Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:

From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team at: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:

From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team at: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Hawaii Big Island

Trek Tips® 2019

TREK INCLUDES

ITINERARY:

DAY 1 START 07.30 HRS

� DAY 1 KAILUA-KONA - PUNALU’U BEACH PARK ( )

� DAY 2/3 HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ( )

� DAY 4 HILO WAILUKU RIVER STATE PARK ( )

� DAY 5 AKAKA FALLS STATE PARK - LAUPAHOEHOE BEACH ( )

� DAY 6 WAIPIO VALLEY - HAWI TOWN - SPENCER PARK BEACH ( )

� DAY 7 LAPAKAHI STATE PARK ( )

� DAY 8 KIHOLO BAY - KONA TOWN

DAY 8 FINISH 17.00 HRS

>> View a detailed day-by-day itinerary at: www.trekamerica.co.uk/hbi

PLUS...

• Professional tour leader, camping fees, equipment & private transportation

• All accommodation: See website for specific accommodation information.

ESSENTIAL INFO:

• Group Size: Max 13

• Food Kitty: US$15 x 8 days

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES (paid locally)

There are loads of exciting optional activities for you to choose from during your trip giving you the flexibility to do the things you want to and leave out the things you don’t. Below are the main optional activities for this trip, these can be arranged once you are on tour via your tour leader and are paid for locally. Please note, all costs are subject to change.

Zodiac island cruise & snorkelling adventure

Tour the sacred Waipo Valley with a local guide

Tour a local Kona Coffee Farm

Incredible hiking trails at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Walk to the spectacular Akaka Falls

Visit Pu’uhonua O Honaunua National Historic Park

Explore Kona Town with your tour leader

Camp by remote beaches on the ocean’s edge

Fantastic opportunities to spot Green Sea Turtles

Please note: This tour of Hawaii is a true adventurers experience and the services can be more basic in nature. In an effort to stay away from the larger resorts in Hawaii, we have adopted a ‘back-to-basics’ approach for this tour. Campsite bathrooms often don’t have the modern conveniences of mainland USA however, you will benefit from remote locations in natural settings.

ORIGINAL

DEPARTS:KAILUA-KONA to KAILUA-KONA

TOUR CODE:

HBI

Kailua-Kona

Ho'okena Beach ParkPunalu’u Beach

Hawaii Volcanoes NP

Hilo Wailuku River SP

Akaka Falls SPLaupahoehoe Beach

Waipio Valley

Spencer Park BeachLapakahi State Park

Hawi Town

Kiholo Bay HAWAII

Kealakekua Bay Park

Spencer Beach Park • Snorkelling US$20-$30 Lapakahi State Park• Sunset sailboat cruise US$87

Kiholo Bay • Helicopter flight (Waikaloa)

US$219-$266

4 nights 3 nights

Emergency Contact Details: For all departures in the USA & Canada call:

From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team at: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

JOINING YOUR TREK

Trek joining instructions Your tour will begin at 07.30 hrs at the ‘Joining point’ hotel below. Make sure

you have packed your bags, eaten breakfast and checked out of your room

before meeting your tour leader in the hotel lobby. You will spend a short

while filling out paperwork and meeting your fellow trekkers before getting

on the road.

Finishing up All good things must come to an end, and your trek will usually finish

at 17:00 hrs on the final day at the ‘finishing point’ hotel. If you need

accommodation after your tour, you must book this in advance. Do not book

a departure flight that leaves before 21:00 hrs on the final day of your tour.

You will be responsible for any transportation costs if you have to arrive for

an earlier flight.

PACKING

Packing tips You know what the Scouts say... BE PREPARED! Check the weather averages

for the time of year you’re travelling and pack accordingly. Here are some of

the things that should be in your case as well as your general clothes:

• Sleeping bag (If you are travelling on an early or late season trek, we

suggest you bring a 3 or 4 season sleeping bag) and a sleeping bag liner

• Day pack

• Pillow / Thermarest sleeping mat (optional as we supply a 10mm

camping mat)

• Towel

• Casual clothes and a few ‘evening out’ options

• Waterproof jacket

• Comfortable day shoes / sandals or flip-flops

• Sensible footwear for walking, ideally walking boots with ankle support,

but trainers with good grip will suffice

• Warm sweater

• Swimwear

• Sun hat / sunglasses

• Sunscreen / insect repellent (20% DEET)

• Water bottle

• Toiletries / personal medicine

• Camera & charger

• Travel power adaptor / USB car charger and cord

• Flashlight / Head torch

Please note: It is important to bring eco-friendly body wash and shampoo

for the beach side campsites.

WeatherWeather can be changeable so it’s wise to pack something to cover all

seasons! Here’s a guide to the average high and low temperatures in some

of the places you’ll visit to help you decide what to pack.

EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS

In the event of an emergency or if you wish to report a problem on tour, please contact us on the number below.

For all departures in the USA & Canada call:

From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 – 8735 or 707 523 1800

From outside the US: 001 707 523 – 1800

High/Low TemperaturesJAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Kailua-Kona HIGH 27 27 27 27 27 28 28 29 29 29 28 27

LOW 18 18 18 18 20 20 20 21 21 20 20 18

Hilo Wailuku River S.P.

HIGH 27 26 26 26 28 29 29 29 30 29 28 27

LOW 18 17 18 19 20 21 21 22 21 21 20 18

Waipio Valley HIGH 27 27 26 27 27 28 29 29 28 27 27 26

LOW 18 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 20 20 19 18

Kiholo Bay HIGH 24 24 24 24 25 26 26 26 27 26 25 24

LOW 18 18 18 19 19 20 21 21 21 21 20 19

C / F Conversions:-10ºC = 14ºF • 0ºC = 32ºF • 10ºC = 50ºF • 20ºC = 68ºF • 30ºC = 86ºF • 40ºC = 104ºF

READY TO GO? DON’T FORGET!

R Pre & post hotel confirmation

R Sleeping bag

R Spending money

R Flight booking confirmation

R Visa / ESTA for entry to the USA

R Travel Insurance

Arrival complications The unexpected can happen. Your plane may be delayed or you may

even miss it! If you have missed your trek departure, first check with the

hotel to see if your tour leader left you a message. If not, call the relevant

TrekAmerica emergency number and speak to our staff who will be happy to

help you catch up with the group. You are responsible for any extra travelling

expenses incurred because of a missed trek, so please be on time.

JOINING POINT

KAILUA-KONA HOTEL Royal Kona Resort (Big Island)

75-5852 Ali’i Dr

Kailua-Kona

Hawaii 96740

United States

Tel: +1 808 329 3111

Transfer: There are a few ways to travel from Kona International Airport to the Royal Kona Resort. You can pre-book your transfer with Speedi Shuttle www.speedishuttle.com/ to ensure there is a transfer waiting for you. Alternatively you can catch a 9 mile taxi from the airport for around US$30-$32.

FINISHING POINT

KAILUA-KONA HOTEL Royal Kona Resort (Big Island)

75-5852 Ali’i Dr

Kailua-Kona

Hawaii 96740

United States

Tel: +1 808 329 3111

Transfer: To travel from the Royal Kona Resort to Kona International Airport you can catch a 9 mile taxi to the airport for around US$30-$32.

To book nights in hotels before or after your trip, contact our sales team on: info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

These Trek Tips were last updated on 28/12/2018

Emergency Contact Details: From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Holders of UK, Australia, New Zealand and most EU country passports are eligible to travel to the USA under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP is open to people for travel in the USA for up to a 90 day stay.

All eligible travellers who wish to travel under the VWP must apply for an electronic travel authorisation from the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at least 72 hours before arrival. You can apply for an ESTA at: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov. You will require your passport details and your address in the USA (you can use the starting point hotel address).

At the time of printing there is a US$14 fee for the electronic approval (ESTA). Your ESTA will be valid for a period of two years, or until your passport expires.

All travellers wishing to enter the USA under the VWP will need to hold a passport with an integrated chip (an ePassport). New rules exclude from the VWP most people who have travelled to Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria since 1 March 2011, and those who have dual nationality of these countries. This means that existing ESTAs could be revoked, and you will instead need to apply for a visa from the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

Residents from countries who cannot travel under the VWP must consult their relevant embassy. For more information about who is eligible to travel under the VWP, and the eligibility requirements please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/

Anyone that has not applied for and received travel authorisation via ESTA prior to travel may be denied boarding, experience delayed processing or be denied admission at the US port of entry. However, neither possession of a visa nor meeting the basic requirements for travelling visa-free on the VWP, guarantees admission to the USA. As with most countries, the final determination of admissibility is made by immigration officials at the port of entry. We keep the above visa information up to date as much as possible, but it is important that you check this for yourself.

Immigration & customs On entering a country you will need to proceed through customs. As long as you have a valid passport and the necessary visa/s you should have no problems. You may be asked how you intend to support yourself during your visit, if this happens please present your return airline ticket.

Health requirements If you have any medical condition such as diabetes, epilepsy or asthma, please take prescribed medicines, or have a condition that will affect your participation in the Trek, you must tell us or your travel agent at the time of booking. Please be aware we may require a doctor’s note prior to travel for some conditions. This information is essential in case of emergency. All our vehicles carry a basic first-aid kit, but for everyday use you should bring your own medical supplies, such as, pain relievers, antibiotic cream, upset stomach relievers, in addition to sunscreen and insect repellent.

Luggage allowance & storage

The baggage allowance for your tour is one suitcase, soft holdall or rucksack (23kg maximum) per person, plus a sleeping bag. A small daypack and camera can also be

Before you go Pre & post tour hotels

Tours starts at 07:00 hrs and finishes at approx. 17:00 hrs so it’s a good idea to book hotel accommodation before and after your trip. Please see page one of this document for your exact start time. Hotels are conveniently located in each of our departure and arrival cities and room rates are usually based on twin share as most people prefer to stay with other travellers at an affordable price. It’s also a great opportunity to make friends with fellow travellers! We can also offer a private room rate for single or double occupancy for people on the same booking. Make sure you book your hotel well in advance as availability is limited.

Flight arrangements

We can book flights departing from most UK airports, but cannot be held responsible for any delays, cancellations or changes to your flights. We recommend you book your flight to arrive into the gateway city at least one day prior to your Trek’s departure, this will allow you some adjustment time and opportunities for sightseeing. If possible, book your return flight for at least one day after your Trek finishes. If you do have to return home on the day your Trek finishes, ensure your flight does not depart before 9pm. We’re unable to delay a tour, or finish a tour early due to your flight times.

Travel insurance It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (including repatriation costs, air ambulance, and helicopter rescue service). Our insurance policy is designed specifically to cover the potential risks on our holidays-particularly the optional activities offered, and covers those residing in the EU. Contact us for more information or to get yourself covered or visit www.trekamerica.co.uk/insurance.

Passports, visas & rules for entry to the USA

It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid passport and any necessary visas for your tour. The visa requirements for your trip may vary depending on where you are going, and your nationality. It is important that you check and apply for each of the visas you need whilst in your home country and you should consult the relevant embassy if you need more information. Please bear in mind that some tours may spend time in more than one country.

Rules for entry into the USA

Making the most of your trip

CURRENCY CARD Get a FREE FairFX currency card and top up in advance for the best rates available and no fees.

fairfx.com/refer/trekamerica

KEEP IN TOUCH As a TrekAmerica customer receive a FREE 4G SIM card when you purchase an inclusive data plan including unlimited domestic calls and texts.

trekamerica.co.uk/ekit

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the NHS has up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For more on security, local laws, plus passport and visa information, see https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/

Keep informed of current travel health news by visiting www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk

For all latest travel information about your holiday, please visit us at www.trekamerica.com/travelaware

The advice can change so check regularly for updates.

Emergency Contact Details: From the US: Toll-Free: 1 (800) 786 - 8735 or 707 523 1800From outside the US: 001 707 523 - 1800

Any QUESTIONS? Please contact our UK Sales team info@trekamerica.co.uk or call +44 (0)208 682 8920

Drinking ages / drugs The legal drinking age in the USA is 21. If you are under the legal drinking age you will be refused entry to bars and most nightclubs. Proof of age (ID) is your passport, so never forget to take your passport on nights out. The tour leader will endeavour to find alternative entertainment for those under 21, but this is not always possible. Obviously these restrictions are not within TrekAmerica’s control.

Possession of drugs without a proper medical prescription will not be tolerated. If anyone is found with an illegal drug, they will be instantly removed from the Trek.

Security No matter where you find yourself in the world you need to look after your valuables. Use your common sense! While in cities, do not leave valuables in the vehicle. While camping, do not leave valuables in tents when away from camp. In general, the safest place for items such as passports, flight tickets and cash is on your person or in a hotel safe, where available. When in doubt consult your tour leader.

Responsible travel

You and your fellow Trekkers are sure to be really excited for your trip, but please be considerate to those around you. When you are in the campsites, especially the national parks, remember that quiet hours are in effect. Please respect your fellow campers who are there for the peace and tranquillity of camping. Have fun, but don’t forget to think first!

Please also be aware of the delicate balance that exists in the variety of natural wonders you will visit. National parks and monuments, archaeological sites and other sensitive areas should and MUST be treated with respect. TrekAmerica strives to operate tours with minimum impact on the land. So, if you see a notice to ‘stay on the path’ or ‘pick up litter’, please be a responsible traveller and understand that there is a good reason for the notice.

And the rest... Itinerary changes

We endeavour to run all tours as they are published; however, it’s sometimes necessary to alter itineraries to adapt to local conditions and park entrance regulations. We will do our best to keep you posted if that happens and your tour leader will provide a more detailed trip outline at the beginning of your particular tour.

Working hour regulations for our leadersWe would like to note that US law regulates the total number of hours your tour leader is available to work. Our trips are designed to make the most of your time in North America, but please understand that there will be certain times each day that your leader will need to be off duty from work. Our leaders take great pride in their level of customer service and will do everything they can to provide you with the trip of a lifetime. Please also respect that they need their own time to rest and recuperate in order to operate your trip safely and with great energy.

carried in the van. Before you travel, please check the baggage allowance with the airline you’re flying with as this may be less than 23kg.

TrekAmerica is unable to offer luggage storage facilities however some of the pre and post tour hotels we use can provide this service. Please contact them directly.

Whilst you’re away Accommodation on Trek

TrekAmerica tours use national and state park campsites and also an assortment of private campgrounds. Please note, campsites in Hawaii are more basic than on the mainland. Some campgrounds charge an additional fee of US$1-3 for showers. You will sleep in high quality, heavy duty tents which single travellers share with one other Trekker of the same sex.

Most camping trips also spend some nights in budget hotels or hostels during the tour, usually in the cities. This is based on multi-share or twin share. These night stops are shown by ( ) on the itinerary for each tour.

Please note, some hotels may require a debit or credit card as a deposit at check in. They may also take an amount to cover incidentals. Funds can be held until check out at which time the amount actually incurred will be charged. Please clarify with the hotel when you check out that all deposits will be refunded as promptly as possible.

Keeping in touch Whilst in Hawaii you will have some access to Wi-Fi in the van however, due to reception issues, you should expect this to be very limited.

TrekAmerica has partnered with e-kit to provide some of the cheapest ways to keep in touch with family and friends while on tour. E-kit can provide international calling cards, prepaid SIMs or international mobile handsets. All TrekAmerica travellers are eligible for a free SIM card plus US$5 calling credit. Please see www.trekamerica.com/ekit for more details.

Food kitty & meals We operate a food kitty system on all TrekAmerica camping tours. Your tour leader will collect the Food Kitty payment of US$15 per day in cash so please ensure you have this ready on your first day of the tour. Food kitty money will cover most meals when camping. We will provide all cooking equipment and everyone will take turns to buy, prepare and cook the food. For the days that you are staying in a city, you’re encouraged to try the speciality foods that each city offers, so allow extra money for the nights you eat out in local restaurants.

Spending money

We recommend you take at least US$15 per day for drinks, snacks and other incidentals, in addition to your food kitty contribution. You should also budget for tipping, as well as for the optional activities that you would like to do. Guideline prices for the most popular optional activities are listed on the tour pages on our website.

We suggest you bring US$150 with you in cash to have with at the beginning of your trip. ATM’s and cash machines are readily available throughout North America and major credit cards are widely accepted throughout the country. All ATMs in the US charge to withdraw money (from US$1-$5). In some off the beaten track destinations ATM’s and cash machines may be limited.

Pre-paid credit cards can be a cost effective and safe way to take funds overseas. See: www.fairfx.com/trekamerica

Tipping

Although it may not be customary in your country, it’s normal and expected in North America to tip local guides, waiters, bar staff, taxi drivers and anyone who provides a service for you. Service workers are paid a low wage and depend on tips for their livelihood.

A 15-17% tip is standard in restaurants and you should also expect to tip $1 per drink in bars, $1-2 per bag for porters as well 10% for taxi drivers. It’s also typical to tip around 10% for local guides who provide optional activities.

Your tour leader will work long and hard for you during your tour and we recommend a discretionary tip of US$5-7 per passenger per day if your leader’s performance meets or exceeds your expectations.

Clothes washing You will have the opportunity to wash your clothes while on trek. This can often be done at the campsite, or in a nearby town. Ask your tour leader for local information.

Battery charging Most of our Trekkers bring mobile phones, music devices and cameras that require frequent battery charging during a tour. On camping tours it is often difficult to find a safe and secure wall outlet to recharge these devices. Our vehicles have two standard 12 volt chargers. You will need a 12 volt / cigarette lighter adapter to plug your USB charger in. Every vehicle has at least two outlets for you to use. If your tour features some nights in hotels along the way your hotel room will have an electrical outlet (don’t forget your travel plug).