Compare Hawaii A Tropical Adventure by LifeCycle Adventures vs Hawaii: Ocean and Islands Adventure by Discover Corps

Day 1: Kailua-Kona to Hawi

The Intermediate ride starts with a van transfer to the resort town of Waikoloa. From Waikoloa, you leave tourist Hawaii and head north along the coast to Hawi: a relaxed Old Hawaii town. As you ride, lava fields give way to high grassland before the landscape becomes lush and tropical. En route you pass by Pu’ukohola Heiau where King Kamehameha’s temple sits majestically above the turquoise waters of the Pacific. Lapakahi State Historical Park is another good stopping off point with its ruins of a 14th-century fishing village.

Leisure riders will be transferred beyond Waikoloa to the Hamakua Macadamia Nut factory where you join the Intermediate route described above.

Challenge riders will start riding in Kona where you follow the full outward leg of the Ironman triathlon route. The first section of the ride parallels the coast as it crosses exposed lava fields to Waikoloa. From Waikoloa, you join the Intermediate route, described above.

On reaching Hawi, some riders do a scenic outand- back ride to the Pololu Valley Lookout and hike down to the black-sand Pololu Beach

Day 2: Hawi to Honoka’a

The Intermediate ride starts with a van transfer to Waimea; a charming country town surrounded by cattle ranches. From Waimea, you head east along the Old Mamalahoa Highway. This little-traveled road meanders across open ranchland, with views up to Mauna Kea, before descending through tropical woodland to Honoka’a. In places, the trees completely cover the road creating a verdant, magical tunnel.

Leisure riders will be transfered beyond Waimea, partway along the Old Mamalahoa Highway to join the Intermediate route described above.

Challenge riders will start their ride in Hawi climbing over the shoulder of Kohala Mountain to Waimea. The climb is up a quiet tree-lined road at the top of which there are exceptional views down the coast. Look back on the way up for glimpses of Maui in the distance across the Maui Channel. From Waimea, you join the Intermediate route, described above.

Day 3: Honoka’a to Hilo

Today you head south from Honoka’a down the east coast of the island. How much of the route you ride will depend on your appetite for miles. While we get you off the highway wherever possible, some of the riding is on the main highway and this stretch of road can be a little busy and sometimes rainy.

Despite the challenges, you are rewarded with some lush, tropical riding alongside the ocean, over rivers and past waterfalls. There are also several botanical gardens en route that make for pleasant stopping points.
The Leisure ride heads south from Honoka’a on a series of smaller lanes before joining the highway near the small village of Paauilo. After a further 10 miles, we collect you for your transfer to Hilo.

The Intermediate ride follows the Leisure ride out of town and then continues south (on-and-off the main highway). The ride ends at the Hakalau botanical gardens.

Challenge riders ride all the way from Honoka’a to Hilo. The ride is undulating rather than mountainous, but the heat and the risk of rain make this a challenging-but-rewarding 50-mile ride.

Day 4: Hilo to Volcano

The highlight of today’s ride is the 10-mile “Red Road” along the Puna coast. This is one of the most scenic stretches of road in the state of Hawaii. Being tucked away in the eastern corner of the Island, it is little-visited and you will see very few cars. The road hugs the rugged coastline: sometimes along cliffs, sometimes through dense jungle. Lava fields, coconut groves and beaches add to the beauty.

Leisure riders will transfer to the laid-back hippie town of Pāhoa. From here you ride down to the coast and along the stunning Red Road before being collected for your transfer to Volcano.

The Intermediate ride is similar to the Leisure ride with the addition of riding back up the hill to Pāhoa.

The Challenge ride follows the Intermediate ride but continues from Pāhoa all the way to Volcano- climbing over 3,000 feet in 30 miles.

There is also an Epic ride that takes you all the way from Hilo to Volcano including a side loop to Pāhoa and the Red Road.

Day 5: Volcano Loops

Today you visit Volcanoes National Park- one of the must-visit sites in Hawaii. The park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, the world’s most active volcano, and Mauna Loa, one of the world’s largest volcanoes. The park has dramatic landscapes as well as rare flora and fauna.

The Leisure ride heads into the Park for a circuit that takes in the Kilauea Visitor Center, steam vents and lava tubes. There is also some great hiking available.

The Intermediate loop heads a little further into the Park; riding partway down the famous Chain of Craters Road that goes from lush forest to lava desert in just a few miles.

Challenge riders follow the Chain of Craters Road all the way down to the ocean, where the road has been terminated by recent lava flows. The climb back up rises over 4,000 feet and has expansive views.

Day 6: Volcano to Captain Cook

The jewel in today’s ride is the stunningly beautifuland- deserted Cane Haul Road. This deserted back road takes you through woodland, sugar-cane fields, and meadows. You also get great views of cinder cones and the ocean.

Today’s Intermediate ride starts with a short van transfer over the first hill before enjoying a 20-mile rolling descent to the old sugar-town of Pahala. From Pahala, you ride the length of Cane Haul Road to Naalehu- an unassuming town with an excellent Hawaiian bakery. From Naalehu you will be collected for a van transfer to Captain Cook.

The Leisure riders will take a transfer to Pahala where they join the Intermediate ride.

Challenge riders follow the Intermediate route but add on an initial seven miles that includes a climb through Volcanoes National Park.

Epic riders start out following the Challenge route but eschew the van transfer in favor of riding all the way into Captain Cook.

NOTE: the mileage of this route varies depending where you stay- see Ride Options opposite and the Accommodation section.

Day 7: Captain Cook Loops

As well as scenic cycling, this area has great kayaking, snorkeling and hiking.

For a good Intermediate loop ride, you will head to Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park. This beautifully-situated park preserves the site where Hawaiians who broke the law could avoid certain death by fleeing to seek refuge.

A nice Leisure ride (or hike) is down to Kealakekua Bay. The clear waters here make it perfect for snorkeling and kayaking. It is also where Captain James Cook first landed on the island.

Challenge riders will extend the Intermediate loop to the lovely Ho’okena Beach. The swimming here is good and you have a reasonable chance of seeing dolphins and turtles.

NOTE: your mileage will vary depending on where you stay- see Ride Options opposite and the Accommodation section.

Day 8: Captain Cook to Kailua-Kona- Last Day

It is a relatively short distance from Captain Cook to Kailua-Kona; from a tiny hamlet perched high up in the hills to a seaside town busy with tourists. En route, you pass several coffee farms and a chocolate factory.

The Intermediate route heads north from Captain Cook following the ridge through Holualoa and the main coffee-growing areas. The route ends with a four-mile descent into Kailua-Kona.

On leaving Captain Cook, the Leisure route heads directly down to the coast from where you cruise alongside the ocean to Kailua-Kona.

Challenge riders follow the Intermediate route south but then take a detour up Kaloko Drive. Climbing 3,000 feet in just 7 miles This is some thing of a local challenge.

NOTE: your mileage will vary depending on where you stayed the night before- see Ride Options opposite and the Accommodation section.

Day 1: Arrive in Honolulu and Meet the Group

Meals: Dinner

Upon arrival in Hawaii’s capital, Honolulu, you’ll be be met at the airport and taken to your hotel just steps from the world famous Waikiki beaches. After a relaxing welcome dinner together, we’ll get to know one another and discuss the schedule for the week ahead.

Day 2: Journey to Oahu’s North Shore & Experience the Aloha Spirit

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll set out for Hawaii’s iconic North Shore, famous for its big waves and stunning landscapes. Spend the morning in the historic Waimea Valley with a local organization helping to preserve the valley’s cultural heritage and rainforests. Assist with a reforestation initiative, swim in waterfalls, and see why the ancient Hawaiians deemed the valley sacred centuries ago. In the afternoon, we’ll continue to Na Mea Kupono, an eco-farm that is home to Hawaii’s staple crop, taro. We’ll be hosted by this local family for a Hawaiin-style paina, or gathering, for our dinner as we learn more about their role in farming on the island.

Day 3: Climb Diamond Head & Sail out to Sea on a Catamaran

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Hawaii’s South Shore is crowned by the now extinct Diamond Head volcano. We’ll take a hike this morning to the top of the rim to get a panoramic view of Waikiki from above. For those who opt not to hike, we’ll have the option to visit the Bishop Museum, home of the royal Kamehameha family and now housing an array of artifacts covering Hawaii’s vast Polynesian heritage. After lunch in Waikiki, we’ll hit the sea on a catamaran ride over the turquoise Pacific waters.

Day 4: Fly to Maui & Explore the Tropical‘Iao Valley State Park

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Enjoy a free morning to explore Waikiki. Head to the beach for a surf lesson with the Waikiki beach boys, check out the area’s cafes and shops or simply relax on white sand beaches only steps from your hotel. We’ll take a short mid-day flight across the Hawaiian archipelago to the Valley Isle of Maui. After landing, we’ll head over to the towering emerald peaks of the ‘Iao Valley on Central Maui for a guided hike of the state park. A location revered by the ancient Hawaiians, the valley also served as the site of one of Hawaii’s most important battles as King Kamehameha I tried to unite the islands in the 1700’s. Later in the evening, unwind at our Kaanapali beachfront hotel.

Day 5: Snorkel off Lana’i & Lend a Hand Protecting Sea Turtles

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

We’ll have an early breakfast before cruising to the scenic coastline of Lana'i island with the Pacific Whale Foundation. Spend the morning with breakfast on the boat (expect large boat with other travelers) and then 1.5 hours of snorkeling. Scout for wild dolphins, including acrobatic spinner dolphins, friendly bottlenose dolphins, and curious spotted dolphins. Conservationists from the Foundation will narrate your journey and take about everything from whale migration to plastics in the ocean to reef health.

We’ll return to Maui and, after lunch, spend our first afternoon volunteering alongside the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. Home to one of Hawaii’s largest sea turtle rescues and land based coral nurseries, we’ll join their staff on beach and marine debris cleanu , specifically collecting coral fragments. Take these pieces of coral back to the research center and aid in cutting them into smaller pieces to be grown at the center for a period of 8 months - something that would take the reef 20 years to regenerate! This coral is eventually placed back into the reef to bring back areas that are dead or dying.

Day 6: Maui Ocean Center Volunteering & Farewell Luau

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, we’ll spend another morning helping the conservation team at the Maui Ocean Center Marine Institute. On Maui and other Hawaiian islands, sea turtles are being threatened as their habitat is increasingly depleted. Green turtle populations are being impacted by events such as the 2018 hurricane that washed out the most important nesting beach for this species in the entire archipelago. We’ll continue to lend a hand on our projects while learning about some of the initiatives in place to preserve the fragile ecosystem both on land and underwater, including going out with the team to find turtles and tag them for research purposes.

Later in the afternoon, we’ll head back to the hotel where you’ll have some free time to enjoy the beach, swim in the ocean or venture into the coastal town of Lahaina. Tonight, we’ll enjoy a special farewell dinner together along with a traditional island luau.

Day 7: Depart Maui or Continue on for the Post-Trip Extension

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check-out of your rooms. The rest of the day is free to relax at the beach or explore nearby Lahaina until your flight home, or continue on to our optional post-trip extension along the gorgeous road to Hana.