Tauck The Best of Hawaii

Hawaiian feasts for the senses in Maui – a hands-on gourmet cooking experience and an evening of dance, song and exotic flavors at a traditional Hawaiian luau.

• Private evening with cocktails and dinner at Iolani Palace in Honolulu
•  Stay in ocean-view rooms at stunning beachfront island resorts all 11 nights
•  Discover an ancient Hawaiian cultural tradition cruising the shores of Waikiki aboard an outrigger canoe
• A visit to the USS Arizona Memorial, built over the remains of the fallen WWII battleship in Pearl Harbor
•  An informative presentation on the unique ecology of Pacific islands
•  Tour a coffee farm on the Big Island complete with Kona coffee tasting
• A private catamaran sail at sunset and a historical tour of sacred sites on the Big Island of Hawaii
• Airport transfers upon arrival and departure as noted
• 21 meals; service charges, gratuities to local guides, admission fees, taxes and porterage

Day 1: Arrive Honolulu, Oahu

A transfer is included from Honolulu International Airport to your extraordinary resort, The Royal Hawaiian – affectionately known as the “Pink Palace of the Pacific” – set on the white sand shores of Waikiki Beach. Stay in ocean-view accommodations, and enjoy dinner with stunning views of the beach and ocean in the hotel’s acclaimed Azure restaurant, overlooking Waikiki Beach.

Day 2: Pearl Harbor remembered & a night at a palace

Visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, a tribute to the military personnel who lost their lives in the December 7, 1941 attack, called the “Date of Infamy.” Further Honolulu sightseeing includes a drive through Punchbowl Memorial Cemetery and historic Honolulu, where you’ll have views of Washington Place, the sumptuous state capitol building and other sites. Tonight, your Tauck Hawaii tour begins with an exclusive evening – a private after-hours tour, welcome reception and dinner with entertainment at Iolani Palace, the opulent official residence of Hawaii’s former monarchy. Built in 1882, this National Historic Landmark reigns as the only official state residence of royalty in the United States.

Day 3: Meet an Oahu “beach boy” & ride an outrigger

Circle the windward side of Oahu this morning for a tour of its southeastern beaches, bays and birds, including the beach featured in the film From Here To Eternity. Back on Waikiki Beach, meet a “beach boy” who will “talk-story” for you about the water skills required for this coveted job; then hop aboard a traditional outrigger canoe to catch the waves for an exhilarating ride – a true highlight of Tauck’s Hawaii tour!

Day 4: Fly to the Big Island and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Fly to the youngest of the islands, the Big Island of Hawaii, home to Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the world’s most active and accessible volcanoes; the gentleness of their eruptions allows visits to the edges of their active vents. In 1866, when Mark Twain saw the sizzling lava of Kilauea, he wrote, “Here was room for the imagination to work!” At Volcanoes National Park, you’ll drive across the Kilauea Caldera (crater), where views vary from desert to lush tropical rainforest to alpine tundra. UNESCO named the park an International Biosphere Reserve because of its outstanding scenic and scientific values. The park protects a wide diversity of ecosystems and habitat for native Hawaiian plants and animals; it is also rich in cultural and historic sites. Your day ends at your resort on the Kohala Coast in the area once known as Kalahuipua’a, the birthplace of King Kamehameha I, who unified the Hawaiian Islands in the early 19th century. The area is crisscrossed by early Hawaiian footpaths, royal fishponds and lava formations.

Day 5: Big Island relaxation… or adventure

Spend the day doing whatever interests you most on the Big Island of Hawaii. You can set off on an optional two-hour helicopter excursion for a thrilling view of Kilauea’s fiery lava vents and the Big Island’s coastal rainforests, available at an additional cost per person. Or you can indulge in other optional activities offered by your resort (some at additional cost). Toward evening, join us for a catamaran sail along the Kohala Coast as the sun sets on another perfect day on Tauck’s Hawaii tour.

Day 6: Hawaiian coffee & more on the Kona coast

To get the day started just right, head to a Kona coffee plantation and living history farm. Kona coffee is prized the world over; see how a typical coffee farming family of the early 20th century lived and worked, and learn the secrets of cultivating the bean, from the coffee tree to the freshly brewed coffee cup (tasting included!). Later, visit the Painted Church overlooking Kealakekua Bay; built in 1899, this historic Roman Catholic church features extensive hand-painted scenes throughout its interior. Back at your Fairmont resort, have dinner tonight at your choice of restaurants.

Day 7: Fly to lush Kauai and a beachfront resort

Fly to the Garden Isle of Kauai, where the landscape is lush with orchids, hibiscus and plumeria. Have lunch as you enjoy the scenic views of Hanalei Bay in Princeville before setting off to take in a multitude of natural wonders around the island. Pass through the Tunnel of Trees – formed by walls of eucalyptus trees towering above the road – and see Spouting Horn, a fascinating volcanic blowhole, en route to your beachfront resort.

Day 8: Leisure time on lovely Kauai

If you wish, you may start your day on an optional 45-55-minute helicopter flightseeing adventure* over the rainforests and mountains of the lush “Garden Isle” (available for an additional charge; see Pricing & Availability for details). Then, the day is yours to enjoy as you wish – you may want to swim, snorkel, sunbathe, spot the island’s abundant marine life from monk seals to green sea turtles, or simply enjoy all your resort has to offer. Early this evening, your Hawaii tour continues with an informative interpretive lecture on the ecology of the Hawaiian Archipelago; dine at your leisure at the resort tonight.

Day 9: Fly to Maui and explore the “Valley Isle”

Fly to Maui, named for an ancient god. Travel through the mist-shrouded Iao Valley to see the famed Iao Needle, then past sugar cane fields to the historic port of Lahaina, an old whaling center and former island capital. Following some time on your own to explore Lahaina as you please, it’s off to the The Fairmont Kea Lanai, your beachfront resort home for the next three nights, set on the Wailea Coast. The remainder of the day is free; dine at your resort at your leisure tonight.

Day 10: Gourmet cooking on Maui

Feel free to spend the early morning hours indulging at the resort before discovering the secrets of island cuisine. Maui chefs take delight in the abundance of locally raised beef, tropical fruits and vegetables grown in fertile volcanic soil, and fresh fish – often preparing them with a fusion of Asian, Californian and Hawaiian flavors. You’re invited for a look behind the kitchens attracting Maui foodies during a hands-on gourmet cooking experience with chefs during lunch at a well-known local restaurant. The remainder of the day is yours to explore or relax as you please on this island known for wildlife-rich waters and perfumed gardens… a favorite stop on any Hawaii tour.

Day 11: Mount Haleakala, Maui leisure & a luau

Today, Tauck’s Hawaii tour takes you to the 10,023-foot-high rim of Mount Haleakala (meaning “house of the sun”), the world’s largest dormant volcano (it’s been two centuries since its last eruption) and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The crater is more than seven miles across, and hosts two endangered species, the nene (Hawaiian wild goose), and the silversword, a specially adapted plant. After enjoying extraordinary views from the mountaintop, learn about island agriculture as you descend through Maui’s upcountry farmland and return to your oceanfront resort for an afternoon spent as you wish. This evening, join us for a farewell feast of authentic Hawaiian culture at a private luau.

Day 12: Journey home

Tour ends: Maui. Fly home anytime; a transfer is included from The Fairmont Kea Lani to Maui’s Kahului Airport. Allow a minimum of two hours for departure flight check-in at the airport.

The Royal Hawaiian, Oahu

Ocean-View Rooms. A beloved Hawaiian landmark, the legendary “Pink Palace of the Pacific” has welcomed guests to Waikiki for over 75 years. Set right on famed Waikiki Beach, this elegant Grande Dame provides a gracious introduction to traditional Hawaii with its prime beachfront location and its charming old-world ambiance. Guest rooms offer all the amenities that today’s travelers expect, including cable TV with movie channels. The hotel offers a wide range of water sports and beach activities to enhance your leisure hours, with facilities including a private beach, inviting swimming pool, well-equipped Fitness Center and the Abhasa Waikiki Spa. Dining at the Azure restaurant is a memorable experience, as is indulging in lovely ocean views at the Mai Tai Bar.

Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, Big Island

Ocean-View Rooms. Nestled beachside on the sun-drenched Kohala Coast of the Big Island, Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii extends a warm e komo mai (welcome) to today’s sophisticated travelers. Comfortable guest rooms, each with its own private lanai, feature waffle-weave, tropical-weight bathrobes, exclusive toiletries, coffee maker, minibar / refreshment center, cable TV, hair dryer and iron / ironing board. From the beautiful beach to the 10,000-square-foot swimming pool to the world-class tennis courts to the award-winning 36-hole golf course, there is no shortage of enjoyable activities from which to choose.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa, Kauai

Ocean-View Rooms. Evoking the ambiance of the days of grand plantations on Kauai with bamboo and wicker furnishings, this 1920s-style Art Deco resort is ideally located on the sunny side of the island. Breathtaking views of mountains, gardens and the sea enhance the lovely setting everywhere you look. Here saltwater swimming pools and lagoons mimic the nearby ocean but are always bathed in tranquility; a choice of restaurants celebrate the abundance of the land and sea; championship golf and tennis courts invite you to play and the Anara Spa weaves traditional Hawaiian healing customs into their array of pampering spa services.

Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui

Ocean-View Rooms. Fairmont Kea Lani, Maui is a distinctive luxury oceanfront resort that is situated on 22 acres of tropical landscape in Wailea, Maui, offering authentic Hawaiian cultural experiences and warm and personal service with aloha. You’ll find your mana (energy) and achieve kaulike (internal balance) at the newly-opened 9,000 square-foot Willow Stream Spa. The new, 9,000-square-foot facility offers a full menu of authentic spa experiences to relieve, restore or provide results in a nurturing environment. Look for the Nalu (Wave) Suite, with a state-of-the art wave table that simulates the feeling of floating, the Wailele (Waterfall) Suite for Vichy Shower treatments, experience showers inspired by varieties of Maui rain, and the pālolo (mud).

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.