Travel Kuoni

Volcanoes to Beaches – a Hawai'i suggested itinerary

Hawai’i’s lava landscapes, lush valleys and jaw-dropper beaches are its natural calling cards.

Add a fiercely protected heritage that’s been shaped by these wonders over millennia, and you’ve got one of the most fascinating far-flung destinations going. On this duo-of-islands adventure, we’ll take you to the vast island of Hawai’i with its multiple climate zones, geological marvels and jet-black sand beaches. Then it’s over to Maui where the volcanoes are a little sleepier, the valleys a thousand shades of green and the beaches oh-so spectacular. We’ve included car hire on both islands so you can go at your own pace, stop when and where you want and let the vibes influence your adventure.

Suggested itinerary
8 nights
Adventure, Culture, Self-Drive

Itinerary overview

Days 1 to 4

Island of Hawai’i

Younger and larger than all the other islands that make up the state, Hawai’i Island is best know...

Days 5 to 8

Maui

Hop over from Hawai’i Island on a 40-minute flight and you’ll swap one paradise for another. Epic...

Days 1 to 4

Island of Hawai’i

Younger and larger than all the other islands that make up the state, Hawai’i Island is best known as a volcanic wonderland but it also has a few surprises up its sleeves. Much of its over 4000 square miles is Martian-esque landscapes of frozen-in-time lava and the barren slopes of its active volcanoes, but head east and you’ll reach dense rainforest, or to the west coast and you’ll find the only coffee plantations in the United States. First on your agenda should be junping in your hire car and heading to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park where you can peek into vast craters as you drive the Chain of Craters Road, see the etchings at Pu’uloa Petroglyph Fields and hike the once-forested Devastation Trail. Although not in the park itself, we recommend joining a guided tour to Maunakea’s (one of the island’s volcanoes) high-altitude summit. Pu’uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park – a sacred royal ground and place of refuge for lawbreakers – is a must visit if you’re curious about Hawai’i’s heritage. And for fans of the seashore, a wander along Punalu'u Black Sand Beach is a one-off experience.

Days 5 to 8

Maui

Hop over from Hawai’i Island on a 40-minute flight and you’ll swap one paradise for another. Epic sunrises and sunsets, long and lazy sand-in-the-toes meanders (there’s 30 miles of beaches here) and crater snorkelling are just a handful of things that make Maui so marvellous. There’s a high chance you’ll be resting your head at a resort on the three-mile Kā’anapali Beach, the best address in town (or on island) and former royal retreat. From here, you can head up to the crater of the slumbering Haleakala Crater to take in the world’s best sun rises and sun sets or to ‘Īao Valley State Park – just be sure to reserve your visit ahead of time on the National Park Service or State Parks websites respectively. For some of the best underwater escapades Hawai’i has to offer, book your spot on a trip from Mā’alaea Harbor to Molokini, a partly submerged crater that’s home to marine life galore.

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Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

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Call our North America experts on

01306 744 988

Available until 5pm

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