Ultimate Hawaii Explorer
December 27, 2010 - January 8, 2011
Black Bear trips are available to the general public. To learn more about this trip and to sign up, please visit the registration page.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Backpacking along the Na Pali coast.
- Tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Swim with sea turtles, dolphins and whales.
- Visit local farmer's markets every chance we get.
- Explore 5 Hawaii State Parks.
- Take surfing lessons or just take a nap on the beach.
- Hotel accommodations and celebration luau on final night.
- Bring your own backpacking gear.
Hawaii is a place of extremes. Along the northeast shore of the Big Island, the world's most active volcano pours hot molten lava into the ocean creating brand new land, while only miles away, ancient fern forests with 300 year-old native trees lie seemingly untouched. This one-of-a-kind trip takes you to some of Hawaii's most intensely-charged places like the world famous Kilauea volcano and the breathtaking Na Pali coast where you can see the formative processes that shaped these beautiful islands in all their power.
Along the way, you'll get a taste of the island life as we tour the local farmer's markets, spend a few lazy days at the beach and camp at several Hawaii State Parks. 
We'll have snorkeling gear with us the entire trip, so there is an excellent chance we will swim with sea turtles, dolphins and breeding whales! If you have never done this, then you are missing out on one of life's greatest treats!
This is not like any other Hawaii vacation you will ever see. You will explore the hidden beaches rather than the famous ones because that is where the sweetest sunsets are. You will backpack 12 miles along the Na Pali coast to one of the most incredible power spots on the entire earth because its worth every step. You will choose to camp under the Hawaiian moon rather than in a hotel most of the nights because then you will really be on vacation. You will eat fresh fruit, fish and coconuts all day long because it makes you feel so good!
Itinerary
Day 1- 8 AM. Meet in Hilo, Hawaii for pre-trip discussion, day trip to Waipio valley overlook, camp at Pololu valley.
Day 2- Day hike (Awini Trail) in Pololu valley, Kua, Bay, snorkeling with sea turtles, camp at Kiholo Bay.
Day 3- Dolphins, coconuts and Kona Coffee, camp at Kealakekua Bay.
Day 4- Tour Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, camp at NP.
Day 5- Steam vents, hot pools, and black sand beach. Stay at Steam Vents Inn. Optional evening lava walk.
Day 6- Explore the Hilo Farmer's Market. Hike to Akaka falls or drive to Mauna Loa (highest point in Hawaii).
Day 7- Fly to Kauai. Camp at Polihale beach.
Day 8- Waimea Canyon hiking and Kokee State Park, camp at Anini beach.
Day 9- Surfing at Hanalei Bay, camp at Ha'ena beach.
Day 10- Na Pali coast hike.
Day 11- Na Pali coast hike.
Day 12- Na Pali coast hike.
Day 13- Celebration luau, hotel accommodations.
Calendar
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