Compare Best Of The Smokies by Wildland Trekking vs Honolulu Hawaii Experience 7D/6N by Bamba

Day 1

Shuttle to the Smokies: 1.5-hour drive from Asheville

Hiking Mileage: 8 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1300 feet

Accommodations: Dancing Bear Cabins

This inn-based Great Smoky Mountains hiking tour starts with a scenic drive from Asheville to the Tennessee side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Our first hike takes you to one of Smoky Mountain National Park's most spectacular creeks, Big Creek. Along our hike, we will pass through diverse ecosystems with opportunities to see wildlife such as black bears, deer, and Smaller mammals. Our trail takes us to a couple of spectacular waterfalls, Midnight Hole Falls and Mouse Creek Falls. After enjoying the falls, we will head back to our vehicle and head to our next hike along historic Porters Creek. Here, we will get our first taste of the area's early settler history while exploring old farm sites, pioneer buildings, and a backcountry cemetery. Lunch today consists of healthy, tasty picnic options, prepared by your guide, at one of the Park’s many excellent picnic spots. Today's second hike boasts even more amazing creek-side hiking and our third waterfalls for the day, Fern Falls! After our hike we will continue on to Townsend, TN, "the quiet side of the Smokies," to settle into our cozy lodging, get cleaned up, and enjoy our first Appalachian dinner at a local, hand-picked restaurant.

Day 2

Shuttle to trailhead: 30 minutes

Hiking Mileage: 8 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1140 feet

Accommodations: Dancing Bear Cabins

Today starts with a hearty Appalachian breakfast cooked by your guide at the Cades Cove Picnic area (weather depending). After breakfast we will explore the culturally rich Cades Cove historic district, while keeping an eye out for some of the Park's many types of wildlife (black bear, deer, elk, turkey, and more). Often this is a highlight of the trip due to the many historic buildings, stunning scenery, and wonderful tranquility of this rich mountain valley. 

Today's official hike is a forested creek-side hike up the lush Middle Prong of the Little River to the Lynn Camp Prong Cascades and Indian Flats Falls. This stunning river valley is arguably home to the Smokies' most scenic waterfall hike. The hike starts in the historic logging area of Tremont. Here the Little River Lumber Company had a large camp prior to the establishment of the Park. We'll relax for a picnic lunch near the first cascades before heading on up to more lovely cascades and waterfalls. We'll enjoy the falls, take photos, and eventually hike back to the trailhead. A short shuttle ride to our hotel, a tasty Southern dinner and a cozy night's sleep top off another rewarding day of Smoky Mountains exploration.

Day 3

Shuttle to Newfound Gap: 1-2 hours

Hiking Mileage: appx 8 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 1640 feet

Accommodations: The Everett Hotel and Bistro

Our third day starts with another amazing breakfast cooked by your guide in one of the Park’s picnic areas (weather depending) or at a locally owned restaurant. After breakfast, we'll enjoy a scenic drive through the park up to historic Newfound Gap. It was here that Roosevelt dedicated the Park with a speech in 1940. Today's hike takes us along the famous Appalachian Trail to Charlies Bunion, one of the Park's most celebrated rock formations. Fantastic views of the endless rolling ridges of the Smokies abound on today's hike. We'll enjoy a picnic lunch with the incredible views as our backdrop before hiking back to the trailhead. If time permits, we will check out the summit of Clingman's Dome, the highest peak in the Park at 6,643 feet.

Day 4

Shuttle to trailhead: appx 45 minutes

Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 900 feet

Accommodations: The Everett Hotel and Bistro

Today starts with breakfast in Bryson City. After eating, we will head over to the highest dam East of the Mississippi River, Fontana Dam. Here we will enjoy views of Fontana Lake and the surrounding mountains before continuing on to the Twenty Mile Ranger Station for today's hike. This hike is one of the most diverse and in many ways most fulfilling as we dive into enjoying all the Smokies' have to offer! Our path takes us past stunning cascades, through forests bursting with an incredible array of plant and animal life, and along charming mountain creeks. Tonight's dinner is at a local restaurant after a refreshing shower and a bit of down time at our hotel.

Day 5

Shuttle to trailhead: appx 20 minutes

Hiking Mileage: appx 5 miles

Elevation Gain/Loss: 600 feet

Shuttle to Asheville: 1.5-hour drive

The final day of our Appalachian Hiking Experience begins with a loop hike in the Deep Creek area. During this scenic hike, we will enjoy 3 waterfalls and a backcountry Cherokee cemetery. Lunch today will be at one of the Park’s amazing picnic areas. After lunch, we will explore the Oconoluftee Visitor Center and Mountain Farm Museum. These are both fabulous areas to learn even more about the history, struggles, and life styles of the Park’s earliest inhabitants and settlers.

A scenic shuttle back to Asheville along the famed Blue Ridge Parkway gives us time to contemplate the natural beauty, invigorating hiking, phenomenal biodiversity, and fascinating history we've had the privilege to explore for the past 5 days.

Day 1: Honolulu, United States

Day 2: Honolulu, United States

Day 3: Honolulu, United States

Get ready to embark on an incredible downhill bike ride through Oahu’s mountain road with epic views above Waikiki, Honolulu and Manoa Valley
The trail is located on sacred land and offers visitors a different and unique glimpse of the island
During the 5-mile ride, you will be accompanied by a guide who will tell you the area’s cultural history as you discover diverse landscapes
When you reach the grassy park at the bottom, it's a short drive to Kewalo Basin for your 2-hour catamaran sail.
Leave your shoes for a snorkel to explore underwater while you keep an eye out for colourful reef fish
Enjoy some time to go swimming and snorkelling
To bring the day to a close, you will be transported back to your Waikiki hotel.

Day 4: Honolulu, United States

Day 5: Honolulu, United States

Get ready for the ultimate experience to soak up all the beauty and culture of Hawaii in just one day! After being picked up in Waikiki, you will be swept away to the island’s most breathtaking landmarks and destinations, including the spouting “Blow Hole,” and the renowned Kualoa Ranch, which is nestled against the stunning Koolau Mountains
Start your sightseeing tour with the Diamond Head, A 200,000-year-old defining volcanic structure formed in the Honolulu Volcanic Series
It’s a worldwide symbol of the Hawaiian Islands! Afterwards, visit Kahala Estates, a large concentration of some of the most expensive real estate and beachfront properties in Hawaii in which many celebrities and business moguls vacation homes.
Continue with the Halona “Blow Hole” Lookout and see how this volcanic lava tube propels water into the sky like a whale’s blowhole! Make a stop at the Waimanalo Town, a quaint, scenic town is known for its local flavor and numerous plant nurseries and agricultural lots that extend back toward the Koolau Mountains, followed by another stop at the Nuuanu Pali Lookout, the bewitchingly scenic lookout was also the site of the Battle of Nuuanu, one of the bloodiest conflicts in Hawaiian history
It was here that Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oahu on his quest to unite the Hawaiian Islands.
Get ready to visit the amazing Byodo-In Temple, a picturesque Buddhist temple tucked in the Valley of the Temples, is a half-sized replica of the 900-year-old temple in Japan
It has been featured in the TV series Hawaii Five-O, Magnum P.I., lost and the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor
Then, go to Chinaman’s Hat, the basalt islet in Kaneohe Bay, is shaped curiously like a hat
According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is formed from the remains of a giant lizard or dragon’s tail that was chopped off and tossed in the ocean.
For the final part of this amazing tour, get to know Kualoa Ranch to enjoy the Legends and Legacy at Kualoa Ranch Private Nature Reserve owned by eight generation descendants of Fr
Gerritt P
Judd. On 4,000 acres, it is one of the most sacred places on the island, with their goal to protect and enhance the natural beauty of the lands
The Laie Hawaii Mormon Temple, which is the first temple built by the Latter Day Saints Church outside the continental United States, this beautiful complex features breathtaking lush tropical gardens of Hawaiian foliage and flowers, cascading water features and more.
Last but not least, visit the North Shore Surfing Beaches, the surfing mecca of the world! Watch out for the massive waves that have attracted so many surfers to its shores
These beaches are also a popular area for filming
Finish at the Dole Plantation, Hawaii’s “Pineapple Experience,” see pineapples from all over the world and try the delicious Dole Whip ice cream. (Approximate 20 min stop.)
*Please note that hotel pick-ups are between 6:45 a.m. – 7:25 a.m.

Day 6: Honolulu, United States

Enjoy a sunset cruise specially created for fun-loving people! On this cruise, it doesn't matter if you come alone or accompanied, here you will find the best party partners while enjoying our famous "Holokai Hooch" cocktail
All drinks are included during the cruise! Give yourself a moment to relax with a refreshing drink while you enjoy an incredible sunset.

Day 7: Honolulu, United States

Transfer from Honolulu to Honolulu