Travel Kuoni

Rainbows and Rainforests - a Hawai'i suggested itinerary

This is a kaleidoscopic, island hopper of a journey through the ‘rainbow capital of the world’.

Hawai’i’s regularly sunny skies, short and sharp showers, and clean-as-it-can-be air create the best conditions going for those sweeping (often double or circular) arcs of colour. The vivid hues of Maui’s rainbow eucalyptus trees, the 50-shades-of-green rainforests, sands that go beyond the standard golden, and most importantly, a vibrant heritage passed through countless generations only add to the colour palette of life in Hawai’i. Car hire is included on each island so the pace can be set by how you feel, what you want to see and when you want to see it.

Suggested itinerary
Culture, Adventure, Self-Drive

Itinerary overview

Days 1 to 4

Maui

First up is magical Maui, an island dominated by two slumbering volcanoes, green-as-can-be valley...

Days 5 to 7

Island of Hawaii

After a short hop of a flight over to Hawai’i Island, a world of volcanic-meets-jungle landscapes...

Days 8 to 11

Kaua’i

As soon as you step foot on Kaua’i, a feeling of tranquillity washes over you, shoulders drop and...

Days 1 to 4

Maui

First up is magical Maui, an island dominated by two slumbering volcanoes, green-as-can-be valleys and with a coastline of dreams. Base yourself in a beachside bolthole and head out on expeditions in your hire car to east Maui’s wonders along the Hana Highway like Twin Falls, the Garden of Eden Arboretum and Waiʻānapanapa State Park (prior reservations are required), the emerald jewel in the crown. At least on of your evenings on the island should be spent out on the water, taking in the sunset and possibly catching the ‘5 o’clock rainbow’ which graces the sky above the coastline with surprising regularity. For a loftier perspective of the sun dipping below the horizon – or appearing above it at the other end of the day – take a trip up to Haleakalā summit (sunrise reservations are required).

Days 5 to 7

Island of Hawaii

After a short hop of a flight over to Hawai’i Island, a world of volcanic-meets-jungle landscapes will be your oyster. To satisfy the rainforest theme of this holiday, we advise staying over on the west coast, close to Hilo, where protected forest, wildlife and reserves spill down to the coastline from the slopes of Mauna Kea, and rivers flow over falls and through parks like Wailuku River State Park. You’ll still be able to get behind the wheel of your hire car and head south and west to explore the big-ticket attraction that is Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park to get up close and personal to geothermic marvels. And no trip to the island is complete without discovering the deep connection the people of Hawai’i have to Madame Pele (or Ka wahine 'ai hōnua), the goddess of volcanoes and fire and ‘she who shapes the sacred land’.

Days 8 to 11

Kaua’i

As soon as you step foot on Kaua’i, a feeling of tranquillity washes over you, shoulders drop and mindfulness is the order of the day. This is why we’ve picked the island as your final stop on your holiday – after all your rainforest, rainbows and reef explorations, it’s time to relax. And by relaxing, we mean cruising along the Nā Pali coast with its towering sea cliffs that are interrupted by deep, jungle-clad valleys; popping into peaceful botanical gardens (it’s not called the Garden Isle for nothing); being metaphorically bowelled over by the sheer scale of Waimea Canyon, the ‘Grand Canyon of the Pacific’; and snoozing under the swaying shade of palm trees on the ‘coconut coast’. Pure bliss.

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Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

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