Kauai Multisport

Kauai Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Lihue, Hawaii. Arrive at Kauai’s Lihue Airport by 3:00 p.m. A shuttle will meet you and transfer you to a private north shore campsite at Kilauea. Located on a grassy bluff surrounded by palm trees, and with easy access to a private beach, you enjoy the quiet and the lush tropical setting while you unwind, sip a cold tropical drink and meet your guides and the other members of your group. There are no crowds here; it is truly a little slice of paradise! Settle in as your guides prepare a delicious welcome dinner of Hawaiian specialties. Dinner included.

• Day 2

  We are up early this morning before heading out for a day of kayak paddling on Kauai's most historical river, Wailua. This scenic, jungle river is lined with sacred sites including royal birthing rocks, sacrificial shrines, ancient villages and temples and places of refuge during times of war. The ancients called Wailua "the river of the great sacred spirit." The setting may seem familiar to you as several famous films have been set here including Indiana Jones and portions of South Pacific. We paddle upriver roughly two miles to a beach and trailhead where we leave our kayaks for a short hike through the jungle to Ulu'Wehi Falls. Standing at 120' high, the falls are lovely and inviting – cool off, take a dip! Return to our vehicle by kayak and then transfer back to our tented camp. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking: 5 miles.

• Day 3

  Your trip leaders will present you with a variety of options today. We may shift gears (literally!), grab a bike, and head down Kauai's secluded east coast to cycle on the quiet roads of an old sugar cane plantation or out to Hanalei Bay. The scenery is gorgeous with tropical fields back-dropped by jagged, spire-like peaks. An alternative option might include another lovely hike through the surrounding countryside. We enjoy one last night at our campsite. Take time this afternoon to swim, snorkel, and stroll the beach – it's all yours! All meals included.
  
  Biking: 6-12 miles; Optional activities.

• Day 4

  We are up early this morning to pack our camp before heading out to engage in one of the best adventures in the world - a day of sea kayaking along the famed Napali Coast. Imagine paddling below verdant 3,000' high sea cliffs dotted with dark sea caves and passing by secluded beaches- it's a day of kayaking to remember! We stop at picturesque Milolii Beach for lunch. This is one of the most beautiful and remote shorelines in the world! It is also a challenging paddle with virtually no "turn-around" options. Ideally, you should prepare for this paddle in advance by kayaking and developing your upper body strength. You should feel comfortable on the water and be a good swimmer. After this full day of paddling we land on the westernmost beach where our shuttle meets us, and we make our way to our beachfront cottages. Here you enjoy the ambience of old Hawaii and the serenity of an historic Kauai sugar plantation in an oceanfront resort setting. (Note: Kayaking the Napali coast is seasonal and weather dependent. Winter departures will paddle either the jungle Wailua River or the tropical and protected Hanalei Bay. All meals included.
  
  Paddling: 8 (winter) -16 (summer) miles.

• Day 5

  One of the most unexpected and dramatic natural wonders in tropical Hawaii is Waimea Canyon. This rugged region of deep river gorges and multi-hued cliffs is more than 10 miles long and more than 3,500 feet deep. Our ten-mile loop hike takes us through the fragrant under story of the canyon and up onto its fluted ridges that offer incredible views of the wild Napali Coast. Conjure up Jurassic Park and you've pretty much got the picture. Late afternoon we return to our comfortable cottages to enjoy a dip in the pool and a delicious "aloha" dinner. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 10 miles rugged terrain with good elevation gain.

• Day 6

  You have a well-earned relaxing morning to sleep in late, enjoy the beach, relax on the oceanfront grounds of the cottages, or snorkel at Mahalapu Beach … your guides will share various activity options for the morning with you.  Pack up and transfer to the airport mid-afternoon. Breakfast and lunch included.
  
  Optional activities.

Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

While camping you can choose to have a single tent (all our tents are roomy two person domed tents) or choose to share a tent with another group member.  Single accommodations may or may not be available upon request for the two nights at the oceanfront cottages. This is entirely dependent upon the configuration of your particular group.

Meals as noted in the daily itinerary; 3 nights camping; 2 nights beach cottages; skilled trip leader; group airport transfers; all equipment for various activities (2-person tents; kayaks, PFDs, bikes); permits and entrance fees; private transportation throughout.

Airfare to Lihue, Hawaii; additional hotel nights; cost of medical immunizations; snorkel equipment (can be rented); insurance of any kind; alcoholic beverages and soft drinks; optional gratuities to guides and items of a personal nature.

This trip is rated Moderate [3].  Trip members should be experienced campers in good physical condition.  It is not necessary to be an expert kayaker but we recommend that you  have some previous kayaking or canoeing experience.  Kayaking the Na Pali coast is a long paddle and requires that you have good arm and upper-body strength. The stretch of the Na Pali Coast we paddle on summer departures is remote with no easy turn-around point. You should be at ease in a small boat, be a good swimmer and be comfortable in deep water.  Due to weather conditions, the hiking trails may be muddy with many stream crossings and can be slippery.  We ask that you come equipped with a spirit of adventure and willingness to pitch in and help with camp chores.

Kauai's weather varies more by location than by season.  Average coastal daytime temperatures are in the 70s year-round.  Nights in winter can drop to the 50s, so please come prepared for all extremes.  Kauai's average annual rainfall is about 40 inches; this is what keeps the garden isle so lush and beautiful.  During the summer months, the trade winds blow and keep the humidity from becoming oppressive.  Winter weather is far less predictable and can vary from hard rain to warm days and blue skies.  Warm afternoon showers are not uncommon, please bring adequate raingear.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased at the time of your initial reservation, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

The key to staying comfortable while on an active trip is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. Try to bring only what is necessary—this will help you and the field staff.

Weather

Kauai's weather varies more by location than by season. Average coastal temperatures are in the 70s year round. Nights in winter can drop to the 50s, so please come prepared for all extremes. Kauai's average rainfall is about 40 inches; this is what keeps the Garden Isle so lush and beautiful. During the summer months, the trade winds blow and keep the humidity from becoming oppressive. Winter weather is far less predictable and can vary from steady rain to warm days with blue skies.

Gear Checklist

Things to Consider

• Please remember to always pack essential items such as appropriate identification, money, eyewear, hiking boots, a change of clothing and medications in your carry-on baggage in case your luggage is delayed.
• Use sunscreen liberally, especially while kayaking. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and a long-sleeve shirt also provide protection from the sun. Bring clothing that is light in weight and color and ventilates (breathes) to provide comfort and protection.
• Van space is limited. Pack light, fitting all clothing, sleeping bag and pad into one medium duffel bag. Lining the inside of your sleeping bag stuff sack with a large plastic trash bag will help keep your sleeping bag clean and dry.
• Attire for many days is a swimsuit, T-shirt and shorts. People typically pack a spare set of shorts and T-shirt in their daypack, as well as sunscreen, a towel, water bottle(s) and their camera. Bring some Ziploc bags for wet items to keep them separate from your dry clothes.
• Make sure boots are broken-in. Bring moleskin for foot treatment. Thin liner socks worn under regular hiking socks may minimize the risk of blisters. Liner socks should be synthetic or silk- not cotton. Test your sock combination before you go on the trip.
• Stuff sacks are great for sorting your gear. Use different sizes and colors to differentiate the contents.
• A pack rain cover or large garbage bag provides protection for your daypack if it rains.
• If you wear prescription glasses, use a safety cord and bring an extra pair if possible. Contact lens users should also bring an extra set, or bring eyeglasses as a backup.