Hawaiian Island Dreams Superior with car - 9 nights

Day 1: Honolulu / Arrival

« E komo mai » — A warm welcome awaits you in Hawaii! After arriving at Honolulu Airport, pick up your rental car and head to your hotel.

Day 2: Honolulu

Oahu is the third largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago; it's the perfect island for the young at heart who want an authentic experience, as well as for anyone seeking entertainment and leisure. More than 80% of the state's total population resides on Oahu. It's also home to the capital, Honolulu, with a population of approximately 400,000.

Day 3: Honolulu

With its famous Waikiki Beach, Honolulu forms the vibrant heart of the Hawaiian Islands. Waikiki is dominated by the iconic Diamond Head, a volcanic crater rising to 232 meters (761 feet). In 1825, British sailors mistook the sparkling crystals embedded in the volcanic rock for diamonds. The name stuck, and today Diamond Head adorns Waikiki Beach like a diadem. Visit Pearl Harbor, headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, or head to the north shore to discover Sunset Beach, where waves up to 30 feet high crash onto the shore, making it a favorite spot for surfers. Consider also a stop at the Polynesian Cultural Center, designed as a living, open-air museum. Within a faithful reconstruction of dwellings from Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Māori New Zealand, and ancient Hawaii, you'll encounter the history, traditions, and culture of these remote Pacific islands.

Day 4: Oahu – Hawaii / Big Island

Drive to Honolulu Airport, return your rental car, and fly to Hawaii Island—also known as the "Big Island"—famous for the active volcano Kilauea. Pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel.

Day 5: Hawaii / Big Island

Because of its diversity, Hawaii is probably the most interesting of all the islands, surprising you every day with something new. Despite the presence of the modern world, the vast expanse of untouched nature found here is astounding: snow-capped craters rising to nearly 4,000 meters (over 13,000 feet), volcanic cones, subtropical forests, and immense plantations of pineapples, coffee, and flowers. Take the scenic northern route along the Hamakua coast towards Waimea and North Kohala. Stop at the Waipiʻo Valley Lookout for breathtaking views (access to the valley floor is restricted). Continue to the Pololū Valley Lookout and consider hiking down to the black sand beach, weather and fitness permitting. Explore the charming arts town of Hawi.

Day 6: Hawaii / Big Island

Cross the Kaʻū lava desert to reach Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. There you'll discover a series of volcanic formations, cooled lava tunnels where you can comfortably walk upright, and forests populated by giant ferns and petrified tree trunks. Crater Rim Road starts at the Volcano House and circles the entire site.

Day 7: Hawaii / Big Island – Maui

Head to Kona Airport, return your rental car, and fly to Maui, where white-sand beaches shaded by palm trees and lush rainforests await. Pick up your rental car and drive to your hotel. On the way, consider visiting the Iao Valley. Covered in tropical vegetation, high, steep walls rise toward the sky on either side of the valley's far end; in its center, the Iao Needle—a sheer mountain peak—stands as the valley's symbol.

Day 8: Maui

Take the scenic Hana Highway — a 64-mile road commonly known simply as the "Road to Hana" — which connects Kahului to the town of Hana on eastern Maui. This route hugs the coastline, passing hidden waterfalls and crossing 59 bridges (46 of which are single-lane); it winds around numerous mountains and passes near a black sand beach, a red sand beach, and various scenic viewpoints and bays.

Day 9: Maui

The ascent of the dormant volcano that dominates Haleakalā National Park on the west coast offers breathtaking views of the neighboring islands. To admire the sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā Crater—which rises to 3,000 meters—reservations are required. Outside of these designated times, the crater can be visited without restriction. Just before the park entrance lies Hosmer Grove, an area home to Australian eucalyptus, Japanese cryptomeria, Himalayan cedar, North American pine, red fir, and juniper trees. Several viewpoints will punctuate your hike before you reach the summit of Red Hill. Haleakalā Crater is the largest dormant volcano in the world. Its internal dimensions are approximately 12 km long, 4 km wide, and 915 m deep. Several hiking trails allow you to explore these landscapes. Maybe book a trip and head to Molokini, a partially submerged crescent-shaped volcano that is home to abundant marine life. Once there, you can snorkel among manta rays, turtles, octopuses, and reef sharks. You can also enjoy one of the many other beaches and snorkel independently to explore the underwater world, teeming with tropical fish and turtles.

Day 10: Maui / Departure

Your trip ends with the return of your rental car at the airport and your return flight.