Stay : Hawaii, one week in Big Island
It is on this island that the first Polynesians settled, arriving here around the year 700. Five volcanoes are present on Big Island. With predominantly easterly winds, the island has a dry side and a wet side, the eastern coast is lush and covered with sugar cane. The west coast is sunnier and more arid, and is essentially touristy.
Summary of the stay
Best time to go
7 days
€€ - Charm and comfort
Detail of the stay : Hawaii, one week in Big Island - 7 days
Day 1: Kailua-Kona, in the land of turtles
Steps: Kailua, Kailua-Kona
Fly into Kona airport and book a hotel in Kailua-Kona for two nights. Stop for an hour at Kaloko-Honokohau National Park to see the lava and turtles. Visit downtown and have lunch at one of the beachfront restaurants. In the afternoon, take a sea excursion from Kailua Pier (kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling or swimming with dolphins). In the evening, enjoy dinner at one of the restaurants in town or attend the Island Breeze Luau (traditional Hawaiian dinner show)
KALOKO-HONOKOHAU NATIONAL PARK
Day 2: Kohala Coast, walk and relaxation
Steps: Mauna Kea, Waikoloa Village
Take the road with sandwiches early in the morning to go up the Kohala Coast. On the way, visit the different beaches of Kekaha Kai National Park. Take a picnic break on the Four Season beach and wait till 1pm to see kids feeding the manta rays. Continue the road north by stopping at the beaches of Kiholo Bay and Mauna Kea .
Day 3: On the south coast of Kailua-Kona
Steps: Kealakekua, Captain Cook
Book a hotel for two nights to Captain Cook. In the morning, go snorkelling to Kealakekua Bay. In the afternoon, visit the Captain Cook, or "Teshima" (Japanese restaurant) in Honalo.
KONA COFFEE LIVING HISTORY FARM / PU'UHONUA O HONAUNAU NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK
Day 4: National Park of Hawaii's Volcanoes
Steps: Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hilo, Kalaupapa, Kilauea
Leave your hotel on the south coast of Kailua-Kona at 6 a.m., because the journey till the entrance to the Kilauea Visitor's Center (information centre), Kilauea Caldera (view on the volcano caldera), Thomas A. Jaggar Museum (museum on the volcanoes of Big Island), Hilo where you will have booked for overnight accommodation.
PUU LOA PETROGLYPHS
Day 5: The surprising story of the tsunami in Hilo
The city is ideally located just at 45 minutes away from the National Volcanoes Park and at 1 h 30 from Mauna Kea. Spend this day to the visit of the quiet and authentic Hilo. In the morning, Imiloa Astronomy Center (museum you should absolutely see before going to Mauna Kea), Pacific Tsunami Museum (on the tsunamis history in Hilo, Hawaii and in the world). In the afternoon, Banyan Drive (superb road bordered by banians), and snorkelling on the different beaches.
Day 6: A day in the mountains
Mauna Kea is one of the highest mountains in the world (4 205 m) and its atmosphere is so pure that the largest astronomy observatory on the planet has been installed at its summit (13 telescopes). Two major tourist attractions on site are: the sunset whose beauty is unique in the world and the observation session of the stars (exceptional precision and clarity). In the morning, stop at Rainbow Falls (waterfalls) and visit the Kaumana cellars (caves) located on the road to Mauna Kea. In the afternoon, take the Saddle Road (the only one leading to Mauna Kea) in the early afternoon, to take the time to make different stops to acclimatise to the height. A 4x4 vehicle is mandatory because the road is stony and the ascent is steep. Between 17 a.m. and 18 p.m., contemplate the sublime sunset on Mauna Kea. Take profit from it to have a meal and to cool off. From 18 a. m. to 21 p. m., to make an observation session of the stars
RAINBOW FALLS
Day 7: Land of contrast in Waimea
Leave Hilo early in the morning to have as much time as possible in Waimea. This town is worth a visit because it contrasts with the rest of Big Island: it is, above all, a land of cattle and land where the cowboy culture has long been established. In the morning, visit the Parker Ranch Historic Homes. In the afternoon, organized horseback riding in one of the ranches on site. Depending on your flight back home, you can take the road to the airport in the late afternoon or the next morning (with an overnight stay in Waimea in this case)
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Hawaii
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