BIG ISLAND, HAWAII 8-Day Circumnavigation Cycling Tour

Transcription

1 BIG ISLAND, HAWAII 8-Day Circumnavigation Cycling Tour

2 TOUR SUMMARY HAWAII A Tropical Adventure TOUR LENGTH 8 Days / 7 Nights Hawaii is famous for its sandy beaches and vibrant sunsets. However, our tours also help you discover a quieter and more authentic Hawaii: the quiet lanes and cattle farms of the Waimea highlands; laid-back, tropical Hilo; the magical Red Road of Puna; Volcanoes National Park; and the coffee plantations of the Kona coast. There are, of course, also the classic Hawaiian beaches with palm trees and jaw-dropping sunsets. And, after all that cycling adventure, many guests choose to stay at a beach-side resort for some well-earned rest and relaxation. SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS Private transfer from your hotel with bike set up at the start of your ride Daily ride briefings Accommodation and breakfasts On-call roadside assistance Optional transfers along the routes GPS units, maps, directions and a comprehensive guidebook Expert guides delivering superior service DAY-BY-DAY FLOW Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Kona/Waikoloa to Hawi Hawi to Honoka a Honoka a to Hilo Hilo to Volcano Volcano Loop Day Volcano to Captain Cook Captain Cook Loop Day Captain Cook to Kona * Epic * The hilly terrain means that Riders may be happier renting ebikes BIKES AVAILABLE Hybrid Road Premium Road ebike START & END Kailua-Kona or Waikoloa BEST TIMES TO VISIT Year Round Hawaii enjoys a warm climate year round. OPTIONAL EXTRAS Alternative start/end location at Kona Airport Kayaking and snorkeling Customize your route 2

3 ABOUT US WHY LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES OUR SELF-GUIDED TOURS At the start of your tour, your guide transfers you from your hotel, does your bike fitting, and gives you a full route briefing. They then take care of all the behind-the-scenes logistics while you guide yourself along the routes; riding at your own pace and choosing the route difficulty that best suits you. Our support vans are nearby should you need extra support. Your detailed guidebook tells you about the towns you will visit, sights along your route, and suggests places to eat and we are happy to help with reservations. This support and insight helps make our self-guided tours some of the most personalized and wellsupported in the industry. Feature LifeCycle Adventures Typical Group Tours Dates & Duration Fully flexible Fixed Accommodation A range Set Group Size Just your group 12 to 24+ Routes Up to four levels Some choice Ride Briefings Ride Support Lunches & Dinners Day 1 in person Daily by phone Van on call Not included (Help with reservations) Daily in person Van(s) trailing and guide on bike Some included (No choice) OUR COMPANY Since 2004, our unique blend of custom itineraries and personal service has been creating perfect cycling vacations for those who want to explore on their own terms. From the moment you contact us until the end of your trip, you will find us responsive, attentive and totally focused on ensuring you have the perfect cycling vacation. Our expert guides live in the areas in which they operate. They have the passion and dedication to deliver superior service and exceptional insight. As a company, we donate 10% of our profits to bicycling advocacy and other community causes. 3

4 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 Kailua-Kona to Hawi The 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. riders will be transferred beyond Waikoloa to the Hamakua Macadamia Nut factory where you join the route described above. 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 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. Ride past lava fields and grassland to Old Hawaii laid-back, lush and tropical 15 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing 30 miles with 1,800 feet of climbing 55 miles with 2,700 feet of climbing Hawi Hawi is at the northern tip of the island and has a small artist community and a number of art galleries. There are also a few restaurants and cafés. The Kohala Coffee Mill has the best ice cream on the island. DAY 2 Hawi to Honoka a The 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. riders will be transfered beyond Waimea, partway along the Old Mamalahoa Highway to join the route described above. 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 route, described above. Ride a little-traveled road as it meanders across open ranch-land before descending through tropical woodlands 10 miles with 250 feet of climbing 20 miles with 600 feet of climbing 40 miles with 4,000 feet of climbing Honoka a Honoka a is an old sugar town, nicely off the beaten (tourist) path. The town is unpretentious with a small, historic downtown, which includes a couple of nice cafés, an interesting antique store, and an old movie theater. Honoka a is also the gateway town for the Waipi o Valley. 4

5 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY 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 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 ride follows the ride out of town and then continues south (on-and-off the main highway). The ride ends at the Hakalau botanical gardens. 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. Lush, tropical riding alongside the ocean, over rivers and past waterfalls 15 miles with 800 feet of climbing 30 miles with 1,900 feet of climbing 50 miles with 2,900 feet of climbing Hilo The relaxed, lush, charming city of Hilo seems trapped in a 1950s time-warp and therein lies its charm. Despite being ignored by most tourists, the town has good museums and vibrant markets. It is also the fourth wettest city in the USA but showers are typically short and most of the rain falls at night. 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. 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 ride is similar to the ride with the addition of riding back up the hill to Pāhoa. The ride follows the 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. Cycle the Red Road one of the most scenic roads in the state hugging the coast through forests and atop cliffs 20 miles with 700 feet of climbing 25 miles with 1,700 feet of climbing 55 miles with 5,100 feet of climbing Epic 75 miles with 6,000 feet of climbing Volcano The village of Volcano is a small cluster of houses, restaurants and stores in a rainforest just outside Volcanoes National Park. Being uphill from the calderas, however, it is unaffected by lava flows. The rain makes for very lush vegetation but the elevation (3,700 ft) means that temperatures are relatively cool. 5

6 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY 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 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 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. 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. The world-famous Volcanoes National Park has dramatic volcanic landscapes as well as rare flora and fauna 10 miles with 450 feet of climbing 20 miles with 1,200 feet of climbing 50 miles with 4,500 feet of climbing Volcano The village of Volcano is a small cluster of houses, restaurants and stores in a rainforest just outside Volcanoes National Park. Being uphill from the calderas, however, it is unaffected by lava flows. The rain makes for very lush vegetation but the elevation (3,700 ft) means that temperatures are relatively cool. 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 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 riders will take a transfer to Pahala where they join the ride. riders follow the route but add on an initial seven miles that includes a climb through Volcanoes National Park. Epic riders start out following the 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. The stunningly beautiful Cane Haul Rd takes you through woodland, sugar-cane fields, and meadows 15 miles with 1,000 ft 30 miles with 1,100 ft 40 miles with 1,400 ft Epic 85 miles with 4,300 ft (Ka awa Loa) 80 miles with 3,600 ft (Horizon) Captain Cook Captain Cook is a cluster of B&BS, low-key restaurants, and cafés. The town s boundaries lie between 800- and 2,000-feet, which makes it an ideal area for growing coffee as well as having stunning ocean views. 6

7 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 7 Captain Cook Loops As well as scenic cycling, this area has great kayaking, snorkeling and hiking. For a good 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 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. riders will extend the 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. The clear waters of Kealakekua Bay make it great for kayaking or snorkeling or to visit as part of a loop ride 10 miles with 1,000 ft (Ka awa Loa) 10 miles with 1,000 feet (Horizon) 15 miles with 1,500 ft (Ka awa Loa) 20 miles with 1,700 ft (Horizon) 25 miles with 2,700 ft (Ka awa Loa) 25 miles with 2,500 ft (Horizon) Captain Cook Captain Cook is a cluster of B&BS, low-key restaurants, and cafés. The town s boundaries lie between 800- and 2,000-feet, which makes it an ideal area for growing coffee as well as having stunning ocean views. 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 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 route heads directly down to the coast from where you cruise alongside the ocean to Kailua-Kona. riders follow the route south but then take a detour up Kaloko Drive. Climbing 3,000 feet in just 7 miles This is something 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. Ride along the lush Kona coast from a tiny hamlet perched high up in the coffee hills to a bustling seaside town 10 miles with 500 ft (Ka awa Loa) 20 miles with 1,300 feet (Horizon) 15 miles with 800 ft (Ka awa Loa) 25 miles with 1,700 ft (Horizon) 40 miles with 4,300 ft (Ka awa Loa) 50 miles with 5,100 ft (Horizon) None As this is the last day of your tour, there is no overnight accommodation unless explicitly requested on booking. 7

8 ACCOMMODATION CLASSIC Hawi: Kohala Village Inn The Kohala Village Inn is a simple and modest plantation-style inn in the center of town. The staff is friendly and the rooms are clean and pleasant. Despite its simplicity, this property is popular with many of our guests and everything is nearby. NOTE: There is no breakfast included/available but there are several good places to eat nearby. Honoka a: Waipi o Wayside Inn Stay as the guest of Jacqueline Horne in this small B&B set above the Hamakua coast. Built in 1932 for a plantation superintendent, the inn retains a real sense of history and the bedrooms feature handmade Hawaiian quilts, antique furniture and original artwork. Hilo Hilo Hawaiian Hotel The Hilo Hawaiian is a modern hotel that sits in parkland just outside of Hilo. The hotel is modern with spacious rooms. The hotel is convenient, clean and comfortable rather than charming though the location right on the Bay is nice. The property is 1½ miles from the center of Hilo but there are dining options nearby. Volcano Hale Ohia Cottages This cluster of cottages is set on an historic estate centered on a Queen-Anne-style mansion built in the 1930s. Rooms are simple but charming and most have fireplaces. The property is well located, just a short walk to the center of the village. Continental breakfast is provided in the room the night before. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in the Classic category are typically smaller hotels or luxurious B&Bs with very personal service sometimes including wine tasting or evening hors d oeuvres. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes The Waipi o Wayside is 2½ miles outside of Honoka a but the manager will drive you to dinner by prior arrangement. NOTE: This is the tropical side of the island and the coquí frogs can be quite loud at night. In Hilo, we can drive you to dinner by prior arrangement. The Ka awa Loa Plantation and the Horizon Guest House are 1½ miles and 10 miles respectively from the center of Captain Cook. Please agree with your guide at the start of your tour if you would prefer to selfcater or take our complimentary transfer to dinner. Captain Cook: Ka awa Loa Plantation This charming guesthouse is also a start-up coffee farm. The 5-acre estate is nestled in tropical surroundings at 1,200 feet just below the town of Captain Cook. Owner-managers Greg and Michael are gracious hosts and make a great breakfast. The building is a classic Hawaiian plantation home. 8

9 ACCOMMODATION CLASSIC Volcano - Upgrade (see notes) Volcano House This hotel on the very rim of the Kilauea Caldera is all about location. It is the only hotel in the Volcanoes National Park and the views are spectacular. The hotel was completely renovated in 2013 though the rooms and bathrooms are still relatively modest. The property is 2½ miles from the village but there is a restaurant in the hotel. Captain Cook - Upgrade (see notes): Horizon Guest House The Horizon Guest House is an elegant inn situated at 1,100 feet on the slopes of Mauna Loa. The inn is set on 40 acres of sloping pasture lands with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. The property includes an Infinity Edge swimming pool and Jacuzzi. Your host, Clem, is extremely welcoming and well informed. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in the Classic category are typically smaller hotels or luxurious B&Bs with very personal service sometimes including wine tasting or evening hors d oeuvres. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes A hotel upgrade is available in Volcano to the Volcano House for $100 per room per night. See description opposite. A hotel upgrade is available in Captain Cook to the Horizon Guest House for $240 per room per night. See description opposite. 9

10 BIKES BIKE CHOICES HYBRID BIKE Hybrid bikes are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. They have a relaxed riding position and are great for beginners and intermediate riders. A typical model is the Trek 7.3 FX with Shimano components and high-pressure road tires for better cycling efficiency than your typical hybrid. ROAD BIKE Our road bikes are a racing style bike with drop handlebars. The road bikes are faster bikes than the hybrids with a less upright riding position and will be enjoyed by intermediate and experienced riders. A typical model is the Specialized Allez with aluminum frame, carbon forks, and Shimano 105 components. PREMIUM ROAD BIKE Our premium road bikes are light and fast racing bikes. A typical bike in this category is the Specialized Tarmac: full carbon with Shimano Ultegra componentry. Experienced riders will appreciate the lightness, stiffness and mechanics of these high-end bikes. ebike Our ebikes are designed to give you a little extra assistance when climbing hills. The ride position is very similar to our hybrids. We typically rent Giant E+ 3 GTS bikes equipped with a SyncDrive Sport motor. If one rider in a couple is stronger than the other, an ebike can be a great choice for the lessstrong rider. YOUR BIKE If you have a favorite bike, we can help you get it to your destination as well as set it up once it is there. Please ask about options for bike shipping and assembly. BIKE RENTAL RATES Bike Per Day Per Week Hybrid $30 $180 Road $45 $270 Premium $70 $420 ebike $55 $330 OPTIONAL EXTRAS Receiving & Assembly $100 per bike charge to receive bike from shipper, assemble the bike and repack it and deliver it to a shipper at the end of the tour. Bike Boxes $100 a per box charge for the extra logistics needed to handle bike boxes during a tour. Note: this fee can be avoided if you leave your box with your start/end hotel. Tandem Bike $100 a per bike fee for the extra logistics to handle a tandem bike that is brought by a guest. 10

11 INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS SERVICES & OPTIONS THE TRIP PRICE INCLUDES: GPS units, cycling maps, directions and a custom guidebook; one set per couple. Private transfer from downtown Kailua-Kona or a Kohala Coast hotel. Bike set up at the start of your tour. Daily map briefings. Accommodation for each night of your tour with breakfast the following morning (unless breakfast is explicitly excluded in the accommodation description earlier). Prices quoted are per person but assume there are two people sharing a room. We book standard rooms unless an upgrade is requested and then extra charges may apply. Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking. Guide and van available from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and for dinner transfers where specified for accommodation. Luggage transported between lodgings. Transfers along all or part of the route as needed. NOTES: THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Lunches and dinners. Our guidebooks are full of great recommendations and we are pleased to make reservations for you. An on-bike guide. Activities such as snorkeling, kayaking tours, helicopter flights and spa treatments (our guides would be pleased to make suggestions). Transfers to sites to which it is not practical to ride. We are pleased to arrange for such transfers for a fee. OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Transfers from Kona International Airport There is a $50 surcharge per couple, per transfer for pick-ups or drop-offs at Kona International (KOA) Airport on the first or last day of the tour. Route Customization If you would prefer alternative routing staying in different overnight towns or with more or fewer loop days we would be pleased to customize this itinerary. 11

12 THE AREA ABOUT HAWAII WHERE TO STAY BEFORE THE TRIP Many guests choose to stay at a beachside resort after their tour to relax after enjoying exercise and exploration. There are good options in Kailua-Kona or on the Kohala Coast. We have had positive feedback for the following hotels: Kailua-Kona Hotels Kona Beach Hotel Keauhou Bay Resort Kona Tiki Hotel Kohala Coast Hotels Fairmont Orchid Mauna Kea Beach Hotel maunakeabeachhotel.com Waikoloa Beach Marriott If you are short of time, we can also collected you from Kona (KOA) Airport and/or transfer you back there at the end of your tour. See Optional Extras above. CLIMATE There s no bad time to visit Hawaii! The Big Island enjoys a mild climate year round with temperatures on the coast between 70 F and 80 F. Winter lasts from November through April and is slightly cooler and dryer than summer. However, location is the real predictor of temperature and rainfall. Generally the west coast is hot and dry. It gets wetter the further east you go and cooler the higher up you go especially in the evening. Like any tropical island, there can be windy days. The charts to the right show the monthly average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) and rainfall (in inches) for Kailua-Kona, a town at the center of our tours. ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATION Most people choose to fly in and out of Kona International Airport (KOA). There are direct flights from Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Oakland, Phoenix, Portland, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Vancouver. If we are not collecting you from the airport, there are a number of options for getting to your first hotel: SpeediShuttle offer a door-to-door, fixed-rate shuttle service. Fares to Kailua-Kona are around $20 pp for a shared service or $100 for a private transfer. They also serve the Kohala Coast hotels with private transfers / Taxis operate from the airport and are typically a little more expensive than the shuttle service. Uber and Lyft operate throughout the island. 12

13 THE FINE PRINT TERMS & CONDITIONS PAYMENT A payment of 10% of the total price is required to secure a reservation. Payment of the balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. BOOKING FORM Once your deposit is paid, we will send you a booking form requesting details such as bike rental requirements, dietary restrictions, and an emergency contact. The booking form includes a Cycle Tour Accident Waiver and Release of Liability. A copy of this form can be found at Guests who fail to provide a signed waiver prior to the start of a trip will not be allowed to take part in the trip and the cancellation policy will apply. CANCELLATION POLICY We give a full refund less a $150 administration fee for any trip canceled over 90 days before the start of the trip. After this date, refunds are made according to the following schedule: From 61 to 90 days: 90% of the full trip price is refunded unless you choose to rebook a trip with a start date within 18 months of the original start date in which case your current payments will be applied to the new trip less an administration fee of $150. From 15 to 60 days of the start of the trip your choice of EITHER a 50% refund or 75% of the trip price applied towards a future trip with LifeCycle Adventures. The latter option only applies when the canceled trip has been paid for in full. Within 15 days of travel: sorry, no refund. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of having to cancel your trip. Unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon, the failure of a participant to be present at the start of the trip at the time and location agreed in the booking process will be treated as a cancellation and the cancellation policy will apply. Leaving your trip early for any reason will be treated as a cancellation and no refund will be given. TRAVEL INSURANCE In signing the Cycle Tour Accident Waiver and Release of Liability form you certify that you either have insurance to cover you in the event of needing medical treatment and to cover any losses associated with participation in the trip or you are prepared to cover these costs yourself. We recommend checking with your current insurance providers to understand your coverage. Should you choose to purchase travel insurance, the following sites aim to compare travel insurance policies and might be helpful: and ITINERARY CHANGES We reserve the right to make route, accommodation, date, and bike model changes as caused by circumstances beyond our control or unforeseen circumstances. If such changes become necessary, we will make like-for-like substitutions to ensure quality is maintained. In the event that we cancel a trip for any reason other than Force Majeure, you will be given a full refund that will constitute full settlement. We will not reimburse you for any personal expenses such as airline tickets, hotels or other travel expenses. We shall not be liable for any refunds or compensation in the event we cancel your booking due to reasons of Force Majeure. Examples of Force Majeure include Acts of God (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane, volcanic eruptions, or other natural disaster), epidemics, health risks and pandemics, government orders or actions, civil disturbances, war or threat of war, acts of foreign enemies, or terrorist activities. 13