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Kauai: Waimea Canyon and the Na Pali Coast |
Dates: |
Assembly Point: Lihue |
Tour Cost: $2,195 (includes all lodging, all meals, transfers, leaders, tour maps & narratives) |
Rain forests, waterfalls, deep canyons not to be believed, and a wilderness shoreline without equal—Kauai is a hiker’s fantasy.
Kauai is the oldest geologically of the Hawaiian chain and the first to be visited by Captain James Cook (a distinction perhaps best forgotten). Located on Kauai is Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot on earth (did you really want to know that) and the only place where the unique iliau plant is found.
In the course of our Kauai program, we’ll visit Kokee State Park and hike magnificent Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. We’ll hike to several of the island’s fabled waterfalls, explore the wild Na Pali Coast, experience the magic of Hanalei, and, who knows, perhaps even catch a glimpse of Puff, that magic dragon, off the shores of Hanalei Beach.
We’ll assemble in Lihue mid-morning of Day 1 and head directly to Poipu Beach, a no-nonsense approach to quality beach time from the “get-go.” We’ll walk the coastline of Poipu along the Shiprock Beach Trail and climb a promontory for an incredible panoramic view of the cinder cones and lava tubes that extend into the ocean as evidence of Kauai’s most recent volcanic activity (4 miles). Later that afternoon, we’re headed for the Waimea Plantation Cottages, where we’ll spend our first three nights.
Day 2 has been dedicated to the Nualolo-Awaawapui Trail, considered among the best hikes in all of Hawaii. The trail begins in a rain forest, but ultimately breaks into the open on a ridge leading to the spectacular Na Pali Cliffs and their phenomenal views of the brilliant blue waters of the sea and the Na Pali Coast nearly 2,000 feet below (6.5 miles).
Magnificent Waimea Canyon is our plan for Day 3 along the Kukui Trail that drops 2,000 feet to the canyon floor and (in case you were hoping for a miracle) inevitably rises again to the canyon rim (5 miles). Following a third night at the Waimea Plantation Cottages, we’ll change pace on Day 4 as we head to Wailua River State Park. We’ll spend much of the day kayaking on the Wailua River, which flows from Mt. Waialeale, the world’s wettest location, to the sea. A short hike along the way leads to one of Kauai’s spectacular waterfalls.
We’re off to Kapaa late-afternoon of Day 4, where we’ll spend the next two nights at the beautiful ResortQuest Kauai Beach at Makaiwa, and begin our exploration of the Na Pali Coast the following morning. We’ll hike the remarkable Kalalau Trail, though not to its terminus at Kalalau Beach. We’ll begin at Kee Beach and alternately climb to overpowering views from high cliffs only to again descend, first to Hanakapiai Beach and then into the rain forest of Hanakapiai Valley. We’ll hike along the valley floor to Hanakapiai Falls and then return to our trailhead (9.2 miles).
The Sleeping Giant awaits on our final day and we’ll head to Nonou Mountain for one of Kauai’s finest hikes. We’ll climb to the Giant’s chin, nose and beyond to his forehead along a narrow ridge reminiscent of the final ascent to Angel’s Landing in Zion (4 miles). We’ll have lunch and head for Lihue where our program concludes.
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