TV shows in Kualoa Ranch.

Day 3 Windward O’ahu

The 3rd day rent again the car driving the Pali highway that runs between Honolulu and Kailua.Stop off wherever white sand beaches catch your eyes !I suggest to drive till the popular ridge-top lookout with a weeping vista of Windward O’ahu from a height of 1200ft. The winds that funnel through the Pali are so strong you can sometimes lean against them(bring a jacket as it’s usually cold) . Before to come back to Honolulu for a last dinner in this fantastic island, you can spend time to the Valley of the Temples where sits Byodo-In, a replica of a 900 year old temple in Uji , Japan, to bring peace and good fortune to anyone who rings it.

Day 4 Big Island

From O’ahu , take a flight (Hawaiian Airlines 70$ circa 1h) and you will arrive in Hilo , in Big Island ( to really make the most of this island, you should give yourself a week)
On arrival, rent a car and explore historic downtown before visiting Imiloa Astronomy Center (if you want to drink a local beer and you like Pineapples and more over…stop here)
If the lava is flowing into the ocean , head to Puna to check it out 😊.
Then spend the rest of the day hiking Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. Before visiting the park , check the park website to determinate its operating status (the park encompasses the summits of two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Kīlauea and Mauna Loa). For the night you can find a nice B&B in Puna.

TIPS here: ahead to Puna and follow the indications for Isaac Hale Park ( through the magic atmosphere of tunnel-like canopies of milo and hala trees).

Day 5 Green Sands Beach

The day after ,wake up early and drive to South Point (Ka Lae) the southernmost point of the Big Island of Hawaii and of the 50 United States,it boasts great fishing and a wide ocean view
Over the millenia, the ocean waves have undercut the coastal cliff, developing weak spots that let fishermen excavate holes to descend to boats below.
If you proceed, you will find Green Sands Beach also known as Papakolea Beach that get its name from the green olivine crystals that make up the sand. The crystals come from the cinder cone next to the beach which was formed during an eruption 50.000 years ago (if you don’t have a Pick-Up, you have to hitchhike like we did 😊 or walk for 2.5miles) If you choose to hike, start by walking toward the water and follow the dirt road left through the metal gate.
I suggest to spend one night here; the units are well appointed, super clean and comfortable. The breakfast is so relaxing to sip great coffee, get a Mac.nut lesson and feel the breeze. Kelly will help you as she is an invaluable source of information!

Day 6 Kona

If the weather is good you can stop to Two-step for snorkeling , get happily lost amid magical coral gardens and multicolored reefs. You can also book a Manta Rey night snorkel if you are brave 😝.Few min more driving and you will arrive to the small but gorgeous White Magic sands beach. Now it’s time to visit the Kona Farmers Market .This is a market located in the middle of Kona, so it’s mainly souvenirs, so the food is about fruit, and there are many small goods such as artists’ shops. Leave the car in the parking and walk through the Ali’Dr for seafood restaurant or just for a local beer..If you still have energies , proceed to North , find hidden Makalawena Beach and take pictures of its perfection (swimming is splendid but beware of rough surf and rocks in the water! As alternative you can explore black-sand nooks and chill with sea turtles at isolated Kiholo Bay.

Day 7 Mauna Kea Stargazing

Ready for the most exciting day of your life?? Gaze at stars from the summit of the world’s tallest mountain MAUNA KEA . If you have a 4WD , you may drive to the summit in the daytime but you must descent 30minutes after sunset. It takes about 1h to drive 8mile summit road (first 4.5mileas are slippery gravel) .Massive observatories rise around you and comprise the greatest collection of telescopes on earth! For sunset views without going to the summit , take 15min, steep hike up Pu’u Kalepeamoa.
At the end of the day , driving the Saddle Rd you will arrive to Waimea and here you book one night in one of the Ranch B&B.

Day 8 Pololu & Waipi'o Valley

TIPS for the breakfast there is fantastic little caffe – a hidden gem. Great breakfasts and island atmosphere. Staff all so friendly. A brilliant place to visit but gets very very busy in the mornings. Try the pancakes 😊 and after go to Pololu Valley.
From the lookout ,you can admire the spectacular coastline toward the east but you must hike down to see Polulu Valley a black-sand beach where the surf is rough and swimming is a terrible idea but the view will be worth it. After Polulu Valley , we decided to visit the known Waipi’o Valley. Reaching the end of the Hwy 240, you look out across a spectacular natural amphitheater. To reach the valley floor you must walk or drive incredibly steep road from the lookout. Towards the back the valley splits into many ‘fingers’, each one with its own waterfall. The valley meets the ocean towards the north with a beautiful black sand beach that is cut in two by the river. If you have seen the Waterworld movie ,the waterfalls that you can see in the final scenes are the Kaluahine Falls which you can only see on rainy days from the ocean or the valley floor. Take the car and enjoy the scenic drive till Honomu and book a peaceful and lovely accomodations to Akiko B&B.

Day 9 Honumu - Akaka Falls

Honumu is an old sugar town that might be forgotten today if it weren’t for its proximity to Akaka falls. Here you can see two gorgeous waterfalls on one short hike. You will also enjoy a natural botanic garden that goes wildly into bloom during certain time of years (June/July). Back to Hilo , remember to take the scenic drive Pepe’ekeo 4-mile . What makes this scenic drive so beautiful? The best way to explain it is with pictures. Check my video of the road showing how it carves its way through the rainforest .If you visit Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, you can get a great view of the bay.

Day 10 Back Home

Here ends my journey to Hawaii. I added a few days to Los Angeles before returning home. You will find my trip here.I will definitely return to visit the other islands but these two have been unforgettable for me and will remain indelible in my mind and heart…

HAWAII TRAVEL TIPS

Click Here

Get a Free Carry On Packing List

Join our mailing list to get your packing checklist and entire xls plan that will help you to organize the perfect trip! Once register, visit the Reserved Area.

Password

Remember Me

Forgot password?

Verify Your Email

We have sent a 6-digit verification code to your email. Please enter it below to continue.

Resend Code

Verify Your Email

We have sent a 6-digit verification code to your email. Please enter it below to continue.

Resend Code

Please follow and like us:

1290

2000

1.20k

4300

Share the Post:

PERU´ Travel Itinerary: 16 Days of Culture, Adventure & Breathtaking Landscapes

ShareLikeLinkedInTweetPinEmailFacebook Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey through Peru, exploring ancient civilizations, stunning natural wonders, and vibrant local culture. From the Pacific coast to the high Andes, discover a land of mystery, adventure, and unforgettable beauty. July – August 2025 What’s In This Article Day 1 – Arrival in Lima First Taste of Peru Day 1

Torres del Paine National Park

ShareLikeLinkedInTweetPinEmailFacebook Please follow and like us: 1290 2000 1.20k 4300